OF SOUTHERN AUSTRALIA. 301 



English Robins {Erithacus rubecula) were let loose in two 

 small parcels of 7 and 4. Being few, they soon dis- 

 appeared. 



Ortolans {Eniberiza hortulana) were liberated near Melbourne 

 in 1863. Being only 16 in number, they soon disappeared. 

 Eighteen Canaries, let loose in 1872, also disappeared. 



Pin-tailed Sand-Grouse (Pterocles exustus) were hberated in 

 1863 — 20 of them. Two smaller lots were turned out 

 on PhiUip Island. The quantities may have been too 

 small, or the localities unsuited to them, as they failed to 

 increase, and finally disappeared. 



Indian Jungle Fowl, Guinea Fowl, and Peafowl were 

 all tried about the time the Grouse above were introduced. 

 There were 170 Guinea Fowls, but in all cases acclima- 

 tization failed. Their enemies were too many and 

 strong. 



Chukar Partridges {Caccabis chukar) were imported in 

 1865 — 23 of them. This and two later small consignments 

 made no headway. I beheve they left no offspring. The 

 same unfortunate result occurred with a number of 

 French Partridges in 1873. 



Chinese Quail {Excalf actor ia chinensis) were liberated in 

 Victoria in 1864 — 80 of them near Melbourne, and 70 on 

 Phillip Island. It is so difficult to distinguish them from 

 our indigenous species of King Quail that it is difficult 

 to say what exactly has occurred. 



Pheasants {Phasianus colchicus) have been imported since 

 1864 on several occasions. Because of poisoned grain 

 placed for rabbits this species very slowly makes its 

 increase. This is the " stumbling block " to their acch- 

 matizatioii. 



