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Fe = NVINOSHLINS S3!IYVYUSIT LIBRARIES INSTITUTION _ a = ne z = a | 2 = > = - > = .> rs = E = me sas 7 a 2 D zZ 7 Z RIES SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION NOILMLILSNI NVINOSHLINS S3IuvuaIT lL w za z Z < z = 2 % WN S 2 g 5 +, 2° 6 - or wS Zz iS Z a Z. E ae, 2 a 2 a MLSNI _NVINOSHLINS _LIBRARIES SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION | N = 27) wo Pi es oc = w we, oc re) 7 = ro) = re) o¥ z I z = = RIES Se SOMAN INSTITUTION NOILNLILSNI NVINOSHLINS S3IYVYUEII _ = cc = aay ON? Oo f o Soa 2] mS ead A A Oo THSYAG wo PM = nd fe’? OE FE Geme = 2 Kom 2° 3 og wy Me —Ke FL a _ ! C ey o& | <The Emu. A Quarterly Magazine to popularize the Study and Protection of Native Birds. m2 @- Official Organ of the ROYAL AUSTRALASIAN ORNITHOLOGISTS’ UNION. { A. J. CAMPBELL, Col. Mem. B.0.U. \ CHARLES BARRETT. Editors Welbourne : WALKER, MAY & C@., PRINTERS, 25 MACKILLOR STREET. LONDON AGENT : R. H. PORTER, 7 PRINCES STREET, CAVENDISH SQUARE, W. IQII. [+ - . 4 “ v i . A? z “2 4 ' =e a > | 7 ree fy ie af 7 * : f 7 “? o 4 yy hae o ’ id " > > ‘ t i ' ‘ i ' 4 ‘ , ‘ om ee s Dp “; M13 0 Yano hy) * piyoeny , y of on | y Sng he 7 ii) CONTENTS OF VOL. X—1910-11. Agriculturists, For, 140. Albatross, The Carter, 301. Agricultural Gazette of New South Wales, The, 345. Amytornis gigantuva v. A. macrura, 341. Arbor and Bird Day in South Aus- tralia, I41. Avicultural Society’s Awards, 140. Annotations, 337. Articles Received, 352. Australian Birds, New, 342. Australian Land-Birds, Distribution of, 342. Barrier Range, The Region of the, 16, 88. Bird and Animal Remains from King Island, Bass Strait, 62. Bird Day, 290. Bird Drama, A, 51. Bird-Life on Sandy Creek, Riverina, INESAVViene lS. Bird-Life on the Kermadec Islands, 2. Bird Notes from Cunninghame, 136. Bird Observers’ Club, 72, 145, 302, Bird Protection, 142. Birds and Poison Baits, 352. Bird’s Nest in Sheep’s Wool, 299. Birds New to Tasmania, 53. Birds-of-Paradise, Notes on, 141. Birds of Lord Howe and Norfolk Islands, The, 58. Birds of North-West Australia, 103. Birds of the Blackalls, 205. Birds of the Cardwell and Herbert River Districts (N.Q.), 233. Birds of the East Murchison, W.A., 70. Birds of the Tanami Goldfields, 75. Birds Seen around _Inglenook, Merriman’s Creek, South Gippsland, 121. Birds Seen in and around Broome, North-Western Australia, I11. Black Swan’s Nest, A, 147. Blue Wren of Tasmania, The, 52. B.O.C. Minutes, 77. Bower-Bird, Additional Notes on the Tooth-billed (Scenopeetes dentirostris), of North Queens- land; 8. Bower-Bird, The Satin, 50. British Ornithologist in Australia, 140. Broome Hill, W.A., Field Notes from, 294. Capricorn Group, Birds Identified on the, 195, 304. Capricorn Group, Expedition to the Islands of the, 181. Caterpillar-eater, White-shouldered, (Lalage tricolor), 294. Cleveland (Tas.) Notes, 137. Cockatoo’s Vocabulary, A, 304. Collyriocichla superciliosa, Nest and Eggs of, 341. Coloured Figure Fund, 148, 351. Coot, Tasmanian Notes on 138. Correction, A, 303. Correspondence, 70, 30t. County Bird Book, Another, 75. Crow-Shrike, Description of a New, the, 34- Cuckoo, Foster-Parent of Fan-tailed, 202. Cuckoo Notes, 134. Curious Clutch, 49. Curious Nests, 343. Death Trap, A, 148. Defence of Oology, A, 54. Description of two New Nests and Eggs from North-West Aus- tralia, 132. Descriptions of New Eggs, 339. Destruction of Birds, 45. Egg Collecting, 351. Emu-Wren, Mallee, 330. : Ephthianura, Description of a New, Zoe Erratum, 139. Expedition to the Islands of the Capricorn Group, I8t. Explanation, An, 148. Extension of Locality, 303. Field-Wren, Nest and Eggs of the Rock, 293. Protection in States, 344. Gerygone cinevascens, Description of the Nest and Eggs of, 341. Goshawk, Description of a New, 249. Gould Bird League, The, 75. Great Barrier Reef, Along the, 216. Ground-Lark’s Nest on Highway, ) ? “Handbook of the Birds of Tas- mania,” 74. “ Handlist of the Birds of Austral- asia,’’ Additions to the, 57. Notes on the, Game the United iv Hawks, Notes on, 247. Honey-eater, Helmeted (Piilotis cassidix), 37. \ Honey-eater, White-eared (Pitilotis | leucotis), 49. Incubation and Fledgling Periods in Birds, 140. In Memoriam, 78. Kimberley, North-West Australia, Field Notes on the Birds of, 258. Lorikeet, Description of a New Queensland, 204. Magazines, &c., From, 58, 140, 299, 342. “Magpies ’’ (Gymnorhina), The Pug- nacity of, 49. Meliphagide and Melitose, 52. Native Cat and Herons, 293. New Sub-species, 303. New York Zoological Journal of the, 342. New Zealand Bird Notes, 60. Notes and Notices, 74, 147, Bile Nomenclature of Society, 303, “ Handlist of the Birds of Australia,’’ Altera- tions in the, 317. Obituary, 76. (Estrelata leucoptera, Further Re- marks on the Finding of the Nest and Egg of, 253. Ornithological Congress, Fifth Inter- national, 148. Ornithological Field Research, 351. Outer’s Book, The, 342. Pachycephala meridionalis, Eggs of, 49. Pardalote, Nesting Site of, Pardalotes, Notes on, 113. Parrot, A New Australian, 147. Parrot Pets, Wild, 13'5. Pelicans, Destruction of, 344. Penguin, Notes on the Crested (Catarrhactes chrysocome), 41. Penguin, The Little, 137. Petrel, Description of the Nest and Egg of the White-winged, 252. 340. Petreca phenicea Breeding in Gipps- | land, 340. Philippine Birds, The, 342. Podargus Call, Production of, 246, 303. Podictpes, Prolific, 136. Prior Name, 303. Publications Received, 353. Reed-Warblers in Tasmania, 351. Regent-Bird (Sericulus melinus), Notes on the, 44. Reviews — “‘ Ornithologists at Wa- runda Creek,’ 64; ‘A His- tory of the Birds of Kent,” | Scrub-Bird, Contents of Vol. X.—1910-11. 65; ‘‘A Handbook of the Birds of Tasmania and _ its Dependencies,” 66:; “The Subantarctic Islands of New Zealand,” 67; ‘‘A Mono- graph of the Petrels (Order Tubinares),? e043) eee Fauna of Cheshire,” 144; “The Birds of Dumfries- shire,’’ 299 ; “‘ Life of William MacGillivray,” 300; “ Pro- tected Native Birds of South Australia,’ 346; “ Foreign Birds for Cage and Aviary,” 347; ‘‘An Australian Bird Book,” 348. Rhipidura phasiana, Note on, 1. Robin, Flame-breasted, 50, 340. Robin, Plumage of the Female Pink- breasted, 292. Robin, The Dusky (Petreca vittata), 127. Rostvatula australis, Limit of, 138. Australasian Union, Minutes, The Southern Royal Ornithologists’ Brisbane Session — 149 ; Financial Statement, 152; Address by the State Governor, 165 ; Exhibits, 167 ; Outings, 169 ; Lectures in Brisbane, 174 ; Provincial Visits, T7Ots President’s Address, 178. Australasian Ornithologists’ Union, List of Members, 355. Royal Letters, Copies of, 248. Royal Thanks, 75. Scrub-Bird, Noisy, 304. Rufous (Aévichornis vufescens), The Haunt of the, ROU he Sericornes, Victorian, 35. Sharpe, The latemor AROS race South Australian Ornithological Association, 74, 146, 303, 350. Stint, Sharp-tailed, in Tasmania, 51. Stirling Ranges, W.A., In the, 305. Stray Feathers, 49, 134, 292, 340. Swamp-Hawks (Circus gouldt), 135. Swift, White-rumped (Mzicropus pacificus), 50. Swifts, Flight of, 340. Tambourine Mountain, Trip to, 212. Trinomials v. Binomials, 148. Tunnel District, Tasmania, Trip to the, 304. Western Australian Birds, 58, 299. White-bellied Sea-Eagle, 134. Wood-Swallow and Cuckoo, 134. Wood-Swallows, Movement of, 135. Royal Iilustvations in Vol. X., 1910-191T. FELUS FRATTON Sal Nt sVOL2 (7X. Rhipidura phasiana = Sunday Island: view from the crater rim .. : Half-fledged Young Masked Gannet (Sula yan Meyer Island ; Half- Sees Young Phaéthon erubescens, sere Island Red-tailed Tropic-Bird (Phatthon spiberene: on egg in eee place, Sunday Island; Nest of Sunday Island Petrel (CEstrelata neglecta), Sunday Island CEstrelata neglecta on Nest, Meyer Island ; (Estrelata neglecta, Meyer Island (coloured) renee in dave manna ”’ Island, Tufted Honey-eaters (Ptilotis auvicomis) feeding upon “ exuded by Grey Gum (Eucalypt), Nelson Hawkesbury River.. ot oe Skuas (Megalestvis antarctica) at carcass of seal R. Bowdler Sharpe - Certificate of Gould League of Bird- Lovers. Three Species of Leaves most frequently used by the Tooth- billed Bower-Bird in Play-grounds Eleven other Species of Leaves used by the Tooth- billed Se Bird in Play-grounds 3 Wild Lorikeets (Tvichoglossus A AeRONanBios bene fed on syrup sh oe Nest and Eggs (covered and a aie of Peace -NOUV@- hollandieé .. Group of White-capped Noddies’ (Micranous lewucoc opis) Nests, Capricorn Islands Home of the Jacana (Hydralector Paes oe Reef- Coral Reef Formation, where numerous birds—Terns, Herons, Waders, &c.—feed at low tide, off Mast-Head Island Scene on Mast-Head Island Pisonia Forest, Mast-Head Island .. Sea-Eagle’s Island Strand on Mast-Head land: eter Pinan rigs (Sterna anestheta) land before entering undergrowth to nest, &c. Nest of the Barred-shouldered Dove (Geopelia humeralis) ; Black Oyster-catcher’s (H@matopus unicolor) Nest White Reef-Heron’s Young Eyry and woe Seis lewcogaster, Erskine (Demiegretta sacra) Nest in Pandanus tree (white phase) of Reef-Heron (Demiegretta Brown-winged Tern (Steryna anestheta) SaCYa) ; Nest of White-capped Noddy (Micranous leucocapillus) plate 1 plate ii plate iii plate iv plate v plate vi plate vii plate viii plate ix plate x plate xi plate xii plate xi plate xiv plate xv plate xvi plate xvii plate xviii plate xix plate xx plate xxi plate xxii plate xxiii vi Illustrations in Vol. X., 1910-1911. Silver Gull’s (Larus nove-hollandie) Nest at foot of Sheoak (Casuavina) sapling mM, en Siete Ven) Plate tec Wedge-tailed Petrel (Puffinus sphenurus) .. ; 20) wD LebeNsesana Raine Island, at northern end of Great Barrier Reef, showing Brooding Gannets (Sula cyanops and S. leucogaster) ei) platejeeava Brown Gannet (‘‘ Booby’’) (Sula leucogastey) and Young ; Masked Gannet (Sula cvanops) on Nest re .. plate xxvii Red-legged Gannet (Sula piscatvix) on Nest; Young Lesser Frigate-Birds (Fregata ariel) Ms ae .. plate xxviii Creek Scene: Home of White-breasted Honey-eater (Glycyphila fasciata), also of Tawny Grass-Bird (Megalurus galactotes) and Red-backed Wren sets ae along the grassy margin a Sh ... » (plate axexates Mangrove Creek: Home of White-tailed Robin (Pecilodryas pulverulenta), Shining Flycatcher (Prezorhynchus nitidus), and Brown-tailed Flycatcher (Micraca brunneicauda) .. plate xxx Sandstone Country : Home of Lavender-flanked Wren (Malurus dulcis), Brown-breasted Shrike-Thrush (Collyriocichla woodwardt), and Rock-Pigeon (Petrophassa albipennis) .. plate xxxi Egg-mound of Scrub-Fowl (Megapodius tumulus) a 2. plate sac Nest of Rainbow Pitta (Pitta ivis) .. o e's .. plate soca Fallen Tree: Nesting Sites of Crimson Finches (Neochmia phaeton) ; Play-ground of Great Bower-Bird (Chlamy- dodeva nuchalis) .. as He te .. plate xxxiv Masses No. 1 and No. 2—Portions of scrub débris frequented by Atrichornis ae ae ots a .. plate xxxv Site where Atvichornis Nest was found (16/10/10) .. plate sexsqval Nest in situ of Rufous Scrub-Bird (Atrvichornis vufescens) .. plate xxxvil Play-ground of Lyre-Bird (Menura superba) As .. plate xxxvill Nest of Lyre-Bird (Menura superba) but ae . .. plate xx His Majesty King George V. (Co-Patron R.A.O.U.) .. Bis plate xl Her Majesty Queen Mary (Co-Patron R.A.O.U.) ig 5 plate xli Vol. X.]_ JULY, 1910. ® @ © ® he Emu — TS A Quarterly Magazine to popularize the Study and Protection of Native Birds. os. > oe OFFICIAL ORGAN OF THE AUSTRALASIAN ORNITHOLOGISTS’ UNION. ‘ . J. CAMPBELL, Col. Mem. B.0.U Seeencl's CHARLES BARRETT. SOTA 1) : Welbourne : os ‘ i AUG “40m | ee WALKER, MAY & CO., PRINTERS, 25 MACKILLOP STREET. 3 LONDON AGENT: R. H. PORTER, 7 PRINCES STREET, CAVENDISH SQUARE, Editor: 1910. [ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.] NOTES ON THE REGENT-BIRD (SERICULUS WELINOS. By. P, Aw FROM MAGAZINES, &C.—Western Australian Birds, 58; The Birds of Lord Howe ‘NOTES AND NOTICES : 3 ¢ i ‘ f a 4 41% % CONTENTS - JULY, 1910. (The author of each ele is responsible for the facts recorded therein, ‘a any ae deductions he may draw.) j NOTE ON RHIPIDURA PHASIANA, DE _ VIS. By Gregory M. — Mathews, F.L.S., &c. - - - - - - rb ey ei BIRD-LIFE ON THE KERMADEC ISLANDS. We eG Te ae Zealand - “ ‘i : ‘ THE REGION OF THE BARRIER RANGE. AN OOLOGIST’S Hourpay. ny f By (Dr.) W. Macgillivray, Broken Hill, N.S.W. Part I. - 16 _ DESCRIPTION OF A NEW CROW-SHRIKE, Sy J W. Mellor, gi A.0.U., Adelaide - e i ‘ VICTORIAN SERICORNES. By A. G. Campbell, Romeeal Victoria - - THE HELMETED HONEY-EATER (PTILOTIS CASSIDIX). pee a E. a Wilson and L. G. Chandler - 2 Ss z 3 NOTES ON THE CRESTED PENGUIN (CAT ARR ECTS PER YSOceeay By E. Brooke Nicholls, Melbourne - - E : M Gilbert, Sydney - -- - : 2 : DESTRUCTION OF Birps. By J. W. Mellor, A.O.U., Fuiham, S.A~ STRAY FEATHERS.—A Curious Clutch, 49; -The Pugnacity of ‘ Magpies” (Gymmorhina), 49; White-eared Honey-eater (Ptilotis leucotis), 49; Eggs of Pachy- cephala meridionalis, 49; Flame-breasted Robin, 50; The Satin Bower-Bird, 50; White-rumped Swift (Micropus pacificus), 50; A Bird Drama, 51; Sharp-tailed Wises Stint in Tasmania, 51 ; Meliphagide and Melitose, 52; The Blue Wren of Tasmania, == Additional Notes, 52; Birds New to Tasmania, 53. A DEFENCE OF OOLOGY me ic - - - = : = ADDITIONS TO THE “ HANDLIST OF THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALASIA ue and Norfolk Folanils, 58; New Zealand Bird Notes, 60; A Collection of Sub-fossil Bird and Animals Remains from King Island, Bass Strait, 62. 7 REVIEWS - . S E 5 : " 3 s y i Sed CORRESPONDENCE - : 5 E 2 i f Pe BIRD OBSERVERS’ CLUB - - - - : 3 CO a SOUTH AUSTRALIAN ORNITHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION - Lita IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT - : L ec v M aes eae IN MEMORIAM - ~ - = 4 - 2 3 rs S we ; ANNOUNCEMENTS. . Articles (technical papers should if possible be type-written) and communications intended for publication, also books and publications for — notice, should be addressed to the Editors, Zhe Emu, c/o MR. A. ses CAMPBELL, Custom-House, Melbourne. } MSS. of general articles should reach the idiears at least six reeks) prior to the issue of the number for which they are intended. Occasionally, when funds permit, it is intended to issue Coloured ae of hitherto unfigured Australian Birds. Voluntary subscriptions to “ COLOURED FIGURE FUND” are courteously invited from members. The price of The Emu to non-members is 4/= per copy. — Extra copies may be had by members at half-price. THe Emu, Vol. X PLATE @ J. G. Keulemans, del Witherby & ce H Gronvold , lith \ RHIPIDURA PHASIANA . ( WHITE - FRONTED FANTALL ). a The Emu | Official Organ of the Australasian Ornithologists’ Gnion. “ Birds of a feather.” ViOns ox Ist JULY 1910: [PARTS : Note on Rhipidura phasiana, De Vis. By GREGORY M. MATHEWS, F.L.S., &c. Rhipidura phasiana, De Vis, Proc. Roy. Soc. Queensland, i., p. 158 (1884) ; Rams., Add. to Tab, List Austr. Birds (1891) ; Math., Handl. B. Austr., p. 65, No. 477 (1908). THE type of this bird was collected near the mouth of the Norman River by Mr. Kendall Broadbent. It belongs to the eroup of R. albiscapa and XK. prezssz, but differs in its pale ochreous- ashy colouration, the head being nearly of the same ash colour as the back. There is no black collar on the fore-neck, which is light ashy-grey, and the rest of the under surface is fawn-buff of about the same tint as in &. alozscapa. The principal difference in &. phastana seems to be in the much greater cxtent of the white spotting on the wing coverts, which form two rows of white spots in the likeness of bands, the spots in 2. albzscapa being rounded and terminal. In #&. phaszana the primary coverts are also tipped with white. The following description is taken from the typical specimen, which Mr. De Vis has kindly allowed to be brought to England by Mr..D. Le Souef, C.M.Z.S. :—‘ General colour above ashy- brown, with an ochreous tinge; the wing coverts dusky-brown, with large white spots at the ends; primary coverts dusky- brown, fringed with white; quills dusky-brown, the innermost secondaries edged with white; upper tail coverts and central tail feathers dull ashy-brown, with dusky cross-bars under certain lights; remainder of tail feathers dusky-brown, with white shafts and a considerable amount of white towards the ends, which are also white, the outermost feather being white for nearly the whole length, with the base dark brown; crown of the head somewhat darker ashy than the back, with a slight evidence of a pale ochreous collar on the nape; lores con- spicuous, with a faintly indicated white eyebrow ; feathers below the eye and ear coverts dusky ash colour; cheeks and throat white, followed by a shade of ashy-grey on the fore-neck ; remainder of under surface from the fore-neck downwards pale isabelline-buff.” This bird looks like an immature one. If so, what is it the { Emu ist July 2 Matuews, Nolte on Rhipidura phasiana. immature of? How many species have been discovered? Perhaps some of our brother ornithologists can tell us more. Our artist has given us an excellent plate, but the wing coverts should be dusky-brown, not grey. Mr. D. Le Souéf (Amu, iii, p. 54, 1903) has described the nest and eggs of this species. Bird Life on the Kermadec Islands. By Tom IREDALE, NEW ZEALAND. IN 1907 an expedition was organized in New Zealand for the purpose of making collections in every branch of natural history, and otherwise observing data of use to any of the sciences, on Raoul or Sunday Island, the chief island of the Kermadec Group. This group, situated to the north-east of New Zealand, is politically a part of the Dominion, and biologically is included in the New Zealand region. Its geographical position invited investigation, but its inaccessibility had hitherto defied any who may have cast longing eyes upon it. Though discovered as long ago as 1788, it had remained practically unexplored, and nothing was known of the lower forms of life existing thereon. In 1854 Sunday Island was surveyed by H.M.S. Herald, to which vessel was attached John Macgillivray, as naturalist. The botanical collection he made was almost immediately reported upon by Sir J. D. Hooker, and important deductions drawn from it. His collections of the fauna deposited in the British Museum were, however, never worked out, and whatever notes he handed in with them were overlooked, which is a matter for regret, as Macgillivray was a keen bird observer. In or about 1870 Dr. Graeffe, a naturalist in the employ of the Godeffroys, visited the island, but records of whatever collections he made, save a few land snails, do not appear to have been published. In 1887 the group was annexed to New Zealand, and Mr. T. F. Cheeseman, of the Auckland Museum, accompanied the Government steamer. He made a botanical survey of Sunday Island, and also took notes concerning the birds. At the end of his paper, “ On the Flora of the Kermadec Islands,” published in the Zvransactions of the New Zealand Institute for 1887, he added a list of birds, with short notes. In the same periodical for 1890 he published a more exhaustive article, “On the Birds of the Kermadec Islands.” This latter was written as aresult of further information, with bird skins and eggs, received from the settlers on Sunday Island. About the same time he handed to Captain F. W. Hutton a collection of Petrels for study; the results were published in the Proceedings of the THE Emu, Vo/. X. PLATE (aah9q) puUPTSsT BTqnop ‘9pIsyno eas 9y} UT aSIP] 94} pure ‘OPIsuI aye] Jo aspe Sul MOYS ‘WII I ‘ZN ‘37VGSY!I WOL AS ‘OLOHd Y WOHS 27 P19 94} WIOIZ MOTA : puR[s]T Aepuns Vol. x. | Jj kexe IREDALE, Bird Life on the Kermadec Islands. 3 Zoological Society of London for 1891. That paper drew attention to the peculiarities existing among the Petrels that bred on the surface of the ground on Sunday Island. He endeavoured to differentiate three species, but later withdrew his views in favour of varieties only. As Buller recently still maintained the three species, I anticipated that the best work in bird observation would be done in settling this question. Before proceeding further, a sketch of the extent of the group must be introduced, as it is due to the imperfect knowledge of the situation of the islets that much of the confusion regarding the last-mentioned birds has arisen. Sunday Island (previously known as Raoul Island) is the northernmost of the group, the largest and only habitable one. It is about 600 miles south of Tonga, 600 miles north-east of New Zealand, and 600 miles east of Norfolk Island. Sixty miles south of Sunday is Macauley Island, a grass-covered plateau, circular in shape and about a mile in diameter. Twenty-five miles to the south of Macauley are Curtis Islands—small, rocky, volcanic islets—whilst 50 miles yet further south is L’Esperance, a mere rock, the southern- most of the chain. Sunday Island is roughly triangular in shape, being the summit of a volcano of large size. The crater is about a mile and a quarter in diameter, and to the north-west and south-west run two high spurs. The whole of the island is densely bush-covered, the bush consisting of various trees, whilst tree-ferns and palms sometimes predominate. Asa rule very little undergrowth was met with, though in some places the ferns grow so high as to make progress very difficult. Though of so small a size, travelling was so slow that camping-out was the order of the day. Off the north-east corner of Sunday Island lie a few islets known as the Herald Islets. Though insignificant in themselves, they claim especial attention from the ornithologist, as some birds which do not resort to the main island breed thereon. The largest, Meyer Island, is only about three-quarters of a mile distant from the north coast. Unfor- tunately, however, there was no place on that coast where our boat could be beached, and we had to come from the West Bay, a distance of 12 miles. Moreover, this was only practicable when a light east wind was blowing, and, consequently, our visits were very occasional and hurried. In this paper I intend to treat only of the habits of the birds as observed during the year 1908. I landed on the 3Ist December, 1907, and stayed until the 11th of November, 1908. Thus the very best time for bird observing, as regards nesting habits was, unfortunately, not enjoyed. The bird-life consists mainly of sea-birds, which resort to the island to breed ; many of these are well-known tropical species, whilst others of the Petrel order have not yet been discovered breeding elsewhere. 4 IREDALE, Bird Life on the Keyrmadec Islands. [ ae Land-birds are few in species, and only one (doubtful) species is claimed as endemic to the Kermadec Islands. The Tui (Prosthemadera nove-zealandi@) is very abundant, and, as it has practically no enemies, it must be increasing rapidly. It differs in no way from the mainland bird, but has lost its voice. To make up for this loss it endeavours to produce musical sounds all the year round. Its peculiar attempts to sing have been recorded by New Zealand writers, but they have always credited it with producing as well striking and melodious notes. Its clear bell-note is well known to all New Zealand observers. This note was only heard on two occasions, whilst, though I believe each bird honestly endeavoured to bring out some striking notes, none ever succeeded. At the commence- ment of the breeding season a pleasing little trill is developed to round off its efforts, but this attainment only lasts about a month. Another feature I have not previously seen noted was its night singing. All the year round on moonlight nights odd birds would be heard attempting to sing ; and as one bird apparently fell asleep again another would carry on the tale. During the winter months I noted they disliked the wet weather. When- ever a shower broke they became silent, and as long as it con- tinued the wood was hushed, save that now and then one broke the silence by venturing a plaintive appeal against the rain. As soon as it stopped, however, the bush was once more clamorous with their grotesque attempts at song. Their inquisitiveness was especially noticeable when travelling through the bush. Upon a stoppage being made a bird would appear and closely inspect the intruder ; another would fly up, and, having satisfied itself, would retire, its place being taken by a new-comer. Some- times as many as half a dozen would all silently criticise the stranger, coming within a few feet to obtain a good view. The breeding season was watched with interest, and, though probably nothing new was noted, the results of different observers are usually worth recording. The first bird was noted collecting twigs on the 9th of September, and a full clutch of eggs noted in this nest on the 27th. Some birds must have commenced much earlier, as a young bird was seen out of the nest on the 1oth of October. The time of incubation was ascertained to be fourteen days, but the time of feathering was not obtained, owing to our departure from the island. In the only easily accessible nest the young were thirteen days old at that time. The nest was placed near the top of a poutukava sapling or branch; as these were never of much thickness, and often very slight, it was not an easy matter to investigate the nests. Many of them were 30 feet high and at the end of leaning branches, so that less than half the nests seen were looked into. One feature of interest in their nest-building operations was the occurrence, in the early portion of the season, of empty nests. Vol. X. “hee IREDALE, Bird Life on the Kermadec Islands. 5 A bird was noted building and when the nest was completed it never received eggs. This occurred so often that it became noticeable. As these nests were usually substantial, well built, and perfectly finished structures, it was surmised that the birds commenced early and completed operations before the hen was ready to lay. This supposition was supported by later on finding makeshift nests. One of these was such a shallow dish of twigs with a lining of moss that had it been found in New Zealand it would scarcely have been credited toa Tui. The other extreme was a nest built up almost a foot with stout twigs, at the top of which was placed a well-formed deep cup lined with dried grasses and goat hair. The number of eggs was usually four, only one clutch of five being met with, though some complete clutches of three were noted. The colouration of the eggs varied, as did also the shape and size. The ground colour was usually white, and many examples were seen unspotted ; some eggs were suffused with pinkish-brown, and the markings, of a red-brown, were usually spots congregated at the large end; the eggs in one clutch of three were, however, streaked with dark brown, and the ground colour in this clutch was a lightish brown. The New Zealand Kingfisher (Halcyon vagans) was the only other land-bird occurring in numbers. Contrary to what I have noted about the Tui, this bird appears to have developed noisier habits. At any rate it was constantly heard, and when wet its shrill notes as it caught a worm or spider were especially frequent. From New Zealand literature I had understood it to be a silent bird, only uttering its unmusical notes during the breeding season. At this time it developed more notes, but at no time of the year could be said to be silent. Another point of contrast afforded by this bird to the Tui was its extraordinary shyness. Though never interfered with, it was always unapproachable, whereas the Tui always invited itself to inspect every item of interest. Its nesting operations were not . observed in detail, as its chief months were probably November and December. It had commenced its breeding song at the end of October, and young were seen flying at the end of January. As there are no fresh-water fish, this bird has had to content its appetite with less tasty food. It now lives quite happily upon worms, spiders, flies, with now and then a rat. For a rare delicacy it will go to the sea-shore and catch small crabs or prawns. On Meyer Island there still breeds in numbers a Parrakeet of the genus Cyanorhamphus. Whether it has ever bred on Sunday Island in recent years I cannot say, though the probability is to the contrary. A few birds are occasionally heard in the autumn on Sunday Island, but they do not appear Emu ist July 6 IREDALE, Bird Life on the Kermadec Islands. to stay. On Macauley Island a Parrakeet also occurs in fair numbers. The specific identity of these two birds is still a matter of uncertainty. Salvadori, working through the Parrots, came across the specimen collected by Magillivray, and upon it founded a species, cyanurus. This specimen is marked “ Raoul _ Island,’ so apparently was collected on either that or Meyer Island. In 1906, in the “Supplement to the Birds of New Zealand,’ Sir Walter Buller referred the Meyer Island bird to Salvadori’s species, but at the same time expressed the opinion that the Macauley Island bird could not be separated from nove- zealandie. One of the chief features of cyanurus is its large size, and this is shared by the Macauley Island birds. Consequently more study of longer series is necessary before the matter can be said to be settled. I know nothing of their breeding habits, as I was never on Meyer Island during their breeding season. On Macauley Island two nests were found on 12th November, one with five, the other with two eggs. The Long-tailed Cuckoo (Urodynamis taztenszs) was met with in every month of the year. Apparently birds are driven to the island when migrating in spring and autumn and remain there. Being semi-nocturnal in habit, they are rarely observed unless first heard. It would seem that little is known of the seasonal changes of plumage this bird undergoes. Sir Walter Buller noted that the Kermadec-killed birds he had handled had reddish-coloured breasts, and was unable to account for this peculiarity. Later he obtained a bird from Stewart Island of similar colouration. I think that a series of birds killed at various dates and places would show the reddish colouration to be a phase of the young state. A Harrier (Czvcus gouldi (?) ) appeared at the end of March and made havoc with the young Wideawakes (Terns). Most of the old birds had left the island, and the young had to shift for them- selves. Though unmolested, this bird was unapproachable, and its specific identity was not established. After the Wideawakes had gone this bird mostly seemed to live upon the young of the Petrel breeding on the surface of the ground on Meyer Island. As April advanced many of these Harriers were observed, some- times as many as half a dozen being noted on the wing at once. As the young of the Meyer Island Petrel flew so did the Harriers decrease, and by the end of August they had disappeared. One was, however, noted at the end of October. Upon the lakes in the crater could almost always be seen three or four Ducks. These were identified as Axas superciliosa (Grey or Black Duck). Though noted all the year, no young ones were seen. Sometimes they were seen on the lagoon in the West Bay, and upon being flushed immediately flew over the crater ridge. This lagoon was favoured as a living-place by numbers of the Vol. X. Ford IREDALE, Bird Life on the Kermadec Islands. 7 Spotless Crake (Porzana plumbea). These little birds were rarely seen, though constantly heard. A dead bird was picked up on the north coast, whilst a few lived in the crater. As they were also seen on Meyer Island, they were well distributed. During October the note of this bird was rarely heard, and on the 5th November a young bird, recently hatched, was caught. Perhaps the bird is silent during the sitting season. The Pectoral Rail (Ra/lus philippinensis) has been recorded. I think the single bird seen must have been a straggler, as nothing was heard or seen like it during my stay. Before leaving the land-birds I wish to note some other birds previously recorded from the group which I did not meet with. The White-eye (Zosterops caerulescens) was not noted, and. .certainly, it, is not..a. resident, It is said? to appear some autumns after heavy weather from the south- west. We had no such weather. The Ground-Lark (Anthus nove-zealandt@) was reported as not uncommon on Macauley Island in 1887. I did not see any specimens, and I doubt if any are still resident there. It is interesting to record that three birds acclimatized in New Zealand have reached the island and firmly established themselves. These are the European Song-Thrush, Blackbird, and Starling. In these species unaccountable habits have developed, such as extreme shyness. Though never subjected to man’s persecution, they are all unapproachable, and it was surmised that this fear was due to their constant bullying by the Kingfisher and Tui. During the time I was on the island waders were rarely met with, and it is evident that Sunday Island is a long way from any line of regular migration. The birds noticed were usually solitary or in very small flocks. The largest number noted together on Sunday Island was seven, but a flock of thirteen was seen on Macauley Island. A remarkable (to me) feature of these chance waders was their extrerne shyness. I had antici- pated that, having undergone a trying flight, thay would arrive exhausted and tame, and therefore easily procurable. Instead, I found that, owing to the exposed nature of the beach, I was rarely able to stalk them, and can only record those actually procured. The Lesser Golden Plover (Charadrius dominicus) was noted during September and October, but the total number of birds seen only amounted to twelve. With them was another bird, unrecognized and unprocured. They haunted the sea-shore of Denham Bay, and, having arrived after a sou’-wester, did not seem to have any idea as to leaving. First noted the last week in September, they were still on the beach on 11th November. The bulk of the flock of thirteen seen on Macauley Island belonged to this species. The Oriental Dottrel (Ochthodromus veredus) was obtained on Emu ist July 8 IREDALE, Bird Life on the Kermadec Islands. the West Bay shore towards the end of April ; only a solitary bird was observed at that time. On Meyer Island the next day a few birds, apparently of the same species, were seen, and they - were also noted on 20th May at the same place. They were to shy to allow approach to make identification certain. . A pair of Whimbrel (Mumenzus vartegatus) were noted on the north coast the last week of September, and one was obtained. The following day three similar birds were seen on the west coast, but none was procured. A small, solitary Stint was walked up to and shot the last week of October. It proved to be Heteropygia acuminata. A few days later another solitary Sandpiper was observed and missed in the crater. It was a much larger bird than the last mentioned. The Barred-rumped Godwit (Lzmosa nove-zealandi@), which occurs in New Zealand in countless numbers, does not pass close to this island, as it was not observed, though previously recorded on hearsay evidence only. Of most interest to New Zealanders were the sea-birds, which breed upon the islands in large numbers. Four species of Terns, none of which otherwise occur in the New Zealand region, were regular visitors for breeding purposes. The Sooty Tern (Sterna fuliginosa) is the most abundant, a large colony breeding on the level beach on the West Bay. A few bred on the rocks at the north-west point, and a small colony also visited Meyer Island. On 31st December, 1907, the majority were engaged in rearing young, though some were still sitting on eggs. Indeed, fresh eggs were collected from the plot farmed by the settlers. As the first eggs had been obtained on the 2nd November, this gives exactly two months during which fresh eggs were procurable. It would be interesting to correlate the various dates upon which this widely-spread species commences incubation in its diverse breeding localities. The beginning of February saw the earliest of the young birds on the wing, though eggs were still being sat upon by late comers. Of all birds I have ever observed or read about, these dislike wet weather the most. Owing to this failing, the young birds often perish in great numbers. At the first drop of rain the whole colony rise and fly away to sea, leaving either their eggs or young to the mercy of the weather.* If the rain persists, they stay away until it is finished, and in the meanwhile the young ones, unless well grown and strong, perish. I saw the effect of such weather early in February. Two wet days caused the death of many newly-hatched young and the desertion of all the eggs at that time being sat upon. The old birds commenced to leave the island the middle of March, and by the end of the following *Mr. A. J. Campbell records a similar instance regarding Noddy Terns (Amous stolidus)—‘** Nests and Eggs of Australian Birds,” p. 853. Vol. X. Soh IREDALE, Bird Life on the Kevmadec Islands. fe) month all the young had also gone. A couple of birds were heard on the 2nd of May; from the 8th to the 14th many birds were heard passing the island in the evening, and it was surmised that these might be birds bred on the southern islands of the group passing north. From the latter date until the 31st July we heard nothing whatever of these birds. Then an odd bird was heard calling at night ; succeeding nights they were heard in increasing numbers. None were seen until the 20th of August, when a large flock was noted at dusk, away out over the bay. Every evening after this they were seen, and shortly afterwards settled at night on the beach, flying away just before sunrise and not returning until evening again. On the 18th Sep- tember they were for the first time noted flying over the bay all day, and by the end of that month they circled above their proposed nesting sites all through the day. This continued throughout October, until on the last day they remained on the ground during the day. I expected they would lay in a day or two, but on the 2nd November rain set in, and every bird departed, and for two days whilst the rain persisted the bay was deserted. The third day a few birds returned, and then the bulk came back, but there never seemed to be the same numbers as before the wet weather. The first eggs were seen on the oth November, and the next morning still only a very few. On the morning of the 11th a couple of hundred were noted, and in the afternoon several hundred were collected by the sailors for food. Two days later, on Curtis Island, eggs were very abundant. Though the White Tern (Gygzs alba, Sparrm.) breeds on Sunday Island I was unable to note anything regarding its habits while engaged in incubation. The first birds to arrive in the spring came early in October, but no eggs had been found when we had to leave on the 11th November. Only a few pairs breed on the island, chiefly on the south coast. Few of the other two species of Noddies bred, and they principally resorted to Meyer Island. White-capped Noddy (A@zcranous leucocapillus) did not breed on the main island at all, Meyer Island and one of the other islets being their only stations. On 29th February the Meyer Island colony was visited, and a few fully-feathered young were noted sitting in their huge nests in the short trees. No other notes relating to the breeding habits of this bird were obtained. Grey Noddy (Procelsterna cinerea) bred very sparingly at each end of Denham Bay, but the nesting places were almost inaccessible. As far as was observed, they make no pretence at a nest, simply laying their eggs on a bare crevice of a rock. On 20th February many flying young were observed on Meyer Island, where a fair-sized colony bred. The birds were there observed: in fair numbers on 3rd August, but no eggs were Emu ist July Io IREDALE, Bird Life on the Kermadec Islands. noted. On 12th November at Macauley Island, and on the 13th at Curtis Island, hard-set eggs were seen. In the “ Supplement to the Birds of New Zealand ” the Noddy Tern (Anous stolidus) is included, on the ground that Cheeseman reported it as breeding on the Kermadecs. This is an error, as reference to the quotation given immediately shows. This bird was not seen at Sunday Island, and it is pretty certain it does not breed there. The Red-tailed Tropic-Bird from the Kermadecs has been previously recorded under the specific title of rubrzcauda, Bodd. Rothschild has separated a bird under the name ervadescens, and this is the bird that bred on the Kermadec group. A striking characteristic is the bright pink colouration of the upper and lower parts, which in rabricauda are snowy-white. As the bird floated in the sunshine the pink gleam was very lovely, and to some degree its loveliness compensated for the harsh nature of its cries. The long red tail feathers seem to be the delight of its life; it passes most of its time in displaying these to the best advantage to its neighbour, who, in turn, endeavours to surpass it, each accompanying its evolutions with hoarse cries. The bird even moults these feathers one at a time, and is consequently never without one. If when sitting it is approached, and both tail feathers are pulled out, it will sulk until the feathers have crown. It is a most erratic breeder, but I was unable to observe the time of incubation. On 4th January eggs were fresh as well as hard-set, whilst one young one was already hatched. A young bird, fully feathered, was picked up on the beach the first week of April, and then in the last week fresh eggs were seen. I do not think the young would have been reared even if they were hatched out of these eggs. No birds were noted during June or July, but the beginning of August once more saw them back in their stations. The birds nested on grassy ledges on the sea-cliffs all round the coast. The down of the young varied from pale dove-grey to pure white. The Masked Gannets (Sza cyanops) bred in numbers on one of the outlying islets, hence known to the settlers as Gannet Island. A couple of pairs had also bred on Meyer Island, but none were present on Sunday Island, A young bird was noted half-fledged on Meyer Island on 29th February, and the same bird flew when approached on 23rd April. On the 12th November birds were observed sitting on fresh eggs on Macauley Island, and the following day on Curtis Island. As far as was observed no nest was made, a slight hollow being selected to do duty, and the egg laid therein. In one case four eggs were seen ina nest, and two were noted more often than one. The Challenger passed between Macauley and Sunday Islands soing north, and records that in Kermadec waters were observed species of Albatrosses and Petrels, the Cape Pigeon being THE Emu, Vol. X. Half-fledged young Phaéthon erubescens, Sunday Island. FROM PHOTOS, BY TOM IREDALE, N,Z. ee eos i Ww THE Emu, Vol. X. Red-tailed Tropic-Bird (Phaéthon erubescens) on egg in nesting-place, Sunday Island. Nest of Sunday Island Petrel (Gstrelata neglecta), Sunday Island. FROM PHOTOS. BY TOM IREDALE, N.Z. or IREDALE, Bird Life on the Kermadec Islands. II IgI0 especially noted as certainly identified. In 1887 Cheeseman also saw the same birds on the sea around Sunday Island, and surmised that the Albatross bred on the outlying islets. The latitude to a great extent precludes the possibility, and very rarely are Albatrosses seen in Sunday Island waters. Nothing was seen to support any such idea, and the only record I have is that of a Wandering Albatross (Déomedea exulans) which had been washed up previous to our arrival, but whose remains still persisted on the Denham Bay beach. The Cape Pigeon, with its characteristic colouration, was not noted near Sunday Island, neither did I see it on the outward or homeward trip. The White-faced Storm-Petrel (Pelagodroma marina) has been recorded as breeding upon the group, but we did not find its nesting place. I met with two specimens washed up in October, and one, being perfectly fresh, was dissected, and proved to be a female, in which the eggs were of large size. It is therefore extremely probable that it does breed on some of the outlying islets. Two species of Puffinus commonly bred, one on both Sunday and Meyer Islands, the other on Meyer Island alone. The former bird was the Wedge-tailed Petrel (P. chlororhynchus). It was recorded by Cheeseman as carnezpes, Gould, at the same time as he noted chlororhynchus from one young specimen. From specimens sent to him by Cheeseman, Hutton, in 1891, showed that only chlororhynchus occurred. Hutton, however, recorded fenuzrostris, Temm., from one skin received. This latter I believe to have been a bird washed up during the winter months. I did not see any bird which could have been that species, but still it could have been easily overlooked had it bred among the large colonies of chlororhynchus that existed. P. chlororhynchus arrives at the island about the middle of October, the earliest bird I observed being handled on the 18th. They frequent the north and east coasts in immense numbers, fewer colonies existing on the south coast, whilst very few birds bred in the West Bay, though on the north-west promontory they were very numerous. They were altogether absent from the crater. Hard-set eggs were noted on the 4th January, and the young were generally flying about the middle of May. About nightfall they come in from the sea, usually silently. After dark they fly overhead for a short time, calling to one another in a most mournful tone. This call suggests the idea of much misery, and is very weird. The bird’s chief characteristic, as noted by myself, was its extreme quarrelsomeness. Its pugnacity was featured by extraordinary vindictiveness, and, moreover, it seemed ever ready for a fight. Its quarrels commenced with a question asked in alow tone; the answer came in the same one ; then its voice was raised each time until it ended in a high shriek, and then the snarling and biting commenced. As a Emu ist July 12 IREDALE, Bird Life on the Kermadec Islands. matter of fact the noise when two or three quarrels were in progress was beyond the powers of description. Naturally this fighting disposition did not conduce to the examination of many nesting-holes. The birds’ long, hooked bills were sufficient to draw blood even when the hand was heavily gloved, and their tenacity caused a nasty tear. ‘heir burrows were long, often over 3 feet in length, and winding. The down of the young was dark grey. These downy young possessed the nature of the adult, and their note was very querulous. When half-grown they are left to shift for themselves, and consequently many perish. Of a different nature was the little white-breasted Allied Petrel (Puffinus assimilts), which came in large numbers to Meyer Island alone to breed. It arrived about the beginning of May, an odd bird being heard passing overhead at nightfall the last week in April. The note of this bird has not the melancholy sound of the preceding ; it is a short guttural cry, with a peculiar finish, which can to some degree be imitated by a human being by a deep indrawing of the breath. This peculiar sound was also present in the cry of the previous bird, but not so pro- nounced. It isa gentle bird, which does not seem to possess the nature of its ally. On 3rd August, as it did not breed on the main island, Meyer Island was visited, and a number of holes were examined. Fresh eggs were found, hard-set eggs predominated, and three downy young were noted. However, in some holes two birds with no egg were observed. The holes were short, being from 1 to 2 feet in length. The downy young has been carefully described by Sir Walter Buller. In A. J. Campbell’s “ Nests and Eggs of Australian Birds,” p. 879, I note the following :—‘ Gould received two beautiful snow-white eggs of the Allied Petrel from Macgillivray. They were collected on Royal Island (wherever that island is situated) in July, 1854. .[? Rossel Island, Louisiades, June, 1844.— E.A.P.]” The island referred to is Raoul, more commonly known in recent years as Sunday Island, and the date is correct. All Macgillivray’s specimens were labelled “ Raoul,’ whether collected on the main island or the outlying islets. The Petrels of the genus (strelata, I find, are called the Dove-like Fulmars. This describes them very well. They have very gentle habits, and are meek in expression like a Dove. Two burrowing species of this genus bred on Sunday Island— C2. cervicalis, Salv., and G?. nigripennts, Rothsch. The former, technically known as the Black-capped Petrel, though sometimes called the Sunday Island Petrel, is, I believe, the handsomest bird ofthe genus. It has not yet been found breeding elsewhere, and it breeds only very sparingly on the island. it was estimated that less than 500 pairs were breeding, and that little increase is being made, owing to the ravages of wild cats. Scattered colonies exist Emu, Vo/. X. PLATE V. Young in down, Cstrelata neglecta, Meyer Island FROM PHOTOS. BY TOM IREDALE, N.Z. Vol. X. 3 . er : 4 : ‘ene IREDALE, Bird Life on the Kermadec Islands. 13 all over the island, but in no case are these of any extent, and none, as far as was known, exist on the outlying islets. The account given by Cheeseman of the breeding habits of this bird requires modification. That account was drawn up very shortly after the bird was discovered. As stated above, it is not solitary ; the colonies are always placed on the ridges, and it would be a very exceptional bird that burrowed at the base of a tree-fern. It does not arrive until October, and leaves in May. A downy young one was examined on 29th March; it was of a beautiful dove-grey, with white on the breast. Fully-fledged young were noted as early as 3rd May. The second burrowing (@strelata was formerly recorded as . cooki2, but, though a close ally, is perfectly distinct, and was separated by Rothschild under the name xzzgrzpennzs. It breeds more numerously than the preceding species on Sunday Island, whilst colonies exist on the outlying islets, as well as Macauley and Curtis Islands. This is a most lovely and gentle little bird, never biting hard when handled. On 4th January a colony was examined, and fresh eggs were numerous, very few being hard-set, whilst in many holes birds, but no eggs, were found. On 29th February downy young were noted, and these were miniatures of those of cervzca/zs, though the adult plumage of these two species is very different. Most interest was evinced in the species of G¥strelata reported from the Kermadecs as breeding on the surface of the ground, and not burrowing, as is usual with members of that genus. Cheeseman, in 1890, recorded three species—wmzol/7s, Gould, as breeding in the summer on Sunday Island ; sf. zxdet., as breed- ing in the winter on Meyer Island; and xeg~ecta, Schlegel, as having been previously recorded. In 1893 Hutton wrote on the Petrels of the Kermadecs, and then allowed three species. He showed that the bird Cheese- man recorded as sollzs, Gould, on Buller’s identification was neglecta, Schlegel; added p/ilzppz, Gray, and introduced a new species, lewcophrys. Their habits he was not certain about, and, endeavouring to obtain fresh information, obtained such that in 1904 he reduced the three species to varieties. However, to his three varieties he accorded such distinct habits as to make doubtful the reduction. Consequently Buller, in 1906, in the “ Supplement to the Birds of New Zealand,” still maintained as valid three species, but with this difference: he retained wo//zs, philippe, and neglecta, including /eucophrys as a synonym of the last-named. In the work quoted Buller strangely introduces under the three names habits at variance with his authorities, thus quoting under phzlzppz_ Hutton’s account of 1893, although in 1904 Hutton, from later information, had retracted that account. It will be seen from the foregoing rough sketch that the < OF jis ee \ Emu I4 IREDALE, Bird Life on the Kermadec Islands. ist Fee complexity of the situation appeared to afford much scope for investigation. It is too long a story to introduce in this place, so I will only deal with the habits of the birds as observed. The colouration of the birds varies immensely, and it is due to this variability that much of the confusion has arisen. More- over, whilst Sunday Island is the resort during the summer months of many thousands of birds, only about half a dozen pairs breed on Meyer Island. During winter, however, Meyer Island is covered with birds, whilst none are found on Sunday Island. The darkest birds have the whole of the plumage of a dark black-grey—these are birds Hutton called phzleppz, Gray ; the lightest have the head and all the under parts pure white— Hutton separated this as J/eucophrys. Between these two extremes every phase of plumage exists ; the dark birds breed with the light ones as well as with dark birds. They bred on the high parts of the island as well as the low parts. Though tested in every manner that could be thought of, nothing that could be used as a separating test was found. Necessarily it devolved upon me to include all the birds under megdecta, as Hutton had previously done, but without any well-marked varieties. Hence all the following notes refer to birds of any style of colouration. On Sunday Island, on 4th January, fresh eggs and hard-set eggs predominated, though some well-grown downy young were seen. The latest egg noticed was one just hatching on goth February, at which time there were young ones showing wing and tail feathers. The earliest bird to be seen ready to fly was on the 29th March, whilst very few birds were seen in the middle of May. The first birds to arrive back at Sunday Island were observed on 30th July, whilst the first one settled on the ground was handled on 30th August. These immediately built nests, but no eggs were seen until the 28th October. The surface- breeding habit showed up this peculiarity, which may be general among the burrowing species. At the end of September all the earlier birds had completed their nests, and left the island, to which they did not return until well in October, when they sorted up the nests, and soon after laid their eggs. From the 23rd to 25th September I made a tour round the island for the purpose of noting the colouration of the birds. A very large number of nests were built, and their size surprised me. The majority were decently put together, and some were really pretentious structures, whilst few were very scanty. The nests were placed among fern, without any other shelter, some even in the open; mostly, however, they were situated under the aerial roots of the poutukava or under the shelter of fallen trees. A favourite site was at the base of a tree-fern, but any place was selected save in a hole. Some even selected flat ape IREDALE, Bird Life on the Kermadec Islands. mS places on leaning trees, one being noted about 20 feet up a tree. Large nests were noted as follows :—Among ferns, well- formed cup, composed of dead leaves and long straws. Nest among fern, well-formed cup made of small dead twigs and dead leaves. Nest among ferns and cherry-pie, well-formed cup of dried grasses, twigs, and dead leaves, with green leaves and a piece of green cherry-pie twined round. Very large nest under shelter of fallen tree-fern was composed of dead leaves, moss, and nikau leaflets, whilst another nest close by was also very large, and made up entirely of dead slug-eaten leaves. A very large nest, situated entirely in the open, was composed of dead fern-stalks, twigs, and nikau leaflets. The manner of making these nests was studied, and the procedure adopted was found to a great extent to be identical. The site is selected apparently without reference to its nest-building suitability. The bird sits on its nest and picks up all the straws it fancies, and gravely throws them behind it, first on one side and then the other. Having selected all suitable, it moves forward, repeating the process, and straying as far as a yard from its nesting place. Whilst watch- ing this performance one wonders if the bird will ever get a nest together, as after a couple of hours it seems no nearer. However, as previously shown, it makes an extensive nest. The only case in which no nest was made was when the location was under a fallen tree-fern, and no materials at all were handy. As many of the birds nest in situations from which they cannot readily rise, they climb trees in order to get a take-off. They climb by means of their bill and claws, with a constant flapping of the wings. This is the method most of the young have to adopt to take their first flight. Whilst, as stated, these birds leave Sunday Island at the middle of May and do not return until the end of July, during that time Meyer Island is crowded with birds. These birds, in habits, size, and colouration, as also in their cries, cannot be separated from the Sunday Island birds. Having such a small extent of land, they are much more crowded, and, materials being unavailable, nests are less in size or absent. Furthermore, only scrubby trees existing, more nests are placed out in the open. The earliest date we were able to visit Meyer Island was 29th February, and we then found that birds were already there, but only about 20 per cent. had laid eggs. On 20th May young birds in all stages were observed, though still a: few eggs were noted. On 3rd August almost all the young had flown. In conclusion, I wish to tender my sincere thanks to all the other members of the expedition, Messrs. W. R. B. Oliver, S. R. Oliver, W. L. Waliace, and C. E. Warden, who, whatever their occupation might be, never missed an opportunity of informing me of any item of interest, or obtaining specimens. I particularly wish here to publicly recognize the aid of the settlers on the ~ Emu ist July 16 IREDALE, Bird Life on the Kermadec Islands. island, Messrs. Roy and King Bell, who whole-heartedly put themselves at our service, and it is due to their knowledge of the avifauna of their native isle that so much fresh information has been received. Had it not been for their help I should not have been able to write so confidently as I have done regarding the bird-life of the Kermadecs. The Region of the Barrier Range. AN OOLOGIST’S HOLIDAY. By (Dr.) W. MACGILLIVRAY, BROKEN HILL, N.S.W. PART, DURING a nine years’ residence at Broken Hill, which may be regarded as the capital of south-western New South Wales, I have made frequent excursions into the surrounding country, in order to further my knowledge of its avifauna. I propose in the following notes to give an account of an excursion made during September and October, 1909, in company of Mr. W. M‘Lennan and a party of more or less interested friends on health or pleasure bent. Dr. Dobbyn (who has been my companion on many previous trips), Mr. J. M‘Lennan, Mark Welsh (in charge of horses and culinary arrangements), my own son (aged 10 years), and his boy cousin, Barney Mackay. I had planned to work several of the creeks which run out of the Barrier Range and through the open country between Broken Hill and a permanent camping place on Wyalla Lake, about 100 miles to the north, in scrub country, and then to return by a different route, so as to include other creeks, the whole trip to occupy one month. Our means of locomotion was a large express waggon, built for the back country roads, and drawn by four horses. Winter rains had been fairly good for a district in which desert conditions usually prevail, and a fairly good growth of herbage along all the creeks | rendered it unnecessary for us to carry chaff or make a home- stead every day to procure feed for the horses. On two previous occasions our range of movement had been greatly restricted on this account. Long before breakfast time on the 11th September we were crossing Stephens Creek, about 9 miles from the city, at a point just above the reservoir, from which the city water supply is drawn. This creek—and the description applies to most creeks in the district—is shallow and sandy, bordered with eucalypts and some other trees and shrubs. Our way led us through a patch of porcupine-grass, which was devoid of bird life; further on Tricoloured and Orange-fronted Chats (Ephthianura tricolor and E. aurifrons) and a few White- Wok: =X: cc MAcGILLIvRAy, The Region of the Barriey Range. 17 winged Wrens (M/alurus) were disturbed from the blue-bush by the wayside. Our road was now skirting the Barrier Range, through blue- and salt-bush country, with occasional turpentine- bushes, whose buds had not yet opened. Mulga begins at the foot of the hills and spreads over them. Occasional pairs of Black-faced Wood-Swallows (Artamus melanops) were seen. This species, unlike the Masked (A. personatus) or White- browed (dA. superczliosus), is neither migratory nor gregarious, and is very local in its habits, being seen always either in pairs, or, after the nesting season, in families. It thus tends to form local variations, a condition not possible with the other species mentioned, which migrate regularly from north to south to a greater or less extent, according to food supply, and never permanently inhabit any one locality. We soon arrived at Nulcowinna Station, situate on the creek of the same name, about 30 miles from Broken Hill, stopping only long enough to inquire our way for the next day’s journey. Proceeding up the creek about 3 miles, we camped and had lunch. Water-pools still remained along the sandy bed ; the gums looked fresh and green, but the feed did not tempt us to keep our horses here too long. Yellow-throated Miners (Myzantha flavigula), Spiny-cheeked Honey-eaters (Acanthochera rufigularzs), and “Greenies” (Pézlotzs pentcillata) were busy among the gums, and enlivened the creekside with their varied notes. The Red-tipped Pardalote (Pardalctus ornatus) was heard on every side, and the coo-cooing of the Little Dove (Geopelia cuneata) came from further down the creek. This species and the Ground-Dove (G. ¢vanguzl/a) are about equally distributed along all the creeks throughout western New South Wales. Both are ground feeders (on seeds of eucalypts, grasses, and herbage), and never feed away from the protecting shelter of the creek timber. Their seasonal movements are guided mainly by the water supply. Barney Mackay soon found a Yellow- throated Miner’s (AZyzantha flavigula) nest, built in a small gum, about 15 feet from the ground; three eggs were in the nest. From an adjoining acacia a Crested Pigeon (Ocyphaps lophotes) flew, revealing her frail platform, on which two eggs could plainly be seen from beneath. Two Bare-eyed Cockatoos (Cacatua gymnopis) flew screeching from a gum-tree, a hollow in which, about 30 feet from the ground, with tell-tale down adhering to the entrance, contained one egg, resting at the bottom on decayed woody material. Only a few yards further on four Galah’s (Cacatua roseccapilla) eggs, in a leaf-lined hollow, about 35 feet from the ground, were chipping. A Boobook Owl (WVzzox boobook) hurriedly left another gum. The hollow being deep down in the tree, it was passed by. A pair of Galahs had a hollow neatly lined and ready for eggs. Two old nests of Ocyphaps lophotes were noted in an acacia and, 18 MacciLiivray, The Region of the Barner Range. te a gum-tree respectively. The broods were reared earlier in the season. ‘These birds sometimes nest in the late winter months, I have taken fledged young in July, and again autumn rain often results in eggs being laid in April and May. A Bronze- wing (Phaps chalcoptera) rose from the ground, where it had been feeding, and went clattering through the trees. The two next hollows examined contained well-feathered young of the Mallee Parrakeet (Barnardius barnardt). These Parrakeets are early spring breeders, and throughout our trip most of the nesting hollows examined contained young. In a hollow of another tree, at a height of 15 feet, were found three fresh eggs of the Galah, resting on a leafy bed. Next two half-grown Mallee Parrakeets and a rotten egg in a hollow, at a height of 30 feet. A female of the same species sitting on two incubating eggs had to be removed before they were revealed ; this hollow was only 6 feet from the ground. A little further on a Galah was sitting on four hard-set eggs in a hollow at a height of 20 feet from the ground. M‘Lennan climbed to a Short-billed Crow’s (Corvus bennetti) nest at a height of 4o feet up in one of the gums, and took five fresh eggs. This is an average clutch, although six and even seven eggs are some- times laid. The birds lay early—namely, in August—so that nearly all of the nests examined by our party contained young birds or heavily incubated eggs. Not many Crows nest along the creek, as they mostly prefer the mulga on the hills, the leopard trees (Flindersia maculosa), or larger neelia (Acacia vigens) in the flat scrub. A tree from which a good outlook can be obtained is generally selected. They are wary birds, flying from the nest before one can closely approach it. The call is very distinct from that of the Raven (Covone australzs), being a harsher and shorter “ Gahr.” A few yards more tramping along the sandy bed brought us to the nest of a Little Eagle (Wisaétus morphnozdes), situate in a gum-tree. The nest had been partly blown out of position by a storm, and built up again to a height of 2 feet. The leaf- lined cavity contained a pair of fresh eggs. From this point onwards for about 2 miles the effects of a terrific storm of wind - and hail which had crossed the creek about three weeks previously were manifest. Many trees were torn to pieces, only trunk and main limbs remaining, and nearly all had lost a number of their branches; many large limbs were found fully 100 yards from where they had been broken off. The bark on the western sides of the trunks and limbs bore evidence of the size and velocity of the hailstones, being bruised, pitted, and scarred to a remarkable extent. We could not help noticing the scarcity of birds along this portion of the creek. No doubt these wind-storms do much good to the trees by pruning off the dead and decaying branches and cleaning the limbs of hanging . Vol. X. is Macairtivray, The Region of the Barrier Range. 19 strips of bark, which shelter destructive insects. But they are responsible for the destruction of large numbers of nests, eggs, and young of many birds, especially of species like the Honey-eaters, which build more or less pensile nests. Another Short-billed Crow’s nest, high up, as usual, contained four hard-set eggs, which were not taken. Two hollows in separate trees each contained three Galah’s eggs. A pair of Cockatoo-Parrakeets (Calopsittacus nove-hollandi@), passed us, coming from the north, the first evidence of that migratory movement from north to south which takes place every year in the spring to a greater or lesser extent. The birds drop off to breed wherever there is promise of a plentiful supply of seed for the rearing of their young. Occasionally, in the northern parts of this district, after good autumn or late summer rains, nesting takes place in April or May. In a tall tree in the next bend of the creek, well known to us from previous visits, was found the nest of a pair of Black-breasted Buzzards (Gypotctinta melanosterna), occupied for the third year in succession. The nest, a large, flat struc- ture of sticks lined with green gum-leaves, was placed on a horizontal fork near the top of the tree, and M‘Lennan, who is a skilful and careful climber, had to brace the limb to a more horizontal one with the climbing rope, and secure himself to the end of it, before venturing out to the nest. There was only one egg, which was left until next day in hopes of an addition. The female, soaring above us, did not seem so fine a bird as the one in possession during our other visits to this nest. We con- cluded that the old female had been killed, probably poisoned, and that the male had found anew mate. A hollow in the same tree, occupied on both our previous visits by a pair of Bare-. eyed Cockatoos (Cacatua gymmnopts), this year was found to contain a clutch (four) of the eggs of this species. A steep and sheltered sandy bank opposite to the Buzzards’ tree, usually a favourite nesting place of the Black-and-White Swallow (Cheramaca leucosternum) and Red-backed Kingfisher (Halcyon pyrrhopygius), was now untenanted by either species. A soft, sandy bank, such as this, is usually preferred for a nesting site by the Black-and-White Swallow. A bank may be occupied by several pairs, not because it is the habit of these Swallows to nest in company, but that the site is a favourable one; just as many nest singly in small washaways, or at long intervals along the same gully or washaway. I have seen the nests of these birds in small water ruts with a bank not more than a foot in height. Five pure white eggs form a clutch. As the grass and herbage is not very good along this creek, we did not find the Bare-eyed Cockatoos, Galahs, and other species nesting so freely as usual, so that lack of interest, together with a feeling of weariness in limbs long unused Emu ist July 20 MACGILLIvRAY, The Region of the Barrier Range. to such exercise, compelled us to return to camp by a rapid march across country, delayed only by a search for aboriginal stone relics on a sand-bank which has evidently been a favourite camping-place of old time. After tea we were soon abed and asleep. The morning broke fine and clear ; breakfast was soon over, and a start made to investigate the creek back towards the station. A pair of Little Eagles (Nisaétus morphnoides) had a nest ready for occupation in a tree near our camp. A Mallee Parrakeet’s hollow contained two young birds in down. Young birds were seen in a Raven’s nest. A “Greenie’s” pendulous nest, just completed among the leaves of a gum, was seen, not far from a Yellow- throated Miner’s (Myzantha flavigula) nest containing three eggs. Another Little Eagle was flushed, and flapped slowly away from a nest high up, as usual, to which she had evidently been putting the finishing touches. Two magni- ficent Black Falcons (Falco snbniger) were disturbed from their roosting-place in a eucalypt, and glided away through the trees. On the wing these birds appear to be the largest of our Falcons. More Miners’ nests, and a Grallina (Grallina picata) sitting on its mud nest, led us on to a Goshawk’s (Astur fasciatus) small platform-like structure, to which the bird returned when M‘Lennan was half-way up to it. She soon quitted when she caught sight of the intruder. The nest was almost finished. A pair of Allied Kites (Wzluus affinis) were soaring over the tree-tops, their dark bodies and swallow tails silhouetted against the clear sky, and their keen eyes watching every movement of the humans below. A Whistling Eagle (Haliastur sphenurus) was busy renewing an old home; these. nests are,as arule, securely built on a substantial limb at a good height from the ground, and are re-lined with green leaves year after year. In a tree near by a Little Eagle had nearly finished a nest. Unlike the Whistling Eagle, this species has little chance of re-occupying an old nest, as the site usually chosen—a slender limb at the top of a tree—does not tend to its survival from year to year in a region where winds are high and frequent. A Galah’s nesting hollow, containing three hard- set eggs, was our turning point. M‘Lennan, cutting across a salt-bush flat, on the opposite side to the rest of party, found, in a blue-bush, a nest of the White-winged Wren (Malurus leucop- terus) built almost wholly of sheep’s wool and containing four eggs. In other bushes were two more nests, nearly completed. One was composed of sheep’s wool, the other of dry grass and wool, lined with woolly seeding plants and rabbit fur. All the nests were placed at the tops of bushes in fairly conspicuous positions. M‘Lennan also found a Crested Pigeon’s (Ocyphaps lophotes) nest with two eggs in an outlying acacia. After a flying visit to the Buzzard’s nest, and an early lunch,’ Vol. X. iro MacaILiivray, The Region of the Barrier Range. Zyl we made a start on the road again. The trap having to make a detour, crossing and recrossing the creek, in order to. pick up the Gardiner’s Creek track, M‘Lennan and I cut across to it by a more direct route through the salt-bush, to look up the White- winged Wrens. Nearly every crab-hole, with its surrounding blue-bushes, was in possession of a family of these little birds. The tiny grey females, as they fly and skip along the ground from bush to bush, look almost like mice, and are in marked contrast to the fussy little male, resplendent in coat of dark blue and silver, as he shows himself occasionally on the top of a bush with a great pretence of guarding the line of retreat. Only the woolly outlines of several nests were found by us, and we soon joined the main party. Our objective now was a well on Gardiner’s Creek, 20 miles in a W.N.W. direction. The country was at first hilly, thinly timbered with mulga (Acacia aneura) and turpentine-bush and patches of blue-bush. The herbage was good, and wild flowers were plentiful. The rumbling of our trap frequently disturbed Orange-fronted Chats (Ephthianura aurifrons) and Tricoloured Chats (Z&. tricolor) from the bushes. They flew along the road in front of us from bush to bush, and then circled out and let us pass on to put up others in the same way. A Spotted Harrier (Circus assimilis) was beating the ground parallel with, but not too near, our track, on the look-out for prey ; its widely-stretched grey wings, with their black tips, made it easily recognizable. The strident note of the Brown Song-Lark (C7xclorhamphus cruralts) was heard ever and anon, and the male bird was seen, as he descended and perched on the top of a bush, with uplifted tail, to utter a warning “ Wez-weet ” to his wary mate. There are many flowering shrubs on these hills, which furnish a generous diet to the smaller insectivorous birds, notably Lyvemophila alternifolia and E. dutton?. When about 5 miles from our destination the trap met with an accident, and the breakage took some time to fix up. After proceeding carefully for a few hundred yards on a rough road the trap gave way again, and we had to leave it. Packing the horses with bedding and food, we tramped in single file to the well, which we found just after dark. A fire was soon lit and the billy on the boil. Daylight revealed the fact that about two tons of dead rabbits had not long before been cleaned out of the receiving tank from which we drew our water. Before breakfast next morning the two boys and myself took the billy down the creek to look for a soak in the sand, and were lucky enough to find a small pool of good water about half a mile from our camp. The feed on the creek flats around the camp was very luxuriant, but, despite this and the fact that they were hobbled, three of our horses had strayed away. After breakfast one of our number saddled the remaining horse and went in search of the others. The rest. of 22 MACGILLIVRAY, The Region of the Barrier Range. Pear the party, excepting myself and the two boys, returned to the trap, where a forge was improvised in a washaway, and the turn- table heated and straightened, tomahawks serving the purpose both of anvil and hammers. Going down the creek, Bare-eyed Cockatoos and Galahs flew from every tree. The Rufous Song- Lark (Cinclorhamphus rufescens) was heard on every side. The wonderful growth on these flats of annual salt-bush, marsh- mallow, yellow everlastings, and milk-thistle, especially where sheltered by the tobacco-bush scrub, affords these Larks good cover for nesting and an abundant supply of insect food. Many Babblers’ (Pomatorhinus superciliosus) nests were seen among the trees and in the tobacco-bush, and Barney soon found one containing eggs. Like most of its family, this Babbler lays five eggs for a clutch, and often breeds very early in the season, even in June, although August is the regular laying month. Yellow-throated Miners (7yzantha flavigula), “Greenies” (Péz/otis penzcellata), and Singing Honey-eaters (Pitilotis sonora) are here in numbers, the flowering tobacco-bush affording an unlimited supply of honey and insect food. We found a nest of Barnardius barnardi in a hollow in a eucalypt. Whistling Eagles were seen preparing their nests, and several pairs of Little Eagles and Allied Kites were also noticed among the trees or flying overhead. The liquid notes of the Spiny-cheeked Honey-eater (Acanthochera rufigularis) came from all parts of the scrub. We attempted to penetrate the bushes, but soon gave up, as the scrub was too dense and unproductive. We skirted the creek for half a mile on the east side, finding two good waterholes, and then got through to the west side on a cattle pad. Barney had a good climb after a Black-backed Magpie’s (Gymunorhina tibicen) nest, and was rewarded with a nicely marked clutch of four eggs. This is the usual clutch for G. ¢2bzcen in this district. We skirted the scrub for some distance, and then made our way back to camp, where the rest of the party soon joined us. After lunch we started up the creek. A Whistling Eagle was lining her nest in a tree at the back of the camp, and we watched her taking the leaves from the tops of the trees and carrying them in her claws to the nest. A Boobook Owl (Wznox boobook) was flushed from an empty hollow, and then a Bare- eyed Cockatoo (Cacatua gymnopis) emerged from another, and flew screaming away. A Hawk flew from a nest at the top of a gum-tree, and was soon followed by another from a smaller nest in a lower fork. They proved to be a fine pair of Grey Falcons (Falco hypoleucus). M‘Lennan was soon climbing to the higher nest, from which the female, somewhat larger than the male, had flown. The nest was placed in the upright fork of a thin limb, 60 feet from the ground ; it was about 18 inches in diameter, loosely built of sticks and lined with wool, and con- os alec MacaILLivray, The Region of the Barriey Range: 23 1910 tained three eggs. The birds sailed uneasily round the tree, but made no attempt to molest the climber. After a further tramp over a dry stretch of creek, we came to a clear pool, and noted fox and Emu tracks on the damp sand. In an old, rugged tree near by a Kestrel (Cerchnets cenchroides) had her clutch of five eggs, a Cockatoo coming from a second hollow. Two more Bare-eyed Cockatoos’ nests were found, each contain- ing eggs. A Boobook Owl vacated a hollow, in which two eggs were seen. The “feed” along the creek had now almost reached the vanishing point, and there was a corresponding scarcity of bird life. It was useless to proceed further, so we turned back, cutting off a large bend in the creek. On the way we heard a horse-bell jingling, and, two of us going in search, the wanderers were brought back and short-hobbled on the green feed again. Next morning Barney was out before break- fast, among the small gums near the camp, and soon reported the finding of two nests of the Mallee Parrakeet, one with a complete clutch of five eggs on the point of hatching, and the other with two eggs only. One of those curious sand lizards (Gymnodactylus milusiz) paid our breakfast table a visit, and was allowed to walk about in its peculiar, stilty way. Two of us went out with the horses to bring in the trap, while the others walked over the flats down the creek to where we com- menced on the previous day. A Kestrel flew from a hollow in alarge gum. Higher up in the same tree a Whistling Eagle was re-lining an old nest, under which a Yellow-rumped Tit (Acanthiza chrysorrhoa) had her home. A ’possum was seen sleeping the day away in still another limb. In the next tree a Little Eagle was building and a Grallina was sitting on eggs; a Boobook Owl flew from one of the tree’s hollow limbs, and in another hollow a Cockatoo had her clutch of three eggs. Ina small eucalypt near at hand was a compactly-built nest of the White-browed Babbler, with an incomplete clutch of three eggs. A Little Nightjar (#gotheles nove-hollandie) flitted away from her leaf-lined hollow, in which she had not yet laid. These interesting little birds are common throughout this country, and their “ Churr-churring ” note is frequently heard at night; they nest during September and October, laying four, or, very rarely, five eggs. Usually the eggs are pure white, but sometimes possess indistinct spots or markings, which in some form a zone at the larger end. A small colony of the Purple-backed Wren (Malurus assimil7s) was disturbed searching for smaller insect forms among the undergrowth along the creek bank. In a hollow tree nearly opposite the camp a Bare-eyed Cockatoo’s nest contained four eggs. Theusualclutchis three. In another tree a Kestrel had just completed laying her clutch of five eggs, which I find to be the normal clutch, though six eggs are some- times laid. Kestrels usually choose a large, open hollow, and 2 ; 5 E 24 MAcGILLIvRaAy, The Region of the Barrier Range. ee ple lay their eggs on the bare earthy material natural to such places. We returned to camp, had an early lunch, and made a start, crossing the creek on the main Euriowie road; for about five miles this led us through hilly country, bearing evidences of the tin and copper prospector. All these hills, really the foot-hills of the Barrier Range, were just now gay with golden yellow “billy buttons” and everlastings of several kinds, yellow and white, and every watercourse was lined with great bunches of blue-bells. We watered the horses at a rapidly-drying waterhole a quarter of a mile off the road; its position was sufficiently indicated by hovering and screeching flocks of Bare-eyed Cockatoos and Galahs. The birds were squabbling to find room at the water’s edge. Grain-eating birds cannot go long in a dry land like this without water. A mile further on we crossed a creek and pulled up to examine a Whistling Eagle’s nest, newly lined and ready for eggs. A Red-tipped Pardalote (Pardalotus ornatus) had a_nestful of young in a small hole in a tree, and near by five young Mallee Parrakeets were approaching the time when they would be able to leave the warm shelter of the hollow to find the use of their wings. A few miles further along the road we crossed the Caloola Creek. At the crossing a Raven’s (Corone australis) nest was examined ; it contained four newly-hatched young and one chipping egg. Five eggs is a normal clutch for this species, and, as incubation commences when the first egg is laid, the young are of different sizes. When hatched they are blind ; skin yellowish, mostly bare, but with dirty-grey down on humeral, femoral, and dorsal feather-tracts ; the eyes open on the fifth or sixth day, and are pale grey, which colour gets darker as the bird grows, but does not turn white until the birds are 13 months old. The skin of the nestling gradually darkens to a greenish- yellow, and there is then a gradual change to blackish-brown. This change takes place first on the feather-tracts. The gape is bright pink, and bill of a leaden hue at first, darkening with age. The young are fed on caterpillars, young grasshoppers, and other insects. During one drought season, when dead sheep were plentiful, the young Ravens apparently were fed upon dipterous larvze, and the stench which assailed our nostrils when the crops were opened did not tempt us to pursue our investigations further in that direction. It was part of my plan to follow this creek up from this point. The road along the bank, however, was not one on which to trust our damaged trap, so we drove on to Euriowie township, picked up the White Cliffs coach road, which ran in our direc- tion, and followed it to within 3 miles of Sturt’s Meadows Station, where we camped for the night. Before tea M‘Lennan and I followed the creek back until darkness forced us to return: ek Macaitiivray, The Region of the Barrier Range. 25 ‘However, we found a Kestrel, Boobook Owl, and Galah nesting in hollows in the old gum. Five fresh eggs of the Mallee Parrakeet were found in another hollow—the only fresh full clutch of this species found during the trip. Two nests (each with two eggs) of the Bare-eyed Cockatoo were located in separate trees, and as it grew dark we disturbed a Kestrel and another Cockatoo from the same tree, but did not trouble to climb. Next morning, 15th September, M‘Lennan and _I started ‘before the trap to follow the creek to the station. The flats all along it were in splendid condition. Annual salt-bush, milk- thistles, spinach, and wild oats were luxuriant, but out from the creek, where the grass should grow, there was little of anything permanent. A few hot northerlies will soon put an end to the succulent herbage. This is a result of winter rains; earlier autumn rains would have brought on a more permanent herbage. The birds seemed to know that it was to be a short season, and were all nesting in a hurry, the grain-eaters to hatch out when the seeds ripened, the insect-eaters when they could be sure of a plentiful supply of food for their nestlings. The proportion of full clutches and clutches of more than what may be regarded as the normal number was greater this year than when condi- tions were not so favourable. The loud and pleasing sound of the Rufous Song-Lark was heard all along the creek; they were only mating, and the male bird sang when making his short flight from the ground with rapidly vibrating wings, either to curve downwards again on to the top of a bush or to perch high up on a gum and there continue his song. We often flushed these birds from thick undergrowth, where they were feeding mostly on insects. The other species (cruralzs) is a bird of the open country, never being found along the creek flats or in scrub. We found nests of two species of Cockatoo and of the Many-coloured Parrakeet (Psephotus multicolor), containing fully fledged young. These Parrakeets frequent the creeksides, and also the box flats in the scrub country throughout the district ; they are usually seen in pairs, or families after the breeding season ; they never flock like the Red-rumped Grass-Parrakeet (P. hematonotus), vrhich is not found nearer than Menindie, on the Darling, apparently its northern limit in this direction. Nearing the station we found that the trees had been cut out, and the growing saplings do not encourage bird-life. A Spotted Harrier flew from them, however, and a nest, lined and ready for eggs, was located in a small gum. Rejoining the trap, we drove up to the station, which was uninhabited, the overseer being away attending the shearing at another station belonging to the same owners. Some 20 years or more ago this station carried 40,000 sheep, now 10,000 hardly find a living on its bare 26 MAcGILLIvRAY, The Region of the Barrier Range. ee plains ; the rabbits and drought on an overstocked run brought about this result, and this applies to every part of the district. After replenishing our water-bag with rain water, we took the wrong track, going off at an angle to the right through hilly country, which became stony and gravelly and more open as we got away from the creek. The wild-flowers won our admiration. Many peas grew alongside the track; yellow, violet, and brownish-yellow flowers were gathered. Some areas were golden and sweet-scented with the yellow everlasting ; other parts looked as though covered with a mantle of snow, so thickly did a brilliantly white everlasting bloom. Where a watercourse ran to the creek was a flat on which the old man salt-bush grew. We noted many Tricoloured and Orange-fronted Chats and Purple-backed Wrens (Malurus asstmilis). On the ironstone gravel a pair of Dottrels (Peltohyas australis) used all their wiles to lead us away from three chicks in hiding among the stones and scant herbage. Fourteen miles from the station we came to an old coach change, consisting of two fine dams and an old shed. The horses were watered and the billy was boiling when the coach came rattling along. After lunch M‘Lennan and I went off to inspect a black oak (Casuarina) creek which runs parallel with the road and half a mile from it. A Babbler’s (P. superciliosus) nest with one young bird was our first find. Then came a Bell-Bird’s (Oveotca cristata) nest with three chipping eggs, and many old nests of Babblers and of a Wood- Swallow (Artamus melanops) were noted. Tricoloured Chats and Singing and Spiny-cheeked Honey-eaters were numerous ; for. the vegetation was good, and there was an abundance of water in gravelly-bedded holes all along the creek. In a small gum a hollow contained a family of “ Blue-Bonnets” (Psephotus aanthorrhous) clamouring for food. Several Spotted Harriers were searching the adjoining plain, and a pair of Grey Falcons had taken possession of an old Wedge-tailed Eagle’s nest in a leopard tree (Fdindersia maculosa), but had not yet laid. The day was windy, as are so many days here, and numbers of Masked and Black-faced Wood-Swallows and Tricoloured Chats were feeding on the insects sheltering on the lee side of every bush and shrub. In a stunted gum a Galah (Cacatua rosewcapilla) had five eggs in an advanced stage of incubation. Four eggs I regard as a full clutch, though many nests only contain three. We tramped back to camp through the salt- bush, noting many old camp fire-places of the blacks by the way, with grinding stones and flint chippings scattered about. We flushed a Brown Song-Lark (Czuclorhamphus cruralts) from her nest in a depression scraped out beside a salt-bush. The nest was composed of rootlets of fine grasses, the egg cavity measur- ing 3 inches in diameter by 2 inches in depth. There were three eggs. In the old shed at the coach stage a Whiteface Vol. X. | gro MACGILLIVRAY, The Region of the Barriey Range. 27 (Xerophila leucopsis) was feeding a nestful of young. We started back to Sturt’s Meadows, disturbing many Dottrels on the gravelly country, both adults and young in all stages. We called at the station and made use of the telephone to com- municate with Broken Hill and Langawirra Station, then drove down to the creek to camp. A pair of Grey Falcons (Falco hypoleucus) had a nest in the first tree we came to below the house ; in a hollow of the same tree were two eggs of the Bare- eyed Cockatoo. The Falcon’s nest was on a thin limb at the very top of the tree. Four more Cockatoos’ nests, containing eggs, were located in trees within a stone’s throw of our camp, and a clutch (three) of Galah’s was taken from an adjacent tree. Early on the morning of 16th September M‘Lennan climbed to the Falcon’s nest; the birds sailed anxiously round, but made no attempt to defend their home. The nest was a large one, lined with wool, and contained four slightly incubated eggs. It was 80 feet from the ground. No sound was uttered by the birds. With M‘Lennan I started down the creek afoot, the trap going on to camp at Stone Hut, a boundary rider’s hut 16 miles further on. Two Cockatoos’ nests and eggs were noted, and the burrow of the Black-and-White Swallow was dug out. A bird was found sheltering in it, the day being cold, windy, and cloudy. One very often finds three or four birds in a burrow on such a day. Nests of the Crow (Corvus bennett?) and Kestrel were also observed. A watercourse here runs into the creek, and had beendammed. Around this the herbage was very rank, trefoil growing 2 feet in height, with other plants of equal pro- portions. The wild poppies were the finest we had met with anywhere. On some of the bunches I counted more than 30 blooms, individual blooms being 2 inches in diameter; these and the yellow everlastings, growing up through the other herbage, made the whole flat like a garden, which was brightened by numbers of Tricoloured Chats and enlivened by the song of Rufous Larks. Upon the left bank of the creek a little group of acacia was searched for nests of the White-browed Babbler ; many old ones were found before a bird flew from one which contained eight eggs, three fresh eggs having been laid in a nest already occupied by a full clutch of five old, dried ones. I followed a branch creek, leaving M‘Lennan to pursue the main channel, and located many nests of Cockatoos. M‘Lennan climbed to a Raven’s nest containing young, and found a White- browed Babbler’s nest, with two young ones, in an “old man” salt-bush. On a rocky face forming one bank of the creek a colony of Fairy Martins (Petrochelidon ariel) were busily engaged in constructing their retort-shaped nests, most of which were unfinished. An old Black-and-White Swallow’s nesting-hole, where the bank had broken away to the nesting cavity, was in possession of a pair of Whitefaces. In another burrow two Emu - ist. July 28 MACGILLIVRAY, The Region of the Barrier Range. Black-and-White Swallows were sheltering from the wind. A Kingfisher had just finished its tunnel and nesting chamber. The tunnel. is rarely more than a foot in length, and slopes slightly upwards ; the nesting chamber is commodious, and the eggs, usually five, are placed on the soft earth of the floor. Eggs are usually laid from the middle of September until the end of October, rarely earlier, but later if spring rains ensure a suffi- ciency of food for the young. These birds feed on all kinds of insects, lizards, and small snakes; these are more plentiful during a good season, but never scarce. Many Ravens’ nests were passed by ; most contained young. We tramped wearily along the creek, where the timber had all been cut out, and came to a good waterhole, where we lunched. The timber now improved. A Cockatoo’s nest (three eggs) was found, then another 25 feet up (four eggs). Two feet from this hollow, in the same tree, three young Mallee Parrakeets were snugly ensconced. A Boobook Owl flushed from an empty hollow of the same tree, on the top of which a Whistling Eagle was renewing an old nest. One Cockatoo’s egg was found in a spout, and a Tree-Swallow (Petrochelidon nigricans) in another spout had three eggs. Jim M‘Lennan here met us, having ridden back from camp with two horses. We scorned the proffered assistance, and tramped on, to find a Cockatoo’s nest in the next tree and to flush a Goshawk (Astur fasciatus) from a nest which she was just completing. Soon after we met the other members of the party, who reported. having found nests of the Grallina, Cockatoo, Miner, Magpie, and Kestrel. M‘Lennan and I had some tea, rode on in the trap for about 2 miles, then took to the creek again, accompanied by Dr. Dobbyn. Cocka- toos were here in large flocks; Rufous Song-Larks and Chats were also plentiful. A Whistling Eagle’s nest contained two rather small eggs. Wecame to a part of the creek which had been visited by the hail and wind storm whose effects were so marked on Yalcowinna Creek. Here, though the bed of the creek and the bank on the lee side were strewn with branches and limbs, and many trees only stood as bare trunks, the marks of the hail were not so deep on the bark. A tragedy of the storm was revealed to us; a large limb had fallen across another, and firmly wedged between them were all the tail feathers of a Kestrel. Many Cockatoos’ nests were noted after we had passed the path of the storm, and we soon arrived at Stone Hut: The occupant was away at the shearing. We found the team unyoked. A nest of the Little Falcon (Falco lunulatus) was shown us in a tall tree directly below the hut. It was on the topmost branch. After a short rest. M‘Lennan and I followed the creek until darkness turned us back to camp. Next, morning M‘Lennan climbed to the Falcon’s nest, only to find that it was just ready for eggs. Breakfast over, we made. Vol. X. iro MACcGILLIVRAY, The Region of the Barrier Range. 29 a quick march to where we left off the night before. Kingfishers were seen and heard, and the beginnings of many burrows found whenever the banks were favourable. A Whistling Eagle was resting on her nest (ready for eggs), and a foot away, ina hollow, a Cockatoo was incubating. Several other Cockatoos’ nests were located in stunted gums out from the creek ; none was more than 10 or 12 feet from the ground, and in some the eggs were hatching. We came to an old masonry dam, beside which were the remains of a well and a horse-whim all overgrown with tobacco-bush (WVecotzana glauca) and an acacia. Down the well were numbers of old Fairy Martins’ nests. A Raven had her nest of nearly fully fledged young in a tall gum at the dam, and a Little Eagle was disturbed from a newly finished nest. A few yards further on three Cockatoos flew from separate hollows in the one tree, at the foot of which, in a small. bush, a Black- and-White Fantail (A/zpzdura tricolor) was sitting peacefully on three eggs. Along this part of the creek were many more Cockatoos’ nests, containing eggs in various stages of incubation ; Mallee Parrakeets’ with young birds and unfinished Kingfishers’ burrows were also noted. Kestrels had just commenced laying. I went out to a patch of dead saplings on the plain, amongst which were many Masked Wood-Swallows and Tricoloured Chats, with an occasional family of Purple-backed Wrens. These Wrens usually frequent scrub or undergrowth, and are never found in open salt-bush country such as the White-winged species favours. A large Wedge-tailed Eagle’s (Uroaétus audax) nest, 12 feet up in a stunted gum, showed signs of earlier occupation. A long tramp across a bare plain, on which were seen occasional evidences of old aboriginal camp-fires, and I struck the creek to search the sand for M‘Lennan’s tracks. Not finding them, I turned back, and soon met him. We went very little further, as the creek was without water, and birds in this country do not wander far from water. We took a short cut back across flats covered with annual salt-bush and stunted wild oats. The crab-holes were still moist, and we admired a very fine purple pea growing around them in the moist soil. A similar pea, but with harder leafage, grows on the dry, stony hills. The little white everlasting was also here in large patches, and there were other daisy-like flowers about the crab-holes. After lunch and a short rest, we all went across the horse paddock to a broad gully in which marsh-mallow, trefoil, and spinach was growing very rankly.. Tricoloured Chats, Rufous Song-Larks, and Purple-backed Wrens were abundant, the latter in the old man salt-bush, with which the gully was freely dotted, A solitary White-eyed Duck (Myroca australis) on a dam flew off on our approach, and two Wedgebills (Sphenostoma cristatum) were dislodged from a bushy acacia. These birds usually frequent small bushy trees in the gullies or watercourses, 30 MacaiLiivray, The Region of the Barrier Range. Pees or clumps which grow off the main creeks, along which they are never found. In their habits, situations they frequent, and mode of flying they are readily distinguished from the Oreoica, the only other crested bird of about the same size in this district. In flying, the Wedgebill, like the Babbler, makes a few wing-strokes and then sails along on extended pinions, the flight not being sustained for any distance. They do not feed on the ground like the Oreoica, nor are they ever found in the mulga scrub. The song is loud, pleasing, and continued ; it is often given forth while the bird is perched on the top of a low bush. After an early breakfast, on 18th September, we struck camp, and, crossing the creek, cut across the flats in a north-easterly direction for Fowler's Gap. Several pairs of Black-breasted Plovers (Zontfer tricolor) were passed, and one pair of Dottrels (Peltohyas australzs), on ironstone gravel, as usual. One old man kangaroo (Macropus rufus) was seen. The season for this marsupial has wisely been closed for two years, for they were getting very scarce. It seems a pity that the dainty little yellow-footed rock wallaby, one of the most ornamental of our native animals, is not protected for all time, as it has been so wantonly shot by “sports” that one has to go far back into the hills to find it. When about to cross the creek, some 3 miles above Fowler’s Gap Hotel, a male Little Falcon flew round, leading us to imagine a nest at hand. The horses were un- harnessed and watered, and the Falcon’s nest was at length found, on the topmost bough of the tallest tree on the creek. After a risky climb, three eggs were taken from the nest, which was exactly 90 feet from the ground. The two birds hovered round the tree, the male uttering his shrill cry and making occasional swoops towards the climber. The nest was loosely constructed of sticks and lined with fine, soft bark. After lunch we struck the main road, just ahead of a camel “train” going in our direction. Another “ train,’ coming in with wool, was met soon afterwards. At Sandy Creek Bore we stopped to water the horses at the well, just in time to avoid delay, as two large mobs of Queensland horses were approaching on their way to a southern sale-yard. We now entered upon sandy country, more scrubby in character, but the scrub was very open ; it consisted of turpentine-bush, blue- and salt-bush. White-winged Wrens and Tricoloured Chats were plentiful, and a few Orange-fronted Chats, the “ Salt-bush Canary” of bushmen, were seen. The sand proved to be heavy pulling, and all but the boys walked through the scrubby country on either side of the road. Many White-winged Wrens and Red- capped Robins (Petraca goodenoviz) were disturbed. Dr. Dobbyn found a nest (three eggs) of the Tricoloured Chat, built into the top of a blue-bush. The nest was built of fine rootlets and Vol. X. MacciLLivray, The Region of the Barrier Range. at 1910 twigs, and lined with soft, woolly grasses, the egg cavity measuring 134 inches in diameter by 1% inches in depth. Another nest contained three young. Kingfishers were seen several times. Crows (mostly the Short-billed species) had their nests in the Casuarine. We made our camp near a large, open swamp, on which were afew Ducks. The country we had walked through has been a deep, loose sandy soil, drifted into hillocks and ridges in places, and supporting a perennial vegetation of salt-bush, blue-bush, and turpentine. The herbage was very good, and comprised a number of flowering annuals ; the deep sandy soil seems to suit them. Scorpions and ground-dwelling spiders were numerous, and lizard tracks were everywhere on the soft sand. There were many Tricoloured and Orange-fronted Chats and Brown Song- Larks. The Orange-fronted Chat keeps more to the open salt- bush country than does the Tricoloured, which is often met with along the watercourses, where the herbage is taller and grows more closely, and amongst the rank growth and scrub on the creek flats. This year the Tricoloured Chat was everywhere more numerous than its congener. The White-fronted Chat usually winters here when the other two species have gone north, but goes south before the spring months. In the evening M‘Lennan and I walked across the end of the open swamp, through some prickly bushes, over a sand-ridge on the other side, to another swamp. This was surrounded by box, in which were many Miners, Grallinas, White-plumed Honey-eaters, Magpies, and other birds. Crossing a larger sand-ridge, evidently, from the stone remains, an old camping- place of the aborigines, we came to a deep, box-encircled swamp, on which Ducks were numerous. On the return journey we flushed a Brown Song-Lark from the spinach, to find a nest with three young. On reaching camp a nest and two eggs of the Orange-fronted Chat (Z. aurzfrons) were reported in a blue- bush near by. We were about early next morning. M‘Lennan, going through the sandy country back from the camp, found a White- winged Wren’s nest built in a blue-bush, and composed of fine grasses and wool ; it contained four eggs, at an advanced stage of incubation. A nest of the Tricoloured Chat with three eggs, and one of &. aurifrons with three young birds, were found. The feathers were just sprouting on the nestlings of £. aurifrons—colour brown ; eyes not open; gape orange, with two black spots on either side of the tongue, like the young of E. tricolor. i We made an early start for Bancannia, where we received our mail at the hotel and posted some letters on the coach. Our way from here led us across the lake, dry at the present time, through some stunted box scrub, in which were many 32 Maccituivray, The Region of the Barrier Range. (eee “Budgerigars” (Melopsittacus undulatus) prospecting for. hollows in which to nest. We skirted a sand-hill for a few miles, and came to Wyalla Lake, a large sheet of water surrounded by box trees, with many dead and living trees in the water and a fair growth of “ lignum” where the watercourses ran into it. There were a few Ducks and Swans on the water, but no shore birds. Hundreds of Native-Hens (A/ecrotribonyx) ran among the lignum. M‘Lennan and I walked round the lake, to get an idea of the place for a permanent camp and collecting ground. We found many White-browed Babblers and Miners, and flushed a Pink Cockatoo or Wee-juggler (Cacatua leadbeateri) from an old dead box not 50 yards from the margin of the lake; three eggs were in the hollow. The box was in flower, and had attracted numbers of White-plumed Honey-eaters (P¢zlotzs penzczllata) and Miners to the feast of insects and honey. Cockatoo-Parrakeets (Calopstttacus nove-hollandieé), in small flocks and pairs, and “ Budgerigars ” were chattering and squabbling among the trees. The Cockatoo-Parrakeets we had been meeting since leaving Gardiner’s Creek, flying south in small flocks and pairs. A few. White-rumped Wood-Swallows (Artamus leucogaster) had mated, but were not nesting; and although some of the Ducks were in pairs there was no general nesting of these birds—they seemed to be waiting for a good rain and flooded condition of the country. This year the aquatic birds seemed to be fewer than usual throughout the district ; it is probable that the heavy rains and flooded country along the Murray are responsible for this. Wading through an arm of the lake, we came to a fencers’ camp, over which several Kites and Whistling Eagles were hovering. In the afternoon we returned to this arm and waded among the lignum and dead timber. growing in the water. No birds were breeding*in the lignum, except an occasional Pigeon (Ocyphaps), although the loud song of the Reed-Warbler (Acrocephalus australis) and the plaintive: pipings of the little Grass-Bird (Wegalurus gramineus) came from many of the bushes. In the dead timber standing in the water two nests of the Galah were found, and several of the Cockatoo-Parrakeet. None of the latter had complete clutches, nesting having only just commenced, Many of the nests were situated in small stumps and often at water-level. The Pied Honey-eater (Certhionyx variagatus) was noted here, feeding in. the blossoming box and lignum, but occasionally flying out to the surrounding sand-ridges to visit the flowering turpentine and honeysuckle trees (EHremophila longifolia). This Honey-eater is very shy, and we had great difficulty in getting near. enough to procure specimens. It is also very quick on the wing. It flies, singing, into the air from the top of a tree, and suddenly drops, always turning over backward in its descent. M‘Lennan and I, after arranging with the others to camp near Vol. X. Be MacaILLivray, The Region of the Barrier Range. 33 our old spot on the open swamp, walked across country in that direction. ! At the end of the lake we disturbed several large flocks of Cockatoos from the ground, where they were feeding on the seeds of the annual salt-bush, just ripening at the time on the plants. Our way took us at first over loose, sandy country, in which there was little bird-life, save for a few Chats, Brown Song-Larks, and Whitefaces, and an occasional Swift-flying Turnix (Zurnix velox). A box channel running to the lake was followed for some distance, but yielded little of interest, as there was no water. “ Budgerigars” were, however, numerous in the box, and seemed to be preparing nesting-hollows. Leaving the creek, we crossed bare, open country, and came to a large lake, on the shore of which were numbers of Black-tailed Native-Hens (Microtribonyx ventralis), and a few Ducks on the water. On reaching camp in time for lunch, Dr. Dobbyn reported having found a nest of Ephthianura tricolor, with three eggs, and a family of young White-winged Wrens near by. M‘Lennan and I started out again in the afternoon, making our way through the blue-bush to the south. Wrens (Malurus leucopterus) were numerous ; one family of JZ. assimlis was observed. A nest of the former species in a blue-bush was not quite finished ; it was composed of sheep’s wool. I climbed to the nest of a Short-billed Crow (Corvus bennetti) in a black oak ; it was small, not much larger than a Magpie’s nest, built of sticks and lined with fine bark, feathers, and a little sheep’s wool. There were two eggs and a newly-hatched nestling. The eyes were not open ; skin yellow, with a little down along the ulnar borders of the wing, the femoral and dorsal pteryle; the gape was pink. M‘Lennan meanwhile examined another nest in an adjacent tree, finding three young birds and two addled eggs. Fossicking among the box bordering a swamp, M‘Lennan found, in a hollow stump, a nest of Acanthiza uropygtalis containing four eggs—a larger clutch and larger eggs than we had previously taken. The nest was made of fine bark and lined with rabbit fur and feathers. Two more Crows’ nests were observed. We got back to camp just ahead of the others, who brought a nest and three eggs of &. aurifrons, taken from a small prickly bush. After dark, boughs were cut for bedding from a few box-trees near by. A nest of the Singing Honey-eater (Péilotis sonora) was found as the boughs were being stripped. It was composed of rootlets, silk from the cocoons of larve of the butterfly Belenois fiava, which were in all the trees, and horse-hair. The lining material was camel-hair. Next morning four of us made an early start across the lower end of the open swamp to a sand-ridge, beyond which was a large swamp with prickly bushes growing to the water’s edge. On the way a female Brown Song-Lark was flushed from a nest in spinach-covered ground (three fresh [ Emu ist July 34 MacaILiivray, The Region of the Barrier Range. eggs). On the big swamp thousands of Microtribonyx were running in all directions. They were not nesting, and many seemed to be moulting. A few Black-throated Grebes (Podicipes nove-hollandie) and Pink-eared Ducks (Malacorhynchus mem- branaceus) were on the swamp. All the surrounding sand- hills were littered with traces of aboriginal camps—circles of stones and burned earth and charcoal, flints and grinders. Several Whistling Eagles were sailing over and around the swamp, and also a pair of Harriers (C. gou/dt), the first that I have noted up this way. I went off to the right over a sand-hill into country covered with scattered shrubby bushes. A nest of the . Black-faced Wood-Swallow (A. melanops) was found about 4 feet from the ground, in a small, stunted tree; it contained three eggs. Later I met our camp-keeper out after the horses ; he told me that he had found two Tricoloured Chats’ nests, each containing three young birds, and a nest of the Brown Song- Lark with three eggs. M‘Lennan turned up with a seven clutch of Short-billed Crow’s eggs; he also brought the lining of the nest, which consisted of the silk of the trap-door spider, which I kept for Dr. Pulleine, of Adelaide, who is interested in such things. We packed up and went on past Fowler’s Gap to the old dam and well on Caloola Creek, where we camped. Searching the scrubby flat along the creek we found Black Honey-eaters (Myzomela nigra) and Pied Honey-eaters (Certhionyx variagatus) busy feeding onthe blossoms of the honeysuckle-tree (Lremophila longifolia) and of the tobacco-bush (Vicotiana glauca), in company with “ Greenies” and Miners. Tricoloured Chats were dodging about the herbage and fallen, dead acacias, and every now and then a Rufous Song-Lark would rise, singing, from the ground, to some more commanding perch, where the alarm note would be given to the brooding female to steal away. Description of a New Crow-Shrike. By J. W. MELLor, A.O.U., ADELAIDE. PLUMAGE uniform dusky-brown or brownish-black, somewhat darker on the wings and tail. Four outer feathers on each side of tail broadly tipped with white, while on the two centre feathers the white is all but absent ; under tail coverts white. Wings.—Basal portion of inner web of primaries white, showing a large patch of white when the wing is extended; the outer web’ of primaries black, edged with greyish-white, the primaries and secondaries being slightly tipped with white. Irides bright yellow. Legs, feet, and bill black. Total length, 20 inches; tarsi, 3 inches; bill, 3? inches in length by i inch deep, forming a strong instrument for securing food, which consjsts chiefly of insects. Vol. X. 3 1910 MELLOR, Description of a New Crow-Shrike. 35 The female is so similar in colouration that dissection is necessary to determine the sex. .On account of the general dusky-brown appearance of the plumage, I propose the name of Brown Crow-Shrike (Strepera fusca), as suggested by the South Australian Ornithological Associa- tion at a meeting held on 12th May, 1905. The descriptions are taken from birds collected by me on Eyre Peninsula during a trip in October, 1899, and again while con- ducting the scientific expedition during the ninth congress of the Australasian Ornithologists’ Union, at Warunda Creek, Central Eyre Peninsula, in October, 1909. On both occasions I was accompanied by Capt. S. A. White, of the Reedbeds, near Adelaide, who also secured specimens. The birds on both occasions were seen principally in the timbered country, where their notes rang out clearly in the frosty mornings. The birds resemble mostly Stvepera plumbea of Western Australia, but are more dusky-coloured in general appearance, and show a greater amount of white in the wing. Locality.—Eyre Peninsula, South Australia. The nest is similar to the general class of Stvepera nests, composed of sticks, lined inside with finer fibrous substance, which makes a neat cup-shaped hollow. The eggs are three in number. A clutch taken at ‘ Kapinka,”’ Stokes, in the Koppio Ranges, in Central Eyre Peninsula, on 15th September, 1898 (now in my collection), may be described as follows :—General ground colour light creamy-brown, much lighter in appearance than the eggs in general of the Strzpera family ; the markings are fine spots of light brown and purplish- brown, the latter spots appearing as if beneath the surface of the shell, the markings being more numerous at the larger end. Eggs elongated in shape, and tapering gradually towards the smaller end. Texture of the shell moderately fine, with a somewhat glossy surface. Dimensions in inches :—(1) 1.70 x 1.18, (2) 1.62 x 1.12, fet. 52 X 1.02. Victorian Sericornes. By A. G. CAMPBELL, POMONAL, VICTORIA. (Read before the Bird Observers’ Club, 14th April, 1910.) Mr. Gregory M. Mathews, in a recent letter to me, wished for some reliable observations on two Victorian species of Sericornes—S. fronialis and S. osculans. The Australian Museum authorities, it appears, have recently stated that the two species are but one, and represent, one the mature, and the other the immature stage. With this I cannot agree. There has to my mind always been an obscurity in the genus, and for this reason I have been collecting data and material for some years and from various parts of the State. I will now state this much, however—that is, that I believe that there are two [ Emu ast July - 36 CAMPBELL, Victorian Sericornes. species—one of browner plumage, inhabiting only the mountainous portions of the State ; and the other a common species, being found throughout in the more open country. When specimens are examined they tally exactly with those described by John Gould as S. frontalis and S. osculans respectively. That illustrious naturalist had eyes for a specific difference which others of later day have been dull to see. It is this—S. oscwlans, he states, has an obscure dark subterminal band to the outer feathers of the tail. Note the adjective ‘‘ obscure,” for the word exactly describes the character. On spreading out the tail feathers between the fingers the dark band may be distinguished, particularly on the inner webs of the outer feathers. Now there is one specimen of Sericornis that never shows this character, and it is the bird obtained from what constitutes the Lyre-Bird country—the deep mountain recesses of Dandenong and Healesville Ranges, of Macedon, Upper Yarra, and Baw Baw, and of like localities in the Alps and in Gippsland. This is, I take it, S. frontalis of Gould. The difference in the two species is a nice one, but reliable. I may add that the following simple key is also to be relied upon :— Head and back rich brown colour, similar to rump and tail. S. frontalis. Head and back olive colour, not like rump, which is brown. S. osculans. The following is the key to the whole of the genus in Australia * :— I.—General colour grey ; lores white; throat rufous in male. S. brunnea. 11.—General colour brownish; lores black, slaty, or tawny. A.—Shoulder feathers edged white ; lores black (male), or slaty (female). 1. White tips to outer tail feathers and dark subterminal band. (a.) Forehead black ; throat white, barely spotted. S. levigasira. (b.) Forehead brown, like crown; throat thickly spotted. nes S. maculata. 2. No white to outer tail feathers; tail band obscure or absent. (a.) Obscure subterminal band on outer tail feathers ; head and back olive, dissimilar to rump. Upper throat white; abdomen whitish ; flanks brown ; legs light brown. S. osculans. Upper throat speckled like lower; abdomen and flanks olive; legs dark brown, S. humilis. (b.) No dark subterminal band on tail. Broad black crescent on lower throat; wing, 2.4 inches. S. gutturalis.t * For localities see Mathews’ ‘‘ Handlist,” Suppl. Zyzz, vol. vii. + = Oreoscopus gutturalts. eS CAMPBELL, Victorian Sericornes. 37 No black crescent ; head and back rich brown, like rump. Wing, 2.35 inches. S. frontalis. : Wing more than 2.4 inches. S. minimus. - B.—No white on wing feathers. (a.) Throat yellow ; lores black (male), or slaty (female) ; wing 2.7 inches. S. citreogularis. (0.) Throat brownish; lores tawny ; wing 2.2 inches. S. magnirostris. The Helmeted Honey-eater (Ptilotis cassidix). By F. E. WILSON AND..L. G. CHANDLER. (Read before the Bird Observers .Club, 27th January, 1910.) AS so little is known concerning the habits of the rare and beautiful Helmeted Honey-eater (Pézlotzs cassidix), the follow- ing notes, collected during the past two seasons, may be of interest. The habitat of this species is the eastern portion of Victoria, possibly extending into the southernmost corner of New South Wales. Our notes have been gathered in the Beaconsfield district, 30 miles east of Melbourne, where several pairs of birds have taken up their quarters. The locality has many creeks, and dense scrubs of tea-tree, sword- grass, prickly acacia, &c., with tall white gums (Luwcalyftus) spreading their branches above. The Helmeted Honey-eater somewhat resembles the Yellow- tufted Honey-eater (Péz/otis melanops), but is about half an inch longer, and may be easily distinguished by the line of upright, bristling, golden feathers which adorn the head. It has a variety of notes, two of which are monosyllabic. After using the monosyllabic notes, the head is jerked upwards and_ the: tail slightly raised. One of the notes, generally uttered when the bird is flying from tree to tree, closely resembles the familiar note of the White-naped Honey-eater (Melsthreptus atricapillus).* Another may be translated as “Churl, churl, churl, churl;” while the nesting note, which is the most beautiful of all, and which is usually uttered when the bird is. sitting at the side of the nest, may be rendered thus—“ Jor, jor, jor, jor, jor, jiree, jiree, jiree, jiree,” the “jiree” portion being a semitone higher. During the nesting season these Honey-eaters are extremely savage, and vigorously attack other birds that come near them. Harmonious Shrike-Thrushes (Collyriocechla har- monica), White-shouldered Caterpillar-catchers (Lalage tricolor), and Coachwhip-Birds (Psophodes crepitans) all find it safer to keep at a respectful distance from P. casszdix. Helmeted * Scientific names according to Mathews’ ‘‘ Handlist.” Emu List July 38 WILSON AND CHANDLER, The Helmeted Honey-eater. Honey-eaters are gregarious; two or three pairs inhabit each locality, and usually all nest in an area of a few hundréd square yards. . On one occasion when engaged making observations on the Helmeted Honey-eaters, a native bear or koala, with a young one on its back, was seen in the lower limbs of a big gum-tree. The old bear, not liking the look of us, ascended to a thin limb near the top of the tree. The young one set up a dismal howling, and at once five Helmeted Honey-eaters hurried to the scene and commenced darting round the marsupials and calling out excitedly—a proceeding which they kept up till the baby koala became quiet. During the breeding season these Honey-eaters keep almost exclusively to an insectivorous diet; only once, in the depth of winter, have we seen them gathering nectar. Beetles, flies, caterpillars, small spiders, &c. all form part of the larder; occasionally small moths are eaten. We have been fortunate in finding nests containing young in different stages, as follows :—One day old: Blind and naked, the flesh being a peculiar shade of orange pink, gape creamy-yellow, small white dots marking where wing and tail quills would shortly appear. Six days old: Gape creamy- yellow, irides pale brown. The quills on the top of the head were not yet broken. A line of feathers down the centre of the back dusky-greyish colour; thighs were sparsely covered at the base with long unbroken quills, others just broken forming a dusky-greyish patch behind the shoulders ; on each side of the rump a small clump of yellowish feathers. Tail quills short and just breaking, the upper ones being black and the lower yellow. The primaries and secondaries, pro- truding about 4 -inch, of a dusky-greyish colour, with faint olive- green edgings. Lines of feathers starting from a patch under the throat, and continuing down each side of the chest and abdomen, of a rich sulphur-yellow colour. Legs and feet bluish- erey. The favourite nesting site isa low bush growing from the bank of a creek and hanging over the water. One nest was observed in the centre of a dense patch of scrub, 80 yards from the nearest water. Sometimes the nest is suspended near the margin of a little billabong, and in nine cases out of ten it is placed either in the common prickly tea-tree (Leptospermum scoparium) or the bottle-brush (Cad/¢stemon pityotdes). Other plants which are occasionally selected as nesting sites are the native aster (Olearta (Aster) stellulata, var. lyrata), the dog- wood (Helichrysum ferrugineum) the prickly acacia (Acacza verticillata), and the native hop (Goodenza ovata). The nest is usually placed at a height varying from 4 to 6 feet from the ground or water as the case may be, but one or two Nol. X. | WILSON AND CHANDLER, The Helmeted Honey-eater. 39 1910 instances have been noted in which the elevation was 15 feet. The nest is commenced with two or three spider cocoons ; pieces of dry grass and fine bark, or possibly rootlets, are added gradually. A nest was observed just started, only three spider cocoons having been placed in position. On being visited exactly a week later the nest was found to be complete and to contain two eggs. The bird was sitting. The materials used in the construction of the outer portion of the nest are many and varied, but the general base consists of dry grass, fine rootlets, and shreds of bark. Sometimes the bark is placed very loosely around the outside, being fastened in position with spiders’ web. Skeleton gum-leaves, dead gum-leaves, feathers, pieces of news- paper, green moss, fine twigs, &c., are also used, and the exterior of the nest is always decorated with spiders’ cocoons of various tints—white, green, and gold. The material used for lining also varies. In one locality the seeding heads of a species of grass (Gramine@) are commonly present, mixed with rabbit fur or a few feathers. One nest was found lined wholly with fowls’ feathers, which must have been brought from some con- siderable distance. The lining may consist solely of very fine red bark, collected from the frayed trunks of the gums (Eucalyptus obliqua). In another locality nests are very often lined with a thick pad of the fur of the koala (Phascolarctus cinereus). The leaf-buds of the tea-tree (Leptospermum scopartum) and the hairy seeds of the clematis (C/ematzs aristata) are also used. One pair of birds under observation always used as lining material the green leaves of the native raspberry (Rudus parvtfolzus), which, on drying, curl up, and make a far from comfortable interior. The nest may be bulky or of medium size, the larger ones being generally those constructed earlier in the season, when the weather is colder. The egg cavities of some are deeper than others, a difference of one inch having been noticed. The bulk of the building work is done after sundown, and, presumably, in the early morning (although we have not had an opportunity to verify this), when the materials used are as a rule most pliable. One mild summer evening early in Decem- ber, at half-past seven, a bird was seen hard at work on the construction of her nest. She first stripped spiders’ cocoons from the green leaves of a gum-tree close by. When this material had been added to the structure, the bird flew off toa dead tree and collected some spider web from one of the top limbs, returning almost immediately. Between each load she found time to refresh herself with some insect, usually caught on the wing. The male, perched in a neighbouring gum-tree, kept his eye open for enemies, and from time to time made short sallies in different directions. The breeding season was found to extend from the middle of September to the end of December, but most of the nests observed were built during 40 WILSON AND CHANDLER, The Helmeted Honey-eater. rte October and November. In all cases observed by us two eggs have constituted the clutch. They vary much both in size and markings, the smallest clutch noted measuring (@)0.84 x 0.63 inch, (6) 0.84 x 0.63 inch, and the largest (with which there was a Cuckoo’s egg) (2) 0.98 x 0.68, (4) 0.96 x 0.66. Some eggs are almost devoid of markings, others are beautifully zoned with large reddish-brown blotches, and others again sparsely blotched all over. On five occasions this season (1909) we have found an egg of the Pallid Cuckoo (Cauculus tnornatus) placed with the Honey-eater’s eggs, and once a young Pallid Cuckoo was observed being fed by a pair of P. casstdzx. The Cuckoos’ eggs are deposited in the nest before the foster-parent has laid. We were greatly surprised one afternoon to find two nests which had been deserted. One nest contained two fresh eggs and the other one. An examination disclosed in one of the pair of eggs two dents and a small hole, and in the single egg two dents, one at each end. A heavy wind, during which the birds would have to cling very tightly to the nest, may have caused the damage. When sitting the Helmeted Honey-eater is very tame. Frequently we have stood a couple of feet away, and even touched them, without the birds betraying the slightest trace of fear. In the case of the first pair of birds observed with young, the male took no part whatever in feeding the nestlings, but always accompanied the female on Her trips to and from the nest. The female, after having delivered her beakful of food, would fly to a limb near by and preen herself before setting out on her insect-hunting again. After the first visit eleven minutes elapsed before her return, and the following trip occupied eleven and a half minutes. Many visits were made during our stay by the nest, but the intervals were practically- the same. On New Year's Day, 1910, when the weather was exceptionally hot, a nest was found with a bird sitting. On 8th January another nest was discovered containing two chicks about six days old. We were attracted to the nest by the actions of the parent birds, and by a squeaking noise, which at first we thought to be that of a young Pallid Cuckoo, as it was almost an exact representation of the familiar note of this species. On her arrival at the nest the female fed the young with a fly. Both parent birds then flew away, but in five minutes the female returned with a fresh supply of food. After feeding the young she remained at the nest, holding her head close down to the young ones, for six minutes. Then the male arrived, and his mate immediately left. He also departed after having fed the young. The nest was observed for over an hour, and this procedure was not varied, Vol. X. 1910 _ NicHo.ts, Notes on the Crested Penguin. 4I Notes on the Crested Penguin (Catarrhactes: Sa chrysocome). By E. BROOKE NICHOLLS, MELBOURNE. (Read before the Bird Observers Club, 18th May, 1910.) In the April (1910) issue of Zhe Emu, Mr. H. Stuart’ Dove described ‘“ How the Penguin Fishes.” He notes “the deliberate movements of the wings when the bird is under water,’ and also the way in which the legs and feet are used as a helm or rudder. Again he mentions how “the light blue of the back shows up in the sunlight” when the bird is on the water. I have made similar observations in regard to the Crested Penguin (Catarrhactes chrysocome). This bird, although a stranger to Aus- tralian waters, has been scen occasionally on our shores. Last year Mr. Conigrave recorded it from Rottnest Island, Western Australia. In February, 1910,a specimen made its appearance on the beach at Lorne. When first seen by the members of a cray- fishing party it was on the rocks at the water’s edge. It was in a plump and thriving condition, and evidently none the worse for its long journey from New Zealand. After watching it for some time, the members of the party decided to let the Penguin remain where it was. On returning to camp, where the billy was. boiling for afternoon tea, they found that the bird had followed them over some hundreds of yards of rocks and sand, so they promptly put it in a “tucker” bag, and carried it home to “Erskine House.” The Penguin was domiciled in a large sea-bath, about 20 yards square, and there it lived for six weeks. For the first fortnight the captive was very savage, and spent most of its time in the dark recesses of a bathing-box, where it underwent a complete moult. During this period it would not enter the water, and when thrown in quickly came out again. The moult finished with the head, and some of the discarded crest feathers measured as much as 4 inches in length. After the moult the Penguin looked a handsome bird, and the colour of the new crest was bright sulphur-yellow. The bird had no power of erecting this crest, but at times, when teased, ‘the feathers of the head showed up slightly. When seen in the bright sunlight the plumage on the upper surface appeared of a - dull leaden colour, but immediately upon the bird entering the water the feathers began to glisten, and assumed a rich royal blue tint, as observed by Mr. Dove in the case of the Little Penguin (Eudyptula minor). This change in colour is due to an iridescence reflected by the oil which the skin begins to secrete upon the bird entering the water. The oil-glands of Penguins are, I believe, far larger than in any other class of birds. In the Little Penguin they are shaped like a “jelly bean” lolly, and measure about three-quarters of an inch in length. After our Penguin had been swimming for some time, I noticed [ Emu ist July 42 NIcHo.its, Notes on the Crested Penguin. an oily track left in the water. On the surface the legs and feet of the bird only are used for paddling; under the water they are stretched out straight behind, and act as a rudder for side to side, sinking, and rising movements. The skin on the under surface of the feet is dark coloured. When the bird is swimming beneath the water, with feet outstretched, this dark under surface is uppermost, and so matches with the rest of the dark dorsal plumage. While in the water the white breast and abdomen of the bird are seldom seen, being only exposed when the Penguin lays over on one side and leisurely scratches its head with its foot, as it quietly floats on the surface. The Penguin at Lorne soon became a favourite with the visitors, and was christened “ Billy.” He became so tame that the children used to take him up in their arms and carry him from place to place. He would eat raw meat, but was mostly fed upon fishes. Sometimes these were the little mountain minnows (Ga/axias), caught in the streams of Lorne. But more often sea fish were given. On several occasions the local fishermen drew their nets on the beach, and live fish were secured and liberated in the sea-bath. Then “Billy” and the onlookers had an exciting time. The turns and twists of the bird were wonderful, but, as Mr. Dove has remarked, there was no appearance of violent action. The rate of speed was very rapid, but the movements of the wing-flappers gave no true indication of this. They were used in a leisurely, deliberate manner, and at times, as the bird sped onwards, were poised and held motionless for a few seconds, exactly in the same way as those of a swiftly-flying Mutton-Bird. In fact, the whole action of the bird whilst swimming is best described as flying under water. Some of the fish liberated in the bath were sea salmon-trout, 10 to 14 inches in length. These “Billy” did not attempt to touch, but he pursued them round and round in a curious, half-frightened manner. Two smaller fish, however, each about 6 inches long, he drove at with his beak, striking them on the body and stunning them; afterwards they were promptly swallowed. We were disappointed in the swallowing capacity of the bird. A 6-inch fish was the most he was able to manage at one gulp. From “ Billy's” size and appearance we fully expected to see a 12-inch salmon-trout taken with ease ; but these larger fish had to be cut in pieces. A curious fact is that Penguins can see small objects floating on the surface only when beneath them, and, when searching for the food we threw him, “ Billy” always dived, and, seeing the morsel floating on the water, shot up to the surface and secured it. A piece of fish might be thrown to him, and although he heard it splash within a foot or two of his body, and searched about, he never once saw the food until he had dived and got beneath it. When coming out of the bath, “ Billy” made use of some Vol. X. 1910 NIcHOLLs, Notes on the Crested Penguin: A3 steps, but he had to get up about 12 inches on to a landing, and this he accomplished by a spring. I never saw him breach out of the water and land upright, as is the practice of the King and Emperor Penguins. At times I assisted him with a straw broom. The end was placed in the water, and “Billy” would scramble on to it to be lifted high and dry. This performance was always greeted with cheers from the visitors, and a more laughable spectacle than the Penguin perched serenely on the broom it would be hard to imagine. “Billy’s” fondness for fresh water was curious. For hours at a time he would stand under a running tap, but his greatest delight was to accompany the bathers to the shower-bath. He soon got to know the sound of the falling water, and no matter how many times a day the bath was used “Billy” was always there. The greater the force of the shower the better he liked it, and from time to time he would stretch himself full length on the floor, shuffling and “squawking” with pleasure as the water splashed upon him. When taken down to the sea “ Billy,’ contrary to expectation, refused to enter the water, but made off “home” across the sands as fast as his little pattering feet would carry him. He usually walked one foot after another, but when wishing to quicken his pace would hop along. Eventually he became so tame that he would follow like a dog, and his quaint mode of progression and method of jumping up and down flights of steps and stairs were a source of much amusement. One morning “ Billy” followed some bathers to the beach, a distance of about half a mile from the house. He made stren- uous efforts to keep up with the party going across the loose sand, but, finding himself being left behind, uttered such loud “squawks” of distress that he had to be carried. On reaching the bathing site the members of the party donned their bathing attire and made for the open ocean, with “ Billy” following. A heavy surf was running, and as we entered the water “ Billy” paused. Wading further and further out we called to him, and he made an attempt to follow, but was swept off his feet and washed ashore by the foaming water, which was not more than 8 or 9 inches deep. At length, after being knocked down and buffeted by several successive waves he managed to struggle into water about a foot deep, and then, swimming swiftly, shot like an arrow towards us. Once in the breakers the bird had all the best of it, and we dived and chased after him through the waves as one might romp with a dog ashore. Tiring of the sport, “ Billy” commenced to dive and hunt for fish, and gradually went out to sea. We called to him by name, and, turning his head, he answered once or twice with a loud “ squawk,” but kept paddling oceanwards all the time. He had suddenly realized that he was once again in the open ocean, and not confined by the four cemented walls of a bath. Late in the Emu Ist July 44 NicHo.tts, Notes on the Crested Penguin. afternoon I went down to the beach to see if, by any chance, he had returned, but the sea had called to him and he had obeyed. No doubt upon some lonely rock- bound island of Bass Strait he has found a home. Notes on the Regent-Bird (Sericulus melinus). BY P..A. GILBERT,, oY DNEY. AT Ourimbah, during October and November, 1909, in the company of Mr. H. Keane, a few observations were recorded, during our days in the scrub, on the habits of Regent-Birds (Sericulus melinus) found breeding. 3rd October, 1909. —Several pairs of Regent-Birds were seen flying to and fro in search of food, and probably on the look-out for a nesting site. They were observed feeding peacefully upon the berries of vines. The brilliant orange-yellow and sheeny black plumage of the male was in marked contrast to the sombre verdure of the undergrowth, as the sun’s rays fell upon him whenever the foliage above permitted. The female, being more secretive in her movements, invariably kept well within the undergrowth. 4th ” October, 1909.—The birds were again seen, the males, owing to their conspicuous plumage, most frequently. Our next visit to the same locality was on 13th November, 1909. I watched a female Regent-Bird fly into a thick clump of vine, and saw the leaves moving awhile as she hopped through. I decided to clamber into the vines above and investigate, while my friend, Mr. H. Keane, kept watch on the outskirts. My efforts were rewarded by a nest containing two incubated eggs. The nest was built in a tree densely covered with vines (V2¢zs), at an altitude of from 40 to 50 feet. The nest was constructed of fine dry sticks placed on a scanty foundation of coarser ones, the whole structure being secreted in a mass of the tangled vine, which afforded ample support. 14th November.—One male bird was seen on the wing, but not in proximity to the brooding female. 15th November.—Several female birds were observed, but, owing to the density of the vegetation, it was not ascertainable whether they were nesting. No males. I found another nest, placed much higher than the one containing eggs, but in crowth less dense : height took the place of seclusion. This nest was the temporary “habitation of two nestlings, apparently about eight or nine days old, and covered with a dull greyish down. I noted that they sat in ‘the nest with their heads pointing south, and, as I had watched the parent bird fly in several times from Vi Sep. @ Ric GILBERT, Notes on the Regent-Bird. 45 a southern peripheral point, I concluded that they were wont to look for their guardian in that direction. _ Previous to nidification, Regent-Birds are to be seen in pairs around QOurimbah, but once incubation has commenced the male seems to retreat, leaving that function entirely to the female. Neither does the male seem to participate in nurturing the young. His brilliant plumage would, no doubt, betray the whereabouts of the female and her nestlings, whereas the female’s plumage harmonizes with her surroundings, and that, together with her shy habits, enables her to move about obscurely. Although I have no evidence myself, nor have I seen it stated elsewhere, still I have reasons for believing that the female Regent-Bird alone constructs the nest. On the Cambe- warra Mountain I had under observation two female Satin Bower-Birds (Péilonorhynchus violaceus) which were building. One was closely watched for several days, and in no instance did I see the male assisting in the construction of the nest, or even observe him in the immediate vicinity until the work was finished. It seems reasonable to suppose that the nidificating habits of the Satin Bower-Bird are similar to those of the Regent- Bird as regards the female alone building the nest. Destruction of Birds. BY J..W:.MeELtLor, A.O.U., FULHAM,: S.A, I HAVE received from Mr. Edward Millen, of Rosemount, Dawlish, South Devon, and once a resident of Echunga and Port Elliot, a letter relative to the destruction of birds for plumage and ornamental purposes, and also a copy of an issue of The Journal of the Royal Society of Aris containing a report of a lecture delivered by Mr. James Buckland on the same subject. Mr. Millen writes :— “From long residence in South Australia I know (who there does not ?) that you are the friend and protector of birds. But I should not have sent the Journal had it only referred to that which is going on in the West Indies, Venezuela, United States of America, &c. Australia does not escape the destroyer, and before long, perhaps—no one can say—some ‘undesirable immigrants’ will land in South Australia bent on the destruc- tion of as many of its plumage birds as possible. M. Rostand’s play, “Chantecler,’ has given an impetus to the wearing of feathers in women’s hats, which are now more than ever ‘ decorated’ (?) or trimmed with large masses of them of all lengths and colours. It is not uncommon to see whole birds stuffed and doing service as hat ‘ornaments’ (?). What a shock it would be to a South Australian to see the wings of the Magpie used for mourning wear, or the pretty wing of the ‘Jack’ for gayer occasions! And what a gem-like ornament the stuffed skin of the Blue Wren would be, not to mention numerous other useful birds found in the Sunny South. 46 MELLOR, Destruction of Birds. Ean ist July These, I know, are on the protected list ; but Mr. Buckland shows in his address that destroyers have no regard for protective law. I therefore venture to send the /owrvma/, on the principle of ‘ forwarned forearmed.’” Mr. Buckland, the promoter of the Plumage Bill, in his address before the Royal Society of Arts, gives some astonishing facts and figures, all of which have been compiled from diplo- matic, consular, and other official records. J/uter alia, he says that, if birds are undisturbed in their wild state, a sufficient number of young are reared to balance the decrease caused by old age, epidemics, storms, famine, predatory foes, and other natural causes, and maintain the species in strength and efficiency. If, on the contrary, the birds are prevented from breeding for one season alone, the species is weakened, and, if this continues, the extermination of that species is only a matter of time. Now, the majority of the feathers used in millinery, and certainly all the high-priced ones, are taken from the body of the bird during the breeding season. There are two reasons why this must needs be so. In the first place ornamental feathers are profitable goods only when rich in the brilliancy and abundance begotten of sexual selection—in other words, when the bird has mated, or when it is about to mate. At all other times the feathers lack lustre, smoothness, and elasticity, and are moulted in that condition, and are, therefore, of little value for trade purposes. In the second place, with the majority of species it is when the birds are breeding that the one favourable opportunity of killing them arises, as they then return from abroad, and annually journey to an ancestral breeding-ground, and this is the plume-hunter’s opportunity. It is doubly his opportunity, for then most of a bird’s natural fear of man disappears under the stress of providing for and protecting its young. This is why the annual gathering of plumes is immeasurably the most destructive of all destructive agencies now operating against bird-life. It is a harvest of death, because it is reaped at the sowing of life. Regarding “aigrettes” or “ospreys,” it is stated that, in Venezuela alone, in 1898, no fewer than 1,538,738 White Herons were killed, and in 1908 the ranks had become so depleted that only 42,986 ozs. of feathers could be collected. As it requires six birds to produce an ounce, 257,916 were slaughtered. This does not include the young birds left to starve and die in the nests. Thirty years ago it is estimated that 3,000,000 White Herons inhabited Florida, and to-day these birds are said to be comparatively rare. In Venezuela the majestic Jabiru or Giant Stork is falling a victim to fashion, as there is a growing demand during the last ten years for the large quills of the wing and tail. Inthe London plume sale alone there were catalogued 28,250 of these quills, which would need a very large number of birds to produce. Venezuela does a large export business in Vol. X. MELLOR, Destruction of Birds. 47 1910 plumes, and is one of the greatest bird destruction countries, where firms are located that do nothing else but equip parties to go out hunting, and purchase plumes and feathers for the market. The “Consular Report” for 1908 shows that from one place alone, Ciudad Bolivar, there were exported 10,612 lbs. of feathers and plumes, in addition to the plumes of the White Heron, being nearly 5 tons of feathers from one port in one year, for the whims of woman’s fashion. Until recent years nothing was known of the domestic affairs of the American Flamingo, which is the most brilliant in plumage of all large birds, until their nesting haunts were discovered in 1904 by Mr. F. M. Chapman, in one of the outer Bahama Islands, where the birds were in large masses. But no sooner did Mr. Chapman let the world know of his find than the plume-hunters were there, and nearly exterminated the birds for their brilliant feathers, but, happily, before they were quite swept off the face of the earth Mr. Chapman secured protection for the Flamingoes. No better instance of the destruction of species for the millinery market can be given, says Mr. Buckland, than the massacre of the shore-birds of the Atlantic coast of the United States of America. Twenty-five years ago the shore-birds swarmed all down this coast in incredible numbers, but to-day only a few scattered colonies survive, being rigidly guarded by wardens. A few years ago immense flocks of water-fowl populated the lake region of Southern Oregon, and teemed along the Pacific Coast, but to-day these waters are almost depopulated, as hundreds of tons of Ducks have been killed each year merely for the green wing feathers ; the bodies are thrown away. White Herons, Swans, Geese, Pelicans, Ibises, and hosts of other species were slaughtered for fashion. The largest breeding- grounds of the Grebe, whose silvery breast feathers are prized by women for ornamentation, were on Lakes Klamath and Tule, and during the last six or seven years there were between 20 and 30 camps of professional killers and skinners stationed along the lakes ; men were engaged solely in killing Grebes ; the skins were collected in waggons three times a week. This continued until the Government, at the instance of the Oregon Audubon Society, in the spring of 1908, had Lakes Klamath, Harney, and Malheur set aside as bird reservations. On 31st May, 1909, the State Warden of Lake Malheur Reservation reported that “very few Grebes are nesting in the reserve this year—mute testimony of the inroads of previous market hunting.” Mr. Bryan, in his report to the United States Government regarding the destruction of birds carried on among the low coral islands in the North Pacific by Japanese plume-hunters, says that in the short space of six years they had exterminated Emu ist’ July 48 ME LLOoR, Destruction of Birds. one of the largest Albatross colonies in these waters. During Mr. Bryan’s inspection the hunters had only secured 13 specimens of the Albatross, but he estimated that they had then 40,000 Terns’ skins ready for shipment, that being the second shipment for the season. A Tokio firm fitted out a ship at Yokohama and dispatched her to Lisiansky Island. There were 87 killers, skinners, &c., on board, and before they could be stopped by the American Revenue Service steamer 7hetzs they had collected 335 cases of plumage, representing 300,000 birds. In 1908 the skins of about 50,000 Terns were sent from this locality to the London market, and the United States Govern- ment at last made overtures of a pressing nature to the Japanese Government, which stated that it would do its best to prevent the depredations, but the work being carried on largely by lawless marauders rendered the task a hard one. | The extermination of Birds-of-Paradise of all species within a comparatively brief period may be regarded as certain. Messrs. Walter Goodfellow and Chas. B. Horsburgh journeyed lately to New Guinea, and give some valuable notes.. No fewer than 20,000 skins, Mr. Goodfellow estimates, are exported from North and West Dutch New Guinea annually. The once fairly numerous Jobi Bird-of-Paradise is now so scarce that only 90 skins were obtained in 1906. The gorgeous Red Bird-of- Paradise, whose habitat is the Island of Waigiou, has now become very rare, young males and females being shot, in addition to the full-plumaged males. The Great Bird-of- Paradise, found only in the Aru Islands, is also being rapidly exterminated. For some years previous to 1907 two Chinese plumage-hunters at Humboldt’s Bay, in north-west New Guinea, exported every three months 12,000 bird skins, chiefly of the Lesser Bird-of-Paradise, whose habitat is in those regions. Mr. Horsburgh found Prince Rudolph’s Bird-of-Paradise everywhere extremely rare, only three specimens being seen during weeks of searching. Mr. Buckland shows that the eye of the plume-hunter is on our native Australian birds. The Emu is doomed. Recently 490 of these birds were killed in Queensland ina single “drive,” and of these 419 were.smuggled out of Australia and sold in the London commercial sale-rooms, on 4th August, 1909. The Lyre-Bird (J7enura) is fast disappearing. In 1907 180 tails were sold at the London feather sales. The handsome black and gold Regent-Bird (Serzculus melinus) is, next to the Rifle-Bird (Ptzlorhis), the most sought after for its feathers of any bird in Australia. It was once found within a_ short distance of Port Jackson, but one has to go very far afield now to see one. Violet ok. ] 1910 Stvay Feathers. 49 Stray Feathers. A CuRIoUS CLUTCH.—Mr. H. L. White, Belltrees, N.S.W., reports. the finding of a Spotted Pardalote’s (Pardalotus punctatus) nest containing three eggs, together with two eggs of the Narrow-billed Bronze-Cuckoo (Chalcococcyx basalts) and one egg of the Bronze-Cuckoo (C. plagosus). * * * THE PUGNACITY OF “MAGPIES” (GYMNORHINA).—AsS regards the pugnacity of the common Magpies (G. /euconota) when nest- ing, I rather think such is a natural propensity with these birds. I settled at Jackson’s Creek 27th January, 1846. Any time between that date and 1850 Magpies “ pegged” youngsters for climbing to a nest. The old birds also attacked me. We did not molest nests, and there were no children on the three stations that adjoined us. On skinning a bird, on one occasion, nothing was found in the stomach, thereby indicating it had come a good distance without feeding. A bird came back in search of its mate, and hung about some little time.—ISAAC BATEY. Drouin, 21/4/10. * * * WHITE-EARED HONEY-EATER (PTILOTIS LEUCOTIS).—Mr. F. E. Wilson, A.O.U., recently wrote me on the above, which ap- peared in my list of Drouin birds in the last issue of Zhe Emu under the name of P. aurzcomzs. Previously, in the same maga- zine (vol. vii., page 9), in “ Sunbury Birds of Sixty Years Ago,” this bird was referred to as P. aurtcomzs,so Mr. Wilson asked me to forward a specimen in the flesh. Having a stuffed one, it was sent, when in due course a reply came to the effect that instead of being P. auricomis or P. casstdix it was really P. leucotes. The manuscript was roughly written, and unfortunately Mr. Campbell’s volumes were lent, thus I was not in a position to supply technical nomenclature. I take this opportunity of correcting a mistake.—ISAAC BATEY. Drouin, 6/5/10. 6 * * EGGS OF PACHYCEPHALA MERIDIONALIS.—Although these eggs have been previously described,* the description of the first set taken in Victoria may not be out of place :—Clutch two, roundish-oval in shape ; texture of shell fine, surface glossy ; colour yellowish-white in specimen (a), but much darker in (6), speckled all over, more particularly about the larger end, with spots of dark umber or brown, and dark-grey spots and blotches, which appear as if beneath the surface of the shell ; approaching nearest to those of P. pectoralzs. Dimensions in * North, ‘‘ Nests and Eggs of Birds,” vol. ii., p. 25. Emu 50 Stvay Feathers. ist July inches :—(a) .88 x .65, (0) .87 x .66. Taken by J. A. Ross, A. H. E. Mattingley, F. E. Howe, and C. M‘Lennan, at Pine Plains, Victoria, 16th September, 1907. Nest.—Very like that of P. fectoralts, and built in a small Murray pine on a sand-ridge, about 5% feet from ground.— F. E. Howe. Canterbury, Victoria. FLAME-BREASTED ROBIN.—As regards the Flame-breasted Robin (Petraca phenicea), this bird seems to arrive here (the Monaro highlands) when the snow is on the ground—z.e., in winter ; and it nests with us about October. In the adjacent coastal districts I have never seen it, but the Scarlet-breasted Robin (P. /eggei) is common in both. I think the Flame- breasted never appears to greater advantage than when perched on a dead thistle or twig standing up above the snow. The brilliant colouring of the breast is then thrown out in strong relief—H. V. EDWARDS. Bibbenluke, N.S.W., 8/2/09. P.S.—The Pied Robin (P. ficata) is now nesting in this vicinity. It appears to place its nest at a much greater elevation than most Robins.—H. V. E. * * * THE SATIN BOWER-BIRD.—Mr. C. F. Cole, in his interesting “ Notes on the Satin Bower-Bird (Péz/onorhynchus violaceus), * states that the change from the green to blue-black plumage takes place in the male birds only. I know of one exception to this rule, having found one “ Black Satin-Bird” to be a female. This was at Cape Otway, over 40 years ago. We had shota few Satin-Birds, all in green plumage but one, in which were found eggs. I have not handled Satin Bower-Birds since then. In the spring hundreds of Satin Bower-Birds used to come from forest country at the back of Cape Otway to flats among the sand-dunes to feed on native spinach. In a flock of perhaps a hundred there would be only three or four birds with the black- blue plumage, The birds were very destructive to peas and cabbage plants in the garden.—H. W. Forp. Fitzroy (Vic.), 20/4/10. % ¥ + WHITE-RUMPED SWIFT (MICROPUS PACIFICUS).—I have to record an appearance of this rare visitor to Tasmania. At about 5.30 p.m. on 17th February, the sky being very overcast, with a light south-east breeze blowing, I noticed a Swift flying from the south. Ina few minutes a fair-sized flock of the birds was circling over Launceston. Owing to the fact that many of * Emu, vol. ix., p. 237. ao | Stray Feathers. 51 the birds were flying low and not fast, I was able to bring my glass to bear with good results. The first bird to come within easy range was a Wicropus pacificus. Up to the time the birds disappeared to the north-west, 6.30 p.m., I identified positively at least 20 as being of this species out of a flock of perhaps 100 birds. In all probability the bulk of the birds were Spine-tailed Swifts (Chetura caudacuta). I was fortunate enough to witness the apparent return southwards of a portion of the flock, as previously recorded from Tasmania by Messrs. H. C. Thompson and H. Stuart Dove. I say apparent, because I was able to watch the return of these birds to join the rest after having made an enormous ellipse. The vantage ground on which I was standing afforded a very extensive view in all directions.— FRANK M. LITTLER. Launceston, 25/2/10. * * * A BirD DRAMA.—The other day I, with two companions, witnessed a pretty drama in bird life. We were on a half- completed wheat-stack, standing between two others already finished, at about 3.30 p.m.,-when suddenly a flock of 8 or Io Spur-winged Plovers (Lodzvanellus lobatus) came sailing round the end of the stacks. They wheeled sharp round and down past one of the outer stacks on our flank, coming quickly into view again and settling in some long, dry grass, about 60 yards away. No sooner were they down than, ducking, all crept into the long grass, disappearing as though by magic. ‘“ Whissssh!” a Black-cheeked Falcon went, not directly over where the Plovers were concealed, but a little to one side, about 6 or 8 feet above ground. Following the Falcon’s flight, we saw it perch about 300 yards away on a tall, dry tree. Up stood one of the Plovers on “ sentry go,” and was immobile for fully three minutes until the Falcon left his perch and sailed away. Then the sentry moved. All was quiet for a minute, when, one by one, the Plovers rose, and were soon on the wing clamouring to announce their victory, or, rather, their craft in evading the enemy. I have been a close observer of birds all my life, yet have never before seen so interesting an incident as this.—R. W. LEGGE. Cullenswood (Tas.), 22/2/10. * * * SHARP-TAILED STINT IN TASMANIA.—One day last Feb- ruary, while wandering, gun in hand, over the great Apsley Marsh, which lies at the northern extremity of the Moulting Lagoon, on the East Coast, I surprised a small flock of wading birds. After a short flight, during which they uttered faint twittering, chipping notes, the birds settled, and I killed several. On examination they appeared to be Sharp-tailed Stints (Hetero- 52 Stray Feathers. ae pygia acuminata). They were in shape and marking like an im- mature Snipe, the bill being about 1 inch or 1% inches long, slightly depressed at the end; the legs and feet light green, extremely delicate, the former measuring about 4 inches ; head, neck, back, and wings soft grey, the wing coverts and tail having the faintest olive tinge; the tail delicate and pointed and prominent in flight. The birds were frequenting shallow grass- grown pools on the marshy wastes, and they did not run like a Dottrel, but seemed to stand about and pick here and there. I noticed the white breast and front or belly had delicate streaks of black, more especially about the thighs and vent; the thighs were white, under tail coverts white, and the wings underneath delicate black and white, like a Snipe. The local residents regarded these birds as rare—ROBT. W. LEGGE. Cullenswood, Tas. * * * MELIPHAGIDZ AND MELITOSE.—On 19th December Dr. J. Burton Cleland and myself observed a number of birds feeding upon “manna” which was exuding from a large wound in a crey gum (Eucalyptus punctata) at Milson Island, Hawkesbury River. Among them my colleague identified P#z/otes auricomzis (Yellow-tufted Honey-eater), P. chrysops (Yellow-faced Honey- eater), P. Zeucotzs (White-eared Honey-eater), MWelzthreptus lunu - latus (White-naped MHoney-eater), /. dbrevirostrzs (Brown- headed Honey-eater), and Meliphaga phrygia (Warty-faced Honey-eater). The birds flew down from the uppermost branches of the neighbouring trees, and, clinging to the large trunk of the grey gum, licked the yellowish exudation with the greatest relish. So eager were they that, as we stood near the tree, numbers of them, while looking for a foothold upon the tree trunk, fluttered round our heads. A photograph of the birds clinging to the tree was taken, but they did not show up well against the dark background. A small branch was there- fore thrust into a portion of the wound in the tree, and a very good photograph of seven specimens of Péz/otzs auricomes, in various positions, was obtained. (See plate VI.) The exuda- tion from the tree had a very sweet taste, and such exudations * are apparently used as a supplementary food by Honey-eaters when they have located a tree where a supply is to be obtained. The “manna” from the grey gum has been proved by Mr. H. G. Smith, F.C.S., of the Sydney Technological Museum, to contain as its principal constituent the sugar known as raffinose or melitose.—G. P. DARNELL-SMITH. Sydney, 28/4/10. *k *k * THE BLUE WREN OF TASMANIA: ADDITIONAL NOTES.— The curious tactics adopted by the female A/a/urus in her THE Emu, Vol. X. PLATE VI. Tufted Honey-eaters (Ptilotis auvicomis) feeding upon ‘‘ Manna’’ exuded by Grey Gum (Eucalypt), Nelson Island, Hawkesbury River. FROM A PHOTO. BY C. P. DARNELL-SMITH, N.S.W Vol. X. Sic Stvay Feathers. 53 endeavours to lure an intruder away from her nest were described by me ina paper in 7he Emu.* The same device is occasion- ally resorted to by the male. In the Launceston district one November day a Wren’s nest was discovered, placed about 3 feet from the ground, in a Lepedosperma tussock, and containing four young, whose eyes were beginning to open, and upon whose bodies could be seen the lines of sprouting feathers. The nest was of grasses, lined with rabbit fur, and shaped like a big egg with the end sliced off. It was tilted slightly upwards, the usual Malurus type of architecture. When we examined the young, the male parent, near by, went through some curious antics to lure us away, running low along the ground with shoulders hunched up and wings trailing, tail bent down like a puppy about to be whipped, instead of carried aloft in the usual jaunty fashion. The appearance of the little actor when hunched up on the ground in this fashion is curiously mouse-like. Pugnacity—A\|though the male Blue Wren displays much persistence in attacking and driving away others of his sex from the neighbourhood of the breeding-ground, yet it is the females which exhibit a surprising depth of hatred towards each other. When approaching Gould’s country, Eastern Tasmania, one summer afternoon, we discerned a small brown ball rolling about in the dust by the wayside, and squeaking vociferously. My friend, Mr. H. C. Thompson, succeeded in capturing the curiosity, which resolved itself, on close inspection, into two female Malurz, locked together in an embrace by no means affectionate, and digging with their beaks at each other. So absorbed were they in their quarrel that they had heard nothing of our approach, and two very scared Wrens shook out their ruffled plumage and left my friend’s hand hurriedly as soon as separated. During the past spring, in a Devonport garden, I witnessed a similar spectacle—H. STUART DOVE, F.Z.S. West Devonport. * * * Birps NEw TO TASMANIA.—Of the two following species I can find no record of their having been previously found in Tasmania :-— Strix delicatula, G\d.. may or may not be a sub-species of the European S. flammea, Linn. Being a dimorphic form, and without being able to satisfy ourselves on the matter of their geographical plumages, there is no certainty of its true position. Recently it has been raised to the position of a species.} As a species its distribution has been known to be Australia and New Guineat On 6th May, 1910, Mr. P. J. * The Emu, vol. ix., pp. 151-155. + Brit. Mus. H. Birds, i., p. 300. + Mathews, H. Birds, p. 44. 54 Stray Feathers. [eae Nicholls brought a specimen in the flesh into the Tasmanian Museum. He found it dead near the back door of the home- stead of his property at Richmond, some 16 miles north-east of Hobart. For years past it, or its like, had frequented his out- houses. It appears to me to be a dark race of the mainland Strix delicatula, the vermiculations of the dorsal surface being scarcely visible. The tail is pure white, with only a faint tinge of pale orange on one portion of the upper surface. Although one specimen is alone available for record, the white of the under surface of it is so very clear, and the deep brownish-grey of the upper surface so devoid of tawny or pale orange, that it appeals to me as being an insular form of the mainland species. The characteristic feature of this specimen is that it is deep brownish-grey, with scarcely any orange upon it, causing it to appear sooty on the whole of the upper surface rather than tawny or orange. The colour of the legs is creamy and not yellow. Calopsittacus nove-hollandie, Gm., is the second species. It was forwarded to the Tasmanian Museum by Mr. Charles Eaton, and collected on the Russell River, North Huon, goth March, 1910. Thinking it possible the bird had escaped from captivity, I wrote to Mr. Eaton for particulars. In reply I learn that the residents have not seen this species, it being quite unfamiliar to them. It was shot while upon a dry eucalypt, and is in autumn plumage. The Cockatoo-Parrot is migratory in both eastern and western Australia. It is possible it overflew its normal southern range, and may have been one of a scattered flock. I scarcely think that Tasmania was at any time the southern portion of its home. It is on record* that a flock of Lorikeets ( 7vzchoglossus nove- hollandig) has been seen in a district after an absence of 25 years ; while a flock of Galah Cockatoos (Cacatua rosetcapilla) has been seen after 30 years’ absence. Even so, this record, I consider, is simply that of an errant bird rather than of one that has escaped from its cage-—ROBERT HALL. Hobart, 6/6/10. A Defence of Oology. THE following is an abridged account of an article by Milton S. Ray, California, which appeared in The Condor, January, IQIO :— “The first point I wish to take up is: Is oology scientific or popular ornithology ? “In the opinion of some, perhaps many, the structure and * Emu, October, 1903. Vol. X. A Defence of Oology. 315, 1910 classification of birds is considered the more scientific ; in fact a division has been made, terming this ‘scientific ornithology ’ and relegating the study of eggs, young, nests and all else to another division termed ‘popular ornithology.’ It would seem to me that inasmuch as the eggs are produced by the bird’s anatomy and hold new life, they are in a sense a part of the _ bird’s anatomy, and that, if any such separate classification is to be made that birds and eggs should come together rather than eges and nests. As further proof, I feel quite sure if some bird, a Thrush for instance, of one section produced zxzvarzably plain bluish-white eggs and that of another section produced zz- variably entirely different eggs, say green heavily blotched with brown, I doubt not that the two birds would soon be separated even if zo apparent difference could be found in the birds them- selves. However, it is not my opinion that any such separation of the study of eggs, birds, or nests is necessary, as the gathering of all facts in the study of them, in my idea, is scientific and is ornithology. Nature has drawn no clear cut lines that I can see, and I consider it as zmportant to note that the Cliff Swallow constructs its nest of mud as that a hundred specimens of the bird show some slight variation in wing measurement. “ A prominent ornithologist some time ago informed me that he did not consider the geographical variation of species as important as most have deemed it, and that all Song Sparrows in his collection were simply labelled such, accompanied with the usual data. Personally I do not endorse this method, believing all differences discernible should be recognized. I also believe variation in eggs, or any other scientific fact concerning them, important as well, for to me all appear to be but links in a great chain. It seems to be the desire of some, however, to disconnect these ‘links,’ claiming that the so-called scientific ornithology is the more important, as it is a component part of the science of life. To me it would seem that equally as much of the science of /¢fe can be learned by a close study of the birds’ habits, their eggs and nests, as by the study of their structure and their classification. “ The second point is: Have eggs been scientifically studied or described ? “T maintain that truly scientific descriptions of eggs, treating of their texture, size, shape, and colouration is a part of ornithology that has been neglected and offers material for a monumental work. Take the eggs of the Brewer Blackbird (Euphagus cyanocephalus) for instance. I wish to ask any collector familiar with a series, if there are not many specimens that one unfamiliar with the species would have difficulty in identifying if he depended solely on the written descriptions of a writer like Davie for instance, who states that the eggs are marked ‘with dark brown . . . . and some with a lighter 56 A Defence of Oology. gr shade. Could anything be more indefinite? Why, this season, which I spent at Lake Tahoe, I examined perhaps as many as a hundred nests of this bird, mostly with eggs, and I can say instead of Davie’s two shades of brown, there are nearer twenty ! In fact with the exception of the California Murre (U7rza trozle californica) 1 know of no Californian eggs subject to wider variation in colour. The markings run through various shades of - brown, from light grayish, yellowish, and reddish, to a blackish- brown that is almost if not quite black. On some the light purplish-gray markings, which are usually sparse and obscure, predominate and form another type. I noted several sets unmarked except for scrawls and blotches of blackish-brown and purplish-gray around the larger end, being not greatly unlike some specimens of the Redwing Blackbird I have seen. Others again were uniform chocolate-brown with sometimes a blackish scrawl or so on them. The ground colour, almost white in some, was usually greenish-white, though sometimes a pure light green. In shape they varied from almost globular to elongate-ovate. “My third point is: Why is the study of eggs given such a prominent place in bird magazines, and yet so neglected in our scientific institutions ? (Of the latter I can only speak of those on the coast.) I remember that the Californian Academy of Sciences, before the fire, had, in connection with the magnificent collection of mounted birds and bird-skins, but one lonely little case of eggs containing not more perhaps than would be taken by the average collector in a season ; and at the present time, in a prominent museum across the bay, I have been informed that eggs are deemed of little importance: in other words, are considered a mere ‘side-show’ to the collection of birds. To me, the fact that two classes of people, the small boy and the commercial collector, have brought odium on egg-collecting, can in no way detract from its importance ; and neither does the fact that eggs are more or less dependent on the birds, inasmuch as often the identity of the parents must be determined before that of the eggs can be established. I believe it time to sound a note of warning, for some time in the future eggs will be given their proper place in bird study, and the coast museums should have adequate space reserved for their accommodation. In fact, I think a Californian museum, equipped with proper cabinets, would soon accumulate quite an extensive collection through the donations of club members and others, and some day, should the interest that has been taken in geographical variation extend to eggs, we will not have to send east of the Rockies to borrow specimens ; for it is a well-known fact that the finest collections of Californian eggs are not where they should be, here in California.” Vol. X. 1910 MaTHEws, Additions to ‘‘ Handlist.”’ 57 Additions to the “Handlist of the Birds of Australasia.” (Continued from vol. IX., p. 92.) BY GREGORY M. MATHEWS, F.L.S., F.Z.S., M.B.O.U. 45A 7OIA 709A 711A 7344 744A 760A 7634 7994 Lophophaps leucogaster, Gould (cf Niath> Bull) (BiO:G,, xv pasos IQIO) ES me “we Central Australia: Podargus_ brachypterus, Gould (cf North, Spec. Cat. Aust. Mus., No. ; 12, vol. ii., p. 340) a ... Western Australia. Psephotus cucullatus, North, V2cz. Nat., Xxv., p. 176 (1909) iw Northern Lerritory: Calamanthus howei, Math., Bull. DOG) xxv, p24" (1900) . Wow Plains, Vick Acanthiza mathewsi, Hartert, Bull. i OC. Xv, Ds O2 (1O1O) Victoria. Acanthiza whitlocki, North, Vez. Nat., BGVi GD: 55). : Lake Way, W.A. aed flaviventris, Ashby, Emu, icp 37 (LOrO) Lake Frome, S.A. Acanthiza australis, Math. (of. Meat pully Bb: Or... oxxv., <p. 34, 1910) South Australia. Amytornis whitei, Math., Bull. BO: Ge \ Coongan River, XXV., Pp. 34 (1910) 5, Here N.-W. Australia Climacteris wellsi, Grant, Ibis, p. 664, | Clifton Downs, (1909) Sete ee ee. shortridgei, Grant, lbts, p. \ Rabbit Island, 663 (1909) .. cali. Veet Zosterops balstoni, Grant, ‘Tbis, p. 663, (1900) ... Carnarvon, W.A. Melithreptus whitlocki, Math., Bull. ) Wilson’s Inlet, pC. xxv. p: 24.( 1900) els ONS Melithreptus alisteri, Math., Bull. Bro: C,, xxv, p- 85, (IQI0) King Island. Lacustroica whitei, North, Vez. Nat. Vie Wi le3o. (LQIO) s.. Lake Way, W.A. Certhionyx Becideqrala Grant, Lbis, ®. 659 (100d) -.. Carnarvon, W.A. Meliornis dichicaensice Math.. Bull. MOC. xxv. (LOTO} Ste — Lasinania. HANDLIST.—A useful handlist of “Birds Inhabiting New Zealand and those Birds from other Countries that have been Observed in New Zealand as Occasional Visitors” has been issued by the Dominion Museum, Wellingion. 58 From Magazines, &c. ee From Magazines, &c. WESTERN AUSTRALIAN BiRDS.—Mr. W. R. Ogilvie-Grant is well known by repute to students of ornithology, and his first critical notes on Australian birds are welcomed. These notes appear in 7/e /bzs (October, 1909) under the title “Ona Collection of Birds from Western Australia, with Field Notes by Mr. G.C. Shortridge.” The collection is representative, having been made in the South-Western, Central, and Western divisions of the State, and was presented to the British Museum. by Mr. W. E. Balston. Mr. Ogilvie-Grant has “ discovered ” several novelties in the “ Balston collection,” which he has named respectively Certhionyx occidentalis, Zosterops shortridget, Z. balstont, Climacterts wellsi, Malurus berniert, and Sericornis balstonz, a beautiful coloured plate being devoted to the two last- mentioned species. Some of Mr. Ogilvie-Grant’s novelties—notably Certhzonyx and the two Zosterops—have passed through Australian hands, but not sufficient difference was detected to warrant separation from the accepted species. However, it is anticipated that Mr. Gregory M. Mathews will carefully weigh all possible evidence before he admits climatic or other variations in form as distinct species into his new standard work on “The Coloured Figures of the Birds of Australia.” Mr. Ogilvie-Grant has suggested an amalgamation himself regarding a common species, one of the “ Magpies” or Crow- Shrikes. Mr. Shortridge’s field note (p. 670) states that “ The Long-billed Magpie (Gywnorhina longzrostris, Milligan) is not uncommon on the Gascoyne River, where it takes the place of the G. dorsalis, Campbell, of the South-Western and Central divisions.” Mr. Ogilvie-Grant proceeds to treat the latter species as synonymous with G. /euconota, Gray, of Eastern Australia, notwithstanding his critical description of the Western skins does not apply to those of the Eastern form. Mr. Ogilvie-Grant also does not think it possible to distinguish the Eastern from the Western form of the Scarlet-breasted Robins—Petrwca legget and P. campbellz. * * * THE BIRDS OF LORD HOWE AND NORFOLK ISLANDS.— In The Proceedings of the Linnean Society of New South Wales, vol. xxxiv., part 4, 27th October, 1909, Mr. A. F. Basset Hull, Sydney, has published an interesting and valuable treatise under the foregoing sub-heading. There have been many fragments published of the birds of Lord Howe and Norfolk Islands, but nothing so completely written as the treatise under review, which has the advantage of being interwoven with the author's own observations. Mr. Basset Hull visited Lord Howe Island from the 3rd to the 17th Vol. X. 1910 From Magazines, &c. 59 October, 1907, and Norfolk Island from 8th October to 15th November, 1908, his primary object being to see the immense flocks of Terns and other sea-birds during their breeding season, and at the same time to glean some information respecting land-birds. About 80 species, the majority Australian, are dealt with systematically, with references to previous literature, habitat, and field observations, while the descriptions and dimensions of eges enhance the oological value of the article. Particularly interesting are the remarks written under the heading of the “Big Hill Mutton-Bird ” of Norfolk Island, whether it is Gstre- lata neglecta, Schlegel, or GZ. phillipir, Grey. “With every possible deference to the authorities who have merged GZ. phillip into C2. neglecta,’ writes Mr. Basset Hull, “Tam of opinion that the birds represent two distinct species. Further information as to the description and habitat of @. neglecta may be anticipated from the investigations of Messrs. T. Iredale and party, who spent nearly the whole year 1908 on the Kermadecs.”* ; The following table of Mr. Basset Hull shows a marked dis- similarity of the four kinds of birds, their habits, and_ their breeding seasons :— . Oh | ie Breeding Species. Bird. | Nest. Egg. Sea are Lord Howe Uniform in | At end of a igeeee Petrel. colour. burrow. July-August. Bee lend s 5 2.14 x 1.62 January. CE. neglecta |\Very variable| In the open.| 2.44-2.6 x October- (Sunday Island).| in colour. | 1.67-1.85. November. @. neglecta, var. | OAT Xx ‘ : (Meyer Island). . | D Up, ee ee There certainly appears to be at least two species or varieties of birds—those uniform in colour of Lord Howe and Norfolk Islands, which lay in burrows, and those variable in colour of the more southerly Kermadecs, which lay in the open, except it be that in the case of the birds nesting in the open—the only Petrel known to do so, consequently differing from other Petrels, that breed in darkness underground—their environment may cause the particoloured offspring, similar to the Biblical statement of the patriarch of old and the “ ring-straked, speckled, and spotted” cattle. Mr. Basset Hull’s remarks on the familiar Mutton-Bird * The result of Mr. Iredale’s investigations appears in this issue of 7ke Emu, pp. 13-15.—Eps. Emu ist July 60 From Magazines, &c. (Puffinus tenucrostrzs) are also exceedingly interesting, and the reader can contrast a “rookery” on Lord Howe Island in a beautiful palm-glade, where the interlacing foliage excludes the sun’s rays, with a “rookery ” in the open on some grassy island in Bass Strait. Of interest, too, is his chapter on the snow-white Tern (Gygzs alba), that lays its single egg on the bare bark or knot-hole of the limb of a tree. Six excellent photo.-reproductions of nests and eggs accom- pany the article. * * * NEw ZEALAND Birp Notes.—Interesting notes on New Zealand bird-life may always be looked for in the Nature Study column which Mr. James Drummond, F.L.S., F.Z.S., conducts for the Lyételton Times. Ina recent issue Mr. Drummond quotes extensively from a letter written by Mr. P. J. O’Regan regarding a visit to the Inan- gahua Valley, West Coast. “‘ It is absolutely certain,’. writes Mr. O’ Regan, “that our ground birds will disappear in a few years unless we have them placed in sanctuaries, preferably some islands adjacent to New Zealand. Once, when I was a member of Parlia- ment, I tried to have a clause inserted in the Animals Protection Act, making it a punishable offence to introduce cats, weasels, and similar animals on to any island near the New Zealand coast, but my attempt failed, I don’t know why. It is certain that something should be done in earnest before it is too late. I do not know if there are any ground birds on the Auckland and other southern islands ; if not, you ought to get up an agitation to have Wekas, Kiwis, and other birds placed there.”’ “On this occasion,’ says Mr. Drummond, “ Mr. O’ Regan spent three weeks in the Inangahua Valley. He heard a Kiwi only three times, and he did not either see or hear a Weka once. Yet these birds, until quite recently, were as plentiful as in the days of the first settlers. Everybody with whom he discussed the position told him that the Weka had disappeared as completely as if the country- side had been swept by fire. There is no doubt in his mind as to the cause of this extermination. He blames the stoats and weasels, which are plentiful in all places, from proximity of settlement to the virgin bush, and which destroy the eggs and young birds. Rivers are not often insuperable obstacles to the pests, and no locality seems to be safe from their ravages. A settler told him that two years ago a weasel’s nest, found in the Motupiko Valley, contained no fewer than 30 young birds—Tuis, Robins, Sparrows, Tomtits, Parrakeets, and others. Things that Mr. O’Regan saw and heard of during his holiday lead him to dissent from Mr. Mackenzie's statement that the Weka is able to fight the stoat and weasel ; he believes that no native bird is immune from the danger the presence of these creatures implies. ‘In recent years, in all parts of the West Coast, there has been a notable decrease in the numbers of the Pigeons and the Kakas, and Mr, O’Regan is more firmly convinced than ever that this has Wolk XX.” ee From Magazines, &c. 61 resulted mainly from the presence of vast flocks of berry-eating Starlings, Thrushes, and Blackbirds, which eat the berries even before they are ripe, and leave little for the luckless native birds. He makes stoats and weasels share the blame in regard to the Pigeons and the Kakas, as several bushmen told him that the vermin attack the nests of all birds, whether they are in trees or on the ground. His observations show that the general decrease in numbers does not apply to the ‘ Morepork’ Owl, the King- fisher, and the Fantail. The Fantail, indeed, is probably more plentiful now than it ever was before. The Tui is holding its own fairly well. He saw no Blue Ducks during his visit. He was told that this native is still seen in remote mountain streams, but he cannot understand how it can combat an enemy which has defeated the Weka. He admits that there may be cases in which _a Weka, which is a game and powerful fighter, and is accustomed to dealing with rats, has successfully fought a weasel, but he points out that there is no doubt that, during the past five years, the Weka has disappeared from forests where it had flourished for years. ‘To anyone who is acquainted with the West Coast as I am,’ he says, in concluding this part of his letter, ‘it was a painful experience to spend three weeks in the bush without hearing a Weka.’” In another issue are some excellent notes on the Huia, as follow : —" Mr. Gregor M‘Gregor, of Wanganui, knew the Huia in the early days of settlement, when this bird was fairly plentiful in parts of the Rimutaka, Tararua, and Ruahine Ranges, and was found, in fact, over the whole of the country drained by the Manawatu, Rangitikei, and Hautapu Rivers. He has seen dozens of Huias on occasions when he made his way through the forests. He states that they come readily when their whistle is imitated by a human being. They have a very acute sense of hearing, and will come from a distance of over 100 yards. They do not usually fly down, but run or hop along the ground, usually coming down the open slope of a hill. He has never seen Huias singly ; they have always been in pairs. They are snared, but always on the ground, and never on a tree. They are more in evidence on foggy or wet days. In the summer time they go high up the ranges ; in the winter the snow on the mountain-tops drives them down to lower altitudes. There is usually a great deal of rimu, maitai, and birch timber in their forest haunts. Many large rimu trees fall to the ground and decay, and offer homes to huhu grubs, for which the Huias have a marked weakness. At one time, Mr. M‘Gregor adds, Huias were very plentiful near Taihape. He feels strongly that determined efforts should be made to catch some for liberation on the bird sanctuaries. The female lays up to three, four, or five eggs in a season, four being quite common, and he is convinced that the birds would thrive well on the sanctuaries, where they would be protected from all natural enemies, including man—the most relentless of all.”’ A note on the White-eye (Zosterops cwrulescens) :—‘‘ The White- fF Emu List July 62 From Magazines, &c. eyes, apparently, made their appearance on the Chatham Islands about the same time as they came from Australia to New Zealand. Mr. A. Shand, who has lived on the islands for 55 years, states that he saw these birds for the first time about a year after his arrival. They were strangers to the Chatham Islands Maoris, who were greatly interested in the new arrivals. The Hauhau prisoners from Poverty Bay, who were placed in custody on the islands in 1868, caught large numbers of White-eyes for food. The favourite method was by the use of eel baskets. These baskets are made with a very narrow opening, arranged half-way down the length of the basket, the reeds sloping up from one end to the entrance. The birds, like the eels, entered the baskets to get the bait, but could not find the end of the entrance again, and were captured.”’ * * * A COLLECTION OF SUB-FOSSIL BIRD AND ANIMAL REMAINS FROM KING ISLAND, BASS STRAIT.—In the Memozrs of the National Museum, Melbourne, No. 3 (February, 1910), Prof. Baldwin Spencer, C.M.G., and Mr. J. A. Kershaw, F.E.S., have collated some interesting material concerning the species of Emu once inhabiting King Island, but now extinct. With the assistance of a local resident, Mr. Kershaw, in November, 1908, and again in January, 1909, collected a large number of vertebrate remains among the sand-dunes of South Point. These included many Emu bones. The writers are further indebted to the Tasmanian Museum authorities for specimens, and the whole collection under notice comprises :— 1. Sixty-four femora. 2. Forty-one tibio-tarsi. 3. Seventy tarso-metatarsi. 4. Four pelves of which the total length can be measured, and parts of sixteen others. Parts of six skulls. . One pectoral arch. Portions of three sterna. Fourteen fibule. Ribs. Vertebral bodies. Toe bones. These remains were chiefly distributed over the sand-dunes on the extreme southern portion of the island. The area covers some 300 acres in extent, and the sand is constantly moving and sifting out the bones, which then are to be picked up in the troughs. Wallaby remains are the most numerous, but mixed up with them are parts of Emus, wombats, and dasyures, in a fair state of preservation, with here and there portions of skeletons of both seals and sheep (these latter are apparently later additions). — — ONO” COSTING Vol. ual From Magazines, &c. 63 1910 The first Emu remains from King Island were procured by Mr. A. G. Campbell, in November, 1902 [see Zhe Emu, vol. tii., (1903), p. 113], and were presented to the National Museum. They were a thigh-bone and a pelvis, and were found on the margin of the Martha Lavinia Lagoon, near the north end of the island. They were taken to be small specimens of the Aus- tralian mainland species (Dromeus nove-hollandig). The more complete series of bones obtained later by the Tasmanian Museum enabled Prof. Spencer to definitely describe a new species, to which the name of Drom@eus minor was given [see Victorian Naturalist, vol. xxiii. (1906), p. 140]. In the following table are given the measurments of bones of six specimens of Dromcéus nove-hollandie, of the large series of the King Island form (LD. minor), and the measurements of the one skeleton extant of D. peroni,* the extinct Kangaroo Island Emu. In the case of the King Island form three series of measurements are given—the minimum, the maximum, and those between which lie the great majority of the measure- ments — — D, nove-hollandia. D. minor. | D. peront. mm. mm. mm. Skull, length — ... a go-9I 58-62 80 ee WICH. >... ae 75-76 54-56 66 emut ss. hi “gal 217-243 140, 150-180, 186 180 Tibio-tarsus ... 5) 415-446 | 265, 270-320, 363 | 342 Tarso-metatarsus ee 335-411 216, 220-280, 292 | 290 Pelvis, length ... Sal 440-442 249-292 340 », width in front ...| 80-105 64 75 » width behind ...| 105-113 78-84 2 It is not, therefore, a matter for surprise, judging by what has taken place in insular differentiation of Ratite birds in New Guinea and the islands adjacent to the north of Australia, that King and Kangaroo Islands, and Tasmaniat as well, should each possess its own species of Emu. From the large series of remains a diagnosis is then given :— DROM-EUS MINOR. Size varying considerably, but always much smaller than that of D. nove-hollandieé ; not exceeding that of D. peronz, but of more robust build. Tibio-tarsus rarely exceeding 330 mm., most usually from 270 to 320 mm., in greatest length. Tarso- metatarsus rarely exceeding 280 mm., most usually from 220 to 280 mm., in greatest length. Frontal region of skull decidedly *In Paris Museum. + See Zhe Emu, vol. vi. (1907), p. 116. 2 mn Emu 64 From Magazines, &c. st 8 dome-shaped. Length of skull from frontal suture to occiput not or only slightly exceeding 60 mm. Greatest width of skull not or only slightly exceeding 55 mm. Habttat—King Island, Bass Strait. Now extinct. It is very interesting to know that the remains of eggs were frequently met with, either in small fragments in the loose sand or in patches embedded in the firmer soil beneath. In one or two instances fully half the shell was found completely flattened out and fractured into small fragments, with the surface more or less removed by the action of the driving sand. The original discovery of an Emu on the islands of Bass Strait was made in 1802. In December of that year Baudin, in his exploring ships, Géographe, Naturaliste, and Casuarina, visited Kangaroo Island, from which they carried three Emus alive to Paris. AQ little later four naturalists of the expedition were left stranded at Sea Elephant Bay, King Island, while the ships stood out to sea, owing to bad weather. They were fortunate in reaching a sealers’ camp, the chief man among whom, Cowper by name, entertaining the Frenchmen in his quarters. An account is published of the naturalists seeing two “Casoars” hanging in the larder, and closely questioning Cowper, who said he had killed over 300 birds, his dog being specially trained for the purpose. It is singular that the naturalists did not procure any specimens of the bird, though the descriptions accurately fit an Emu. They may have con- sidered it identical with the Kangaroo Island bird. It is a matter of great regret that in the early days of Australian exploration so few specimens of the fauna of these islands were preserved. This “Memoir” is well illustrated with eight large photo.- plates. Reviews. [‘* Ornithologists at Warunda Creek.”’] CAPTAIN S. H. White, of South Australia, has issued, under the above title, a neat little d7ochure, which is a pleasantly written “Record of the A.O.U.’s Expedition to Eyre Peninsula, October, 1909, with Notes on Ornithology, Botany, and Entomology.” The “ Record” may be taken as supplementary to the official report of Mr. Robert Hall, C.M.Z.S., which appeared in The Emu, vol. ix., p. 123, and contains an interesting narrative and independent bird observations. Capt. White has added the Chough (Corcorax melanorhamphus) and the familiar Blue Wren (Malurus cyaneus)—its most westerly recorded range—to the list of birds, while he holds that the Sztvefera observed was not melanoptera. Mr. J. W. Mellor has since described the bird as Jusca (see present issue of Zhe Emu, p. 34). Vol. X. Igo Reviews. : 65 The only thing that offends the artistic eye in the production of this little work—a circumstance over which the author had apparently no control—is its typographical errors, which are too numerous to be excused. Liberties have also been taken with technical terms. Why insert hyphens between the generic and specific names ? If master printers place important matter in the hands of their juniors, they (the printers) can only expect to receive adverse criticism. The publication was also worthy of better paper, which would have been an advantage to the excellent photographs that were freely interspersed throughout its pages. A few copies still remain, which may be had at half price—3s. 6d.—on application to the author. [‘* A History of the Birds of Kent,” by Norman F. Ticehurst. Witherby and Co., London. 21s. net. | THE author of this handsome volume, which to a British ornithologist should prove of much interest, undertook its preparation sixteen years ago. His stated reasons for adding to the great library of books on British bird-life are the importance of Kent from an ornithological point of view and the fact that no history of its avifauna as a whole has ever before been produced. Two other works of a similar nature have appeared since Mr. Ticehurst commenced the task he has now so success- fully accomplished, but his book is far from being superfluous on that account. The history, status, distribution, and migratory movements of each species are dealt with in a concise and lucid manner, and, reading some of the chapters, one longs for such a history of the birds of Victoria or any other State of the Commonwealth. The area of Kent is about 1,554 square miles; there is a great length of coast-line, and “ nearly all parts of the country are enriched by extensive woodland tracts and coppices and by park-like lands surrounding ancient country seats.” “ Besides being one of the most beautiful counties in England, Kent is essentially an agricultural county, and is in parts highly cultivated.” Nearly half of the total area of 995,014 acres consists of permanent pasture. Yet Kent is one of the finest parts of England for the bird observer. Of the 107 species of birds which breed regularly in the county, 37 are purely summer visitors, and 70 may be found throughout the year. The book is excellently printed and bound, but the half-tone illustrations, of which there are twenty-four, leave something to be desired. The frontispiece, for instance, representing a pair of Kentish Plover at their nest, is evidently from a beautiful and interesting photograph, to which the reproduction has not done full justice. ath Emu 66 Reviews. ist’ July [© A Handbook of the Birds of Tasmania and its Dependencies,” by Frank Mervyn Littler, F.E.S. (Member of the Australasian Ornithologists’ Union), Launceston, Tasmania. Published by the author. 1910. ] TuIs handbook is well timed, and will be welcomed by all nature students, especially Tasmanians and ornithologists. It is royal 8vo size, contains 235 pages, and is a marvel for neatness, while its arrangement is excellent. The name of each species is given in the vernacular, with the scientific name and authorityin brackets; then follow, succinctly written, a description of the “ Male,” “ Female,” “ Young,” “ Nest,” “ Eggs,” “ Breeding Season,” “Geographical Distribution,’ and last, but not least from a popular point of view, “ Observations.” Thus 214 birds, including accidental and casual visitors, have been dealt with, in a manner calculated to make the book a useful and scientific reference, and members of the A.O.U. will congratulate their fellow-member accordingly. While the author frequently quotes predecessors and con- temporaries, which are freely acknowledged, his own store of knowledge of Tasmanian birds makes the work more valuable, and very little remains for the reviewer to criticise adversely. The author drops the Boobook Owl of the mainland out of the Tasmanian list, recording only the little Spotted Owl (Wznoxr maculata). Under the head of the Raven (Corone australis) Mr. Littler states :—“ After an investigation extending over some years, and examination of specimens” of Crows so called “ from nearly every district in Tasmania, I am forced to the conclusion that the Crow (Corvus coronotdes) is non-existent in this island.” Another bird off the Tasmanian list! Although the White- shouldered Caterpillar-catcher (La/age tricolor) has found its way on to the Tasmanian list, Mr. Littler has been unable to discover how and when it was recorded. A good place is not given toa second yellow-breasted Thickhead (Pachycephala gutturalis), notwithstanding two records by field observers. Mr. Littler is- of opinion that they may have been P. glaucura only. It would be interesting were a Tree-creeper (C/macteris) found in Tasmania. “ Although no specimens have been secured, I have seen it in the big forests in the north-east of the island,” writes Mr. Littler. Whether it be deucophea or scandens, better to obtain a specimen for complete identification. The scepticism of a person trained in his own subject is not to be condemned. Notwithstanding two good field observers reported records of the Fairy Martin (Petrochelidon arzel) for Tasmania, Mr. Littler affirms :—“I have no personal knowledge of this species in Tasmania, nor have Messrs. Arthur Butler, H. C. Thompson, H. Stuart Dove, or several other observers from whom I inquired.” The list of foster-parents given for the various Cuckoos is exceedingly interesting, and includes one or two new records. Mr. Littler is again sceptical about the New Zealand Bronze- ee Reviews. 67 Cuckoo (Chalcococcyx luctdus) being accidental. If it can get down to Macquarie Island it can surely reach Tasmania. Mr. Littler recognizes two species of Brown or Swamp Quail for the island—namely, Syva@cus australis and S. diemenensis. As only one Albatross, the White-capped (Thalassogeron cautus) breeds in Australia, and that in Tasmanian waters (Albatross Island), it is remarkable that Mr. Littler has dismissed this fine species with such sparse remarks. Regarding the Musk-Duck (Bzzzura lobata), Mr. Littler confirms the clutch of eggs as “two or three,” a statement that will be a slight shock to some oologists, who affirm that this curious Duck lays double these numbers. The omissions of the “ Handbook” are indeed few, if any. The White-naped Honey-eater (JZelithreptus lunulatus) was secured on the Kent Group by the expedition of the Field Naturalists’ Club of Victoria, 1890, also a variety of Sevicornis Jrontalis, Mention also might have been made of the recently extinct Emus of Tasmania and King Island. The handbook is adorned with 50 beautiful half-tone photo. blocks of birds, nests, &c., many of which have, as acknowledged, been previously reproduced in The Emu. At the end of the volume, in the form of an appendix, is an “Extract from the Tasmanian Game Protection Act 1907.” Even ornithologists should know enough of the law to keep them out of trouble. In conclusion, as the little work has been classically treated by the author, so have the printers, Messrs. Walker, May and Co. Melbourne, ably done their share. The setting and arrangement of the type and printing are artistic, while typo- graphical errors are practically 7z/. The book is worth double its published price, 4s. (‘‘ The Subantarctic Islands of New Zealand.” ] THE library of the A.O.U. has been enriched by two hand- somely got up volumes, quarto size, which have been presented by the Philosophical Institute of Canterbury, on “The Sub- antarctic Islands of New Zealand.” The volumes, which are edited by Dr. Chas. Chilton, are mainly the reports on the geo-physics, geology, zoology, and botany of the islands lying to the south of New Zealand, based chiefly on the observations and collections made during an expedition in the Government steamer Azwemoa (Capt. J. Bollons), in November, 1907. : The scientific members of the expedition numbered 26, and were divided—one party landing on Auckland Islands and the other party on Campbell Island ; arrangements as to camp-life— tents, cook, &c—being somewhat similar to those carried on during the Union’s own insular working camp-out expeditions. The Ainemoa reached Auckland Islands on the 16th November, Emu 68 Reviews. ist July coincidentally well timed, because castaway sailors—survivors of the wreck of the Dunxdonald—were found there. The scientific articles are preceded by the “ Narrative of the Expedition,” “ The Discovery of the Islands,” and “ The History of their Scientific Investigation,” all of which are most interest- ing reading even from a popular point of view, not to mention their historical importance. It being beyond the limits of space and the range of the reviewers to notice all the valuable and technical articles which comprise the two volumes, they will, however, venture some remarks on that portion of Mr. E. R. Waite’s article (xxv.) dealing with “ Aves.” According to Mr. Waite’s statement, the ornithological work was inadequately performed for such an important expedition, for the following principal causes :— (1) Most of the subjects to be studied had been allotted to different specialists of the expedition, whilst arrangements in respect of ornithology had fallen through ; (2) it was not until after the return to New Zealand that Mr. Waite was deputed to write up the birds ; and (3) it was a rule of the expedition that “neither birds nor their eggs were to be taken.” Bird protec- tion done to the death (of scientific knowledge)! However, Mr. Waite has compiled a very able and instructive chapter, consisting of an enumeration of species recorded from these southern islands, together with his own notes, some of these notes being made in February, 1907, when he accompanied His Excellency the Governor on his tour, which touched the Snares, Aucklands, Campbell, Antipodes, and Chathams. The follow- ing Australian species may be mentioned :— Zosterops cerulescens (White-eye).—This self-introduced bird from Australia to New Zealand now extends its range to Auckland, Campbell, and Chatham Islands. Catharacta (Megalestris) antarctica (Skua).—This well-known marine marauder was found on many of the islands, and through the courtesy of the “Institute” (per favour of Dr. C. Chilton), the illustration is reproduced of “ Skua Gulls at a carcass of a seal” (Plate VII.) (strelata lessont (White-headed Petrel).—Mr. Waite found this rare Petrel breeding on Disappointment Island, Auckland group. Majaqueus equinoctial’s (White-chinned Petrel).—This other Petrel of Kerguelen fame also appears to nest on Disappointment Island, because a decayed specimen was taken from a burrow, while several dead birds were observed lying about. Daption capensts (Cape Petrel)—Voyagers assert that the beautiful “Cape Pigeon” is becoming scarce on the route between the Cape and Australia. This bird is said to breed on the Western Snares, but Mr. Waite had no opportunity of verifying the statement. It was only recently (1904) that the THE Emu, Vol. X. PLATE VII, Z'N ‘AYNAYSLNVO 4O SLNLILSNI TWoOIHdOSOTIHd AG GANVYO7 ATGNIX yO078 ‘TRIS FO ssBoreD 7e (VI2,0ADIUD siAssaqMsa py) SeNnyS A P Os i tA “ y ~~ “3 ok. | Reviews. 69 1910 Scottish expedition discovered the eggs of the Cape Petrel on the South Orkneys. Prion banksiz (Banks Dove-Petrel).—Mr. Waite writes :—“ On the evening of the day on which we pitched our camp on the Auckland Islands, we noticed some pale-coloured birds flying close to us in the moonlight, but as silently as Owls. Next morning we discovered that the whole of the peat along the coast-line was riddled with holes, whence proceeded a crooning kind of sound.” Diomedia exulans (Wandering Albatross). D. regia (Royal Albatross). D. melanophrys (Black-browed Albatross).—Most descriptive accounts are given of these splendid creatures, together with fine plates of brooding birds on their nests. Phebetria fuliginosa * (Sooty Albatross).—This fine species was noticed nesting on the ledges of cliffs on the Aucklands. It is also known to breed on the Antipodes and Campbell Islands, where Mr. Waite obtained eggs in February. Macquarie Island should also be added to the breeding localities in sub- antarctic islands. + Aptenodytes patagonica (King Penguin)—This large and handsome Penguin is of peculiar interest to Australians, as a straggler, apparently from Macquarie Island, where immense rookeries exist, has been found off the Tasmanian Coast.{ A splendid photo. half-tone illustration is given of a remarkable Penguin rookery (Catarrhactes pachyrhynchus)—a New Zealand species—on the Snares. It is astonishing how far south some of the introduced European birds were found—Thrushes and Blackbirds on the Snares ; nests and eggs of the latter observed on the Aucklands ; while House-Sparrows and Starlings are reported as having been seen on Campbell Island. A useful coloured map of the Antarctic and Subantarctic Regions, cleverly drawn by Mr. E. N. D’Oyly, accompanies the work. But why did that cartographer insert “ Royal Company’s Islands,” seeing they have been officially expunged from the charts by the authorities of the Navy,§ an action confirmed by Sir E. Shackleton, when he caused the Descovery to explore the locality on her last homeward voyage ? The whole work—much of it extremely laborious—reflects the greatest credit on all concerned, from an_ enlightened Government, which authorized the expenditure, to the Govern- ment Printer who published it. Thus a scientific national * Should this species not be P. cornicozdes, Hutton ?—Eps. + Vide ‘* Nests and Eggs” (Campbell), p. 938.— Eps. t RKobert Hall, #2, vol. ix., p. 250. § This was done at the instance of the Council of the A.O.U.—wvde Emu, iv., p. 32 (1904) —EDbs. 70 Reviews. exer monument has been left—a reference for all time. No doubt the Government of the day will extend the same courtesy to the Australasian Ornithologists’ Union, as it hopes to organize an expedition (composed of Australian and New Zealand members) to explore more ornithologically the romantic southern islands of New Zealand, of the avifauna of which, as Mr. Waite has informed us, our knowledge is yet “very inadequate.” Correspondence. BIRDS OF THE EAST MURCHISON, W.A. To the Editors of “The Emu.” Srrs,—In the April issue of Zhe Emu, Mr, Whitlock, in his East Murchison notes, mentions my name in a way which calls for some comment on my part. With regard to Mr. North’s “ record,’* to some particulars in which Mr. Whitlock takes exception, this certainly needs a little explanation from me. As to the dates, these, probably owing in the first place to carelessness on my part, have got somewhat mixed. On 13th June, 1908, I took nest and eggs of Czmclosoma marginatum at Wiluna; the nests taken on 30th August and Ist September of same year were those of C. castanonotum, and were taken about 80 miles east of Kalgoorlie, while on the Transcontinental Railway survey, as Mr. Whitlock points out ; how I came to mix these up with C. marginatum 1 don't know. The “record” also mentions another set of C. margzna- tum taken by me on 19oth August, 1906. This is correct, but the locality given is wrong. “ Lake Way, W.A.,” should read “Me Ida, W.A.” The delay in the publication of this “ record” was practically all my fault, as Mr. North had repeatedly written to me for the particulars about the skin and also for the eggs for description. What I take exception to in Mr. Whitlock’s article is his direct assumption that I am incapable of taking off a skin well enough for descriptive purposes, and that the skin sent by me to Mr. North from Wiluna was too mutilated for description. I quite agree with Mr. Whitlock in his remarks about the tenderness of the skin, but I maintain that the skin [ sent was good enough for the purpose for which it was intended. However, Mr. Whitlock’s statements are, in my opinion, more excusable than those of the editors of Zhe Emu, contained in a footnote to the article under discussion ; in this footnote the editors not only directly support the assumption that my skin was too mutilated for description, but also, without justification, directly accuse Mr. North of injustice to another collector. * « Records of the Australian Museum,” vol. vii. (1909), pp. 322-324.—EDs. Moles Xe Correspondence. 730 1910 In his notes on Amytornis gigantura, Mr. Whitlock refers to my classing this species with 4. macrurus, and says—“ There is no reason for this.” Mr. Whitlock has written me that “0” is a misprint for “ore.” Asthis puts a very different complexion on things, there is no need for comment. As to the soundness of A. gzgantura as a species there seems to be some doubt; several specimens from widely different localities have been obtained by myself and forwarded to Mr. North, with the verdict “ acrurus.’ The matter, however, is sub judice, and I hope during the coming season to assist in the final settlement of this point.—I am, &c., CHAS: G: GIBSON, Geological Survey, Kalgoorlie, W.A., 29/5/10. [The editors have pleasure in publishing Mr. Gibson’s letter. They have no desire to do injustice to anyone, but seek to record the scientific facts and history only of Australian birds, and in this connection any further notes on Amzytornis gigantura or any other species by such a good field observer as Mr. Gibson will always be welcome.—EDs. | To the Edttors of “The Emu.” Strs,—In the account of my recent collecting trip to the East Murchison, I find a misprint has crept in. Referring to Amytornis gigantura, on p. 203—ninth line from the bottom (excluding footnote)—should read “ There is sore reason for this.” This error is unlucky, as I wished to convey the impression that my mind was an open one on the question of the identity or otherwise of A. gzgantura and A. macrurus. Also, after re-reading my notes on Czxclosoma marginatum, in connection with the female skin collected by Mr. C. G. Gibson and forwarded to Mr. A. J. North, I fear I may have conveyed the impression that in my opinion Mr. Gibson had not the ability to make a good skin. It was simply lack of the necessary leisure on his part that was in my mind when I wrote. Having had some experience of the amount of work to be accomplished by the officers of our Geological Survey Department when examining our vast mineral belts, I know how little spare time there remains of the short winter’s day when the field-work is done. When I have a Czxclosoma to skin I approach the task with a mind resigned to a tedious and discouraging operation. Despite the most delicate handling, the feathers of the rump and flanks will fall out. A Czuclosoma rivals a Dove in this respect. But, whatever the condition of Mr. Gibson’s specimen may have been, I question if it afforded Mr. North sufficient evidence, unaccompanied as it was by a skin of the male, to enable him to determine its identity with absolute certainty. Emu 72 Correspondence. Ragas Dr. Sharpe founded this species on a single male specimen, procured in the north-west of our State (W.A.) C. cennamomeum is an interior bird, and, moreover, a species likely to be met with around Lake Way. The female of the latter is not strikingly distinct from that of C. margznatum. It seems to me, therefore, quite a natural thing for Mr. North to take advantage of the opportunity presented by the presence in his hands of the two males and one female of C. marginatum collected by myself to aid him in his description and identification of the female skin sent by Mr. Gibson. Ido not blame him for doing so, but I think at the same time that an acknowledgment of the fact was due either to Mr. H. L. White or myself. I take this opportunity, too, of stating that it is rather painful to me to have my sexing of the type specimen of Lacustrotca whitet questioned by Mr. North, even if indirectly.* After skinning and sexing birds for upwards of 30 years, I think I may be trusted to distinguish the male from the female, especially during the height of the breeding season.—I am, &c., F. LAWSON WHITLOCK. Young’s Siding, D.R., W.A., 6/6/10. Bird Observers’ Club. THE quarterly dinner and ordinary meeting of the club were held at the Strand Tea Rooms, Collins-street, Melbourne, on 14th April, 1910. There was a good attendance. At the conclusion of the dinner, Dr. H. W. Bryant was voted to the chair. A report from the Chief Inspector of Vermin, Mr. F. E. Allan, regarding the use of poisoned baits in orchards (forwarded by the Secretary for Agriculture) was read. Mr. Allan contended that the statement that thousands of birds were destroyed annually by means of baits was exaggerated, if not entirely without foundation. Mr. D. Le Souéf, C.M.Z.5., said the shooting in orchards did more damage than poison. Mr. G. E. Shepherd remarked that only Parrots and other birds provided with crops were liable to poisoning. Mr. C. F. Cole expressed the same opinion. The resignation of Mr. E. J. Christian, of the Kamarooka Estate, was received with regret, and it was resolved that he be placed on the list of country members. A paper by Mr. A. G. Campbell (Pomonal), dealing with the Victorian Ser‘cornes, was read by Mr. A. J. Campbell. The author’s contention was that Sericornis frontal’s and S. osculans are really distinct species. Several members stated that two distinct types of nest were of general occurrence, one type being covered with moss externally, the other with bark. Mr. L. G. Chandler exhibited skins of S, /rontalzs, and Mr. J. A. Ross eggs of S. fronta/z’s and other species of Serzcornis. In the general discussion of the evening, reference was made to recent flocking of migratory birds, and to White-bearded Honey-eaters (J7e/zornis nove-hollandi@) nesting, as a result of protracted warm weather. Mr. J. A. Leach, M.Sc., reported that a dead specimen of Oceanit2s oceanicus had been picked up 9 miles from the sea-coast, at Geelong. Instances of Mutton- sirds (Short-tailed Petrel) and White-faced Storm-Petrels having been © Veet. Nats, XXVie) Ppl 30 Vol. X. Bird Observers’ Club. We 1910 found several miles inland were cited by members. During the evening presentations were made to Mr. E. Brooke Nicholls and Mr, A. H. E. Mattingley on the occasions of their respective marriages. Mr. J. A. Ross made the presentations. In returning thanks, both Mr. Mattingley and Mr. Nicholls expressed great pleasure at the manifestation of esteem by fellow- members. ANNUAL MEETING. The annual meeting of the Club were held at the residence of Dr. H. W. Bryant, ‘‘ Tarella,’ Toorak, on 18th May, 1g1o. Dr. Bryant presided, and there was a full attendance of members. The hon. treasurer, Mr. E. Brooke Nicholls, presented the balance-sheet for the past 12 months. It showed that, despite a fairly heavy expenditure for the period, there was a satis- factory credit balance with which to start the new year. The balance-sheet was adopted, the Chairman congratulating the hon. treasurer on the manner in which he had handled the Club’s finances. The hon. secretary, Mr. Chas. Barrett, gave a verbal report. He said the Club had now been established five years, and its record was one of steady progress. Every member was a working ornithologist, and to the credit of the Club stood a good deal of valuable field work. He suggested, however, that some specially qualified members should direct their attention to the study of plumage phases, migration, parallelism, and other branches of ornithology which are much neglected in Australia. In the discussion which followed, Mr. D. Le Souéf, C.M.Z.S., said the study of plumage phases and the food of birds was of great importance. Mr. J. A. Ross said that some work was now being carried on in regard to plumage phases. Members of the Club had no time for serious scientific work. Mr. J. A. Leach, M.Sc., expressed the opinion that osteology and other subjects mentioned presented great difficulties to the untrained student. Something might be done, however, in regard to economic ornithology, which was almost entirely neglected in the Commonwealth. Mr. A. H. E. Mattingley, C.M.Z.S., said that the most important thing to study was the relation of birds to man. The Chairman remarked that specialization in some form was a very desirable thing. Mr. E. Brooke Nicholls said the study of ornithology had made great advances in Australia of recent years. The energies of young students should be diverted from mere collecting, and to the study of migration and similar subjects. Mr. H. W. Wilson reported that matters in connection with the Gould League of Bird Lovers were proceeding satisfactorily, a large number of certificates having been sent out. On the motion of Mr. E. Brooke Nicholls, seconded by Mr. J. A. Leach, Mr. Donald Macdonald was unanimously elected an honorary life member of the Club, in recognition of the services he has rendered to the cause of popular bird study. Messrs. C. Wilson, O. W. Rosenhain, and J. S. Kitson, and Dr. C. S. Sutton, were elected as ordinary members. Mr. Chas. Barrett was re-elected hon. secretary, Mr. E. Brooke Nicholls hon. treasurer, and Mr. A. H. E. Mattingley member of committee (with the hon. secretary and hon. treasurer). The Chairman congratulated members on the continued success of the Club. The work done by members, he considered, had not only advanced our knowledge of the Australian avifauna, but had been of value to the community. Dr. H.W. Bryant read a paper entitled “A Trip to the Mouth of the Snowy River.” The nature of the country in the vicinity was described and a list of birds observed, with field notes of interest, given. Mr. E. B. Nicholls read some notes on the Crested Penguin (Ca¢arrhactes chrysocome), and Mr. C. F. Cole contributed a paper on “The External Structure of Birds.” Messrs. A. W. Milligan, J. A. Leach, and others took part in a discussion regarding the sense of smell in birds. It was the general opinion that birds do possess the sense in question to a certain degree. The meeting closed with a hearty vote of thanks to the host and Mrs. Bryant. 74 South Australian Ornithological Association; as South Australian Ornithological Association. THE last meeting of the above-mentioned Association was held at Dr. Pulleine’s rooms, North-terrace, Dr. Pulleine presiding. The hon. secretary (Mr. J. W. Mellor) directed attention to a copy of the Royal Soctety of Arts Journal, which contained a report of an extensive lecture delivered by Mr. J. Buckland before the society in London recently. The pith of the subject was the appalling destruction of bird life throughout the world for decorative millinery, and the necessity of passing on the warning note to the colonies, lest an invasion should take place of these fell plume-hunters. It pointed out that the new play, “Chantecler,” which is having such a run in London is tending to a revival in feather head-dressing for women—in fact, to the wearing of entire birds—which was to be deplored. A letter from the Commissioner of Police was read, stating that action had been taken regarding the catching of Seagulls at Port Adelaide. M.C. Wells, of Murray Bridge, was highly commended for his zeal in enforcing the Birds Protection Act which was splendidly illustrated by the recent case in his district. Capt. White directed attention to a letter received from a resident of Kangaroo Island, stating that the writer was watching with much interest the attempt to introduce the Mallee-Fow!l on the island to save this quaint bird from extinction, and also stating that in his opinion the birds in question would, with protection, thrive well on Kangaroo Island. He was sure too much could not be done to protect the native birds and animals. Mr. J. H. Clark, a visitor, exhibited several sets of eggs of unusual colouration, taken at Bendigo (Vic.) and Broken Hill (N.S.W.) Some of these specimens completely puzzled oologists. Mr. J. W. Mellor recounted interesting observations made during a recent trip on the Murray River, when 32 species of birds were identified. Mr. A. Crompton stated that he had seen Black Cockatoos (Calyptorhynchus funereus) in unusual numbers feeding on burnt ground, evidently in search of partly roasted banksia nuts. These observations had been taken in the Innian Valley district, where he had spent his vacation. Capt. White gave interesting observations of bird life gathered at the Reedbeds during the month, among which were notes on the little Pied Cormorant, its great liking for a small species of crayfish which inhabited all fresh-water rivers, creeks, and dams, and did a great amount of damage to all canal and water embankments, as well as destroying the spawn of fishes, on which they mainly subsist. It was shown that by the destruction of these crustacea the Cormorants were doing the agriculturist and the fishing industry much good. Several interesting specimens were exhibited Notes and Notices. THE GREAT AUK.—There are a few remaining volumes of Mr. Symington Grieve’s excellent work on the “ History, Archzology, and Remains” of the recently extinct Great Auk or Garefowl (Alca zmpennis), to be had on application to. Mr. James Thin, 54-56 South Bridge, Edinburgh. Price, ros. 6d. “TIANDBOOK OF THE BIRDS OF TASMANIA.’—Attention is directed to a review of this book, page 66. Copies may be had on application to the author, Mr. Frank M. Littler, F.E.S., Box 114, Post-Office, Launceston, Tasmania. Price 4s., with postage extra (postage—Commonwealth 4d., New Zealand 7d., elsewhere Is. 3d.) -_—' i rf : - —— a 1 7 ae at ed a ee 7 BE a DF a ee a et oo Rn pe in tr F ; ae ae ee ok - r p33 = E : = ge eS 2 wee YS iy eg 0 aS > ; ) , 1 are ad y rf oat » eon Aiea t te THE Emu, Vo/. X. FROM A PHOTO. BY MAULL AND FOX, LONDON, Vol. ol Notes and Notices. 75 1gt0 ANOTHER County BrrpD Book.—An important work on the birds of Dumfriesshire, by Mr. Hugh S. Gladstone, will shortly be published by Messrs. Witherby and Co., of High Holborn, London. The book will give an exhaustive account of the present day status and past history of all the birds of the county, and will be illustrated by photographic plates and a map. It will be published by subscription, and in a strictly limited edition. THE GOULD BIRD LEAGUE.—Attention is directed to the inset certificate of the Gould Bird League, which was in- augurated by the Bird Observers’ Club, Victoria. The certificate speaks for itself, and can be obtained by any citizen of the Commonwealth of Australia or of the Dominion of New Zea- land, on payment of one penny, with postage added (postage, (44d. within or 3d. beyond Victoria). Hon. secretary’s address : Mr. J. A. Leach, M.Sc., Education Department, Melbourne. RoyAL THANKS.—On the death of His Majesty King Edward VII., and the consequent accession of His Majesty King George V. (who, with Queen Mary, is a patron of the Australasian Ornithologists’ Union), the Council of the Union forwarded a congratulatory message to King George on the occasion of his accession. The following reply has been received from the Private Secretary to Lord Dudley :—‘ The Governor- General has been commanded by His Majesty King George the Fifth to convey to you his sincere thanks for the loyal and congratulatory message which you were good enough to send in connection with His Majesty’s accession.” THE LATE Dr. R. B. SHUARPE.—The excellent and character- istic likeness (Plate VIII.) of this ornithological savant was re- ceived too late to accompany the obituary notice which appeared in The Emu, vol. ix.,p. 178. It is now quite opportune, if taken in conjunction with the following practical suggestion made by Mr. W. R. Ogilvie-Grant in Zhe Bulletin of the B.O.C. (No. clvii.):—* It is sad to think that, after 38 years of the most faithful and unselfish service to the nation, Dr. Sharpe should not have been spared for a few years to enjoy his thoroughly well earned pension. As it is, his wife and children are left insufficiently provided for, and it is greatly to be hoped that some special means may be found of obtaining a pension for the family of so valuable a public servant.” BIRDS OF THE TANAMI GOLDFIELDS.—Mr. M. Symonds Clark, Adelaide, has kindly supplied the following informa- tion :— “T have reviewed a letter, dated 31st March, 1910, from Mr. 76 Notes and Notices. Reg te Lionel C. E. Gee, warden of goldfields at Tanami, in the Northern Territory, who says :—‘ I came across a very interesting collector, a bird-catcher by business, and whose partner is now in England with a consignment of birds. I had a long conversation with him “about the birds in this remote part of the world. He kindly made out for me the enclosed list of the birds he had noticed as occurring in this district, and I send it to you, as I am sure your friends of the ornithological society will be interested in it.’ “T think many of the readers of 7ze Emu will be glad to see this list, which I send on to you for publication. On it you will see is a note* by Mr. Gee, who takes a great interest in birds, and has had opportunities of observing them in many distant parts of South Australia and in the Northern Territory. ‘When at Arltunga, in the M‘Donnell Ranges, he obtained, with great trouble, some living specimens of the Alexandra Parrakeet, which he brought to Adelaide and kept until shortly before his departure for Tanami.” Dromeus nove-hollandie Synecus australis Turnix velox Geopelia cuneata fEgialitis melanops Ochthrodromus veredus Eupodotis australis Malacorhynchus membranaceus Cirycus assimilis Uvoaétus audax Milvus affinis Falco lunulatus Hievacidea berigora Cerchneis cenchroides Cacatua leadbeateri * Calopsittacus nove-hollandia Melopsitiacus undulatus /Egotheles nove-hollandie Halcyon pyrvrhopygius Eurostopus argus Cuculus tnornatus Chalcococcyx (sp. ?) Petrochelidon ariel Micreca pallida Petreca picata Smicrornis flavescens Rhipidura tricolor Coracina vobusta Lalage tricolor Pomatostomus superciliosus Cinclorhamphus cruralis Ephthianura tricolor Acanthiza (sp. ?) Malurus cruentatus M. cyanotus M. assimilis Amytornis striatus (?) Artamus personatus A. minor A. cinereus Collyriocichla brunnea Grallina picata Cracticus picatus Pachycephala falcata A phelocephala nigricincta Sphenostoma cristatum Neositta leucoptera Diceum hirundinaceum Pardalotus rubricatus Melithveptus letior Myzomela nigra Ptilotis keavtlandi Mivafra secunda Emblema picta Teniopygia castanotis Corvus coronoides Oreoica cristata Certhionyx leucomelas OBITUARY.—At the Adelaide session of the A.O.U., Mr George R. Marriner, F.R.M.S., Curator Public Museum, Wan- * The salmon colour pervades this bird all over very strongly, and I think it is a different variety to that seen in the south.—L. C. FE. G. ae ‘66a mayy Buvioreas paw cong oso Bunnfie srOyVO Wow oy ~Mowo20U0 a ge wy aerord on P-g Em xem gon sow gio gr opang om pon spoon ges yyy ogrmoad Hgraoy 6 ‘aDGa1d SYAAC] aug A12/91935 WOW 87IW “SAL ‘oD peuhi¢ ‘bobo woyr Burhoreog po cong 2vyow Buna anorf s2IyP Was oy NOsod9UT Wy g avy aerard o¢yo ez “obo ay qomgjo770NYyV pw FpIg MPU prod yrAVE oY denuord fiqniay Ey ‘gDGa1d SUAAOT aug A12/2123S WOH actos i Vy 2Yp fo CM AIUL 71F Gr yy Myysag) of si siye ff WHY UC UOIUH ,S}SIFO/OUZ!UUO UBISB|eAsny ‘99S “UOH ‘'NOSTIM “MH “n|O ,Sd®AWaSGO Pulg ‘08S "UOH ‘LLAYuVE “1 °O SV11995YL "HL ‘WIN ‘SALVD “4M ‘GYSHdSHS “3D “W1AddWNYO “Dv ‘ssou'v tT ‘4100 °4'90 “STIOHOIN ‘9 “4 “WNVESTLLIYS ‘VL *S'Z'4 ‘'SMOH ‘34 “SOV_LINYY “MY 2 2d)] WMS T| ‘BO SINVITTIM Od “M [B49U9-UOaBuNS ‘SZ W'O ‘A3NIGOD ‘HY “4 S'ZW'O AF TONILLVW “36H OV ‘O'IN'd ‘NVAY SATHVHO /2uU0/0O9-UuoasunSs “G1VNOGOVYW G1VNOG . "SUBPUBDd |ed1F0] ‘GNVILYVSy ‘VD 6 g -00Z 40 4oWaUI “S'Z'W'O ‘4SNOS 37‘G ‘S'a'4 ‘MVHSUSy ‘VT oP : Cos yA 18180joWI0UZ “3A0D “S'1'4 “HONAYA 'O “3NYOH “9 ‘ua “. ip “‘N'O'a WAN 10D ‘WAsdNVO ‘PV WIN “1aSsn4 “Vv i freee ‘ Gif 038 DINO ‘YSON3dS NIM TEM “Odd . “A LD? Or LNVAUYS “M“H “4G “BONp® JO 4OP9UNIG “O'S “WW ‘ALVL ‘4 Z y \ pe . " A "uoizyoONuysu + squaeiseare -291/% Cy ; =~ \ 211GNd JO dazS!UII ‘NosT1a v y ‘OH "B1MOJOIA JO d!WI9dd "AVYYNIA NHOP'UOH Sage \ / *BIMOJDIA JO UOUUBAODH ‘U@TSIUIIA) PUtldd ‘NIMV3G GAYATV “UOH : F oy Ue: a DO W'OY TAVHOINYVO-NOSSID SOHLHIS :quagisaage | Packe aT \ : AQua|jaoxX_A SIH >suodajore YY. hy a “elyBuysny JO YZJBAaMUOLUILUOD 729 sagen © — of Woy ame, aie = a eis 5 «a «2 ~ 4 a CUTE, fs Vol. X. . Bite Notes and Notices. 77 ganui, N.Z., was elected a member of the Council to represent New Zealand. Unfortunately, Mr. Marriner has since: died. He was apparently a strong and healthy young man, with every prospect of a long and useful career. He was confined to his bed for a month, and during that period had three operations for appendicitis and other troubles, and ultimately succumbed on 25th February to septic poisoning. The loss of one so young and strong has been a great sorrow to his relations, to whom the Council, on behalf of the members of the A.O.U., desires to offer its sincere condolence. A recent work of Mr. Marriner, “The Kea: a New Zealand Problem,” was favourably noticed in Zhe Emu (vide vol. viii., pp. 229-231). FROM THE MINUTES OF THE B.O.C., 15/12/09 :— Mr. G. M. MATHEWS remarked that the two following names should be added to his work “ Handlist to the Birds of Australasia,” 1908 :— On, p. 11 iadd:: LOPHOPHAPS LEUCOGASTER, Gould. On comparing the white-breasted Lophophaps from Central Australia with examples from other parts of Australia, it will be found that the former have a much larger bill and thicker tarsi. On p. 76 add : ACANTHIZA AUSTRALIS, North. Mr. North, in his book “ Nest and Eggs of the Birds found breeding in Australia and Tasmania,’ pointed out the differences between this bird and A. reguloides, Vig. & Horsf., from New South Wales. Skins in Mr. Mathews’ collection, proved that the characters pointed out by Mr. North were reliable. Mr. MATHEWS added that on p. 5 the following alteration should be made :—Dyromeus peroni, Roths., must stand as D. parvulus, Gould [| Penny Cyclop., xxill, p. 145 (1842) ]. Mr. MATHEWS also described and exhibited an example of a new sub-species of Grass-Wren, which he proposed to call AMYTORNIS WHITE, sub-sp. n. Differs from <A. strzatus, Gould, in being larger in all its measurements, the bill being especially large. It is also redder on the back and underparts. Hab.—Coongan R., North-western Australia. This form is named in honour of Mr. H. L. White—A#wlletin B.O.C,, No. clvi. FROM THE MINUTES OF THE B.O.C., 16/3/10 :— Dr. E. HARTERT exhibited examples of a new form of Acanthiza, and made the following remarks :— Emu ist July 78 Notes and. Notices. “When arranging the specimens of Acanthzza in the Tring Museum I was struck by the different colouration in a series which had been named Acanthiza nana, and it soon became evident that two different sub-species were represented. One form is characterized by having the upper surface olive-green and the under side bright yellow. This bird inhabits New Souta Wales, and has been described by Vigors and Horsfield as Acanthiza nana. 1 have examined skins from Sydney and Parramatta. “Tn the other form the upper parts are less green, rather less bright, and of a more brownish tint, and the under surface is paler and of a more buffy yellow, contrasting with the pale rufous-buff throat. This form inhabits Victoria, and I have examined skins from Box Hill, Castlemaine, Mulgrave, and Springvale in the Tring Museum, and from Saddleworth in Mr. Mathews’ collection. I propose to call this new form ACANTHIZA NANA MATHEWSI, sub-sp. n., in honour of Mr. G. M. Mathews, the author of the most recent list of Australian birds. “Type in the Tring Museum. <6. No. 76A. Springvale, 23/10/97, A. G. Campbell coll. “Tt may be added that the specimens of Acanthzza in the British Museum said to have been collected in Queensland (¢/. Cat. Birds B. M., vii., p. 293) were certainly not procured in that locality. They were purchased from Cockerell, and the par- ticulars on his specimens are always untrustworthy.” —Awdlecen BOC, No. clix: Important Announcement. THE next annual session of the Australasian Ornithologists Union will be held at Brisbane during the first week in October. Thereafter the usual working expedition (for about 10 days) will be made to one or two of the islands of the Great Barrier Reef, with Gladstone asa base. The Government of Queens- land, through the Under-Secretary, have been good enough to intimate that a suitable steamer will be placed at the disposal of the expedition. Applications from members intending to join the expedition must reach the hon. secretary A.O.U,, Mr. H. W. Wilson, 105 Drummond-street, Carlton, Victoria, not later than 31st August. IN MEMORIAM. Ring Gdtward the Seventh. Born 9TH Nov., 1841. DreEp 6TH May, 1910. ITH KING EDWARD VII. has ended a memorable reign. Qur ‘‘ Peacemaker’”’ had the welfare of all at heart. We, in the Australian Commonwealth, have regrets as deep as any from ‘‘ Dominions beyond the Seas,’ or from the heart of the Empire itself, that he has passed away. That his collections as Sportsman and Naturalist have enriched the Empire’s National Museum is a great gain to students; but that among his last official acts was a reception of Queensland and New Zealand representatives makes his memory still more dear to dwellers by the Southern Seas. To the “‘ Queen Mother’? our deep sympathy is due. As “leading lady of the Empire’’ she discouraged the cruelty involved in the use of plumes, thus directly aiding the bird-Iover’s cause. With her son as Patron of the Australasian Ornithologists’ Union may we not expect equal help, and (through our sorrow) say “God Save the King! ”’ a r% ee i al be a ‘ Z y , : - f ‘ Ty oe ji Sabha 5 rt . , | 1 A . . ’ y 1 ear Pvc ke an 7 . ; : i , - oe) Te CAN ER at aN IY), tr . etities on Ss Med : a. “J - ne f ‘ a Wye ae 1 ¥ a SS Aad hi sy a ie , roe ' ‘ : i - ’ ‘ } \ : lite as 2 ee ne : = Pa oe a 24 ¥ ~~ Ny OFFICE- a. RER . President : Mr. A. J. a Con. Mem. B.O.U. (Mr. J. W. MELLOR. *\Mr. ROBERT HALL, C.M.Z.S. Hon. Secretary: Mr. H. Ww. WILSON. . (/ ° goleete Gardens, Melbourne. Private Kaaree= 105 Drummond Street, Carlton, Victoria.) ts : Vice-Presidents : a, Hon. Treasurer: Mr. J. A. ROSS. je og ee (Address—Crown Solicitor’s Office, Lonsdale St., Mepouren a. Hon. Librarian: Mr. A. H. E. 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(Western Australia), New Zealand (vacant), OBJECTS, &c.- HE objects of the Society are the advancement and popularization of the Science of Ornithology, the protection of useful and © amental avifauna, and the publication of a magazine called ‘ss of the Society shall be conducted by a Council, con- . *.two Vice-Presidents, Secretary, Treasurer, Librarian, — 4d six members; each office-bearer and member at the end of each financial year, but shal The Annuai aoc in one or other of the princip s of the differes. . %9 be decided at the previous ual subscription ot n shillings, due on the first o1 . usual exchange be added to Foreign, Interstate ana fts, &c.) jon. Secretary - the Council Ad 9 We yee Wiad it Raw a) Deda ey ac Neh te ” ri i ADVERTISEMENTS. ah PELTON, GRIMWADE & “eo. Importers of every description of ; ag Microscopes, Galvanic Batteries, Chemical and Scientific Apart, de. ee nan aly 4y May aes STUDENTS’ MICROSCOPES. 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Price 7/6 Crown 8vo. Full of Illustrations. | é f NATURE STUDIES IN AUSTRALIA e e | | By WM. GILLIES and ROBT. HALL. — | Price 2/6 Revised and Enlarged Editon. by WHITCOMBE & TOMBS LIMITED, MELBOURNE, H. J. ats Camera Elouse, 296 COLLINS STREET, MELBOURNE. _ THE HOUSE FOR Photo. 7orreltieal , PIAA | il NOW LANDING— SS ) A Splendid Assortment of HAND and STAND CAMERAS. a The 30/* HAND CAMERA is Better Value than many on ee the Market at Double the Price. xe We are not bound to any one make of Camera, We draw our Superliga from the Best British Houses. seewanwcascoreoneneosorarooseoneseonnes: oo BEST QUALITY! REASONABLE PRICES — ] OCTOBER, 1910. [Part 2. GS & Oo B&B A Quarterly .Magazine to popularize the Study and Protection of Native Birds. 7s S & OFFICIAL ORGAN OF THE AUSTRALASIAN ORNITHOLOGISTS’ UNION. | ' A. J. CAMPBELL, Col. Mem. BiO.U. Editors | CHARLES BARRETT. | ; Welbourne : '~WALKER, MAY & CO., PRINTERS, 25 MACKILLOP STREET. efi LONDON AGENT: R. H. PORTER, 7 Princes STREET, CAVENDISH SQUARE, W. 1910. 7 [ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.) (The author of each article is responsible for the facts Be ie therein, and any ¥ deductions he may draw.) ADDITIONAL NOTES ON THE TOOTH-BILLED BOWER-BIRD (SCENO- PAETES DENTIROSTRIS) OF NORTH QUEENSLAND. Sy mer. ie, Wm. Jackson, A.O.U., Chatswood, N.S.W. - - - a THE REGION OF THE Banos RANGE. AN OOLOGIST’S Houpay. By (Dr.) W. Macgillivray, Broken Hill, N.S.W. Part I. - ON THE BIRDS OF NORTH-WEST AUSTRALIA. By Grego Matthews, F.L.S. M.B.0.U. Part IIl.- — - «io BIRDS SEEN IN AND AROUND BROOME, NORTH- WESTERN AUSTRALIA _ (ADDITIONAL LIST). aM Alan F. sie alist Vp) ait sis a M.B.O.U. - - - NOTES ON PARDALOTES. By L. G. Chandler, Malvern, Wie. ita BIRD-LIFE ON SANDY CREEK, RIVERINA, ss ke xy Charles Gubanyt. Part l.- - - - - : 3 b NOTES ON THE BIRDS SEEN AROUND INGLENOOK, MERRIMAN’S CREEK, SOUTH GIPPSLAND. By Arthur P. Ingle, A:O.U. - | THE DuskY ROBIN (PETRECA VITTATA). By H. Stuart Dove, F.Z.S. DESCRIPTION OF Two NEW NESTS AND EGGS FROM NORTH-WEST AUSTRALIA. By HA. L. White, Scone, N.S.W. - 5. aes STRAY FEATHERS.—A Long Way from his Beat, 134; Cuckoo Notes, 1343; Wood- Swallow and Cuckoo, 134; Swamp Hawks (Circus Gouldt), 135; Movement of Wood-Swallows, 135; Wild Parrot Pets, 135; Prolific Podicipes, 136 5 Bird Notes | from Cunninghame, 136; The Little Penguin (Eudyptula minor), 137; Cleveland (Tas.) Notes, 137; The Southern Limit of Rostratula australis, Gld,, 138 ; Feeney Ie a Notes on the Coot, 138. f FROM MAGAZINES, &C.—Avicultural Society’s Awards, 140; Incubation and Fledg- ing Periods in Birds; 140; For Agriculturalists, 140; British Ornithologist in Australia, 141; Arbor and Bird Day in South Australia, 141; Notes on Birds-of-Paradise r4t. BIRD-PROTECTION DEPUTATION - - - - : : - REVIEWS”) - : S : : by z z = lien = BIRD OBSERVERS’ CLUB - - Sehr - - - -) 5 SOUTH AUSTRALIAN ORNITHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION ~— - - - 146 NOTES AND NOTICES - - - = 2 3 Se ANNOUNCEMENTS. Articles (technical papers should if possible be type-written) and communications intended for publication, also books and publications for notice, should be addressed to the Editors, Zhe Emu, clo MR. A. J. CAMPBELL, Custom-House, Melbourne. a MSS. of general articles should reach the editors at least six weeks prior to the issue of the number for which they are intended. Occasionally, when funds permit, it is intended to issue Coloured eee of hitherto unfigured Australian Birds. Voluntary subscriptions to “COLOURED FIGURE FUND” are courteously invited from members. — The price of The Emu to non-members is 4/= per copy. Extra copies may be had by members at half-price. Be, a eae Se te ee ae a * 7 = | Jhe Emu | Ofticial Organ of the Australasian Ornithologists’ Anion. “Birds of a feather.” VoL. X.] IstT OCTOBER, Ig10. [PART 2. Additional Notes on the Tooth-billed Bower-Bird (Scenopeeetes dentirostris)* of North Queensland. By SIDNEY Wm. JAcKkson, A.O.U., CHATSwoop, N.S.W. TuRNING to the living habits of the Tooth-bill, that of feeding naturally presents itself for first consideration. Now, the diet of the Tooth-bill is both mixed and rich, and he levies on the varied resources of his dense scrub haunts with dainty dis- crimination. Molluscs, insects, scrub fruits and berries furnish his sylvan fare, as evidenced by the débris in his feeding grounds, and (to the careful observer) by the component parts of his excreta or the examination of his digestive organs. Probably we may regard his most nutritious and favourite food as being the one most common to the lush moisture of the northern scrubs— namely, scrub molluscs or snails. There are not many people who know how great is the variety of our scrub snails. The Tooth-bill knows, and fares generously. Within and around the borders of many of his leaf-strewn play-grounds JI found and collected both old and freshly broken remnants of the following land- shells, viz. :—Helix franklandiensis, H. semicastanea, H. sheridant, H. vwillaris, H. bellenden-kerensis, H. macgillivrayi, and those of four other species, which have proved to be new to science. Helix macgillivrayt seems to be an especial favourite with the bird, as much from its richness as from the fact that its rather delicate shell is more easily broken. It is found both on the ground and in the trees, and twice at least I saw a Tooth-bill holding one in his beak. The shells, evidently broken to furnish the bird’s food, were found in great numbers in various parts of the scrub (vide Plate I., Emu, vol. ix., July, 1909)—a fact which not only proves the bird’s taste for these morsels, but also shows that he often goes to one place to prepare his food, and sometimes strictly localizes his rubbish-heap of broken shells. His cousin, the Spotted Cat-Bird (4luredus maculosus), and the Noisy Pitta (Pitta simillima), who are also snail-feeders, help to increase the pile. Not only is the shell of this mollusc soft and easily broken, but, being also of small * See special issue of Zhe Hmu, June, 1909. - 82 Jackson, Notes on Tooth-billed Bower-Bird of N.Q. (fea 3 size, it is easier for the bird to carry; hence its prevalence ~ among the ‘‘middens’’ of this scrub aristocrat. Sometimes there is a stone on which the Tooth-bill cracks his shells (vide Emu, June, 1909, Plate XXIII.), but not infrequently he makes the limb of the tree or stick on which he perches serve his purpose. The habits of H. macgillivrayi_make it a fairly easy victim. It isa tree-climber, and sometimes may be found in the moist heart of the fern growths, such as the big Asplentwm nidus, in the trees. This fact was amply proved by Mr. Frizelle and myself when breaking our way through the dense foliage in search of the Tooth- bills’ nests. During dull or wet weather, therefore, the bird can make an easy capture of his favourite prey, as they then move about—though as a rule these molluscs do most of their travelling by night. On the other hand, I have recorded instances of finding them on the move during the day. In company with Mr. E. J. Banfield, in the beautiful scrub fringing Mount Cootahl, on Dunk Island, Rockingham Bay, I found one at a height of 20 feet from the ground on a large parasitical scrub fig-tree (Ficus, sp.) ; and on several occasions, in the very rich scrub country then being cleared and burnt off for settlement at Atherton, I have found as many as 20 dead and charred in the heart of a large half-burnt fern growth which had originally been growing in a tree at a height of 60 feet or more from the ground. It is likely that, whilst many other species hibernate in the ground, these molluscs choose the moist recesses of these fern-clumps for that purpose; anyhow, their habit costs them dear, for I have several times found them dented on both sides as if they had been dropped from the bill of their feathered enemies, who carefully fossick them out from their hiding-places. Scrub Fruit and Berries.—These also ‘‘ contribute to the feast ” for our scrub epicures, and of one, known as the scrub apple (Ele@odendron, sp.), they are particularly fond. But the tit-bit of their vegetarian diet is a berry on which, without exception, the birds seemed to feed consistently. These belong to a tree known as Nepheliwm, and are carried in a shamrock-shaped or trilobed pod containing three seeds, one to each of the divisions. The seeds are coffee-coloured when dry, but black when freshly found and damp from the pod, and they are covered with — a red skin (vide Emu, June, 1909, p. 258). This skin is, at first bursting of the ripened pod, of a yellow colour, which changes to red a little later, and it is when they reach that stage that the Tooth-bill considers them ripe enough for his meal. The seeds are oval in shape, with an average measurement of 0.37 X 0.25 inch. In the special number of The Emu published in June, 1909, I mentioned the ‘‘ singing-stick ’’ (very often a vine or branch), close to each play-ground, upon which the Tooth-bill perched himself and delivered his choice selections of mimicry of the sounds and bird-notes of the scrub. On the ground under these sticks I mostly found these seeds in great numbers, — ee: Vol: eT] Jackson, Notes on Tooth-billed Bower-Bird of N.Q. 83 1910 but hardly ever within the play-ground itself, for the: bird has a great idea of tidiness, and usually keeps his little parlour scrupulously clear of litter. I think the conclusion is fair that these seeds are cast or vomited when the red skin has been digested, rather than passed in the excreta, as they were very clean and unmixed with stain or débris, though one must remember that if they were passed the heavy rains might have washed them clean; still, in this case I favour the theory of the vomit or cast common to many birds with the hard portions of their food, rather than the passing as excrement. Parallels between the habits of bird and beast are of great interest and value when engaged in their study, and a very instructive parallel in this connection is available in the case of the White Nutmeg-Pigeon (Myristicivora spilorrhoa) of the North Queensland coast, which feeds on the wild nutmegs (Myristica insipida), and then ejects them after the red mace-flavoured outer skin has been digested (vide Emu, June, 1909, p. 244). In the crops of the two Tooth- bills shot for dissection a number of these black seeds, together with the remains of beetles, &c., were found. In one particular locality—a scrub-covered hill across the Barron River, and not far from our camp—in the numerous play-grounds located in the earlier part of November, 1908, I found the black seeds littering the ground under the ‘“singing-sticks”’ in great numbers, and in company with Mr. Frizelle I examined over twenty of the actual play-grounds in that locality, with the result that we found them, as in other cases, remarkably clear of the seeds, which were only to be found under the “ singing-sticks.” Insect Food.—As seen by his predilection for snails, the Tooth- bill is not a vegetarian, and he adds variety to his menu by some- thing more than an occasional entrée of beetles. In contributing the facts which go to make up the life-story of any bird or beast, the investigator has necessarily to be minutely careful if he wishes to be faithful to his task, and its food is a factor which has no small influence in localization, anatomical structure, and general characteristics. Hence, to close observation of the actual feeding habits and haunts of the Tooth-bill I added careful investigation of the crop and excreta. The first two specimens of excreta obtained from the first young bird I had at my camp I preserved carefully for examination as valuable indications in this direction. It was not until lately that I had the necessary leisure for analytical examination, but therefrom I have made it clear that many forms of Coleoptera, some of which must have run to an inch and a half in length, helped to make up the dainty fare of the bird ; of this fact the size of the remaining portions of the thoraces of the beetles give the best indication. It must in this connection be remembered that, as the bird was a nestling, its food had been given to it in broken and macerated form; still, in addition to the very small seeds of the large parasitical fig-trees (Ficus, sp., vide special Emu, June, 1909, Plate XXXVI.), there were present portions of elytra, thoraces, antenne, legs, wings, &c., of various 84 Jackson, Notes on Tooth-billed Bower-Bird of N.Q. ee 1st Oct. insects, amongst which the larger remains of the following ten families of Coleoptera were distinguishable on careful analysis of the excreta : — Chrysomelide (thorax, elytron, legs); Elateride (one large thorax, legs); Carabide (thorax, legs, wings) ; Staphy- linide (portion of body); Cleride (three thoraces and elytra) ; Cerambycide (part of body, elytra); Scarabeide (portion of elytron, legs); Curculionide (thorax, elytra, legs); Forficulide (tail end of body); Malacodermide (portion of elytron). In addition to these, there were also broken antennz and numerous small portions impossible to identify. The Tooth-bill, therefore, as an insect, snail, seed, and fruit eater, has a wide and liberal taste. Leaves used in Play-ground Decorations ——Turning from the subject of food to the strikingly marked decorative habit of the bird, I wish to place on record some further details as to the singular consistency which he displays, not only in the choice of the leaves with which he decorates his play-ground, but in his method of using them. The play-grounds on the scrub-covered hill across the Barron River from our camp were especially typical. They were usually very neatly laid out under arching masses of the exasper- ating lawyer-palm vines (Calamus moti and C. australis), and con- sequently not too easy to examine. Just one word about these vines. Most people know the lawyer-vine, but a lawyer-palm vine may be an unfamiliar name. Nevertheless, the term is a correct one—the vine is both vine and palm, and is classified as belonging to the family Palme. Being a Calamus, it has very long, sharply-hooked tendrils, and also carries long, palm-like leaves (especially Calamus moti), which are studded on the under side with formidable spines or thorns. Possibly the Tooth-bill’s frequent choice of this thorny retreat follows an instinct for secluded security. The leaves chiefly used by these birds here were those of Cryptocarya mackinnoniana, and another known as Litsea dealbata, already referred to in my previous article (vide Emu, June, 1909, pp. 236, 237, 250, 258, 260, 266, and 282). Since writing the first general article on the subject of the Tooth- bill, I have been able to devote attention to the large collec- tion of leaves gathered by myself from the numerous play- grounds examined. An old play-ground, or one that had been in use for some weeks, was easily distinguished by the great number of curled and dried leaves outside its area, which the bird had replaced by fresh ones of the same species in his zeal for perfect decoration. This was his daily practice, and, of course, the absence of the rejected “‘ furnishing’ meant that the tenancy of the play- ground had only just begun. Outside these new play-grounds I very seldom found the broken remains of snail-shells. During my stay in this district I found and examined no fewer than 193 play-grounds kept in absolutely perfect order. If the number were to include all that were found, good, bad, or indifferent, it would be somewhere nearer 250. I think that some information is needed as to the particular 7 Vol. aA Jackson, Notes on Tooth-billed Bower-Bird of N.Q. 85 Igo formation of the bill which gives to the Tooth-billed Bower-Bird its right to that name. The accompanying life-size photograph of the head of one of these birds gives a clear illustration of the three saw-like indentations which are present on each side in the bird’s lower mandible, together with the corres- ponding serrations which match them in the upper one. It must be understood that the serrations in the lower mandible are actually in that mandible itself, but in the case of the upper one they are really recessed on the sides of the hard palate or roof of the bill. The points of the lower serrations fit into the recesses of the upper, thus giving the bird a gripping hold and cutting edges. Were it not for this fact, a bird so comparatively small would not be able to sever the tough and thick stems of the larger leaves which he chooses for his bower ornamentation. In the plate the serrations of the upper mandible are not shown, because in actual fact they are not visible in profile; it is only when a specimen is handled that one is able to turn the head into such a position that they become visible. 86 Jackson, Notes on Tooth-billed Bower-Bird of N.Q. Hee 1st Oct. In dealing with the specimens of the leaves collected I have to acknowledge the kind help accorded to me by Mr. J. H. Maiden, F.L.S., Government Botanist of New South Wales, to whose help in classification and naming I am deeply indebted. The collection made has more than mere specimen value—it gives some idea of the big task which the industrious apprentice in home decoration undertook every day in the period immediately prior to nesting. Some of the larger and more thickly-stemmed leaves show how tough a job the bird had (in spite of its serrated bill) to sever the leaf. This is especially noticeable in the case of some of the large leaves of the tree Cryptocarya mackinnomana (No. 1 in plate), the stems of which are exceptionally thick and tough: the stem of one of my specimens measures 0.20 inch in diameter at the point of severance. From the collection made I have selected a set comprising the 14 species I found used, which will be seen in the two accompanying photographs, one of which shows the natural. under sides of the leaves, and the other the upper sides of three and the under sides of six leaves. It will be noticed that the leaves are mostly braced on the under side with strong ribs. There is, however, one exception to this rule of selection by the bird of strongly-ribbed leaves. This occurred in localities where the wild ginger plant (Elettaria scottiana, No. 12) was a feature of the scrub growth. The only rib in these long, narrow leaves was the central one, extending the whole length, and consequently where these leaves were used to carpet the play- grounds they were often found considerably curled. Of course, in the fierce northern heat all leaves, of whatever sort, would eventually curl, but the majority of those chosen would meet the bird’s evident craze for tidiness for, at any rate, one day, and — I only come to the obvious conclusion that his invariable practice of choosing leaves that would not curl readily, so placing them upside down that the curling tendency was counteracted, and finally rejecting them when they did curl, was the result of an instinctive sense of and craving for a well-ordered ornamentation. In other words, I consider the bird has a marked esthetic sense, and adduce these facts in support of the theory (vide Emu, June, 1909, pp. 236, 237, and Plate XXIII.) To complete the account of my observations on this subject I give illustrations in Plate IX. herewith. Thereon will be found, in sets of three, the three species of leaves most commonly found in the play-grounds which I examined. No. I is Cryptocarya mackinnomana, F. v. M.; No. 2 is Litsea dealbata, Nees. ; and No. 3 1s Tarrietia argyrodendron, Benth. The illustrations marked A, B, and C show the upper sides of these three species, and the other two illustrations of each set display their lower surfaces or under sides. The remaining II of the 14 species will be found illustrated in Plate X., the under sides only being shown. They are as follows :—No. 4, Aleurites triloba, Font.; 5, Phaleria neumanni; 6, Cryptocarya (sp.): 7, Sterculiacee (sp.); 8, Castanospora alphandi, F. v. M.; 9, Cocculus mooret, F. v. M. (two leaves); 10, Rubiacee (sp.) ; OO THE Emu, Vol. X. PLATE |X. 8°9/10 M12 Three Species of Leaves most frequently used by the Tooth-billed Bower-Bird in Play-grounds. FROM A PHOTO. BY S. W. JACKSON. MY BTA * ; 5 ) sin « Y * - . ry dene yh at 4 r \ vt r ay ‘ . \ %, i y ‘ ¥ wd ” z= j ( * " ¥ \ \ 4 rd - a f p / i 2 Sard sas {ras , s , ' % F - @ ‘ ' i « ‘ i | ( . ‘ ‘ be 0 ¥ Aye > F , * 3 — Beal THE EMuwU, Vol. X. PEATE Eleven other Species of Leaves used by the Tooth-billed Bower-Bird in Play- grounds. FROM A PHOTO. BY S, W. JACKSON, Velie | JAcKson, Notes on Tooth-billed Bower-Bird of N.Q. 87 1910 Ii, Ficus (sp.); 12, Elettanna scottiana, F. v. M.; 13, Croton imsularis, Bail.; 14, Stenocarpus sinuatus, Endl. It is to be noted that Nos. 4, 9, and 14 were found in use only on two or three occasions. I should like to add here that, as Mr. Maiden has pointed out to me, it is extremely difficult to name trees from leaves only. I may also mention that the choice by the bird of leaves of a certain structural characteristic is by no means a feature of only one locality. My visit to the much more elevated Evelyn scrub on the Herberton Range in November, 1g08, was neccessarily a hurried one, but I there found the play- grounds very numerous and the Tooth-bills using precisely the same species of leaves as at a lower elevation in the Tinaroo—in fact, I there collected specimens of the leaves of Cryptocarya mackinnoniana and Castanospora alphandi, which are also among those used by the birds in the latter locality. From the part I visited at Evelyn scrub to my Tinaroo camp would be, as the Crow flies, about 25 miles, over a dense intervening scrub or tropical jungle. It would, therefore, appear that the natural instinct of the birds to choose a certain class of leaf for play-ground ornamentation is not a thing which in any sense is dictated by purely local con- ditions. My predictions, as recorded in the special Emu of June, 1909, that the females would not visit the play-grounds during their close breeding season, and that only the males (and few at that) would do so, was borne out when I was ranging the scrub in mid-December of 1908. The comparative silence of the scrub then, after the noisy babble of mimicry and call of the previous six weeks, was very striking. During that former period the scrub-covered hill not far from the camp, and the dense glades surrounding it, re-echoed with the characteristic “‘ chuck’? and mimicry of these quaint vocalists as each sat in isolated pride on his or her “singing-stick.”’ Yet later, at the time above- named (mid-December), when Mr. Frizelle and I again explored the area of about five or six acres in the scrub in which, during November, we had found over 20 occupied play-grounds, we found the latter practically deserted, save by an occasional belated male. The birds were no longer low-perched and noisy ; they had betaken themselves to high tree-tops and silence, and were consequently hard to discover. When nesting they are especially shy, and their swift flight, interweaving the dense foliage, gives little chance to the observer of sighting them, still less of following them up, save where the scrub opens out a little. On 8th December, 1908, the silence of the Tooth-bills throughout the day had been unusually marked; but at sunset one of them, high-perched and at a distance of about 70 yards from the camp, started to give a most spirited selection of mimicry. Finally he perched himself in a scrub chestnut or bean tree (Castanospermum australe), where he was joined by his mate; then one of them swooped downwards and away into the dense scrub at the back. The remaining one was probably the male, and he certainly gave 88 Jackson, Notes on Tooth-billed Bower-Bird of N.Q. Emu rst. Oct, us a full programme—Dollar-Bird (Eurystomus pactficus), Channel- bill (Scythrops nove-hollandi@), and several other birds, &c., were imitated, and but for watching the performer’s bill move to each note one could hardly believe that the calls were not natural instead of imitation. It was almost dark before he brought the per- formance to an end, finishing with a life-like mimicry of the piercing and pulsating noise made by a cicada or locust when captured by a bird ; finally he flitted off in the dim light to his night haunt in a tree actually overhanging our tent, where he frequently after- wards went to roost (vide special Emu, June, 1909, pp. 275 and 277). In the mornings he had me awake at the first peep of day- break in rendering his early morning serenade of mimicry in the tree over our tent. We later discovered the nest of this bird at the rear of our camp (vide Emu, June, 1909, pp. 276, 277, and 279, and also Plates XXXIII., right side photo., and XXXVIII.) The net result of my observations in this direction, and on all occasions, is fairly definite proof that the Tooth-bills (with very few exceptions) do not, during the height of the breeding season, visit their play-grounds or indulge in mimic vocalization during the day, but that after sunset and before sunrise they do so in the tree-tops. Once only, on the 27th November, 1908, did I find the exception which proves the rule, when I noticed numbers of the birds gathered in the tops of the tall dead Johnstone River hard- woods (a scrub tree), in a partly cleared patch adjoining the scrub ; this was on a hill near Atherton (vide special Emu, June, 1909, p. 269). Probably it was a final chorus before starting to nest. Apart from the absence of song, the adjacent play-grounds here revealed that the nesting time had begun—they were silent, un- occupied, and, most significant of all, untidy; and when a Tooth- bill lets his play-ground go you may be sure that he has some- thing very much more important to attend to. The Region of the Barrier Range. AN OOLOGIST’S HOLIDAY. By (Dr.) W. MAcGILLIVRAY, BROKEN HIL1, N.S.W. PArT i AT daylight next morning the loud notes of the Rufous Song-Larks formed our reveillé, and we were soon all astir, busy with breakfast and packing for the last stage to our permanent camp at Langa- wirra. M‘Lennan and I made a quick march down to Stone Hut to examine the Little Falcon’s nest. The male bird became very excited as M‘Lennan ascended the tree. Both birds were sailing excitedly round the top of the tree, and when the climber was half- way up the male darted past his head, to wheel gracefully back again with half-closed wings and a shrill chittering cry. The performance was repeated, and, as the nest was approached, some Vol. X. 1910 | MacaiLiivray, The Region of the Barrier Range. 89 of the bird’s dives were near enough to just brush the climber. M‘Lennan told me—what I could not see from below—that the Falcon’s claws were extended when near him. The female flew round, but made no attempt to attack. Only one egg was in the nest. On our way back a wild black cat was put up from the under- growth, and went bounding away through a waving mass of yellow and white everlastings and scarlet poppies. These cats were met on all our rambles. They grow to a larger size than the ordinary domestic “‘ Tom,” and kill many birds. The road from this point to Langawirra lay for the most part over a wide, open plain. For the first few miles the vegetation consisted of typical saltbush, intermixed with yellow buttons, annual saltbush, and wild oats. The crab-holes were still moist. Brown Song-Larks now took the place of the Rufous species, and Orange-fronted Chats began to replace the Tricolours. Odd Pipits (Anthus australis) were met with, and towards the centre and drier part of the plain, where the herbage was scant, bird life was reduced to a minimum. A few Pratincoles (Stiltia isabella) favoured this area, their fawn-coloured, trim little figures assimilating with their surroundings. On being approached they ran ; hard pressed, they rose easily, and flapped away on long, swallow-like wings, to alight again at no great distance, bob up and down, and resume their wanderings on foot in search of young grasshoppers and other insects. After we had crossed the White Cliffs road the country became very barren, many places being bare and wind-swept. Gardiner’s Creek came in here on our right, and we entered the scrub, the cultivation paddock coming in sight almost immediately. This paddock of 300 acres is irrigated naturally by the overflow of Gardiner’s Creek, and grows a splendid crop. Wild-flowers were plentiful here, and the neelia (Acacia rigens) just coming into bloom. A few Black-faced and many Masked Wood-Swallows were either perched on the lower bushes or hawking in the air, Miners, Spiny-cheeked and Singing Honey-eaters were heard and seen in the mulgas. We went on, after calling at the Woolshed, to pitch our camp on the edge of the lake below the station. The lake, dry since our last visit, 12 months ago, had been replenished by the winter rain, but not to its full extent. It is, roughly, horse- shoe-shaped, with the station building on a sandy point in the concavity of the horseshoe. There is another large lake below the Woolshed, into which Gardiner’s Creek empties ; it was now full. These lakes are surrounded by box trees, but do not support any reeds or rushes, probably because of their frequently drying up. When filled to overflowing (which may occur once in Io or I5 years), the lakes hold water for three or four years, and this is the case with most of the larger lakes in the district. The sur- rounding country is mostly sandy, and covered with mulga and neelia scrub, with an under-scrub of turpentine and cassia. The under-scrub is nearly all dead, however, as a result of overstocking go MACGILLIVRAY, The Region of the Barrier Range. apie and rabbits, and much of the mulga is cut down annually, when grass 1s scarce, to feed starving stock. As there is no reproduction ‘of trees or shrubs, the surface of the ground is deprived of its natural shelter, and evaporation and desiccation become greater and greater. The whole of the scrub country will, in time, be converted into a desert waste of drifting sand. In many parts this has already occurred. Going down with the “ billy” for water, two Sharp-tailed Stints (Heteropygia acwminata) were seen on the mud, with a number of Red-capped Dottrels (4gralitis ruficapilla). About half a dozen Silver Gulls (Larus nove- hollandie) were also flying over the surface of the water or perched on the posts of a partly submerged fence. <A flock of Microtribonyx were feeding on the margin below the station, and there were a few Ducks on the water, principally Pink-eared (Malacorhynchus membranaceus), White-eyed (Nyroca australis), and Grey Teal (Nettion gibbertfrons). Next day we followed up the box-bordered watercourse which fills the lake. Two Miners’ (M. flavigula) nests—one with four eggs and the other with three young birds—were our first finds. The bag-shaped nest of the Striped Honey-eater (Plectorhynchus lanceolatus) hung in the leaves at the end of a long swaying branchlet of a box tree. It was constructed almost wholly of sheep’s wool. There were no eggs. A Spiny-cheeked Honey-eater was putting the finishing touches to her nest. Bell-Birds (Oveoica cristata) were calling across the creek. The Oveoica is a plump, sprightly little bird, and looks his best, I think, when hopping along the ground with erect crest in search of insects and seed. The grey dress is eminently protective. A nest was located low down in a ragged old turpentine-bush. Two nests of the Masked Wood-Swallow in course of construction, and another nest of the Striped Honey- eater, with four newly-hatched young birds, were noticed. A Goshawk (A. fasciatus) flew from a new, but empty, nest in a box tree: Out in the open mulga and turpentine the Black Honey-eater (Myzomela nigra) was seen, and several Masked Wood-Swallows’ nests were found. A nest of the Wood-Swallow (A. personatus) contained newly-hatched young, very downy, with black skin, eyes not yet open, yellow gape. On a ridge I paused to watch the movements of a White-browed Tree-creeper (Climacteris superciliosa) as he flitted from tree to tree in search of food. He no sooner alighted upon a dead mulga than a pair of Chestnut- rumped Tits (Acanthiza uropygialis) set upon him and drove him away. In a fork of this mulga, 18 inches from the ground, was a split leading to its hollow interior, where the female Acanthiza could be seen sitting on her nest, which was found to contain three fresh eggs—the usual clutch. The nest was of the flimsiest - description—only the slightest roofing and base, ‘all of fine bark shreds, the eggs resting on a bedding of rabbit fur. A Red-capped Robin’s (P. goodenovit) nest was placed in the fork of a mulga, only 2 feet from the ground. It was constructed of fine bark and Vol. X. IgIo MACGILLIVRAY, The Region of the Barrier Range. OI cobwebs, and lined with rabbit fur, and contained two young birds - and an addled egg. The feathers of the nestlings were just sprout- ing, with down still adhering to the head, wings, thighs, and back, and on either side of chest and abdomen; the gape was yellow, eyes closed. A hollow stump was the site of a nest of the White- face (A phelocephala leucopsis), which held four young birds just getting their feathers on the head, on the back in two pteryle, and the same on the chest and abdomen. Their eyes were open, and the gapes were yellow. Another Tit’s (A. uropygralis) nest contained two young birds—skin yellowish, with down on head ; one dorsal tract, two on thorax and abdomen; eyes open, gape ' yellow., A third Tit’s nest, built in a dead mulga, contained three eggs resting on a bed of rabbit fur, the nest itself being of fine bark. Three more nests of the Red-capped Robin were located in the mulga, and Black Honey-eaters were observed building. A female Honey-eater was sitting on her little nest on a low, dead branch, with head and bill pointed upwards, the colouring and posture of the whole group being wonderfully protective. On our way down the ridge still another Black Honey-eater was seen building in a small bush, and near by, in a fallen dead branch, and close to the ground, was the nest (with three eggs) of a Tricoloured Chat. Next day, the 24th, I went out with Mr. Jackson, the general manager of the group of stations of which Langawirra is a unit, and Mr. L. Black, the overseer, to the eastern boundary of the run, about 40 miles out, where some new tanks and yards were being constructed. Mr. Jackson very kindly pulled up whenever anything of ornithological interest occurred. A Short-billed Crow’s nest in a dead mulga contained young birds; another, in a tall casuarina, contained six eggs in an advanced stage of incubation. This nest was very small, and was lined with-soft bark. A third nest in an adjoining tree contained one young bird, newly hatched, and four eggs chipping. In the young birds newly hatched the skin is yellow, with two dorsal tufts of down and a little on the femoral tracts; rest of the body quite naked. Returning to the trap, I discovered a nest of the White-browed Tree-creeper in a hollow of a black oak (Casuarina) about 10 feet from the ground. It contained three eggs. Our way led us through mulga and neelia country, in which Tricoloured Chats, Singing and Spiny- cheeked Honey-eaters seemed the commonest birds. A pair of Grey Falcons were disturbed from a lonely box in the wilderness of mulga. Many Babblers’ nests were seen. An old nest of the Wedge-tailed Eagle in a small gum on a rocky hillside was found to have been occupied earlier in the year, being now used as a feeding platform. The ground round below was littered with the remains of rabbits and the skeletons of stump-tailed lizards, which are particularly numerous throughout this scrub, and of an Amphibolurus which is not so frequent. We arrived about noon at the camp of some men engaged in building new cattle yards. There we had lunch, and met a trooper g2 MacaILLivraAy, The Region of the Barrier Range. a engaged in collecting census returns. After visiting two new dams, we drove 7 miles through thick scrub to Grassmere station. I was astir at daylight next morning, and went for a stroll along the gum creek that runs by the house. Many Cockatoos were feeding near the house ; Kites and Whistling Eagles were disturbed from the gums. The cooing of Peaceful Doves (Geopelia tranquilla) and the melodious notes of the Harmonious Thrush (Collyriocincla harmonica) sounded at intervals along the creek. We started for Cuthawara station through more open mulga and neelia country, very poorly supplied with grass or herbage of any sort. The nest of a Tree-creeper (C. superciliosa) was found in a casuarina, 5 feet from the ground; it contained three young birds. Two Hooded Robins (P. bicolor) were dodging about in the scrub near by, and the Red-capped species was numerous all along the road. Where the thick scrub gave place to tall, scattered neelia and mulga, Ravens’ nests were frequently noted in the trees. Most of the nests contained young birds. Cuthawara Lake at present is only a dry depression, but when full it forms an imposing sheet of water. On the banks were the remains of the fires of bygone generations of aborigines. After lunch we turned back towards Langawirra by a different route to inspect a mob of 7,500 sheep, which were returning after having been shifted for want of food and water last year. The scrub, mostly mulga, with occasional clumps of mallee, was here very thick, and intersected at intervals by sand-ridges, on which grew black oak (Casuarina) and pines. In one of the black oaks was another nest (two young) of Climacteris superciliosa. Next day we walked past the station and across the water channel leading to the lake into a paddock covered with low scrub, mostly turpentine and mulga. Malurus assimilis was noted; Singing Honey-eaters, Babblers (P. ruficeps), and Spiny-cheeked Honey- eaters were frequently disturbed from tree or bush. We crossed over to the Cultivation Creek, where we found the steep bank of a waterhole taken possession of by Fairy Martins. Many of their retort-like nests, finished and unfinished, were being busily attended to. In a box was a brood of young Nightjars (4gotheles nove- hollandie). Pied Honey-eaters were seen and heard among the mistletoe along the creek and out in the turpentine-bushes. This is the first year that we have noted their presence. A fairly good season here, or a bad one elsewhere, is the probable explanation. An Oreoica’s nest was located in a mistletoe clump high up in a neelia ; it contained a clutch of three eggs. Black Honey-eaters were feeding on the mistletoe flowers, and the loud and musical note of the Striped Honey-eater (Plectorhynchus lanceolatus) came at intervals from the box trees along the creek. M‘Lennan found among the turpentine two nests of the Singing Honey-eater, one unfinished and one containing one egg, also a_ finished nest of the Spiny-cheeked Honey- eater. Kingfishers were commencing to burrow or examine favourable banks for a nesting site. A quandong tree (Santalum Vol. X. Maccaittivray, The Region of the Barrier Range. 93 1910 acuminatum), laden with ripe fruit, was admired, and some of its fruit sampled. White-fronted Honey-eaters (Glycyphila albifrons) were heard in a thicker clump of neelia and black oak on the creek, and also the Red-throated Thickhead (Pachycephala gilberti). A nest of G. albifrons was built in the top of a broken stump, 2 feet from the ground, and contained one young bird, fully feathered. Man other pairs were watched, but no more nests were found. Glycyphila allifrons we expected to find in fair numbers this year, but were disappointed. This species feeds on insects and honey—at this time mainly the honey from the mistletoe. The nest, constructed of wool and fibrous herbs, is usually placed in a fork of a low bush, the turpentine-bush being most often favoured. We found nests, however, in all manner of situations—at the tops of high or low stumps, in the thick fork of a neelia, or in a bunch of mistletoe. I have not known the species to lay more than two eggs at a sitting. The ground colour varies as much as that of the Singing Honey- eater—from dark salmon to an almost pure white. Circling out to the right and round towards the Woolshed, we found very little of interest. On a long march to a box flat in towards the shearing shed we disturbed a Whistling Eagle from her nest, 20 feet up in a box tree. There were two eggs resting on a bed of green leaves. We returned to camp round the other side of the lake. On the following morning four of the party made out across the sand-hill at the back, where they were interested for a time in the tracks on its surface, and endeavoured to elucidate them. There were tracks of mammals, from the fox to the smallest marsupials ; of reptiles, from the “‘ goanna’”’ to small lizards and slow worms ; of scorpions, leading to the crescentic entrance of burrows, and of beetles, caterpillars, and spiders; and lastly, of the early morning birds over them all. Out of the sand and through some country clothed in stunted scrub. A number of ‘‘ Budgerigars’’ were about the box, prospecting for nesting sites. A few White-shouldered Caterpillar-eaters were mating. Ina hollow a nest of Climacteris picumnus was noted. Entering the real mulga scrub we soon came across Chestnut-rumped Tits and Black MHoney-eaters (M. nigra). The Tits are always busy in the branches of the mulga, searching for scale and small insects, also in the dead scrub lying on the ground, and on the ground itself. The Black Honey- eaters (M. nigra) were either feeding on the mistletoe or occupied with nesting cares. When a turpentine-bush dies, usually from being ringbarked by rabbits in the drought, the dead branches arch over till the tips touch the ground. It is here that the Black Honey-eater usually places its little nest on the convexity of the arch, where there is a sufficient fork to fix it to. The nest is com- posed of fine twigs, cobwebs, and cottony plants. It has an external diameter of 3 inches and an internal of 1? inches, with an internal depth of 1 inch. Two eggs constitute the invariable clutch. Having parted from the others, I strolled quietly through the 2 . wou E > 94 MAcGILLivray, The Region of the Barrier Range. ace mulga. A pair of Tricoloured Chats, by fussing about, revealed their nest, containing three well-feathered young, in the end of a fallen dead bush, openly placed. A Tit (A. uropygialis) was busy building in a dead stump close by, and a Black Honey-eater on the end of a fallen mulga. - Another pair of Tricoloured Chats were feeding three young birds that had left the nest. A Red- capped Robin’s nest was seen. After an interval I found an Oreoica’s nest low down in an old V-shaped turpentine ; it con- tained one egg. I then passed through some neelia and larger mulga, in which many Black Honey-eaters were feeding on the mistletoe, together with a few Singing Honey-eaters and “ Greenies.” M‘Lennan later reported having found a Tit’s (A. wopygialis) nest containing three eggs; a Many-coloured Parrakeet’s nest, with six young birds, sprouting feathers; a nest of the Blue-Bonnet (P. xanthorrhous), containing six nearly fledged young ones—both nests placed ina hollow box tree. We went through a box flat, to find an Owlet Nightjar’s (4#gotheles nove-hollandia@) nest, contain- ing downy young, in a leaf-lined hollow. These little birds present a curious appearance, as the white down that clothes them when they emerge from the shell still adheres to the feather tips until they are nearly fledged. In a bracket-shaped hollow of a box, low down, an Oreoica had placed her nest. It was occupied by three young birds ; feathers just sprouting, eyes open, down per- sisting on the forehead and nape and on the single dorsal feather tract, also on the humeral and femoral. The anterior cervical tract had no down, and divided on the chest and abdomen. We made for home, our way leading out of a series of box flats on to a sandy open’ ridge covered with grasses and wild-flowers (mostly everlastings) and flowering shrubs. We disturbed a Brown Song-Lark (C. cruralis) from her nest in the grass (three eggs). A Kingfisher (H. pyrrhopygius) was interrupted in his efforts to knock the life out of a lizard against a dead limb. He was so alarmed at our approach that he dropped the reptile and flew to a safer perch, only to see us annex the lizard for our specimen jar. These Kingfishers are not so noisy as the Sacred species, their only call being a mournful piping note, frequently heard during the mating season. Next day we made an early start for Coogee Lake, a large body of water, about 6 miles in a south-easterly direction from camp. We crossed a sand-hill into a large depression bordered on one side, at first, by box, and containing a number of dead box stumps along its bed. We found ‘* Budgerigars’’ (Melopsittacus undulatus) breed- ing for the first time during our trip; most of the nests contained only “‘commencing”’ clutches. Many Whitefaces’ nests, with eggs or young, were inspected, and a few Pardalotes’ (P. ornatus). The flat closed in somewhat as we neared the Coogee road, and we found a nestful of young Many-coloured Parrakeets in a hollow box. We came to a large box occupied year after year by a pair of Pink Cockatoos (C. leadbeateri). Last year this hollow con- tained a clutch of four eggs ; this year there were only three. —— Vol.. X. 238 MacciLuivray, The Region of the Barrier Range. 95 M‘Lennan returned to us after having made a detour into another flat, and reported having disturbed a pair of Bourke Parrakeets. I went back with him, leaving the others on the straight road to Coogee. We did not find the nest of the Parrakeet. These birds are so quiet in their movements, and so protectively coloured, that they are difficult to detect. Going through a box ridge we flushed a Little Quail (Turnix velox), and in a hollow box near at hand found a pair of White-browed Tree-creepers building. A Red-capped Robin was also finishing a nest in a box sapling. At the lake the others were waiting. A few Ducks, mostly Anas superciliosa, A. gibberifrons, Aythya australis, and Malaco- rhynchus membranaceus, Maned Geese (Chenonetta jubata), and some Black Swan were observed on the water. Wading in the marginal water were Avocets, Black-fronted Dottrels, and an occasional Sharp-tailed Stint. In a dead stump standing in the water a Many-coloured Parrakeet (P. multicolor) had her brood of young. In the box round the lake-were Miners, Grallinas, Striped and White-plumed Honey-eaters, Brown Tree-creepers, and Striated Pardalotes. We tramped on to strike the Yalcowinna road by a circuitous route through box flats and mulga scrub. A nest containing young Blue-Bonnets, in a hollow black oak, interested us, as these birds showed a near approach to the more eastern Psephotus hematorrhous, in having red under tail coverts and the dark red wing patch, which, more than anything else, distinguishes P. hematorrhous trom P. xanthorrhous. Some of these nestlings. however, were much more marked than others. On -account of the favourable season, and a plentiful and varied supply of seeds, we found both P. xanthorrhous and the Many-coloured Parrakeet nesting more freely than on two previous visits. On our return to camp the boys had much to show and tell us, they having been round the lake and found a colony of Fairy Martins in an old shed, a Brown Hawk’s nest and three eggs, and other nests. Next day, the 30th, we followed up the water channel entering the lake behind the station, but did not find anything of note till we crossed an old dam. Here a Nightjar’s nest, with its inter- esting nestlings, detained us for a few minutes, before going on to a patch of turpentine-bushes where we left a Purple-backed Wren building last year. The nest was located about Ioo yards away from the old site, openly placed in a small dead bush lying on the ground. It was constructed of fine strips of bark and lined with finer shreds of bark and rabbit fur, and contained three eggs. In a mulga a pair of Babblers (P. rujiceps) had a nest containing young birds. Jim M‘Lennan found the pensile nest of a Singing Honey-eater, containing two eggs, very light in colour and more spotted than usual. The nest was suspended in the small, bushy neelia (Acacia rigens). Ona black oak ridge we rested awhile and watched the movements of a Tree-creeper (C. swperciliosa), then went on to another ridge, where we found a nest of this species in a dead 96 MacciLLivray, The Region of the Barrier Range. ae sandalwood, the hollow being about 4 feet from the ground. The base of this nest was composed of dry grasses, a layer of horse dung, then the usual thick bed of rabbit fur, on which two eggs reposed. The eggs are a good deal smaller than those of the Brown Tree-creeper, and more richly coloured. Soon afterwards I took two eggs of the Singing Honey-eater—the usual clutch in these parts—from a nest in a turpentine-bush. Directing our steps homeward, we followed down a strip of mulga, finding a nest of Malurus assimilis in a fallen bush, the base of the nest just touching the ground. It contained three eggs and one newly-hatched chick. Next morning, the 1st October, broke dull and windy, and, after the usual daylight breakfast, the two M‘Lennans, Dr. Dobbyn, and myself started out through a paddock on the eastern side of the lake in open mulga country. The herbage was very good. Many Miners’ nests were seen in the mulga, in mistletoe clumps, mostly containing young birds. Circling round the paddock to the right, we were watching a Tree-creeper (A. superciliosa) when a male Bourke Parrakeet (N. bourke) rose from where it had been feeding on the ground, only to light again in the grass a little further on. I followed and waited. The bird flew again, and joined a flock of ‘* Budgerigars”’ on the ground. After a consider- able time it flew to a mulga, in front of which, in a dead neelia, it was joined by a ragged-looking mate from the latter tree, and the two flew off together. I went at once to the neelia, and, looking into a large crack in a fork, about 4 feet from the ground, found that it opened into a hollow about 8 inches in depth, on the earthy floor of which were four eggs and one recently hatched young bird, the egg-shell still being in the nest. Entering a large box flat, a Goshawk (A. fasciatus) flushed from its nest, which was small and flat, made of sticks, lined with fresh, green gum leaves, and placed, as they often are, on a horizontal fork, at a height of 30 feet from the ground. It contained a fine clutch of .nearly white eggs. A dry lake surrounded by box trees next engaged our attention. All round it were traces of the aborigines’ old camp fire-places, flint chippings and cores, and other stones. Several pairs of ‘‘ Budgerigars’’ were found nesting in the dead stumps forming the inner margin to the lake bed. The entrance to the nest was usually an old knot-hole, not much exceeding 14 inches in diameter. The eggs, usually five in number, rested on beds of earthy material. Almost on the ground, which had a scanty covering of wild spinach, forming a border of oo yards or more in width between the dead and the living box, were many nests of the Tricoloured Chat ; nearly all contained fresh clutches (three eggs). Turning towards camp, we crossed a sand-ridge and made our way through a band of box margining another flat, — and M‘Lennan dug out the burrow, in the side of a little water- course, of a Pardalote (P. rubricatus) ; the nest contained three fresh eggs. The nest was cup-shaped, very compact, and con- structed entirely of fine strips of bark. Its external diameter was ee Vol. X. ] Pore MAcGILLIVRAY, The Region of the Barrier Range. Q7 3% inches and height 23 inches ; diameter of egg cavity, 2} inches ; depth, 2 inches. The note of the male bird is quite unlike that of any other Pardalote with which I am acquainted, consisting as it does of a loud, mellow whistle, repeated five times in quick succession. It may be heard at a distance, and was more than once mistaken by us for the call note of the Barnard Parrakeet. Next day we took a more northerly direction, skirting the box on the margin of the lake, then out into the mulga, which is pretty open here. We saw large flocks of Masked Wood-Swallows gathering, after a night’s rest, to go further south. This year this species seems to be in greater numbers than usual, there being very few of the White-browed species. The Masked Wood- Swallows, too, arrived here before we did, probably early in Sep- tember, and started building everywhere; but, although we found numbers of their nests, completed and in every stage of construction, only one contained newly-hatched young. Most of the birds seemed to have changed their minds and resumed their migratory flight to more southern parts. Our way led us through a fairly dry part of the run. Many stump-tailed lizards find a living in this country. This was the mating time, as most of them were in pairs. They subsist upon green vegetable matter, and must, during long droughts, zstivate. On the 3rd October all except the camp-keeper went through a large dry lake lying two miles west of our camp. Before reaching it, however, we found a Nightjar’s (gotheles nove- hollandie) nest, containing four downy young ones. These birds always hear one coming, and the little rat-like head, with round, bright eyes, looking out of a hollow, is the first intimation of a nest, which otherwise would be passed by. The birds sit more closely when incubating. This really applies to all wild birds towards the end of the incubation period. At the back of the dry lake was a strip of box, in which we heard a_ Thickhead’s (P. rufiventris) loud whistling note. A male Black-capped Sittella was seen, and I disturbed the female from her nest on the upper limb of a small box tree, only 20 feet from the ground ; the nest contained two eggs. On a ridge, known to us as the Turquoisine Ridge (for it was here, 12 months earlier, that we spent many a delightful moment watching a pair of Turquoisine Wrens), two more nests of the Black Honey-eater were found, both containing the usual pair of eggs, and both similarly situated—on dead, fallen timber, near the ground. Many signs of the Swallow Diczeum were noted near their nesting place. All the limbs of the mulga trees were plastered with mistletoe seeds, singly, or in twos and threes, just as they had been passed by the birds or wiped off on to the branches. Next day we visited the Woolshed lake, and found a Whistling Fagle’s nest, containing two eggs, in a tall box tree. The Fairy Martins on the bank of the creek were still busy. A Bell-Bird (Oreoica cristata) had her nest in a bunch of mistletoe growing 98 MacaILLivray, The Region of the Barrier Range. ae 20 feet up ina neelia—an unusually high situation for the nest of this species. Mariy White-fronted Honey-eaters were observed in a thick patch of black oak, one finished nest being located in a turpentine-bush. Glycyphila albifrons is a very active but shy bird, and one has to use the utmost caution in watching the birds to their nests either when building, incubating, or feeding the young. Our way now led through what used to be a scrub-covered paddock, across a series of large nardoo flats, about which are the old fire-places and grinding-stones, flints, &c., of the blacks. Tri- coloured Chats were numerous. Next morning we took a south-easterly route over the sand- ridge, on which we again interested ourselves for a while in elucid- ating the tracks of the night. The birds had been about early. The slovenly footsteps of the Raven were easily recognized. The paired footprints of the Babbler (P. ruficeps), whose mode of pro- gression is by a succession of longer or shorter hops, the tiny marks left by the feet of Tricoloured Chats in their searchings round every tussock or bush, and the shorter and more slovenly hoppings of the Miner (M. flavigula), were recognizable on the fine sand. Tracks of insects, reptiles, and small mammals—the real night tracks—cost us more time and trouble to make out. The box strip in which we found the Red-browed Pardalote’s nest was visited, and the birds were heard calling among the trees. Here we discovered the nest of the Lalage tmncolor, with _ the male bird sitting on two eggs. The nest was composed of fine twigs, spiders’ nests, cobwebs, and soft everlastings, and was placed in a fork of a small box tree, about 12 feet from the ground: Near it a hollow box contained a family of Blue-Bonnets and another Lalage’s nest. A young Many-coloured Parrakeet acci- dentally dropped from the top of a large tree when M‘Lennan was examining a nestful, and provided a subject for post-mortem examination. The crop was crammed with fine black seeds, with a few larger green ones, the black ones being no larger than gun- powder grains. M‘Lennan and I visited a black oak ridge, leaving the others to return to camp. While watching a Red-browed Pardalote feeding among the sandalwood, we found a Tree- creepers: (@- superciliosa) nest, with young birds, in a hollow tree, about 4 feet from the ground. On the border of the box a pair of Oreoicas had a nest in the endof astump. ‘ Budgerigars”’ were nesting in the dry stumps in from the green timber, and in one hollow a Barnard Parrakeet was sitting on four dried-up eggs. In captivity I have known birds to do this on many occasions, but this is the only time that I have noted it in a state of nature. Many pairs of Red-capped Robins were here, several being engaged in building operations. These little birds are local migrants, being euide d, no doubt, by food supply, for on our two previous annual visits to this locality we only met with one or two pairs of birds. This year they were in every thick patch of scrub, and all intent on nesting. In every sandy watercourse and washaway were the tracks of pobre: MAcGILLivray, The Region of the Barrier Range. 99 1910 the fox, and in one place a whole tragedy of the night before was written plainly on the sand. The fox tracks, proceeding cautiously up a watercourse, came to where they met, at right angles, the footprints of a Stone-Plover (Burhinus grallarius). The prints of the fox immediately shortened, and proceeded for some distance with steps all crowded together. Even the haltings could be made out, whilst the tracks of the ‘“‘ Wee-loo”’ wandered round to the other side of a fallen bush half-buried by the drifting sand. Here her footprints ended, and a few bunches of feathers told of a successful stalk. After lunch M‘Lennan and I looked up several places in a westerly direction, in the mulga and box, while the rest of the party, armed with spades, proceeded to unearth a fox. On our way out we disturbed a dingo, which bounded away across a dry flat and over a sand-ridge for the thicker scrub. The Sittella’s nest now contained three eggs. The Tricoloured Chat was common in the open scrub all over this run, but the Orange-fronted species does not move from the wide salt-bush plains. On our return home, after a long and quick march, a swim in the lake was the best thing. On the lake we twice noted two or three Gull-billed Terns (Gelochelidon anglica), but they soon went elsewhere. Several Pelicans also paid a visit of short duration. There are no fish in the lake. After dark the rest of the party returned, bringing three very young fox cubs, an echidna, and some beetles, all found in the fox earth; the vixen they did not get. Visiting this spot about a fortnight later, M‘Lennan found a Kingfisher and a Black-and- White Swallow nesting in the side of the trench made in digging out the fox. On the 5th October we struck camp and packed up, to make our way back to Broken Hill. We visited the station first, to get some nardoo stones and take leave of the manager, Mr. Black ; then M‘Lennan and I got away to skirt the road, and to be picked up by the trap later on. The calling of a White-browed Tree- creeper led M‘Lennan to find its nest in a sandalwood, the pair of eggs resting on the usual bed of rabbit fur. Here we were picked up by the trap and driven to Sleep’s Well Creek, our camping place for the time being. Birds were plentiful in the vicinity of our camp, where there is good water in the creek. Right over the camp was a nestful of young Ravens in a tall, sappy gum ; and in bunches of mistletoe on separate mulgas, not 10 yards away, were two nests of the White-plumed Honey-eater, each containing one egg. These useful birds are common throughout the district, and do not differ in any way from those found in Victoria. Here they live mostly on insects, as honey-bearing flowers are not frequent, except during a good season, and are absent altogether during the long droughts which so often afflict the district. I have often watched them assiduously searching and stripping the eucalyptus leaves of scale, and they are as quick to capture an insect on the wing as any Flycatcher. We always look forward Too Macaitiivray, The Region of the Barrier Range. yee to this camping place ; the early morning birds make it one of the most delightful of many such in our wanderings. Long before dawn the Spiny-cheeked Honey-eaters commence their varied, liquid, trillng song. The “ Greenies” and Miners next join in from their roosting-places, and the old Raven leaves her nest to fly off to the plain to find a breakfast for her hungry offspring. Next we hear the Striated Diamond-Bird calling from the gums, and the loud notes of the Singing Honey-eaters from the outlying mulgas. A very different note is that of the Bell-Bird, coming from across the creek, where its author has a nest in broken-down cattle-bush or stunted neelia. The creek is soon full of voices, a medley lasting until the daylight dispels the last of the shadows among the trees. The voices cease one by one as the owners busy themselves in satisfying their own cravings or those of their nestlings. Soon after the morning meal was over we started down the creek, to flush a Goshawk (A. fasciatus) from her small, flat nest on a dead, leaning acacia, sheltered by a gum-tree—an unusual situation for such a bird to choose. The nest contained two eggs, and we found that it overlooked a bush in the bed of the creek in which a ‘Greenie’”’ (Ptilotis penicillata) had her nest and eggs. A few yards further on a Spiny-cheeked Honey-eater was putting the finishing touches to her nest in a bunch of mistletoe on a mulga. In a hollow spout, 18 inches in depth, a Cockatoo-Parrakeet had five young birds, as usual of different sizes, incubation com- mencing with the first egg laid. The oldest had yellow down on back and wings and thighs, and the eyes just opening ; the younger ones were blind and naked. A pair of young Magpies, nearly fledged, could be seen over the edge of their nest at the top of a slender gum. A_ Short-billed Crow’s (C. bennetit) nest was occupied by young birds. These nestlings are hatched with greenish-yellow naked skin and eyes closed; the skin soon darkens, and the eyes open on about the fifth day. In a hollow an Owlet Nightjar (42gotheles nove-hollandi@) was disturbed from three eggs. Through a chink low down, not 3 feet from the ground, in the bole of a dead gum, a Striated Pardalote had her nest and three eggs, and higher up in the same tree a hollow was occupied by a family of Blue-bonnets (P. xanthorrhous). Emu tracks were plentiful on the wet sand all along the creek. Feed for these great birds is plentjful about here, consisting mostly of green grass and herbage and the young green tops of the salt-bush. Out from the creek Jim M‘Lennan climbed to a nest in a leopard tree ; it contained four fully-fledged Magpies (G. tibicen). The feathers are brownish-black in the young birds, jet black not being assumed until the autumn moult preceding the third spring following hatching. A Little Eagle flew from a nest high up in a gum (two eggs). Nests, containing either eggs or young, of Climacterts picumna, Cacatua gymnopis, C. leadbeatert, Nisaétus morphnordes, Barnardius barnardi, Astur fasciatus, Malurus assimilis, Halvastur sphenurus, and other species mentioned above, were discovered. Wall ax.” igt6 MaccILiivray, The Region of the Barrier Range. IOI We were following the creek into scrubby country ; it flows from open salt-bush plains through the mulga to the Coogee Lake. In a sheltered portion of the creek we came to a Goshawk’s nest containing three eggs. Many White-fronted Honey-eaters (Glycy- phila albifrons) were seen and heard, and a nest in course of con- struction in mistletoe growing on an acacia was seen. M‘Lennan found a nest of Malurus assimilis, containing three fresh eggs ; the nest was composed of fine bark strips and shreds and _ lined with ’possum fur. The scrub here on either bank was becoming thicker, and the flowering tobacco-bush amongst it furnished a good feeding-ground for a number of Honey-eaters—<A canthogenys rufigularis, Ptilotis penicillata, Glycyphila albifrons, and Myzomela nigra—whose comings and goings amongst the trees and bushes, and quarrelings and love-making, we were content to watch while resting tired limbs. Making out on to the road, we turned towards camp, intending to take a shorter route across the blue-bush. There were damp patches on the blue-bush plain, and on these Emu tracks were numerous. At one place we could see where a family had camped the night before; the young were about two months old, judging by the size of their tracks and excreta. The rapid increase and spread of the fox throughout this country means death to numbers of young Emus. After lunch M‘Lennan and I went down the creek again and out into the salt-bush to look for White-winged Wrens. Many were seen, but no nest was found. Several Wedgebills (Sphenostoma cristatum) were disturbed from the little clumps of acacia out on the plain, and one nest was found in an unfinished state. Crossing the creek, we came up through a saltbush flat bordering the opposite side to our camp. Next morning we struck camp early, and made a start for Yalcowinna Creek. M‘Lennan and I went on towards the road, searching the larger clumps of blue and _ salt-bush for Wrens (Malurus). Several families of the White-winged species were seen, and a nest of M. assimilis was found near the ground in a salt-bush, and constructed outwardly of grass instead of strips of bark, as is usual. It contained two eggs only. We rejoined the trap, and at the crossing of Sleep’s Well Creek noted the usual Honey-eaters in the scrub and tobacco-bush—“ Greenies,” Miners, Singing, White-fronted, and Spiny-cheeked Honey-eaters. In sight of Yalcowinna Creek we watered the horses at a dam and filled the water-bag and billies, in case there should be no water in the bed of the creek. We stopped for lunch at the nearest point on the creek, and, whilst the others proceeded along the bed of the creek towards the Buzzard’s nest, Jim M‘Lennan and I followed the high sandy bank, which has been an old aboriginal camping-place, and is strewn with their mills, grinding stones, and flint chippings. At the Buzzard’s nest we rejoined the others, who reported that the nest was re-lined and ready for occupation again. On seeing the female again we had no doubt that she was smaller than the one in possession in 1g08 and 1907. Throughout our trip we noted very few Wedge-tailed Eagles compared with other years, The squatters’ poison had done its work only too well. : . Emu 102 MacaILLivray, The Region of the Barrier Range. Gee A Grey Falcon came sailing down through the trees, menacing a thieving Raven. So vigorous was her onslaught that the Raven beat a hasty retreat. The Falcon’s nest was placed, as usual, high up on the slender limb of a eucalypt ; the nest contained four hard-set eggs. We cut across country towards where we had lunched, the camp, in the meanwhile, having been shifted further up the creek, in the direction of our first camp on the trip. Following the creek up, a Black Falcon (PF. submiger) was disturbed from an old Wedge- tailed Eagle’s nest, and went off through the trees before we could get a proper look at her in the gathering dusk. Our disappoint- ment was great when only one egg was found in the nest. We left the egg to make sure of its identity by an early morning visit. The Goshawk’s nest, found building on our outward journey, now con- tained three hard-set eggs. Camp was reached as darkness came. Saturday, the 9th October, our last day out, broke fine and clear, and M‘Lennan and I went off early to revisit the Black Falcon’s nest. We found the female on the nest, and the male roosting in an adjacent gum-tree. Both birds flew away silently and quickly through the trees, and were soon out of sight. We left the egg, on the off chance of the clutch being completed, M‘Lennan deciding to run out in a week’s time, although we were fairly sure that incubation had started. This proved to be the case. The egg was probably the last one of the bird, laid on an emergency in the Eagle’s nest, on account of some mishap over- taking the original nest with the other eggs. After packing our belongings in the trap, M‘Lennan and I walked past the station, leaving the others to pick us up about a mile below it. On the way down we had several interesting “finds.” Two Little Eagles’ (£. morphnoides) nests contained one and two eggs respectively. A Goshawk’s nest in a more sheltered part of the creek, on the usual horizontal fork, had one egg reposing on green leaves. A Kite’s nest, with three young birds, on whom the feathers were just sprouting, showed the variation in size of the young, so common amongst birds of prey. Another pair of Goshawks were building, and a Whistling Eagle’s nest with one newly-hatched bird and an egg was noted. We met the rest of our party, and after an early lunch resumed the homeward journey, during which we noticed the difference that a month had wrought in the character of the vegetation. In a climate in which sharp frosts and the piercingly cold winds of winter days so suddenly give place to hot summer days, all nature seems to hurry to reproduce itself. The plants soon spring up, burst into flower, and cast their seed, to be buried by the sand, and so protected through the hot, dry period of the year, or perhaps to wait several years before conditions are again favourable for germination. In the same way the birds time the rearing of their young with the flowering or seeding of the plants. We reached home well satisfied with our month’s wanderings, and better, mentally and physically, for the communion we had had with Nature. \ on | MatHeEws, On the Birds of North-West Australia. 103 1910 On the Birds of North-West Australia. By GreGcory M. MatHews, F.L.S., M.B.O.U. With Field Notes by the Collector, J. P. RoGeErs. Part III. SYNCCUS SORDIDUS (Sombre Brown Quail). Math., Handl., No. 12: 3. 24/2/09. Eyes red; feet and tarsi yellow; culmen and genys black, balance of bill leaden-blue. The stomach contained grass seeds. TURNIX VELOX (Little Quail). Math., Handl., No. 21. 3. 30/3/09. Eyes yellowish-white ; feet and tarsi fleshy-white; culmen and tip leaden-brown, balance of bill leaden-blue. The stomach contained grass seed. PETROPHASSA ALBIPENNIS (Rock-Pigeon). Math., Handl., No. 40. 2. 2/4/09. ; Iris dark brown ; feet and tarsi blackish-brown ; bill black. Stomach contained fine grit and some seeds. LOBIVANELLUS MILES (Masked Plover). Math., Handl., No. 148. 29. 16/2/09. Eyes yellow ; feet and tarsi purple, lower end of tibia pink-red ; bill yellow, lip of culmen brown. The stomachs contained fragments of beetles. GLOTTIS NEBULARIUS (Greenshank). Math., Handl., No. 175. Onet27 1/09. Eyes blackish-brown ; feet and legs olive-grey ; bill brown, basal third leaden-grey. The stomach contained a few small shell-fish. HETEROPYGIA AURITA (Sharp-tailed Stint). Math., Handl., No. 181. $9. 19/3/09. Eyes brown ; feet and legs olive; bill brown, base of mandible olive-yellow. The stomachs contained fragments of shell-fish. ROSTRATULA AUSTRALIS (Painted Snipe). Math., Handl., No. 186. d- 19/3/09. Eyes brown; feet and legs brown ; bill brown. Stomach contained fragments of beetles and other insects. 104 MaTHEws, On the Birds of North-West Australia. [eee GLAREOLA ORIENTALIS (Oriental Pratincole). Math., Handl., No. 189. 3. 20/3/09. Eyes brown; feet and tarsi blackish-brown ; bill black, tomium red. The stomach contained a quantity of grasshoppers. BURHINUS GRALLARIUS (Stone-Plover). Math., Handl., No. 190. $2. 19/10/08. Eyes yellow, with network of brown lines on outer edge ; feet brown ; legs olive-grey ; bill blackish-brown. The stomachs contained a quantity of cockchafer beetles. ANTIGONE AUSTRALASIANA (Crane). Math., Handl., No. 193. gee 27/1/00. Eyes yellow ; papillae on back of neck and sides of face red ; feet and legs brown; bill and crown of head olive-green. Stomach contained a quantity of small stones and a little vegetable matter. Isis MOLUCcCA (White Ibis). Math., Handl., No. 194. Sex ? © 10/2/00. Eyes brown ; feet and legs leaden-black ; bill black. Stomach contained shell-fish. PLEGADIS FALCINELLUS (Glossy Ibis). Math., Handl., No. 196. 2 GeO 1b/ 2700. OF 2/00. 3. 4/4/09. Eyes brown. Feet, 9 2 9, leaden-grey, also legs; 9, leaden- brown, also legs, plates of tarsi olive-brown ; 3, olive-brown, also legs. Bill—Q 2 @ Q, olive-brown, with line across forehead and from eye to base of lower mandible blue-grey ; 3, distal 4 of culmen brown, balance of bill olive-brown. Stomachs contained shell-fish, beetles, fish, grit, and insects. PLATALEA REGIA (Royal Spoonbill). Math., Handl., No. 197. Sexur - GO. 2 £2/2/00. g. 15/2/09. Eyes brown; feet and legs black. Bill—g, distal $ brown, balance of bill, lores, orbits, and forehead black, gular pouch leaden- brown ; ? spoon leaden-blue, balance of bill and forehead leaden- brown, orbits and gular pouch dark leaden-blue. oie: MATHEWS, On the Birds of North-West Australia. I05 Stomachs contained mud, fibrous matter, beetles, shell-fish, tadpoles, and water insects. XENORHYNCHUS ASIATICUS (Jabiru). Math., Handl., No. 199. Sex ? Immature. 26/10/08. Eyes brown ; feet and legs olive-brown ; bill black. Stomach contained fish-bones, prawns, beetles, and part of the intestines of a kangaroo, on which the bird was feeding when shot. MESOPHOYX PLUMIFERA (Plumed Egret). Math., Handl., No. 202. an 4/2/00. ; Eyes and eyelash yellow ; feet and legs olive-brown. Bill, upper mandible and distal $ of lower brown ; lores, base of upper and balance of lower mandible yellow. Stomach contained fragments of insects. HERODIAS TIMORIENSIS (White Egret). Math., Handl., No. 203. oe 4/2/09: Oy 11/08: Eyes and eyelash yellow ; lores and bare skin round eye yellowish- green ; feet and legs black ; bill yellow. The stomachs contained one small fish, some tadpoles and water insects. NOTOPHOYX NOVA:-HOLLANDI& (White-fronted Heron). Math., Handl., No. 204. Gees 2/00; é Eyes yellowish-grey ; feet and tarsi olive-yellow; bill black, lores and base of upper mandible slate colour, base of lower grey. Stomach contained fragments of insects, one lizard, and a large quantity of grasshoppers and crickets, which were swallowed whole. NOTOPHOYX FLAVIROSTRIS (Pied Egret or Heron). Math., Handl., No. 206. SSS. 28/3/09. Eyes yellow ; feet and legs olive-yellow; bill yellow, lores and base of lower mandible slaty-brown. Stomachs contained grasshoppers. NycTICORAX CALEDONICUS (Night-Heron). Math., Handl., No. 210. 3. 5/12/08. 27/11/08: ia 20/5/00. Eyes yellow, lores and naked skin round eye yellowish-green ; feet and tarsi olive-yellow. Bill—g, upper and tip of lower mandible brown, basal # of lower mandible greenish-yellow ; 106 MatuHEws, On the Birds of North-West Australia. a 1st Oct. 3, upper and tip and cutting edge of lower mandible black, lower pale olive-green ; 2, tomium and culmen black, streak on side of upper and basal ? lower mandible greenish-grey. Stomachs contained small fish and beetles. DUPETOR GOULDI (Yellow-necked Mangrove-Bittern). Math., Handl., No. 214. Bc + 20/2/09: Eyes brown; feet and legs olive-brown; bill, culmen black, balance upper and tomium of lower mandible brown, balance of lower pale brown. Stomach contained fragments of insects and one dragon-fly. ANSERANAS SEMIPALMATA (Pied Goose). Math., Handl., No. 217. 6. - 1/2/09. (Parry’siCreek iN Wie Eyes brown ; feet and legs yellow; bill, distal + and distal 3 of cutting edge leaden-grey, balance reddish-brown, which turns to dull purple near the eye. Stomach contained a large quantity of grass seed; gullet was also packed full. NETTOPUS PULCHELLUS (Green Goose-Teal). Math., Handl., No. 218. 3. 14/3/09. Parry’s Creek, N.W.A. Oo) Ay 2/00: 3. 4/2/00. Eyes brown. Feet—<¢ 3, black, and tarsi black ; 9°, leaden-brown, also tarsi. Bill—¢3 3, black, with nail of upper mandible and band across lower mandible fleshy-white; 9, nail leaden-grey, upper mandible brown, lower pale brown. Stomachs contained seed and grit. DENDROCYGNA ARCUATA (Whistling-Duck). Math., Handl., No. 222. $364. One on 3rd February, 1909 ; two on 18th February, 1909. Eyes dark brown, eyelash blackish-brown ; feet and tarsi leaden- brown; bill black. Stomachs contained native millet seed, grass seed, and grit. DENDROCYGNA EYTONI (Plumed Whistling-Duck). Math., Handl., No. 223. 66-29... 3/2/09. Pays Crecleann Wom Eyes yellow, eyelash yellow; feet and legs flesh-colour. Buill— upper mandible black, with flesh-coloured bar near tip, and mottled same colour ; lower mandible flesh colour, spotted with black, tip brown. Stomachs contained seeds and grit. Vor | MATHEWS, On the Birds of North-West Australia. 107 TADORNA RUFITERGUM (White-headed Shieldrake). Math., Handl., No. 224. ay 2/2/09. Parry's\CreekeNGW. A: Eyes white, eyelash yellow; feet and tarsi white, tinged with flesh-colour ; bill white, with tinge of flesh-colour. Stomach contained grass seed, shell-fish, and grit. NETTION GIBBERIFRONS (Grey Teal). Math., Handl., No. 228. ems /2/09., Parry.s Creek. NW.A. Eyes reddish-brown; feet and tarsi leaden-brown; bill, nail black, upper mandible leaden-blue, lower mandible leaden-brown, with yellowish-white bar near tip. Stomach contained a little animal matter and some grit. AYTHYA AUSTRALIS (White-eyed Duck). Math., Handl., No. 234. $. 16/1/og. Parry's Greek, N.W.A. Eyes white ; feet and tarsi grey, all joints being blackish-brown ; bill, upper mandible black, with broad blue-grey band near tip, lower mandible brown. Stomach contained fragments of shell-fish, a few seeds, and a little grit. PHALACROCORAX SULCIROSTRIS (Little Black Cormorant). Math., Handl., No. 235. Ses. 20/1/00. Eyes green; feet and tarsi black; culmen black; tomium, all lower mandible, and gular pouch leaden-grey. The stomachs contained small catfish. PHALACROCORAX MELANOLEUCUS (Little Cormorant). Math., Handl., No. 241. eos. 3/2/00. Eyes greyish-white, eyelash white ; feet and tarsi black ; culmen brown, balance of bill and gular pouch and lores yellow. The stomachs of both the above were empty. CIRCUS GOULDI (Harrier). Math., Handl., No. 254. 3. 22/1/09. Eyes pale brown; feet and tarsi greyish-white; bill, distal 4 black, balance blue-grey ; cere olive-grey. The stomach contained two young Mirafra. ASTUR FASCIATUS (Goshawk). Math., Handl., No. 258. $$. Adult andimmature. 23/1/09. Eyes yellow ; feet and tarsi yellow ; bill black and blue-grey, cere dark olive-brown. The stomachs contained several small lizards, r08 Matuews, On the Birds of North-West Australia. oe HALIAETUS LEUCOGASTER (White-bellied Sea-Eagle). Math., Handl., No. 265. 3 4, adult. 39, immature. October, 1908. Eyes brown; feet and tarsi dirty-white; tip of lower and all upper mandible brown, cere leaden-brown, rest leaden-blue. The stomachs contained the remains of fish. HALIASTUR SPHENURUS (Whistling Eagle). Math., Handl., No. 267. O® 220/,1/00; ; Eyes brown; feet and tarsi white, tinged with blue ; bill brown. GYPOICTINIA MELANOSTERNUM (Black-breasted Buzzard). Math., Handl., No. 270. 2. 4/2/09. ae Eyes light greyish-brown; feet and tarsi greyish-white. Bill— upper and tip of lower mandible brown ; cere, lores, and balance of bill leaden-grey. The stomach contained grasshoppers. ELANUS AXILLARIS (Black-shouldered Kite). Math., Handl., No. 271. 3. 27/1/09. Eyes red ; feet and tarsi yellow ; bill black. The stomach contained the fragments of a lizard. FALCO LUNULATUs (Little Falcon). Math., Handl., No. 277. 2. 30/3/09. Eyes dark-brown ; feet and legs yellowish-green ; bill, tip black, base blue-grey. The stomach contained grasshoppers. HIERACIDEA BERIGORA (Striped Brown Hawk). Math., Handl., No. 278. 3. 18/3/09. Eyes brown; feet and tarsi leaden-grey; bill, tip blackish, balance blue-grey. NINOX OCCIDENTALIS (Western Winking-Owl). Math., Handl., No. 289. Gi. 2h. 27/10/08. is Eyes and feet yellow; bill, tip and distal } of cutting edge black, balance and cere pale olive-yellow. The stomachs contained a quantity of cockchafer and other beetles. TRICHOGLOSSUS RUBRITORQUES (Red-collared Lorikeet). Math., Handl., No. 303. O43 0/1/09. Weg Eyes red ; feet and tarsi olive-brown ; bill red. The stomach contained fragments of flowers. ees MatTHEws, On the Birds of North-West Australia. 10g CALYPTORHYNCHUS MACRORHYNCHUS (Great-billed Cockatoo). Math., Handl., No. 316. 3. 15/1/09. Eyes dark brown, eyelash black; feet and tarsi brown; bill slaty-brown. The stomach contained kernels of fruit-stones. CACATUA GYMNOPIS (Bare-eyed Cockatoo). Math., Handl., No. 322. Bue. 237 18/08. Iris brown; bare skin round eye leaden-blue; feet and _ tarsi brown ; bill greyish-white. The stomachs contained seeds and grit. PTISTES ERYTHROPTERUS (Red-winged Lory). Math., Handl., No. 331. 363629. Immature. January, I9g09. Eyes yellow-brown ; feet and tarsi olive-brown ; bill red. The stomachs contained seeds of berries. MELOPSITTACUS UNDULATUS (Warbling Grass-Parrakeet). Math., Hand., No. 372. 3. 6/4/09. | tae Iris white ; feet and tarsi leaden-blue ; bill olive-grey ; cere blue. The stomach and crop contained fine grass seed. PODARGUS PHAL2NOIDES (Fréckled Frogmouth). Math., Handl., No. 377. 2. 2/4/09. Eyes yellow ; feet and tarsi pale olive-brown ; bill pale brown. The stomach contained fragments of grasshoppers and beetles. EuRYSTOMUS PACIFICUS (Dollar-Bird). Math., Handl., No. 381. O25) 1/00. Eyes brown; feet and front of tarsi flesh-brown, back of tarsi red; genys and tomium red, balance of bill brown. The stomach contained fragments of insects. DACELO CERVINA (Fawn-breasted Kingfisher). Math., Handl., No. 388. A4a436 Immature. 23/1/09. Eyes grey; feet and tarsi olive-grey; bill, tomium and lower mandible white, upper mandible and base of lower blackish-brown. The stomachs contained a quantity of grasshoppers, CuUCULUS SATURATUS (Oriental Cuckoo). Math., Handl., No. 404. g- 20/1/00: IIO MatHeEws, On the Birds of North-West Australia. Be Eyes dark yellow, eyelash yellow; feet and tarsi yellow; bill. upper mandible and distal $ of tomium of lower black, balance of lower and base of upper olive-grey. The stomach contained some hairy caterpillars. CUCULUS INORNATUS (Pallid Cuckoo). Math., Handl., No. 405. 9. Immature. 23/1/09. Eyes brown ; feet and tarsi olive-brown ; upper mandible brown, lower olive-yellow. The stomach contained some hairy caterpillars. SCYTHROPS NOV#-HOLLANDI#& (Channelbill). Math., Handl., No. 416. 6a. 16/12/08: Eyes red; skin round eye, lores, ring round nostril, and line from nostril round lower mandible red; feet and tarsi leaden-grey ; culmen and sides of upper mandible pale brown, balance of bill mixture of grey and brown. The stomach contained several large grasshoppers. CENTROPUS PHASIANUS (Coucal). Math., Handl., No. 417. 999. Adult. 7/11/08. One immature. 3/3/09. Eyes light red ; feet and tarsi leaden-blue ; bill black. The stomachs contained caterpillars, grasshoppers, and cockchafer beetles. CINCLORHAMPHUS RUFESCENS (Rufous Song-Lark). Math., Handl., No. 539. 3. 14/3/09. Eyes brown ; feet and tarsi very pale brown ; bill. upper mandible brown, lower greyish-white. The stomach contained fragments of grasshoppers. ENTOMYZA ALBIPENNIS (White-quilled Honey-eater). Math., Handl., No. 815. 33. 23/1/09. Lee Eyes yellow ; bare skin olive-yellow ; feet and tarsi leaden-brown, tinged with olive ; bill, basal } olive-yellow, rest black. The stomachs contained a quantity of fig seeds. CHLAMYDODERA NUCHALIS (Great Bower-Bird). Math., Handl., No. 863. 3. 4/4/09. Rit | Eyes brown ; feet and tarsi olive-grey; bill brownish-black, tip brown. The stomach contained some cocoons, which were very tough and leathery, and which contained one grub each. Voki ] CrossmMAN, Birds Seen around Broome, N.W. Aust. i Eat 1g10 Birds Seen in and around Broome, North-Western Australia. (ADDITIONAL LIST.)* Be ALAN, bb CROSSMAN, Oris. 069Z-S.. MBO: Emu (Dromeus nove-hollandie).—Though I have not seen this bird myself, I have been informed of its occurrence near Broome, not very close to the town. BARRED-SHOULDERED DOVE (Geopelia humeralis)—I saw a bird of this species which had been caught in a trap at Cocoanut Well, about 2 miles from Broome. Marsu TERN (Hydrocheiidon hybrida).—Fairly common after the breeding season. LitTLE Quart (Turnix velox).—I have twice seen birds apparently belonging to this species. MASKED PLOVER (Lobivanellus miles).—I saw two pairs of these birds near Broome in October, 1909. GREY PLOVER (Squatarola helvetica)-—One shot on the beach near Broome during the October migration of 1909. LESSER GOLDEN PLOVER (Charadrius dominicus).—Obtained here on migration. LitTLE WHIMBREL (Mesoscolopax minutus)—Common during the spring and autumn migration. GREENSHANK (Glottis nebularius).—In swampy country, about 16 miles from Broome,-I saw a pair of birds which were apparently referable to this species. One was shot. SANDERLING (Calidvis avenaria).—One seen during the October migration. WHITE-HEADED STILT (Himantopus leucocephalus).—Not uncommon around pools on the plains after a heavy rainfall. LONG-BILLED STONE-PLOVER (Orthorhamphus magnirostris).—Seen on two occasions on the sea-shore. Waite Isis (Jb¢s molucca).—Plentiful during the rainy season. BLACK-NECKED STORK (Xenorhynchus asiaticus)—One seen near Broome in February, 1910. REEF-HERON (Demiegretta sacra)—Common along the coast. NiGHT-HERON (Nycticorax caledonicus)—Not uncommon in the mangrove thickets. Brack Duck (Anas superciliosa)—Common in the rainy season, LitTLE Black CoRMORANT (Phalacrocorax sulcivostvis).—Common on pools and swamps during the wet season. DarTER (Plotus nove-hollandi@).—Seen on one occasion in a man- grove swamp. SPARROW-HAwK (Accipiter civrhocephalus).—Not uncommon in the Pindan country. LETTER-WINGED Kite (Elanus scriptus).—Not uncommon. * Continued from vol. ix., page 148. II2 CrossMAN, Birds Seen avound Broome, N.W. Aust. Bass? LittLE Fatcon (Falco lunulatus).—I have identified this species on one or two occasions. Boosook Owt (Ninox boobook).—I saw an old bird which had been shot, and some young birds which had been taken from a nest, in the Pindan country, a few miles from Broome. : MaAsKED Owt (Séivix nove-hollandi@).—One seen in timber country in broad daylight. GREAT-BILLED CocKAToo (Calyptorhynchus macrorhynchus) —I saw two birds apparently referable to this species about 20 miles from Broome. RED-WINGED Lory (Ptistes erythropterus).—Not uncommon at times. ROLLER (Eurystomus pacificus)—Common about October, and apparently remaining to nest, as I saw a pair of young birds in a cage at Broome. Forest KINGFISHER (Halcyon macleayi)—Seen on _ several occasions in the Pindan country. WHITE-RUMPED Swirt (Cypselus pacificus).—Plentiful at intervals during the summer. CoucaL (Centropus phasianus).—This_ bird, locally known as the North-west Pheasant, is not uncommon in the scrub country. It can often be seen in the early morning and just before dusk sitting on a tree uttering a sort of booming note. Hoovep Rosin (Petreca bicolor).—Common. YELLOW-TINTED TREE-Tit (Smicrornis flavescens).—This bird may often be heard uttering its small, but not unpleasing, song in the timbered country. RESTLESS FLYCATCHER (Sisura inguieta).—Not uncommon. Brown SonG-LARK (Cinclorhamphus cruralis)—Common on the plains. GRaAss-WARBLER (Cisticola exilis).—I have seen a bird on several occasions on the plains apparently referable to this species. RED-BACKED WREN (Malurus cruentatus).—Common. MaGpiE-LarkK (Grallina picata).—Not uncommon. NORTHERN THICKHEAD (Pachycephala falcata).—Not uncommon in the timbered country. BLACK-CAPPED TREE-RUNNER (Neositta pileata).—Common in Pindan country. BLACK-TAILED TREE-CREEPER (Climacteris melanuva).—Common. BANDED HONEY-EATER (Myzomela pectorvalis).—Identified on one occasion at least. GOLDEN-BACKED HONEY-EATER (WMelithreptus letior).i—Seen on several occasions in the scrub country. It utters a somewhat loud note. RED-THROATED HONEY-EATER (Conopophila rufigularis).—Common. Prpit (Anthus australis).—Common. MrittiGAN BusH-LarK (Mivafra milligani).—Very common on the plains. This species sings at night, and has a peculiar soaring flight when flushed suddenly. Vol, -X. 1910 |] Crossman, Birds Seen around Broome, N.W. Aust. Ti13 CHESTNUT-EARED Fincu (Teniopygia castanotis).—Common, BANDED FINCH (Stictoptera bichenovii).—Identified once. LONG-TAILED Fincu (Poephila acuticauda).—Seen occasionally in the Pindan. MASKED FINcH (Poephila personata).—Occasionally seen. Crimson Fincu (Neochmia phaeton).—Seen in hundreds during the winter months. GREAT BowWER-BirD (Chlamydodera nuchalis).—Fairly plentiful in the scrub country. This bird has a habit of perching at the top of a tree, uttering a very harsh note, and bringing its tail right forward underneath, but in front of, the bough. I have seen but one bower, which was paved chiefly with cockle shells. Crow (Corvus coronoides).—Seldom seen round Broome, but common at Streeter’s station, about 18 miles out. Notes on Pardalotes. By L. G. CHANDLER, MALVERN (VIC.) (Read before the Bird Observers’ Club, 24th February, 1910.) From the cabinet worker’s point of view, birds that undergo varying changes between immature and adult plumage have a greater interest than those that take on the garb of the mature bird while still in the nest. Pardalotes vary in their plumage to a marked degree. The Spotted Pardalote (Pardalotus punctatus) is a common form in the vicinity of the Dandenong Ranges (Vic.) When wandering through the bush you may hear their peculiar call at almost any time of the day. This call consists of two notes, the second note a trifle lower than the first. There are other calls. I have found the nesting-tunnel of this Pardalote in many places—in the earth, at the base of an uprooted tree ; on flat ground, following the course of a decayed root ;' in the side of a furrow in ploughed land ; again, in the bank of a creek, and lately in a tree-hollow. I think any of the Pardalotes will choose either the ground or a tree as a nesting site. Before Mr. F. E. Wilson and I noticed this unusual occurrence at Frankston on the 28th November last, I believe the nesting of P. punctatus in trees had not been recorded, although possibly observed. I think it probable that they choose the trees as nesting sites as often as any other members of the genus. My companion was passing a tree, and, on giving it an inquiring thump with a tomahawk, out darted a tiny bird from a hollow about g feet up the trunk. After some hard chopping the nest was revealed. A single glance showed us that the owners were a pair of P. punctatus. Two feathers from the breast of the bird were woven into the lining. The nest con- tained three young ones, about a day old. Presently the parent bird appeared with food in its bill, and the identity was complete. Emu > ist Oct. LIA CHANDLER, Notes on Pardalotes. The banks of Cardinia Creek, Beaconsfield, offer ideal nesting sites for this species. Being of a loose, sandy nature, the earth is especially suitable for them to tunnel in. The material used in building is the bark of certain gum-trees (Eucalyptus). Any noise in the vicinity of the nesting-tunnel will quickly bring the bird out, should it be sitting on its eggs. In many cases it would be impossible to detect the tiny burrow, which, on an average, is little more than 14 inches in diameter, were it not for the bird betraying it in this manner. A few nests noticed in the banks of Cardinia Creek were hidden by clustering maiden-hair fern, which formed a natural doorway. A nest observed in a sandy bank at Frankston contained a healthy young one about a week old and the dried skeletons of two others. A close examination of the nest failed to reveal the cause of the nestlings’ death. Messrs. C. Barrett and E. B. Nicholls cite a similar case * :—“‘ On opening up one of the tunnels we found five nestlings. Three of these were dead, being half-eaten by the larvee of some species of dip- terous fly of the genus Calliphora.”’ These notes are interesting. That young birds of different species are sometimes attacked by dipterous larve in the nest has, I think, been noted by several observers. A burrow may be used for two or more consecutive seasons, for I have found a fresh nest built on the decayed remains of an old one. It contained the unusual number of five eggs. In a bank where the earth is hard a slight ridge is often noticed in the centre of the tunnel, near the entrance. This has been raised by the bird when expelling the soil with its feet. If the birds are not in the vicinity, this sign is sufficient to show that the burrow is, or has been, tenanted by a Pardalote. Both sexes assist in the construction of the nest and the work of incubation. In the task of feeding the offspring each takes an equal share. In the month of December a number of young birds may be seen following their parents, uttering a faint, piping whistle. At the same time nests building, or containing fresh eggs, are observed. The young of this species is born naked and blind. At a week old the gape is cream; bill horn colour; frontal quills not yet broken ; crown yellowish-buff, with black tips ; upper tail coverts and rump buff; tail black, with two white spots on central quills ; two outer quills white,with black bases ; primaries black, tipped with white ; secondaries black, with white spots, and tipped with white ; throat pale buff; sides of chest and abdomen very pale buff; feet bluish-grey ; irides brown. I have been unsuccessful in finding nestlings in a more advanced stage than the latter. Pardalotus assimilis—This is a common form in the Frankston district, and it is there principally that the following notes have been collected. In open forest country P. assimilis is certain to be in evidence, and often in the thickly-timbered localities; but the birds show a preference for open gum (Eucalyptus) country. One * Victorian Naturalist, vol. xxi., p. 164. Vol. X. ] oie CHANDLER, Notes on Pardalotes. II5 observer writes * :—‘‘ The bird does not stay to winter in its breeding haunt, and is away long before sure signs of the coming fall are generally noticeable.” My observations have been the reverse of this. During the winter months I have seen flocks of a dozen or more of this species at various times and in different localities. Like many other so-called.migratory birds, this species leads a nomadic existence, future movements, after the termina- tion of the breeding season, depending entirely on the food supply. At Bayswater, in March, 1go9, I saw a flock composed of many dozens. Two specimens that I secured were immature birds, just assuming the adult plumage. They would probably be about five months old. They were noisy, and were giving a trisyllabic note resembling “‘ Wit-e-lu.”’ I think it is the immature birds that give this call. In April I have seen small companies at Frankston, and on two occasions a pair of birds was observed. On 7th June, at Olinda (Vic.), a noisy flock of P. assimilis was seen traversing the tree-tops.. In the Frankston district, on roth July, 1909, I saw a partial albino in company with half-a-dozen birds of normal plumage. The centre of the head was pure white, and the lores and eyebrow of a fawn colour. The shoulders were a dirty white, and the remainder of the plumage much paler than usual. The wing markings appeared identical with the ordinary plumage of P. assimilts. Like many birds that are habitually noisy throughout the breeding season, this species is remarkably quiet during the colder months of the year. This habit would make them easily overlooked by those who infer that the birds are migratory. In July and August I have not heard them give other than a sweet “‘ trill’ note, which, however, can be heard a fair distance away. I consider this call to be the one used when a mate is being sought. On one occasion I blocked the entrance to a nest containing young, and retired a short distance to watch. The parent birds presently appeared with food in their bills. One of them flew to the nest entrance, and, finding it blocked, fluttered in front for a few seconds, then quickly returned to its former position. “The other flew down, with the same result. Both commenced calling persistently ‘‘ Will- ju, will-ju.”’ Occasionally one would fly down; but some time elapsed before they ventured to perch for a few seconds at the nest entrance. It was distinctly noticeable that when the birds were hovering or settled near the nest they emitted the “ trill’’ call, and while away from it they gave the usual double-syllabic note. I judge from my observation that this note is the one generally used as a call note. This species apparently congregates about February or March, and in July and August commences to pair off for the breeding season. Working actively from bough to bough in search of provender, they do not stay long in the one tree, but when two or three birds fly further afield the remainder quickly follow. They * Victorian Naturalist, vol, xvii., p. 21. Emu 1Stw Oct. I16 CHANDLER, Notes on Pardalotes. appear to live on the scale-insects that infest eucalypt leaves, and on a still, calm day, if feeding in sapling growth, the “ tap, tap ”’ of their bills on the leaves can be plainly heard. In July numbers of solitary birds were seen. They were flying in a lost manner, and occasionally settled on a dead limb of a high tree and emitted the ‘‘trill’’ note. This note is often heard while the bird is on the wing. About the end of July the birds are frequently seen in pairs, but it is well towards the end of October before they commence serious building preparations. At times I have noticed three birds in company—the third, apparently, the vanquished male. The wing-beats of this bird are rapid. At irregular intervals it describes a short quadrant in its flight ; sometimes this quadrant is a little more extended on a downward grade. This character- istic flight, together with certain notes that are uttered, render the species easily recognizable on the wing. Both sexes attend to the wants of the young ones. The nest may be placed in a tree-hollow or in a tunnel in the ground. Before the site for thé nest has been chosen, and while building operations are in progress, both sexes are very noisy, and thus help to betray the whereabouts of their nesting-tunnel. Both sexes assist in the work of excavation, but I have only seen one bird (presumably the female) carrying in rootlets for the nest. On one occasion the two birds were seen to enter the tunnel—one with nesting material, the other without. They remained out of sight several minutes. I have no doubt that both sexes assist in collecting the material and building the nest. At one place, where I saw a pair of birds about a bank, I made a few excavations with a stick, and on a subsequent visit found that one of my clumsily made tunnels had been neatly extended. My friend, Mr. F. E. Wilson, saw a bird on one occasion building its nest in a hollow log lying on the ground. The favoured situation is In a perpendicular sandy bank. Where a road has been cut through a sandy ridge, and the Pardalotes are noisy during the breeding season, one is certain to find the nesting-tunnel. They prefer a place where the sand has been freshly disturbed, for only on rare occasions have I noticed a nest in an old, discoloured bank. There are several of these cuttings around Frankston where this species breeds every year. In one small bank four or five pairs of birds had their nests. The burrows had been tunnelled with a slight upward tendency, and the nests were found about 15 to 18 inches from the opening; the latter would be about 14 to 1? inches in diameter. Nests built in trees are, in the majority of cases, placed in the bole, though sometimes a convenient spout is made use of. How the birds manage to enlarge a chamber in semi-decayed wood is a mystery. In some instances they do not succeed too well, hence a nest formed in a tree is often smaller and not so symmetrical as one built in a bank. The average height of the nest from the ground appears to be from 12 to 15 feet. A typical skin of P. assimilis has the third primary only edged with white, but specimens are obtained occasionally with the — Vol. X. 1910 CHANDLER, Notes on Pardalotes. E17 third and fourth primaries showing white edges. One skin in my possession has the third and fourth primaries boldly fringed with white, the fifth primary is faintly edged for a quarter of its length, and the sixth primary shows about one-sixteenth of an inch of white. I believe this bird to be the result of interbreeding between P. ornatus and P. assimilis. A close study of these birds will probably prove that they frequently interbreed. On the 28th November, 1909, at Frankston, Mr. F. E. Wilson and myself identified these two birds cross-breeding. A Pardalote’s nest was found in the earth, at the base of an uprooted tree. This tree was growing on the side of a bank, so the nesting-tunnel was really about ro feet above the level of the ground. The nest was fully 2 feet in the soil. The eggs looked much smaller than usual, and two feathers were woven into the lining of the nest, which was composed principally of strips of red stringy-bark (Eucalyptus) and a few dried grasses. As this was the first occasion on which we had noticed feathers in a nest of P. assimilis, and knowing that P. ornatus is said to use feathers in the lining of its nest, we were anxious to examine the birds closely before we quitted the spot. An opportunity soon occurred, for both birds settled on some exposed tree-roots a few feet away. One was, without doubt, P. ornatus, from the broad, white patch on the primaries, and the other P. assimilis, with the third primary only edged white. I visited the locality a fortnight later, in the hope of finding the birds nesting again, but they had deserted the spot, probably to nest in the trees. The material used in the construction of nests varies to a large extent. Nests in trees are constructed generally of grasses and bark, while those in the earth are usually composed of rootlets and root fibre. One nest I found in sheoak (Casuarina) country was composed almost entirely of the “ needles’’ of that tree, with a few grasses and bits of bark added. I have examined a fresh nest built on the remains of an old one, so that, like P. punctatus, this species sometimes uses the same tunnel for two or more seasons. The average clutch of eggs is four, but I have oc- casionally noticed five. When fresh the eggs have very little gloss on them, and are a_ beautiful pink in colour. As incubation advances the shell gets smooth and glossy, and darker in appearance. The birds sit closely, and often will allow one to excavate the tunnel right up to the nest before they leave the eggs. I believe this is due to their timorous nature. The young of this species is born naked and blind, and the body is then of a delicate pink in colour, wings and feet pale cream, gape sulphur-yellow. When two or three days old the head is covered with a grey down, and on the back and flanks a mixture of grey and white, gape pale yellow, mouth saffron. When about a week old the primary quills were nearly an inch in length, with the feathers just unfurling; primary coverts showing red feathers at tips through blue quills; middle of back and head, brownish feathers just breaking; tail half an inch long; throat yellow ; flanks tawny; a row of:feathers on* sides of_ abdomen Emu tst Oct. 118 CHANDLER, Notes on Pardalotes. cream; irides dark brown; bill greenish-black; gape cream ; mouth orange. ; Three immature skins in my possession show the following phases of plumage :—(a, about six weeks old) head pale yellow, narrowly centred with creamy-white on crown ; base of feathers dusky-grey; lores light orange; brows creamy; throat pale yellow ; first primary faintly edged with white ; third and fourth primaries boldly edged with white; speculum orange-red ; bill blackish ; legs and feet neutral tint; gape pale yellow; irides dark brown. (b) This specimen is just changing from immature to adult plumage. Two black feathers, centred with white, have appeared among the yellowish feathers on the head. Lores pale yellow ; eyebrows creamy-yellow ; first primary faintly edged with dirty white ; third primary white ; speculum orange-red. (c) This specimen is evidently a little older than the preceding one, The head is assuming the black of the adult bird, and a number of the striated feathers have appeared. The lores are yellow and the eyebrows white; very faint fringe of light buff on first primary ; third primary white ; speculum orange-red. This skin is of special value, for an examination of the head reveals the fact that the change of plumage is brought about by an alteration of colour in the feathers as well as by moult. The yellow feathers on the head of the younger specimen are here superseded by grey ones. Some of the feathers on the forehead have reached the black hue of the mature bird, while others are in intermediate stages of dusky-grey. It is interesting to notice that, although the feathers on the fore- head and eyebrows reach the adult stage of plumage by a change in colour, the striated feathers on the crown are produced by moult. This is obvious from a few young quills showing beneath the feathers in specimen (>). The yellow feathers on the throat are moulting, but their successors are pale when compared with the rich colour of the adult bird. Bird-Life on Sandy Creek, Riverina, New South Wales. By CHARLES GUBANYI. PART J.—AUTUMN AND WINTER. ALONG the main Southern railway line of New South Wales, between the Murrumbidgee and the Upper Murray Rivers, stretches a slightly undulating, rich agricultural country—the Riverina. In its original state the eastern part of the district was fairly heavily timbered, grey box, red gum, and cypress-pines being the principal trees on the plains, while the hillsides and granitic ridges supported ironbarks, red and white stringybarks, and other eucalypts. The advent of wheat-growing on a large scale, and the general change from grazing to intensive cultivation, caused on great areas the disappearance of the timber. The transformation of the Vol. %. | GuBanyl, Bird-Life on Sandy Creek, Riverina, N.S.W. 11g IgIo general aspect of the country is remarkable, but far from being completed. As a matter of fact, only recently hundreds of thousands of acres of more or less heavily timbered Riverina land were subdivided and opened up for closer settlement, cut into small farms, and cleared for wheat-growing. The country round Sandy Creek is one part of those newly sub- divided territories, lying about 15 miles to the south of the Murrum- bidgee, near Wagga Wagga. On and round here (Sandy Creek) ringbarking, clearing, burning-off, and general preparation of the soil for intensive cultivation is still going on. It is certain that the new conditions will in many ways influence the bird-life, and very probably some interesting changes may be expected. The following list is of the birds observed between 1st March and ast July, 1910 :— YELLOW-RUMPED Tit (Acanthiza chrysorrhoa).—This useful little bird keeps company with us all the year round, destroying a great quantity of insects in the garden or round the farm-yard. Pipit (Anthus australis).—Fairly plentiful in this district, and spends autumn and winter in or near the garden. As soon as the soil is worked the Pipits are following the cultivators, looking for grubs and larve exposed. Woov-SwaLLow (Artamus sovdidus)—This bird is very common in our district, frequenting the timbered belt of the creek all the summer round ; but during March and April small flocks are paying frequent visits to the orchards, feeding on insects, especially locusts. These Wood-Swallows leave the district at or about the end of May, but August brings them back again. SPARROW-HaAWK (Accipiter civrhocephalus)—Very often seen at all seasons. Not considered an enemy by the farmers. MacpIE-Lark (Grallina picata).—Seen all over the country at all seasons ; but during autumn the farm-yard and the garden are its favourite hunting-grounds. It feeds chiefly on insects, but occasionally picks up seeds and grains. The poisoned wheat laid out in the garden for the destruction of Sparrows frequently brings about the death of this useful and graceful bird. BLuE WrREN (Malurus cyaneus).—A rare visitor. Sometimes in April or May it puts in its appearance for a sunny afternoon, chasing the insects from the garden fence ; then it is clad in grey. BLACK-AND-WHITE FantaiL (Rhipidura tricolor). — This graceful little bird is our most faithful companion all the year round. After the breeding season they keep constantly busy near the house and garden, uttering their various gay little notes from early morning till sunset. RESTLESS FLYCATCHER (Stsuva tnquieta).—Invariably seen round the garden in autumn. SCARLET-BREASTED Rosin (Petreca leggei)—This species is only a welcome visitor on the cultivated plains. During May and June it is frequently seen in small flocks. RED-CAPPED Ropin (Pelyv@ca goodenovit).— This species is much smaller than P. /eggez, and it is only occasionally seen during the late autumn days. 120 Gusanyi, Bird-Life on Sandy Creek, Riverina,N.S.W. [PG cr, HoopepD Rosin (Petreca bicolor).—Frequently seen with the flock of P. legget. Farry Martin (Petrochelidon ariel)—The Martins’ mud nests are numerous along the clay-banks of the creek. The birds leave our district about the end of April, but the early spring brings them back again. HousE-SWALLow (Hivundo neoxena).—Our Swallows are faithful to us all the year round. In June and July they have rather a quiet time, frequently spending 15 hours a day under the verandah roof. BROWN TREE-CREEPER (Climacteris scandens).—The shrill and piping cry of C. scandens is heard at all seasons along the timbered line of the creek. A fairly common species. WHITE-WINGED CHOUGH (Corcovax melanorhamphus).—Often seen in small flocks—up to 12 birds. In the present state of the country these birds are rather useful ; but the settlers who plant look upon them with a certain amount of suspicion. Crow (Corvus coronoides).—The loud cry of the Crow is to be heard here all the year round. The sheep-owner regards the species as his worst enemy. RAVEN (Corvus australis)—Note on previous species applies to the Raven. BuTCHER-BiIRD (Cracticus destructoy)—The gay and musical note of the Butcher-Bird is heard during autumn and winter. GREAT BROowN KINGFISHER (Dacelo gigas).—This useful bird is very well distributed all over the country ; frequents the large eucalypts along the creek. BLACK-BACKED MAGPIE (Gymnorhina tibicen).—Very common, and well protected by the law and by the sympathy of the farmers. WHISTLING EAGLE (Haliastur sphenurus).—A frequent visitor during autumn and winter, circling in pairs above the open country. Brown Hawk (Hieracidea orientalis).—Frequently seen perching on the highest dry branches of the ringbarked trees. Notsy MINER (Myzantha garrula)—A very common bird in this district, keeping near the high eucalypts along the creek and the main roads. WHITE-BROWED BABBLER (Pomatorhinus superciliosus).—These agile birds are with us at all seasons. They wholly enjoy the farmers’ and orchardists’ goodwill and protection. GREY JUMPER (Struthidea cinerea)—Common. Musk-LorRIKEET (Glossopsittacus concinnus), LITTLE LORIKEET (Glossopsittacus pusillus), ROosELLA (Platycercus eximius), YELLOW- BELLIED PARRAKEET (Platycercus flaviventris)—All these species are fairly abundant. Boospook Owt (Ninox boobook).—Apparently well distributed all over the country. Tawny Frocmouts (Podargus strigoides).—Call often heard. BLACK-FRONTED DotTTrReL (4gialitis melanops).— From March till July we have invariably a small flock of this Dottrel on fields, fallowed lands, and cultivation paddocks. ek x. | GuBaNnyI, Bird-Life on Sandy Creek, Riverina, N.'S.W. 121 IgIo WHITE CocKaToo (Cacatua galerita).—These Cockatoos are only seen in the open country during June and July, when they arrive in great flocks, numbering many thousand birds. They frequent the fallowed lands in search of ants’ eggs and the cultivated paddocks in search of wheat. ° ROSE-BREASTED COCKATOO (Cacatua rvoseicapilla).— Unlike the White Cockatoos, these birds are to be seen all the year round. They prefer to keep and look for food in pairs, but in autumn they are frequently seen in considerable flocks. The Galah is not looked upon as a harmful bird. STRAW-NECKED IpBis (Carphibis spinicollis)—In early autumn the Ibises are frequently seen on our fields looking for insects, especially grasshoppers. They enjoy absolute protection in New South Wales, as far as the law goes ; but, in spite of the protection, the pot-hunters shoot them. WatTTLE-Birp (Acanthochera cavunculata).—These interesting birds are only occasionally seen here for a few hours, in flocks numbering up to 20. This year the last flock was observed on Ist June. SPINE-TAILED SwiFt (Chetura caudacuta).—On 15th March, about 4 p.m., after a heavy rain, I saw some Swifts flying north. The main’ flock was followed by a somewhat scattered rear-guard, and it took about five minutes for the whole body to pass over. Notes on the Birds Seen around Inglenook, Merriman’s | Creek, South Gippsland.* By ArtTHuUR P. INGLE, A.O.U. WEDGE-TAILED EaGLe (Uroaétus audax, Lath.)—This noble bird was numerous until three years ago, since when they have almost entirely disappeared. This disappearance is almost entirely due to the poison- ing of carcasses of sheep, and to vandal sportsmen (?). Personally, I think that within a very short space of time the species will become extinct. WHISTLING EAGLE (Haliastur sphenurus, Vigors).— This Eagle is only a visitor. It generally appears in very dry autumns ; sometimes as many as 11 birds have been seen circling over a dead beast. LittLe Fatcon (Falco lunulatus, Lath.)—Only on one occasion have I seen this Falcon ; the bird was being worried by a pair of Kestrels (C. cenchroides). KESTREL (Cerchneis cenchroides, Vig. and Hors.)—Generally returns to this district in August. The female lays sometimes as many as five eggs to the clutch. The birds leave before the end of March. GouLp’s HArRRIER (Circus gouldi, Bonaparte).—This Hawk is fre- quently seen about here. It breeds in the neighbouring swamps, and occasionally raids the poultry yard. Wuite Gosnawk (Astur nove-hollandie, Gmelin).—A single speci- men was seen, which proved to be an immature male. * Nomenclature according to Hall’s ‘‘ Key.” 122 INGLE, Birds of Merriman’s Creek, South Gippsland. [ mye 1st GosHAwk (Astur approximans, Vig. and Hors.)—This is the most familiar Hawk of the district. I have frequently found nests, con- taining sometimes four eggs, but three seems to be the usual clutch. SpaRRoW-Hawk (Accipiter civrhocephalus, Vieill.)—Occasionally seen. One nest was noted some four years ago ; it contained three eggs, which were taken. Since then I have not known them to breed here. Boosook Owt (Ninox boobook, Lath.)—Frequently heard calling at night, and often flushed from cover. Several nests have been seen ; one, from which I secured a clutch of three eggs, was in a gum on the steep side of a hill, and overhanging Merriman’s Creek. The height from the ground was 8o feet. GREY CROW-SHRIKE (Strepeva cuneicaudata, Vieill.) — These birds are very plentiful at times, but generally all disappear at the approach of the breeding season. Only one nest has been seen in this district. WHITE-WINGED CHOUGH (Corcorax melanorhamphus, Vieill.) — Frequently seen in flocks of from 6 to 12; they breed freely. One nest I noted was composed of cattle droppings ; this was owing to the scarcity of mud. ORIOLE (Orviolus viridis, Lath.)—Plentiful. Usually appear late in August, breed till the close of January, and leave before the end of April. Maapir-Lark (Grallina picata, Lath.)—Very plentiful. Flocks are often seen after the breeding season, when some individuals fall an easy prey to the Goshawk (4. approximans). GREY SHRIKE-THRUSH (Collyriocincla harmonica, Lath.)—This Thrush is the most common in the district. BLACK-FACED CUCKOO-SHRIKE (Gvaucalus melanops, Lathe plentiful, arriving in August, breeding from October to January, and leaving before the end of April. CATERPILLAR-EATER (Edoliisoma tenutvostre, Jardine).—This species arrives in the beginning of October. It is fairly plentiful. Several nests noted on 29th of November and the 9th and 1oth of December, 1909. The birds leave before the end of March. WHITE-SHOULDERED CATERPILLAR-EATER (Lalage tricolor, Swainson). —During the spring of 1908 two pairs arrived here. The nest of one pair was discovered, and contained three fresh eggs, on the 6th of January. This is the only instance in which I have known L. tricolor to come so far south. Brown FiycatcHer (Micreca fascinans, Lath.)—Extremely plenti- ful, and is found breeding everywhere. I have found the nest placed 3 feet from the ground and as high as 40 feet. SCARLET-BREASTED ROBIN (Petreca legget, Sharpe).—This species is numerous, and found breeding in the heavily-timbered lands. FLAME-BREASTED. Rosin (Petv@ca phaenicea, Gould).—This Robin arrives about the middle of March, the females coming a few weeks before the males. I have never known any to stay later than the 30th of September. Hoovep Rosin (Petreca bicolor, Vig. and Hors.)—Not very plenti- ful ; odd pairs scattered over the open country, where they breed in old stumps. ee INGLE, Birds of Merriman’s Creek, South Gippsland. 123 1910 BiuE WREN (Malurus cyaneus, Ellis)—Very plentiful everywhere, and breeds in great numbers. Frequently victimized by Chalcococcyx basalis, Hors. WHITE-SHAFTED FANTAIL (Rhipidura albiscapa, Gould).—Common along all creeks and gullies ; many nests are noted every season. Rurous FAntaiL (Rhipidura rufifrons, Lath.)—This species is only an occasional visitor, arriving usually in the autumn. BLACK-AND-WHITE FANTAIL (hipidura tricolor, Vieill.)—Very plenti- ful, and breeds freely. RESTLESS FLYCATCHER (Sitsurva inquieta, Lath.)—A few pairs arrive here in the beginning of October ; they breed and leave before the roth of January. REED-WARBLER (Acrocephalus australis, Gould).—Plentiful in the reeds growing in Merriman’s Creek. One nest I noticed placed in a tea-tree contained fresh eggs and was 4 feet from the ground. MounrtTAIN-THRUSH (Geocichla lunulata, Lath.)—Not very plentiful, owing to their breeding grounds being almost all cleared and burnt off. SATIN BowER-BirpD (Ptilonorhynchus violaceus, Vieill.)—Not plenti- ful ; only one nest has been seen, in a thick patch of gums growing on a main road, and placed 35 feet from the ground. Emu-WREN (Stiipiturus malachurus, Lath.)—This Wren is becoming rare. Some years ago I knew of scrubs that were alive with them ; now only a pair or two remain. GrRaASS-WARBLER (Cisticola exilis, Vig. and Hors.)—Only twice have I known this bird to arrive here. In both cases nests were built on a rough grassy flat. Little Tit (Acanthiza nana, Vig. and Hors.)—Found only in limited numbers. It remains the whole winter, and frequents the open country studded with casuarinas and odd peppermint gums. Brown Tit (Acanthiza pusilla, Lath.)—This Acanthiza is numerous, and nests along every creek and gully. STRIATED Tit (Acanthiza lineata, Gould).—Very common. Numbers of nests are seen every year. Sometimes found fostering the young of Chalcococcyx plagosus. BUFF-RUMPED Tit (Acanthiza veguloides, Vig. and Hors.)—Nearly as common as A. chrysorrhoa. I have in my possession a clutch of eggs with an egg of Chalcococcyx basalts. YELLOW-RUMPED Tit (Acanthiza chrysorrhoa, Quoy and Gaim.)—The common Acanthiza of this district. Hundreds of nests are seen every year ; some contain the egg of Chalcococcyx plagosus. WHITE-BROWED SCRUB-WREN (Sericornis frontalis, Vig. and Hors.) —Common. Numbers of nests containing eggs are found each season ; sometimes an egg of Cacomantis flabelliformis is found with those of the Scrub-Wrens. SPOTTED BABBLING-THRUSH (Cinclosoma punctatum, Lath.)—Not common. A few pairs are known to frequent the rough country, but the species is gradually becoming rarer. CHESTNUT-RUMPED GROUND-WREN (Hylacola pyrrhopygia, Vig. and Hors.)—Rarely seen now. During the spring of 1909 I searched, but only succeeded in seeing a single specimen. I24 INGLE, Birds of Merriman’s Creek, South Gippsland. Br 2 CoACHWHIP-BirD (Psophodes crepitans, Vig. and Hors.)—Only two pairs of this bird are known to me. They bred in their usual haunt during the spring of 1909. WHITE-FRONTED CuHat (Ephthianura albifrons, Jard. and Selby).— Common in the open country, where they breed freely. WHITE-BACKED MAGPIE (Gymnorhina leuconota, Gould).—Far from uncommon. Large flocks patrol the open country. ButTcHER-BirpD (Cracticus destructor, Temm.)—Common, and breeds freely ; as many as five eggs to the clutch. YELLOW-BELLIED SHRIKE-Tir (Falcunculus frontatus, Lath.) — Rather scarce. A few pairs were found nesting in eucalypts, at the summits of the trees. WHITE-THROATED THICKHEAD (Pachycephala gutturalis, Lath.) — Fairly plentiful in the scrubs. Many nests are seen each season. }x* 5 RUFOUS-BREASTED THICKHEAD (Pachycephala rufigularis, Gould).— Arrives here in numbers during September, breeds freely, and departs about the middle of March. WHITE-THROATED TREE-CREEPER (Climacteris leucophea, Lath.)— Breeds freely. ORANGE-WINGED TREE-RUNNER (Sittella chrysoptera, Lath.) — Not common. In winter small flocks, generally numbering 10, frequent the open country where casuarinas are abundant. SPINE-BILLED HONEY-EATER (Acanthorhynchus tenuirostris, Lath.)}— Common, although nests are not often seen, probably owing to the birds’ habit of placing it in the top of a dense tea-tree. The clutch seems to be composed invariably of two eggs. SILVER-EYE (Zosterops cevulescens, Lath.)—Very common, especially during the autumn months. Only a few breed in the district. LUNULATED HONEY-EATER (Melithreptus lunulatus, Shaw).—Plenti- ful along the creeks or round swamps, providing there is a good supply of eucalypts. BROWN-HEADED HONEY-EATER (Melithreptus brevivostris, Vig. and Hors.)—Seen mostly during midwinter. I have known odd individuals to stay through the breeding season, but have seen no nests or young. WARTY-FACED HONEY-EATER (Meliphaga phrygia, Lath.) — An occasional visitor. YELLOW-FACED HONEY-EATER (Pitilotis chrysops, Lath.) — The common Honey-eater of the district. Arrives during August, starts to breed early in October, and is gone by the middle of May. WHITE-EARED HONEY-EATER (Ptilotis Jleucotis, Lath.) — Fairly numerous, though not nearly so many now as there were about three years ago. CRESCENT HONEY-EATER (Meliornis australasiana, Shaw).—Common. Breeds early in August and September, and disappears before December, returning about March. NEw HoLtitanp HONEY-EATER (Meliornis nove-hollandia, Lath.)— This species only visits the district occasionally. One season a pair remained, and I found their nest, containing eggs. BELL MINER (Manorhina melanophrys, Lath.)—Several colonies of wos aa INGLE, Birds of Merriman’s Creek, South Gippsland. I25 IgIo these birds are known to me. They breed freely during September and October. Noisy MINER (Manorhina garrula, Lath.)—Very plentiful. Breeds in great numbers. RED WATTLE-BiRD (Acanthochera carunculata, Lath.) — Common everywhere. BrusH WaAtTTLeE-BirD (Acanthochera mellivora, Lath.)—A few pairs visit us during the breeding season ; two nests have been noted. On 13th of January, 1910, I saw a pair feeding a young Pallid Cuckoo, which they had evidently hatched. FrrIAR-Birp (Philemon corniculatus, Lath.)—Numbers arrive during September, and breed ; they all disappear before the end of March. MISTLETOE-BiRD (Diceum hirundinaceum, Shaw). — Breeds in numbers during November and December. ALLIED PARDALOTE (Pardalotus assimilis, Ramsay).—Plentiful. In the winter months great flocks are seen searching the eucalypts for scale-insects. SPOTTED PARDALOTE (Pardalotus punctatus, Temm.)—Common, and nests freely. As many as five eggs to the clutch noted. I have found the nest in a hollow log and in the heart of a green peppermint gum. HousE-SWALLow (Hirundo neoxena, Gould).—Very common. TREE-MARTIN (Petrochelidon nigricans, Vieill.) — Great numbers arrive in August ; they breed freely, and leave during March. Pipit (Anthus australis, Vig. and Hors.)—Very plentiful in the open country. WHITE-BROWED WoOoD-SWALLOW (Artamus superciliosus, Gould).— Seen in numbers during some seasons ; other years none appear. Woop-SwaLLow (Artamus sordidus, Lath.) — Breeds in numbers every spring. RED-BROWED FIncH (42gintha temporalis, Lath.)—Plentiful, nesting along the creeks. Victoria LyrE-Birp (Menura victovie, Gould).—A few odd birds stray down from their breeding grounds among the hills of Carrajung, some 30 miles away. SPINE-TAILED SwiFt (Chetura caudacuta, Lath.)—Immense flocks pass over every summer. WHITE-THROATED NIGHTJAR (Eurostopus albigularis, Vig. and Hors.) —This bird arrives about January, and is then seen hawking up and down the creek after nocturnal insects. Tawny FroGmoutH (Podargus strigoides, Lath.) — Plentiful, and breeds freely in the timbered country. OwLet NIGHTJAR (42gotheles nove-hollandia, Lath.)—Not common. I have noted two nests, containing clutches of three and four eggs respectively. Do.iar-Birp (Eurystomus australis, Swainson).—Only a visitor, and does not breed here. AzurRE KINGFISHER (Alcyone azurea, Lath.)—Rare, only one or two being seen during the last year or two. Brown KINGFISHER (Dacelo gigas, Bodd.)—Plentiful everywhere. 126 INGLE, Birds of Merriman’s Creek, South Gippsland. Ema? rst Oct. SACRED KINGFISHER (Halcyon sanctus, Vig. and Hors.)—Arrives here early in September, breeds freely, and goes north early in February. PaLiip Cuckoo (Cuculus pallidus, Lath.)—Arrives in great numbers —the vanguard towards the end of August ; leaves in February. FAN-TAILED Cuckoo (Cacomantis flabelliformis, Lath.)—These birds do not come in such numbers as the former species. They arrive about the middle of August, and leave during March. SQUARE-TAILED Cuckoo (Cacomantis variolosus, Hors.)—A few arrive generally towards the end of October, breed, and go north before the end of January. NARROW-BILLED BrONZE-CucKoo (Chalcococcyx basalis, Hors.)— Seen in numbers between the 6th of September and the 16th of Feb- ruary. BronzeE-Cuckoo (Chalcococcyx plagosus, Lath.}—Plentiful. Arrives late in August, and leaves early in February. BLUE-BELLIED LORIKEET (Tvichoglossus nove-hollandie, Gmelin).— This Lorikeet comes when there are plenty of flowering gums, but does not breed in the locality. Musk-LorikEEtT (Glossopsittacus concinnus, Shaw).—Plentiful during winter months, but very few stay and breed. Brack Cockatoo (Calyptorhynchus funereus, Shaw).—Some always about during the winter, but all leave to breed in other parts. GaNG-GANG CocKAToo (Callocephalon galeatum, Lath.)—Great flocks are seen during the winter months ; they leave in September, going north-west to breed. WHITE CocKAToo (Cacatua galerita, Lath.)—Not very plentiful. A few pairs are known to breed here. KinG Lory (Aprosmictus cyanopygius, Vieill.)—A single specimen seen (a female). ROSELLA (Platycercus eximius, Gmelin).—Plentiful, and nests in open country. CRIMSON PARRAKEET (Platycercus elegans, Gmelin).—Plentiful, and breeds in great numbers. BRONZE-WING PIGEON (Phaps chalcoptera, Lath.)—Plentiful in tim- bered country, where their nests are often noted. BRUSH BRONZE-WING PIGEON (Phaps elegans, Temm.)—A few some- times seen, but they do not breed in this district. STUBBLE QuAIL (Coturnix pectoralis, Gould).—Only a few seen occasionally. Odd nests are found when harvesting crops. Brown QuaiL (Synecus australis, Temm.)—Very few seen; one nest, with eggs. PAINTED QuaIL (Turnix varia, Lath.)—Very rare. A few seen in rough, heathy country. PECTORAL RaiLt (Hypotenidia philippinensis, Linn.)—Rare, odd nests being seen during wet winters, but none has been noted for the last three years. BaLp-Coot (Porphyrio melanonotus, Temm.)—Very few now seen, though a year or two ago they nested freely in the district. Coot (Fulica australis, Gould)—Common everywhere ; nests plenti- ful along the creeks. eS INGLE, Birds of Merriman’s Creek, South Gippsland. 727 SPUR-WINGED PLOVER (Lobivanellus lobatus, Lath.)—Numerous in the open country, where nests are frequently found. BLACK-BREASTED PLOVER (Zonifer tricolor, Vieill.)—An occasional visitor. SNIPE (Gallinago australis, Lath.)—Very few visit the district. STRAW-NECKED Isis (Carphibis spinicollis, Jameson).— Only a visitor. In January, 1910, 40 birds arrived, stayed for a few days, and then disappeared. WHITE-FRONTED HERON’ (Notophoyx nove-hollandie, Lath.) — Common. Breeds freely. Clutches of five eggs found. NiGcHt-HERON (Nycttcovax caledonicus, Gmelin).—A few arrive here. Usually seen first about the end of January. Do not breed in the district. Biack CorRMORANT (Phalacrocorax carbo, Linn.)—An odd specimen occasionally seen. WHITE-BREASTED CORMORANT. (Phalacrocovax gouldi, Salvad.) — Common along the creeks, but does not breed here. BLACK-THROATED GREBE (Podicipes nove-hollandie, Steph.)—A few pairs breeding in local swamps. BLackK Swan (Chenopis atrata, Lath.)—Odd specimens noted, but the birds do not breed here. Woopv-Duck (Chenonetia jubata, Lath.)—An occasional flock seen, but none are known to breed in this locality. Brack Duck (Anas superciliosa, Gmelin).—Common, and breeds freely. Musx-Duck (Bizura lobata, Shaw).—Only a few pairs are known ; they breed in the swamps. Emu (Dromeus nove-hollandie, Lath.\—Becoming rare, although ** protected,” owing to their being hunted down with dogs. The Dusky Robin (Petroeca vittata). By Hi-STuarT DOVE,-E-Z:S. Tue vision of this familiar bird calls up memories of my first acquaintance with the bush, when, a good many years ago now, my brother and I selected land on the North-West Coast of Tas- mania and settled down to “ colonial experience.’’ While picking up and throwing together the branches and débris after the burn- off, we had good opportunities for making acquaintance with some of the birds. One of the earliest species to pay us a visit was the Dusky Robin—although we did not know it by that name, nor, indeed, by any other, for some time. One of the hardest tasks in this comparatively new and unpeopled country was to find out what the birds were. There was practically no literature on the subject. ‘‘ Native Sparrow ’’ was the name we got from the bush folk for the species now under consideration, and not an inapt one either, as regards size and soberness of colouring. When a small store of knowledge had accumulated, I began to 128 Dove, The Dusky Robin (Petreca vittata). ae ist Oct. write some articles on bush life for an English magazine, from the first of which the following is a quotation :—‘‘ Perched upon a stump near is a ‘ Native Sparrow,’ not much unlike the British Hedge-Sparrow, but of a thicker, heavier build; very grave and judge-like is he, with his head feathers ruffled up, and a generally thoughtful appearance, as if revolving some important scheme. Self-contained as he appears, however, his weather eye is wide open. With a sudden dart he is on the ground, tugging away at a large worm, the other end of which is still anchored in earth. A few vigorous jerks loosen the lower part considerably, and the worm is now three-quarters out. Slacking his grip for a moment, the aggressor seems to draw breath for a supreme effort. It is made, and triumphantly he flies off to the bush to devour the dainty, or perhaps offer it to his mate, who is busy nest-building.”’ The Dusky Robin is not in the least afraid of the human form, but seems rather to enjoy its proximity. Wherever a settler makes a bit of a clearing in the bush, and erects his slab or paling hut, there will this friend of man be seen sitting about upon stumps or on the rough dead-wood fences which are the first attempts at property enclosure, watching his opportunity to help the new- comer by ridding the earth of some of the chafer-grubs and other industrious workers among the roots of vegetation. The Dusky Robin starts nesting in August in sheltered localities. In the Table Cape district I found young which were flying during the first week of September. The sweetly plaintive double call note was heard before the middle of July; it is one of the very first sounds to greet the ear when one opens one’s eyes in the grey dawn. During a wet, rough winter I found, so early as 5th August, a nest containing two eggs, built in the end of a prostrate hollow tree. Various are the sites selected for a home, and, as Gould very truly remarks, the character of the nest depends a good deal upon its position. Sometimes it is neat and compact, some- times more spread out and untidy. An example near Table Cape was found on 26th October with three eggs. It was placed on a small ledge in a hollow gum-tree, and was neatly built of small strips of stringybark on a base of rootlets, and lined with fine rootlets. The eggs were of a bluish-green tint, with an indistinct brown ring near the apex, and a few blotches of that colour also at the same end. A few miles from Launceston, Northern Tasmania, on 22nd September, a Dusky Robin was building a similar nest of bark strips and rootlets on a ledge just inside the hollow butt of a burnt-out gum, at about 4 feet from the ground. Another was noticed the same day just inside the opening of a tall stump which had been hollowed out by bush fires. It was about 5 feet from the ground, and was composed of rootlets bound with bark strips, with a large quantity of sheep’s wool round the outside and under side, as well as inside. This was in sheep country, and the little architect naturally used material which was so abundantly to hand. This nest contained an olive-green egg, with a brownish zone near the apex. Other positions often favoured are stumps, or Vol. ok. iis Dove, The Dusky Robin (Petreca:vittata). 129 the flat, spreading part of a bush, on which a good foundation can be laid. The nest is seldom more than 4 or 5 feet from the ground, sometimes less ; but my friend, Mr. H. C. Thompson, dis- covered one, near Launceston, at the unusual height of ro feet. Concerning it I append an extract from my note-book :—‘‘ This plain-coloured Robin usually selects a niche in a hollow gum-tree, or a site amid the broken roots projecting from the butt of a pros- trate giant; but it had in this instance chosen the horizontal limb of a dogwood (Pomaderris apetala), about 10 feet from the earth, and had placed the structure amid thick foliage, so as to be prac- tically invisible. Mounting on my friend’s shoulders, I was enabled to make a close inspection, and found the principal material to be, as so frequently happens, fine rootlets. The rim was of twigs bound with cobwebs, while the lining was of grass, rootlets, and fine bark.” Another nest was placed on top of a peppermint (Eucalyptus amygdalina) stump, at 4 feet from the ground, and was partly concealed by shoots which had sprung from the side of the stump. Still another instance was found on 17th November, in Launceston district, where the Robin had built in a V-shaped niche caused by a slab of bark falling partly away from the trunk of a large peppermint. The nest was of fine grass and bits of bark, with cobwebby patches on the outside to assist concealment. There were two blind, naked young, one just out of the egg, the other still struggling to free its head from half the egg-shell, which was closely adhering—an endeavour in which we assisted. The other shell had been removed by the parent bird. This Petreca has the curious habit of sometimes returning to the same site and rebuilding on the old nest. Instances of this are mentioned in Campbell’s ‘‘ Nests and Eggs.”’ Mr. E. D. Atkin- son found no fewer than five, and in another case six, nests piled one on top of another! Mr. Thompson told me, some years ago, that he found a Dusky Robin at Russell’s Plains, in Northern Tasmania, using the same nest for a second brood during the season. This is very unusual, as a new nest is generally constructed for this purpose. During the spring of 1909, near Devonport, I found that a ‘“‘ Dusky” had built its nest on the flat part of a ‘“‘ native currant ’’ bush (Coprosma microphylla), at 4 feet from the ground, and sheltered by young gum-trees. The bird had constructed a small circular platform of twigs on the bush, which is a dense, fine-leaved thing, and had placed on this the nest of coarse rootlets and bark fragments. The rim was woven of much finer rootlets, dry grass stems, and wool, and the lining was exceedingly fine rootlets, with a little wool. The contents when found on 11th September were one egg and two recently hatched young, about a day old. The nestlings were kept under pretty constant observa- tion. They had their eyes open on 17th September, and were covered with brownish feathers, each of which had a central white streak, giving the young a peculiar striped appearance ; reddish- brown bands also showed across the wings. The young flew early on the morning of 24th September, 14 days after hatching. 130 Dove, The Dusky Robin (Petreca vittata). Ema: 1st Oct. What I believe to have been the same pair of Robins built again, only a few yards distant, on the broad fork of a prickly mimosa (Acacia verticillata), 3 feet from the ground, on a twig founda- tion as before ; nest composed of rootlets, dry grass, quantity of spider-web round rim, into which was woven a piece of string. Several pieces of thick string, much weathered, which had evidently been lying on the ground a long time, had been put in as lining. This nest was found complete on 20th October. On visiting it again on 23rd, the string lining had been removed by the birds, but the nest was otherwise intact. On 25th October it contained two eggs, reposing on a fine rootlet lining—one of the usual olive-green tint, the other inclined more towards blue. The dimensions were about the same—.87 x .68. Both eggs were faintly marked, the green one most distinctly, with brownish blotches, principally about the apex. Next day a third egg was present, of the olive-green tint, marked faintly with brown about the larger end. The eggs are thus laid on successive days. The sitting bird allowed me to approach very closely to her low, exposed position. On 4th November I went again, and found the female very trustful and confiding ; she allowed me to almost place my hand on her before she would leave the eggs. When I visited the spot at 6 a.m. on roth November one of the young had just hatched out—a blind, naked, palpitating atom, lying on its side, the skin of a reddish tint, but dark on the thighs and across the hinder part. It was hatched from one of the green eggs. Next morning I was there before 6 o’clock, and found three young, the other green and the bluish egg having apparently hatched later on the previous day. It was noticeable that the red tint of birth soon gave way to a dark appearance, as if caused by the feathers preparing to push through. When I placed my hand close over the parent, she tumbled off the nest with feigned disablement, while the male, near by in the scrub, whistled a warning ‘‘ Twee-tu.”” On 13th November the young had a dark, scaly appearance along the spine, where its feathers were beginning to sprout. The wing-quills were also sprouting, while the heads and rest of the bodies had a blackish look ; the bills were greyish, with yellow at sides. Next day the plumage was sprouting well on wings and spine, while the head had a scaly appearance. On 17th November my visit was at 6.30 a.m., when all the chicks had their eyes open, the spine, wings, and head well covered with a light brown plumage, the wing-quills partly blackish, reddish- brown bars across wings (these bars are white in the adult), tails just beginning to sprout, bills dark grey with yellow sides. All the nestlings looked sleepy and contented, as if they had already been well fed that morning ; they did not open their mouths or make any sound. My next visit, at early morn on i1gth of the month, was saddened by the discovery that some midnight prowler (perhaps a tiger-cat, for the nest was not far from a dense swampy thicket) had been before me, and all that was left of the happy home was an overturned nest and a few feathers. This was the more annoying as the young were within a few days of flying. Senge Dove, The Dusky Robin (Petreca vittata). 131 These combined observations seem to show that incubation lasts 15 days, that the eyes open in from 6 to 7 days, and that the young fly about 14 days after hatching. In Robert Hall’s “‘ Key to the Birds of Australia’’ the plumage of the adult Dusky Robin is described as ‘‘ brownish-olive above ; throat dusky-brown ; only outer tail feather white at base and for the whole extent of outer web; under surface brown.’ The wings are crossed by two oblique whitish bars, and there is no white frontal spot as in our other two familiar Robins. The sexes are alike in plumage. The tip of the upper mandible is slightly hooked. In the young birds, on leaving the nest, the colouring is very different, and one would take them to be another species. The head, back, breast, and wing coverts are heavily streaked and mottled with light and dark brown, giving the birds the appearance of young Thrushes. Those fledglings which left the nest on 24th September were about the scrub at the beginning of October with their parents; the latter kept giving a warning whistle on my approach, and fluttered about in a state of excitement to lure me away, while the young made an almost continuous plaintive little whistling noise, to keep in touch with their parents, uttering also an occasional “‘ tweet.” In November this family still haunted the same scrub. One of the young (which had left the nest on 24th September) was seen on the 11th, and looked a fine bird, in its lighter plumage appearing larger than the adults. It was much splashed on the breast with a-darker colour, and the front of the head had a mottled look. The wing-bars were still reddish- brown. The Dusky Robin—which, by the way, is frequently called “Stump Robin,” from its predilection for sitting about the stumps of a clearing, and sometimes building in a similar situation—has no song like its congeners, the Flame and Scarlet-breasted Robins, but its love-call is sweetly plaintive—a double whistling note, which is one of the most familiar sounds in winter and spring about a settler’s home. An interesting trait of this bird, which is not as well known as it is in the case of the Dottrel or the familiar little White-fronted Chat, is its habit of pretending to be wounded to lure away the intruder. Allusion has already been made to the female’s guile when disturbed on the nest; but a much more striking example was afforded us one November, when climbing the slopes of Mount Arthur. My companions were Mr. H. C. Thompson and Mr. Robt. M'Gowan, and we had found in a dry, hollow tree the nest of a “‘ Dusky,’ from which the young had flown. Shortly afterwards the female was sighted clinging to the side of a dead tree. As we approached she dropped to the ground backwards, and lay there fluttering, as though suffering the agonies of death after being shot. When we went up to investigate she fluttered painfully away in an opposite direction to where the young were concealed. This species nests from August to December, two broods, and probably three in some cases, being reared. I32 WuitE, New Nests and Eggs from N.W. Australia. Ems tst Oct. Description of two New Nests and Eggs from North-West Australia. By H. L. Wuite, Scone, N.S.W. With Field Notes by the Collector, G. F. HILL. WHITE-TAILED ROBIN (Pecilodryas pulverulentus). Nest.—Rather a compact and open cup-shaped structure, re- sembling some of the smaller forms of those constructed by the Eopsaltria. It is placed in the fork of a small horizontal branch of a mangrove tree (Avicennia), and is constructed principally of strips of bark, wound round and fastened with cobwebs, and long strips of dry bark hang perpendicularly all around outside, some pieces being almost 3 inches in length. The nest is lined inside with fine dry roots and grass. Eggs.—Clutch of two eggs, roundish ovals in shape, texture of shell fine, surface glossy, and minutely pitted all over, this feature becoming conspicuous under the lens; ground colour of a dull greenish-stone, marked with small round spots of reddish-brown, of different shades, and lilac, the latter appearing as if beneath the sur- face of the shell. In specimen a the markings are well distributed over the shell, while in specimen 0 they are chiefly confined to the larger end, where they form a rather regular zone, and the ground colour over which this zone of markings passes is of a light salmon- brown. In general appearance the eggs approach those of Peczilo- dryas cerviniventris, rather more than those of the Eofsaliria genus. The pair measure in inches :—(a) 0.76 x 0.62, (6) 0.77 x 0.62. Another pair of these eggs, which are the co-types, were taken in the same locality, and measure :—(a@) 0.76 x 0.61, (b) 0.74 x 0.59. They are roundish ovals in shape, ground colour of a dull greenish-stone, fading into a light-brown, which gradually darkens towards the larger end, and this is specially noticeable in specimen a. This graduation in the ground colouring is after the manner of that shown in some eggs of Petreca bicolor. Both eggs are spotted with small dull markings of reddish-brown, intermingled with a few very indistinct spots of pale lilac. Specimen a is much darker at the larger end than specimen 0. [I saw the birds amongst the mangrove roots and low branches in a few places on the eastern side of Napier Broome Bay, where they were fairly numerous. In a few of the more open patches of mangrove I was able to watch the birds building, but only in one case, where I was able to get away unobserved, did they com- plete and lay in the nests. In most instances I was observed, and the nest was at once abandoned. The first note of their nesting was recorded on 31st January, 1910, when, after several days’ watching, a nest ready for eggs was found. Subsequent visits proved, however, that the nest had been deserted. With this knowledge of their habits to work upon, renewed efforts were made, and on 2oth February, 1910, after a long wait in the mosquito-infested mangroves, the female bird was seen flying Vol. X. ] WuiteE, New Nests and Eggs from N.W. Australia. 133 Ig1o towards an isolated mangrove bush some 60 yards away. The water was too deep to wade to the nest, so I decided to return on the following morning, when the tide would be out. A photo- graph of the eggs and nest (tm situ) was taken on the following day, and the eggs secured, but to my disgust they were already chipped on my arrival at camp. Similar methods were employed in locating the nest of the next pair of birds until the attacks of mosquitoes and sand-flies became unbearable, and then abandoned in favour of a tree to tree search as the tide permitted, and on 2nd March, 1910, after examining a considerable area in this fashion, the nest was found in a dense mangrove bush, 3 feet above spring tide level, and two eggs in a somewhat advanced state of incubation were taken. A second nest commenced on this date was abandoned. Another pair of birds were heard in a thick, stunted patch of mangroves, where it was impossible to watch their movements. Dividing the surrounding area into rough blocks, a careful search was made of every tree until the nest, containing two fresh eggs, was found (26th March, rgto). This nest was built in a small dead mangrove bush 3 feet above water level, and almost hidden by leaves of neighbouring bushes. Dimensions of nests in inches :—(a) Outside—length 3, breadth 22, depth 2), ; inside—length, 2,5, breadth 13, depth 1,5. (0) Out- side—length 24, breadth 23, depth 23; inside—length 2}, breadth 17, depth 1. The food consists entirely of minute crabs, shell-fish, crustaceans, and a species of small black ant, which is plentiful on the man- groves. | LAVENDER-FLANKED WREN (Malurus dulcis). Nest.—Dome-shaped, and similar to those of the other members of the genus. Eggs.—Three in number,