9 
and piire water. -Special snppot)t having been sought for this purpose by the Zoological 
Committee, from tiie Government, it will probably be possible to institute the next arrange- 
ments for salmon introduction during the northern winter, 1861-1862. 
. ,1 Considerable losses were sustained amongst the singing birds wliich successively 
during the year were transmitted as donations from Mr. Edward AVilson. The greater 
number suffered much on the voyage, and many were, in the half-featherless state in 
which they arrived, not even able to endure in the most sheltered part of our aviary our 
winter temperature, and had to be placed in the palm-house until their plumage was 
restored. These birds having been sent principally -with a view to endeavor that their 
naturalization might be effected, seventeen paii-s of thrushes, eight pairs of blackbirds, three 
pairs of starlings, and twelve jrairs of skylarks were liberated, some in our gardens, others 
near the Yan-a Bend Asylum, on Phillip Island, Sandstone Island, and Churchhill Island ; 
and it is gratifying to record that at the Botanic Garden the liberated larks, thrushes and 
starlings reared .successively their broods. The same results have probably attended the 
experiment -with the blackbirds, of which, however, we have no positive proof, and in all 
likelihood also the birds set free in the other above-mentioned and seemingly very secure 
spots may have increased. 
Under these circumstances it -will decidedly be preferable to give on all occasions 
at once freedom to such birds as are intended for multiplication, and not required as 
singing birds for aviaries. For although our large densely planted aviary Avas on purpose 
sparingly stocked Avith birds, and many pairs Avere removed to two other buildings fitted 
up during the breeding season for their reception, it appeared that the mutual hostility 
of the thrushes and blackbirds frustrated the final success of rearing their young in 
confinement. 
Ten pairs of blackbirds, tlrree pairs of starlings, ten pairs of thrushes, tAvo pairs of 
linnets, seven pairs of larks, tAvo pairs of goldfinches, Avere distributed to gentlemen Avho 
had constructed aviaries sufficiently spacious and secure to . render the prospect of the 
increase of these birds rather hopeM. But I am as yet not in possession of any reports 
on their experiments. Several pheasants Avere also provided for breeding puiqjoses to 
private establishments. 
Some of the English pheasants, presented by the Duke of NeAvcastle, Lord 
Caernarvon, and Mr. F. Buxton, were liberated by Mr. Rogers at Sandstone and Churoh- 
hUl Island, where some of them, after the lapse of many months, Avere still seen, and 
others were set free by Mr. McHaffie, on Phillij) Island. 
From tAvo pairs of English pheasants retained at the garden, and one pair of sifrer 
pheasants, we obtained hitherto this season about forty young birds, and a comsiderable 
number of eggs are stiU under incubation. It Avill, therefore, be Avithin our means to add 
these birds to the feathered tribes of our ranges, AA-here climate, comparative .security, and 
abundant food, seem to augur Avell for their naturalization. 
No special vote for stabling and fencing being available in 1860, only some light 
enclosures could be made for .separating kangaroos, AvaterfoAvls, swans, &c., at the northern 
lagoon. But notAvithstanding rafts, or small floating island.s, .shaded AAith reedy plants^ 
were provided for the British swans, they abandoned their nesting places at the last stage 
of incubation. 
One of the most interesting additions to our menagerie has been that of a pair of 
young watermoles (Ornithorrhynchus paradoxus), contributed by Ja.s. AY. AA’ood, Esq., 
of Fitz Roy. As these remarkable creatures are freely partaking of artificial food, it 
appears by no means unlikely that a contemplated attempt to send a few pairs of them to 
home establishments, and even a trial to naturalize them in South Eimopean waters, 
would bo attended Avith success, could young animals be secured for the puiqjo.se. 
The first steps of a general system of interchange with the British and foreign 
zoological gardens have been made in the transmission to Regent s Park of tAVo dingoes. 
No. 19, c. 
