Melbourne bot. Garden
13. Oct. 1857
Sir
In compliance with your request I have the honor to inform you, that a building constructed of close wire and of wood would be desirable for the reception of any foreign Songbirds in the botanic gardens.
With a size of 20 x 18' and a hight of 10' it would be sufficiently large for the propagation of some of the introduced birds, whilst those that were set gradually at liberty would become probably domiciled in the shrubberies of these gardens.
The price of a wire building of the above dimensions would approach to 195£ inclusive of lining and fitting.
A shady and sheltered position for it could be found for it on the South Western bank of the lagoon.
For the reception of additional foreign waterbirds I beg to recommend an extension of the present wire enclosure at the Southern part of the lagoon. Its enlargement by 240 yards would cause an approximate expense of 84£.
I beg to leave to add, that the lately constituted Zoological Society would undoubtedly aid with valuable advise on these questions.
I have the honor to be,
Sir,
your most obedient and humblest servant
Ferd. Mueller
Director of the botanic Gardens.
The honorable Capt Charl. Pasley, R. E.
Chief Commissioner of public works &c &c &c2
On 30 September 1857 J. Macadam, Honorary Secretary of the Philosophical Institute of Victoria, wrote to the Chief Secretary, W. Haines: 'That the feasibility of permanently introducing various song birds into the Colony, was lately brought forward at the Institute, in a paper read by Mr Wilson, [see Wilson (1858)] recounting some experiments already made and which had been partially successful. — That, a subcommittee of the Institute was appointed to co-operate in the attainment of this end — That, a statement having been laid before the Committee to the effect, That, friends of this kind of experiment at home had intimated their wish to send out some birds which might probably be expected to arrive shortly. The Committee decided upon recommending to the members of the Institute the setting apart a certain sum, to meet the expenses of the experiment in this neighbourhood. — That, the Botanical Gardens were deemed a suitable locality for testing the experiment, and, that it was considered advisable to wait upon the Government and apply for their Co-operation and Assistance. — That, if the Government would supply funds for the erection of an Aviary within the Gardens, to be strictly and specially adapted for the above purpose, and to be placed under the Supervision of the Institute or its Committee, and, to meet some portion of the expense attendant upon the arrival of the Birds that may be sent, it is believed that the experiment would have a fair trial. — That, the Philosophical Institute would contribute a proportionate share, and that contributions of suitable birds would be made by many colonists who take a natural interest in such experiments. — That, the erection of an Aviary in the Botanical Gardens would add greatly to their interest with those who resort to them, and would not require more than a very moderate amount of the sum promised by you, to be devoted to such purposes, in accordance with the recommendations of a Select Committee of the Legislative Assembly.' (A57/6928, unit 744, VPRS 1189, PROV).
Macadam's letter was forwarded to the Public Works Department on 6 October with Haines's request: 'Forward to Director of Botanical Gardens for his report and ascertain cost of proposed Aviary.' Pasley forwarded Macadam's letter to M on 7 October asking: 'Will Dr Müller be good enough to state in what manner this suggestion can best be carried out, and in what part of the Gardens. I think the Aviary should be rather extensive, & should include both wood & water.'
Please cite as “FVM-57-10-13,” in Correspondence of Ferdinand von Mueller, edited by R.W. Home, Thomas A. Darragh, A.M. Lucas, Sara Maroske, D.M. Sinkora†, J.H. Voigt† and Monika Wells accessed on 20 April 2024, https://epsilon.ac.uk/view/vonmueller/letters/57-10-13