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Mr. R. Colton,



Their flight formation is that of the letter V, but the limhs of the V

are not so long nor yet so regular as obtain with the Geese, to which

family the Pelicans belong.


Tamed specimens of the Kestrel, Little Owl, and even a great

Eagle have surprised me in several camps. In their changed state

they seemed to live contented lives, not far removed, as a rule, from

the camp cookhouse.



BIRDS OF THE SOUTH.


[From the ‘ Sydney Daily Telegraph,’ November 3rd, 1916."


Supplied by Mr. R. Colton.


You must go a long way nowadays to find the birds, except

just here and there, where some sanctuary has been kept for them

almost by foroe, for the rifle and gun of the bird-hunter are ruthless,

and only fear of the arm of the law saves the wholesale destruction

of these soft-winged, soft-hued creatures, who, like the flowers, bring

a sweet touch of divine harmony into the restlessness of life.


Many of the smaller birds of the coast you will find close to

home, even in suburban gardens, the Jacky Winter, Coach Whip,

Peewee, tire Starling, the Yellow Robin, the Blue Wren, and others

•of varied species, but for a glimpse of the rarer larger birds at ease in

erowds you must travel far afield.


Bird life retreats farther from human outlook year by year.

Even on the Southern Road, near Picton, Thirlmere, and Mittagong,

where, two years ago, bird life was fairly abundant, you may travel

far and notice little. For there has been so much temporary settle¬

ment round about. Hundreds of little homes and camps pitched

round deviation works have meant the loss of beauty spots, and with

these their bird life. On the hills round Bowral and Berrima you

may first notice the beautiful Rosellas and Lorys coming near less

timidly, crowds of Blue Martens, Goldfinches, and Dollar Birds, with

abundant Diamond Sparrows, Redheads, and other smaller varieties,



