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Mr. D. Skth-Smith,



frequently in my rambles, but beard its beautiful clear note much

more often than I caught sight of the bird itself.


On the high ground at the head of the gully English

Goldfinches were quite numerous. They have found au ideal

home here, where they are not likely to be disturbed by the bird-

catcher.


As I commenced to descend into the gully again the rich

notes of the Lyre Bird again attracted my attention, but though

I made every effort to detect the bird itself, I was quite unable

to catch a glimpse of it. However, later, in New South Wales, I

was more fortunate.


A stream runs through the bottom of the gully, its banks

covered with luxurious tree-ferns and I reclined here for some

time surrounded by many birds. The charming little Scarlet¬

breasted Robin (.Petrceca leggii) was here, his bright red breast

showing up like some brilliant scarlet flower ; the Yellow-breasted

Robin (.Eopsaltria australis'), a most industrious flycatcher, grey

above with bright yellow breast, sat motionless on a twig some

few yards from me, and every now and then would dart forth and

capture some insect, returning to the perch whence it came.

The Harmonious Ground Thrush hopped about on the grass

near by, and a Sacred Kingfisher flew past and alighting at some

distance from me scanned the ground below for some insect on

which to prey. His larger cousin the Laughing Jackass was here

also, and as I started towards the station flew from a gum tree

and made a bee line into the thickest part of the bush, and

alighting out of sight gave vent to his mocking laugh. But my

time was up and I made for the station and thence back to

Melbourne.


Aviculturists are few and far between in Australia, but I

had the pleasure of meeting one, a lady, whose skill in keeping

the insectivorous birds of that country is probably second to

none in that part of the world.


Mr. Dudley Le Souef drove me one afternoon to the

house of Dr. and Mrs. Horn, whose niece, Miss Helen Bowie, has

from a child been devoted to birds, and unlike the average

Australian “bird fancier,” long ago recognised the fact that the



