300 THE USEFUL BIRDS 



its eastern side, where the tea-tree scrub offers them capital 

 cover. They will probably continue to spread in scrubby 

 country, but slowly. . . . Now and again small lots 

 have been sent to country towns, but, as a rule, they have 

 not succeeded, being destroyed by birds of prey." 



I have observed odd birds about Western Port. In 1872 

 eight Turtle-Doves {Turtur communis) were imported. No 

 trace is now to be found of them. 



With the whole number of attempted introductions of foreign 

 birds into Australia I am scarcely acquainted. Colonel C. S. 

 Ryjin, P.M.O., provides a list in The Emu, vol. v., 1906. Tn 

 it references are made to the following birds not already 

 mentioned in this work : — 



Java Sparrows {Padda oryzivora). — A stronger-billed bird 

 than the common Sparrow. Since 1863 some 535 have 

 been liberated, and still they failed to keep their footing 

 in the new land. It is just as well. 



Chinese Sparrows. — In 1863, 45 were hberated, and all have 

 vanished. 



Chaffinches {Fringilla caelehs). — In 1863, 50 were liberated ; 

 in 1864, 40; and 40 more in 1872. They have not 

 thriven, and few, if any, are now living. 



Yellow-Hammers {Emheriza citrinella). — Two consignments 

 of 15 each were liberated in 1863-64. They were hardly 

 in sufficient numbers to obtain a footing, and have 

 disappeared. 



Siskin Finches {Chrysomitris sfinus) were imported in 1864, 

 when 40 were set free. In 1872, 20 were hberated. 

 Evidently they got scattered, lost touch with each other, 

 and have become exterminated in this country. 



