^°i9i^'] BARREin\ Birds Around a Homestead. 257 



Birds Around a Homestead 



By CHARLES BARRETT, C.M.Z.S., Melbourne. 



Glimpses of bird life in the Federal Territory, during two visits 

 (the latest in November, 1921) do not encourage me to compile 

 a list, for I have notes on fewer than fifty species. My observa- 

 tions, beyond the paddocks of Tuggranong, were made from a 

 motor car, on journeys to and from Vass and the homestead, with 

 a side glance at Duntroon. 



I believe that the Territory is good bird country, for the small 

 area which I was able to "work" afoot, with a little leisure, held 

 more than forty species, and nearly all were strong in rrambers. 

 The Canberra countiy is diversified. Pleasant landscapes lie all 

 about the capital. Wherever you wander, you are glad that you 

 came, though in summer heat you may wish for more trees in 

 some parts, and the music of running water. Still, there are 

 streams, and wide tracts covered in eucalypts, mingled with other 

 trees. There are hills too within the Territory and beyond; hills 

 that are always beautiful, from sunrise till the last flake of light 

 has faded from the sky. There are long winding roads that lead 

 over slopes and through wnde valleys to the rivers. Forest and 

 pasture land, paddocks aglow with wild flowers, rocky rises, and 

 creeks that flow, shadeless, through crumbling grey earth, or 

 beneath old willow trees. 



There are gardens, too, about the homesteads, where trees 

 from other climes stand beside familiar natives. Duntroon and 

 Tuggranong and the plantation reserve are sanctuaries for bird 

 life; but they shelter more aliens than natives. Goldfinches are 

 so abundant that often their notes drown the songs of other 

 species in the garden. They nest in rose bushes, and pink- 

 flowered hawthorn as freely as Sparrows in a hedgerow. 



On the journey from Yass, I noticed a little comedy. A 

 Brown Hawk (leracidea bcrigora) flew high over the car, pur- 

 sued by two Magpie-larks {GralUna cyanoleuca) and a Black 

 and White Fantail ( Rhipiditra leucophrys). The Hawk appeared 

 to be flustered. He dodged and changed direction once or tw^ice, 

 but the smaller birds baffled him, and at last the Fantail alighted 

 fairly on his back, and rode for fifty yards or more, probably 

 I)ecking at its foe all the time ; though, lacking glasses, I could 

 not be sure about this. The Hawk soon afterwards flew on to 

 a telegraph line, and was left there in peace. 



My business took me to Tuggranong homestead, w^here the 

 official history of the Australian Imperial Force in the war is 

 being written'by Mr. C. E. W. Bean. The garden and orchard, 

 with a creek flowing through, a long drive lined with pine trees, 

 and paddocks stretching away to the hills claimed me in leisure 

 hours. 



Bird observing began at dawn, when songs from the garden 

 rippled through my dreams. It was good to be stirring then, to 



