OF SOUTHERN AUSTRALIA. 299 



INDIAN MYNA, 



Acridotheres tristis, Bonn, et Vieill. 



Here we have an " import " from India or Afghanistan. It 

 ranges through those countries in south-east Asia. The 

 Myna or Minah was first introduced to Austraha in 1863, 42 

 being set free in Victoria ; in 1864 another batch of 40 birds 

 was let loose ; in 1866 a small number ; while in 1872 

 there were 70 hberated. No more are needed. If we 

 introduced it into Australia because of its voice we could have 

 done better by securing the larger Indian variety with a 

 linguistic tendency that I know no other bird to have in such 

 full measure. I am just inclined to believe we again secured 

 the wrong species, sacred though it be to the god-ram Deo. 

 Still it is fond of the society of man, makes cheerful the 

 environment of the cities, and, except for a slight damage to 

 fruit, is generally to be commended. 



In appearance it is a ruddy brown, with a white spot on 

 each wing as a recognition mark. By this means other birds 

 know it at once when flying. It builds a large, coarse nest in 

 water-spouts of dwellings, and lays blue eggs. After nesting 

 time they become gregarious, within reasonable bounds. The 

 cheerfulness of the young adds considerably to the joy of 

 living, the people of the suburbs of cities getting the 

 benefit. 



TURTLE-DOVE, 



Turtur siirateiisis, Strickel. 



Mr. D. Le Souef, Director of the Melbourne Zoological 

 Gardens, tells me that the first imported doves of this species 

 were liberated in 1870 ; and 16 more in 1874, which gradually 

 increased, " They are now spreading around Port Phillip on 



