114 BUSH WANDEEINGS. 



and others could be easily taken in clap-nets, and ^vould 

 have a ready sale for match-shooting. At the pigeon- 

 matches here, five shillings per couple is the usual price 

 for pigeons, and many more matches Avould be shot but 

 for the dearness and scarcity of the birds. On the Ade- 

 laide side the little shell or zebra paroquet is bought up 

 at sixpence each, and much used for trap-shooting. All 

 the handsome parrots, and every species of pretty small 

 bird could be sold in town for cage-birds. I scarcely ever 

 went up to Melbourne from the bush without being 

 asked for live birds or animals ; and if I had only under- 

 stood the trade as well as one of our " "Whitechapel bird- 

 catchers," I would have cut the gun and stuck to the 

 net, and nothing else. 



The wattle-bird, although not strictly game, will often 

 fetch five shillings per dozen in Melbourne. They come 

 in thickest just as the quail have left, and a man may 

 shoot two or three dozen in the day with ease, for they 

 fly in large flocks, like the fieldfare at home, about the 

 large honeysuckle and gum trees. Parrots can also at 

 times be sold, when game is scarce ; and let me say that 

 a parrot pie is no bad dish. 



