268



Australian aviculture.



the Emu ( Dromceus novce-hollandice), well known everywhere through¬

out the continent, and emblazoned on the Australian coat-of-arms.

This species was first figured in Phillip’s ‘ Voyage to Botany Bay ’ in

1789 as the “ New Holland Cassowary,” and was characterised the

following year by Latham in his ‘ Index Ornithologicus ’ as Casuarius

novce-hollandice, Captain Tench, in his ‘ Settlement at Port Jackson,’

in 1793, first making us acquainted with its nest, eggs, and young.

Unfortunately its numbers are rapidly decreasing, for does it not

consume grass, thereby endangering the staple product of the State,

break wire fences, and disturb breeding ewes ? — all unpardonable

offences in the eyes of the pastoralist. Consequently, both birds and

eggs are destroyed in a ruthless manner by men employed for these

purposes; besides, the young birds have other enemies to contend

with in the shape of dingoes.



AUSTRALIAN AVICULTURE.


Mr. C. H. A. Lienau writes :


“ The Regent Birds are not very plentiful here now ; they

are most interesting, and those that they have in the Zoological

Gardens here have constructed some wonderful playgrounds. I

really think that the Petilotis 'penicillata, or Green Ringneck as it

is commonly known, is by far our most beautiful native songster

among the smaller birds. Of course, the Magpie is easily the best

of the lot. His wonderful flute-like notes ring through the forests,

and can be heard a mile away in calm weather, and yet are not at

all shrill or piercing even when heard at only a few yards’ distance.

The Green Ringneck gives us his best song just at sunset. The

notes are wonderfully clear and dulcet, and on a moonlight night

we have heard his song continuously till after midnight, and he

resumes it again at daybreak. As near as it can be syllabalised it

commences ‘Won’t you drink, pretty creature, won’t you drink?’

He is altogether a charming bird, and wonderfully graceful in his

movements.”


A member’s correspondent writes from Sydney :


“ I am sending you a marked catalogue of our Improvement



