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Mr. A. S. le Souef,



GARDEN BIRDS IN SYDNEY.


By A. S. Le Souef.


[Reprinted from the ‘ New South Wales Education Gazette Supplement.’]


What life and interest birds add to a garden ! Most countries

have certain wild birds that make their homes near habitations, and

look upon man as a friend rather than as an enemy. Australia is

specially fortunate in this respect, and most suburban gardens can

count on a dozen species which are regular inhabitants, besides

several travellers who visit us in the summer; but one only gets

to know them when they are off again, following the fine weather

northwards, and we are left with our permanent friends. Around

Sydney, these are the welcome Swallow, the friendly Willie Wagtail,

the plain-coloured Jacky Winter, the trustful Yellow Robin,

the perky Blue Wren, the dainty little Diamond Bird, the busy

Tits of two species, the dashing Spine Bill, the immaculate Magpie

Lark, and the plaintive-voiced Cuckoo; while the Kookooburra, the

harmonious Shrike Thrush and the Butcher Bird are never very

far away. These birds are a very efficient first line of defence

against our insect pests, and are splendidly organised for searching

every space where troublesome insects dwell. Some seek their prey

in the air, others look after the leaves of the trees, and still others

take charge of the bark, while the shrubs, lawns, and paths each

have their specialists, diligently searching their own particular

sphere for every living thing therein.


The Swallows are the aerial scouts of the bird army, and

make themselves responsible for keeping the air free of winged pests,

chiefiy the troublesome house flies and the mosquito. Sometimes

we see them high above the treetops, floating on easy wing, for mere

enjoyment, or chasing up and down the busy streets, in and out

of the traffic, or racing beside the trams to gather in the insects

disturbed thereby, or gracefully skimming over ponds, picking up

gnats from the surface, or boldly entering buildings to gather flies

from the walls.


The Wagtail, or, to be more correct, the Black and White



