220 Mr. R. Hall on the Birds 



stays a few days only, while the Petrceca comes to us in the 

 autumn. The great majority of our birds go from our garden 

 northward to their winter-home in April. In May, the first 

 of the cold months, the Melbourne fields receive a further 

 supply of the Magpie (Gymnorhina) , the Magpie-Lark (Gral- 

 lina), and the bird generally referred to as the Lark (An thus 

 australis). The flute-like notes, the optimistic spirit, and the 

 attractive form of the Magpie have probably no counterpart 

 in nature. Every field in this district has one or more pairs 

 of this bird, and the rural suburbs of Melbourne would almost 

 appear deserted without them. That the Magpie eats a little 

 grain just before it sprouts is the only grievance which we have 

 against our characteristic bird. The balance is heavily in 

 its favour. As regards the Magpie-Lark, absolutely nothing 

 has been placed to its debit ; it is a much-valued denizen of 

 the field or garden. The Anthus, a semi-domesticated bird, 

 also lives in the good graces of the people. 



These three species are prominent birds in the Melbourne 

 district — the first two by reason of their conspicuous dress 

 and pleasant voice, and the third on account of its frequency. 

 Flocks of the English Starling occasionally wheel into our 

 trees with a graceful " military " flight. The Mavis and 

 Merle of the fatherland also brighten our lawns. Last year 

 we heard the song of a Lark. It may have been the song 

 of the bird that "sings at Heaven's Gates," as this intro- 

 duced British species is prevalent within five miles of the 

 spot under consideration. Gloomily I may also mention 

 the names of the European Sparrows (Passer domesticus and 

 P. montanus). To the city they are invaluable, but in the 

 country they bring forth a tale of woe, ever recurring. Rose- 

 growers, however, find them capital fly-eaters. 



The true Flycatchers (Rhipidura albiscapa) leave the creeks 

 in autumn and grace our gardens. Occasionally they appear 

 in spring and build in our trees most beautiful nests, the 

 purpose of which a philosopher is needed to unravel. 



If in the suburban garden there is a piece of rank scrub, 

 there surely will be the nesting-haunt of a Scrub-Wren 

 (Sericornis). The building of that nest, if carefully studied, 



