THE FOOD OF AUSTRALIAN BIRDS. 11 



They probably play a useful part in clearing the ground of insects, but 

 are gravely suspected of feeding 011 the fruits of prickly-pear, thereby 

 distributing the seeds further afield. 



Reptiles and Frogs. 



An examination of the stomach contents of three reptiles and a frog 

 indicate that many of these are insectivorous, and play a useful part in 

 controlling insect pests. It is hoped to examine more of these as oppor- 

 tunity occurs. Lizards or frogs should not be destroyed just for the mere 

 lust of killing, unless conclusive evidence is forthcoming that they are 

 really doing harm. 



The Food of Birds from the Botanical Aspect Seeds.* 



The birds may b3 divided into four groups, according to the class of seeds 

 eaten. Such a grouping is, of course, tentative, for it is apparent that in 

 many cases the seeds eaten are dependent to a grater or less extent on the 

 seeding plants present. For example, it is noticed that in some cases the 

 seed of Geijera is the only seed found, while in other cases, other seeds of 

 plants like those of salt bushes and even weeds are eaten in addition. It 

 may have been that Geijera was the only plant growing in that locality 

 containing seed in abundance, or perhaps the other plants present were not 

 in their seeding stages. The same remarks may apply to legumes, other 

 native shrubs and weed seeds. 



It is fairly apparent that " grass-seed eaters " also eat the seeds oi cereals 

 where the latter are available, and this may be important Jrom an economic 

 point of view. For this reason I have included cereals among grasses. 

 A general broad classification may be made as follows : 

 Geijera Seed Eaters. Brush Turhcy, Short-billed Tree Tit, Jardine'fi 

 Caterpillar Eater, Scrub Robin, Butcher Bird, Rufous-crested 

 Thickhead, Gilbert's Thickhead, Yellow-breasted Robin, Striped 

 Honey-eater, Singing Honey-eater, Yellow-throated Friar Bird, 

 Oriole, Spotted Bower Bird, Partridge Bronze-wing Pigeon, Brush 

 Wattle Bird. 



Native Legume and other Native Shrub Seed Eaters. Bronzewing Pigeon, 

 Brush Bronzewing Pigeon, Gong-gong Cockatoo, Pennant's 

 Parrakeet, Starling. 



Grass Seed Eaters. Crow, Spotted Scrub Wren, Magpie Lark, Little 

 Field Wren, Ground Thrush, Rosella, Red-backed Parrakeet, 

 Stubble-Quail, Peaceful Dove, Dove, Spotted Babbling Thrush. 

 Weed Seed Eaters. King Quail, Red-backed Quail, Wonga Wonga 

 Pigeon, Crimson-bellied Parrakeet, Yellow-throated Scrub-wren, 

 Chestnut-rumped Tit, White-browed Scrub-wren, Black-backed 

 Wren, Silver-eye, Yellow-eared Honey-eater, Spiny-cheeked Honey- 

 eater, Ground Lark, Grey Jumper, White-winged Chough, Sparrow. 

 * E. Breakwell, B.A., B.Sc., Agrostologist, Department of Agriculture. 



