FOR BIRDS ONLY

Evening Star, Issue 22975, 4 June 1938, Page 13

FOR BIRDS ONLY

UNUSUAL HOUSE AT MANLY On the cliffs overlooking the foam* crested breakers and golden sands at Manly, one of Sydney’fi'seaside resorts, stands a large house with an unusual history. For years it was the home of the late Robert J. D. Sellar, an Englishman, who formerly owned a sheep station near Cooma, in New South Wales Used to the quietness of country life, he spent much of his time in his garden, and while enjoying the peacefulness and scenic beauty of its environments, he became interested in the doves which frequented it. Day after day he fed them regularly. In 1932 he transferred his property to the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals irt New South Wales, and the following year set up a permanent maintenance fund of £IO,OOO. The property became known as the “ Manlv Bird Sanctuary." The sanctuary is now in the Care of Miss A. Compton Legge, whose duty is to feed the birds. At 7 and 11 o’clock in the morning afld at 4 in the afternoon the fluttering of itings herald the approaching meal times, as hundreds of birds alight on the grass, confident and unafraid, to partake of wheat, bird seed, and cracked corn, at a specified cost of £1 a Week. The doves share their repast with pigeons, kookaburras, pee-wees, sparrows, silvereyes, Johnny Winters, starlings, and many ether birds. On a hot day dozens of these welcome guests maybe seen at the fountain in the centre of the garden. Often seagulls and muttonbirds, storm-battered after rough weather, find haven there.