436 THE BIEDS OF ATJSTBALIA 



INTEODUCBD BIKDS. 



A number of kinds of birds has been introduced into Aus- 

 tralia, and set free in the hope that they would establish 

 themselves and prove of service in the new country. The most 

 extended experiments in this direction were made by the 

 Acclimatisation Society of Victoria from 1863 onwards. 

 Amongst the birds liberated were Canaries, Blackbirds, Thrushes, 

 Californian and Chinese Quail, English Wild Ducks and Robins, 

 Java and Chinese Sparrows, the Common House Sparrow, 

 Starlings, Skylarks, Greenfinches, Goldfinches, Chaffinches, 

 Ortolans, Yellow-Hammers, Siskins, Indian Minahs and Turtle 

 Doves, Indian Jungle Fowl, Pea Fowl, Guinea Fowls, Lesser 

 Pintailed Sand-Grouse, Ceylon and French Partridges, Egyptian 

 Geese and White Swan. A few of these birds were also liberated 

 around Sydney. In some cases the numbers of the birds were 

 insufficient, in others the localities selected for liberation were 

 unsuitable, and in others the birds failed to make good their 

 footing in face of the natural and imported foes or fell victims to 

 the poison laid about for pests. The list of survivors then is 

 much shorter, and comprises both House and Tree Sparrows, 

 Starlings, Thrushes and Blackbirds, Greenfiiiches and Gold- 

 finches, Skylarks and the Indian Minahs and Doves. All these 

 have now become thoroughly acclimatised, and are multiplying 

 with greater or less rapidity. Around Sydney the Sparrow, 

 Starling, Doves, and to a less extent the Skylark are the only 

 foreign birds which have obtained a real hold. All the birds 

 in the list are to be met with around Melbourne. 



The Common Sparrow, whatever be his virtues or his failings, 

 has come to stay. He is present not merely in the large capitals, 

 but follows the railways, and where the white man can settle 

 the Sparrow can follow him. Many judges and juries have sat 

 upon his case, but it matters little to the bird, which defies all 

 attempts to exterminate him. He can feed on most things, fruit, 

 seeds, insects, worms, scraps, and can thus always pick up a 

 living in the townships, though fortunately he does not seem 



