Birds. 2949 



contrive, numerous as they are, to elude the researches of naturalists 

 with reference to their nests and eggs. 



Alfred Charles Smith. 

 Old Park, October 11, 1850. 



The Birds of Melbourne. By J. J. Briggs, Esq. 

 (Concluded from page 2611). 



Common Sheldrake [Anas Tadorna). In Melbourne Gardens are 

 some tame sheldrakes, a pair of which, a few summers ago, burrowed 

 a hole into the ground amongst the shrubs, and bred. 



Pintail Duck {Anas acuta). Occasionally comes to the Trent. 



Wild Duck {Anas boschas). Many pairs breed annually amongst 

 the willows and sedge which skirt the outlets of the Trent, and remain 

 throughout the year. They issue forth towards evening to feed on 

 the Trent, and return a little before sunrise. 



Teal {Anas crecca). Teals are chance visitors. A single bird will 

 come upon the Trent, and if unmolested remain for several weeks and 

 then depart. When they first appear they are tame and not difficult 

 to kill, but afterwards become more wild and wary. I have seen 

 them so early as the end of August. 



Wigeon {Anas Penelope). Arrive later than teal, seldom before the 

 middle of September, and often in pairs. They prefer the rushy parts 

 of the river. 



Pochard {Anas ferina). Seen during most winters. 



Longtailed Duck ( Anas glacialis) . Comes in hard winters to the 

 Trent. 



Harlequin Duck (Ans histrionica) . On the pool in Melbourne 

 Gardens are a pair of these beautiful fowls, which add much to the 

 many attractions of the place. Although they have been kept there 

 for several years they never bred until the year 1849, and as this is, I 

 believe, one of the very few instances of the bird breeding in this 

 country, it may be interesting to give some account of it. In the 

 grounds above mentioned, at a very considerable distance from the 

 pool where the birds usually live, and in a retired part, stands an ice- 

 house, against which some thatch-sheaves were placed : upon these, 

 sheltered from the wet and sun, and at an altitude of about three feet, 

 the pair formed a nest which was simply a depression in the thatch, 

 made most beautifully soft and warm, by being lined with down 

 viii. 2 S 



