ME LLOB — Birds Breeding at " Glenlurne." . 43 



Birds Breeding at " Glenburne." 



(By J. W. Mellor.j 



Birds observed late with young at "Glenburne:' Stirling 

 West, February 12, 1917. 



Scarlet Breasted Robin feeding two young within a few 

 feet of wife and children as we sat at breakfast beneath the 

 verandah, picking up crumbs, etc., thrown out to them, the 

 parent birds enticing the young to pick them up for them- 

 selves, which one did after a considerable amount of teaching. 

 It was interesting to note that one of the young, presumably 

 a male, had three small patches of bright scarlet on the chest, 

 and thus before it was able to feed itself, showing the early 

 stage that the red appears. Both male and female feeding 

 young. 



Blue Wren feeding four young. These birds were also 

 exceedingly tame, coming right up to the breakfast table near 

 the trees, and picking up the tit-bits thrown out to them, also 

 picking up insects, etc., and feeding the young birds, all of 

 which were in their immature plumage. It was noted that 

 both the male and female were feeding their offspring, and 

 that they gave to the young in rotation, passing by one that 

 had just previously had a morsel, although the little bird 

 tried to get the crumb intended for its brother or sister. 



Rufous Thickhead feeding young in the gum trees close 

 to the house, the old bird repeatedly whistling and calling to 

 its offspring to come on, which it did, to receive the food. 



Harmonious Shrike Thrush brought its young quite close 

 to the table where we were having meals, being not the least 

 afraid of the children. My little son throwing out crumbs 

 to the parent bird, who picked them up and gave them to the 

 young bird. The old birds were calling loudly all day, 

 answering one another continually in beautifully clear liquid 

 notes, which resounded again and again in the bush and trees. 



White-throated Tree-creeper. It is interesting to note 

 that the white-throated tree-creeper is very tame at 

 "Glenburne," where needless to say the birds have a sanc- 

 tuary well protected, with plenty of virgin bush and trees. 

 These birds have roosted at night for some years under the 

 front verandah, on a slight ledge. Last year I placed a hol- 

 low piece of wood in position just beneath the iron roofing. 



