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THE

SOUTH AUSTRALIAN

ORNITHOLOGIST,

A Magazine of Ornithology.

1st JANUARY, 1919.- X ^>

n

L_JiQ£i

EDITORIAL COMMITTEE:
R. CROMPTON. R.A.O.U.
A. G. EDQUIST
S. A. WHITE, C.M.B.O.U.
F. R. ZIETZ, R.A.O.U..

Price, 2/-

n

5

THE

South Australian

ORNITHOLOGIST

Editotial CoviDiittec :

R. Crompton, R.A.O.U.
A. G. Edouist
S. A. VVhith, C.M.BO.U
F. R. ZiETz, R.A.O.U.

Sccrtlarv :

F. M. An(;el, R.A.O.U.,

c/o W. D. & H. O. Wills, Ud.
Grenfell .Street, Adelaide.

25^^<ji^^. 7k^i3

CONTENTS.

Pagk

The South Au.stralijin Ornitholof^ical Association .

Ordor Pelecaniforines, F'aniily Phalacrocoraeidae, Genus Hypoleucu

Description of a New Subspecie-i of Cliniacteris

The Birds of the South- Eastern Part of South Australia. A. M
Morgan, M.B., B.Ch.

Inthe Pineand Mallee. J. W. Mellor, R.A.O.U, .

Kenaming Australian Birds. A. J. Campbell, CM B.O.U.

Kiiiglisher Eneounter.s a Snake. J W. Mellor, ll.A.O.l".

7\bout Members ,

A Sketch of the Lite of Samuel While -( ►rnithologist. Soldier
Sailor, und Explorer. By bis son, S. A. White," CM. B.O.T'

20

Th(^ Editorial Cornmittoo accepts no responsibility for the
views or deductions expressed by any of its contributors.
The Journal welcomes a free interchange of ideas with the
object of extending the knowledge of our avifauna, but the
author of each article is respnnsit)le for the opinions and
deductions recorded.

THE

South Australian Ornithologist.

Vol. IV.] 1st JANUARY, 1919. [Part 1.

The South Austrah'an Ornithological
Association.

SEPTEMBER 27th. 15)18.

The monthly meeting; of the South Australian Ornitho-
logical Association was held in the Royal Society's room,
North Terrace, on Friday evening, 27th September, 1918.
Oapt. S. A. White presided, and welcomed Mr. J. Neil McGilp,
of Moolawatana Station, near to Lake Frome as a visitor.
Many interesting bird notes were recorded. Mr. J. W. Mollor
stated that the landrails were nesting on his property at
Lockleys, and that a pair of wagtails had built a nest low
down in a tree near to the house. A child who was visiting
had interfered with the nest, and the birds pulled it to pieces
and rebuilt it higher up. The same member exhibited a large
bunch of gum leaves and twigs which had been nipped off by
a shrike tit (Fah-iinculus flavtgiilHn) . This is a usual practice
when they nest. Mr. Mellor also stated that the mudlark or
Murray magpie [Grallina cyanolenea) had nested in a Morton
Bay fig tree quite close to his house. Mr. Welfare read seve-
ral interesting press clippings. One was a statement made
by Mr. H. L. White, of Scone, New South Wales, in which he
said he had seen the Murray magpie picking tick from a sheep.
Mr. A. (.'rompton reported having observed quite 500 cor-
morants on tlie Tort River. They conijn-ised two species-
little black and little black and white. Master Alen Lendon
said he had noticed about 150 white-faced herons near to the
main road, between the Cross Keys and the River Light. Dr.
Morgan reported that fairy martins were nesting on Septem-
ber 14 along the Sturt Creek. A discussion took place upon

2 Tke >'*>out/i Australiiiii Ornit/iofoyical Associatiori.

the food of cormorants. It was admitted by all present thai
the Chairman and Dr. Morgan's work upon this subject clearly
showed that the cormorant was not injurious to the seafishing
industry. Mr. J. Neil McGilp was requested by the Chairman
to give his experiences with the wedge-tailed eagle and the
crow. Speaking of the first bird, Mr. McCrilp said it was only
troublesome during drought time, when they appeared in
numbers. In his opinion, an eagle could not take a lamb
from a healihy mother, for she would be more than a match
for the bird, but he had seen five eagles attack and almost
kill a large lamb. He considered crows very useful. The
short-billed, or Bennett's Crow, w^as a wonderful bird on
grasshoppers and other insects, and all species of crows were
enemies to the blowfly. He had observed several crows turn
over a dry carcase and dig into the ground for the fly larvae.
A discussion occurred regarding the habits of birds, for which
there seemed to be no explanation. It was stated that the bare-
eyed cockatoo ring-barked a gumtree in which it had its nest.
One reason seemed to be that the killing of the tree would
cause more nesting hollows to become available. Mr.
McGilp said a native had informed him that the cockatoos
ring-barked trees because the cats could not be heard climbing
up the green bark, but as soon as they struck the dead wood
with their claus ii scri>tc!ting sound of warning was made. The
Chairiiiaii staliMl that the Rufous Song-Lark {Ginclor-
hdiiipJnis nifcscciis) had put in an a])])earance for the first
time this season at the Reedbeds on September 10, and that
on the same day he saw a large flight of white-browed wood
swallows i Artdiiins .siiixrcilio.sii.'^) flying very high, and that
the landrail { H !/pof<i('iii<li(i philiij/xHsis) was numerous at the
Keedbeds this season. Sonic interesting notes from Mr. Bell-
chambers, of Humbug Scrub, were read.
OCTOBER 25th, 1918.
Capt. S. A. White presided. Several members of the
field naturalists' section of the Royal Society were welcomed
as visitors. The Chairman said he had been addressing good
a;Udiences in several country centres, and also scholars of the
public school's. He was much gratified at the interest shown
in bird protection. Mr. J. AV. Mellor stated that the pair of
wagtails which he had reported at the previous meeting as hav-
ing rebuilt their nest near to his home after having been
interfered with, had become sus])icious. They had })ulled it
to pieces, built it for the lliird time and on this occasion high ut>
in a gum tree. Mr. Mellor said he had again witnessed

The South Australian, Oniitholotjical Association .

white-browed babblers pull young sparrows out of their nest
and then drag the nest to pieces. Landrails were nesting at
the Reedbeds. Mr. F. R, Zietz drew attention to the fact
that bo,vs were taking birds' nests and eggs in the parks.
Mr. A. Crompton stated that he had seen great numbers of
wattle birds at Second \^alley lately. Mr. Hosking said a friend
had observed a tussle between a snake and a kestrel; the
snake at last escaped. The Secretary (Mr. F. Angel) stated
that he had discovered an eagle's nest at Moolooloo. and had
counted the renuiins of 31) rabbits, two cats, and a wallaby.
The cats were an unusual change of diet, and it was said thai
the manager of the station was in favour of ])rotecting the birds.
Mr. Mellor gave an interesting account of a trip made into
the mallee and pine country off the Paringa line, and showed
a number of bird skins. He stated that the birds had nested
early in that district this season owing, no doubt, to the spell
of fine weather some few weeks back. The Hon. Secretary
gave an account of a visit made by a small party of nature
lovers to Moolooloo Station, at the invitation of Mr. and Mrs.
Lindo. Mr. Angel read a large list of birds observed, and
gave useful notes upon them. Mr. Beck (a visitor) showed
some nice photographs taken v.\Hm this trip.

NOVEMBER 29th, 1918.
<.'apt. S. A. White presided. The failure of the Govern-
ment to pass the Bill for the protection of birds was dis-
cussed, also the constitution of "Flinders Chase." The time
lost in carrying out these national works was much deplored.
Two names were submitted as new members. Mr. J. W.
Melloi- re]>(>rted that many bee-eaters [Merops ornatus)
had visited Lockleys last month, and that he had seen mag
pies pulling sparrows' nests to pieces and carrying off the
young birds. The same member reported that much bird
destruction was going on in the Mount Lofty Ranges through
school boys destroying nests and eggs. Mr. A. G. Edquist
read an interesting letter from a member of the Bird Club
describing how the wr'ter had seen a grass parrot frequenting
a hole in the ground, wher.c most likely it would nest. This
statement led to a discussion in regard to cockatoos nesting
in rabbit burrows and upon the ground. Master Allan
Lendon re])orted having noticed a brush bronzewing pigeon
oil the Lower Sturt Road. The Chairman said that he had
seen two stubble quails' nests, one with five eggs and another
with seven eggs — both at the Reedbeds; also several grass
parrots in his garden. It was many years since these birdfe

4 ( h-der J'fler'ntiidnnes, Fuihily Phidacroroniriditf:, (renus Hypolev.<-iis

had previously been noticed there. A landrail with a brood
of five black chicks had also been seen; also a button quail.
The remainder of the evening was taken up by an interesting
account by Dr. A. M. Morgan of a trip taken by him to the
South-east in Octobei- last. He gave a description of the
country and birds seen, and collected and exhibited a series
of fine sjieciniens, two Nry/co/'»/.s and \('(nia nodes chri/sognster
anniniui being of sjiccial interest. As many members in-
tended to be out of town during the Christmas holidays it was
decided not to hold a meeting in December.

Order Pclecaniformes, Family Phalacrocoracidae,
Genus Hypoleucus.

Hypoleucus varius liypoleuciis — Pied Cormorant.

Description — Top of the head, back of neck, back, flanks,
tail coverts, deep glossy black; wings, deep greenish black;
primaries and tail same colour; all the undersurface pure
white; iris, sea green; bare space in front of eye, orange; bare
space round eye. blue; lower eyelid, metallic green; gular
pouch, flesh colour; bill, black; tip, horn colour; legs, feet and
nails, black. Total length in the flesh, 32 inches; wing from
body to tip, 22 inches; spread of wings, 49 inches.

Distribution — South and south-west Australia, New
'South Wales, Victoria, and Queensland.

Habits — Found mostly on the coast line, and frequenting
the mangrove creeks and swamps along the coast; yet they are
met with a1 times on rivers and fresh water lakes great dis-
tance inland. They form large rookeries when nesting, and
place their nests in mangrove trees or on the tops of low
bushes.

Flight — Heavy, with rapid motion of the wings.

Food — Consists of fish and Crustacea, from research work
carried out it has been proved that these birds only feed upon
■the slow swimming fish such as weed fish (Odax), cat fish
Wnidofjlamis megastomus), toad fish, and box fish. Upon
rivers and hikes tlie fresh water yabbie foriiis the greater pari
of their food, and young turtles are devoured.

Nest. — They nest in colonies, sometimes several thousand
pairs together. The nest is substantiallv built of sticks gene-
rally of mangrove or samphire, some of which they break off
for themselves; it is phiced in the fork of n bush usually a man-

Description of a Neir Sii.bsjiecies of Climacteric.

grove, but where such is not avaihible any low bush will suit
their purpose, such as tea tree or samphire, often several nests
are placed in the same shrub. The lining is seaweed or grass,
but this soon becomes caked with excrement, as does the whole
nest. The eggs are two or three in number, rarely four. They
are quite white when fresh laid, but very quickly become nest
stained. The outer coating is soft and chalky, and is easily
scraped off, if this be done the true colour of the egg is found
to be light blue or greenish blue. Eggs laid late in the season,
probably second or third clutches, are often deficient in the
outer coating, and show patches of the blue ground colour.
Average measurement of 17 eggs, 6.27 x 3.83 cm.

Largest egg, 6.80 x 3.80 cm.

Smallest Egg, 6.05 x 3.50 cm.

They do not noraially lay more than one clutch in a sea
son, but if a first clutch be destroyed they will lay another.

In South Australia the breeding season is the Autumn,
usually from March to Mav.

Description of a New Subspecies of Climacteris.

By J. W. Mellor, R.A.O.U.

Climacteris erythrops parsonsi subsp., nov. Mellor.

Southern White-browed Treecreeper.

Type locality Pungonda. Hundred of Bookpurnong,
South Australia.

As might reasonably be expected a climacteris inhabit-
inz the pine and mallee" country of the River Murray would
differ considerably from its ally of the arid districts of Cen-
tral Australia. When comparing the skins of a pair of the
white-browed treecreepers that I procured from Pungonda in
the Hundred of Bookpurnong, S.A., in October last, with
North's descri])tion of the White-browed Treecreeper procured
by the Horn Expedition to Central Australia, vide report of
Horn Expedition, Aves p. 96 I found the following differences :

The Southern form is altogether more robust, and
the coloration differs considerably from the Central Aus-
tralian bird, being more greyish above; crown of head and
forehead being uniform dark grey; no wash of brown on the
grey upper tail coverts; subterminal band on tail black; no
buffy brown on sides of body and centre of abdomen; and
dull' white in place of buffy white on under tail coverts,
which are ''barred" with black spots. The birds were rare,

<6 Descrijjtioii of a New SKb.tpecics of Clunacteris.

and verv noiseless, being in marked contrast to the Southern
Brown Treecreeper [Glimacteris picumnus mistraUs) Mathews,
with which they were in company. I propose to designate
the bird in the vernacular list as the Southern White-browed
Treecreeper, and scientifically as Glimacteris erythrops
iparsonsi, in honour of Mr. Frank E. Parsons, of Adelaide,
twhose energy as a young ornithologist I wish to recognise,
and through whose valuable information concerning the
country I was enabled to secure the specimens described.

The descriptions are: —

Male — General colour above, brownish grey; all the
crown of the head, dark grey; upper tail coverts, grey; tail
brownish grey, all but the two centre feathers, and the outer
;web of the outermost feathers crossed by a broad subtermi-
nal band of black, being broader and more conspicuous on
the outer feathers; wing, blackish brown, crossed in the
centre with a broad band of rich buff, this colour gradually
dying out towards the outermost primaries; the secondaries
tipped with brownish grey; lores, black; a stripe above the
eye, and the small feathers on the edge of the lower lid
fwhite; ear coverts, brownish grey, with a dull white streak
Idown the centre of each feather; chin, dull white, passing
into whitish grey on the throat, and dark grey on the chest;
remainder of under surface has a lanceolate appearance, the
feathers being black, lessening in intensity towards the
abdomen, and each feather having a broad stripe of white
down the centre; the centre of abdomen, dark grey, and less
conspicuously streaked; under tail coverts, dull white, with
spots of brownish black at intervals forming irregular cross-
bars, with the shafts of the feathers dull white throughout;
iris, brown; bill, black; feet, very dark horn. Dimensions —
Total length in inches, 6.00; wing, 8.64; tail, 2.60; bill from
forehead, 0.53; bill from gape, 0.70; tarsus, 0.76.

Female — Resembling male, but having the white stripe
above the eye margined above with a narrower line of rusty
red; the breast is greyish, streaked with dull vhite down the
centre of each feather, giving a more marked lanceolate
appearance than in the male, in the centre of the chest a few
rusty red jnarkings ou the feathei-s make an indistinct
patch of that colour.

Habitat — Belts of pine and mallee country adjacent to
the River Murray on the South Australian and Victorian
borders, and probably extending into all such country for a
considerable distance.

MORGAN — The Birds of Ike South- Kaxt em Part of 8. A. 7

The Birds of the South^Eastern Part of
South Austrah'a.

By A. M. Morgan, M.B., B.Cli.

My wife and I spent the month of October in a tour of
the South East with the view of making a list of the birds of
that part of tlie country, none having been yet published.
Leaving Adelaide by the Melbourne express on October 1 we
reached Mount Gambler early on the morning of the 2nd,
tra.elling by the night train from Wolsley. Mount Gam-
bier is a desolation as far as the ornithologist is concerned,
the district for miles around being under cultivation, and
absolutely denuded of native trees, the plantations of pines
which have taken their place are occupied by hordes of spar-
rows, starlings, goldfinches, and greenfinches. A few
nativ:i birds were seen around the lakes, but nothing of suffi-
cient iiJKM'est to warrant a stay there. So next day we hired
a trap to drive us to the Glenelg River, where we spent five
days. Returning to Mount Gambler on the 8th we left for
Beachport next morning, and stayed there until the 17th,
metering from there to Robe, where ten days work was put
in. On the 27th we motored to Kingston, and spent the
next day in some nice gum scrub about five miles from the
town. The neighbourhood of the town itself is very bare
and bird loss. On the 30th we went on to Narracoorte by
train where we saw the beautiful caves and had two after-
noons in some stringy bark forests near the town. The
country about Narracoorte looked promising, and we were
sorry we had not arranged to spend more time there. On
the morning of November 1st we left for home. This list is,
of course, not complete; of quite a number of the birds
identified single individuals or pairs only were seen, so it is
to be sui)posed that some were missed altogether. Notable
absentees were the Emu, still said to be common in parts,
and even in one place we visited near Beachport, but we did
not see them. The Bustard, now about extinct in the dis-
trict ; the Native Companion, formerly very common, now
getting rare; and the Bronzewing Pigeon, which I was told
was still common, but although we saw numbers of Brush
BronzcAvings we saw none of the common kind. Other
om.ission are noted in the detailed list. The coyntry
examined was mostly coastal, with the exception of two days
at Nairacoorte only two or three trips were made into the
inland country. The sandhills at Beachport and Robe are

> hlOR(L\S—Tkc llinU of the tioidfi-Eadern Part of S.A.

covered with very thick scrub, making observation difficult,
and c()llettiri«i in some cases alinost impossible. The coun-
try behind the sandhills is flat, with numerous swamps and
lakes fringed with tea-tree: the greater number of these lakes
are salt, and not very well populated with water birds; but
the swamps near Kingston, which are fresh, swarm with
water fowl, and would repay a better examination than we
had time to give them. We were hampered throughout the
trip by bad weather, almost every day being wet or windy,
or both. The names in the detailed list are those of
jM;i<hrws's lOlo list, except that sub-specific names are not
^iven unless I am reasonably certain of the diagnosis. In
some cases X have found this impossible even whou specimens
Lre availatde for comparison. For instance a specimen of
the Striped Diamond F.ird collected near Kingston was com-
pared with a large number of skins from widely separat'^d
localities, and was found to most nearly resemble a bird from
Mount Lyndhurst, in Central Australia, a locality many hun-
dreds of miles distant, and with totally different natural con-
ditions. Birds identified were: —

1. EiKJi/ptiiJa minor iiiidina (Fairy Penguin) — Many speci-
uiens found dead on the beach at Beachport and Robe.

2. Cofuriiia- perwralis (Stubble Quail) — Common in all
parts. Some birds were i)ut np in a cutting grass flat which
I took to be Swam]) (Jnails {Yp.<^ilop]ioruf!), but I did not
secure a specimen.

3. Turnix varius (Scrub Quail) — Two pairs seen near
Kingston.

4. CosmopeUa elef/ans affinis (Brush Bronze Wing) — Very
numerous at Glenelg River. Beachport, and Robe.

5. Rallus pectoraJia (Slate-breasted Rail) — I did not see
this bird myself, but heard they were in numbers in a small
swamp near Robe, and on returning to town saw a specimen
'which had been caught in a rabbit trap in that locality and
sent to the museum.

(I. Hypotacniflia pliiUppensis australis (Pectoral or Land
Rail)-pA male in breeding condition was brought to me at
Beachport. It had been caught in a rabbit trap, said to be
a common occurrence in the district.

J. Porzana puminea (Spotted Crake) — I did not see this
bird, but found a nest with five heavily incubated eggs on
October 26th. The nest was built in a tussock of rushes
growing in the water, and was built entirely of dry rushes.

8. Zupormu piisilla Palustris (Little Crake) — Seen in a

MOUaAN—'rUK llird, nf tin' Smith -i:,ist,'n, t'art <>( S.A.

swamp near \ioh<^. A specimen killed by a dog was given
to me from the same loeality. Its total length was 17 cm.;
Iris, red: bill, upper mandible, dark green; lower, lighter
green, with the base, bright green; legs, feet, olive green;
inside of mouth, lead colour; -sex, 9 .

9. Porza)iol(lea plumhea immacidata (Spotless Crake) — A
number was seen in a swamp near Robe.

10. Microtrihonyx ventraUs ivhitei (Native Hen) — A pair
seen near Kobe, and great numlDers in several swamps near
Kingston. They are said to have nested in great numberB
at Lake Robe. I found one old nest near the township.

11. Gdlliiiiild tciichrosd iMoor Hen) — Seen in [)aivs at
Glenelg River. Robe and Kingston. A nest containing six
eggs v<as found in a tea-tree growing in the water of a small
swamp near Robe. In this sw^amp there were six species of
rails. The spotted, little, and spotless crakes, the slate-
breastefl rail, the native hen, and moor hen. I spent a
morning wading through it, and found besides the nests of
Ihe native hen and moor hen. fifteen nests of small rails,
most of which had been quite recently occupied, though the
only one containing eggs was that of the spotted crake.

12. Fnlira afro australis (Coot) — Seen at Mount Gam
hiiM-. P>e;t(i!]>()rt, Robe, and Kingston ; mostly in pairs (U- iiocUs
of five or six.

13. Podiceps cristatus christiani (Tipped Grebe) — Seen in
pairs at Glenelg River, Mount Gambier. and Robe.

14. PoliocrplKiliis ])<)fi()(('p]iiiliis ( Iloai-y Il<':i(le(l ( Jrebe i —
Common wherever there was suitable water. Mostly in
small flocks up to ten. They appeared to have finished
breeding as a rotten egg was found in a swamp at Robe.

15. Pehtf/oflroma marina hoicei (White-faced Storm
Petrel) — Several birds were found d(»ad on the beach at
Beachport and Robe.

16. P7-ioii lurlitr (Dove Prion) — A bird which I attribute*?
to this species was found dead on the beach at Robe.

17. Hj/(Ji<)chriifIon Iciicojxircid fhirial His i Marsh Tern i
.\ fe\\- pairs s(hmi on a swamj) near Kingston.

18. Hydroproqne fscJieqrava strenim (Caspian Tern) — Com-
mon at the mouth of the Glenelg River and on a swamp near
the sea at Robe.

1!>. TJidldssciis hcnjii /lolioccrcds ( Ci-csted Term — ^.\ fe^\
birds seen at Glenelg River and Beachport. I was surprised
at this bird being uncommon, for they nesi in thousands on
the Bauden Rocks near Robe.

10 JIIOBGAN—The Birds nf th^ South-E astern Fart of -S'./J.

20. Stcrnula nereis (Little Tern) — Common at Beachport,
iwhere they \vere nesting on a small island near the coast.
They were bringing small fish for their young from Lake
George about a mile away. They were seen as far inland as
Millicent following the plough or harrow. Also seen on the
swamps at Narracoorte.

21. iintcliiguria novaehollandiav ((silver Gull) — Common
all ah)iig the coast. They appeared to be nesting on the island
above mentioned near Beachport, but the weather was too
rough to land upon it.

22. Haematopus ostralegus loiH/iro.stris (Pied Oyster
('atcheri — A })air was found breeding on a sandspit at tlie
mouth of the Glenelg River. No others were seen.

28. Haematopus niger fuliginosus (Black Oyster Catcher)
— A pair seen at Beachport, and another at Robe. They
behaved as though nesting.

24. Lohibyw novachollandiaG (Spur-wing Plover) — Seen in
pairs at Beachport, Robe, and Kingston.

25. Zonifer tricolor^ (Black-breasted Plover) — A few pairs
seen near Beachport.

2(). Ijcucopolius ruficapillns (Ked-capped Dotterel) — (Com-
mon everywhere on the sea beach. They were nesting freely
on the sandy flats between the dunes. One pair at Beach-
port had two eggs on a rocky ])i'<)montory some 20 feet above
the water. A male collected at Robe measured in total
length 16.25 cm.; iris, dark brown; bill, black; legs. and feet,
black; inside of mouth, black. The stomach contained
insect remains and sand.

27. (' It ara drills: cHciillatas ( Hooded Dotterel ) — Common in
pairs on all the sea coasts. Two nests were found, one on
October 9th at Beachport with three nearly fresh eggs, one
on October 18th at Robe with three slightly incubated eggs.
The male of this nest Avas shot, and measured total length,
22,75 cm. ; spread, 41 cm. ; iris, light brown ; bare skin around
eye, vermillion; bill, base, orange; tip, black; legs and feet,
light salmon pink; tips of toes, black. The stomach con-
tained tiny molluscs.

28. Actitis hgpolevcus auritis (Common Sand Piper) —
There were a few of these birds on the Glenelg River. They
do not affect the mud flats, but seem to prefer settling on
rocks or thick tree branches near the water. A male col-
lected measured in total length, 20 cm.; iris, dark brown;
bill, olive brown; legs and feet, greenish yellow; inside of
mouth, dark horn colour. The stomach contained small
molluscs.

MOIWAS -The IHrds nf Ihc South- Kn, tern Fart of .S'..t.

29. Glottis uehularius (Greenshank) — A few birds seen at
T.ake George, Beachport.

MO. Limnocinclus acmiiinatu.s (iSharp Tailed Stint ) — Larg(i
llock« were seen about tlie swamps juul lakes near Beach-
port.

31. Ditelmatias hardwickii (Snipe) — Only seen once near
Beachport. T was told that they are fairly numerous in
some seasons.

32. Rostratula austral is (Painted Snipe) — A Pair was put
up from a shallow swamp near Robe.

33. Thresldornis molucca sticlipennis (White Ibis) — Seen
in fair numbers between Kingston and Narracoorte, and
about Narracoorte, but not nearly so numerous as the next
bird.

34. (Jarphihis spinicollis (Straw-necked Ibis) — These birds
were especially numerous about Narracoorte. Many flocks
were feeding by the roadside on the way to the caves. They
are evidently well protected, for they take but little notice
of passing traps and motor cars.

35. Herodias alba syrmatophora (White Egret) — Three
birds were seen near the mouth of the Glenelg River, and a
single bird on Lake George at Beachport.

3G. Notophoi/,i- novaehollandiae (White-fronted Heron or
Blue Crane) — Seen occasionally throughout the trip, but not
numerous anywhere. A tame bird at Glenelg River was
very fond of blowflies, of which it caught numbers about
the back yard.

37. Mijola pacAfica (White-necked Heron) — Two birds
were seen near Wolsley — not seen elsewhere.

38. Demiffretta sacra cooktowni (Blue Ixeef Heron) — A
pair had located itself on the rocks at Robe. Not secii
elsewhere.

39. Casarca tadornoides (Mountain Duck) — Common on
the swamps near Kingston, also seen at Narracoorte and
between the two towns.

40. Chenopis atrata (Black Swan) — Very numerous on
Lake George near Beachport; also seen at Glenelg River and
Kingston.

41. Anas saprrciJo.sa nn/cisi ( P>lack I >uck I — Seen ;il
(Ilenelg Rivei-. Beachport, Robe, and in thousands near King-
ston.

42. Vira(/o f/ihhrrifrons (Grey Teal'i — Always seen in com-
pany with the last, and in similar nnmboi-s.

12 MOUGAN~Thr Jlirdi^ <,f flw H"ulh-EaMeru FrrI

43. Malaehorhynehun memhranaceus (Pink-eared Duck) — A
few bird's seen at Glenelg- River, not seen elsewhere.

44. Biziura lohafa (Musk Duck) — Been in pairs at Glenelg
River, Beachport, and Robe.

45. Phdlacrorora.r- rarho iiovachoUanduic (Great Black Cor-
morant)— Only once seen on the Valley Lake at Mount
fJambier.

4f). Mcsocarbo (iter (Little Black Cormorant) — \ erj com-
mon all along the coast. Also seen at Narracoorte.

47. lli/poleiienfi rariuf^ hi/polcucus (Orange-faced Cor-
morant)— Common all along the coast. A bird shot at
Glenelg River, measured: total length, 77 m.m. ; spread, 120
m.m.; iris, greyish green. The stomach contained small
mullet.

48. Microcarho melanoleucus (Little Pied Cormorant) —
Common all along the coast and on the Valley Lake at Mount
Gambler. The Black-faced Pied Shag {HypoleAicus fuscescGus)
was not seen at all. I was surprised at this as I have always
regarded it as the ocean cormorant, and is known to occur
and breed off the S.E. coast.

49. Caioptropelicanus ebnspicillatus (Pelican) — A number
seen on tlK^ sliallow lagoons at the mouth of the Glenelg
River.

50. Cireus appro.rimans gouldi (Swamp Hawk) — Very com
mon. The swampy country and great cutting grass flats are
peculiarly suited to its habits, and a pair or more were always
to be 'seen hunting over the flats throughout the trip. At
Beachport a bird was disturbed from a freshly killed rabbit.
A nest with one fresh ef^cix was found in some tall reeds on
the Glenelg River: it was visited again but the birds had
deserted it.

51. Urospiza fasciata (Goshawk) — ^Seen at Robe and at
Kingston, where one was flushed from an inaccessable nest.

52. Tlronetux nuda.T (Wedge-tailed Eagle) — (^)nly (me pair
Tseen hovering over the mouth of the Glenelg River.

58. Haliasfur sphemirus (Whistling Eagle) — One of these
birds was flushed from its nest near Kingston. No others
were seen.

54. Tcracidea hcrifjora (Brown Hawk) — Been at Robe,
Beachport, and Kingston. Near Beachport a bird flew over
us carrying a small snake in its talons. All were the dark
form.

55. Ccrchncis ccnchroidcs (Kestrel) — Very common
throughout the trip.

MOaOAN—Thf. HircU of the. Sontk-LJ astern. Part of S.A. 13

56. Tifto alhn delicatula (Delicate Owl) — One was flushed
from a bushy branch of a tea-tree near Beachport.

57. Trichof/loiisus: iiorachollandiae (Blue Mountain Parrot)
— Breedinii in numbers on a gum flat near Kingston; not seen
elsewhere. A female collected measured in total length, 30.5
cm. Tris. red with black rim to pupil; bill, vermillion; tip,
yellow; inside of mouth, yellow; legs and feet, dark grey.

58. Gloasopfiiffa concAnna (Musk Lorikeet) — Seen in num-
bers in company with the last bird, and apparently breeding.
.\ female had the iris brownish yellow with black rim to
]Mipils; bill, black at the base, tip yellow; legs and feet, grey;
inside of mouth, dark horn colour. The stomach contained
particles of gum blossom.

59. Calypforhi/richns funereus (Black Cockatoo) — Still c«;m
mon in the stringy bark country. Seen in flocks up to eight
in number. They come into the town at Narracoorte every
day apparently to feed on the pine seeds.

00. Plafifcercns crimiiis (Rosella Parrot) — Common in red
gum country at every place we visited, and seen as far west
as Tintinara on the Melbourne railway line. A nest with
seven fresh eggs was found near Kingston on October 28th.
A female shot near Kingston measured in total length 31.5
cm. Iris, dark brown; bill, light horn colour; legs and feet,
dull black; inside of mouth, light ho'rn colour. The stomach
and crop contained small seeds.

01. Pla.tyccrcvfi elegans (Crimson Parrot) — Seen only at
Crlenelg River in fair numbers, but very shy. They arc said
to extend over the border, but we did not see them.

02. PfirpJiotun iKtmuitonntufi (Red-rumi)ed firass Parrot) —
Common at Beachport in the timbered country; also seen at
Robe and near Kingston.

03. NrnDfniocle.'i rhn/siof/aster (Orange-bellied Grass Parrot)
— A flock was always to be seen near the township at Beach-
port, and odd birds were seen in the sandhills. They were
also seen on several occasions near Robe, always close to the
coast. A male collected at Beachport measured in total
length 22.5 cm.. Iris, light brown; bill, upper mandible,
dark horn; btwci-. light horn; legs and feet, greyish brown;
inside of mouth, creamy yellow. Stomach contents, small
seeds. It showed no signs of breeding. I was told that at
Beachport they nest upon the ground. This bird has not
been seen in South .\ustralia since Mr. Ashby collected a
specimen at the Cirange in 1885.

04. Pezoporiis trn-pfifrift (Swamp Parrot)— I heard that a
few of these birds were still to be found upon the flats at the

14 MOEGAN—The I'nnh „J the Soutlt.KasU-ra Part of S.A.

month of the Glenelg River, and after two afternoon's tramp-
ing we managed to put one up. This was the only one seen.

65. Aegothcles cristatu (Owlet Nightjar) — A single bird
flushed from a hollow near Beachport.

66. Alcyone aziirea victoriae (Azure Kingfisher) — Fairly
common on the Glenelg River. A male measured in total
length 18 cm. Iris, black; bill, black; point, horn colour;
legs and feet, vermillion; inside of mouth, orange red.
Stomach contents, a few small fish scales.

67. Dacelo gigas (Laughing Jack) — Common throughout
the trip.

68. Heteroscenes paUidus (Pallid Cuckoo) — Heard only at
Glenelg River. None was seen.

69. (kicomantis rubricatus (Fantailed Cuckoo j — Fairly
common. Seen or heard calling at every place we visited.
A male collected at Beachport measured in total length
27.75 cm. Iris, brown; bare skin around eye, bright yellow;
bill, black; feet, light brown; soles, yellow; inside of mouth,
orange; stomach contents, hairy caterpillars.

70. Xcoehalcites hasalifi mellori (Narrow-bilU'd lJr<mze
Cuckoo) — Heard occasionally throughout the trip, but no-
where common.

71. Lamprococcyx plagosus (Broad-billed Bronze (Uukooi
— Seen at Glenelg River, and an egg taken from the nest of
a yellow-rumped tree tit at Narracoorte on October 31st.

72. Hirundo neoxena (Welcome Swallow) — Common
throughout the trip. Breeding in the sea cliffs at Robe.

73. Hylochelidon nigricans (Tree Swallow) — Common
throughout the trip. They appeared to be breeding in holes
in the cliffs at Robe.

74. Microeca fascinans (Brown Flycatcher) — A pair seen
near Beachport, and another at Narracoorte. No others
were seen.

75. Petroica multicolor frontalis (Scarlet-breasted liobin )
: — Seen everywhere where there was timbered country. A
nf st which the young had just left and another building were
foimd at Glenelg River.

76. Mclfinodryas cucullata vigorsi (Hooded Robin) — Seen
at Glenelg River, Beachport, and Narracoorte; not common.

77. Pachycephala pectoralis (Yellow-breasted Thickhead)
— Seen at Glenelg River in the tea-tree, and at Beachport in
the stringy bark. A female collected at Beachport measured
in total length 17.5 cm.; iris, brown; bill, dark horn colour;

MOh'UAK—T/,'' liirds of thr Suuth-Eustern I'urt of S.A. 15

legs and feet, dark grey; inside of mouth, whitish; stomach
contents, insect remains.

78. Leicinornis rufiventris (Rufous-breasted Thickhead) —
Seen only once in stringy bark country at Narracoorte.

79. Eopsaltria austraUs viridior (Yellow-breasted Shrike
Robin) — Seen only at Glenelg River, where they were com-
mon in the tea-tree. A male collected measured in total
length 17.25 cm. Iris, dark brown; bill, black; legs and
feet, black; inside of bill, black; palate, flesh colour.

80. RJiipklnra flabelUfcra victor iae (White-shafted Fantail)
— A very common bird, in all classes of timber, at all the
places we visited. A pair was seen building a nest near
Robe on October 26th, and another pair feeding half grown
yonng on the same day.

81. Lmcocirca tricolor (Black and White Flycatcher or
W agtail) — Very common in all classes of country and breed-
ing freely.

82. Seizura inquieta (Restless Flycatcher) — Only a single
individual seen in the main street of Kingston.

83. Coracina novaehollandiae melanops (Black-faced
Cuckoo-Shrike) — Seen in pairs occasionally in big timbered
country throughout the trip. A nest found at Beachport on
October 10th was in a stringy bark about 20 feet from the
ground, and contained three fresh eggs.

84. Pomatostomus temporalis (Babbler) — Common at
Beachport, Robe and Kingston. Their great stick nests
were more often seen than the birds. They were breeding,
and were feeding nearly full grown young. I saw nests near
Narracoorte which I attributed to these birds, but did not
see the birds themselves. Kingston must be near the Wes-
tern limit of the range of this bird, though Mr. J. W. Mellor
found them on the Coorong some years ago; Captain White
saw nothing of them on a recent visit to that locality. A
female collected near Beachport measured in total length
27.5 cm. Iris, dark brown; bill, black; base of lower
mandible, white; legs and feet, black; inside of mouth, black;
j^Tlate. flesh colour. Stomach contents, insect remains. A
male collected near Kingston measured 29.25 cm.; iris, dark
brown; bill, black, with white line down the culmen and under
the lower mandible; inside of mouth, yellowish; stomach con-
tents, remains of small beetles.

85. Calamanthu.s fulifi'niosus alhiloris i White lorcd I'^ield-
Wren) — This bird was seen occasionally a( Oleiielg Kiver,
Henchport, Robe, and Kingston. They wc:-!- c.xcctMiiMgly shy.

16 MORGAN— The Birds of th>' ^SoiU/i-Kustrru Fart of S.A.

and 1 failed to secure a spetimeu, so I am not sure of the
species. They are beautiful songsters.

86. (■inclorhatnphus cruralis cantatoris (Black-breasted
Song- Lark ) — Common in all the o])en country throughout rhe
trip.

87. Epthiannra albifronfi (White-fronted Tin-tac) — Com
mon around all the marshy and cultivated country.

88. Poodytes gramineiis (Little Grass Bird) — Heard sing
ing once on a small swamp near Robe. I also saw the egga
in a boy's collection.

89. Aeanthiza pusilla (Little Tree Tit) — This is one of the
commonest birds in the district. They were seen and heard
in all classes of country, but were most numerous in the
thick scrub of the sand hills. Two nests found near Robe on
October 25th and 26th; each contained young birds. A male
taken at Glenelg River on October 4th had the iris bright
brownish red; legs and feet, brown; soles, yellow; inside of
mouth, black.

90. Aeanthiza lincata (Striped Tree Tit) — Seen at Beach-
port and Narracoorte in the stringy bark country. Not com-
mon. A female shot from the nest on October 15th. near
Beachport, measured in total length, 9.25 cm.; iris, light
brown; bill, dark horn colour; legs and feet, brown; inside of
mouth, horn colour. The nest was built in a banksia tree
about 15 feet up. It was composed of fine strips of stringy
bark, outwardly decorated with green silky material, and a
few white spiders' cocoons, and lined with feathers and a few
pieces of rabbit fur.

91. (Teoha.sileufi chnf-sorrhou-s ( Yellow-rumped Tree-tit or
Tom-tit) — Common in all classes of country. Many nests
seen mostly built in bushy overhanging branches of tea-trees.

92. ffericorms sp.- — Two Specimens of Scrub Wren were
secured, one at Glenelg River, and another at Robe, but I
have not yet been able to determine to which species they
belong. The birds are common both in the tea-tree about the
swamps and in the sand hills.

93. Mahiriis ci/aneus (Blue Wren) — Common everywhere.
They had only just started to breed.

94. ^Stipiiurii.s }nalachurus trcgeUesi (Emu Wren) — ■(■otii-
mon on the marsh flats at the mouth of the Glenelg River.
They are said to occur also at Robe, but we failed to find them
there. A male collected measured in total length 16.5 cm.;
iris, light brown; bill, black; legs and feet, brown; stomach
contents, sroall beetles

MORGAN— The lUrds or tlw S^.ntl>-J':>i.-h'r» I'.trl of S.A.

95. Mnccoyornis hroadbentl (Bristle Bird) — These birds are
very common in the sandhill country from Glenelg River to
King^ston. The bird on the Coorono- collected by Capi.
White is much lighter in colour, and has rightly been des-
cribed as a new sub-species. Although the birds are »fv
common they are very rarely seen. My wife and I have
stood still in the scrub and had birds calling all round us
sometimes within a few feet, and yet not been able to get a
sight of them. As for collecting specimens we tried every
day for a week at Beachport without securing a single bird
or even a shot at one. We were too early for nests. Seve-
ral last year's ones were found in the Robe district, but it was
not until October 24th that we found a nest building, near
Robe, and v.e did not see the eggs at all. Two specimens were
collected, both females. The first from Glenelg River
measured in total length 27.5 cm.; iris, bright brown red;
bill, horn colour, upper mandible darker; legs and feet, dark
brown; inside of mouth, dark horn colour. The second at
Beachport on October 20th measured 25.5 cm. in total length.
The upper mandible of the bill was almost black, and the feet
were darker brown than the legs. The stomach contained
insect remains, and many had round seeds of a small red fruit.
90. CamphcJlornis personatus (Masked Wood Swallow) —
A single individual was seen several times near Beachport
and was shot. It measured in total length 19.5 cm.; iris,
dark brown; bill, blue; tip, black; legs and feet, mealy black;
inside of mouth, black; stomach contents, small beetles;
sex, 9 .

97. Pseudartamus cijanopterus (Dusky Wood Swallow) —
Common throughout the trip. They had just begun building.

98. CoUurieiiwla harnionica victor ioe (Grey Shrike-Thrush)
— Seen and heard in al classes of country throughout the trip.
A nest found on October 18th near Robe containing three
fresh eggs was built of bark and sword grass and lined with
fine strips of the same material, with an inner lining of fine
rootlets. Height over all, 10 cm.; width over all. 10 cm.;
cavity, 9.5 x 8 cm.; depth of cavity, fi.5 cm.

99. Grallina cyanoleiica (Magpie Lark) — Common wher(>
ever there was water. Breeding.

100. Ci/nniorhina hypolrncd IcKcoiiota ( W'hitp-backcd
Magi)iei — Common everywiu-re. P»recding. .Most of llir
pjiirs had well grown young.

101. Bitlestes torquatns (Butcher Bird) — Seen at all the
places vi-sited, but not numerous anywhere. Two ne.sts

18 MORGAN—The Birds »/ thr South-Eastern Part of S.J.

found, one at Glenelg River with one egg on October 4th, and
one at Robe on October 23rd with two

102. CUmacteri>< leucophaea ( White-throated Tree-creeperi
— Seen only at Narracoorte. where they were common in the
stringy bark country.

lOo. ZostnopH Jdtcidli.s ircst('ni('ii.Hi.s (Silver-eye) — Vei-y
common in the sandhills all along the coast.

104. Aiistrodicaeuni hirundinacriiin (Mistletoe Bird) —
Seen only at Narracoorte in red gum country. This was the
(mly place in which we saw many mistletoes.

105. I'drdalofiuns sir tat us ('Striped Diamond Bird) — Fair-
ly common in red gum country near Kingston. We did not
see or hear a Diamond Bird of any kind at any other place.
A male collected measured in total length, 10.75 cm.; iris,
light brown; bill, black; legs and feet, grey brown; inside of
mouth, white; stomach contents, insect remains. Breeding.
This bird had a very dark red wing spot.

100. Mdithrcptus atricapillns suhmagnirostris (Brown-
headed Honey-eater) — A flock of about ten birds seen near
Narracoorte; not met with elsewhere.

107. Acanthorhi/nchns tenuirostris (Spine Bill) — Seen only
once on the edge of a swamp near Beachport.

lOH. (ilicipliihi ruchinopx rlKnidlcri (Fulvous-fronted
Honey-eater) — Very comtnon in some grass tree country near
Kingston. They were feeding on the flowering spikes. A
female collected measured in total length, 16 cm.; iris, dark
brown; bill, black; legs and feet, leaden colour; inside of
mouth, black; stomach contents, insect remains.

109. Mcliphaga sonora (Singing Honey-eater) — Very com-
mon in the sandhill scrub all along the coast. They were
breeding. A female collected measured 19.5 cm. in total
length: iris, dark brown; legs and feet, leaden grey; inside of
mouth, yellow; stomach contents, many small beetles and
some green vegetable matter.

110. Ptilotula penkillnta (White-plumed Honey-eater or
(Ireenie) — Pair seen at Mount Gambler, and a single bird at
Narracoorte. It appears to be an uncommon bird in the
district.

111. Mr]ior)iis noruvholhnuJUic .siiba.s.'^iinili.s (While-
bearded Honey-eiiter ) — rouimou in tea-tree and banksia coun
try; also fairly common in the sandhill scrub.

112. Myzanthfi mclonocepJinla ichitei. — Fairly Common in
the red gum country a little distance from the coast. Not
seen within fonr miles of the sea. A female collected near

MORGAN —The Birds of the Suutk-Kaxtern Part of S.A. li)

Beachport measiued iii total length 28 cm.; iris, light brown;
bill, yellow; bare skin behind eye, bright yellow; ring round
eye, black; legs and feet, 'dull yellow; inside of mouth, yellow;
stomach contents, insect remains and nectar. A nest ready
for eggs taken on October 15th was built in a stringy bark
tree, of small twigs lined with grass, with an inner lining of
sheep's wool. Height over all, 6 cm.; width over all, 20 cm.;
cavity, circular, 9 cm. in diameter, and 4.5 cm. deep.

li;i Colria carunculata tregellasi (Red Wattle Bird) —
Very common in mallee and small gum country near the
coast, much less numerous inland. They mostly had young
in the nest or heavily incubated eggs. A male collected at
Kobe measured in total length 35 cm.; iris, light brown; bill,
black; legs and feet, light brown; soles of feet, yellowish;
wattles, red; inside of mouth, yellow; stomach contents, small
red berries, and the hard round seeds of the same.

114. AntJwcliaera clirysoptera intermedia (Brush Wattle
Bird) — These birds were in thousands in the sandhill scrub,
especially where there was any mallee. Hundreds of their
nests were seen most of which the young had just left, but
many contained eggs or young birds. A nest taken on
October 22nd measured height over all, S cm.; width,
11 cm.; cavity. 8.5 x 6.5 cm.; depth, 4 cm. It was
built of small fine twigs lined with coarse bark, with
an inner lining of shredded bark, rabbit fur and feathers.
A female collected on October 23rd measured in total length
28 cm.; iris, brownish grey; bill, black; point, horn colour;
legs and feet, dark greyish brown; inside of mouth, yellow;
stomach contents, seeds of the ismall red berry mentioned
above.

115. Acunthogent/s riifi</Nl<iris (■}/(j)ius ( fc^piny-cheeked
Honey-eater) — Very common in the sandhill scrub, but
did not extend far inland. vSeveral nests were found
each containing two incubated eggs. A nest taken on
October 20th was placed in a small tea-tree about
four feet from the ground. It was constructed of green
grass, and lined with clematis, capeweed down, and horse
hair. Height, 0.5 cm.; cavity, 9x7 cm.; depth, 6 cm.. A
female collected on October 23rd measured 26.5 cm. in total
length. Iris, bluish white; bill, flesh pink; tip, black; legs
and feet, slate colour; inside of mouth, yellow; stomach con-
tents, small red berries.

116. AnthuH mistralis (Ground Lark) — Seen occasionally
throughout the trip where there was cleared land. Not
common.

20 MELLOR~In the Fine and Mallee.

117. Stagonopleura (/tittata philordi (Spotted-sided Finch)
— A single bird seen at Narraeoorte.

118. Zonacginthus helluH (Fire-tailed Finch) — Seen at
Beachport and at Robe, where they were fairly common in the
teatree around the small lakes, and where they were breed-
ing. They were very shy. A nest taken on October 24th
was built in a tea-tree about four feet from the ground of
fresh grass and fine tea tree twigs, and was lined with
clematis down and rabbit fur. Height, 17 cm.; length, 22
cm.; length of cavity, 13 cm. It contained seven fresh eggs.
A female collected at Robe on October 22nd had the iris, dark
brown; ring round eye, light blue; bill, red, white at basis
legs and feet, yellowish brown, feet darker; inside of mouth,
red.

119. Aeqintha temporalis (Red-browed Finch) — Common
at Glenelg River and at Mount Gambier about the Valley Lake
where a pair was seen building a nest. Not seen elsewhere.

120. (UrrruM coronoidcti (Crow) — Seen occasionally
tliroughout the trij>. Not common anywhere

121. Strepera versicolor (?) (Bell Magpie) — A bird of this
genus was seen at Beachport and at Robe, but they were very
Bhy. and I could not get a specimen. It appeared to be the
above species.

122. Corcora.T melanorhamphKS (Chough) — A pair had a
nest in a red gum near Kingston. No others were seen.

The eggs of the Collared Sparrow Hawk and of a
Podargus were seen in a boy's collection, but the birds them-
selves wore not seen.

In the Pine and Mallee.

By J. W. Mellor, R.A.O.U.
Part I.

In October last it was my good fortune to be able to pay
a somewhat hasty visit to the pine and mallee country in the
Hundred of Bookpurnong, S.A., the immediate locality
examined being situated east of Loxton, and near the
Victorian iborder.

Leaving Adelaide on the 9th it took the full day by train
to travel by way of Murray Bridge and Tailem Bend, thence
along the Paringa line. Night was just closing in when the
train pulled up a( the little siding of Pungonda, and \ was
•dumped down in the wilderness. .My first anxiety was finding

MELLOR^bi the Fine, and Matlee. 21

a suitable place to camp, this being extremely difficult in a new
country, darkness having set in. However, I was fortunate
in finding a friend in need, in the person of two out back fai'-
mers' sons, Mr. J. A. Forby and a friend, who came to
meet the train for mails, etc., and with their assistance I
removed my tent and camping kit about half a mile distant
to a isecluded clump of the so called Murray Pines (Calitris),
Having temporarily pitched my tent, I was glad of some
rest after the long day's journey, and even the hard ground
did not banish Nature's sweet restorer ''balmy sleep". Next
day I was up betimes, and straightened up camp a little
before getting out into the surrounding country, which is
chiefly of a chocolate sandy clay nature, carrying large mallee
and numbers of tine Murray pines. These trees attain a large
size, and when growing in patches give to the more open
country a park-like appearance. In these quite a
number of birds make their abode, the first to catch my eye
was the southern singing honey-eater, while the yellow-
throated Miner made the locality resound with its loud and
continued calls. The chestnut-crowned babbler was also (juite
numerous, and it was interesting to watch the antics of these
birds as they hopped and flew about in "follow
the leader" fashion from tree to tree, threading
their way through innumerable bushes and fallen
pines en route, all the time uttering their sharp
whistling calls, and bobbing their tails up and down
as if worked on springs. They are extremely animated birds,
and in these parts quite take the place of the white-browed
species, w^hich was rarely seen. The Pink Cockatoo also
known as Major Mitchell was quite a common bird in the
open country, and was breeding in the large mallee.
The Rose-breasted Cockatoo or Galah Avas by no means
rare, and doubtless was also breeding, although no
nests were found. These two birds fly about in
company, and feed together on the grassy flats where
seeds are plentiful, and make a pretty sight as they
rise and fly into the dark foliaged pines, the delicate pink of
the Major' Mitchell with its beautiful crest erected being
very conspicuous. Shell parrots were about on the open
grass land in large flocks, and ever and anon a cloud of them
would pass swiftly by, uttering their small rattling
notes, and alighting on a dead pine, the tree would
instantly be transformed into a living green, with the green
'"leaves" SAvaying in the breeze. Then suddenly the tree

MELLOU—ln the Fine and Mallee.

would be quite dead again, as the birds moved off, and
alighted on the ground to feed. Cockatoo parrots were
about in pairs, and looked vei^ pretty as they darted above
the trees. The Blue iionnet Parrot in its dull olive green garb
relieved by yellow and crimson beneath, and by blue face and
cap was less conspicuous, and generally seen feeding in pairs.
When feeding in the half dry grass it was difficult to detect,
the upper coloration harmonizing so well with the sur-
roundings.

Several trips were made to the Victorian border, where
the assistance of the Messrs John and Edward Forby,
and Mr. and Mrs. Forby, Senr., was most acceptable in find-
ing out fresh fields for inspection. It was here that the
Tjeautiful little Black-backed Wren first came into promi-
nence, as it darted through the undergrowth at the edge of
the pine and mallee. The males were extremely shy, and
darted off like Hashes of light, leaving their sombre coloured
mates to investigate the "new comer", the male seeming to
know that his bright uniform made him a mark far too con-
spit .oijs to be examined closely. Gilbert's Thickhead was
also in evidence here, and its ventriloquial calls were heard
on every side as the birds moved from place to place, not
staying in the same situation long, but moving about .con-
tinually, and making it difficult to get close to them for
examination. On one of my twenty mile walks to the Vic-
torian border and back. 1 came upon an unusual sight in a
small (]vy l)usli about five feet high. Four fully grown young
liutcher Birds were being fed by their parents upon various
tit !)its of insects, etc.. while in the same bush were three
young Lanceolate Honey-eaters, also being fed by the old birds,
and all agreeing. For some time I stood watching them, as
the parent birds came to and fro, and no quarrelling took ])lac(^
It was here that I w^as fortunate to come across a pair of the
White-browed Tree-creepers;' they seemed to be very quiet
birds, and struck me as being in marked contrast with the
Brown Tree-creepers, which were quite numerous in the mallee,
where they were found nesting. The latter are extremely
noisv, and continually making their loud ])ink-pink-pink ;ind
other calls. T'pon examination the white-browed species
])roved to be so very different from the Central Aus-
tralian form collected by Mr. O. A. Keartland on
the Horn's Fxi^edition, that I have decided to des-
cribe it at length in this issue as a sub-species under the
s.'iiiitific designation of Climacteris eri/throps parsonsi in
honour of my friend, Mr. Frank E. Parsons, of Adelaide.

('AMI' BE LI J -Renaming Australian Birih. 2.-?

Vernacularly I propose to designate it the Southern While
browed Tree-creei)er. Time and space will not permit of a
minute description of all the birds seen, as no fewer
than 76 species were identified during my short seven
days' stay in camp, which w'as by no means a bad record in
addition to the hundred and one things that claim one'rt
attention in connection with camp life. The end of the
week came all too soon, and I packed up and caught the
early train on the morning of the 17th, arriving in Adelaide
after the usual long tedious day's journey in a slow train.

Renaming Australian Birds.

To the Editors, "The S.A. Ornithologist",
Sirs,

The Hon. Secretary of the S.A. Ornithological Associa-
tion was good enough to hand to Capt. S. A. White a copy of
my address on Nomenclature, apparently for ''review" in this
journal. (See ante p. 232).

A review is a summary of what an article, book, etc., con-
tains. There is a difference hetween a review and a critique,
and Capt. White has criticised my address somewhat
biassedly, therefore please permit me a brief rejoinder.

In the first place, I absolutely refrain from personal mat-
ters, therefore I pass over Capt. White's reference to the
writer's "very conservative views", and the beginning of his
critique, and near the end of it, his reference apparently to a
connection of his — "a great field ornithologist", whom Gould
was supposed to have treated shabbily.

1: Capt. White declares that nomenclature is a science,
thus staking his opinion against standard dictionaries.
"Chambers's Encyclopaedia", for instance, furnishes a com-
plete list of riO concrete and abstract sciences, but does not
include nomenclature.

2. The Army. Navy, and Civil Service promotions have
nothing to do with ornithology. No, but they have to nomen-
clature, by analogy, i.e., by the selection of the most fit person
(not necessarily prior or senior), or name, in the case of
nomenclature.

3. Cai)t. White contends that Could was a strict priorist
— a helpful statement in favour of, and not against, using his
nomenclature which was up to date,^and a good starting point
for some Australian names — those 'that are ornithologically
correct.

24 GAMrUELL—ilenamnuj Andvaliun lilnh.

4. "No progressive ornithologist works on Gould now —
his work is obsolete", says the Captain. Hear what Profes-
sor Macgillivray states: — "Mr. Gould has produced a series of
majinitieent works, without rival in the Cabinets of Science.

In taking a review of Mr. Gould's labours we can
not fail to be impressed with the benefits conferred by them
on Ornithological Science.''

5. I do admit in my book, "Nests and Eggs", that Gould's
classification is somewhat obsolete — a statement strictly
accurate. Capt. White confuses systematic classification
with nomenclature. The first is science, the other not.

6. As to the question "Who made the rules?" of Zoologi-
cal Nomenclature, Capt. White would be "much surprised"
if any Australian were deemed worthy to sit on the National
Committee — a severe reflection on the biological professors of
our respective universities. The committee is composed of
zoologists in general, and not ornithologists in particular.

7. If The Kiiin were "to jtopulurize the study of native
birds", at the expense of scientific matter, that would be one
sided. ('apt. White wobbles here. If he reads my address
again (1 seriously recommend him to do so), he will see I said
"one of the hro pi-incipal })lank's of our Union is to popularize,
etc.'' (Page 4).

S. Capt. White endeavours to make capital out of what
llic Auk and The fbi.s have stated concerning the K.A.O.IJ.
Official "Check I.ist of the Birds of Australia." These
learned journals forgot, surely, that it was an Australian list
they were judging, and not one solely for savants of the old
world. Moreover, th(\v showed careless criticism when they
referred to "lack of or "that no synonymy" was given. The
"Check List" contains references which lead up to all the
literature available, besides what is perhaps more practical,
a reference is furnished of a life coloured plate for almost
every species named.

0. Capt. White states that "The International Committee
of Zoological Nomenclature is steadily confirming and reject-
ing names." How does he know that, if he does not possi^ss
a copy of the rules, or follows them without question? He
refers to two conferences — 1892 and 1901. These were held
respectively at Moscow and Berlin, two cities which have
eternally disgraced science. Fortunately Australia was not
represented at either.

10. And, in conclu-sion. All ornithologists in South Aus-
tralia are not of Capt. White's opinion, as the following
extract of a letter received bv me shows: — "It was with much

M'llLLOR Khujjis/irr Encnuntrrs Snahc. 15

pleasuie ihat I received a copy of your address on "Kenamiu^
Australian l>irds'. 1 quite think, with you, that Mr.
H()-and-S() is pushinj^- the priority rule to an extent that is
cansin.u- confusion in the nomenclature of our birds, and 1
iniaLrine that the makers of the rule never contemplated that
it would be jnrshed t(> such extremes." That, sirs, is the sum
and substance of the whole matter. ''T/ie makers of the rule
(The Law of Triority), never contemplated that it tvould he pushed
to sitrh r.r/;r///c.y." Therefore, before our next ''Check List" is
completed let us seek an amelioration of that overbearing and
mischievous rule.

I am, etc.,

A. J. CAMPBELL.
Surrev Hills, Victoria. 28th November, 1918.

Kingfisher Encounters a Snake.

A remarkable encounter between a Sacred Kingtisher
{Halcyon sanctus), and a large brown snake was witnessed by
Mr. W. J. Dixon, of Fulham, S.A.,- recently, near his house
on the baidv of the liiver Torrens. The bird had
made its nest in the usual burrow-like hole in the
hank of the stream, some distance from (he water
belo\\-, and the snake wishing to get at i1 glided
stealthily uj) the bank, all the time closely \vatche<l
toy the agitated bird, which allowed the reptile to get to a
place in the bank that was steeper than elsewhere, when it
darted with arrow-like swiftness, and a well-directed blow
from the long i>ointed bill on the reptile's head sent it rolling
down the bank into the water.. Nothing daunted, and.
like the spider and the monarch of old, the snake after
a brief interval was induced to 'try again', and up the bank
it glided, but at the same steep part, the kingfisher darted at
its adversary's head again, and it rolled down into the water
once more, to repeat the performance yet a third time with
exactly the same result. Then the snake gave it u]),
glided away into some thick bushes and disappeared, and the
Httle bird was left monarch of all he surveyed, and its nest
was unmolested. The instinct of the Uingtisher iu attacking
its adversary each time at the one place where the stee])ness
gave the little bird an advantage that it could never have
gained at any other s])ot on the bank was reuiarkable, and is
another instance of the almost human thinking power of our
feathered friends.
"Mellor Park", JOHN W. MELLOR,

Lockleys, S.A. 10/11/18.

2() About Meinh'-

About Members.

All will be pleased to knov; that Mr. Edwin Ashby has
returned safely home from America, but sympathize with him
in the illness of his son (Dr. Ashby).

Dr. A. M. Morgan spent a month in the South East, and
did some excellent work amongst the birds in an almost \u\-
worked district. A paper by the Doctor appears in this num.
ber.

Mr. Frank Parsons has been on an ornithological trip up
the Murray River, and we are looking forward to the results
of the trip later.

Mr. J. W. Mellor took a trip east of the Murray in the
maUee nnd pine country, and the first part of a paper upon his
work api)ears in this number.

The President motored to Robe, and all through the dis-
trict. Itut failed to see yconauodcs chri/.<iorf(ifttc)\ and supposes
they must have left the district since Dr. Morgan met with
them.

A Sketch of the Life of Samuel White
Ornithologist, Soldier. Sailor, and Explorer.

By His Son, S. A. White, C.M.B.O.T.
XIX. THE ORNITHOLOGIST AND SAILOR.
There were few of the Aru women seen, and it is my im
}»ressi()n that they are not allowed to speak to strangers, and
this also applies to the girls. Wheuever I came suddenly upon
a home where there was a woman at work, she would drop
whatever she had in her hand aud rush uj) into the house. If
1 met one in jiny of the little tracks throutih the bush she would
run and hide. I always j)assed on without taking the slightest
notice, but I think this shvness soon wears off. I had a better
opi)ortunity of seeing some of the little children, for I made it a
practice to give them beads and other presents when I saw
them, then the fathers and friends of others would bring them
for nic to look at. but the poor little things were as much
terrified as if tliey had been taken to see a wild beast. Both
men and women adorn themselves with beads and other orna-
ments of brass, pearl, tortoise shell, finger rings, earings, and
necklaces ; the beads in greatest demand among them are mixed
white and coral red. The Aru i)eo])le are very fond of keeping
pets of all kinds. Dogs, cuscus and birds, as well as fowls.

W HITFjA Sketch of the Life of Samuel White.

cockatoos and parrots of the most brilliant plumage, and evpry
conceivable hue were brought to me, generaly tied by the h^g
to a piece of bamboo bent into the shape of a triangle, and it
is surprising how tame they appear. This is no doubt due to the
training they get. The natives are continually mauling every
thing they have, either dead or alive, and are often very cruel
to them ; indeed they have neither thought nor feeling for them.
J*oor wounded birds are tied by the legs to a stick and kei)t
hanging and tluttering till the leg mortifies, or they die of star-
vation. The do.us they have about them are diminutive, ill look-
ing, half-starved mangy curs, and can be useful for nothing but
making a noise. The brutes are a })est and source of constant
anxiety. When I camp near a village, they ijrowl about
all night, and if anything is left within their reach they
are sure to carry it off. I know not what religious
views the Aru people possess, or if they have any.
All the natives have canoes, and the larger prau is
plentiful, the former being a mere "dug-out", made
out of a solid log hollowed out in the centre, and they are
from IS to 30 feet long, by 12 to IS inches wide, well-formed,
sharp at both ends, and have a good shear. Some have a couple
of cross beams projecting over each side 4 to 5 feet, and have a
piece of bamboo or cocoanut fastened fore and aft, with rattan
to form an outrigger, and give the craft more stability. These
boats will liold 8 or 4 or even B to S men who propel them with
short spade-like paddles at a good pace. The larger vessels
are much better craft, they are regularly and ingeniously built
(►n a keel, which does not add much to the draft of the craft.
Every plaidi is hewn out of a solid log, and cleats are left every
two feet in the solid wdod; these cleats when the planks are in
their places, come opposit'^ to each other, and form rows from
keel to gunwale. These, after they have been boarded ver-
ticalh% are fitted with bent pieces of wood made to fit and
touch everv cleat, and are laced down to them with rattan,
these form the timbers of the shi]), and the planks ai--e hewn to
an inch or an inch and a half in thickness with the cleats about
two or three inches deep. The scarfs are generally curved,
and about a foot long, the plank being laced to the keel, the lat-
ter in some instances beinu' continued at one end to S or 10 feet
above the craft, and ornamented at the top. The planks are
bevelled one edge to the other as well as being laced,
and the whole is made tight by caulking with cocoa
nut fibiv. These boats usually have a deck of split bam-
boo lashed down with rattan, and a small neat house built on

28 WHITE A Skittrh of ike Life of Samud White.

this, into whioli the crew can creep. It is jjropelled with short
broad juiddles, oi- a hirjiv mat sail made of iiandainis leaves
sewn toj>ether, and hoisted on a bamboo yard to a triangle or
tripod mast, and lashed down to the craft. Of conrse these boats
can only sail before the wind, and they are going continually
from the Blackangtanna to J>obo with articles they have for
barter. The trade of the Aru peo])le must be very limited, for
there was nothing that 1 could see that is worlh trading for.

The l*aradise plumes appear to be the chief thing they sell,
and they fetch 20/ each; very few pearlshell, and still fewer
pearls are found. I had a few pearl shells olfered me, by some
of the boats which were passing on their way to Dobo, and the
price asked for small shells was five rupees a pair. The pearls
offered me were very small, and a few edible birds nests and
some sugar cane seemed to be all the Arue people could trade in
except it be a little "Treimng" which T should judge as very
poor quality, it being a very different article from that which I
have been used to seeing in the straits. The edible birds nests
seemed to be valned at about threepence to sixi)ence each. Every
kind of fruit and vegetable was very scarce and dear.

Minerals in the Aru Islands are wanting. I did not see
or hear of any. The whole of the country seems to be of a
limestone formation.

MAMMALS.
The Mammals of the Aru Islands are not so numerous in
species or specimens as in most parts of Australia, nevertheless
small mammals such as rats of various kinds are by no means
scarce in many districts. They frequently annoyed us, by de-
stroying our food" and specimens. The largest of the animals
which came under notice while I was camping on the islands
was the pig, and I found that in his wild state he was a lanky
ungainly looking beast (the Malay name for this animal is
"Bahi"). The only species representing the kangaroo on the
island is a Avallaby of moderate size, and a distinct species.
The greatest distinguishing mark being a broad white bar on
the thigh. It is very like some of our scrub Avallaby. The
natives at times catch these animals in snares, and I have had
them brought to me tied by the legs till the limbs are swollen
and numb, or coiled up in a basket where they must have been
confined for days or weeks, so that in either case the unfortu-
nate animals could not walk, and never lived more than twenty-
four hours after being liberated. The next in size to the wallaby
is the cuscus, a tropical opossum of large size, and with a tail
which is perhensile and bare of hair for half its length. This

WHITE— A Sketch of the Life of Samuel White 29

animal lives amidst the foliage of the trees, and feeds upon the
young leaves and shoots in a similar manner to some of the
Australian opossums, but the euscus ditfers from the opossum
of Australia in colour, and its fur is very thick and
woolly, and often of a dirty, creamy white. The ears are very
short, and the skin about the face, especially about the eyes and
nose, is a bright, pinkish flesh colour and gives a decided
character to its appearance. The texture of the skin of the cus-
tus is very different from that of the Australian opossum; the
skin of the latter is tough and capable of making good thin
leather, but the skin of the euscus is so tender that it will not
bear its own weight while skinning, and the greatest care must
be observed to get it off the animal whole. When the euscus
is brought in by the natives it is never uerfect. If in a dead state
it is sure to have been struck with something to kill it, which
always breaks the skin, if alive it is sure, to be bound with rat-
tan, which cuts the skin about the legs or other parts, and even
when brought in baskets the creature's struggles damage it very
much. The carcase is usually very fat, the tlesh white, and
much esteemed by the natives. Three colours are represented
in my collection. A middle-sized one with light grey upper
surface and a large one of a dirty creamy Avhite, and a small
animal whose fur is creamy white with large and irregular
blotches of black. I procured about eight other species of
small mammals, such as rats, some of these being large, some
small, some had coarse hair, others fine fur, some were water
rats, some lived in the scrub amongst the fallen timber and
rocks, whilst others took up their abode with the natives in
their houses. One animal was very like our bandicoot, but was
very small and had a verj* long nose and short tail, another
was closely allied to the squirrel, having a long bushy tail, and
it was of a dark brown colour. From the number of species and
specimens I ju-ocured during my short stay, I should think that
the rodents and small mammals were fairly represented in the
Arus. The bats are vei-y numerous, some subsist on fruit and
vegetables, others feed on insects like small bats. One noisy
fellow is as large as a small dog, with a long snout like a hound,
pleasant looking eyes, short-pricked ears and wings, which
measure considerably over four feet across. Tb^n there are
others whose bodies are not bigger around than one's finger. I
])rocured five or six s])ecies while hunting in the Arus. the lar-
ger ones were shot like birds with the shot gun, but the small
ones were captured in fly nets like night moths.

30 WHITE— A Sketch of the Life of Sanmel White.

THE BIRDS OF THE ARUS.
The birds of the Arus are plentiful in some districts, yet
there are places where a collector would fail to find two or
three species. Owing to the short duration of my visit, it may
be I am not competent to judge of the number of species. I
recorded over two hundred species, and saw and heard others.
I did not procure all the species to be found in the island, and
nearly all the birds are to be found either in Australia or New
Guinea, yet there are some species confined to the island and
found nowhere else, the chief of which being "the Great Bird of
Paradise*' {Paradisea apoda), and called by the natives
"Burong Matti." This magnificent creature is not found in
any other part of the world other than the country of the Aru
group. It measures 18 or 19 inches from the bill to the end of
*;he tail, not including the wire feathers, which are 20 inches
longer, these long wire-like tail feathers, and the side plumes
adorn only the old male birds, the females and young of the
first year or so are almost uniform chocolate brown, being a
little darker on head and chest. It is stated that the birds
must live ten years before they arrive at perfection, and this is
not unreasonable when we know some of our birds in Australia
require several years to perfect their plumage. I have ob-
served that the common '•RosehilT' parrot (P. adelaidensis)
when kept in confinement will improve in depth and brightness
of plumage for 7 or 8 years, and I am of the opinion that the
lovely bird of Paradise may take quite as long or longer to
come to maturity. I have been able to procure some good
series of this bird. The first year or two of their lives there is
little difference between the sexes without it be that the males
are a little larger, then a light yellow tinge api)ears on the back
of the neck, and the chest is darker brown, then the head be-
c(mies mottled with yellow, and a few green feathers appear on
the chin, and the two central tail feathers lengthen out, but
are mottled on both sides, after this the head becomes bright
citron yellow, the chin and the throat are covered with short
scaly features of emerald green, and of metallic brightness.
Around the base of the bill is a ruff of hair, like feathers, of
a deep green, the feathers stand out on end, and look like plush ;
the bill is of a light leaden blue, and the eyes have brightened
to a deep citron yellow; the tail feathers now lengthen to a
foot or eighteen inches, and the web disappears except at the
end of an inch or so Avhen they are half an inch broad ; the next
stage — the colours all brishten, the eyes become very bright
and sharp like a hawks, the chest is deep purple brown, the

WHITE — A Sketch of the Life of Samuel Whit'-.

central tail feathers have grown to 24 inches or more, and
are destitute of web witli the exception of a little at the base;
the bird is now perfect with tlie exception of tlie plumes, scarce-
ly a sign of which can yet be seen. The plumes appear a few
inches at first, and are of a brownish yellow colour, increasing
in length, volume and brightness every year. When half grown
they are pale yellow, but when full grown they are
about 24 inches long and of the most intense orange
yellow at the base, with a finer gloss than silk lustre and depth
of colour gradually dying away towards the tip into a soft
brown. These birds must be seen alive or freshly killed to realize
their full beauty ; in life they are most beautiful birds, and have
made the heart of the Naturalist beat and bound when he had
one of these glorious birds within his grasp for the first time.
When the great Bird of Paradise is adult or nearly so, he ranks
amongst the shyest birds in the world, he resorts to the highest
trees in the scrub, and the cracking of the smallest stick under
one's foot, or the sight of any moving object is sufficient to send
him off. The easiest and best way to obtain these birds is to take
advantage of. some of its habits; one peculiar to the family is
to rej)air in the forenoon to certain large trees, when they pro-
duce their loud call of "Cark" or "Wark" repeated several
times, and with the old birds the voice is much more deep and
sonorous than the females and young males. On the large
horizontal branches of the large trees, the male birds dance
and display their plumes, and it is now that the Naturalist can
procure his specimens. ' I have called these birds into a tree
under which I was standing by mimicking their voices; they
have several calls besides the loud call "Wark" one a Ioav soft
note when feeding, and when caught or wounded give a call
much like a domestic fowl when being caught. The natives
ascend their dancing trees and conceal themselves in the lower
branches to get at shorter range and shoot them with blunt or
often pointed arrows. Just before evening a man brought me
a fine bird, but with not much j)Iume. It had been hit with a
blunt arrow on the tij) of the wing, which was dislocated. The
man who had brought it told me he had a dead bird for me
(Rurrong Matti), all my senses told nic this was not the case,
for the bird was fighting, struggling, and squeaking vigorously,
vet the fellow persisted in it being a <lead l»ird. but are we not
just as nbsnrd. for the Naturalist has named it the legless bird
of Paradise, which is not the case, for it possesses exceedingly
strong and well developed legs and feet, quite as strong if not
more so than our common crow, which fit it for a vai-ietv of

32 WIllTLJ—A Skt^tch of the Life of Samuel White.

purposes, for I have seen it moving in the tree tops when feed-
ing with the ease and activity of a Ptilotis, and at other times
clutching a large branch, and throwing its heavy body and great
plumes about with the greatest ease. Whether Linne when he
named this bird really thought they existed without legs is a
I)uzzle. The food of this bird seems to be entirely fruit, the
stomachs of all those examined did not contain a single insect,
but were crammed with fruit of several kinds, some were filled
exclusively with wild nutmegs, and most of them contained the
remains of this spice. When the bird had been feeding upon
this fruit, the flesh of the bird smelt strongly of spice The
stomach of this bird is large and membranous, the carcase never
fal, but very muscular, the bones compact and strong, the neck
being long and the skin dry and very tough, adhering very
closely to the body ; about the throat the skin is thick, loose and
lined with several layers of thin watery membrane, which gives
that part a fluffy appearance. The side plumes, although volu-
iiiinous spi-ing from a patch of skin on each side of the breast,
not larger than a half crown piece, the skin here is compact,
hard, and firmly attached to the muscles of the breast, which
tear away with the skin when skinning, if a knife be not used.
What is most sur])rising in this bird is the hardness and tough-
ness of its skin, while the flesh is decomposing. I have had birds
brought to me that have been killed a week or more, the flesh
being green, rotten, and stinking, maggots crawling from the
eyes and mouth, but strange to say, with the exception of the
thin membrane on the abdomen the skin was still tough, and
the feathers firm. After a little washing, an operation these
bird's feathers bear remarkably well, a good skin can be made.
Any other bird under these conditions would have been minus
its feathers before half finished. They are birds that will stand
a lot of handling, for I have seen a native bring a bird for sale,
and while coming to terms (it sometimes requires hours to
complete a bargain), constantly rub the bird up and down, rub
it on his arms and face, press it, pat it, stroke it, till I have
been nearly crazy, and felt as if I would like to knock the fel-
low down and trample him underfoot. When the purchase has
been comjtleted I have had to take the bird and wash it with
soap to remove the stains the beast had left on the delicate yel-
low plumage. The natives maul everything alike, and some
of the small birds were spoilt, but they soon learnt to do better.
Some small birds were brought to me in a filthy state, and I
showed the fellow who brought them what he had done, and
what he should do in future. I then threw the birds down, and

WHITE — A SIceich of the Life of Samuel White.

Diade him take them away. After this they learned to bring in
the birds, strung through the nostril with rattan, and then they
would string five or six small birds on the one piece of rattan,
most of them alive and squeaking, fluttering and crawling, till
scarcely one in the bunch had any feathers on the neck or back.
The great bird was my great quest, and I offered liberally for
them, indeed, extravagant prices for freshly killed birds, for I
knew that they were rare and shy, and the natives alone knew
their haunts, so with a little exertion and a liberal distribution
of tobacco I persuaded hundreds of men and boys to go out
and hunt in every part of the islands for specimens. I have had
as manv "as fifty men come in at once with birds for which I
would have to give four pounds worth of goods to ea,.h man,
and amongst others there Avould be two or three of the great
birds. Towards the end of my visit I had practically all the
men of Aru Islands collecting for me.

W. JC. Thomas * Co.,

Vriuters,
Gi-eiifel) St., Adekide.

n

Jim

iiml

Pu

Vol. IV.

Part 2.

THE

SOUTH AUSTRALIAN

ORNITHOLOGIST,

A Magazine of Ornithology.

Ut APRIL. 1919.

Mi

D

M

EDITORIAL COMMITTEE :
R. CROMPTON, R.A.O.U.
:a. G. EDQ.UIST
g. A. WHITE, C.M.B.O.U.
F. R. ZIETZ, R.A.O.U..

UiU

Price, 2/-

d

THE

South Australian

ORNITHOLOGIST,

■'>]'<:

Editorial Cornjiittec :

R. Crompton, R.A.O.U.
A. O. Edquist
S. A. Whitk. C.M.BO.U
F. K. ZiKTz, R.A.O.U.

Secretary :
F. M. Angki., R.A.O.U..

c/o W. D. & H. O. WilLs. hid.
Grenfell Street, Adelaide.

CONTENTS

Page

'riie Souili Au'-tialian Ornithological Assooiation .... 35

Order l*sitta<'ifoime'5, Family Loriidae, Onus Trichoglossus . . 38

In Mie Pine an.l >rallee. .1. W. Mellor, R.A.O.U, .... 39

IJir.ls iiotP<l fliiiin;; a Holiday Trip in Victoria Alan Lendon . 47

iipol>asileii^ liedleyi rosinao. F- E. I'arson, I'.AO.U. . . 51

All instance of the Great Courage of the Welcome Swallow.

O. Ciomplon - s . - 52

I?ird Notes from McCJiaths Flat. J. G. Hastings ... 53

A Sket'h of the Lite of Samuel Wiiite — Ornithologist, Soldiei-,

Sailor, .iiid Fxplorer. IJy his son, S. A. White, C.M.n.O.U. 26

The Editorial Committee accepts no responsibility for the
views or deductions expressed by any of its contribiitora.
The Journal welcomes a free interchan*;e of ideas with the
object of extending; the knowledge of our avifauna, but the
author of each article is responsible for the opinions and
(led net ions recorded.

THE

South Australian Ornithologist,

Vol. IV.J Ist APRIL, l^iQ. [Part 2.

The South Austrah'an Ornithological
Association.

JANUAKY aist 1919.
The monthly meeting of the South Australian Ornitholo-
jfical Association was held in the Royal Society's Rooms,
North Terrace, on Friday evening. Capt. S. A. White,
C.M.B.O.U., presided. Owing to the holidays no meeting
was held in December, and an unusually large amount of busi-
ness had accumulated. Messrs. W. G. and R. G. Thomas were
elected members. Mr. Edquist reported progress of the com-
mittee appointed to form a juvenile branch of the association,
and showed a sketch and letter from a member of the Boo-
borowie P>ird Club, describing a white-necked crane which had
appeared in that district. The Chairman pointed out that this
was the white-necked heron ( Myola p<icipc(( i. The same mem-
ber also stated that a blue mountain parrot kept in captivity
had laid 17 eggs this seasons-eight clutches of two each (the
normal number), and one clutch of one egg. Following upon
tbfe complaints about boys interfering with birds' nests at
Stirling East, members were delighted to hear from Mr.
Edquist that the head master of the public school in that dis-
trict had formed a bird club with a large membership, and that
the boys were learning to love and protect the birds now, in-
stead of desti'oying them. The Chairman reported that the
owners of Thistle Island were anxious to make ii ;i
fauna and flora reserve, and at their request he had undertaken
to introduce mallee fowls, kangaroos, wallabies, and phalan-
gers. rie considered it an ideal spot foi- a sanctuary, and w.is

36 T/ie t^oiitli Austrnlian Ornitholoyiral AssoriaHon.

iu great hopes that the animals would soou multiply. Mr. J,
\V. Melloi- reported that birds were mating late this season.
He had seen the young of brush wattle birds, harmonious
shrike thrushes, and white-plumed honey-eaters, quite lately.
The imported starlings have been more plentiful than ever,
and were sweeping off the fruit in spite of all efforts to pre
vent them. The Chairman directed attention to a letter from
iMr. Clarke, of Kangaroo Island, asking if he could obtain some
great brown kingfishers to liberate on the island. All present
agreed that it was risky to introduce any animal into a country
hitherto unknown to it, lest it should change its habits. Mr.
F. R. Zietz exhibited a specimen of the red-tailed tropic bird.
It had been forwarded to the Museum by Mr. Bradley, of Gran-
tala Farm, near Port Lincoln. The bird had been flying
round for several days. This is a new record for South Aus-
tralia, and the first ever known to have appeared in South
Australian waters. Mr. Zietz pointed out that when this bird
was being skinned no aural canals could be found. Upon Dr.
Morgan examining it, he stated that the wandering of the bird
out of his habitat may be attributed to this. Mr. J. W. Mellor
stated that the magpies were keeping up their raids upon the
young sparrows, and that they had diminished the imported
pests very much. The rest of the evening was taken up by
Mr. Frank Parsons iu describing a recent trip on the Murray
River, and the birds in the vicinity of the New South Wale.s
border. A few very nice skins were shown to illustrate the
birds found there.

FEBRUARY 2Sth, 1910.
Capt. S. A. White, C.M.B.O.U., presided. Mr. Robert
Beck was proposed for membership. Dr. A. M. Morgan men
tioned that the blnck-throated giebe had mated twice in the
Botanical Garden lake this season, and said the old idea that
grebes could not walk on land was exploded, for he had seen
these birds in the gardens obtaining pieces of vegetation some
little distance from the water, and then returning with it to
their nest. The doctor exhibited a neat pair of collapsible
scales which he had made. He .said he had found it difficult
to get scales which would pack away in a small space for
travelling. He was using the scales in connection wTtL the
brain weights of birds which he was now investigating. Mr.
Edwin Ashby was welcomed back from Americii. This mem
ber stated that he was under the opinion that the swift lori-
keets {hdthatiiiiK (lisieolor) had visited Blackwood again thi»

season. If This be the ciuse, it is iiiterestiug, because they have
only roine over from TasTuania at long intervals. Mr. A.shby
also exhibited the new colour plates and nomenclature of
(olour standards by Dr. Kidgeway. There was a good deal
of discussion over this, but all were of the opinion that it was
a much needed chart. Mr. Ashby was resquested to procure
several copies for members. Mr. F. R. Zietz reported that two
female black falcons (Ncofnh-o sitbiiigc.r) had been sent in
from the lakes district. Mr. Lienau gave some interesting
notes upon the breeding in captivity of the painted finch. Mr.
J. W. Mellor handed in some interesting notes made at Lock-
leys during the last month. The matter of permits being
issued to persons who wanted to visit bird sanctuaries was
lu-ou^ht up. and some members exyiressed themselves strongly
upon the matter. A small deputation was elected to wait upon
the Minister and point out the danger that may follow the
practice mentioned. The Chairman stated that he had been
busy during the month addressing different associations and
bodies in the country upon bird protection. Among others,
lie had a most sympathetic audience at Murray Bridge, and
through the courtesy of the head teacher of the Murray Bridge
School had addressed the students there. He had also spoken
at Payneham and other places. The Chairman also stated
that in conjunction with the Government Department he was
about to put up new notice boards on the islands in the
Coorong. Dr. Morgan drew attention to the good work done
by the Chairman, and said if he did not do it no one else would,
but he should not be allowed to bear all the expenses. The
Chairman read some notes upon the changing of colouration
with the common blue wren. He stated that by January 23
of this year most of the male wrens began to lose their blue
plumage, and that by February ^7 many had taken on the
brown plumage of the females. The New-Holland honey-eater
was mating late this season, for on February 2 young birds
were being fed that had just left the nest. :Mr. E. Ashby
exhibited a small collection of skins to illustrate the birds ob-
seived by him during a brief visit of an hour or two at a water
hole in the mallee near Karoonda. A surprising number of
species were identified in such a short time. Mr. Ashby who
was congratulated on being made a Corresponding Fellow of
Ihe American Ornithological Union, further entertained the
meeting with an account of notable ornithologists he had met
in America, and the work the States are doing for the protec-
tion of birds.

:-!8 ()r<]n- J't'iltaci inr,H>,. l'\u,i;ii/ L,irii<lar, (imii^ Trir/iu'ihs^u,.

Order F^sittaciforiiies, Family Loriidae, Genus
Triclioglossus.

y'/•/r/;of//o.s■.^•/^^• iioriK lioJIaiididc i liliu' brllitMl Lorikeet or
IlhuMiionntain i.

Description -Head, clieeli^s and throat, deep blue; the
centre of the feathers beinj; lighter, giving the appearance of a
strijie; at the base of the head a nairow band of greenish yel-
low; the up[)er surface gi'een, with many feathers at the base
of the neck marked with yellow and scarlet; tail basal half of
the feathers, dark green shading into blue on the tips, under
side of feathers greenish yelloAv; marked on the inner webs
with yellow; the outer webs of the wing feathers dark green,
inner webs dark brown to black, with a large spot of orange
on eadi feather. riiest, rich scarlet, shading into rich orange
on the sides. Abdomen, deep blue; the feathers on the sides
scarlel. ti}t[)ed with (lce[) blue; inside the shoulders, biiiiht
l3lood red; under-tail coverts, yellow, tipped with green; bill,
coral red, tipped with yelloAv; iris, orange, shading to red; feet,
ashy grey.

Measurements — Total length, ;}28 m.m. ; wing from body to
tip, 192 m.m.; spread, 426 m.m.: bill, IG m.m.; tarsus, 18 m.m.

Distribution -Southern Queensland, New South Wales,
Mctoria, Tasmania, and South Australia, including Kangaroo
Island.

Habits— Noisy and gregarious, having a shrill loud call,
and when many birds are feeding in the same tree it is difficult
to hear oneself speak. They congregate in great flocks at
times while at others they are to be met with in twos and
threes. They shift about according to food supply, and are to
be met with in the big timber country as well as the low mallee.
They are confined to the coastal belt as a rule, and they have
not been met with in the interior. They are undoubtedly the
most gorgeous of our South Australian parrots, and when a
number are feeding close together in the bright sunlight they
I>resent a wonderful sight in their rainbow colourations.

Nest — The eggs are laid in the dry dust at the bottom of a
hollow spout of a gum tree. Usual ly the biggest tree in the
■ neighbourhood is selected. Though they can hardly be said to
nest in colonies it is usual to tinil several i)airs nesting in tlie
same vicinity, often in the same tree if it have enoagh suitable
hollows. The nesting season is from August to December,
varving aicordinc: to locality.

MI:LIJ)I! ^In thf Fin- .nul Mallee. 3i>

I'^ggs — The eijijus are two in niiiubei*. of a rounded shape,
ihe textnn^ of flic shell dull and lusti-ele.As. They are pure
white when fiisi lai'l. bui sooii i)e<-oine stained a brownish
colour by the dust of rhe iu-'<(in«- hollow. Average measure-
ment of six ejijis. U.74 cm. x 1\2() e.ui. Largest e<;«>'. 2.80 cm.
X 2.40 cm.; smallest egg, 2.65 cm. x 2.20 cm.

Flight — Very swift and strong; they fly to a great height
at times when moving from one locality to another.

Food — Consists of honey, varied at times with berries
and seeds. They are very troublesome in the orchards at
times, having a great liking for pears and apples.

Note — Loud and shrill, and when many are feeding in the
same tree, quite deafening.

Habitat — ^Vherever the Eucalyi)ts are flowering whether
stunted mallee or the lofty gums. As soon as the trees finish
blossoniing they shift to another locality at times travelling,
great distances.

In the Pine and Mallee.

By J. W. Mel lor, R.A.O.U.
Part II.

Llf^T OF BIRDS IDENTIFIED IN THE HUNDRED OF
ROOKPURNONG, SOI^TH AUSTRALIA.

October, 1918.

Emu {Dronnceaus novae-holla ndiae). — The fresh marks of
this 1 ird were obi^erved, and an egg taken in the district worked.
A clutch of eight eggs had not long ago been taken.

Eastern Stubble Quail {(Joturnix pectoralis) .—These
birds were only moderately common, their call being some-
times lieard in the £>rass, and on one occasion a bird rose up so
ouicklv from beneath my feet, that it struck a stiff stemmed
shrub.' which plucked quite a number of feathers from its
breast.

Button Quail (AnMrotnrniT irZo.r). —Several were flushed
in the long grass where they were feeding.

Bronzewing Pigeon (Phaps chalcoptera) .—^oted. on seve-
ral occasions, but not common.

40 MELLOR—In the Fine and Malice.

Crested Bionzewiug Pigeon {Ocyphaps lophotes). — Ex
tremely common in pairs, and at times several pairs wouUI
alight on a dead tree together, but they were timid, and flew off
with a "whirr" and ''flap" of wings when approached.

White-headed Stilt. These birds were flying over, making
the usual barking call not unlike that of a small dog.

Scrub Curlew {Burhinns magnirostris) . — At night time
these birds uttered their well-known mournful notes of "curlew
curlew curlew."

Australian Night Heron or Nankeen (Nycticorax call-
don lens fnistralasiac). — At night time these birds flew over
apparently going to the Murray some miles away to feed.

Australian Goshawk {Urospizn fasciata). — Seen on seve-
ral occasions in the mallee country.

Collared Sparrow Hawk (Accipiter cirrocephalus) . — Seen
in the mallee on one occasion only.

Wedge-tailed Eagle {Uroaetiis audnx). — Not plentiful;
those seen were soaring and circling in the air, the huge nests
of the birds were seen on several occasions, one especially large
one Avns placed in a tall hillock.

Brown Hawk {leracidea herigora). — Seen on one occasion.

Nankeen Kestrel {Cerchneis cenchroides) . — Not plentiful.

Southern Boobook OmI {Spiloglau.r boobook hiarniorata).
—In the pines and also in the large mallee calling mournfully
at night.

I'urple-cvoAvued Lorikeet ( Glossopsitt<i For phji rove phala i.
— Very common in the mallee, where they were breeding freely,
all the nests examined having large young, three being the
general number. The old birds were extremely noisy as they
clung to the mallee boughs seeking honey from the flowers.

Pink Cockatoo or Major Mitchell (Lophochroa lead-
heateri). — In pairs, seen on every hand, they were breeding in
the hollows of the very large mallee, the young being almost
ready to leave the nest, three being the clutch. The old birds
were feeding on the open grass flats, upon the native grass,
reeds, etc. They were often in company with the rose-breasted
species. A pair made regular visits to my camp, and foraged
about in the grass only a short distance away.

Rose-breasted Cockatoo or Galah (Eolophus rosei-
eapillns). — Were about in small coveys of half a dozen or more
feeding on the grass seeds on the open flats about the pines.

MELLOR—In the Piw ,ind Hallee. 41

Cockatoo Parrot (Leptolophus auricomis). — In pairs fly-
ing swiftly just above the mallee, settling at times, and calliag
loudly ; they had apparently just arrived, and were looking for
nesting hollows.

Mallee Ring-neck Parrot {Barnardius barnardi). — These
parrots were common in the mallee, always in pairs, and were
breeding in the hollows, all nests had fledged young, four in
number. The parent birds were very noisy, being at times
extremely excited, and pugnacious should another pair
come near their selected locality.

Many-coloured Parrot {Psephotus varius). — Fairly com-
mon in pairs not far from the Victorian border ; I believe them
to be the Victorian species.

Yellow- vented Parrot or Bluebonnet (Northiella haemato-
ijaster xanilwrrlwa) . — In pairs and not uncommon, especial
ly in the open country where pines were plentiful, and in these
trees the birds came to roost at night. The dull olive green on
the backs of these birds made it very diflScult to detect them
when they settled on the ground with the half dry grass about
then!.

Shell Parrot {Melopsittaciis undulatus). — These pretty
little parrots were very plentiful in flocks, flying with undulat-
ing movement across the open grass land, seeming to be guided
by a leader or leaders, as the whole flock would twist and turn
systematically and in perfect unison, all the time uttering their
pretty little warbling notes. When a flock settled on
a dry tree, the tree would instantly b(^ transfonued
into a living one with the elongated leaves swaying in the
breeze, for the little birds being very animated are never still.

Mallee Frogmouth iPodargus strigoides rossi). — These
birds were in the pine and mallee, and regularly their low
weird call -of "boo boo boo" often repeated would start soon
after sunset, and continue well into the night, as they sat ui)on
some post or convenient plaoe. and ever and anon sallied forth
after their food.

Red-backed Kingflslier {Ci/analcyon pijrrhopi/gius). — Seen
only on one occasion in the small nnil!c(^ country.

Bee-eater (Cosmacropft ornatiis). — Fairly common es-
pecially in sandy localities.

Narrow-billed Bronze (^ickoo {Keochalcitcs hdstiUf! tnch
Ion). — Seen on several occasions.

Bronze Cuckoo (Lamprococcyx plagosus).—'Sot comnum.

42 MELLOix—In the Fine and Mallei'.

Welcome Swallow (Hirundo neoxena). — Fairly plentiful.

Eastern Black and White Swallow {Cheramoeca leucos
tern u in stonei). — Seen near sandy banks in open localities.

Tree Martin (Hijlochelidon nigricans caleyi). — Often seen
in the thinly timbered parts, and a nest in conrse of buildinji
in a leanin«- mallee was noted.

Brown Flycatcher (Microeca fascinans). — Seen at times
in the thinly timbered parts, and a nest in course of buildino;
in a leaniuj;- luallcc was noted.

Southern Ked-capped Robin (Whiteornis goodenovii). —
This pretty little bird was 'to be seen in all situations in the
dense mallee, and open pine country. It was nesting, and
several nests examined ((tntained large young.

Southern Hooded Kobin {Mclanodryas cucuUata vigorsi).
— Only seen on one occasion in the mallee.

(Jreenisli Tree-tit {Hniicroniis brcriroxtris rlridescens). —
Comtnon in the mallee.

Southern Rufous-breasted Thickhead [hewinornis rufiven-
trifi inornatus). — A few seen in the ])ine country.

Eastern Red-throated Thickhead {Gilbertornis rufigu-
laris). — I have never before seen these birds so plentiful, es-
pecially in the pine country towards the Victorian border. They
• were calling and answering one another in all directions, one
call being of a ventriloquial nature, and often leading one
astray when trying to find the birds. The call of these birds
is very full and clear at times.

Black and White Fantail {Leucocirca tricolor). — Fairly
numerous, a nest on a leaning mallee was in course of building.

Restless Flycatcher [Scisura inqiiieta). — Only a few seen
in the mallee country.

Black-faced Cuckoo-Shrike (Coracina novae-holla ndiae
■)itelanops) . — Not plentiful.

White-shouldered Caterpillar-eater {Lalage tricolor). —
Only seen once in the open pine country.

Chestnut-backed Ground Bird {Cinclosoma castanotum) ,
— Only one bird seen, it being a female which was walking on
the ground in the low bushes beneath the mallee.

Chestnut-crowned Babbler {Pomatostomus ruficcps). —
These birds were quite common especially in the more oi)en
pine country, where they were in small coveys of five or six.

MELLOR—ln the Fine and Mallee. \\\

They were very uoi.sy and animated in their actions, threading
(heir way thrcMigh the thielv pines, sometimes flying from tree
to tree, or hopping and running over the groun«l very quickly.
Nunibers of those seen were this .season's birds, and iii the pines
Iheir h.nge stick nests were .seen, sometimes so hirge as to quite
bend the pine over with the weight. No nests were found
to be occupied.

White browed Babbler {Morganoriiis superciliosus). —
Only a few seen, the former bird seeming to take the place of
the smaller species.

Southern Brown Song l.ark \(''tiii-J<n-]i<iiiiphuH craralis
caiifatoris). — Fairly numerous on the more open grass land,
and on the samphire country, where the females kept to the
ground and the low bu.shes, while the males soared aloft in the
air singing their well-known call "Want-to-go-to-Egypt."

White-fronted Chat (Epthianura alhifroiis). — Met with in
the open country.

Red-frcmted Chat {Parepfhiannra tricolor). — Only one seen
in the open country.

Orange-fronted Chat (Aurepthianura aurifrons). — ^A few
were noticed on the open samphire country.

Red-rumped Tit (Acanthiza pusilla hamUtoni). — Only a
few ob.served in the mallee.

Chestnut-ri]m])ed Tit \ Acdiilliizd uro/iijf/ialiM nitherglcni).
— Plentiful in the mallee.

Victorian Yellow-rumped Tit [Geohasileus chrysorrhov.s
sandlandi). — From the light fawn colour of the flanks I take
this to be the Victorian sub-species ; they were seen near to the
Victorian border.

Black-backed Wren (Maluriis melan ops) .—These beauti-
ful little wrens were observed in the country adjacent to the
Vicloriau border, usually in the low bushes on the
fringe of the mallee, where they thread their way through the
thickets with remarkable agility. The males are very shy. and
dar( oH" a( the least noise, leaving their more sombre mates to
face the intruder. These birds seem to have only just started
to breed. I saw a nest with one egg; it was com
posed of fine dry grass, lined with rabbit's fur, and placed in a
hop bush IS inches from the ground. It measured outside,
5| inches long by 3| inches broad ; inside, 3^ inches by 2 inches.
The entrance was exceptionally large, being 1^ inches in
diameter.

44 MELLOLi—In the Five and MalUe.

Masked Wood Swallow {Campbellornis persona tus
munnu). — These birds with the next species had just arrived
iu large uuinber.s and were seeking nesting quarters, but none
had started building.

WTiite browed Wood swallow (Campbellornis super-
cillosus). — In numbers, and like the former species were mak-
ing 51 great fuss in certain i)laces which they had selected for
building jturposes.

Wood-swallow ( Pseudarfamus cyanopterus). — These birds
were also common, and, I believe, are about all through the
year. They had st^irted to breed, and several nests were noted
iti the forks of trees, and behind broken limbs in the mallee.
Three eggs lortiied the clutch.

Victorian Grey Shrike-thrush (Collurlcincla harmonica
rictoriae ) .—On\y a few seen, their beautiful notes resounding
through the timbered glades in the early morning.

Murray Magpie or Magpie Lark {(irallina cjianoleuca). —
Seen on only one occasion.

White-backed Magpie {Gi/innorhiita hjjpoleuca leuconota).
— Seen in the open country.

Mallee butcher-bird (liulcstcs torqaatus colei). — This
bird which 1 believe is the Victorian sub-species was fairly com-
mon, but each ])air had its own little locality. They were
very pugnacious when other birds entered their sanctuaries.
I noted an exception to this rule near the Victorian
border where four young butcher birds sitting on a small
dry bush were being fed by their parents. In the same bush, and
close to them were three young fully fledged streaked honey-
eaters also being fed by theii- itarents. All were living in
harmony. A j)air of butcher birds had their nest not far from
my camp, and their loud calls were heard throughout the day,
especially in the early morning, when the notes were very loud
and clear.

Southern Crested Rell-bird (Oreoica cristata clelandi). —
Not common. Seen in the mallee. Their notes of ''reep-reep,
reepbook" were often heard. It was difficult to And the bird by
following the sound, as they are good ventriloquists.

AVhite-face Titmouse {Aphclocephala leucopsis). — Very
common in all situations. Plopping on the ground in little
covevs in search of food, they had apparently done breeding,
and were out with their voung. No fresh nests were seen.

MELLOh'—l» tin- i'ine mid Mallee.

SleiKlei--bi]le(i Tree-ninner [Xcosittd pileata tcnuirostris).
— Seen on sevevjil (Hcasioiis hi the pine country, where they
were flyin<2, in little coveys of Ave or six. On alighting, they
would carry onl their usual method of searching for food, by
circling around the trunks of the trees head downwards, and
on reaching iJic Ixdiimi. Ily away to another tree to
repeat the i)er1orman( c Tlun- nevei" go up the trunks.

Southern Brown Treecreeper {XcocUiho piciotntd au.stniUs) .
— Very ooninion in the large mallee. where they were breeding
in the hollows, and Avere very noisy indeed. Their notes of "pink
pink pink" were lieard in all directions as the bii'ds hopped up
the tree trunks always in a circular motion. Should they
wish to keep out of sight they would pause on the farther side
of the tree for a minute or two, and then tly to another tree,
, kee{)ing it between them and the intruder.

Southern White-browed Tree-creeper {CUmacteris ery-
throps parsonsi), sub-sp. nov. (Mellor, South Australian Orni-
thologist. Vol. l\., page 5). — This species which I have just
named after my friend and enthusiastic ornithologist, Mr.
Frank E. Parsons, of Adelaide. I found in the pine country
near the Victorian border. Only a pair was secured. They
are very silent compared with the forme]- species, but their
habits of searching out their food on the tree trunks are
similar. 1 was not surprised at finding them very
different from the white-bi-owed tree cree])er of Central
Australia seeing that the country they live in is so
different. Th*^ cooler and more fertile country doubtless
accounts for their larger and more robust form.

Southej-n Striped Diamond Bird i Pardalotlnu.s striatus
suha]finis) . — Common in pairs and were nesting in the small
hollows of the mallee. their pretty oft repeated call of "chucky
chuck" being heard in every bit of mallee one came to.
They were well on with their breeding as every nest examined
had large young in it, and the parent birds were ever on the go
carrying food to their offspring.

Mallee Brown Headed Honey-eater {Melithreptus atri-
capillus mallee). — Noted in the mallee country.

Southern Striped Honey-eater (Plectorhjjncha lanccolata
neglecta). — Seen on several occasions in the mallee country

46 MELUjU^iu the Fine and Mai lee.

where ihev were i)reediug. Fiill\ tJed^'d y()nii<^ as described pre-
viously were seen in company with the hnicher bird. A
nest swinging r.t the extreme end of a bough of a tal! bull oak
was examined, and found to contain three freshly hatched
young. The nest was composed of the usual sheep's wool.

lilack linney -eater (Cissouiehi itignn. — This little
honey-eater was moderately plentiful in the mallee
scinl), also in Ihe "wild tobacco'" country, where it
was seeking tlii' honey with its long tongue from
the narrow tube- like yellow flowers. It was in pairs, so pro-
bably v/as just about to breed, but no in<licaiions of nests were
noted.

Eastern ^^'hite fronted Honey-eater (Glycdphila ulbifrons
hiccrta). — Noted lu-incipally in the mallee country, but also in
the pines. They were calling loudly, and were very shy, mak-
ing off at the slightest noise. They weie feeding on the honey
from Ihe flowers of the mallee.

Southern Singing Honey-eater (Meliphaga sonora). —
Noled in the ]»ines. but by no means j)lentiful.

(iiaceful Honey-eater { LicJienostomus oniatus talemi). —
T'lentiful in all situations, especially in the mallee, where it
was bi-eeding. Large young were seen bo1h in and out of the

TH^st.

lilack tai-ed Minali {.\l !/.:<niHi<i /hiriiiiihi iiicldiiotis). —
Numbers in the mallee and pine country ; very noisy and
■<luarrelsoine when other birds came near them. Large young
were accomi)anying their parents on the wing.

Soulh;",?! Sjiiny-cheeked ILmey eater i Acaiithaf/enii.^
rufogularis cijcfnus). — Noted breeding, but not plentiful.

Southern ri})il [Aiilhiis aiiMtralis (idchiidcnsis). — 'Seen in
the o[ien qrass country, also on the samphire flats.

Small-billed Crow (Corvufi bennctti). — A few pairs in the
pine country. One pair made repeated visits to my camp to
secure bits of meat, etc., but were off directly any noise was
made.

S<ai(Iiern ^^'hil(■winged Chough {Cocorax melanorhainphus
7r/(/7rf/ri.- Several coveys of six or seven Avere seen in the pine
iountrv.

LbJXL)0\^liirJ.'< nt'fr.l .lurina a Holiday Tri}> in Victtria. 47

Birds noted during a Holiday Trip in Victoria.
By x\lan Leudon.
The trip extended 1'iom Jauuai'v 3rd to 25th, VJl'j.
Sherbrooke is a small village about 30 miles distant from
Melbourne, and situated in the Uandenong Ranges. Marys-
ville is a small township about Gl miles from Melbourne, and
about 22 miles from Healesville, and is situated on the other
side of the l>ividiug Range. The names of the birds seen are
taken fioiu ^lathews' 1013 List. Birds identified were: —

1. I>ronzewing Pigeon [PUaps chalcoptera clKilcopicm }. —
One specimen of this bird was seen in a clearing near-
Sherbrooke.

2. Straw-necked Ibis {Carpliihi.s spiiiicolHs.) — A small
flock of seven or eight birds was seen in a paddock near the
Stevenson River at Marysville. Several odd pairs were also
seen along the same river.

3. White-fronted Heron [Notophoyx iiovae-holhiiididc) . — A
few birds were noticed in company with Straw-necked Ibis at
Marysville. Also several were seen flying near Narbethong in
the same district.

4. Black Cormorant [Phalacrocorax carho novae-
hollandiae). — Seen on two or three occasions flying over the
mountain streams at Marysville presumably after the intro-
duced trout, the only fish found in the rivers.

5. Brown Hawk (Jentcidea herkjora herigoni). — noticed
several times near Healesville. Apparently not common.

6. Nankeen Kestrel ( Cerchneis cenchroides ceiichroides ) .
— Common throughout the Marysville district, but not seen
near Sherbrooke.

7. Gang-gang Cockatoo [Callocephalon galcdtn nn . — These
birds were frequently seen in the thickly timbered parts near
Marysville, and were always in pairs. They were mostly
noticed in the evening from about 5 o'clock to 7.30. and did not
appear to be shy.

8. Crimson Parrot [Platycercus elegans elegans). — This
bird was fairly common in the forests at both Sherbrooke and
Marysville. At Marysville an old bird in colour and a young
one were several times seen feeding in the grass in front of the
house.

■48 LEISBON — Birih noted dariiuj a Holiday Trip in Virtoria.

9. Rosella Parrot ( Platycercus e.vimius eximius) — Fairly
plentiful in the Sherbrooke district, but only one pair seen in
the Marysville district.

10. Brown Kingfisher [Dacelo (jiyas gigas). — Common
both near Marysville and Sherbrooke.

11. Spine-tailed Swift {Chaetura caudacuta). — A small
flock of about a dozen birds was seen circling about one even-
ing at Sherbrooke.

12. Pallid Cuckoo {Heteroscenes palUdus). — A pair flew
in front of the motor on the road from Healesville to Marys-
ville. No others seen.

13. Fantailed Cuckoo {Cacomantis ruhricatus riibricatus).
— A single bird Avas seen in a fern gully near Marysville.

14. Lyre-bird {Meniira novaehollandiae victoriae ) . — These
birds were only to be found in a certain thickly timbered
gully near t^herbrooke. where there was a fair number of them.
Their striking notes were to be heard in this gully at almost
any time of the day. but more particularly in the early morn-
ing and late evening, and on several occasions the birds were
seen. They were, however, very difficult to approach, as on
the slightest sound they would stop calling and disappear into
the scrub. Their mimicry was marvellous, and the note of
the Coachwhip Bird especially was wonderfully reproduced.
A dancing mound was formed. It consisted of a circular
platform of earth about four or five inches high. The earth
was kept well scratched over, and around the edge of the
mound the ferns were trodden down. The feet of these birds
must be exceedingly strong as in many places decayed tree
trunks were seen scratciied completely to pieces by the birds in
search of their food. Strange to say no females were seen.

15. Tree Martin {Hylochelidon nigricans caleyi). — Com-
mon about Marysville.

16. Brown Flycatcher {Microeca fascinans foscinans). —
Numbers were seen about the house at Marysville. but they
were not noticed at all in the Sherbrooke district.

17. Flame-breasted Robin {Littlera chnjsoptera
phoenicea).— This bird was quite common about Sherbrooke,
and was very tame. Only one specimen, a young male, was
observed at Marysville.

18. Rose-breasted Robin iBelchera rosea).— This bird was
apparently rare. Two males and a few females or young birds
were seen in a thick fern gully near Sherbrooke.

LENDON— Birds notnl dnrimj a Holiday Tni> in Victoria. 49'

19. Golden-breasted Thickhead (Pachycephala pectoralia
youngi). — Fairly plentiful in the Sherbrooke district. A
single bird, a male, was seen near Marysville.

20. Rufous-breasted Thickhead {Lewinornis rufiventris
rufirentris) . — One bird only, a male, seen near Marysville.

21. Yellow-breasted Shrike-Robin [Eopsaltria australis
vioidior). — Common everywhere in the thick forests where its
piping note was often heard. One old nest found at Shor
brooke.

22. White-shafted Fan tail (Rhipidura flahellifera vic-
tor iae). — Probably the commonest bird seen during the trip.
It was always very tame and one occasion a bird flew on to a
stick I was carrying. Two nests were seen, one just completed
at Sherbrooke and another with eggs at Marysville.

23. Rufous Fantail [Howeavis rufifrons inexpectata) . —
Seen l;iiv!y often in The lliick scrnbhy country in both dis-
tricts visited. The birds were usually rather shy, and would
not remain in full view long.

24. Black and White Fantail {Leucocirca tricolor tri-
color).—A single bird was seen at the Healesville Railway
Station. )

2.J. Black-faced Cuckoo-Shrike {Coracina novae-
hollandiae melanops). — Seen on a few occasions Jiear Marys-
ville, but not at all common. ^

2(5. Coach-whip bird [P-^ophodes crepitans scrymgeouri).—
The sharp notes of this bird were often heard in the 'dense v'u\-
lies at Sherbrooke. but the Ijird itself was difficult to see. 'On
one occasion two pairs were seen in sojne thick brackeji. and
another time an old male was seen fighting with a voun^- male
that was just moulting into full plumage. The females were
noticed to be duller and smaller than the males.

27. Mountain Tlirnsh iOrcorinchi Inniihita deiidin).—
These birds were common in the dense gullies at both Marys-
ville and Sherbrooke and were usually seen aear the streams.

28. Brown Tit iAcnnthim pusilla macularia) .—lHoticed
occasionally at Sherbrooke.

29. Striated Tit (Acaiithi-a liiwata rJunidlcri ).—A '>reat
many of these birds were seen about Sherbrooke, but thev'^were
not so plentiful at Marysville.

^0 LENDOX^ Birds noted during a Holiday Trij) in Victoria.

30. Yellow-tailed Tit {Geobasileus vhrysorrhous sand-
landl). — Not common, but seen a few times in both districts
visited.

ol. Blue Wren {MdlurKs ct/aiieus Jiciiricttdc ).—T\\efiG
bird.s were in great nnmbers everywhere, and at Sherbrooke
three young just out of the nest were seen.

32. Wood Swallow {Pscadurtainu.^ cyanopterus) , — A
single bird was seen near Sherbrooke, and several near the
Stevenson River at Marysville.

33. Magpie Lark {Grallina ci/aiiolciicii ci/anolettca ).—
Many were seen at Sherbrooke, also a few about the township
of Healesville.

34. Grey Shrike Thrush {Colluricincla harnionica vie-
toriae). — Fairly common at both Sherbrooke and Marysville.

35. White-backed Magpie ( CTymnorhlna hypoleiica leuoo-
nota ) .—Very common throughout the tri]).

3(). Tree Creeper. — Several of these birds were seen ])i'o-
bably of species NeocUma picumna, but they were not identi-
fied with certainty.

37. White eye {Zoslerops lateralis westernensis). — Com-
mon at Sherbrooke, and at Marysville. Usually seen in the
fruit trees.

."iS. Spine liill { AcdHthorhynchufi iciiiiirostris ricloriae. } — ■
Not common in the Sherbrooke district, two birds only being
seen. Plentiful about Marysville.

3!>. Yellow-eared Honeyeater {Meliphaga Icirinii nea). — A
single bird which was quite tame was seen in a thick gully at
Sherbrooke.

40. Yellow-faced IToneyeater { ranipHlotis cliry^^ops
hcaconsifieldi ) . — Several were seen at Marysville feeding in the
garden quite close to the house.

41. Crescent Honeyeater ( Phylidonyris pyrrhoptera indis-
tincfa). — Single specimen seen in a gully near Sherbrooke.

42. Wattle-bird ( Acanthochaera chrysoptera intermedia).
—Several seen in a gum tree at Sassafras, a small village near
Sherbrooke.

43. Pipit (Anthus australis ausfralis).—'Soticed. once or
twice in some paddocks near Healesville.

l'ARS<).\'S—(;,',>l>:>.<ih':i.< l.r.lhui rosinne. 51

44. Ked-browod Finch {Arrjintha temporalis iregellasi).—
C'oiniiion tliroiioliout tho trip. A nest with three fresh eggs
was found at Sherbrooke.

45. Crow (Corrufi coronoidcH perplexus). — A large flock
of many hundreds of birds was seen flying nearly every morn-
ing over the township of Marysville.

46. Pied Bell Magpie i Stre))era gracuUna graculina) . —
One was seen on the road from Healesville to Marysville. and
a few others were seen close to the latter place.

47. Grey Bell Magpie [Neo-Htrepera versicolor rieiUoti ) . —
This bird was niore plentiful than the last species in tin'
Marysville district, and on one occasion two young birds were
seen.

Geobasileus hedleyi rosinae.

By F. E. Parsons, R.A.O.T.

Few ornithologists have yet had an opportunity of study-
ing this recent addition to the list of Australian "tit warblers."
It was first described by G. M. Mathews in the Austral Av:
Kecoid Vol. 2. page 0 from specimens obtained by Captain
S. A. White in the vicinity of St. Kilda, about 20 miles North
of Adelaide.

Xo particulars of the habits or economy of this bird were
published when it was described, and nothing has been written
since, so that it will not be out of place to record a few personal
observations though they be scanty.

The country where Capt. White collected his specimens is
a strip of land bordering the coast, and consists of a large
area of low lying land which is subject to inundation by high
tides, and is thickly clothed with low bushes and samphire,
with a margin of mangroves on the sea side of it. Similar
country to this extends all the way north to Port Wakefield at
tho head of the Gulf, and then south for about twenty miles on
the western side of St. Vincent Gulf; it was here that I came
across these birds in large numbers.

This appears to be essentially a swamp tit. as it is never
found away from the samphire swamp land, neither is it ever
seen in the mangroves.

"Acanthiza puftilla" is fairly plentiful in the mangroves
and "d^'-^^uinUena ehrysorrhous" is found on the land border of

52 CIinMl'TON~~'n,e Gnnit Courage of the Welcome Svallow.

the swamps, but OJi. rosinae never was seen in either of these
situations.

"(jeohasi1eii-<^ h. rosinae" is a very quiet bird, and greatly
resembles "(r. chrysorrhons" in its manners ; it has a somewhat
similar faint but sweet warble, and procures its food while
hopping about on the ground in a very sprightly manner. In
June of this year they had congregated into flocks of about 40
to 60 birds, and in the early part of the morning or late in the
afternoon they could be seen moving over the flats in search
of food, and when so engaged they did not fly simultaneously
from spot to spot, but each bird took short flights of about 30
or 40 feet and alighting in the bushes, at once hopped to the
ground and searched for insects for a few seconds, then took
another short flight in the same direction ; thus at any moment
there were always some birds on the wing.

I found it very easy to procure specimens by taking up a
position ahead of them in their line of flight, they took little
notice of me, but came on in their spasmodic flights, some birds
alighting within six or eight yards of where I stood. At the
report of the gun they would all rise in a flock and fly 200 or
300 yards then alight, and again continue their way in quest of
food in their peculiar jerky fashion.

The legs, feet, and bill of ''G.h. rosinae" are black, and the

iris colored light cream.

1/7/18.

An Instance of the Great Courage of the
Welcome Swallow.

By Owen Crompton, Communicated by S. A. White.

When I was at Port Lincoln recently spending a week
cruising in an old cutter called ''Bonny Dundee" which belongs
to Mr. Dabovitdi, late inspector of fisheries, his son Chris, told
nie the following interesting experience he had had with a
l>air of swallows. Some time ago he and his father had reason
to go to Stansbury for two or three weeks' work to do with the
iiis]ie<tion of fisheries. While their boat was anchored there a
pair of swallows built a nest and laid eggs in an old sealskin
cap Avhich was hanging in the cabin. When the time for sail-

HASTINGS— Bird Notes from McGrath's Flat. 53

ing home to Port Lincoln had arrived, they were very loth to
go because they believed it would mean breaking up the swal-
lows' happy family, but to their surprise the birds went with
them.

The first evening the male bird was seen frequently flying
round the boat, but was not seen to settle ; the next day all
went well until late in the afternoon when a gale sprang up
and they were afraid that the male bird was lost. Next
morning, however, the weather had calmed down and both
birds were there apparently quite happy, Mr. Dabovich
believed that the male bird had got into an upturned dinghy
on deck to escape the gale. When they got down abreast of
Wedge Island the two birds were noticed chattering together
and then flew straight in the direction of the Island, evidently
to procure food having had nothing to eat for over 36 hours.
They wondcM-od very much whether the birds would return, and
sure enough in about lialf-an-hour back they came apparently
satisfied.

On arrival at Port Lincoln they anchored the boat, and as
Mr. Dabovich said, to his great delight, their young ones
hatched and were reared in the Port Lincoln Harbour.

Bird Notes from McGrath's Flat.

By Joseph Gordon Hastings.

The v.hite-fronted or blue cranes have i)ut in an appearance
earlier than usual this year. All through the year odd ones
are to be seen, but only in the winter do they appear in large
numbers, w^hen there is plenty of food to be had in the form of
snails and insect life which is provided by the rains forming
pools or ponds in the low lying country near the Coorong.
The only reason I can give for their early arrival is, perhaps,
the very low slate of the Coorong where crabs are more
easilv procured. If that is so. I feel very sure upon this.
they are doing a splendid work which should be highly appre
ciated hv all lovers of bird life, fishermen in particular.
The latter, I am afraid, are men who do not fully realize what
a great help birds are to the fishing industry. About oOO
cranes came to roost every night in the trees near our house,
among them being a pair of wiiite ones (a very rare bird in

54 WHITE— A Sketch of the Life, of Samuel \i'hiff.

this district). In a large well close to the house a family of
frogs took up their abode some years ago, and in the course of
time thei]' numbers increased, till they were to be seen in hun-
dreds, and in all stages from the great-grandfathers down to
the tiniest infants. One of fhe cranes came along last week
and paid daily visits to the well. Yesterday we went over to
clean the well out, the crane had left and the frogs along with
ir. The water hens liave just about all disappeared. I was
down at the ]\Inrray mouth last Aveek, and where they were in
thousands tliree months ago. only odd ones were seen. The
water crakes have all disappeared from here, but undoubtedly
will return with the winter. A few weeks ago when returning
from Woods Wells I came across a Bittern travelling in a
southerly direction. This bird and a Nankeen or Night
Heron which T saw last June are the only two birds of their
kind T have ever seen here, although nearly 30 years ago I saw
several of the latter bird in the swamps at the back of Salt
Creek. Our three boys are beginning to show a keen interest
in bird life, and we are careful to cultivate it. The two mag-
pies brought out their chicks this season which in due course
were introduced to the scrap heap in the back yard, and are
now on intimate terms with the children who feed them.
These birds have become very quiet, and will hardly fly out of
the way.

! t has often occurred to mt as strange that although the
Australian Hoverlies were here in thousands years ago^
they have been very scarce for a number of years, and I have
not seen any for quite a time till lately, when on a trip along
the Hummocks 1 saw one and the only bird seemingly on this
end of the Coorong.

A Sketch of the Life of Samuel White^
Ornithologist, Soldier, Sailor, and Explorer.

By His Son, S. A. White, C.M.B.O.U.

XX. THE ORNITHOLOGIST AND SAILOR.

The bird next in importance to the Great Bird if not in
beauty certainly in singularity of plumage is the little King
I'ird Cicinurus rrrjia <>f tlic naini'nlisl, and cfilled bv the Am

WILITE—A Skeicli of the Lifr «f Sumnvl Whit,:

iialives "ijoby j;oby."" It is :i small bird, and that which ;i
(ollectoi- would ciill a "t'viir". In its actions, habits, and <-all
it is a miniature I*. Apoda, and it seems as it were to mimniick
the oToat bird, exceptino' in style and colouring of the plumage,
wliicli is deep glossy ivd on all the upper surface. The t'ealhei-.s
on the front of forehead are of an orange lint, an<i short and
hair-like, standing on end. and look like plush, tlie feathers
extending beyond the nostrils; the thi-oat and chest are shining
purple red. a border of dark green crosses the breast, and the
rest of the underplumage is pure white, but the side plumes,
i'.nd these feathers are the greatest peculiarity. The side plumes
are about an inch and a half long, about six or seven broad
feathers, square at the ends, and are of a brown colour, iind
have a broad band of g<»lden green near their tijis. The tail is
very short, extending no further than the ends of the wings,
which are short and round, but the two central tail feathers
are lengthened into two thin wires about seven inches long,
crossing each other at the end of the tail, and diverging again
at the tips. These Vx ires take a spiral turn at theii* extremities,
where they are broadly webbed, forming a button like tip to
each feather or wire, and are of a deep shining green. Taken
all together this bird is very peculiar and beautiful. Besides
these, Rirds of Praadise and other species were very numerous
in places. Hawks were not plentiful, and I saw but two
species. I did not see or hear any owls. Crows were not
numerous. Saw a large fruit-crow with glossy-black plumage,
beautiful blue eyes, and an enormous bill, this bird was not
uncommon, but very shy. Parrots were plentiful, and of seve-
ral species, an<i closely allied to those found in Australia, and
several of the cockatoos were identical. Amongst the parrot*
were some very varied and beautiful birds, the same with the
pigeons, espe-ially the fruit pigeons, some of which were most
gorgeous birds, and se\eral species are found in Australia as
well as the Aru's. K'ijigtishei-s were abundant, and of many
species and colours, and several of the Australian species are
found amongst them. Two species of swallows were seen —
the edible bird-nest swallow and an Australian species. The
former is remarkable for its nest, which is half-cup .shaped,
and attached to the walls of caves round the coast: it is com-
posed of tough semitransparent gelatine, which the native.^
collect and sell in Dobo. to be sent to China as a delicacy.
There are scrub turkeys {Tdlagallun) , and Megapodes, both
good for food, and the natives catch them in snares, but not
very often. The eggs of the Megapode are very large and laid

56 WILLTK—A Sketch of thr Life of Sunnifl Wlnt>-

in a mound to hatch in the same manner as the allied species
in Australia. The Casowarv we did not see, although I saw
numerous traces of it and also its eggs. Quail and Finches
I saw none nor did I see any country suitable for them. There
was only one duck, the Ttulonia radjah of Australia. Two
cormorants, one all black and the other black and white.
Several cranes were seen and collected, most of them Austra-
lian. Amongst them the well known Nankeen Heron
(Nycticorax coiedonicus) . Perhaps amongst the aquatic
birds none was more remarkable than the large brown rail.
It is a fine bird as large as an ordinary fowl, but not so low
set for they had fairly long legs. The natives call it "Sai-air".
and its beautiful large red eyes, the bright green bill and legs,
as well as the blending of the soft brown and grey of the
plumage claims the admiration of the naturalist, but the most
remarkable thing about the bird is its tongue, its loud dis-
cordant craking is heard everywhere, where the land is low
and wet. The slightest noise is taken as an excuse for a fresh
outbreak, the report of a gun. or one man calling to another is
sufficient to set a couple of them going at the top of their loud
voices, but the bii-d is a difficult one to see or shoot. It is
found in the thickest of the underbrush, and its long powerful
legs carry it noiselessly from all danger. The natives some-
times catch I hem in snares which is the surest way of
obtaining them, for while a man with a gun is struggling
through thorny \'ines, these active birds have not the slightest
difficultv in evading him.

— Fish.—

Fish in the waters around the Arus are plentiful and
varied; they were seen in schools everywhere round the coast.
The water at night was alive with them, and an incessant
splashing was kept up, but to our surprise and disgust they
would never take a bait, although we frequently tried, and
although the vessel was surrounded by fish every night we
never on any occasion caught a fish with hook and line. The
natives catch large quantities. Their plan is to take a canoe
near to the edgo of the reef, and by the light of a fire spear
them, or wade in shallow water with lighted torch in one hand
and a spear in The other. The natives did not care to sell
their fish. All the time we were at the Arus they did not
offer a fish for sale, but when off the island of Trangan I pur-
chased two small fish out of half a boat load by offering more
than their worlh of tobacco, but could get no more. The fish
T have seen with the natives are varied in species. Many of

WHITE- A Sketch of tho Life nj Sunnirl Wfnte. 57

tJiciii look like tlioso we en 1 1 nm1l(»t. snapper, breanu rock-cod,
parrot-fish, and many others, including "sting-rays" beauti
fully marked with green, blue, and white, indeed there seemed
to be fish of all sizes, shapes, and colours. A species of flying
fish seemed to be numerous. I observed them in numbers two
hundred miles from shore. They were a small species, long
and slender, of a silver-white colouration which made them
conspicuous little objects in the bright sunlight over the dark
blue water as they took their arrow like flight of from 10 to 40
yards within a foot or so of the waters surface. They
emerged suddenly from the water and maintained a straight
course with the wind "abeam" or a little on the quarter, and
when the sea rose before them they disappeared into it. Their
transparent wings when in motion are not visible, giving to
the fish a strange arrow-like motion. When near the coast
small fish trooped about in counties;^ thousands, and I liave
ieen some curious scenes of destruction amongst them. Upon
one occasion I observed an assemblage of small fish which
seemed to be a lew rods square and a few feet deep. They
were so closely packed they could not steer, but had to all go
in one direction. Behind these had collected about a dozen
large sharks, and over them a thousand sea birds of various
species and sizes. The sharks would at intervals make a rush
forward with open month and engulf hundreds of the small
fry at a time. At this time thousands of fish would make a
sinmltaneous leap out of the water in a solid mass (as if they
had been thrown up with shovels), and alight a few feet in
advance to escape from the huge jaws of their monstrous
enemy, but not to escape a host of hungry birds which
instantly swoop down and each carry off a mouth full. This
state oF affairs w'^nt on for an hour or more, and T saw that as
each shark, or bird had its fill it dropped behind, or soared in
the air away from its still hungry mates.

— Insects. —
I was surprised to find that at the time of my visit the
insects were not more numerous in the Arus than in tropical
Australia at the same time of the year for it is well known that
at the end of the rainv season in the tropics is the best time
for insect life of every kind. However, T procured a few nice
beetlp'^ from (he natives as well as by my own collecting. T
one day chanred to see a couple of dead specimens of two
species of longicorns. T showed them to the natives and made
them understand T wanted them, and would give tobacco and

hS WHITE- A Skuh-I, of tin Ufr vf .Samuel White.

beads for them. I .soon liad a good quantity of longieorns
brought in, some in bamboos where they had bitten one another
into pieces. Some had their legs tied to prevent them getting
:!\v;!y: scinc a ere i led in bunches by ilieir antennae, bnt \n my
horror many of 'hem had all their legs torn off to disable them,
others had their mandibles broken off to prevent them biting,
but a good few were perfect. A small assortment of beetles
and bugs was obtained. Lcpidojilcia were scarce, at least at
this time of the vear. 1 did not get more than a dozen
species, and those v\-ere nearly all small, some ol' them
are found in Australia, and others I have met with in New
Guinea. Ants were not so numerous or varied as met with in
Australia. The green tree ant is the most ]»leniiful. Mille-
pedes, centipedes, and sciU'pions T saw of moderate size, but
not very numerous. Spiders Avere far more numerous and
varied ; they spread their nets everywhere in the scrub to our
annoyance. Some were large and had great expanse of limb,
■some were short limbed and heavy bodied, vsorae were hard and
others soft, some spiked all over, and there were others twice
as broad as long. Some few species seem similar to species
found in the southern part of Australia, and others closely
allied to those found in Northern Queensland. Mosquitos
and sandflies VNcre not so numei-ous or troublesome as I
expected; they did not trouble us on board the yaclit. but v>'e
found them borh in the mangrove swamps. Wasps were not
numerous we found to our great satisfaction, nevertheless the
small nest building sjM'cics were seen ixcasionally. and some of
our party discovered that Ihey could sting as vigorously as the
Australian species with which they seemed identical. It
seems a small fly not more than half nnd inch long, and builds
a nest of leaves about the height of a man's head by drawing
a number of large leaves together and fixing them with web.
It is usually jthued on the edge of the thick scrub or the sm.all
openings in the scrub, and is not easily seen. A number of
the little pests cluster on tlic outside evidently on guard, and
when an inti-uder a]»]>roaches, fifty or a hundred attack him
about the nerk and face. Tt is laughable to observe a man
who is sent in advance of you both walking stealthily through
the scrub in search of game, suddenly seized with a fit of
antics, throws down his gun. birds, bags, etc., throws his arms
about, knocks off his hat, and makes a frantic rush through
the thickest of tlie scrub regardless of thorns or tangle. If
the man behind is an old hand he knows what is the matter,
and darts off quietly in another direction and sits down, and

lisiciis lo liis iiiiiMK' (if ;i(l<ruic.| In [)iot;mil v) iiKlul^in.u in a
nunibev of foolish and useless words. I'resently he proceeds
on hands and knees stealthily to where his property is lyiuj;.
and recovers it as best he can without attempting one of the
many vengeances he vowed against the wasps a few minutes
ago. From my own experiences I can say their stings are
severe for a shoi-t time. Althcmgh they do not last long and
leave a lump for- a few days, it is very annoying to find that
although I have retained hold of everything in my hands I
have while endeavouring to brush the insects off my face
knocked my concave spectacles fi-om my eyes. To recover
them I have had to return and hunt them up amongst the
dead leaves on the ground, perhaps to be attacked again. It
will happen sometimes that the insects will enter the ear or
nose and thus confined will sting three or four times, giving
great pain with swelling and inflammation. I have f(mnd
•'Bary's Tricophenms" vei-y useful in such cases.

— ^Reptiles. —
The reptiles of the Am Islands are nol plentiful. S;na!l
lizards are the most abundant; of snakes there appears to be
few. T saw some very beautiful green ones with white mark-
ings, one seen was about five feet long; these are "Tree
Snakes*'. A good many marine serpents were observed in the
seas around the islands, but they were the same as found in
Australian waters. One curious large lizard seemed to be
fairly plentiful in the scrubs; it had a curious lappel under
the chin edged with spikes, also a comb-like piece on the head
also spiked. I have seen an allied species in Australia.
Several large lace lizards were brought in, beautifully speckled
with black and yellow. The natives brought frogs of gigantic
}>roportions, fine fellows that measured a foot to fifteen inches
from nose to toes. These were caught in the wet low country,
or the banks of the small streams, sometimes up trees, and like
the lizards were frequently shot with arrows. The frogs were
huge creatures of a dull livid colour, lacking that brightness
and vivacity some frogs possess, the ground colour was a
dull dirty orange and brownish yellow. The creatures were
brought tethered with a piece of rattan, and when placed in
file sun laid themselves out and died without a movement.
Some of the men ate them and pronounced them good. I am
under the opinion that there are a few turtles round the coast,
but none came to our share. The natives would not let turtle
pa.ss through their hands if they had it.

«0 WRITE— A Sh-etch of the LIfr of Sawuel W/n'f^.

— Vegetation. —
The vegetation is very similar to that found on the north
coast of Australia, and the south coast of New Guinea. It is
a dense tropical forest or scrub covering nearly every mile of
surface of the low islands. On Trangan there is an exception,
for the land is much higher, and a large portion of its surface
is covered by tall coarse grass, and bare rocks stand up
through it here and there, belts and patches of scrub cover the
lower parts. Trangan is the most southerly of the large
islands. Most of the trees and plants seen resemble those I
have seen in Northern Australia with a few exceptions. I
noticed a tree whose young shoots drooped in long bunches
and tinted of various colours from a greenish or pinkish white
to a scarlet, looking at a distance like blossoms. Another I
had not seen in Australia was a mangrove with a large white
or pinkish white flower resembling in shape a convolvulus ;
this was a straggling small tree, and grew in the salt water on
the banks of the Watalli Channel. The common mangrove
grew to great perfection there. Some of the trunks were
eighty feet long at least; some fine specimens grew on the
banks of the Wannambi River. In some parts of the islands
there were some magnificent trees very tall, but not very
robust ; among them were those that bore a large fruit like an
orange, but was pithy inside. The nutmeg trees were very
tall, and the fruit appeared in every way like those I have met
with in Australia, and like them when the spice has arrived
to perfection the brownish green pericarp opens and lets fall
the nut covered with a network of scarlet mace, the nut is
long in shape, barely half an inch through it, and scarcely an
inch long. The tree which excited my admiration most was
the Ca.suariiia. They were noble specimens of the genus, some
of them a hundred and fifty to two hundred feet high, and
stout in proportion. They grew on the lowland bordering the
coast, and were very conspicuous from seaward. The dark
green almost black foliage and pointed tops of these trees was
in marked contrast to the usual scrub foliage, forming a
broken fringe all along the west coast of the islands (they did
not grow inland). Under these trees grew palms, tree ferns,
palm lawyers, and other plants, as well ns creejiers and vines
in abundance. In places there were patches of large and tall
bamboos, and wherever the native settlements were cocoanut
palms were gi'owing and bearing well. This is an introduc-
tion by order of the Dutch Government. The nuts appeared
io me to be of fair size, and the flesh very thick.

.. !?

W. K. Thomas 4 Co.,

Printers,
Greufell St., Adelaid!;.

n

Bid

Vol. IV.

Part 3.

THE

SOUTH AUSTRALIAN

ORNITHOLOGIST,

A Magazine df Ornithology.

1st JULY. 1919.

.uiii

TO.D

C

EDITORIAL COMMITTEE;
R. CROMPTON, R.A.O.U.
A. G. EDQUIST
S. A. WHlTEr^C.M.B.G.U.
F. R. ZIETZ, R.A.O.U..

Price, 2/.

d

a

THE

South Australian

ORNITHOLOGIST

vJC

/idi/o) ial Cov) nt illec :

R. CroiMpton, R.A.O.U.
x\. G. Kdouist
S. A. WiriTK, C.M.BO.U
1'. R. ZiKTz, R.A.O.U.

Secretary :
F. M. Angkl, R.A.O.U.,

c/o \V. D. & W. O. Wills, Ud.
(h-enfell Street, Adelaide.

CONTENTS.

The Soutli Australian Oniillioloj^ical Association . j, . . 6

Order Ardeifornies, Family Anleidiie, Genus Notoplioyx . . 68

Notes from the Lake Frome District, J. Neil McGilp, J. P.,

R.A.O.U. 70

Kegent Honey-eaters— Visit to the Adelaide Plains. J. W. Mellor,

K.A.O.U .... s ..... 74

Correspondence— Re-naiuing Australian Birds . , .77

A Sketch of the i^-ife of Samuel Wliite—Ornithologist, Soldier,

Sailor, an.l Explorer. IJy his .-ion, S. A. White, C.M.IJ.O.U. 79

The Editorial Committee ac-c«'i)ts no responsibility for the
views or deductions expressed by any of its contributors.
The Journal welcomes a free interchange of ideas with the
object of extending the knowledge of our avifauna, but the
author of each article is responsible fur the opinions and
deductions recorded.

THE

South Australian Ornithoiogist,

Vol. IV.] 1st JULY, 1919. [Part 3.

The South Australian Ornithoiogical
Association.

APRIL 4th, 1919.

The monthly meeting was held in the Royal Society's Rooms,
North Terrace, on Friday evening, 4th April. The President,
Capt. S. A. White, C.M.B.O.U., occupied the chair. Mr. R. 0.
Beck was elected a member, and Messrs. A. Keith Asliby, son
of our worthy Vice-President, and J. N. McGilp of Moolawa-
tana were nominated. Several visitors were welcomed.

The Chairman reported that delegates from the Associa-
tion interviewed the Honorable, the Minister of Industry, and
discussed the question of the control and supervision of the
Coorong. A letter was received from Mr. Geo.
R. Latter. M.P., Chairman of Committees, eu-
logising the valuable work and assistance that Capt. S. A.
White had rendered in connection with the New Game Bill
last year. Another efifort to get the Bill passed would be
made next session when he hoped to again have the help of
Capt. White's wide experience and influence. The Secretary
was requested to write to the Commissioner of Police commend-
ing the fine work of Inspector Fraser of Adelaide, and M. C.
McDonald of Milang in securing convictions against offenders
of the Bird Protection Laws. Members expressed their plea
sure at the prominence given by the Proprietors of ''The Regis-
ter" and "Evening Journal" to articles dealing with the pro-
tection and welfare of our native birds.

Mr. T. P. Bellchambers of Humbug Scrub sent a sket* ii of
a bird rarely seen in his district. This was recognised a '• the
Fantailed Cuckoo. Mrs. Nimmo sent data and photograph > of

21ie South AvstraJiuii Ornithological Association,

a pair of curlews that had succes.sfnlly hatched a chick in her
garden. Capt. White reported that a pair of White-bearded
Honey-eaters had finished building a nest in his garden on '-.th
March. The first egg was laid on 9th. and the second a day
later. Both hatched, but the chicks died when three days old,
and the parent birds were again building. Mr. Edwin Ashby
noted several White-faced Herons roosting close to his house
at Blackwood. Mr. J. W. Mellor reported the Yellow-rumped
Diamond Bird about throughout the month at Fulham, and the
Fantailed Cuckoo very quiet at Lockleys. Black-faced Cuckoo
Shrikes were about in unusually large numbers, 32 were con-
gregated on a dead tree at Fulham, whilst at the same time
many more were flying around or perched on the surrounding
trees. On 28th March, young White-plumed Honey-eaters
were being fed by the parent birds.

Mr. Edwin Ashby showed two highly coloured Adelaide
Rosellas from Echunga and Upper Sturt, and suggested that
they were fairly old birds. Capt. White opined that as so
many of these birds were now being shot in the orchards, and
it took albout eight years for them to get highly coloured, it
was probable that few bright forms would be met with in the
future.

The following officers were elected for the ensuing year —

President— Capt. S. A. White, C.M.B.O.U.

Vice-President — Mr. Edwin Ashby, C.F.A.O.U.

Secretaiy — Mr. Kobert Grompton, E.A.O.U.

Acting Secretary — Mr. F. M. Angel, R.A.O.TJ.

Editorial Committee — Capt. White, Messrs. F. R. Zietz,
A. G. Edquist, Robert Crompton, and F. M. Angel.

The financial statement showed that, in spite of the great
increase in the cost of publication of the "S.A. Ornithologist,"
the position was very satisfactory.

A hearty vote of thanks was accorded to Mr. F. M. Angel,
who had so creditably carried out the duties of Secretary dur-
ing the absence of Mr. Robert Crompton in Europe.

APRIL 25th, 1919.
Capt. S. A. White, C.M.B.O.U. presided. Messrs. A. Keith
Ashby and J. Neil McGilp were duly elected members. The
Chairman reported that he had been informed by the Hon. the
Minister of Industry that a new permit would be granted to
the Association in connection with the supervision of the
Islands on the Coorong.

'Vlic South Aiixtraliun Oniitholoyicat Ai^ncriiuion. G7

Mr. J. W. Mel lor reported the first Flame-breasted Robin
Ihis seasou diiriu<»; the ])revious week at St. Kild.i, also thai
Chestnut-eared Finches were nesting; in the boxthorn bushes
at Lockleys. The large Wattle Birds were very numerous at
rhe latter place this year. Mr. R. C. Beck noted a large flight
of Wattle Birds at Seaton, and the Golden-breasted Thickhead
for the first time. Red-capped Robins were breeding in the
vicinity, but he had been unable to locate the nest. Mr. F. R.
Zietz stated that small flocks of Flame-breasted Robins had
been reported passing along the Coorong. Mr. S. Sanders
reported that the European Blackbird had been noticed at
Yergo for the first time. Mr. Alan Lendon observed the Peace-
ful Dove in the Botanic Park.

The remainder of the evening was devoted to an account
of the American Birds that came under Mr. Edwin Ashby's
notice during his recent trip to the United States of America.
Mr. Ashby graphically described the fine timber country, and
v/onderful forests and illustrated his remarks with a number
of photographs of plants and nut-bearing trees, which form the
main food supply of many of the birds and mammals. A fine
collection of bird skins was exhibited, and the characteristics
and hnbits of th.e species rej)resented were described. With the
nid of some remarkably good gramophone records, the glorious
songs and strange notes of many of the birds were brought
home to the hearers. Mr. Ashby was heartily thanked for the
very interestins lecture.

MAY 30th, 1910.

Capt. S. A. White presided. —

The Acting Secretary (Mr. F. M. Angel) reported that in
( onnection with the proposal to form a junior section of the
Association, application had been made to the Royal Society
for the use of their rooms for the meetings, which would hv
under the supervision of one of the Senior members of the
Association. A favourable reply having been received, Mr.
A. G. Edquist undertook to convene a meeting of suitable boys
1(1 to draft rules.

The President reported having visited Renniark with a
j.;overnment party in connection with the Agricultural Bureau,
and addressed a large meeting upon the value of our native
birds to the orchardist. Considerable interest was manifested
in the subject by the residents, some of whom stated that they

The South Audraliau. Oniithnlogical Association.

would now view the birds in a new light, and could see that
it was to their interests to protect them.

Capt. White had also received a pressing invitation to
speak at Narracooi'te again. The members thanked Capt.
While fo}- tli<' g(M)d work he has done in the coiuitrv districts in
spreading knowledge and interest in our feathered friends.

Mr. J. W. Mellor recorded Regent Honey-eaters on the
Adelaide Plains for the first time, at Lockleys. Other birds
of interest noted by this member for the month included 7
Straw-necked Ibis, a common Bronze-wing Pigeon, and num-
bers of Chestnut-eared Finches just out of their nests. Dr.
Morgan reported having again visited the Cormorant rookery
near Port Uroughton, and witnessed a Cormorant capture a
Hoary-headed Grebe. Vast numbers of Banded Stilts, covering
acres, were observed on the return journey, and in the samphire
country Acanthiza ros'mae was noted. The doctor also repor-
ted 3 Hoary-headed Grebe on the Torrens during the month.
Mr. Weidenbach stated that 2 large Wattle Birds and 2 Brush
Wattle F>ii ds were in the habit of I'oostiug in the same tree at
Glen Osmond. Mr. E. C. Beck observed a pair of Bustards
near Wynarka.

The bird tor the evening's discussion was Bericornis
macula tus, and the following sub-species were represented. —
S.m. osculans. mellori. ashbyi, and rymilli. Specimens exhibi-
ted were from the private collections of Capt. S. A. White,
Messrs. J. W. Mellor. and F. E. Parsons.

Order Ardeifonries, Family Ardeidae,
Genus Notophoyx.

Notophoyx novaehollandiae (White-faced Heron)
Description— All upper surface, slatey grey, the wings be-
ing somewhat darker tinged with brown, the primaries as well
as the tail-feathers being a deep slate colour, crown of the head
and back of the neck rich slaty blue, sides of the neck, slaty
grey. Face, throat, and forehead, white; elongated feathers
on the breast, rich brown ; under surface having a rich brown
or rufous tinge ; passing down the lower part of the neck is a
stripe of deep buff brown; iris, yellow; bill, top mandible and
tip of lower, black; base of lower mandible, yellowish white;
feet and legs, vellow. a line down front, greenish brown.

Order Ardelformes, Family Ardeidae, Genus Notophoyx.

09

Distribution — Found over the whole of Australia and the

adjacent islands includinj; Tasmania.

Habits — They are found on the banks of water courses,
swamps, tidal flats, and reefs, around the shore-s of lakes and
even small dams and waterholes. They wade through the
water and o\-ei- nniddy tiats in search of food, but do not stand
motionless and watch for their prey to come to them, like the
<ommon European Heron ; they are expert mouse catchers, and
are to be often seen stalking about in dry grass, and stinkweed
some distance from water in search of mice.

Flight— Strai.uht, with slow heavy flaps of the wings. In
flight the head is bent back until the back of the head rests be-
tween the shoulders, the legs are carried straight out behind.

Food — Tadpoles, frogs, crickets, small fish, crabs, yabbies
{ Afflaropsis), mice, grasshoppers, and other insects.

Nest — ^Merely a rough platform of coarse sticks with a few
smaller twigs to form a lining placed on a horizontal fork of a
large tree from i!0 to .50 feet from the gr-^und, the nesting tree
being generally selected near water, but sometimes a mile or
more from water. They do not nest in colonies.

Note — \A'hen nesting, a harsh cry is made when upon the
v»'iug. generally when passing to and from nesting tree to feed
ing ground ; General Note — A harsh croak-like sound, but not
often uttered.

J'^ggs — Three 1o tive in number, usually four, in a clutch, of
a uniform light blue colour; average measurements of thirteen
egg^ — 4S..") m.m. x ^5..") m.m. ; Largest egg — 49.0 m.m. x 38.0
ni.ui.: smallest egg — 4().0 m.m. x :U..5 m.m.

Measurements of the bird in the flesh— Total length, t>98
ni.iii.,: wing, from body to tip, 4<»1) m.m.; spread of wings, I.IOB
iii.m.; bill, SO m.m.; tarsus, 107 m.m.

McGlLP — Notes froxi the Lalre Fromc District.

Notes from the Lake Frome District-
By J. Xeil Mrdn.p, .I.P.. R.A.O.r.

(iCohasilrKs rhri/son-hoii.s addcndus.

In all the nests of this bird, which have come under my
notioe, I have found the double struct uie. an open cup-shaped
nest on top of a avoII concealed covered-in nest
with a carefully hidden entrance. A great deal of the struc
ture is of sheep's wool, sjiider cocoryns anfl small twigs, the
lower compartment being beautifully lined with highly
coloured feathers, an assortment which I should judge took
some time to gather. The small soft pink feathers of the Rose
breasted Cockatoo were noted, also the green fea
rhevs of the Shell Parrots, small metallic ones of llie Tres-
ted Bronzewing Pigeon, and other brigbtly coloured feathers.
Every nest examined containecl these brighf feathers. Another
strange feature I noticed in four nests, out of about a dozen
examined, was the skeletons of three young birds. Tlie death
of the birds cannot be accounted for, unless the i)aren(s
werQ killed, but it was noticed that these four nests which con
tainsd the dead birds, were built in Mistletoe, and the nests
were covered with small ants. The qnesdon is. Mould the ants
prove too much for the parent birds?

A Seagull was feeding with the fowls on the 28th Febru
ary last, evidently on its way to surface water somewhere?

Several pairs of Grey Falcons have been seen lately
(March, 1919) One pair was engaged in chasing finches
from the tank to the hedge, a distance of about fifty yards, and
often almost flying into the verandah in close pursuit of their
prey. Some weeks ago no less than six of these birds were
observed feeding on a Galah ("Rose-breasted Cockatoo), which
they had a})i)arently jnst killed upon my a]iproach. One ti-ied
to carry the Galah away, but after fivincj ^0 or 00
yards was forced to drop it, on account of the weight. This
is the first time T have seen more than two of these birds to-
gether.

Six Cormorants flew over here late one evening, flying very
low. I was unable to distinguish for certain which species
but thev had every appearance ofP. hj/poleuoifi.

A List of the birds observed on INIoolawatana Station,
March, 1918 to March, 1919.

Dromiceins novaehollandiae . Emu.

Synoicus ypselophorus sordidus. Southern Brown Quail.

McGlLF — Notf.g from the Lake Frome District. 71

Austroturnix velox. Eastern Little Quail.
I'edionontati luiqiiataa, PJaiu Wanderer.
><tictopf:lei(i cuneatd. Eastern Spotted-shouldered Dove.
Phaps chalcoptera, Bronze-winged Pigeon.
Ocyphaps lophotes. Crested Pigeon.
Microtribonyx ventralis whitei, Eastern Black-tailed

Native Hen.
Porphyrio melanotus. Eastern Bald Coot.
Fuiiuii uirti ta,siinuiica, Eaatei'u Cool.
PolioccpJialus poliocephaJus. Hoary-headed Grebe.
Gelochelidon nilotica macrotarsa, Australian Gull-billed

Tern.
Hydroprogne tsehegrava strenua, Australian Caspian

Tern.
Bruchigavia novaehollandiae, Silver Gull.
Urythrogonys cinftus. Red-kneed Dotterel.
lAibiby.r novaeliolliiiidiae. Spin- winged Plover.
Zonifer tricolor. Black-breasted Plover.
LeucopoUus ruficapillus, Red-capped Dotterel.
l''Lsci/(i iiii'Jdiiopy. Hlaek-t'ronted Dotterel.
Himantopus leucocephalus, White-headed Stilt.
Revurrirostra HoraeJiollatullde. Red-necked Avocet.
Stiltia Isabella, Australian Pratincole.
Peltohyas australis, Australian Dotterel.
Burhinus magnirostris, Eastern Stone Plover.
Austrotis australis, Australian Bustard.
Matheiosia rubicunda, Australian Crane.
Thrpfilnoniis nniliicca slriitipcinii.'i. White Ibis.
Corphibis spiriicollis. Straw-necked Ibis.
Plegadis falcinellus. Glossy Ibis.
Spatherodia regia, Black billed Spoonbill.
Platibis flfivipes. Yellow-billed Spoonbill.
NotopJwyx novaehollandiae, White-fronted Heron.
Nycticorax caledonicus, Australian Night Heron.
Myola pacified. White-necked Heron.
Chenopis atrata. Eastern Black Swan.
.1 ».sT)Y/)/r/.v f<cn)ipdlmata. Pied Goose
Chenonetta jubata. Wood Duck or Maned Goose.
Cdsarca fadonwidcs. Mountain Duck.
/Uids fiupevriliosd roger.^i. Black Duck.
Virago rafitancn. Phostnnt -breasted Teal.
Virago gihbprifrons. Grey Teal.
Malacorhynchus membranaceus. Pink-eared Duck.
^tictonetta naevosa. Freckled r>uck.

72 M'-dlLr—Nolr^fruui Ih, L,,la> Fnnnr iHdrirl,

Nyroca australis, VVhite-eved Duck.

Oxyura australiH, |{hi«» billed Duck.

liiziuro lobalu, Musk Duck.

l'li<il(i(ti)viH.r varho, IJlack Coruiuraut.

Mcsocarbo (iter. Little liluck Oormoraut.

UypohucuH varlus hypoleucus, Easteru Pied (Jorniorjint.

Microcarbo inclanolcuciift, Little Coi-nioraut.

(Uitoptropelicanu.s rfninpicillatus, Eastern I'elican.

Circus asaimiUs, Spotted Harrier.

Circus approxiiiKins youldi, Swamp Oawk.

Leucospiza clani, (irey Goshawk.

AccipHcr cirroccjtiKilKs, Collared Sj»arrow Hawk.

Uroaetus auda.r. Wedge tailed Eagle.

Hieroaetus nwrphnoides, Little Eagle.

ll(ili<i}<ti(r spliciiiirK'i, \>'his(liug Eagle.

Milvus korsrhnn affinis. Allied Kite.

Fnico h)H(/ipcniiis. Lit lie I'^'aleon.

F'nlco hypolcucus, Grey Falcon.

Notofalco subniger, Black Falcon.

leracidca her'ujora, Striped lirown Hawk.

Cerchncis cetichroidcs, Nankeen Kestrel.

Spiloglaux bottbooU niarnionihi. Marbled Owl.

Tyto alba delicatula, Ma.sked Owl.

Ducorpsius gi/uuiopis, Hare eyed (/ockatoo.

i:(>l(>pliiis iD.si i((ii)illiis. Kosc breasted Cockatoo.

Lcptolophux auriconiis. Cockatoo- Parrot.

Baruurdius banianli irhitci. South Australian Mallee

Parrot.
PsepJiotiis r<iriiis r<tsiii<n\ Southern Many-coloured

Pnrrot.
Northirlla lidciiKititiiastrr .vanlhorrhoa. Yellow-vented

Pnrrot.
Neotianodcs elcgans. Grass Parrot.
Mrhtpsitfacufi uudulatus, Shell Pnrrot.
Podargus strigoides rossi, Mallee Frogmouth.
A (-got heirs cristntd , Owlet Nightjar.
Cyanalcgon pi/rrhopygius. Red-backed Kingfisher.
CosiiKicrops oniiiliis, .Vustralian Tiee eater.
Fnrostopodiis tirfiiis. S]toltod Nightjar.
Ncferoscencs pallid us. Pallid Cuckoo.
Hirundo neo.rrna. Welcome Swallow.
Chrrnmocca hnn'oxirrniim sfotiei. Eastern Black nnd

White Swallow.
nylochelidott vigricdfia cnlcyi, Tre<' Martin.

HrQlLV — Notes tmin the Lake Frame District. 7o

I.agenoplastes arieU Fairy Martin.

Whiteornis goodenovii, Southern Red-capped Robin.

Melanodryas cucullatu rigorsi, Southern H<x>ded Robin.

iSmicroniis brevirostris virideacens. Greenish Tree-til.

I.t'iriiioniis rufirenlris mundnn' ( S.A. White), Central Aus-
tralian Kufous breasted Thickhead.

Ifhipidiiid ridhcllifcrd irhitei. South Australian Kantail.

Lcucocircd tricolour, Hhick and White Fantail.

Seisura imiuieia, Restless Flycatcher.

Ptcropodocys mamma, Eastern Ground Cuckoo Shrike.

Coracina novueholla/ndias melanops. Black-faced Cuckoo
Shrike.

Lahu/e tricolor, White shouldered Caterpillar-eater.

('iiitJosomo castaiiol mil. Chestnut-backed Ground Bird.

Hi/lacola sp., (iround Wren.

i^phrnosioina cristatum, Wedgebill.

Marganornis uttperciliosua, White-browed Babbler.

Poind lostoniii.s rufivrps, Chestnut-croAvned Babbler.

Cindorhamplms oriiralis. Brown Song Lark.

Epthianura albifrom, White-fronted Chat.

Pa repthianur a tricolor, Tricoloured Chat.

Aurepthianura aurifroiis. Orange-fronted Cliat,

Ashhyia lorensis, Desert Chat.

Acaiithiza lincata?.. Southern Striated Tit.

Acanthiza uropygialis condora, Pale Chestnut-ruraped Tit.

Aranthiza pusilla hainUtoni, Red-rumped Tit.

GrohasilcHs chrysorrhous addeudm. Port Augusta Yellow-
rumped Tit.

Hallornis cyanotus, White-winged Wren.

Leggeornis lamherti assimilis, Purple- backed Wren.

Arid III N.s JciKorhynvhuH, White-runipod Wood Swallow.

CampbclIorniH pcrsoiiatus nnimia. ]\Iasked Wood Swallow.

Camphellornis superciliosus, White-browed Wood-Swallow.

Austrartamus melanops. Black-faced Wood-Swallow.

OrolUna cyanoleuca. Mag])ie Lark.

Colluricinvla hannonica rirtoriae. Grey Shrike Thrush.

Gymnorliina tihicen. Black-backed Magpie.

Bulestes torqiiatus ethelae, Southern Butcher Bird.

Orcoira cristnta clelandi. Southern Crested Bell bird.

A pliclorcphdhi Iriirop.'ii,^ irhitri. White-face.

AuHtrodicdeuni hirundinacenm. Mistletoe Bird.

PardalotinKs striatus omatas. Red-tipped Pnrdalote.

Cis.^omrla nigra. Black Honey-eater.

GUciphila alhifrons. White-fronted Honey-eater.

74 UELLOE— Urgent Honeij-eaters.

Gerthionyx variegatus, Pied Honey-eater.
MeUphuya .-ionora, Sontlieiii t^iugiug ilouey-eatei'.
lAchenostomus ornatus, Yellow-plumed Honey eater.
Pfllotnlu penicillata Ivilaralensis, Clonciirry White-

pluiiied Honey -eater.
Myzantha flavigula. Yellow-throated Miuah.
Coleia carunculata tregellasi, Victorian Yellow Wattle

Bird.
Acanthageuys rufoguluris cygnus, Southern vSpiny-cheeked

Honey-eater.
Anthus australis adelaidensis , Southern Pipit,
Taeniopygia casta not is. Chestnut-eared Finch.
Corvtis corona ides, xVustralian Kaven.
Cornis hen)ictti. Small-billed Crow.

INTRODUCED.

Passer domesticus. Sparrow.
>Stur7iiis vvlgaris. Starling..

Of the above one hundred and thirty six Native birds ob
served, 70 are known to breed in this locality.

Regent Honey-eaters — Visit to the Adelnide Plains.

By J. \\. Mellok. R.A.O.r.

The most remarkable bird noted for May, 1919, and the
most pleasing record that I have made for the district of
Lockleys, S.A., was the sudden appearance of the Regent
Honey eater (Zanthomiza phrygia tregellasi) during
the latter part of April and early part of May.
Although I kept a sharp lookout for the bird in other parts
of the district. I was unable to detect it elsewhere than on my
estate. The fine old gum trees here seemed especially to at-
tract them, the native blue gum being the favourite, for it
was amongst the gnarled boughs and limbs of these trees
that the Regent Honey-eaters made their chief abode during
their brief stay with us. They were evidently migrating, but
from whence they came, or whither they went no data has
been obtainable. 1 assumed that they were making for the
Mount Lofty Ranges, as they have often been recorded by
our local naturalists about Blackwood and Belair. and at

MELLOR— Regent lhmey.<aters. 75

higher elevations in the ranges. Upon making enquiries
after the birds" departure, however, 1 found that tliey had not
made the Adehiide hills (heir rendezvous. Their visit to the
Adelaide Tlains 1 believe is unique, and it will be interesting to
note Avliether, having once made this their line of migration,
they will repeat the ronte in future seasons. The suddenness,
of their appearance, and their equally quick disappearance,
left no doubt in uiy miu<l that they were
migrating i-apidly. most lilu'ly foi-ced on their jiuirney by the
exceptioually dry season expei-ienced in this ^^tate. While
they were with us they pro\-ed a beautiful sight and kept the
locality gay with their bright plumage and remarkably sweet
and continuous song. The latter is a tlute-like warble, of
silvery liquid notes, not unlike the song of the Oriole, but
more lively and continuous.

The tameness of the birds was especially noticeable.
They even came to the back door, and three or four at a time
would drink at a bucket beneath the tap. or suck the water
;is it drip])ed from the noz?:le of the taj*. They were in num-
bers, even in the fowls' yard, and hero 1 was able to note their
habits at close quarters. Their food consisted chiefly of in
sects, whicli they sometimes caught in the gnarled boughs of
Ihe old gum trees, but ])rincipally by sallying out
on the wing to catch them in mid air, and then flying to a
neighbouring bough to eat the cajitured tit-bit.

The following notes from my ornithological notebook
may be of interest to show the exact dates of arrival and de
parture, etc.--

April 28, 1919 — "I noted a small covey of what I took to
be these birds (Regent Honey eaters) flying from a gum tree
at Lockleys, late in the afternoon, there >\as about a dozen."

April 29, — "I made sure of the identity of the birds, by
shooting one in a gum tree in the fowls' yard, there being
several birds about during the day, but I did not get more
than I he one specimen, which I was exceedingly i)leased to
secure, as it was the first time that \ had noted the
birds down here. They were making a very sweet and
pleasing warbling whistle, not unlike the notes of the Oriole,
bul not nearly so powerful. and continued this
melody at intervals all day. as they searched amongst the
boughs of the gum trees for their food. Ever and anon thoy
sallied forth after a beeih'. which they caughi on the wing,
and then flew into a tree to eat it."

76 MELLOR — Regent Honey-eaters.

April 30. — "Quite a number of these beautiful honey-
eaters was about, and they even came to the back door, and
drank from a bucket. They also came after insects in the fowls'
yard, there being no honey producing blossoms out. The
sweet warbling notes were very pleasing, and being very ven-
triloquial, it seemed that they were in quite another part of the
tree, or even in an adjoining one."

May 1.— ^"I was greatly surprised on rising; early to find
that large numbers of the Regent Honey-eaters had arrived
and were sporting about in the trees right at the back door.
Before the sun rose, a large tree near by, contained num-
bers of them. In a short time, more and still more Hew into
the same tree, until it was literally alive with these
gems of the honey-eating family. There must have been
scores of them, all hopping about in the green foliage making
the small boughs shake all over the tree. The birds seemed
3S though they were having an early morning bath from the
damp leaves, and as the sun rose and shed its bright lighit
on the scene, it made a beautiful and gorgeous sight. The
brigbt yellow mixed with the black feathers of the birds
shone out like gold as the sun gradually mounted. Every-
thing seemed to sparkle, and it would be hard to find a more
handsome 'Si.ght than these glorious little birds [presented. I
went quite close to get the full view of the scene, but did nor
disturb their early morning meeting.

The lon^ dry season in all probability was responsible
for the appearance of the birds, as I had not seen them down
here before, although they had been in the Mount Lofty
tianges in i)revious seasons, notably at Blackwood, but I think
even there they could not have been so numerous as they have
been at Lockleys to-day.''

May 2. — "Regent Honey-eaters still numerous, and several
come to di-ink at the tap at the back door, quite lame and
confiding."

May 3. — "Birds still numerous in the trees."

May 4. — "Regent honey-eaters about, but very scarce."

May 5. — Only saw one. the birds having tsoue as quickly as
they came."

May n. — "Not a trace of the Regent honey-eaters left.
They seem to have stayed only with us during their visit, for
although I kept a sharp lookout for them elsewhere, in all
likely places, I saw no sign of them."

Wlirn<:~Ue-Hai,iin,i Australian liirds. 11

Renaming Australian Birds.

TO THE EDITORIAL COMMITTEE.

In Vol. IV., I'ai't 1 of this Journal, Mr. A. J. Campbell
states that 1 have criticised his address ''somewhat biasedly."
Allow me to say that my statements were only in accordance
with up-to-date ornithology. I should now like to comment
upon Mr. Campbell's letter taking the salient points as they
there stand.

1. Mr. Campbell quotes dictionaries and encyclopaedias,
as to nomenclature being a science, but I venture to say that
there are many things understood, which do not appear in such
literature, but which could be proved easily enough. The
iiauiiiig of birds in the vernacular may not be .scientific, but to
name them scientifically with scientific names is certainly so,
and therefore must be a science.

2. I know a little about the Army and the Navy, Mr.
Campbell knows the Civil Service, and we all know that it is
the general practice that the officers move up as vacancies
occur in next of rank, but this is away from the point, for I
contend this has nothing to do with Ornithology, why bring it
in?

3. Mr. Campbell is modifying his views now, when he says
''a good starting point for some (the italics are mine) Aus-
tralian names, and those that are ornithologically correct,"
for Mr. Campbell led us to believe John Gould was his rock-
bed priority.

4. Mr. Campbell quotes Prof. Macgillivray upon John
Gould's works. He means at the time of their publication, but
every progressive Ornithologist knows we have outlived them,
and must have an up-to-date list.

5. Mr. Campbell must know that John Gould redescribed
birds, which had been described years before him, and in Mr.
CampbelFs own words he says John Gould's scientific work is
obsolete, but in other ways he is not.

0. Mr. Campbell should not state that I have made severe
reflections on biologi«'al professors, for he knows well enough
when T say "any Australian Ornithologist being deemed
worthy to sit on the National Committee," I mean members of
the old Rcbool of Ornithology.

78 WHITE — Be-naminq Australian Birdi.

7. There is no wobbling on my side, but there certainly is
with those who find their position untenable. Mr. Campbell
put his bioad plnuk of popular names on top of his narrow
scientific one.

8. T feel sine those learned gentlemen, the Editors of "The
Ibis" and "The Auk" must feel greatly flattered when they
read Mr. Campbell's words, — "Moreover they showed careless
criticism when they referred to 'lack of or 'that no synonymy'
was given," when every one knows this to be correct. The
list may have led up to all the literature known to the com-
pilers, but others would like to differ.

9. How does Mr. Campbell know that I am not in close
touch with members of the said Committee? To hear one say
that all scientific work done in Moscow and Berlin prior to
the war must be rescinded is absolutely ridiculous.

10. All ornithologists in Australia we know unfortunately
are not progressive, but I am glad to think the majority now
are, and Mr. (Jampbell must be realizing this at last. It is
absolute nonsense to say "Mr. ^>o-and-So is [insliiiii; the priority
rule to an extent that is causing confusion." I say
Mr. So-and-So, (by which is implied Mr. Gregory M. Mathews,
the author of that splendid work — "The Birds of Australia")
is only following the eminent Zoologists of the
world. But let me tell Mr. Campbell this,
siS one who lajows, that the makers of the Laws of Priority
are carrying out the full meaning of the laws, and any one
who tries to do otherwise is up against a stone wall at once.
The next R.A.O.U. "Check List" will fall into line with the
world's scientists, or I am very much mistaken. The Old
School must give way in this as in other sciences. I have
aonnds for saying this because an absolute maioritv of the
R.A.O.U. have voted for a second edition of the Check-list
(ifcordinr/ to the Tnfcrnafional Corle. It should have been called
a New Check-list, for it will have nothing to do with the old
and worthless List.

S. A. WHITE,

"Wetunffa." 28-6-19.

WHITE— A Sketch of the Life of Samuel White. 7<>

A Sketch of the Life of Samuel White-
Ornithologist, Soldier, Sailor, and Explorer.

By His Sou, S. A. White, C.M.B.O.U.
XXI. THE ORNITHOLOGIST AND SAILOR.

In a fev,' notes evidentlj^ made at the termination of his
last trip, my father says — "I regret that I had neither time
nor opportunity to make a Botanical collection, but one man
cannot do everything. A collector's life, even if he confines
himself to a fev>' things, is an active and harassing one if he
puts his heart into the work, or so I have usually found it and
having assistants does not always relieve one altogether.
At times I have sat skinning and curing specimens for days,
from early morn till late at night, and at others scouring the
scrub for some particular specimens and have been induced
by some of my hunters to take a long journey through thick
scrub, over hills, plains, or swamps in quest of some inform-
ation which is interesting to me; Many times I have been
out several days then hurried back, tired and weary, to cure
the specimens obtained which has often taken nearly all night;
and 1 was so tired that it was impossible to write up my notes.
Throwing myself on my bed (if I had one) I snatched a few
minutes rest before rising again with the dawn to begin a
fresh day with hardly time to wash or partake of food, and
Fo it goes on for weeks and months, till frequently hard work
and scanty living brings on some, climatic fever, when one's
labours suddenly cease for the time".

At times Samuel White seems to have jotted down his
thoughts here and there. In some cases they were short,
scrappy notes ; some of these which are before me were written
after his last voyage, and e%adently he was musing over thi«
for he says. — "I purchased a great deal from the natives while
I was in the Aru Islands, and the birds they brought in would
keep tv.o men skinning, and hard at work at that, all day long.
I induced them to persevere by liberal offers and payments, f
made it a practice to make many presents to the natives and
by treating liberally, induced them to bring hundreds of men
and boys about me and most of them brought something they
had collected, from a bird of paradise to a stone, or a brokeii
shell. It was harvest time in the Arus during my visit, and
these people had never seen anything like it before. During
1he time I was among these interesting natives T distributed

80 WHITE— A Sketch of the Life of Samuel White.

250 yards of calico, mostly coloured, hundreds of dozens of
handkerchiefs, several hundreds of tomahawks, seventy dozen
knives, 100 lbs. of beads, 10 cwt. of tobacco, twenty' double
barrel guns, 40 single barrel guns, 200 lbs. of powder, 20 bags
of shot, 2,000 caps, ten dozen rugs, also tea, sugar, rice
biscuits, and many other things besides 100 sovereigns. It
can be well understood that some of these men said, 'Such
times they had never seen before' -'.

It is greatly to be regretted that this great field Ornitho-
logist should have left us before he had put into vrriting his
great achievements in the science he loved so much, and for
which he suffered so many hardships — hardshi]v3 which event-
ually cost him his life. He was a man of sudi retiring nature
that he avoided any notoriety that would be likely to follow
many of his great achievements and made as little as possible
of his work, but I know that he realized that he had much im-
formation which would be valuable to science, and I also
know that if he had been spared, it was his intention to record
much of his field work that it might be handed down to live
after him. The subject of this brief sketch lived in those early
days of a young colony when the wonderful pioneers required
all the grit that a human being can possess.to make headway
against those manifold difKiculties which are always associated
with pioneering. Consequently, my father's early tastes for
natural history were much retarded, and in addition his
parents, who did not realize the importance of their son's
scientific research kept a check upon his hobby.
In spite of all the obstacles thrown in his
way Samuel White from his early childhood showed the great-
est love for nature, especially birds, and during his boyhood
days spent in a veritable bird paradise, at his old home at the
Reedbeds. bird observation was always first in his mind. It
was then he laid down the nucleus of a great collection and
at the time of his death and long after, the earliest specimens
collected were in a perfect state of preservation. Sad to say
this great collection containing birds, which have now become
extinct was scattered by the trustees to the four quarters of
the Globe, a priceless collection which could never be assem-
bled again, and this w^as done, of course against his express
wishes and will. The great love for nature possessed by
my father may have caused some w^ho did not really know
him, to think that he was eccentric ; for instance he Avilled,
that should he lose his life w^hen upon one of his expeditions
into the interior, no search should be made for his remains,

WHITJjJ—A Sketch of the Life of Samuel White. 81

hut to allow them to rost siirroiindod by nature which he
lovoci so much. Apart from all this, this naturalist made
many friends, and 1 have known ship's officers, travelling
companions and others go to great trouble to find him year's
after they had met. He told a good after dinner story and
charmed his friends with his natural courteous manners and
the accounts of his many travels, and experiences, whenever
they could prevail upon him to speak of them. He was
naturally a fine horseman and there is no doubt he took
much interest in the raising of stock during his station days,
but ever uppermost in his mind were his beloved birds. It
was a byword in the family that "V\'hatever Samuel took in
hand he mastered", and this is well illustrated when I look
back uiton his proticiency in music, chemistry, photography,
and enromology as well as ornithology, he was a navigator
although he had not taken out a certificate; still his bringing
back his yacht upon his last vo3-age through uncharted seas
proved this. Samuel White was no mean artist and when,
quite a boy painted a number of the Native birds of his dis-
trict, which are far more life-like in colour and contour than
the illustrations in some ornithological works which have
appeared since that tim?. My father had a wonderful iuflu
ence over the aboriginies of both Australia and New Guinea.
He travelled and lived amongst the wild tribes of both count-
ries for years, but not once did he ever have trouble with
them. There was an old full blooded aboriginal who knew
my father as a boy, who travelled very many hundreds of
miles to find him, and when told that my father was dead he
wept and mourned his loss for days, this is but one of many
striking marks of affection borne by the natives towards my
father. I am afraid his good nature was often, very often
imposed upon, but it gave him the greatest pleasure to do
a good turn to another. During his sojourns in England (a
trip which was a great undertaking in those days) he loved
to meet his old army friends, and he spent many an evening
before the fire chatting over military matters, for he had the
true martial spirit of the Britisher. lie was proud to be a
Britisher, and proud of all that was British. Of course the
meetings with such men as John Gould, A. R. Wallace and
oiher Ornithologists were red letter days to my father, and
every conversation with them was burnt deeply into his me
moiv. Mii-.y a t'me have I heard him quote -John Gould and
(.iluMs in tiie old counay i^pon ornithological matters. I feel
sure John Gould the Author of ''The Birds of Australia" knew

«2 WHITE— A She.t'-h of the Life cf Samad White.

that it was beyond disymto when he stated in bis great work
the f-redit due to inv father for his discovenes in Ornithology
5ind said, ''I I^now of no one of my correspondents in Australia
who is so keenly alive to the science of Ornithology", and he
should have added, "done so much field work". When Samuel
White died he left a widow, and young fr.mily to mourn their
great loss, and since that fatal day, they have kept evergreen
the memory of that wonderful pioneer, and great field Ornitho-
logist. It is to be lioped that this very brief sketch of a life
by far too short, but still full of great interest, may convey to
my readers some idea of the work accomplished by a great
pioneer of this Ptate, and of Australian Ornithology.

f-v£ W. K. Tlioiiias & Co.,

/\ [^ Grenfell St., Adelaide. jl/V

Jill

LQin

m

Lull

P

3~

Vol. IV.

Part 4.

THE

SOUTH AUSTRALIAN

ORNITHOLOGIST,

A Magazine of Ornithology.

1st OCTOBER 1919.

□

EDITORIAL COMMITTEE i
R. CROMPTON, R.A.O.U.
A. G. EDQUIST
S. A. WHITE, C.M.B.O.U.
F. R. ZIETZ, R.A.O.U..

n

^

Price, 2/-

n

THE

South Austpalian

ORNITHOLOGIST,

Editotial Committee :

R. Crompton, R.A.O.U-
A. (t. Edouist
S. A. White, C.M.BO.r
F. R. ZiETz, R.A.O.U.

Secretary :
F. M. An(;el, R.A.O.U.,

c/o W. D. & H. O. Wills. Ltd.,
Grenfell Street, Adelaide.

CONTENTS,

I'AGK
The Sfmili Australiiui Ornithulogical Associutioii . . . . 87

Order Anleifonnep, Family Ple.uadiflac, (iemis Car]iiiiliis . . 90

Tlic Weiglitsof S'oine Anstn.lian Binls. Uy A. M. Morgan, M.B.,

B.Ch. - . . - .91

Morniii;,' Bird Calls about the Lime Day Bieaks, Climatic Condi-
tions, and Otl.ei Notes. F.y .1. Sutton, J;. A. O.U, . . 96

Notes from tiie Coorong. By ,)ose)ili (lordou Hastings.

Birds Recorded from the Early Days uj) to the Present Time fin- the

Keed Bed-* Di.strict. I'.y S. A. White, CM.lI.U.U. . , 101

The Editorial Committee accepts no responsibility for the
views or deductions expressed by any of its contributors.
The Journal welcomes a free interchange of ideas with the
object of extending the knowledge of our avifauna, but the
author of each article is responsible for the opinions and
deductions recorded.

THE

South Australian Ornithologist.

Vol. IV.J 1st OCTOBER, 1919. [Part 4.

The South Austrah'an Ornithological
Association.

June 27th, 1919.
The monthly meeting of the South Australian Ornithologi-
cal Association was held in the Royal Society's rooms, North
Terrace, on Friday evening, 27th June, 1919. Capt. S. A. White
presided. Mr. J. Sutton, of Netherby, Mitcham, was nominated
for membership. All members present were exceedingly pleased
to hear that Surgeon-Major W. MacGillivray had returned from
Europe fit and well, and looked forward to meeting him upon his
return from Sydney, where he has gone on duty. Mr. F. Par-
sons described a wonderful sight of bird life recently at Ken-
sington, where many parrots of the lorikeet family had congre-
gated in the flowering blue gums. They were of three species,
but their numbers were remarkable. Mr. C- H. Lienau stated
that he had seen four male blue wrens in full plumage in com-
pany with two in brown plumage, feeding another brown bird,
which was remarkable for this time of year. Mr. F. R. Zietz
reported having seen the Rufous Thickhead (Leivinornis riifiven-
tris) at Kingswood. Master Alan Lendon stated that he had
seen the fantailed cuckoo and regent or warty-faced honey-eater
in the Botanic Garden. Mr. J. Sutton had been observing the
brown tree creeper at Mitcham, that was in the habit of roosting
in a vent pipe. Mr. Edwin Ashby forwarded some interesting
bird notes from the Blackwood district. He stated that one of
the little bronze cuckoos had been rehearsing his spring notes.
Many singing honey-eaters were now in the district, which is an
unusual occurrence in the hills. The swift lorikeet had been
seen at Blackwood on June 3 and 27. Several flame-breasted
robins had been noted. The large wattle bird, as well as Blue
Mountain parrots, wero very numcTons In his garden jnst at
prescn't. The rii'airnian stated that thre(^ swans pi'cspnted a
which directed attention to the great number of barn owls that
had been found dead. The Chairman said he had had many

88 The South- Australian, Ornithological Association. >;

beautiful sight 'on a s'liady water at the Reedbeds that morning.
The fantailed cuckoo had been heard callling in its mournful
way for some weeks pas't. He also annoimced that all the blue
wrens {maluri)had now changed into their full blue and black
plumage, with the exception of one bird, which showed dark
spots about the throat, denoting a change of plumage about to
take place. He said a baldcoot had been seen flying high well
over the big gumtrees at 4 p.m., this being an unusual sight, as
these birds generally flj at night. The birds under discussion
for the evening were : — The brown scrub wren ( Tasmanornis
humilis), a bird confined to the scrubs of Tasmania; Flinders
Ifdand scrub wren (T. humilis flindersi), described by White
and Mellor after visiting Flinders Island, Bass Straits, in 1913 ;
collared scrub wren {Oreoscopus gutturalis) , which is found in
the North of Queensland; scrub tit {Acanthornis magnus),
only found in Tasmania; the long-tailed blue wren {Malurus
cyaneus), described by Gamlin in 1789 from a specimen taken
at Adventure Bay, South Tasmania; North Tasmanian blue
wren {Malurus cyaneus fletcJierae) , named after Miss Fletcher,
of the Tasmanian Educational Department; Flinders Island
blue wren (Malurus cyaneus samueli), being confined to Flin-
ders Island; King Island blue wren (M. cyaneus elizabethae),
this also only being found on the island from which it derives its
name; Victorian blue wren (M. cyaneus henrieffae), being
found only in Victoria; southern blue wren (M. cyaneus leggei),
the type locality of this specimen being from the mangroves of
the Port Adelaide River; Kangaroo Island blue wren (M. cyan-
eus ashbyi), this Kangaroo Island species was named by G. M.
Maithows in 1912; blue wren (1/. cyaneus australis), being-
found in New South Wales; silvery blue wren [M. cyaneus
cyanochlamys) , a beautiful bird having its habitat in southern
Queensland and north New South Wales,

Owing to the restricted tram service, due to the Seamen's
Strike, no meeting was held in July.

SEPTEMBER 1, 1919.
Capt. S. A. White presided over a large attendance. Mr.
E. A. Brooks, of Buckland Park, was proposed as a member, and
Mr. J. Sutton, of Netherby, was duly elected. The Secretary
reported that the Government had granted the Association a
licence to occupy the Islands in the Bird Protection Area in the
Coorong. The Chairman read an extract from The South-Eas-
tern Times, which had been handed in bv Mr. F. R. Zietz, and

The South Auslralian (JrnithoLigical Association. Si*

of the birds sent to liim. The birds were in very poor condi-
tion, and opinions were divided as to whether the mortality was
due to disease or starvation. The progress made by the Animals
and Birds Protection Bill and the Fauna and Flora Bill in
Parliament was discussed, and much satisfaction was ex
pressed. There were many interesting notes from the month's
observations. Dr. Morgan stated that he had been investigat-
ing the nesting place of the house martins, and had found that
small depressions were made in masses of gum leaves under the
eaves and situated on the wall plate of the house. In these
depressions the birds laid their eggs. Mr. Mellor said that
two barn owls which had been roosting in a creeper for some
time had now left, and that it was quite likely they had gone to
seek a nesting hollow ; that the brush wattle birds had been
mating at Lockleys, likewise the magpies early in Aug
ust. and that the pallid cuckoo had been much in
evidence with its strange note. Mr. F. R. Zietz had
seen young magpies about early this year. Mr. A. Crompton
reported that there was a magpie lark's nest in the Botanic Gar-
den, situated over one of the dining tables, and that the land-
rails had been seen at Stonyfell all through the year. Early
in August he had observed wood swallows clustering at Upper
Kensington. Mr. E. Ashby said the regent honey-eater was in
numbers at Blackwood just now, and that brush wattle birds
were very numerous. The swift lorikeet had been seen at
Mitcham. Mr. K. Ashby stated that these birds were always
flying from north to south. Mr. Sutton stated that the first
pallid cuckoo had reached Netherby on July 31, at 5.8 p.m. He
had seen the golden whistler on July 7 and 22, fantailed cuckoo
on July 5 and August 16, Rufous-breasted whistler on July 7,
spotted diamond bird on June 27 and to July 29. Mr. R. Beck
reported that he had seen a magpie kill a blackbird whilst on
the wing. The Chairman reported having seen the spinebill
at Fulham on July 2 and 10, the black-tailed native hen on July
18. the pallid cuckoo on July 20, a bearded honey-eater*s nest
with two eggs on July 22 (the eggs had hatched out on August
1), and Rufous song lark had appeared this season on August
30. He exhibited some species of Platifcereus (Adelaide para-
keets i. showing the linking up with the palest form found at
Mount Remarkable and in the Flinders Range. Mr. Frank
PnrsoDs >1k>\v( (1 ilic skins of two dovo-liko prions, found on fht>
b^^nrh nt Brighton, niul ^fr. E. Ashby the helmeted honey-eater
from Victoria.

90 Order Ardeiformes, Family Pleyadiflie, Genus C'lrphibls.

Order Ardeiformes, Family Plegadidae,
Genus Carphibis.

('arphihi.H spiiiicoUis (Straw-necked Ibis).

Description — Upper Surface. — Dark brown to black, with
a decided bronze tinge ; shading from green to purple, the fea-
thers being barred with deep black ; upper tail coverts edged
with green; tail, white; in the old males short, white leathers
cover much of the neck with metallic green feathers on the top ;
strange straw-like appendages under the neck, resembling fea-
ther shafts, under which is a dark, metallic band ; the remain-
idier of the under surface, white; bare skin of the head, black;
small bare space under the eye, pink ; feet, ruddy brown to
pink; bill, black; iris, brown.

Measurements. — Total length, 842 m.m. ; wing, 384 m.m. ;
tarsus, 90 m.m; bill. 192 m.m.

Distribution — Over the whole of Australia and many of
the Islands ofif the coast, including Tasmania.

Habits — Gregarious, moving about in parties of a dozen to
several hundreds, spread over the plains, swamps and grass-
lands during the day time, but generally make for timber to
roost at night. A large party will arrive at the roosting place
(large gum trees for preference) in the dusk; circle round once
or twice to make sure all is safe, then settle on the branches
high up; a few hoarise croaks, and they are perfectly quie<t.
While walking over the plains they travel fairly fas't, but no-
thing escapes their quick eyes; they turn over manure, sticks,
and bark with their bills, and thrust them into the cracks of the
soil in search of crickets. They shift about according to the
seasons. If protected, become very confiding, but if molested
are wary birds.

Nesit — If plaiced in: a tree or shrub near w<ater, it gen.erally
consists of sticks, of a flattened shape ; if in the rushes, flags
and reeds, these are bent down to form a ]tlatt'<)rni. and very
ofteu a littQe drift wo'od is add'edl. As a rule the nest's are
bniltl in large colonieis.

Eggs — TQiree to five in number, duH white; nearly always
much stained, green s'h'ade inside -she'll; mjeaisures 60 to 69
m.m.: 42 to 40 m.m.; laid from September to November.

MORGAN — The Weights of Some Australian Birds. 91

Flight — Powerful, and at times, elegant ; they soar round
and round in great circles before alighting. At times they rise
to a great height and travel long distances.

Food — Grasshoppers, crickets, frogs, mice, and many kinds
of insects, terrestial and aquatic, freshwater snails, etc.

Call — A harsh croaking note, but on the whole they are
very silent.

The Ibis is one of the most useful birds, and has been known
to congregate in vast numbers in front of a plague of locusts,
and to have stopped the progress of these insects. This bird
is totally protected in South Australia, under the Animals and
Birds Protection Act.

The Weights of Some Australian Birds.

—By A. M. Morgan, M.B., B.Ch.—

During a holiday in the South-East of this State last Octo
ber, I took the opportunity to weigh each of the birds 1 collected,
and also their brains, with the object of finding the percentage
of the latter to the body weight. I also weighed all the eggs
I collected. As regards the relative weights of the brains my re-
sults are so uneven that I think it would be well to obtain many
more observations before publishing the results. Many factors
may upset the balance in a small bird, such as much loss of
blood, containing several shot, or being in poor condition; all
of which would increase the relative proportion of brain to
h<)(]y. Tlie weights of birds' bodies and eggs may, liOA\'ever, be
of interest to some of our members, and I am therefore publish-
ing them.

All weights are given in grammes, and the names are those
in Mr. Mathews's 1918 list:—

Name of Bird. Weight.

$ . Hypotaenidia philliprnmn. — Buff-banded Rail 287.4
9 . Laporina pusilla polufitris. — Little Crake 22.2

S. Leuropolius rufirapilliis. — Red-capped Dotterel 89.8.

92 MORGAN— The Weights of Some Australian Birds.

Name of Bird. Weight

$ . Charadrius cucullatus. — Hooded Dotterel 101.9

S . Actitis hypoleucus auritus. — Common Sandpiper 49.0
5 . Trichoglossus novaehoUandiae. — Blue-bellied

Lorikeet 112.9
9 . Glossopsitta concinna. — Musk Lorikeet 70.9
9 . Platycercus evimius. — Rosella 116.1
$ . Neonanodes chry^ogaster. — Orange-bellied Parrot 51.2
$ . AJcjionc azurea victorkie. — Blue Kingfisher 37.1
5 . Cosmaerops ornatus. — Bee-eater 25.8
S . Cacomantis ruhicatus. — Fan-tailed Cuckoo 50.8
$ . Pachycephala pectoralis fuUginosa. — White-
throated Thickhead 23.2
S . LeiL-inornis rufiventris. — Rufous-breasted Thick-
head 25.6

5 . Eopsaltria australis gularis. — Grey-breasted

Shrike Robin ' 39.3

9 . Pomatostomus temporalis. — Babbler 97.4

$ . Acanthiza pusilla. — Brown Tit 7.0

9 . Acanthiza lineata. — Striped Tit 7.7

$ . Acanthiza pusilla haniiltoni. — Red-rumped Tit 6.1
B . Eopsaltria australis viridior. — Green-rumped

Shrike Robin 23.8

6 . Sericornis longirostris. — Scrub Wren 13.8
$ . Sericornis longirostris. — Juv. 12.5
S . Sericornis maculatus mellori. — Spotted Scrub

Wren 12.7
$ . Malurus cyaneus leggei. — Blue Wren 10.1
$ . Stipiturus malachurus tregellasi. — Emu Wren 8.1
9 . Spheniira hroadhenti. — Bristle Birdi 55 1
9 . Camphellornis personatus. — Masked Wood-
Swallow 36.1
$ . Aphelocephala leucopsis. — White-face 12.3
6 . Zosferops lateralis westernensis. — ^Silver eye •^■9
$ . Pardalotinus striates sulstriatus.— Striped

Diamond Bird l^*-^

MOliGAX — The Weights of Soyne Australian liirds. 93

Name of P.ird. Weight

$ . GliclphUa melanops. — Fulvous-fronted Hoiney-

eater, Juv. 14.9

3 . Meliornis novaehollandiae. — Bearded Honey-eater 24.8
9 . Meliornis novaehollandiae. — Bearded Honey-eater 16.5
9 . Myzantha melanocepliala whitei. — Noisy Minah 95.4
3 . Myzantha melanocephala whitei. — Noisy Minah 81.0
$ . Coleia carunculata. — Red Wattle Bird 144.0

S . Coleia carunculata. — Red Wattle Bird 129.6

9 . Authochaera chrysoptera intermedia. — Brush

Wattle Bird 95.4

9 . Acanthagenys rufogularis cygnus. — Spiny-
cheeked Honey-eater 45.8

9 . Zonaeginthus hellus. — Fire-tailed Finch 14.1

The greater number of these birds are from the South-East-
ern district, but a few are from Port Lincoln.

A number of clutches of eggs were weighed, and the rela-
tion to the weight of the bird estimated when the latter was
known. The bird weighed was, in most cases, not the parent
of the eggs.

Xame.

Porzana fluminea ( Spotted
Crake)

Weight
of eggs.

. . 1.7.4
2.8.7
3.8.5
4.8.3
5.8.1

Weight
of clutch

41.0

Per cent.

of clutch

to body

weight

Per cent.
of heavi-

to body
weight

Haematopiis ostralegus longi-

rostris (Pied Oyster Catcher) 1.50.3

LeucopoUus ruficapillus (Red

Capped Dotterel 1.8.3

2.8.3

Ditto. 1.6.7

Ditto. 2.6.7

Ditto 1.7.9

Ditto. 2.7.7

16.6

42.4

21.2

13.4

34.1

17.05

15.6

39.7

20.1

94 MORGAN— The Weights of Some Australian Birds.

Xame.

Charadrius cucculatus (Hooded
Dotterel

Ditto.

Wught 1

of egsrs. <

1.13.5
2.12.9
3.12.9
1.12.5

rt'eight
:>f clutch

39.3

per cent.

of clutch

to body

weight

38.5

per cent,
of heavi-

to bodv
weight

13.2

Ditto.

2.12.5

37.5

36.8

12.3

Ditto.

3.12.5

Circus approximans gouldi
(Swamp Hawk)

1.36.7

Platycercus eximius (Rosella
Parrot)

1.5.5
2.5.5
3.5.6
4.5.5
5.5.4

22.5

18.4

4.8

Coracina novoehollandiae
melanops (Black-faced Cuckoo-
shrike)

. 1.8.5
2.8.7
3.8.6

25.8

Colluricincla harmonica i>ic-
toriae (Grey Shrike Thrush) . .

1.6.1
2.6.5
3.6.5

19.1

Acanthiza lineata (Striped tit)

1.0.8
2.0.7

1.5

19.4

10.3

(reohasileus chrijfinrrJwvfi sand-

Ian di (YeUow-mmx)ed Tit) .... 1.1.09

Lamprococcyx plagosus (Bronze
Cuckoo) .... . . ' 1.1.3

Anthochaera chrysoptera inter-
media (Brush Wattle Bird) . . . .1.5.8 11.8 12.3 6.2

2.6.0

Ditto. 1.47

Ditto. 2.4.9 10.9 10.0 5.1

MORGAN — The Weights of Some Australian Birds.

95

.weight Weight per cent, per cent.

of eggs. of clutch of clutch of heavi-

to body est egg

; weight to body

Acanthogenys rufogularis cygnus
( Spiney-cheeked Honey-eater) ..

Zonaeginthus bellus (Fire-tailed
Finch)

Ditto.

1.5.8
2.5.1

1.0.9
2.1.0
3.1.0
4.0.9
5.0.9
1.1.4
2.1.2
3.1.2
4.1.2
5.1.4
6.1.4
7.1.4

10.

4.7

wei^t

23.27 12.6

33.3

9.2 65.3

7.0

9.9

I found during my investigations that birds lose weight
fairly rapidly after death, but in varying degree. I should think
the temperature of the air would hnve some influence on this
loss, and also the manner in which the bird had been killed ;
birds with large, open wounds would lose weight more rapidly
than those dead from other causes. This cause probably
accounts for the small weight of the Little Crake, noted above,
the bird having been caught by a dog, and considerably mauled
the day before it was weighed. A New-holland Honey-eater
lost one gr. in weight between 7 p.m. and 9 a.m. the next morn-
ing, whereas a second bird lost only 0.1 gramme in the same
period : a rufous-breasted Thickhead lost no weight ; a Blue
Wren lost 0.3 gramme; a Bee-eater lost 1 gramme; a Scrub
Wren lost 0.2 gramme in 14 hours after death. The great rela-
tive weight of the clutch of the Fire-tailed Finch is very remark-
able, especially as this bird lays an egg on each day until the
clutch is complete; four of this clutch of seven are known to
have been so laid. This means that the female loses nearly 10
per cent, of her body w Mght on each day. for seven days in suc-
cession— a really terrifif strain upon her economy.

0(i
MORNING BIRD CALLS about the time the Day Breaks, Climatic Con-
ditions, and Other Notes By J. Sutton, R.A.O.U.

Aug. 2

Heavy

Aug. 3

Aug. 4

NAME OF BlllD.

July 29

July 30

July 31

Aug 1

rain
6.53

F,ne

Fine
Windy

a.m.

a.m.

a.m.

;i.ii]

a.m.

a.m.

a.m.

1. Ma'ivie

6.40 a

5.55 a

0.39 a

b^O a

5.22 a

6 12 a

6.21 a

Gymnorhina leucoiut.i

2. Black and White Fantail ..

6.50 6

650 g

6.39) c

6.52 b

6.35 c

6.23 b

6.36 d

Rhipiduia inotacilloides

X Pallid Cvckno

—

_

—

—

5.34 1 b

—

6. S3 b

Cuculus inornatus

6.29/

1. Blackbird

6.57 )■

6.00 h

0.48 /

6.52 c

6 53 /

6 35 /

6.45 r

Meruitt uieiula

:-. Lauqhini liiiujfisher

6.51 e

6.49 d

0.51 h

_

6.31i e

0.35 c

Dacelo fiigas

(i. ^'oisl/ Miner

6.51 d

6.45 b

6 39 6

6 54 ,g

„

6.31i d

6 37 /

Myzantha garrula

7 Australian Broun Fhicnicher .

7.15 p

7.2 p

6.51 g

—

6 53 e

6 39 h

6.44 h

Microwa fnscinnns

^ \^Hte Phtmed flonev-'-afer

—

(146 c

6.39 d

0 52 d

6.50 d

6.30 c

6.36 «

Ptilotis penicillata

9 Black Faced Cuckoo shrike

(i..50 h.

—

—

—

—

Coracina robiista

10. Fan Tailed Cuckoo

ebs 0

0 49 e

6.43 e

-

—

6.40 i

6.47 j

Cacomantis rufulus

11. Wattle Bird

7.6 m

6.50i i

1.53 <:

6.54 ./

_

6.50 : k

6. 49 J I

Acanthochsera caruiiculata

iL'. White Bearded Honeijeater

0.52 /

_

_

—

_

6.48 k

Melioini.-i novea-hollandiae

13. Scarlet Breasted Robin

_

_

—

6.59 j

6. 37 J <7

6 41 g

Petroica leggei

14. White Eye

_

7.0i 0

—

—

—

_

—

ZosteiopB coerulescen>

If.. Welcome StvaUow

_

-

6.57J ,•

—

_

—

Chelidon neovena

16. Yellow Tailed Tit Warbler

7.5 k

6.50 /

—

6 54 e

_

6.56 in

Acanthiza chrysorrhoa

17. ihisk Lorikeet

717 s

7.0 n

—

7 4 0

—

_

6 58^jp

Glossopsittacus concimms

18. Brown Tree Creeper

7.2 j

«.54 j

7.3 I

7 1 m

—

«.44i j

6 57 0

Climacteris picnnina

19. Chey Shrike Thrush

7.15 0

6.58 k

7 3i n

7.2.J „

—

6.51 I

—

Colluricincla harmonica

2('. Starlinn

7.15 ,]

7.3 q

7.3i m

7.0 I

_

6.61iw

6 59 5

Sturnus vulgaris

21. House Sparrow

7.11 n

6 58J I

6.59 j

6.57J h

—

6.53 0

6.5C n

Passer doinesticuH

22. Black Chinned Honey-eater

7.6 t

6.58im

7 2i k

6.59 k

—

6.52 n

7.1 r

Melithreptus gulaii.s

23. Red Tipped Diamrm.i Bird
Pardalotus ornatus

—

7 5 r

—

—

—

—

—

24. Maqpie Lark

6.52 e

—

—

—

—

—

—

Grallina picata

25. White Saped lloney-eater

7.16 >•

—

—

—

—

—

—

Melithreptus atricapillus

2C. Southern Stone Curlew

—

—

—

—

—

6.12

6.t i

Burhinusgralliiiius

27. BoobookOwl

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

Ninox boobook

SUNRISE— NETHEBBY, 29 mins.

7 45

7.44

7.43

7.42

7.41

7 40

7.39

later than Adelaide

ifOOli

'

lit qr.

The Italics indicate the order in whi^ch the calls of the birds were heard on eaoh particular d*y.
A dash imeans that the biPd was not heard that morning.
The birda' 'namnes are arranged in order of priority om avenajree.

MORNING BIRD CALLS about the time the Day Breaks, Climatic Con-
ditions, and Other Notes By J. Sutton, R.A.O.U.

A DC. 0
Fine

Aug. (i
Fine

Aua. 7
Fine

».ni.
5.51i a

AUL'. 8
Rain

Aug. 9
Kiu

Aug. 10

Fii.e

a.m.
O.Oi a

Aue. 11
Fine

A us. 12
Rain
Wind
N.W.

AiiK. 13
Fine
Ram
Inter

a.m.
2.12 > b

.5.45/

Aug. 14
Dull,
siifrht
lain.

a.m.
1.1 \a
5.40/

Aug. 15
Dull

a.m.

5.57 b

a.m.

5 3d a

a.m.
6.7 ''
10.35pni

5.50 tt

!>.m.
5.50 a

a.m.

a.m.
5.24 a

6.26 c

5.,0 <•

6.29 c
11.24 pm

0.35 c
i0.40pni

6.5 6

0.8i /)

6.17 b

6.49 h

2.12 )rt
0.28/

5.51 h

6.27 b

P. 36) a
6.24/

5.37i 6

6.22 b
11.24 pm

6.28) a
4.35/-

-

"

—

-

6.14 c

.5. .56 C

5., 54 C

6.39 f

(i 3.'i /

6.35 e

0.42 e

0.20 if

6.27i h

6.22 e

6.49 a

0.3U g

0.20 d

0.3 d

6.37i ;

6.39 h

7.9 q

0. 1 3 (•

0.23 «

6.^9i ,j

-

0.36 /

6 25 e

6.33 e.

6.J1 t

6.47 k

6.43 ./■

0.28 h

6.21 c

6.27 /

6.28 rf

6.26 /

6.26 g

6.36 <j

6.21 c<

6.32 d

0.42 (/

6.25 /•

0.22 n

0.23 e

6.49 d

6.31J/

6.26* g

0.20 e

r, 33i /

6.37 h

_

6.35i/

0.44 g

0.32 j

0.30 t

6.23 rf

6.53 h

6.28 e

6.30 A

6.28 h

6. 38 J ^-

6.4S ■ V

0.2U .'

9

_

0.S8 m

6.33i k

6.50 I

6.42 i

0.,50 k

0.39im

0.27i r

0.41 i

6.50 ^

0.44 /

6.33 j

0.33 7

6 48 k

0.36i g

6.38 <,

6.53 I

0.35A t

G.46i ?

0..32 -;

6.42 k

6.34 A:

6.23 /

6.33 h

6.37i ij

0.47 A

0.33J j

-

6.58 i

-

-

6.44 i

6.44 );i

6.42i j

0.48 j

0.32 (■

6.36A fc

0.37i h

6..Wi j

0.37 ;■

_
0.38 /

6 31 i

-

-

-

i.48i p

-

-

-

-

7.0 7

6.49.V i)

6.59 p

7.1 p

0.21 rf

6.46im

(>.44 fc

0.51 f

0.1^6 fi

6.f3 I

6.89 i

6.51 m

6.44 H

~

-

6.39 I

6.46 I

-

-

'

-

-

-

r.i ,

0.5S n

6.43 n

0.43 ?

-

-

6.40 n

6.47i 0

6 50 p

(.49 o

6.58 0

0.57 m

(US 0

(i.47 «

7.5 /

6.53 0

6.16 0

6.45 m

6. .54 0

0.53.i *•

6.56A n

0.59 0

0.50 V

0.47, n

0.47 m

7 1

(i.52 n

0.51 V

6.49i p

6 54 n

6.5 . r

6. .56 m

7.1(1* ;■

(i.51i ,,

0.48i g

0.58 9

-

^

-

-

0.51i 7

0..V21 ^

-

-

-

0.50 ;j

0.49 m

0..-.3 9

6.46 n

7.0 I*

7.6i ,•

-

6.54 r

0.51i 8

6.51 0

..

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

0.12

-

-

6.3

6.22i

6.12

-

.5.57

-^

-

7.3>

7.;.-,

7.35

7.34

7.33

7.32

7.30

7.'.i9

7.28

7.20

7.26

The Maffpie, Black and White Fantail, and Pallia Cuckoo call occaeionally during: the night. Th«

Black and 'White Fantail frequently bc-fore midnitiht. espc^ciallv 'when the moon is ahinuiR. The

ila<?f)ics, and Blacik and White Fa"ntailB towaxde dawn, after their fiTst call, continoie ain-png until
tV main body of Wrds begin to call, tihen th« two former cea.se ginging.

MORNING BIRD CALLS about the ti me the Day Breaks, CI
ditions, and Other Notes By J. Sutton, RA.O.

matlc Con-
U.

1

Au«t. 22

"

Aug 16 1 Aug. 17

Aue. 18

Aug. 19

Aug. 20

Aue. 21

Fine.

NAME OF BIRD.

Fine | Fine

Fine

Cloudy

Fine.

Fine.

Wd. NW

1

,

Fine

Cold.

Cold.

.. ..

Co:d.

a.in.

a.m.

a.m.

a.m.

a.m.

a.m.

t, Manpie

Gymnorhiiia leuconota

2.26 ( b

4.33 a

5.14 b

4.1lia
6.5 /

6.6 la
5.50 1

5%G'b

5.25 a

5.55 i

11.5 pm

2. Black and WhUe Fantail ..

2.24 \ a
5.55/

6.0 c

4.27 1 a

6.5 ) 6

5.50 6

5.56 a

5.30 i>

Rhipichira motacilloides

5.21/

4.19/

:;. Pallid Cuckoo

—

4.. -57 b

5.24 d

-

—

—

6.25 t

Cucnlus inornatus

4. Blackhird

5.57 c

6.7 d

5.35 e

6.15 e

,5.68 c

6.6.^ c

6.8 d

Merula inenila

h. Lautjlihu; Kitigfislier

6Ak d

6.9 e

5.21 <•

6.13 c

6.9 (/

6.7* rf

5.44 c

Dacelo Rigas

6. Soisu Miner

6.16 g

C.13i g

6.12 „

6.16 f

6.10 e

6.ni/

6.24 h

Myzaiitha garrula

7. Australian Brown Flycatcher ..

6.9 e

6.13 /

6.12 /

6.14 d

6,10i/

6.7i e

6.19 «

Microeca fascinans

^. White Plumed Honev-eater

6.23 j

6.22* k

6.20 j

6.24 /'

6.2 li i

6.20i h

6.24 ij

Ptilotis penicillata

9 Black Faced Cxickoo Shrike «.

—

—

-

—

—

Coracina lobiista

10. Fan Tailed Cuckoo

6.13 f

-

-

-

—

Cacomantis rufulus

11. Wattle Bird

6.17i h

6.16 h

6.15 h

6.1S^ ;i

6.16 g

6.26^ j

6.32i I

Acanthochaera carunciilata

12. White Bearded Honev-eater

6.29 *

6.25i I

6.19 i

6.29 i

6.19 h

—

6.31 k

Meliorni.s novea-hollandiae

13. Scarlet Breasted Robin

6.42 0

—

—

6.32 j

—

—

—

Petroica leggei

14. White Eye

-

-~

-

-

—

—

Zo.sterops cccrulescens

15. Welconve Swallow

6 21 i

6.22i j

6.24 k

C.33 k

6.24 j

6.25 i

6.J3i f

Chelidon neoxeiia

16. Yellow Tailed Tit Warbler

—

-

7. 1 .V

—

—

—

~

Acantliiza clirysorrhoa

17. Musk Lorikeet

G.41 m

6. 9 0

6.39 0

6. 4 Urn

6.52 0

6. .33 I

—

Glossopsittacus concinnus

18. Brown Tree Creeper

-

6.22 i

6.55 </

7.9 q

-

6.27 i

6.30 j

Climacteris picimina

ig. Orey Shrike Thrush

6.32 I

C.39 )l

6.34 /

6.37 I

6.43i n

6.36 n

6.53 p

Colluricincla harmonica

20. Starliru]

C.42i p

6.3,1 m

6.37i n

6.4 3 n

6.34 k

0.35 m

6.42 Jn

Sturnus vulgaris

21. Hottse Sparrow

6 41 n

6.40 p

6.37 (^i

r.,43.J 0

6.38i I

6.44i 0

Passer domestious

2!!. Black Chinned Honey-enter

6 44 q

6.56 r

6. .59 r

—

—

6.1s g

—

Melithreptus Rularis

23. Red Tipped Hiamond Bird
Pardalotus ornatus

6.58i r

6.43 q

6.39 p

6.4.Si j,

6.42 in

6.19 ;)

6.42i n

^

24. Ma,ipie Lark

7.7 .V

—

—

—

—

Grallina picata

25. White Aaped Honey-enter

—

—

—

—

-

—

—

Melithreptus atricapillu.s

26. Southern Stone Curlew

—

4.37

6.12

5..50

5.5S

—

Burhinus ornllnrius

27. BoohookOwl

_

4.40

4.27

~

-

Ninox boobook

SUNRISE-NETHERBY, 29 mius.

7.25

7.24

7.^2

7.21

7.20

7.19

7.18

later than Adelaide

Mooy

Last Qr.

The Blackbirds' first eong histe about 10 minutes, but on the morminig of A\igiu6t .20, he Ibegan at
6.18, and stopped at 6.33 (18 minutes). He 'began again at 6.56, and lasted until 7.56 ('50 minutes).

The Honeyeaters— White Plumed Honeyeatere, and White Bearded Honcyeater.s— begin to rail very
near to ea'ch other a^ to time, "but the Sparrow and St<u-ljrg are much closer.

MORNING BIRD CALLS about the time the Day Breaks, Climat
ditlons, and Other Notes By J. Sutton, RA.O.U.

ill I
ic Con-

Aug. 23
Fine.
Colli.

6.41.V II

5.4(5 l>

6.12 c

6.13 d
6.19 ;i
6.13 e

Aug. 24 Aug. 2.5
Fine. I Fine.

6.m ,j

6.39 n
6.32A k
> 6.41 o
6. 3 J I
6.38 JM

6.45.^ p

6.26 ,r
6. IS (/
6.26i 0

6.2S /i
6.311 7

.5.50 a
5.51 6

6.9 <j
6.15 </

6.31 i' 6.24 k

6.36 *
6.40i I
6.43 o
6.47 /J
6.41 )n

Aug. 2l'
Fine.

.46i a
.47 (^

6.16 )

6.3 d

6.3A <•

6.12 y

6.12.1 /,

6.25 I
6.34 n
6.37 0

6.32

I

6. 1 5 k

6.29 11

6. 3.' A ;-

6. ',9 ;
6.22 I
6.2« n

5.37 a
5.39 ?<

.5.51 I'
.5.46i <■
5.56 /

6.4 i/

6.45 7

6.28 p

6.16 fc

6.25 n

5.57^ /•
5.67 d
.5.51 c-
<U /

6.6 i

6.3i .9

6.16 j
5.47 '/
6.16 I 6.14 A;

Aug. 30
Fine.

4.10 I o

6. IS k

C.l <(

6.13i (■

6.9 t

6.5i »?

0.12 g

6.25 7J
6.22i Hi
6.20 I

6.30 o

6.27 n

6.26 "1

6.16 j

6.34 ;j

5.6 o
11.23 pin

6.2i d

5.25 /;

6. 7 J f

6.9 /•

6.16 n

6.21 Jt
6.17 ?!

6.24 I
6.26 7/1
6.20 (■
6.29^ p
6.29^ 0

The Sc^arliriig arrives in the niowiing from a North West direction, a'll the atiher birdfl rooet
about here in the ibig gunis, but do not appear to loosi in the same t^ree every night.

The 'MoT>oke comeis here occasionally. On two oec-as-ions -there were two birds answering one
another —onr wa* ;i l)aritf>ni\ nnd tlir nthiT a bas-;.S

IOC) HASTINGS— iSTotcs jrovi the Coorong.

Notes from the Coorong.

By Joseph Gordon Hastings.

The following notes are not very extensive owing to the
exces'Siive dryness of the sea'son. For the same reason many
species of birdJs have been vei*y scarce. The Little Crakes, Land-
rails, and Cranes are not in evidence now. This is due to the
light rainfall, the absence of freshwatei- ponds and conse-
quently no food. One Crake was seen, and a dead Land
rail picked np. Tlie Blue Cranes which had been with us for so
long disappeared three months ago. During a trip along the
Coorong to the Murray Mouth within the last few days (August
27tli. 1919), I did not see half a dozen Blue Cranes, and those I
did see were near the lower end of the Coorong, where no doubt
there is more food. I came upon several little parties of ^^'ater-
■hens at fre(|uent intervals right up to Twelve Mile I*oint.
^\'lierever there isi any cover in the s'liai)t' of bushes or reeds
close to the water's edge, they seem to have become perman-
ently established, for they bave been there ever siinee the big
t1 ocks left several months ago.

The Bristle Bird is much in evidence on the Hummocks just
now. For years I have heard this bird's note, but could not
place it till a few weeks ago, when at Tawadgery, and then I
crept up to a little party of them having a frolic behind a
currant bush ; they were whistling and calling in their strange
notes. I was able to get a good view of them before they saw
me. The Narrow-billed Bronze Cuckoo has been with us for
the last four months ; in former years they were only here in odd
ones, but this year they are very numerous. Only recently I
saw six close to the house, and upon another occasion four were
seen ; in each instance they were very busily occupied in looking
for caterpillars, and were very successful.

The Australian Screech or Barn Owl has been seen very
frequently during the last six months. One day when out in
the back scrub I found two roosting in wells, and on the
Hummocks I came across four others, three of which were dead ;
it is difficult to say if they had been shot by so-called sportsmen
or not. These birds were seldom seen here up to the last few
months, an odd one being seen in the course of several years, so
that their appearance this year is very remarkable.

Seven Night Herons came to us in June ; they camped in a
gum tree, one of a plantation, and remained for a few days.

WHITU— Birth Reeorded J'roiii. tk". EarUj Dtujx up to the 101
Present Time for the Heed Beds District.

then went off in a southerl.v direction. Some weeks later
another one put in an appearance, and stayed in the same tree
for a day, and then passed on in the same direction. I had not
been out in the scrub this nesting- season till three weeks ago.
I was then surprised at the few nests to be seen. I covered in
three trips about 200 miles and did not see a dozen nests, where-
as in former years there were nests everywhere. I was
delighted one day while sitting quietly in the scrub to see a
lovely bell bird come well into view, and strike up a beautiful
musical note which was continually being changed into another
key equally as sweet and musical. The Flame-breasted Robins
have been very plentiful this season, and have been with us
ever since June. One very remarkable thing connected with
these birds is worth mentioning. A^ery late in the Autumn or
early winter during a dry spell a bush fire burnt a lot of our
fencing about eight miles back, and while we were repairing it,
these Robins were to be seen everywhere picking up food of
some sort. I did not think these ibirds ever left the open grass
lands for the scrub country.

Birds Recorded from the Early Days up to <he
Present Time for the Reed Beds District.

By S. a. White, C.M.B.O.U.

We find in the early records of the Colony that the Adelaide
Plains teemed in game when white man first put in his
appearance. I know from the records of my forebears, who
settled at the Reed-beds in 1836 that the district of the Reed-
beds was the haunt of much bird life. This would be expected,
for the River Torrens emptied itself out on to the land forming
great swamps, which in their turn supported much cover for
water fowl and other birds, the surrounding high sandy rises
supported scrub chiefiy composed of banksia and other shrubs
bearing honey-laden flowers, which produced copious food for
honey-eating birds. The big gum timber growing along the
river formed the home for such birds as Tree Creepers and
Ciant Kingfishers, the Night Herons in hundreds roosted in

102 WHITE — Birds Recorded from the Early Days up to the

these giant trees, and on their limbs the Whistling Eagles, and
White-fronted Herons built their nests. Amidst the low rushes
and sedges on swampy ground the beautiful Ground Parrakeet
was flushed to drop like a quail again to cover. The Swift
Lorikeet came from Tasmania and visited the flowering gums,
and the White Cockatoos screeched amidst the timber. Most
of these birds have for ever gone from this district, while in
some instances they are extinct as far as South Australia is
concerned.

Thinking that it would be as well to record those species
which have come under the writer's observation during his life
time, and that of his father's, many of which have quite dis-
appeared now, while there are a few species still hanging on
to a small island! of timber, an island unfortunately assailed on
all sides by the devastating hand of so-called ^advancing civili-
zation, and becoming smaller and smaller each year from these
causes. Even pro})erty which has been in the family since the
very first, and the timber thereon most jealously guarded, has
of late come under the despoiler's hand, and the few remaining
species of native birds are confined to a restricted area which
threatens them with extinction. The original owners of the
country (the Whites) are gradually dying out, and as we play
our part, and leave the stage upon which we fonght for t'he
fauna and flora of the district, so gradually does the hand of
nature disappear around us, and with the last member's exit
(probably the writer) from this world's stage, so will the last
vestage of the old times Reed-beds disappear. It is for these
reasons above stated, that the writer believes that it would be
well to record those birds as far as possible which once
inhabited the Reed-beds district.

Dromiceius nova eli olio ndiae (Emu). — Once abounded in
numbers upon the Adelaide Plains, but they were not within my
recollection.

Cotm^nir pertoralis (Eastern Stubble Quail). — This bird
was extremely plentiful in the eighties, and I have seen hun-
dred's in a day amidst the long gra^s near the swamps, thpir
short but lond note is still ito be heard in the spring time, but
where there is one now there were hundreds in the old days.
When they nested profusely nearly every tussock of grass shel-
tered a nest.

Afisfrofvrvi.T velox (Eastern Little Quail). — Was almost
as numerous, in the old days as the preceding species. I have
flushed and seen dozens in flight at the same time; they also
nested in numbers, but are rare now.

rresent Time for the Reed JU-ds District. 108

Phapn chaleoptcm. — Tdie're are records by my fat'her of this
bird havin<;- been plentiful in the district, and I have an excel-
lent water colour paintinu^ of the bird executed by him.
This bird had disappeared before my time.

Pcr.zdiKi fiumlnca (Eastern Spotted Crake). — ^Was a com-
mon bird in my early days, and nested in the swampy country
every year. I can well remember how delighted I was upon
finding the first nest.

Zapavnia pu.nlla (Eastern Little Crake).— This was an
exceedingly common bird in the time of my boyhood, but it has
not been seen for years now.

Pc-rzaitoidca plumhca (Eastern Spotless Crake). — This was
the least common of the three species, yet at times they put in
an appearance in numbers. They are never seen now.

Microtrihonyx ventralis rvhifei (Eastern Black-tailed
Native Hen). — Appeared in great numbers in days gone by.
Still visits us in small numbers; one in the garden this month,
September.

Call ill Ilia Inichrosa (Black Moorhen). — Very plentiful in
days gone by, when they nested. Have not seen them for some
years now ; the last nest remembered was in 1904. The nest con-
tained eight eggs.

Pnrpliyrrn welanotus (Eastern Bald Coot). — I have seen
these birds in 1SS5-6 come out of the flags and reeds like a mob
of sheep at sunset to feed alonsr the water's edge. They are
seldom seen now for the cover is gone.

Fulica atra tasmanica (Eastern Coot). — During very big
floods when miles of country were under water these birds,
visited us in large parties. It is many years since they have
been seen.

Podiceps crififatus (Australian Tipjier C.rebe). — The writer
can remember these birds very distinctly, for they were often
seen in the swamp in the early days.

Tarhyhaptiis ritficoUis iiovaehollandiar ( Black-throated
Crebe). — Was to he seen all through the year, in the large open
waters in the winter, and in the dee}» dai-k pools fringed by Iiigli
reeds and flags in the summer.

/'oliorrphaliis poliocephahts (Hoary-heaih^d ("JrebeK — .\ com-
mon bird in the old days; visits us occasionally now.

drlncludidon nilotica iitacrofarsa (Australian Gull-billed
Tern). — Often seen in small parties skimming over the water.
Hardly ever absent in the early days during tlood times.

104 WHITE ^Binls Reconlecl from the Earhj Days up to the

Hydroprogne tschegrava strenua (Australian Caspian
Tern). — This fine bird was often seen patrolling the swamps
with its large red bill pointing downwards, and its strange
harsh cry often heard.

TJialasseus hergii poliocercus (Crested Tern). — The writer
has often seen a party of these terns resting closely together on
a spit or sandbar.

Bruchigavia novoehollandiae ethelae (Southern Silver
Gull). — Always appeared in numbers during flood time as they
do to this day.

GaUanus pacificus (Pacific Gull).— These splendid birds
were regular visitors in the winter time, and it was seldom two
or three were not about calling to each other in their loud harsh
voices. Not seen for year*; now.

Erythrogonys cinctus (Red-kneed Dotterel). — A common
bird in days gone by, and bred here every year. A nest was
seen three years ago.

Lohibyjp novaehollandiae (Spur-winged Plover). — A very
common bird up to recent years; is still to be met with in the
district. The fox is wiping the bird out. Bred every year in
the district, but it is some years since a nest has been seen.

Zonifer tricolor (Black-breasted Plover). — A very com-
mon bird, and has bred every season in the district up to the
present day.

Cirrcpidcwiiifi bicinetus (D'onble-banded Dotterel). —
This was an occasional visitor to the samphire flats in the early
days, buit it is a long time since they have been seen.

LencopoUus ruficapillus (Red-capped Dotterel). — A com-
mon bird, nesting to this day on the bare drift sand.

Elseya melanops (Black-fronted Dotterel). — Once a very
common bird nesting on the bare sand back in the grass land;
have not seen a nest for many years now, although an odd bird
or two are to be seen.

Eimantopus Icucocephalus (White-headed Stilt). — A regu-
lar spring and winter visitor, and they have bred in numbers up
to quite recently.

Clodorhynchus leucocephalus (Banded Stilt). — An occa-
sional visitor, but it is many years since they have been seen in
the district.

Recurvirostra novaeliollandiae (Red-necked Avocet). —
Only remember seeing these birds once or twice in the district
lurinir mv life time.

Frtsent Time for the Reed Beds District. 105

Numcnuis q/anopus (Australian Curlew). — A wary bird,
but often seen amidst the swamps during flood times, and if
disturbed more than once they made over the sand dunes to the
sea.

Tetola lapponica (Barred-rumped Godwit). — Occasionally
seen during flood times.

Pisobia miniita ruficoUis (Red-necked Stint). — Small
parties of these birds were to be seen along the muddy margin
of the water, or where the flood waters were drying up on the
grass lands.

Limnocinclus acimiinatus (Sharp-tailed Stint). — Still to
be seen in large flocks wherever there is sufficient water. It
was not uncommon to see these birds mingling with the pre-
ceding species as well as the following one. The three species
of birds moving quickly in one huge mass over the wet mud
where the receding waters had left much food for them.

Ernlia ferruf/iiicn fliiiieiisis (Eaistern Curlew Sandpiper).
— A common bird up to the present time.

Rostratula australis (Australian Painted Snipe). — This
was a common bird, and bred in the district. An odd pair is to
be seen almost every year.

^^tiltia isahella (Australian Pratincole). — Visited the dis-
trict many years ago, and nested at Black Forest.

Burhiims magnirostris (Eastern Stone Plover). — Once a
very common bird, nesting in numbers. One would flush a
dozen or more in an hour's walk, but they have almost com-
pletely disappeared. The fox is taking heavy toll of these birds.

Austrotis australis (Australian Bustard). — Once a regular
visitor in the Autumn when they came after the black crickets,
and it was quite a common sight to see several of these fine
birds stalking over the fields and plains, but it is many years
since one has been seen in the district.

Mathewsia ruhictinda (Australian Crane). — These birds
were plentiful when my grandfather settled in the district early
in 1836, but the writer has never had the pleasure of seeing
them here.

Threskiornis molucca strictipennis (White Ibis).— Once a
fairly common bird ; an odd bird or two is still to be seen in
flor>d time. About three or four years ago while the district
was under flood a flock of 20 to 30 of those birds was in the
district for eiglit or ten days; they were very conspicuous in

106 WHITE — Bln/^ Recorded from the Narhj Vayn up to the

their beautiful white plumage as tbey Hew from the swamp to
the gum trees to roost for the night.

('(irpliihis spiiiicolii^ (Sliaw-ui'clvcd Ibisl. Scldmii misses
paying the district a visit during the winter months, especially
during a wet winter. These visits will end soon, for every time
they come their ranks are thinned by the vandal with the gun.

Plcfjadift falclnelliis (Glossy This). — According to my
father they often appeared in the old days, and there is not the
slightest doubt that there was one with a tlock of C. spinicollis
in the district two years ago.

SpdflK'rodid rrt/id ( IJlack-billcij! or Royail Sp(W)nl)ill). — An
odd bird or two often came with F. flavipes, but they have never
been seen in numbers in my time.

Platihis flavipes (Yellow-billed Spoonbill). — A regular
visitor in fair numbers in days gone by, but it is many years
since they have been seen.

Hcrodiax uJha si/rnidtoiiJiora (White Egret). — These birds
were never plentiful, but an odd bird here and th(»re could be
seen in wet winters up to quite recently.

Notophoyx novacJiolhnidiae (White-fronted Heron). —
Always a common bird in the district, but of course much more
so in days gone by. They breed every year in the district.
Several pairs are nesting at the time of writing.

Myola pacifica (White-necked Heron). — Once a regular
visitor in the winter, but not seen now for some time.

Nycticora.r ealedunicus oustralasioe (Australian Night
Heron). — Roosted in great numbers in the giant gum trees over
my grandfather's home, the first in the district. There are
still 20 to 30 birds left, and which return after nesting season
to the pines at "Wetunga", going out to feed in the swamps at
night, and rotnrniiig to the pines to roost by day. They are
gradually getting less and less.

Boidurus poiciloptilus (E^ast Australian Bittern). — Now
for cvci' iroTif'. when thoy onco conld be found in numbers.
their deep, weird, booming sound could be heard so frequently
echoing along the thick flag and reed swamps.

Chenopsis ntrota (Eastern Black Swan). — Always winter
visitors, in the old days in numbers, but now in ones and twos.
At time of writing there are four birds in the swamps.

Anwrdrid scmipdhiidta (IMed Guo.sim. — .My fiitln'i- i'<M'fnds
this bird for the district.

I'resent Ti inc. fur tlw Reed Bed.s DUtrict. iU7

Cereopsis novaehollandiae (Cape Barren Goose). — In the

old (Ijiys ()ft(Mi seen on llic lii'assy tlal's, bur it is niiiny yciiis
since tlie last was seen.

Chenonetta jubata (Wood Duck or Maned Goose). — A very
common du'ck twenty years a.^io, but 'has not been seen in the
district for many years.

Casarca tadornoides (Mountain Duck). — Once a common
bird, but seldom seen now.

Aiws supcrciliosd (Black Duck). — Once with us all through
the year, nesting in large, numbers, now an odd pair or so may
have the luck to hatch a brood. Last season three young ones
were brought to the river, by the parent birds.

Virago casta nra (Red-breasted Teal). — These birds are not
nearly so numerous as the following species. They come each
year, in the winter, but not in numbers; there has been a small
party on the water this week.

yira(/f) f/ihhcrifroiis- (Oi-cy Teial)

Visits the district in great numbers when there is water
about, but one can see the thinning of their ranks each year.

SSpafula rhynohoUfi (Australian Rhoveler). — These birds
have visited the district in great numbers in days gone by, and
nested in hundreds amidst the. clover in the fields near the
swamps.

Malacnrhynchus memhranaceus (Pink-eared Duck). — A
regular visitor in the old days, but seldom seen now.

Stictonetta naevosa (Freckled Duck). — During dry seasons
in the interior this duck has visited this district in great num-
bers, but has not come under notice for some time now.

Nyroca australia (White-eyed Duck).— Visit the district
with other ducks, but have not been seen in large flocks for
some time now.

Oxyura australis (Blue-billed Duck). — My father records
this duck, but the writer has not observed it.

Biziura lobata (Musk Duck). — Once very plentiful, never
seen now.

Phalacrocorax curho novaehollandiae (Black Cormorant).
— A common bird once; seldom, if ever, seen now. Observed a
party on the sea beach which is only separated by the sand
dunes from the swamj)s this year, loio.

Mcsorarho aler (Little Black Cormorant). — Also a com-
mon bird formerly, but not seen now.

108 WRITE— Birds Recorded from the Early Days up to the

Hypoleucus varius hypolcucus. — Another commoi- bird in
days gone by ;^ a few seen at times now.

Microcarho melanoleucus (Little Cormorant). — Once a
very common bird; an odd one or two may still be seen on the
river at times.

Catoptropelicaniis conspicillatus (Eastern Pelican). — In
days of old this fine bird was often seen; but not now.

Circus approximans gouldi (Swamp Hawk). — Once a com-
mon bird as it soared over the Reed-beds and flags with elegant
flight. It nested in the reeds and flags in numbers,
gone.

Leucospiza novaehollandiae (White Goshawk). — Recorded
by my father, but not observed by the writer, although seen
twenty miles to the north.

Urospiza fasciata (Australian Goshawk). — Once very
numerous; still to be seen at times.

Accipiter\ cirrocephalus (Collared Sparrow Hawk). — Not
been observed for a long time now.

Vroaetiis audax (Wedge-tailed Eagle). — Once fairly com-
mon. Only seen at a great height, and very seldom now.

Hieraaetus morplmoides (Little Eagle). — Never plentiful,
never seen now.

HaUastur splienurus (Whistling Eagle). — Quite a common
bird up to recent years, and it built and reared its young every
year ; very seldom seen now.

Elanus axillaris (Black-shouldered Kite). — Once a regular
visitor, and nesting in the district up to two or three years
•ago; seldom seen now.

Falco longipennis. — Once fairly common; have not seen a
s])eci'nTen for years now.

RhyncJiodon peregrinus macropus (Black-cheeked Falcon).
— Very of ten ivisited us, but never in numbers; not seen for
some years now.

fcracidea hcrigora occidentalis (Brown Hawk). — Once a
very common bird, and nesting in numbers when the writer
was n boy. Have not noted a bird for years.

Cerchneis cenchroides (Nankeen Kestrel). — Once an
extremely common bird, but seldom seen now.

^piloglaux hoobonk marmorata (Marbled Owl). — Once
a verv common bird. Now an odd bird or so comes for a

Present Time for the Reed Beds District. 109

while and disappears. The strange call of hoobook lias
something fascinating about it upon a still moonlight night.

Ty to alha deli cat Ilia (Scrub or Barn Owl). — Once very
plentiful, then almost disappeared, and a^ain for a few years
seemed to be on the increase, but the great mortality amongst
them this year, 1919, has thinned them out.

Trirhoglmsa-s novavlioUandUn' (Blue-bellied LDrikeet). —
Visits us at intervals. when gum blossoms are out or fruit is
ripe. Have not seen them in great numbers for years now.

Glossopsitta concinna (Musk Lorikeet). — The notes for the
preceding species will apply to this one.

Glossopsitta porphyroccpliala (Purple-crowned Lorikeet).
— Visits us in great numbers when the gums are in flower, and
make the air resound with their shrill voices.

Glossopsitta pnsilla (Little Lorikeet). — A few of these birds
visit us in company with the preceding species as a. rule, but
are never numerous.

Cali/ptorhynchus funereus ivhiteae (Southern Black Cocka-
too).— My father records this bird for the early days, and there
is little doubt that they visited the hcinksia scrubs which ex-
isted then.

Cacatoes galerita (White Cockatoo). — Was a resident in
the early days, but now only a few birds call ouce in every
few years, but they do not remain, for all their feeding
giH)unds are destroyed.

Ducorpsius f/ymnopis (Bare-eyed Cockatoo). — A small
flock once or twice vi'sited us, but never remained more than
a few days.

Eolopkus roseicapillus (Rose-breasted Cockatoo). — Small
X>aTties have visited the dlistrict from time to time, but not
to stay.

Lcptolophus aiiricomis (Cockatoo Parrot). — Once a com-
mon visitor in the autumn. Now seldom, if ever, seen.

Platycercus elegans adcladiae (Adelaide Rosella). — Once a
comlmon bird, now an odd bird or two will visit t'he district.
and if not shot seem to make back to the ranges.

Platycercus eximius (Kosella). — Once or twice in the
writer's life time these birds have visited the district.

Psephotus haematonotus (Ked-backed Grass Parrot). —
Once a very j)lentiful bird, nesting in nearly all the gums along
the river. Now disappeared, principally due to cats and the
Knglisli starlings.

110 WHITE — Birds Recorded from the Early Days up to the

Neonanodes elegans (Grass Parrot). — Recorded as plenti-
ful by ray father in the early days.

Lathomus discolor (Swift Parrot). — There is a specimen
in my collection collected at the Reed-beds in 1863. The writer
has not observed it in the district.

Melopsittacus undulatus (Shell Parrot). — Visited the dis
trict in great numbers in the old days, and nested here ; never
seen now.

Pezoporus terrestris (Ground Parrot). — Once a common
bird, a specimen in the writer's collection is dated 1850, snared
by Tommy, the blackfellow, at the Reed-beds. Extinct in South
Australia now.

Podargus strigoides rossi (Mallee Frogmouth). — Quite
common in the early days ; a few remain in the big timber.

Alci/oiir azttrcd rictoriae (Blue Kinfifisher). — Very nuuie-
rous on the river once. A bird or two still to be seen at times.

Dacelo gigas (Giant Brown Kingfisher). — Numerous in the
first place, then exterminated, later reintroduced; fair number
about now

Cyanalci/on pyrrliojjygius (Red-backed Kingfisher). — My
father records this bird for the district.

Saiiropatis sancta (Sacred Kingfisher). — Very numerous
formerly, now almost exterminated in the district.

Cosmaerops ornatus (Australian Bee-eater). — Once quite
a common bird in the summer, seldom if ever seen now.

Eurostopodus mystacalis (White- throated Night-jar). —
Once a common bird, now disappeared, cats and foxes having
a hand in their disappearance.

Micropus pacificus (White-rumped Swift). — ^Visitors in the
summer time, have only kniown them to settle once in the dis-
trict.

Heteroscenes palUdus (Pallid Cuckoo). — A spring and
summer visitor leaving us in late summer or autumn.

Cacomantis ruhricatus (Fan-tailed Cuckoo). — These birds
are with us all through the year.

Neochalcites basalis mellori (Narrow-billed Bronze
Cuckoo). — These birds arrive with wrens in mid winter, and'
remain through the summer, Maluri being their chief foster
parents.

Lamprococcyx plagosus (Bronze Cuckoo). — Once a com-
mon bird, rarelv seen now.

Present Time for the Heed Beds Jlistrict. Ill

E'lrundo neoxena (Welcome swallow). — Remain in the
district nil through the year.

Cheramoeca leucosternum stonei (Eastern Black and
White Swallow). — Once a common bird building in the sand
banks ; seem to have disappeared now.

EylnchcUdon nigricans calejii (Tree Martin). — Not nearly
so plentiful as in the days of yore.

Lagenoplastes oriel (Fairy Martin). — Once very common,
building their retort-shaped nests under verandahs and bridges
in the district, but seem now to have gone.

M icrocra faficinnns (Brown Flycatcher). — In former years
very common, reduced now to one pair as far as the writer
can tell.

Pcfroica multicolor frontalis (Soutbern Scarlet-breasted
Robin). — Odd birds visit us in the autumn.

Littlera chrysoptera phoenicea (Flame-breasted Robin). —
These birds put in their appearance in the autumn, do not stay
long, and pass on. My father records this bird in the forties.

Whiteornis goodenovii (Red-capped Robin). — It is not
often this bird visits this district.

Sniicroriiis hrevirosfris viridcsceiis (Greenish Tree Tit).
— Once plentiful, now gone ; not seen for many years.

Fdchgcephala pectoralis fuliginosa (South Australian
Yellow-breasted Thickhead). — Visits us rarely, but always in
the Autumn.

Lewinornis rufiventris inornatus (Southern Rufous-
breasted Thickhead). — Like the preceding species this bird
visits us at long intervals, and in the Autumn.

Rhipidura fiabellifera whitei (South Australian Fantail).
— Once a fairly common bird, now a rare visitor in the Autumn.

[jcucocirca tricolor (Black and White Fantail). — A fair
number in the district, but not nearly as many as formerly.

Scisura inquieta (Restless Flycatcher). — An autumn
visitor becoming less and less as years go by.

Coracina noraehollnndiav melanops (Black-faced Cuckoo
Shrike).— An odd bird to be seen throughout the year, but in
the autumn and early winter visit the district in numbers.

]Ml(\ge tricolor t ^^'hite-shouldered Caterpillar-eater).—
Formerly this bird visited the district every si»riug and nested;
it is venrs since it has been seen here now.

112 WHITE — Birds Recorded from the Early Days up to the

Morganornis superciliosus (White-browed Babbler). — My
father rccordis this bird in the early days. For a time it seems
to hlave been exterminated, but within the last seven or eight
years it 'ha:s appeared again, and is nesting..

Cinclorhamphus cruralis cantatoris (Southern Brown
Song Lark). — ^A spring visitor, remaining in the district to
bring up its young. Not neiarly as numerous ais formerly.

Ptenoedus mathewsi vigorsi (Eastern Rufous Song Lark).
— Like the preceding species visits us in the spring, and re-
mains through the summer to rear its young. Unce very nume-
rous, now very scarce; some years they never put in an
appearance.

Epthiauura nU)ifro)is (White-fronted Ohat).— With us all
t'hrough the year.

Parepthianura tricolor (Tricoloured Chat). — Many years
ago this Ijird came down in the summer to the samphire flats,
but has not been seen for very many years.

Anrepthianura aurifrons (Orange-fronted Chat). — The
notes of the preceding species will apply to this one.

ConopGderas aiistralif! (Snuthern Red Warbler). — Once a
very common bird, visiting the district to nest in thousands;
DOW ver}' few are seen.

Cisticola cxilis (Grass Warbler). — Once very plentiful,
now never seen.

Poodj/tcs (/rdiiiincus duhiu.'i (Southern Grass Bird). — Ont-e
in great numbers ; now gone.

Geobasilcus clirysorrhon^ pcrl-s^l (Southern Yellow-rumped
Tit). — Once a very common bird, nesting in all situations. Now
it seems to have disappeared entirely.

Sericornis maciilatus osciilans (Allied Scrub Wren). —
Recorded lately by Mr. J. W. Mellor, and no doubt occurred in
the earlier times.

Malurns ci/aveiis leggci (Siouthern Blue Wren). — ^Remains
in the district ail .through the year, and seemis to be holding
its own fairly well in spite of the domestic cat.

Camphellornis personates munna and C. Superciliosus
(Mai'ked ^Vo'Od Swallow, and Wliite-browed W'ood Swallow). —
Vi'sit.si the dli'Strict at iono- interA-als, generally in numbers, and
remaiins' to nest.

Pficiidartamiis cyanoptcrns (^^'ood Swallow). —Very
numerous formerly, now practically disappeared.

Fresent Time for the Rccd JJct/s District. 113

Colluricincla harmonica victoriae (Grey Shrike Thrush). —
Remain in the district all through the year, and bring up their
young. Not so numerous as formerly.

Grallina cyanoleuca (Magpie Lark). — A few are always in
the district where tiiey nest; not s^o nimierous as formerly.

Gymnorhina hypoleuca leuconota (White-backed Magpie).
— Fairly numerous in the district, and are lioldiug their own
fairly well.

Falcunciihis frontuius favi<julus (Green-'be'llied Shrike
Tit). — These birds were fairly numerous in the early days;
there are a few pairs 'Still in the district, and nest e'acli year.

Aphelocephala leucopsis (White-face). — This was a very
plentiful bird twenty years or so ago, nesting in old buildings
and hedges in great niumbers; it is practically gone mow.

Neoclima picumna australis (Southern Brown Treecree-
per). — Once a very common bird; two years ago reduced t'o OU'C
pair, and it seeni's as if these have gone now.

Zosterops lateralis westernensis (Southern White-eye). —
These birds still visit the gardens in summer and late autumn
in great numbers.

Aiistrodicacmn hirundinaceum (Mistletoe Bird). — Once
very plentiful ; only seen on rare occasions now.

Pdvdaloius pnuctatus xantliopygus (YeUow-rumped Farda-
lote). — Once very numerous. My father's records in Gould's
work show this.

PnrflaloiKS sfriatus suhapnis (Soutli Australian Parda-
lote). — Once numerous, now only seen occasionally.

MoUthreptus lunatus adelaidensis (Southern White-
naped Honey-eater). — A common bird years ago; hardly ever
seen now.

Melithreptufi gularis loftyi (Southern Black-chinned
Honey-eater). — Very common thirty years ago; a pair or two
still in the district.

Plectorhyncha lanceolata ncglecta (Southern Striped
Honey-eater). — Has been recorded for the district.

AfdufhorJuoicJiKs icnuiros-tris Icfliii (Mountain Si)ine-
bill). — A few birds visit us in the autumn and early winter. No
doubt they were in numbers here when the banksias formed
large areas of scrub.

Meliphaga sonora (Southern Singing Honey-eater). — A
roiniiKiu hii'fl once, now rarely s<'('n.

114 WHITE — }Ji)-ds liecorded from the Early Bays up to the
Present Time for the Reed Beds District.

Ptilotiihi jK'tiiciJhifd irhitct (Sontlieru AYliitt'-plnmed
Honey-eater). — An exceedingly plentiful bird once; still here
ill nuuihri-s bur di civasiii.ii vvvy fast.

Melim-nis novaehollandiae suhassimilis (South Australian
White-bearded Honey-eater). — A fairly numerous bird in the
district, breeding here every year.

Myzantha melanocephala lohitei (Southern Black^headed
Minaih). — Only appeared in the district in recent years; proib-
ably aljout six years.

Coleia carunculata tregellasi (Victorian Yellow Wattle
Bird). — This bird visited the district in great numbers in the
autumn years ago ; seldom seen now, and then only an odd bird,

Antkochaera chrijsoptcra intermedia (Southern Red W'at-
tle Bird). — These birds still nest and bring up their young in
the district.

Acanthagenys rufogularis cygnus (Southern Spiny-
cheeked Honey-eater). — This bird has visited the district of late
years; have never known any early record of it.

Anthus australis adelaidcnsis (Southern Pipit). — Once
very nivnieroiiis. nesting in numbers on the grassland; very few
left now.

Mirafra javanica seciinda (fx^sser Bush Lark).— A com-
mon bird in the early d&ys ; seldom seen now.

Stagonopleura guttata philordi (Southern Spotted-sided
Pimch). — Once a reguilar visitor in numbers; now a few })airs
visit tihe district to nest.

Zonaeginthus hellus (Fire-tailed Finch). — This bird is re-
corded by my father for this district;

Taeniopygia castanotis (Chestnut-eared Finch). — Once
very numerous ; a fair number still visit the district at odd
times.

Aegmtha temporalis (Red-browed Finch). — Very numer-
ous once; a'n odd flock of ten 'to a doz'en birds still visits us at
times to nest.

Mimeta sagittata (Australian Oriole). — Visits the dds-
trict occasionally in the autumn, but it does not stay long.

Corvns coronoidis perplewus (Southern Raven). — Very
plentiful once, visiting the district in great numbers; rarely
seen now.

r-\^ W. K. Thomas & Co.,

^S Printers,

/s P Grenfell St., Adelaide,

Jmi

a

M

01

J^

lM

Vol. V.

Part I.

THE

SOUTH AUSTRALIAN

ORNITHOLOGIST,

A Magazine of Ornithology.

Ist JANUARY. 1920.

n

3C

p rfr"

EDITORIAL COMMITTEE:
R. CROMPTON. R.A.O.U.
A. G. EDQUIST
vS. A. WHITE, C.M.B.O.U.
i-. R. ZIHT'Z, R.A.O.U..

Price, 2/-

d

UlL

iSL

THE

South Australian

ORNITHOLOGIS

Editojial Committee :
R. Ckompton, R.A.O.U.

A. C'.. IVDOUIST

S. A. Whitk, C.M.BO.U
F. R. ZiKT/.. R.A.O.U.

Secreicuy :
F. M. Ant. HI., R.A.O.l"..

c/u \V. 1). ^: n. O. Wills. Lu
Gifiitcll Street, Adelaide:.

CONTENTS,

Pack
The Soutli Australinn t )riiiilii)Ioi,McaI As<;ociatiim . . . . o

Order (uillifoniies, Familv l*lia-< aiiidue. fieiius Cotnrnix . . 9

Tlie Uiidsot the Mallee. I'.y Kdwiii Aslil.y, A.L.S., M.B.O.U.,

O.F.A.O.r., ^;c - . 10

Neopheuia spleiulida (Scarletclst'sted Grass Parmt). By F. E. Par-
sons, K. A. O. F. 14

New Snb-speci.-s (.f Finn WnMi. llv F. F. Parsons, If.A.O.U. . 15

niiholo-icai NoiiHMudatnre : its Histoiy and IJeMson. !',y C. M.
Malh.-ws, F.Pt.S. i-:.. \.- 17

A l'ori.;i,-lil on K.ui-aroo li^laud (S.A.) By d. N. McCili., K.A.U.F. '24

Native ('onii)anions on Kanu'aioo )

Man.l . . . . r.y d. \V. M.dlor, K.A.O.U. -ii

Notes on tlie I'roumoutli . . '

The Editori.il ( ;*»iniiiitto(' afeejiis no responsihilil y for the-
views or dodiicrions oxiu'Pssofl by nny of its coiit ribiitors.
The Joufiial welcomes a fi'ee iiiten-liait^-e of ideas wiHi tlie
object of exlejidin.u- the knowledu'e (\\' om- avifauna, but the
anthor of caidi artii-lc is resjxnisilile for the oiiinions and
dcdiiciiiins I'Cforded.

THE

South Australian Ornithologist,

Vol. v.] 1st JANUARY, 1920. [Part I.

The South Australian Ornitliological
Association.

SEPTEMBER 26th, 1919.

Tlie iiiontlily iiieetiii.<i' was held in the Royal i^^ociety's Rooms
on 2()th September, l!)l!t. wlien Mr. lildwin Ashby presided.

Mr. E. A. P>rooks of P.nekland I'ark was duly elected a
member.

Mr. J. Sutton noted a youni^- ^Yhite-naped Honey-eater at
Xetherby on 2Tth Auousl, and durinjj; September several Scar-
let-breasted Robins and 7 Black-faced Cuckoo-shrikes were
about the same locality. A flock of about 50 Wood Swallows
flew over at a great height on 15th September; the same mem-
ber heard a great commotion among the Laughing-jacks in a
gum-tree, and upon investigating saw one of these birds perched
upon a limb, and another hanging underneath, attached to some-
thing about two feet long. The object resembled a small
snake, but it was impossible to get near enough to positively
identify same. The suspended bird was slowly twisting
around as if dead, but finally, after several unsuccessful
attempts to fly on to the limb, relinquished his hold, whereupon
the sitting bird swallowed the wbole affair.

Mr. R. Beck recorded a nest of the Stubble Quail, contain-
ing 8 eggs, at Seaton, which was subsequently cleared out by a
fox.

Mr. .1. W. Mellor reported p. number of Fairy-martins at
Fulham and Lockleys on 0th and 8th September, and. during
the month, recorded the following nests close around his house
at Lockleys. i.e.. P, Black and >Vhire Fantails, 2 White-j)lumed
Honey-eaters. 2 AVelcome Swallows, 1 Harmonious Shrike-
thrush, and 1 Frontal Shrike-tit.

Native hens i Micro trihonyx) have appeared in great num-
bers nround Adelaide this year. Mr. Mellor stated that they
wer*^ very numerous near Ibc swamps at Fulhiim. running about

The South Australian Ornithological Association.

the grass lands in bands of 50 to 100. Mr. E. Ashby recorded
a pair for the first time at Blackwood. Dv. Morgan stated
that these birds nested in o-reat numbers last year at Robe,
where they were considered as new to the district. Mr. McGilp
said there is none at Lake Frome this year

Mr. J. N. ^IcGilj) exhibited a clutch of eggs of the Austra-
lian Dotterel from Mooloowatana, and described interesting
habits of the bird. An open nest is made in the claypans, and
when leaving the nest the bird covers the eggs with loose earth,
sticks and other debris. Mr. F. E. Parsons exhibited a speci-
men of the beautiful Scarlet-breasted Grass Parrot (Neophema
splendida.) received from Mooloowatana Station. This ex-
ceedingly rare bird has not been recorded for very many years.

An interesting account of a trip to a belt of mallee country
between Woodchester and Wellington was given by Mr. Edwin
Ashby, and a number of birds collected were exhibited. A
specimen of the rare Blue-winged Grass Parrot {Mfionanodes
chrj/fto.<^tomiis) was secured. The speaker pointed out the
desirability of making a reserve of several miles of this country
in order to preserve some of the naturnl mallee country near to
Adelaide. With this object in view. Messrs. Parsons and
McGilp were appointed a sub-committee to ascertain how the
country is held.

Xovembor 28, 1919.

Oapt. S. A. White presided over a large attendance. A
letter was read from the Minister for Industry, asking for two
representatives of the a'ssociation to attend a conference
which is to be held shortly in regard to the new Animals and
Birds Protection Act. The President and Mr. E. Ashby were
deputed to attend the conference. A motion of sympathy was
accorded Mr. J. W. Mellor in the loss of his mother (Mrs. J. F.
Mellor). The Chairman spoke of the great interest Mrs. Mel-
lor had taken in nature study, and especially with the doings
of the field naturalists. Mr. E. Ashby and Mr. A. G. Edquist
•supported. Sympathy was also expressed with Mr. C. H.
Lienau upon the loss of his father.

Mr. W. J). Bruce (Chief Inspector of Fisheries) wag
present as a visitor, and was asked to speak upon the new
Act, which comes under his jurisdiction. The Chief Inspector
said that 162 copies of instructions to accompany the new Act
Avere being prepared, and would bo sent out to every police

The :>('Utli Aiisfralia^i (JrnithnUxjiral A^i^ociatio)i . 7

Station in the State, this to coincide with the numbers
attached to each bird in the Schedules of the Act. and
arranired so by the President of the Asisociation from Dr.
Leaclfs '•Australian Bird Book." One of these books would
be supplied to each station, and in this way no mistake could
be made. Mr. Bruce also referred to the coming conference,
when he hoped finality would be reached in refer-
rence to the issuing, of permits, which was now
very unsatisfactory. The Chairman complimented the
Chief Inspector upon his energy and zeal, and said
that he was sure that the new Act was going to be adminis-
tered as no previous one had been. The Chairman went on to
say that he had had an interview with the Minister (Mr. Bar-
well): and there was little doubt that blunders made in the
past would now be remedied as for as possible.

Mr. F. Parsons exhibited emu wrens, which he had dis-
covered on Kangaroo Island lately, and which was a, new snl)
species. Mr. Parsons was congratulated upon his success.

The CIiaiTTnan reported upon th(^ work accomplished by
the Royal Australasian Orithologist's Union during the ses-
sion in Brisbane this year. Members were pleased to learn
that the vexed question of nomenclature was at last settled
in Australia, and that the council would proceed as soon as
possible with the preparation and publishing of a second edi
tion of the "'Official Check-list of Australian Birds," on the
lines of the international code, and British list.

^Iv. (1. M. Mathews had received congratulations upon his
being able to continue his great work, "The Birds of Aus-
tralia.'" thanks to a private doner of £100 per year for three
years, and £200 each year from the Commonwealth Govern-
ment. This resolution received the hearty endorsement of
the Association, and Mr. E. Ashby asked the members to join
him in congratulations to the Chairman for his having been
the means of obtaining the assistance mentioned for such a
fine work. It was stated by the Chairman that a strongly
w orded resolution had been ])assed by the Royal Austi-alasiaii
Ornithologist's Union to the effect that Macquarie Island be
proclaimed a sanctuary for the fauna of Antarctia. and that
he would like the Association to do likewise. A motion was
therefore unanimously carried urging the Tasmanian Govern-
meri to lose no time in proclaiming Macquarie Island a sane-
tuarv.

Tlie South AustraJian OritUho1o(jiccd Agsuciuiiuii.

The Chairman brouo^ht Mr. Neville ^^'. Cayley's work bo-
fore the meeting, and said "he was publishing- a very fine book
on the birds of Australia, with beautiful hand-painted plates.
The work demanded the support of Australians.

'•Fliuden-s Chase" was now touched upon by the Chair-
man, who pointed out that it was at last a reality, and that
he was jflad to say the Minister (Mr. Barwell) was alive to the
importance of this reserve; and would visit it in the near
future. The Chairman was conirrafulated upon his fight for
^'tbe Cbase."

Mr. W. C. Skipper wrote sucfgestins: all parks and gar-
dens in and around Adelaide should be proclaimed sanctu-
aries for native birds. Some members expressed the opinion
that these were already sanctuaries under the City Corpora
tion. The hon. secretary said he would make enquiries.

Mr. Aslihy stilted that S]>iny-cheeke(l Honey-eater had
been seen at Blackwood. This was unusual, and was no
doubt due to the dryness of the season having driven the bird
to the ranges. Mi-. Mellor reported that Shell Parrots had
visited Lockleys and the Reedbeds in numbers this season.
He also gave interesting notes upon the visit and nesting
habits of the \^'ood Swallows. Several Kose-breasted Cocka-
toos had also been .seen at Lockleys. Master Allen Lendon
gave interesting bird notes, and stated that he had seen a
number of Little '\\'ater Crakes on the upper reaches of the
Torrens. Mr. A. G. Edquist (Director of Science and Nature
Study) showed cicada nympths, and said that the imported
starlings had been seen waiting for these to emerge from the
ground, when the bird prounced upon it and devoured it. Tbe
beautiful colourations of the insects as they harden into the
muture state were described, ^fr. Ashby tabled a few speci-
mens of the Victorian and New South Wales forms of Moun-
tain fhrush, to compare with specimens obtained by the
Chainiiaii in Queensland. The Chairman stated that Shell Par-
rots bad visited Fulham after a lapse of many years. The
"White-shouldered CaterpilMr-eater had also returned this
year after many years absence. A great number of Black-
tailed Native Hens had been in the district, and had caused
damage, but one should be as patient as possible, for the
drought was driving the.se birds, like many others, into
restricted areas, and they would .fro w"hen rain fell in tbe
interior.

Order G"lli/oruies, Family rhn^ianidne, Genus < 'ctnriii.v.

Order Galliformes, Family Phasianidae,
Genus Coturnix.

Coturnix pectoral i.s. — Eastern Stubble Quail.

Description. — Male, head, neck, and back, reddish brown,
streaked and lined with white and black, some of the fea-
thers of the back are black with narrow irregular markings,
a white line passing over the centre of the head, and one
from the base of the bill over the eye and down the side of the
neck ; rail coverts darker, some feathers almost bhick ; lores,
sides of the face and throat rufous with a line of darker and
mottled markings from base of bill to the neck. breast in
some birds being almost black, and in some instances with
outer webs white; feathers approaching the abdomen, white
with a broad dash of black down the middle; feathers of the
flanks, white bordered with black rufous on the outside, un-
der-tail coverts and abdomen dull white lined with black, in
some cases very faintly; under-wing coverts white; Iris yel-
lowish brown; bill, slaty grey; inside mouth, flesh colour: feet
and legs, pale flesh colour; nails, blackish brown. ^leasure-
ments in the flesh — length. 205 m.ni.; wing from body to tip.
154 m.m.; spread, 347 m.m.

Female. — Xot so strongly marked, yet the mantle is much
lilce the male for it has the strange pointed white markings
down the centres of the feathers, and the black mark followed
by rufous on the outside, the strong white line down the centre
of the head and over the eye, and down the neck is also pre-
sent in the female, but she generally lacks the rufous chin and
throat which are dirty white, the long feathers of the flanks
are mostly dull white, with faint markings of black and
brown; the centre of the abdomen, dull white; length (in the
flesh) — 205 m.m.; wing from body to tip, 160 m.m.; spread
■"►59 m.m. Occasionally the female assumes the male plumn<> '.

Di.'^-frihufion.—'Sev>' South Wales, ^"icto^ia, Tasmania, and
Srmth Australia, with a sub-species in Western Australia

Hcthitx. — Gregarious, moving fiom one district to an-
nth'M- in great numbers, generally moving south in the spring
to breed, they prefer the well gras.sed hill-sides or plains to
timbered country, although they are often to be seen in the
latter locality, they are also found in swampy coiinti v

10 Order Galliformea, Faiinhi F/iasianidae, ','eni'S Cutiintix.

when there is sufficient cover for them; when the food supply
of a district is exliausted they move away to better one. and
this is generally done at night. If protected this bird be-
comes A-ery confiding and will frequent the garden near the
house and rear it's young, killing much insect life amongst
the plants.

Food. — Grass and other plant seeds, also much insect life,
they destroy an immense quantity of noxious weed seeds.

Flight. — Rtnmg and swift, rise very quickly from the
ground, and making a loud whirring sound with the wings.

Gall. — Shrill whistle of two notes which is very difficult
to locate.

^W.s^.— Placed on the ground often in a depression amidst
thick grass or under a tussock, in standing crops or the like,
the nest is generally roughly formed of grass stems, rootlets,
and the dry blades of grass.

^.W«- — Four to ten in number, vary much in colouration,
some being lightly marked, while others have thick dark
bloches, in other cases a deep dark zone is formed round the
larger end.

The Birds of the Malice.

By Edwin Ashby. A.L.S.. M.B.O.U., C.F.A.O.U.. &f.

It seems well worth while to give some account of a brief
visit to a practically unexplored, as far as ornithologists and
other scientists are concerned, belt of Mallee within easy
reach by motor fi-om the City of Adelaide. My companions
were two of our most enthusiastic members, Messrs.
F. A. Parsons and J. N. McGilp, and to them
is due the credit of finding all the eggs obtained
on the trij). We started from Blackwood a few
minutes past (> a.m., September 1st, 1010. and
travelled via Mount Barker and Woodchester. The
visit to- the latter townshij) took us a few
miles out of our way, but we noted a grass parrot Neonanode>i.
close to Woodchester, as it made oft" to a considerable distance
M'e niaide no attempt to follow it up. We entered the beR of

ASHBY—The llu-ds of the Mallcf. 11

iiiallec a mile or so hcyoiid Woodchoster and travelled contin
uonsly in the niallee for some miles alonj; the road that Avas
metalled 40 or (>() years ago. with the intention of its becoming
the main coach road to Melbourne, via Wellington. The
road as far as we traversed it is still in excellent condition for
motoring. The original heaps of metal, broken probably more
than half a century ago. are still met with every few chains,
but as there is practically no traffic; the road has never needed
repair. We penetrated the mallee for several miles and only
met with one settler's cottage, and that was uninhabited. We
met the owner of the few sheep that are run in this bush and
he told us that a few pairs of the Mallee Hen Leipoa ocellata
still nes't each year about a mile off the road. We made some
attempt to find a fresh nest but were unsuccessful, although
we saw several old ones. The road is known as Chances Line,
a gentleman of that name having been instrumen'tal in getting
the road made into the mallee at the public expense. We
reached the furthest point of our journey by 9.15 a.m. and con-
menced our field w-ork at that hour.

A Phaps chalcoptera (Bronzewing Pigeon) was flushed as
we pulled up the car, but while several Bronzewings were seen
the rarer Pliups elegant was not identified. One of the first
true mallee birds met with was Hi/hicohi (■(iiita. and hiter on
several syjecimens were secured, the cock birds especially at
sunrise pouring forth their sweet melody from the top of some
low mallee or other bush. The movements of this
bird are almost as mouse-like as those of the Slericornis.
Mr. McGilp was successful in finding a nest with a
full clutch of eggs partly incubated, placed under a
fallen bough. We thought that both the Redthroat,
PjirrJioJaeinuf! hrunneus and Calamanthus campestrh were
both heard and seen, as no specimens were obtained the
identification must be considered doubtful. Of Honey
Eaters, those most in evidence were the two (iliriphila
albifrfiits *inccrta. and (i. malaiiops chandlrrL it was
seldr>m that their whistle was not to be heard. Nests
with both young and eggs of the latter species were found
but only one nest in the course of building of the
former. The low yet penetrating double call of the Scrub
Robin (Drt/modes hnovieopuf/ia) called our attention
to its whereabouts and after a considerable amount of search
it was seen running ray)idly from clump to clump. A pair wer.-^
.<]]ot. the female liaviiiLT a fully developed egg in its ovary.

12 ASHBY—The Birds of the Mallee.

Several were heard during the daj, biit the continuous wind
made it difficult to locate sounds. Wattle Birds {Coleia carun-
culata tregellasi were very numerous and several clutches of
eggs obtained. The Spiny-Cheeked Honey Eater [Acantha-
genys refogularis cygnus) -svere also common but no nests were
found. Its loud, very attractive notes contributed towards the
music of the scrub. Meliornis novacliollandUie was hardly as
numerous as the foregoing, the sx^ecimen shot did not appear
to differ from the normal form. Several small flocks of the
Brown Honey Eater {MelitJircptus atricapillus mallee) were
noticed, our attention being attracted to them by their familiar
cry. The White-Eared Honey Eater (.Vr.*s'o/>//7of('.s Iriicofis
depauperata) was very numerous. Included in their repertoire
are some notes suggesting a musical Bull Erog: another far
less musical note, almost ideniical with the call note of
Ptilotis sonora. we heard constantly through the bush, and as-
cribed it to the species. One can hardly think that Mr.
Mathews was justified in separating the South Australian
Mallee Bird from the Victorian form found in their mallee.
In the 11)1'^> list he calls one mallee and the other dcpnuprrata.
No nests were found although the birds had evidently paired.
We decided to make our night camp further back where the
mallee had not been burnt out. and! on our way there disturbed
several Xeoiuniodes. The motor was pulled up as quickly as
possible and my companions soon got on the track of a flock
which turned out to be elegaiis. Specimens were obtained
several of them showing the abdominal orange blotch. On
getting through the fence a little to the right of where '(he
others had gone I flushed another parrot which settled in a
low bush and I shot it with a small charge, and was delighted
'to find that it was a fine male Xeonanodes chrysostomus. the
Blue-winged Parrot, a bird I have been searching for for
years. On firing the shot a small flock of

about eight birds Tose. but as I kept my eyes on
tte bird I bad shot I did not see tlie direction the flo>ck took.
Concluding that Messrs. Parsons and McGi'lp were getting
tlie same species. I was much disappointed and sur^msed
to find that the flock thpy were after were all
elegaris. We came back next morning but were only able to
flush that species. I have no doubt that there were two sepe-
rate flocks, one of each species. This surmise is borne out by
the fact that the rhrysostojiinff Avas replete with fat. whereas
all the elegans obtained were only in fair condition. The
accident of following the wrong flook wa.^i most di.sap])'ointing.

ASllBY—rhe liinh of the MalLee. 13

^^'e noted three species of Acanthlza, the mallee form of past-
illa, named by Mr. Mathews hamiltoni, or the Red-rumped tit,
and iiropi/gialis, the Chestniit-rumped Tit; but whether to as-
cribe this hitter to the race called by Mathews, augiifita, from
the Port Augusta District, or to the Mctorian nifhcrglcni. one
can hardly judge — ^ihe differences air- so slight. The third
sj)ecies Ave Avere unable to identify. Legyconih huiibci-fi inor-
gani (Southern Blue-breasted Wren) was fairly common. Mr.
Parsons Avas successful in shooting a A'ery nice male Little Fal-
con {Falro loit</i))enius) Avhich was ])erched on a tall gum tree
a.bout half a mile from the mallee. The flute-like whistle of the
Mallee Butcher-Bird (BKlestcs torquatus colei) were heard con-
tinuallA" and a nest AAith two fresh eggs was found. The
whistle of another characteristic mallee bird Avas heard from
time to time — that of the Crested Bell-Bird {Orcoica cristafa
clelandi. I stood for some time listening to the ventriloquial
powers of one of them. The little YelloAA'-rumped Pardalote
[Pardalotvs .rcnitliopt/giis). as aa'cH as its more common relatiA^e,
Pardulotvnus striatuf^ f^nhaffinifi were noted. Altogether 41
species were identified. a{)art fi'om the birds whose habitat is
more properly the hills, which were seen in going and coming.

The belt of country visited is rich in Mallee flora, two
possibly three, species of Boronia; several Prostanthera; the
Scarlet Coceinea. and a niauA'e one that would be an ornament
to any garden; many interesting and beautiful shrubs, in-
cluding scA-eral species of Acacia, which were "mounds of
golden glory-'; a very fine series of Orchids (Caladenia tenia-
culata); the still more local G. Caiviisiana; and the little
Pterosti/Iis mutica— besides, a great many others that are fami-
liar to those of us that dAvell in the hills.

We hope that this brief account will open what is al-
most a new hunting ground, both for the Ornithologist and the
Botanist. The nearest extensive belt of Virgine Mallee coun-
try to the City of Adelaide, is easily reached and penetrated
by motor car. Enough has l)een said to show that the fauna
and flora are typical of first-class mallee country and it may
be that some of the rarer forms still exist in this large block
of mallee. comparitively near our bounds, that have been
driAcn back elsewhere to the more distant parts of the State,
by the encroachment of the farmers.

I should like to urge in the Covernment the desirability
of making a ''Fauna and Flora" ReserA-e of several square
miles of this mallee. At present it is held. I believe, umlor
lea.'^es that are of little pvofil to ihose llinr b.old them — a few

14 FAESOXS—Xeophema ^/Jcndida.

hundred sheep only jjrazing; over a large extent of bush. As
a place easily reached from Adelaide where indigenous fauna
and flora can be preserved it could be made a real educational
asset 'to the State. Evidences of kangaroos were fairly nume-
rous and one of our party saw a fine fellow^ quite close.

rSeopherna splendida.

SCARLET CHEv^TEl) GRASS PARROT.
By F. E. Parsons, R.A.O.U.

This beautiful little parrot is among the "rara avis" of
Australian forms; in fact there has for some time past been a
suggestion that this bird must be added to the painfully grow-
ing list of Australian extinct birds. It is therefore with much
pleasure that I am able to record that although apparently
very few in numbers, the birds have not altogether dis-
appeared.

Under date September. 1919, I received a female of this
species, sent by Mr. L. K. McGilp from Moolawatana Station,
North of Lake Frome, South Australia. It was picked up iby
one of the station hands, having been killed by flying into a
netting fence.

Mr. McCrilp not being sure of the specties forwarded it to
me for identification. In further correspondence. Mr. McGilp
informs me that the man had noticed a few of these birds
(some with scarlet chests) feeding on 'the ground in the sand
hill country, and that about twelve months previously, he. in
company with his brother Niel. had seen four birds of this
species, also in the sand hill country, three green ehestetl
birds and one beautifully coloured male with the scarlet
chest.

I am very pleased to have this addition to my collection.
As far as I can ascertain, there are only two other examples
of this species in South Australian collections, each of them a
male.

It is a difficult matter to understand why this species and
its near ally, the Red-shouldered Grass Parrot, have been so
reduced in numbers, as Mr. Mathews says, "It certainly can-
not be due to the scientific bird collector."

Any data regarding the life history of this beautiful form
would be very welcome and those coming in contact with the

FAUSOXS—Nrophenni si>h-udiJu. l5

bird should oajjerly observe and puiblish all possible particu-
lars ref!;ardinfi^ its habits before it is too late.

It is interesting to here ^ire the statements of four
authors of outstandiuj]^ worlvS on Australian ornithology: —

John Grould: "Birds of Australia, Fol., Vol. 5.'' ''It is
a source of much regret to me that I am unable to give more
than a very slig'ht noitice of the beautiful bird that forms the
subjec of the present Plate. The single specimen from which
my description was taken came into my possession in 1840, un-
fortunately without any other informaition accompanying it
than that it was a native of Swan River."

Campbell: "Nests and Eggs of Australian Birds.'' The
only "observa'tions'' read: "(iould much regreted he was un-
able to give more than a brief notice of this beautiful and truly
"splendid" Grass Parrakeet. We are not much better off to-diay.
I sujvpose it is no wonder because ^this bird has been charac-
terised as very shy in disposition and nowhere numerous."

North: "Nests and Eggs of Birds Found Breeding in Aus-
tralia and Tasmania." "As in Gould's tinu\ so it is now, un-
doubtedly the rarest species of the genus 'Neophema . . . .'
The specimens in the Australian Museum Collection are from
the I>arling River. New S?outh Wales, tlie Cawler Ranges,
and other parts of South Australia."

Gregory Jlathews: "Birds of Australia." "There appears
little else to record about this species save that it appears to
be absolutely extinct both East and West."

From the foregoing extracts it can be seen what a very
little is known about this "little gem" and it is pleasing to
think that is not yet too late to observe its life history, so
'ihat some information may be published for the benefit of
future students in ornithology respecting this, "one of the
;ni<;sr beautiful of all Australian birds."

Sept. 20. 19in.

New Sub species of Fimu Wren.

by

F. ]■:. PARSONS, R.A.O.r.

STIPITURUS MALACHURUS HALMATURINA.
KANGAROO ISLAND EMU WREN.

Twelve exan\ples of Emu Wrens were obtained from Kan-
garoo fslaufi. while on a short expedition in the com])any of

I'j PARSONS — New Suh-sjjecies of Emu Wren.

Mr. J. N. McGilp during October, 1919, and as might be ex-
pected in the case where these weak flying birds had been
isolated on an island for nndoubtedly a very long period, they
show a very marked difference from all the mainland formsf
To put it concisely: Whereas the mainland forms have
warm colors on the upper surface of chestnut brown crowns,
brown and black backs, the Kangaroo Island forms have a
"washed-out" appearance with light brown crowns, light gray
and very dark gray backs.

We found that at the time of our visit these little birds
were breeding, and most of the adult birds were accompanied
by their brood of three young ones, with tails varying in length
from about ^ inch to almost full length. Our experience of
the situation these birds prefer was contrary to expectations.
We did not find any birds in the cool, damp gullies, but in every
instance they were encountered on the tops of dry, inhospitable
flat-topped hills, covered with a low growth of "bull oak,"
"broom-bush," and "grass-tree."

UESCIJIPTION.

Adult Male. — Forehead and fore-crown, sayal brown ; the
rest of the upper surface, light neutral gray, streaked with
dusky neutral gray; upper tail coverts, light neutral gray; lores
throat, and upper chest, dutch blue; centre of abdomen, whit-
ish; flanks and lower chest, cinnamon buff; ear-coverts, deep
neutral gray, with white centres; wings, very dark gray (al-
most black), but each feather margined light gray; iris, brown;
legs and feet, brown; bill, very dark brown (almost black).

Adult Female. — The Avhole of the upper surface, light neut-
ral gray, streaked dusky neutral gray, with just a very faint
brown wash on the forehead; lores and whole of under surface,
cinnamon buff, excepting centi-e of abdomen, which is whitish;
upper tail coverts, light neutral gray; wings, very dark gray
(almost black), but each feather margined light gray; iris, legs,
feet and bill same as male bird.

Young INtale. — The tail feathers were about | inch long;
throat and lores, blue, but lighter in color than in the adult
male; and the forehead and fore-crown is a gray instead of
brown, as in the adult.

Note. — In the descriptions above, the colors are standard-
ized against those in "COLOK STANDARDS AND NOMEN-
CLATURE," bv "RIDGWAY."

MATHEM.S-

— Oi'nit/iologii

■al .

XuiHenrlidiire. 17

^lEASTKKMKXTS

OF 1

vAXdAROO

iST

.AND E.\IU Wr.KXS.

SEX TIP OF RILL TO

TIP OF BILL

TO

REMARKS.

ba:s!' of

TAIL.

riP OF TAII

L.

o 7.0 cm.

10.0 cm.

Full tail, not worn.

0 7.0 cm.

17.7 cm.

Tail slijrlitly worn.

6 7.0 cm.

17.7 cm.

Tail not worn

c 7.0 cm.

19.7 cm.

Tail not worn.

9 7.0 cm.

18.4 cm.

Tail not worn.

9 7.0 cm.

17.7 cm.

Tail slightly worn.

0 7.0 cm.

17.7 cm.

Tail not worn.

9 7.0 cm.

17.7 cm.

Tail not worn.

10-11-19.

Ornithological Nomenclature: its History and
Reason.

by
OREOORY M. .MATHT:WS. F.K.S.E.. Etc

So much misunderstanding appears to exist in the minds of
field ornithologists as to the rules governing the names of the
birds they see. that I have been asked to give some simple ex-
I>lanations of the confusion apparent.

There nre at i>resent no rules governing the vernacular
names used in connection with birds, as these must necessarily
vary according to the usage of the country where the birds live,
and the language u.sed by the inhabitants thereof. In order
to facilitate intercour.se between bird observers in various coun-
tries, it has been unanimously accepted that the medium of
Latin (a dead language) be used. Con.sequently, in the older
days scientific treatises were written wholly in Latin, whether
the writers were English, French or Swedes, as the case might
be. As progress was made in mechanical means of locomo-
tion in the last century, scientists became familiar with the
vernacular of many countries, and Latin fell more and more
into disuse. Tt may be interpo.sed that at the end of the 18th
century a French explorer arrived in a distant and almost un-
known country, and was surprised to meet with a Roman Catho-
lic missionary, the only European, but not a Frenchman: I be-
lieve Portuguese They managed to converse in Latin!!
Such a possibility to-day is unimaginable.

It was. however, impossible accurately to interpret the ver-
Tinculnr names without the medium of Latin, and so it became

18 .UAT//J-:]VS~Orn!thnl,H,n„l Xon,e.vrUlt>

customary to use a Latin phrase defining the object in conjunc-
tion with the vernacular. This Latin phrase was talcen from one
of the older Latin works, and consisted of the first two, three,
or more words of the description, and in conjunction was
quoted the name of the writer of the book. A brilliant idea
came to a Swedish naturalist, thouo:h suggested indirectly in
earlier works. This was uniformly to use only two Latin
words instead of one, two, three or more. The Swede worked
this system out for the whole of the natural history of the
world, zoological and botanical. He was primarily a botanist,
and he introduced a scheme of nomination very little different
from some of his predecessors. In zoology also, in some
branches, the same idea had been previously used, but never for
the whole scheme of nature. Consequently as a basis, the
work of Linnaeus became the standard text-book. It was mani-
festly imperfect, and in many details was inferior to mono-
graphic works of earlier date. Such a result was as certain
then as now. because the specialist must always surpass in his
local study the best endeavour of the general student. Never-
theless, the general work must appeal to a much larger body of
users, and become accessible to more workers. Another inter-
position becomes necessary. It was the custom of the 'WTiter,
as his book was wholly written in Latin, to use a Latinisation
of his name. Thus Linnaeus, although the writer's name was
Linne. However, in later years, through the f^me of his work,
Linne Avas ennobled, and he then reverted to his original name.
Consequently, many workers, like myself, use the Swedish form
though others (juote the Latinised form. Tlie method of Linne
was to use a generic and a trivial name, the whole to form the
binomial name of the species. Thus the genus CoiTUS in-
cluded the bird previously designated with the single name,
Corriiii. and he introduced as the trivial name the word Corax.
the s])ecific name being Corvris Cora.r. Tender the diagnosis
he gave references to previous writers, so that identification is
possible with those workers, and from them we can trace the
bird by means of vernaculai'S. Only Latin was used by Linne,
as his work was technically and truly a "Systema Naturae."
Of course, jealousv was certain, and contemporary writers, par-
ticularly si>ecialisls. openly derided his system and his detail
work. This leads us to Brisson, his famous ornithological
contemporary, and undoubtedly a far superior bird student.
Brisson had been engaged for years in the preparation of an
"Ornithology" or a scheme quite novel and most ambitious.
When this was nearly complete. Linne's tenth edition of his

MA TIlJ:WS--Oriilth'ln,j;raI Xovv'vrlatiire. 19

Systeiiia Naturae was jmhlislied. "Brisson. probably recognis-
ing the superiority of the nomination used, and the inferiority
of the ornitliological work, drew attention to tlie fact that he
disagreed witli it. ;nid that his own work was prior in compila-
tion, though later in comj»let-ion. Brisson had, of course,
used the polynomial method of naming his birds as to his
species, though grouping them in genera, which, of course, was
not novel, but had been more or less in use for years. Hia
work, however, consisted of six volumes with detailed descrip-
tions of the birds in French and Latin, while Linne's birds were
com]>ressed into a hundred and fifteen pages of short Latin diag-
noses. It was consequently much easier to recognise birds
from Brisson 's Avork than from that of Linne. and his work
was continually referred to. A twelfth edition of Linne's Sys-
tema Naturae was brought out, and in that he included the
majority of Brisson's species, restricting to them binomial
names. As above noted, the polynomial method of nomination
consisted of one, two, three or more names. Confusion was
later caused by quoting the names consisting of two words as
if they Imd been proposed by users of the binomial method.
Though attacked by the polynomialists. the binomial method
immediately obtained universal usage, and in a very few years
polynomialism became extinct. Writers in every language
adhered to the Linnean method, and used only two words for
the specific names, accepting the Linnean genera. As. however,
Brisson had been a more thorough ornithologist, with more
maTerinl, he had proposed more genera, and workers accepted
sojne of these, additional to the Linnean ones, following Linne's
own example, as he had accepted some in his twelfth edition.
.\gain n complicntion ensued, as Linne had selected as a gene-
ric name a word commonly in use yn-eviously in connection with
the bird. Brisson had indej»endently done the same, and while
in some instances the usage of both coincided, in others disagree-
ment occurred, through there being two or more names pre
viously in use by different workers.

New species were continually being recognised by students
in every country, the '^Systema Naturae" and the "Ornithology"
indicnting the species known. These were describerl by the

discoverers, and as intercourse was slow and difficult, it soon
becfime known that the same species had been independently
nnmed by two different people. At once the earnest ornitho-
logist recoirnised the right of priority, and used the name given
by the enrliest discoverer, even when it had not been published
first. Tlius priority became customary, .nnd hns so been main-

20 MATHEWS— Orn tholmikal Xomendatwe.

tained until the present dav. Yet, in every decade, some fad-
dist has. from ignorance of the history as well as the reason ot
the use. railed against the recognition of priority, proclaiming
the right of custom; but priority is the custom, and has always
been since the days of Linne. When travel and literatuT-e in-
creased largely, it became impressed upon all the scientific
writers that only absolute acceptance of priority would enable
definite recognition of birds throughout the world, and this was
continually urged. Just one hundrerl years ago British orni-
thologists urged this fact, and as usual opposition came from
a small coterie of non-scientific men. who desired to name the
bird according to their own ideas of the suitability of the name
selected. Thus the Goat-sucker does not merit its name,
though custom had so named it. A latin equivalent, Capri-
mulfjus. had been used by Linne, and was commonly in use,
irresj>octive of its merits, as it was customary. One of the
Englishmen, demurring to this name as unmerited, sought to
improve it by substituting Xj/rfirhr]idon : this was similarly
objected to by another, who proposed Phdlaruirora as more
appropriate; while a third recommendF'd Tooifrrafor. This
was lending to absolute chaos, so that the leading scientists felt
compelled to draw up a scheme of rules to govern zoological
nomenclature. It Avill be thus seen that it was through disre-
gard of custom, i.e.. priority, that the Nomenclatural Laws be-
came a necessity. This brings us down to the year 1S42. from
which year we date them, custom previously being the law.

The Bi-itish Association for the Advancement of Science
appoin ♦"(■(! a rommittee to deal with the transgressions of cus-
tom and initiate a series of Eules which would be accey>table to
working scientists, though faddists might still demur. It
should be noted that it was considered necessary for the ad-
vancement of science that laws should be made. The secre-
tary of the Committee was named Strickland, and from con'es-
pondence and conversation with the leading scientists in the
world he drew up a set of Rules, and when these were corrected
and assented to. they were published, and have provided the
basis of all subsequent Rules. A short name was commonly
used, though not official, viz. : "The Stricklandian Code." nnd it
is possible that some readers may have considered this an arbi-
trary effort of an individual instead of an official resume of rbe
opinions of the world's scientific leaders.

It is to be regretted that, with the same perversity that is
still seen, certain individuals, jealous at not being consu^red,
deliberately attempted to belittle the code and its users. Never-

MATHEWS— OriiitlioUxjirul Nuuteuchdun

rlic k--s. it uas used by the best workers for many yetirs, but
unfortunately many well-situated workers, throujrli careless-
ness as much as malice, neglected to conform to the Rules, f)f
course, such ill-considered work suited the opponents who jibed
at the Rules, and one well-known ornithologist suggested and
employed the name which he considered had been used by the
mnjority of writers up to his time, in direct contravention to
the usage of priority. It is remarkable that none of his selec-
tions have been upheld save where priority coincided with his
approval. However, the misuse of names, in conjunction with
opposition, led to the reconsideration of the Rules, and in every
reconsideration priority has been successfully shown to be
absolutely necessary. In matters of detail alterations have
been made but in the eighty years since the preparation of the
Rules there has been no real amendment. The only important
one was the recognition of the date of the beginning of binomial
nomenclature. In 1842 a majority decided that 1766, the date
of Linne's twelfth edition, should be accepted as the starting
point, but exceptions were allowed. Consequently, after years
of usage, these exceptions were standardized by reversion to
17~)'^. thf date of Linne's tenth edition, and the one in which he
first and fully introduced the binomial system. The earlier
Rules included means of altering names not classically correct,
and this has been a source of trouble, many workers desiring
to impress tlieir classical knowledge at the expense of ornitho-
logy, but now this has practically been abolished. Of course,
international jealousy was certain to cause interference, and
while accepting the basis of the British Rules, other nations
sought to provide improvements. Thus the French Zoologists,
arguing thnt a Frenchman had anticipated Linne in introduc-
ing the binomial system in botany, and that other specialists
had al'^o used more or less binomial names in their works,
decided that sur-h workers should be considered. American
workers, with no very ancient history to oa]\ tiDon. early de
termined upon the necessity of fixing the Stricklandian Code.
'Ither countries had also details they desired to Q:et acknow
ledced. and consequently as divergence was imminent Inter-
national Laws were considered necessary. After discussion,
thesp were fashioned, and ai-e now in use. It soon became
f»bvious that with the multitude of workers in every land great
importance must be given to tho technical nomination of aui
ma Is discussed, especially when the anatomy and morpholoiv
were considered. .Again anatomists and morphologists were
the most ca7-eless workers in coTijunclion with names; thov v.er"

2-1 M ATRt:]]' S—Urii:thi>Jn.il-al Xcminidotar,'.

more interested in dissectinfj:, neplertino; the fact that tlieir work
is useless if their beast be wronoly identified. These continually
arc:ne that names mean nothing; yet all the time are desirous
of establishing knowledge. Knowledge without names is chaos,
and this fa<t has now been recognised. To attend to the tech-
nical difficulties that arise in connection with some naiae', an
International Commission was appointed, and the Commission
states an opinion upon debatable points, and these opinions are
later considered by International Congresses, and become Laws.

The above short resume has outlined the development of
our present nomenclatural laws, and it may help if more
particular attention is given to a few points, such as the Law
of Priority. The mere mention of the word priority in con-
nection with names published long ago appeal's to cause irrita-
tion to some men who. in their own discoveries, endeavor to
snatch days for the sake of priority. The unreasonable alM
tude is inexplicable, and a prioritarian should be consistent.
T have noted that a British ornithologist endeavoured to select
the best established name without recognising priority, and
dismally failed; now we have an Australian claiming pi-iority
for a certain Avork because it was the standard, though well
aware of his uncomfortable position in the fact that the w ork
was so expensive and scarce as to be available only to a few
workers. This is the more inconsistent because in his later,
more popular, and easily accessible handbook, the author had
changed a large number of names on the score of priority alone.
It has been proved by usage and custom that only absolute
priority is acceptable. If any op]>onent Avill but reasonably
consider the matter, he will find it the only real solution. As
instance, a bird is discovered in Australia, and described in the
Victorian Naturalist. A few weeks afterwards the same bird
is nametl with a coloured i>laie in the "Ibis." The latter work
circulates all over the world, while the former does not. Is it
justice Ihat the wiriter in the "Ibis." or the first disfovet'cr,
should have the better claim? The Law of Priority enables
the local writer to ^et his due. It is unfair to claim that the
coloured plate (ff the bettei' situated worker should be the
standard, and that the hard working field naturalist should be
ignored; yet this is being advocated indirectly by a Avell-known
Australian.

Personally, 1 have advocated, and always will do, the abso
lute right of the first discoverer, irrespective of his greatness
or the size of his work. Another instance: I have just dis-
covered that a writer named John Cotton published a List of

MATIII'JW^—nrnilhnlogic.:} Xi„nrn,-hliure. 23

Birds of Hie I j)}»er (Tonlbnrn, Fort riiilli]). New South Wales,
in the Tasmanian Jonrnal of Natural Science, Vol. III. No. 5,
July. 1S4S, p. 3(11, ct srq.. and there named on p. 362 Antlio-
chaera Eodorhjincha. differentiatinj>; it from AcantJwge)n/s
Rufogiihin'.'^ Gould. This appears to have been overlooked by
all Australian as well as British ornith<)lojj:ists, and refers to
the bird T recently named Acanfhar/on/f! Rufogularis Ci/gnis.
By the use of the Law of Priority I immediately use Cotton's
name, and oive him the credit for his discovery, though seventy
years late. Would Australians be pleased were I to ignore it,
and continue the use of my own name? I think not.

It seems to have been overlooked by the Australian oppo-
nent of the Law of Priority that it is as old as the binomial
system and is the custom, and that the objectors who cite cus-
tom as their object are ignorant of what custom is. The Law
of Priority is based on custom, and on the custom of one hun-
dred and sixty years.

GcuKfi i^plifting. — This is the most debatable subject in con-
nection with ornithological nomenclature, and a few words may
be given to it. Birds do not show well-defined differential
features, as they have so much uniformity in development.
Consequently, very minor characters are used for separating
groups, and. moreover, no great stress can be laid upon the
development of any one organ. The older ornithologists,
endeavouring to classify birds, selected one organ alone, and
naturally created groups of unequal value and incongruous com-
ponents. Endeavouring to rectify such errors, many more
groups became necessary, and as each student worked at a
giinip, ho accepted minor characters shill as.important, until
apparently a superfluity of generic groups were existent.

Casual students then interfered, and without as careful
examination lumped again, once more associating dissimilar
entities. Recently all the more exact school have endeavoured
to reconcile the two by means of close, detailed criticism of
every organ, as well as consideration of the life history and evo-
lution of the forms. In order to ar.rive at a perfect system, it
is necessim' to dissociate all tihe "lump<Hl" genera, and then, as
the knowledge of evolution increases, to reform these split
genera into natural groups, according to the evolution and
develoymient of the species.

It is a remarkable fact that all specialists. 'iumi»ers" in
the beginning of their studies, become "sjditters" as they study
nion^ cktsely Ihe development of the forms. ''Lumj)ers," it

24. McGILl' — A Fortnujitt un Kangaroo Island.

may be remarked, can never advance scientific knowledge, be-
cause they ignore features which the specialist discovers to be
very important. It is comparatively easy to associate birds
which have been separated when the features are proved to be
superficial, and not of evolutional import. How difficult it
is to correct errors in the ^'lumping" methods, is seen in the
Hawks where Suschkin, by osteological study, indicated
families where species had been tardily admitted. A recent
''lumper" has given as his characters of a genus "same as indi-
cated for family.-' yet he gives in his distribution of the family,
"Australasia." where, up to the present, since the days of
Latham and ^'ieillot. the genus has NOT been recorded. From
such a diagnosis it is obvious that his genus is an incongruous
mixture, and unworthy of acceptance. When the split genera
are reassembled successfully. I do not think there wiU h<^ much
to concern us in ornithological nomenrlaturp.

A Fortnight on Kangaroo Island (South Aus.)

By J. Xeil McGiJp. R.A.O.TT.

On October 11. ^Iv. Frank E. J'arsons and self left Port
Adelaide per the '"Karatta." and reached Kingscote. the chief
port of the island, the same evening. The following morning
we left for Snokes Bay. a distance of about 30 miles west
from Kingscote. ['pon arrival we were made very welcome
by Mr. George Bell, who had so kinilly invir(^d us to stay with
him.

We worked the country from the coast line at Stoke.s
Bay well in towards the centre of the island. Although wi^
found the walking fairly heavy and the scrub conditions
rough on clothing, we were able to ^^^et through a fair amount
of ornithological work.

The Emu \Vren was obtainiH]. Tliis is ilic liisl time a
skin has been obtained of the island form of lliis bii-d. Mr.
Parsons is describing this new sub-sj>ecies in this joni'nal.
under the name of Stipitnis ii haJiiKifiiriiia. We collected
very few eggs, though many signs of breeding were observed
and proved Ave were a little late for the general breeding
season.

We were dissappointed with the country that we worked
a gn^at deal of if })eing iiu'^nitable for profitable production.

Mcl.lLf'—.i Forthlaht <,h K<n,a,n<.o hlaml. 25

A few scaiicrcd areas \m'I(' Ix-ini:,- tanned or i;-rii/>ed with
slieej); judjiin^]: ilie Flinders ('luise Reservo in eomparisoii
vith the conntrv we saw. we are at a loss to understand why
so mueh ojjposition was shown to the Reserve. We noted a
sing:le kanuaroo in its native state but many tracks w'ere ob-
served, the same applies to a certain extent to the wallaby
and possum, thoug'h a few of each were seen. We also saw^ a
porcupine and a few ji'oanna. but there must be a good many
of these about, judginii' by the sijjns we observed.

^^■e were greatly assisted in our work by our host, for he
knows every inch of the locality and was able to direct us to
favoured spots for bird life. ^Ir. Bell is a keen student of
bird and animal life of the island.

While at i^tokes Bay we heard that a nest and eggs of the
Mallee Fowl had been found at li>nug Cove, towards the western
end of the island. We did not see any sign of this specie. We
surmise that the nest was built by some of the birds liberated
on the island.

The following birds were observed by us during our stay on
Kangaroo Island, with a few notes on same. The nomenclature
is after ^Nfathews' Handlist of Australian Birds.

Eiidjjptuhi mi nor iindina — A dead bird was picked up at
Stokes Bay. on the coast,

Cotiiniix pcctoraJis — Plentiful on cleared areas.

Cofiwopclia clcf/anfi nery/rrfa— Saw a fair number of the
Bronzewing. but not a specimen obtained.

Neonccfri.'i tciiuiro-Htri.'^ hrcricaiidux — Bleutiful, observed
on sea voyage and close to coast line.

Thalasseus bergii polioeercHa — Noted a few pairs only.

BrucliifjavUt nord-^JioUaiidiar efhelae — Very common on
coast and on inland lagoons, near Wisanger.

TJaemafopu.'i ostrdlcf/iifi longiro-stris — Observed at Kings-
cote on sandy beach ; only two pairs noted.

Hncmatopii.s fiilir/inosus — Noticed several times on Rocks
at Stokes Bay and Kingscote.

Lohibj/.r norealwUandkie — Plentiful wherevere plain, open
country was found. Fggs and young noted.

Zouifcr tricolor — Not so plentiful as })reviously mentior.ed
species. Eggs taken on Cygnet River. Clutch. 4 eggs: nest,
a depression in ground, horse nianure lining, and a ring of
manure round eggs.

LcHcopolins ruficapiUus — Noted a few times, mostly at
fresh-water lagoon, near ^^'isanger.

26 McGlLP — A Fortnirjht on Kangaroo Island.

Charadrhis cuculhitii-^ — Tliei'e n}>j)eared to be a pair of this
specie on every sandy cove along beach, near Stokes Bay. A

pair with three young were observed.

Himantopus leucorephalus — A hirge number were noted
wading in shallow water of fresh lagoon, near Wisanger.

Burhinus magniroiitriH — One bird only observed, but many
were heard calling at night.

Notopiioy.r novae hoUandiae — These birds were observed
along coast, rivers and lagoons.

'Njjcticorax caledojiiciis (iiistralasiac — Only one bird wa.s
noted; it roosted in low gums about 100 yards from homestead
at Stokes Bay.

Anas supcrciliosa rogersi — Very plentiful, found breeding
on Cygnet River. Seven young noted at waterhole (rain ), in
midst of a growing crop.

Phalacrocorax carho noioalwllandlac.

Mff^ararho ater.

Hypole licit s fiiscesen.s.

Microcarho melanoleucus.
Fairly common round coast line.

Circus approximans gouldi—On\y specimen noted near
Wisanger. soaring over crops.

Vrospiza fasciata — A pair noted at Pioneer Bend, on Cyg-
net River.

Accipifer cirrocep'halns — A single representative noted at
Stokes Bay.

Uroaetns auda.r — Noted several times, but only at a great
clistfrce. v.vsa always on v^ing.

Hieracidea Tierigora — Noted on two occasions.

Cerchneis cenchroides — EvervAvhere plentiful ; a clutch of
4 eggs taken from hollow branch of gum. height from ground,
about 18 feet.

Pandiaii iKiUd.tiis cristatus — A i)air were seen resting on
old nest on a rocky spur of coast line; the nest is used ann-
ually, evidently by these two birds.

i<pUoglaux Itoohool- halinatiirina — A few were seen, but
a lot of calls heard at night; a female shot, contained a fully
developed eixs:, which broke in the fall to earth.

TricJioglosus novae Jiollandiae — Very plentiful in timbered
country and on Cygnet River; nesting in hollow. No eggs
found, but a jvair of young cut out of a large, dry gum.

Glossopsitta concinna.

Glossopsitta porphyrocephala.

Noted onlv at and near Kiniiscote.

MrClLV^A J-'oriinjjhl mi Kannnron islnu.J. 27

('(ili/piorlti/iicltiis finicrciix irliiici — A lew birds iioicd on
Cvgnet River.

Cacatoes galerita rosin ae — Two or three pairs noted.

Plati/cercus elegans melanoptcruf^ — Common whei'O any
timber abounds. Found breeding in hollow branches.

Cacojiinntis rubricatiis — Fair number about, found nest of
Blue Wren with Fantail Cnekoo egg, aslo parent Blue Wren.s
feeding fully fledged cuckoo.

XeochaJritis hasilis inellori — Only occasionally seen. 2sest
of Blue Wren, with egg of this specie, found at Kingscote.

Eirnndo neoxena — Common everywhere; found breeding
under bridges and in sheds.

H>il<)ch('l\(U)U nigricans calfiji — Numerous.

Petroeica multicolor hahnatiirina — Few of this species
v.ere noted,

Pachgcephalo sub-species — Two birds taken, but both ap-
peared in immature plumage. Evidently P.p. halmaturina.
Clutch, 2 eggs, and male parent taken at Kingscote.

Rhipidura fahillifera whitei—FiiirlY numerous: nest con-
taining two heavily incubated eggs taken Cygnet River. Nest,
a beaut if uly contructed "wineglass, with base of stem broken
off'' pattern, and placed in a fork of black titree. overhanging
the River. Found by following male as it hunted, and fed the
female on the nest.

Leucocirca tricolor — Only a pair seen ; seems to be ^•e^y
rare on Kangaroo Island. Its place is taken by ?

leisure inquieta — Which is very numerous. Noticed that
this specie made the ''grinding" noise only when poised in air.
hovering over some object, but not when on ground, or sitting
on posts — a very favourite position. Quite as tame as L. tri-
color around homesteads: visited.

Coraciiia noraeholhindiar nichn'ops — A large number ob-
served in timbered country.

Hiilocola couta uiafurina — A gi-eat many of these birds
were observed, but few nests with eggs found: a good number
of "Just flying'" young about.

Cinclorlinmphus cruraJis c<nit(t1oris — Plentiful on the
open cleared hir.d and in cro])s.

Kpthianura alhifrons — We noted a fair number of this
specie, and found a nest "just building.'"

Acdnfhi'jd pusiJla :irt:i — Rathei- coninion : found breeding,
and nests in course of construction.

Acaiithita liucata irhitci — Wjiei-evei- trees were I'ound. we
saw this active little species hunting through the leaves.

Ml GILP — -1 Forlitiijlit on Kangaroo hland.

^cricoriiis maculatus a^hlyyia — Xniiu'voiis. Many nests
werefonnd. but the Tonu«i had just Icli or the birds had been
disturbed. No eggs were found.

^tipifiirns mehtchiinis Jiahriatnrina Parsons.
See description elsewhere in this issue of S.A. Ornithologist.

Psiiedartamus cyanoptvrux^-X few Avei-e noted ; most plen-
tiful near Wisanger.

Colliiririiicla harmonica Jiolmatin'ina — Found breeding
near Kingsrote : '5 young in nest, in fork of low tree.
(} jjiiiitorhhia hjipolcuca Iciicointta — Plentiful.
Zosicrops latenilifi hahuaiiiriiw. — Found breeding, and very
numerous,

Pardalotus ptmctatus xanthopygus.
PanJalotiift striatiis suhaffinis.

Xoted both species; the latter only found breeding.
MelifJircptus africapillus maqnlroHrifi — Numerous in scrub
and trees.

Aranthorhi/nrliiis .tenuirofitrifi . lialiiiati(ri)ia — Plentiful,
and foniirt breeding; eggs and young found.

Gliniphila melanops hraha — Found breeding; common bird
of the scrub.

NesoptiloUs leucofis thomasi — Very few noted.
Liehenosfoiinis cratitiKs — Plentiful in trees; found breed-
ing, nest suspended in foliage; two eggs to clutch. Bird sat
very closely.

PJii/lirloiiyris pi/rrlwptera halmatiirina — Comuion along
watercourses ; eggs and young found.

Mclinruia norar hollandiae halmaiimna — Found breeding;
all clutches found were of two eggs.

Anthorharra rJinif^optera lialmaf'.irina — Plentiful near
Kingscote ; a few noted elsewhere.

Anthu!^ avsifralis aflelaulensif^ — Found breeding, two eggs
found near Pioneer Bend, on Cygnet River.

SHafiaiwplriira f/iiffata philordi — Seen once only.
Aefi'intha feinporalis loffyi — Fairly common; nesi built in-
side of old crowsnest contained 4 eggs.

Cnrrus cnrono'ulefi prrplr.vvfi — Breeding; young found.
fifrepero melaiwpfeya hahu(it)irii)a — Common.
]\Fahmifi cj/anciifi r/.s/;?)///— Plentiful everywhere; nestin<?
freely in low acacia. A pair remained about the Homestead
at Stokes Bav. nnd came within a yard or two of us. wlien they
were hunting grubs, etc., in garden. The male beins: a very
heautifully colored specimen, evidently several years old.

MELLUii — Nal.ive Cuntpauionf- on Kioujarov island. -9

MELLOE — Notes on the Frogmouth.

Native Companions on Kangaroo Island.

By .]. \\. Mellor. K.A.O.U.

Tilt' iiiosi interestiuii- record tliat I liave received for a
loiii;- I inic v:\mv from Mr. M. L. Buick of American River, Kan-
garoo Island. Under date of October 2G he states
inter alia: — "On my way to Kinfjscote a few weeks
agro 1 saw twelve Native C^ompanions. the first that
I have seen on the island." This is indeed good news,
iind shows ihe great need, for a large protection area on the
Island. These birds, usually so shy and wary, seem to have
gone to one of the busiest spots on Kangaroo Island, and it is
to be hoped that they will be left unmolested there, as on the
mainland they are fast becoming rare. The birds being so large
their two eggs, which are laid on the ground, are easily found
by foxes, and eaten, and even if the young manage to hatch out
ii is more llian likely that they will fall a prey to Keynard.

Notes on the Frogmouth.

Forwarded by .1. W. Mellor.

Some interesting notes upon the Mallee Frogmouth [Fwl-
(irg-;s .^Iriyoitlrs: ro.s-.s/ Mathews), have come under my notice,
whicli fnither bear out my contention that this bird does not
say "more pork." Miss K. X. Powell of the Woodville High
School, .states: — "We had a rather uncommon bird, a podar-
gus. or fiogmonth, for about seven years. It was queer-looking
in a way. had large yellow eyes, and soft feathers like those of
an owl. It loved company, and at night would often sit on
our dining-room window-sill. Twice when w(» had left it alone,
and were sitting in another room, it came up the hall, and
joined us. If alarmed he would stretcli out his feathers, or
rather llatten iliem along his body, so tliat be looked like a
dead biaricli of a tree. Soinetinu's he would tlutf himself
tuit full, and \\u- cails he made were somewhat similar to
!he noise of a motor bicycl<'. Occasionally we put a hand mir-
ror down and h-t him stand on it. ami he would ])erch and gaze
down at himself for abont iwcntv minutes at a time."

,,r^ W. K. Tliomas &, Co.,

-Printers,
Qrenfell St., Adelaide.

g

JUlli

lu

m

Vol. V.

Part 2.

THE

SOUTH AUSTRALIAN

ORNITHOLOGIST.

A Magazine of Ornithology.

Ist APRIL. 1920.

Jul,

□

E

ciJUUl

EDITORIAL COMMITTEE:
R. CROMPTON. R.A.O.U.
A. G. EDQUIST
S. A. WHITE, C.M.B.O.U.
F. R. ZIETZ, R.A.O.U..

Price, 2/-

Q

b

THE

South Australian

ORNITHOLOGIST.

Edilo>ial Cori))iillec :

R. Ckompton, R.A.O.U
A. G. Edquist
S. A. White, C.M.HO.U
F. R. ZiRTz, R.A.O.U. ■

Secretary :
V. M. Angei., R.A.O.U.,

c/o W. D. & H. O. Wills, Ltd
Grenfell Street, Adelaide.

CONTENTS.

Pack
The Soutli Australian Ornithological Association ... 35

Order Passerifornies, Family Ploceidae, Gemis Aeginth.a . . 39

The Birds of Piivers Murray and Darl ng and the District of
Wentworth. By A. Chenery, ]\I R.C.S., L.K.C.P, and
A. M. Morgan, M.P.. B.Ch - 41

Some Weights and Temperatures of Birds. P>y A. M. Morgan,

M.B., B.C!i IS

Eudromais australis (Australian Dottrel). By J. Neil Motiilp,
R.A.O.U

Correspondence; Ornithological Nomenclature. A. J. Camphell

The Editorial Committee accepts no responsibility for the
views or deductions expressed by any of its contributors
The Journal welcomes a free interchange of ideas with the
object of extending the knowledge of our avifauna, but the
author of each article is resi)ousible for the opinions and
deductions I'ccorded.

THE

South Australian Ornithologist,

Vol. v.] 1st APRIL, 1920. [Part 2.

The South Australian Ornithological
Association.

DECEMBER I9th, 1919.

The monthly meeting was held in the Royal Society's
Rooms on 19th December, 1919, Capt. S. A. White in the chair.

The Chairman reported that he and Mr. E. Ashby had con-
ferred with the Secretary for the Minister of Industry, the
Chief Inspector of Fisheries, and the Director of the Museum,
re the issue of permits, and it was suggested that all persons so
privileged should furnish a report each year, setting forth the
number of specimens of each species collected for twelve months,
and also that no exchange of specimens had been made outside
the State without the written permission of the Minister. The
members i)resent thought the suggestions very good, and the
best means of maintaining some supervision over those persons
entrusted with permits.

It was reported that one or two oflBcials of the R.A.O.U.
had assisted Mr. Hatch in his endeavour to obtain the necessary
permission to kill penguins on Macquarie Island. It was
hoped that the rumour would be found to be without founda-
tion, as any such action would earn the unqualified condemna-
tion of this association.

A valuable addition to the Society's Library has come to
hand, namely. Dr. Ridgway's Book of Color Standards, which
will be a great help.

Dr. Morgan reported that on the last Saturday in Septem-
ber he had found the body of an Orange-fronted Chat near the
Reed beds.

36 The South Australian Ornithological Association.

Mr. J. W. Mellor stated that the Willy Wagtails that had
previously reared a brood of young in his garden had again
hatched out young.

• Capt. White reported that a pair of Blue Wrens had con-
structed a nest in a cock of hay, the nest being almost cup-
shaped, and lined with feathers.

Dr. Morgan exhibited a small collection of skins collected
early in October. In company with Dr. Chenery, a trip was
t^aken in the country near the junction of the River Darling
and River Murray, and the doctor gave an interesting narrative
of the birds met with. He reported having seen a flock of
hundreds of Emus, and a very large mob of Kangaroos, which
made a very impressive sight. Dr. Morgan considers that quite
a thousand Emus were seen during the trip, but very few were
nesting. It was noticed that a little way up the Darling River,
the Noisy Minah {]\[i/z<nitha nuJanovcphahi i ceased to occur, its
place being taken by the yellow si>ecies {M. flaviguln). This
tends to prove the assumption exi)ressed at previous meetings
that the reason that M. ffarigula did not occur along the banks
of tlie Murray was not because the country was not suitable, but
■because the black-headed variety was too vicious and drove the
yellow species back from the river.

An account by the Chairman, of the camp-out of the
R.A.O.TT in the Bunya Mountains, occupied the rest of the
evening, and Capt. White promised to exhibit the skins collected
and complete his narrative at the next meeting.

JANUARY 30th, 1920.

Capt. S. A. White presided.

The Secretary (Mr. F. M. Angel) read a letter from Mr. A.
J. Campbell, of Melbourne, offering a photographic block of
a Magpie for the front page of "The South Australian Ornitho-
logist." The offer was most heartily accepted, and the Secretary
was asked to convey the grateful thanks of the Association to
Mr. Campbell for his thoughtful gift.

Mr. A. S. LeSouef, of the Zoological Gardens, Sydney, wiis
nominated for membership.

The South Australian Ornithological Associatiou. 37

Mr. J. W. Mellor reported Shell Parrots {Melopsittariis
iiii<}iiJatiis\ bi-eediiiji, at l.ocUleys; whilst the AVliiU' I>rowed
{Canij)hrllonii.s siipcrellio.sus) aud masked Wood-swallows
(Artnnius p('rso)i(iti(s) had finished breeding, and very few now
remained. Although quite out of the season, several bii-ds
were breeding. Sjiarrows having young in the nests, and the
Noisy ^linah { Myzantha melanocephdhn was seen pickinu up
rootlets to line its nest Avith.

Dr. Morgan mentioned that Blue Wrens were breeding late
this season, he having recently observed a nest in the hills.

M\: E. Ashhy stated that the Ked-backed Parrots
{ PsipJiot IIS h(i('iii(it<)iK>tuH\ were returning to the hills daily.

Mr. A. Leudon noted the elegant Grass Parrot (Xeophcma
elegans ) at Victor Harbour, and stated that the English Green
Finch had reached the same district.

Mr. S. Sanders reported Australian Swifts (Micropus pn'ci
ficus I on several occasions at Sturt, at times flying very low —
a few feet from the ground.

Mr. F. R. Zietz recorded a Reed Warbler (Conopoderas
f/«/.s-^;7///.s- ). Red-ca])})ed Robin { Pctroicd f/oodenorli \ , and the
White-shafted Fantail (Rhipklurn albiscapa) , at Kingswood —
most unusual visitors. The same member stated that the
English Goldfinches were doing damage to the almond
crop, and sh(»wed some of the kernels that had been attacked.

Mr. .1. Sutton noted the Black-chinned Honeyeater {MeU-
threptns gularifo. Spiuebill [Acanthorhi/nchufi tennirostris),
at Mitcham.

The Chairman reported that he had accompanied the Hon.
the Minister of Industry on a tour of inspection of the C/Oorong,
and as a result, the Minister had decided to close the whole of
the Coorong against shooting for the season. This announce
ment was received with great satisfaction by the members.

Gapt. White also gave a report of a visit to Kangaroo
Island, in the company of Mr. G. Laffer, M.P. The whole
length of the Island was traversed, and much valuable informa
tion was obtained in connection with the Flinder's Chase
Reserve.

The Chairman gave a most interesting account of the birds
met with during the recent R.A.O.U. camp-out in the Bunya
Mountains, Queensland. With the aid of the specimens

•^S The Scuth Australian Urnithological Association,

collefted, the wonderful bird life of that little known region was
vividly portrayed. The glorious sight presented by the Rifle
bird, Satin bower-bird. Regent birds, and the King and Crimson
Parrots in their natural haunts, was referred to, and their
habits graphically described. Many of the smaller birds also
came under notice.

Cai)t. White \Aas heartily thanked for the interesting and
instructive discourse.

FEBRUARY 28th, 1920.
(\'ipt. S. A. White presided.

The Secretary reported that Mr. J. Sutton had suffered a
double bereavement by the death of a brother and sister, and it
was resolved that a letter of sympathy be sent to Mr. Sutton.

Mr. A. S. LeSouef, of Sydney, was duly elected a member,
and Professor -1. Burton ('leland was nominated for member-
ship.

Mr. J. D. Connor reported that Shrike Tits were eating the
Atj almonds in the gardens on the banks of the Torrens. Mr.
Mellor stated that for many years they have been known to do
this, but as the birds are scarce, the amount of damage done
is very small.

Mr. J. W. Mellor reported the Boobook Owl calling at Lock-
leys, and mentioned that the English Starlings had suddenly
left the gardens in his district. This was unaccountable, and
most unusual at this time of the year, when the figs are ripen-
ing.

Other members reported the Starlings about as usual in
other suburbs. Mr. Ifould noticed these birds settling on some
sheep, but the reason for their so doing was not apparent.

Mr. W. Weidenbach noted the White shouldered Caterpil-
lar-eater at Glen Osmond.

Mr. F. R. Zietz stated thai Minahs were very ti-oublesome
with the figs at Kingswood.

Mr. A. Leudon noticed a sj)arrow hawk {Accipiter) flying
over the Adelaide Oval.

Order Paseerifornies, Family Ploceidae, Genus Aegintha. 39

The Chairman reported upon a visit of inspection to the
Flinders' Chase Reserve, on Kangaroo Island, by the Board of
Governors and two Ministers of the Crown. The latter were
much impressed with the possibilities of the Chase as a fauna
and flora reserve, and as a tourist resort.

Two interesting finds were reported by Mr. Edwin Ashby.
Accompanied by Mr. F. E. Parsons, a trip was made to Mt.
Compass, where these -members were successful in securing
specimens of the King Quail (E.rcalfactoria chbienfiis austraUs)
and the Emu Wren (Stipiturus malachnrus). The former is a
rare bird in South Australia, and this record is the first time
that any of our members have seen it in this State. Mr. Ashby
stated that unlike other members of the family, the King Quail
does not make a whirring sound when taking to the wing. The
Emu Wren was found not uncommonly, which is interesting
as this bird has not been recorded from that district for thirty
years.

The subject for the evening's discussion was "Emu Wrens,"
and a fair range of material from the S.A. Museum and the
collections of Messrs. Ashby, Parsons, and Capt. White was
tabled and compared. It was noted that the darkest forms
occurred in Tasmania, and the Kangaroo Island bird recently
discovered by Mr F. E. Parsons showed the lightest coloration.
The Mt. Compass bird showed an intermediate stage between
the Victorian and Kangaroo Island forms. One specimen of
Sitipiturus malachuriis ruficcps from mid-West Australia was
represented, and was considered by members as quite distinct
from the Tasmanian, Victorian, and South Australian birds,
and worthy of more than sub-specific rank.

Order Passeriformes, Family Ploceidae,
Genus Aegintha.

Aegintha temporalis ^Red-browed Finch)— Mr. G. M.
Mathews has divided this bird up as follows, the type — South
Queensland and New South Wales: —

.1 trill poralifi tirf/rJIasfd (Victorian Red-bi'owed Finch) —
Victoria.

A. temporalifi minor (Little Red-browed Finch) — North
Queensland,

40 Order Passerifonnes, Family Ploceidae, (lenus Aegintha.

A. tonporalU loftyi (Mountain Red browed Finch) —
South Australia.

I )escription— All U])i»er Surface — yellowish olive brown;
head, dark slaty grey; under surface, grey, darker on flankS;
almost white on throat; centre tail feathers, grey tipped with
black, next two feathers almost black, remainder grey;
primeries, dark brown, edged with grey; bill, deep red with
ridge down centre of both mandibles, black; feet, yellowish
ilesli colour; iris red.

Distribution — Fairly wide, comprising the greater part
of Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, and South Aus-
tralia,

Habitat — Found in almost any situation, mountains,
plains, near the coast, inland for a considerable distance; open
and bush country alike.

Habits — Like other members of the family, this bird is
gregarious, moving about in parties of a dozen to a hundred or
more; in the open country they obtain much of their food upon
the ground, hopping ovei* the low seed-bearing, creeping i)lants
in a very quiet and confiding manner. In the bush country
they feed u})()n tall grass seeding heads and small berries of
shrubs; they ])air off at nesting time.

Flight — Fairly strong for so small a bird, and they shift
consic'erably, accoi-ding to food supply. When moving to

another distrift, they will rise to a great height, with strong
and straight flight.

Note — Rather weak, but i>leasing, short, plaintive call.

Nest — The nest is a large pear-shaped structure, with the
hole of entrance at the narrow end, leading by a narrow tunnel
about three inches long to the nest proper, which is globular.
It is very strongly built of fresh grasses, and lined with soft
grass tops, and a few feathers, or a little rablnt's fur. It is
usually placed within reach of (he hand, but occasionally as
high as 14 or 15 feet from the j>round. Favourite nesting sites
are the M<}<tJ<'n<-<i bushes, borderinj^ the streams in the hills,
and growing in damp j^uJIies. but nests are also to be found in
Biin-!(irl<i and Kangaroo thoi-n bushes; usually several nests are
found close together. Building begins at the end of October,
and continues until January, two bi'oods bein,; often reared.
The eggs are from five to eight in number, and pure white in
colour,

CHENERY S' MORGAN— Birds of Rivers Mnfraij cV Darling 41

Average measurement of 13 eggs — 1.70 cm. x 1.20 cm.
Largest egg — 1.80 cm. x 1.20 cm. Smallest egg— 1.<!0 cm. x
1.20 cm.

The Birds of Rivers Murray and Darling and
district of Wentvvorth.

(By A. Cheuerv, M.K.C.S., L.R.C.P., and A. M. Morgan.
M.B., P».Ch. ) .

PART I.

One of us (A. C. ) has been resident in Wentworth for some
years, while the other (A. M. M.) has made two trips on the
Murray, and we have together examined the country between
the S.A. border and the River Darling, from Belmore (about 40
miles north of the Murray) to Kudgee Lake and Cuthero
Station, 100 miles by road up the Darling, as well as the country
near the S.A. border on the Victorian side, for about 20 miles
south of the River Murray. One of us has also, in company
with Capt. S. A. White, examined the river bank and adjacent
scrub from Rufus Creek to Renmark. Roughly speaking,
four classes of country are met with — 1. The river country,
with its billabongs, swamps and lagoons, fringed with giant
gums ; 2. The box flats, bordering the outer edges of the gum
country; 3. The sandhill country, timbered with mallee. sandal
wood, black oak, many other shrubs and bushes, and occa-
sional patches of pines ; 4. Saltbush flats, lying between the
sandhills.

Each class of country has its own avifauna, overlapping to
a certain extent, but still fairly constant. The outlying lakes
such as Yartla (fed from the Darling) and Kudgee (fed by
Pine Creek from the Broken Hill district) resemble the river
country in their vegetation and fauna.

Birds observed : —

Dromiceius novarhollandiar (Y.mu). Still })]entiful
away from the beaten trades, and breed freely in good seasons.
Laying begins in May, and hatched clutches up to" nine in num
ber have been seen. Foxes are very destiuctive to the young,
but are unable to break the eggs; however, they roll them awav
from the nests, where they may be found with teeth marks on

42 CHENERY ^ MORGAN— Birds of Rivers Murray S' Darling.

them. Tn dry seasons, such as the present, they are seen
along the river frontage. A favourite food is the native peach
or quong dong.

Leipoa ocellata (Mallee Hen) — Found in the Victorian
mallee, south of Mildura in parts not yet subdivided ; there are
still a few birds on the N.S.W. side of the river, especially
towards Euston. The only mounds seen were on Kulkyne
Station, in the back country. These birds are rapidly decreas-
ing in numbers, due to clearing of their natural cover, and their
destruction by foxes. It is said that the loose sand falls in too
quickly for a fox to dig out the eggs, but we do not vouch for
this. They can apparently exist without water.

Coturnix pectoralifi (Stubble Quail) — Plentiful in 1917,
when they bred. Odd birds may be flushed in any year of
average rainfall : none seen in 1919.

Austrotiirnijc relox (Button Quail) — Plentiful in the
spring of 1017 in the Lake Victoria District. At other times
they are occasionally seen in ithe mallee country. We have
not found them breeding.

GeopeJia placida trnnquilla (Peaceful Dove) — Very com-
mon and very tame. They are found only on the river banks
and box flats, and do not go into the back country. Nests are
to be found from April to November.

Sticfopclid ci(ii('at(( (Little Dovei — Locally known as tlie
"Darling Dove." They are found only near the river banks,
but not so commonly as the preceding species. They nest in
the fruit trees of the irrigation areas.

Phaps chnlcoptern (Bronze- winged Pigeon) — Fairly com
mon, usually occurring as single birds or in pairs. They favour
the pine belts, but are also to be found near the river.

Ocyphups lophotes (Crested Bronze- Aving) — Found in num-
bers in h^'th river and back country, but prefers river flats and
tobacco bush country. In the late summer and autumn they
collect in flocks of 20 or more. They nest freely in the district;
on one ( Lcasion a bird was seen sitting on an old Grallina's
nest.

Hjjpotaenidia phUippensh oust rails (Landrail) — Quite
plentiful in the Wentworth district in 1917 (a flood year). They
bred freely in the lucerne patches of the irrigation area. The
largest clutch seen consisted of eight eggs.

CHbiNERY ^- MORGAN— Dinh of Rivers Murraij S^- l>arUv<j. 43

Microtribonyx ventralis (Black-tailed Native Hen) — Very
plentiful in the seasons of 1917, 1918, and 1919, along the rivers
and around tanks. Flocks of thousands were to be seen, and
they proved very destructive to all green feed and crops of
lucerne; a few odd pairs bred, because young ones were seen,
but no nests with eggs were taken.

Gallinulu tcncbrosa (Dusky Moor Hen) — Occasional birds
are to be seen along the rivers at all times. But in 1917 they
were in numbers in the Lake Victoria district, and bred freely
in the "polygonum" swamps. The largest clutch found was
seven eggs.

Porphyrio melanotus (Bald Coot) — Usually a rare bird,
but in 1917 they were in numbers on the swamps about Lake
V^ictoria. They bred in that year.

Fulica ofra taxmnnica (Coot) — Always a few birds about,
but very plentiful in 1917. They bred freely in the Lake Vic
toria and Rufus Creek swamps in that year. Clutches varied
from five to nine eggs.

r()(U((/)s ci-isfdtiis cJnisI ill ni ( Tip])et (irebei — riicoiiiiiion..
They have been seen on the Anabranch, at Lake Victoria and
at Knlkyne Lakes; not found breeding.

Tachybaptus ruficoUi^ (Black-throated Grebe) — Found on
the river swamps, and also in the tanks far from the river.

PolioccphalKs polioccphalus (Hoary-headed (h-ebe or Dab-
chick) — Found in the same situations as the last.

H !/ffrf)cJir1ifI()ii Iciicopurcia Marsh Tern I — Occurred in
flocks on the Darling Swamps in 1917; they were not known
to breed.

Gelochelidon nilotica macrotarsa (Gull-billed Tern) — In
1917 they were very plentiful in the flooded country near Went-
worth. Many nests were found on a snifill flooded area, about
10 miles rroni the lown. The usual clutih was \\\o eggs, but
there were a few clutches of t^ree. The eggs were laid on the
bare gi^ound, with a little drift debris around them. They
bred in November. Last year odd birds were seen on sandspits of
the Murray, and a single biid was seen at Belmore. on a tank
about 30 miles from the river.

Bruchifjnvia novaehoUandiae (vSilver Gull) — Generally odd
birds are to be seen along the river, and on the swamps and
lakes. Not breeding.

44 GH'':hFjUY ^' MORGAN— Birdie <.f Rivera \htrra>j ^- Burling.

ErythrogonijH cinctus (Red-kneed Dottrel) — Most of the
inland tanks and swamps have a pair or more attached to them.
In 1917 they bred freely, in the flooded area near Wentworth.
Clutches of three and four eggs were found. It appears that
some attempt at a nest is made by this species, but not such a
definite nest as is made by the Black-fronted Dottrel in this
district.

Lobibyx novaehollandiae (Spur-winged Plover) — Fairly
common along the rivers. The foxes take a heavy toll of the
young and eggs.

Zoiiifcr tricolor (Black-breasted Plover) — Fairly (common
when season is good; they are not confined to the river coun-
try, but may be found far inland. Two nestg were found, each
containing four eggs, in August, 1919.

LevcopoUus ruficapillus (Red-capped Dottrel) — Fairly
common. Found both on river banks and on inland tanks.
Found breeding in 1917. One nest was found 200 yards from
water, out in the salt bush.

Elseya melanops (Black-fronted Dottrel) — Quite plentiful;
by far the commonest dottrel all over the district. Breeds
regularly.

Himantopus leucocephalus (White-headed Stilt) — Very
plentiful in 1917, and breeding freely in the flooded areas —
known locally as the "Dog Bird," from its barking cry.

Reciirrirostra iiordchollandiae (Red-necked Avocet) — -A
common bird, both on river swamps and inland waters.
Apparentlv onlv breeds in flood years. Many nests were found
in 1917.

Canutus canutus rogersi (Eastern Knot) — Flocks were
seen near Wentworth in 1917.

Rostratula australis (Painted Snipe.) — Occasionally seen
along the Darling in good seasons. A clutch of four eggs was
taken in 1917.

Burhinufi mafpiirostrLs (Stone Plover) — Fairly common
near the rivers. A few pairs still breed near Wentworth. The
foxes will eventually exterminate them on the mainland.

, A ustrotis australis (Australian Bustard) — We mention
this bird only to say that it is now practically extinct in the
district ; neithet- of us have met with it.

CHENERY 4- MORGAN— liirdx of Rivers Murrarj .\- Darling. 45

Mathewftia rubicunda (Australian Crane or Native Com
panion ) — We heard of this bird as having recently been seen
at Lake Yartla and at Lake Kudgee, but did not meet with it^
ourselves. It is now a rare bird in the district.

Threskiornis niolucca strictipennis (White Ibis i— A few
birds are seen every year, and they were fairly plentiful in 1917

Varphihis spinieoWs ( Stiaw-necked Ibis) — Quite a com-
mon bird, and its value recognised by the land owners. "We
heard that they bred in 1916, in the polygonum swamps in the
Rufus Creek district, but did not meet with it breeding our-
selves.

Spnthcrodid irfjia ( IJlack-billed Spoonbill i.

Platihi.s fiavipes (Yellow-billed Spoonbill) — Roth fairly
common, but the yellow-billed species the more plentiful. These
birds have a peculiar side to side movement of their bills when
feeding, describing an arc of a circle. They breed in company
with other waders in the high gum-trees of the river fi-on-
tage.

Rciofliti.s (ill)(i sf/niiatopJionifi (White Egret) — A regular
inhabitant of the district. Quite numerous in 1917; over

twenty birds could be counted at one time on the edge of the
flooded country, as the water gradually flowed further and
further over, probably after the insects driven out by the
advancing water. There is a nesting place on the Murray,
where the birds breed with Pacific, white-fronted, and night
herons and spoonbills.

Xotophoj/x )iovnehollandiae ( White-frouh IHeron)— Very
common. They breed in the gum-trees bordering the rivers,
and in trees in flooded country, during flood years. They do
not breed in companies as a rule.

Myola pacifica (White-necked Heron) — A common bird;
seen more often on shallow lagoons and watercourses than on
the rivers. It is a solitary bird; it breeds in the district,
generally very high up in the river gums.

Xi/rticorax caledonicuff aufitralasiae (Nankeen Night
Heron) — Plentiful in good seasons, and breed in several locali-
ties in the high gums along the Murray. They are fond of
sitting out in the river just at dusk, but were never .seen to
catch anything.

Chrtiopi.s II fni fa (Ti]iick Swam — (^'oniinon on all the in-
land lakes and large swami)s. They breed only in good seasons.

46 GHENERY .V MORGAN— Birds of Rivers Murrxij ^- Darling.

Chenonetta jubata (Wood-Duck or Maned Goose) — Fairly
plentiful in the district. Prefers inland waters to the main
rivers. In 1918 an extraordinary clutch of twenty-four duck-
lings was counted by three observers at Netherby, on the River
Darling.

Casarca tadornoides {Mountain Duck) — A rather rare
bird in the district; a few pairs were seen at Lake Victoria, in
1917.

Anas si(per('ilio.'<(i ( Black Duck i — \ev\ conimoii. Breeds
freely in the big gums in good seasons. No broods were seen
in 1919.

Virago gibherifrons (Grey Teal) — Very common. Found
in the same localities, has the same habits as the last bird.

Spatula rlujuchoUs (Shoveller) — Fairly plentiful on the
inland waters, but rarely comes on to the river.

Malacorhynchus niembranaceus (Pink-eared Duck) — Fairly
common in good seasons. Breeds in the district.

Stictonetta ?iaevosa (Freckled Duck) — A single bird was
shot in the autumn of 1919.

Nyroca aiistralis ( White-eyed Duck) — Very numeroas at
certain times. They were on the Darling and Murray in
thousands last summer, about December and January.

Biziura lobata (Musk Duck) — Not common. Pairs ai-e
seen occasionally on the swamps and permanent billabongs.
They breed in the polygonum swamps.

Phalorrororax carbo uorachoUandiar ( lUack Cormorant)
— Common in the district. They nest in the flooded lake
country in good seasons. Many nests are built on the same
tree, in company with Darters. They are fond of the carp in
the Murray.

Mesocarbo afer (Little Black Cormorant) — Fairly com
mon in the district. Mostly on the Murray.

Hypoleticus varius hypoleuciis (Orange-faced Cormorani)
— Fairly common along the Murray and Darling.

Microcarbo melanoleucus (Little Pied Cormorant) — Plen-
tiful in the district, and is to be seen all the year round, as
are the other species.

Anhinga novaehollandiae (Darter) — This bird is met with
occasionally along the Murray and anabranch of the Darling.
It seems to prefer inland waters where there is not too much

CHENEBY ^' MORGAN— Birds of Rivers Murray ^ Darling. 47

current. Fair numbers of nests were met with at Kulkyne,
on a flooded lake, and in a similar situation at Mooiua. They
seem to be the earliest layers, breeding in October and Novem-
ber. Many of the birds are black and white, but the mature
birds are ail black.

('atoptroprlivunu.s conspicillatus (Pelican) — Common on
the inland lakes and large sheets of water, and less commonly
seen in the rivers themselves. It does not breed in the district.

Circus approximans gouldi (Swamp Hawk) — Uncommon.
A few birds were seen hawking over wheat crops in the Ren-
mark district.

Jlroaetus auda.r (Wedge-tailed Eagle) — . Plentiful,
especially away from the river frontage. They are early
breeders, and become very tame where they are not molested.
Opinions are divided here, as elsewhere, as to the damage done
to lambs by this bird.

HaUastur sphenurus (Whistling Eagle) — The commonest
bird of prey in the district. They may be seen in numbers
along the Darling and Murray Rivers, and also around all the
inland Lakes, and the "box'' timber of the anabranch. They
breed in the high river gums.

Falco longlpennis (Little Falcon) — Not a common bird,
but odd pairs are to be seen occasionally. Tn October, 1919,
a nest was seen with the bird sitting, in an unclimbable gum-
tree, on the Darling, near Cuthero Station.

Falco hypoleuGus (Grey Falcon)— A single pair seen on
the Murray, ne^r Chowilla Station, in 1917.

Irniciflcfi brrigorn — Not plentiful. They keep mostly
to the mallee country, and seldom come near the rivere; a num-
ber of pairs were seen on our trip of October. 1919, and although
they varied somewhat in colour, no really light-coloured birds
were seen, and most of them were quite dark.

Crrchnrh cciichroiflcft (Kestrel) — Always to be seen but
more common in the back country. They nest in the hollow
mallee. using the same hollow, year after year.

Spilofjlnuj' boobook (Boobook Owl) — Fairly common on
the Murray and anabranch frontages. They have not been
met with in the back country.

Tyto alba delicatula (Delicate Owl) — A pair was seen with
fledged young ones at Avoca Station.

(To be continued).

48

MORGAN — Some Weighie and Temperatures of Birds.

Veighr.

11.8

Weight
of Brain.

0.5

Per cent.

of Brain

to Bod.r

Weigflit.

4.20

Tempera-
tures.

109 deg.

Sex.

s

12.0

0.55

4.58

108.8 deg.

$

32.0

l.O

3.12

108 deg.

i

28.0

1.0

3.57

109.6 deg.

9

Some Weights and Temperatures of Birds.

—By A. M. MORGAN, M.B., B.Oh.—

The following weights and temperatures were taken during
a trip (in company with Dr. Chenery ) into the south-west
corner of New South Wales, between the River Darling and
the S.A. border, during October, 1919 :—

tiivnf nf Birtf.

Pardalotus striatum
Pardalotus fttriatus
Neoclinia picutnna
Neoclima fHcmitn a
CUmacteris erythrops

fiuperciliosa
Licheno8toinns orn-

atus
A (XI nthiza u ropi/f/in I is
Bulestes torquafus
M alums melanottift
Psephotus rarius
Myzontha flavigula
Ptilotula penicilhifn
Laloge tricolor
Norfhielhi Jiuona togiis-

ter xanthorrhoa
Pomatostomuft rup-

ceps

Corvus coronoidea

20.5

0.6

.09 109.4 deg.

18.5

0.7

8.78

112 deg.

i

6.8

0.2

2.94

108 deg.

6

89.0

2.5

2.82

109.4 deg.

$

8.5

0.2

2.34

108.6 deg.

$

58.0

1.9

3.25

108.8 deg.

$

54.0

1.7

3.14

107.8 deg.

9

17.5

0.7

4.00

106.8 deg.

$

27.0

0.5

1.85

108 deg.

9

78.0

2.4

3.07

103.4 deg.

9

57

2.1

3.68

109.2 deg.

$

460.1

8.1

1.76

110.4 deg.

$

Juv.

AH temperatures were taken
a Hicks 30 second thermometer in
Id grammes.

immediately after death with
the cloaca. All weights are

McGlLF — Eudromais auftralis (Anvtralian hvltrd). 49

Eudromais australis (Australian Dottrel).

(By .1. Neil McGilp. R.A.O.U.).

Having resided for many years in the inland of South Aus-
tralia, I have had a great opportunity of observing the Ausira
liun Dottrel in its homeland; for this bird loves to roam on the
dry, open plains in our Far Northern country.

During dry times, which, unfortunately, occur all too
frequently in the interior of our island-continent, the Dottrel
is found scattered about in small flocks of four or five in
number, but after a break-up of a drought this species con-
gregates in large numbers, frequently by the hundreds, for a
few weeks. The breeding season follows closely upon a good
rainfall, when these birds are usually noted in pairs. They
often nest very closely to each other, on favoured patches of
country.

Tbis species has the usual dottrel-like habit of running a
few paces, then standing with its body motionless, but with an
occasional upward jerk of the head; after standing for a few
.seconds, the bird will again run on a few yards, and repeat the-
neck-jerking motion. I have never observed this species run
more than a few yards without this peculiar action. The

Australian Dottrel does not fly readily, preferring rather to
run out of one's way and stand with its back towards the dis-
turber, in which position it is very hard to observe, on account
of its protective coloring. I have on many occasions noted a
single bird and, thinking she might be breeding, got out of the
motor or trap to hunt for a likely nest, only to And that when
disturbed, dozens of these birds started to run from within a
hundred yards or so of where my conveyance stood.

This splendid little bird does great work for mankind, being
a great enemy to grubs and grasshoppers, and devours an
immense quantity of these pests as it feeds by night as well as
by day. T know this foi- a fact, for I have, with the assistance
of the motor headlights, watched them at work on a thick patch
of grasshoppers. At the first showing of the lights, the birds
remained perfectly still, but after a few minutes began to feed
about. At the slightest noise, all would stand bolt upright,
till everything seemed safe again.

The Australian Dottrel will often squat down f)n the
ground, and remain in this position for a considerable time, and
one often passes them close by without their moving. Evidently

50 McGILP — Eudromait auitraUs (Australian Dottrel).

they rely for safety on their remarkable protective coloration,
which so closely resembles the surroundings, that unless the
bird has its breast towards one. which is very seldom, they are
hard to discern.

They rarely seek shelter from the sun's fierce glare, seem
ing to enjoy the terrific heat of the "interior" summer. One
does, now and again, see them standing or squatting in the
shade of a fencing post, but it is seldom that one is disturbed
from the shelter of a bush or tree. I have not observed the
Dottrel in any timbered country ; the open, sandy plains and
stoney-topped tablelands, devoid of timber, is its true habitat.
It runs with great speed, and flies very swiftly ; I have on
numerous occasions found dead birds along the sheep fences,
having been killed by striking the wires when in swift flight.

The Australian Dottrel is one of the earliest birds to
commence breeding after the rain breaks up a drought, and in
a good season usually brings out a second brood. It rarely
lays at all in a bad season, even should it remain droughty for
an extended period. I have observed this species breeding in
every month of the year except December and January. These
two months are usually very dry. and I have not the slightest
doubt but they would breed then if the season was favourable,
for, like most of the inland species, their breeding season is
solely regulated by the season.

When breeding operations start, the birds scratch out a
small depression in the ground, or resort to a deep horse or
cattle track (made when the ground is soft, after rain). The
earth that is scraped out is formed into a small ring round the
depression, and a few small stones or short, dry twigs are
usually placed on this ring. I have found the depression in
this condition four days before any eggs were laid. The eggs
are laid on consecutive days, and usually in the early morning,
The clut<*h. almost without exception, is three eggs. I have
only found one clutch of two eggs out of dozens that I have
noted. One one occasion, when driving horses in from our
home horse paddock, one of the horses smashed a perfectly fresh
egg out of the three that were in the nest. Ten days later, I
noticed there were three eggs in the nest, so took the clutch ; one
egg was only slightly incubated, whereas the others were in an
advanced state of incubation.

I once found that the Australian Dottrel had made a very
artistic nest, using the curledup pieces of silt from a clay-pan.

McGlLF — EiulromaiH nicstraliK {Australian Dottrel). 51

and short pieces of grass and half-green herbage to form the
ring round the nest; there were three eggs in the depression.

When the sitting Dottrel is suddenly flushed from the
nest, the eggs are found bare in the depression, with the ring of
pebbles, debris or earth, clear of the eggs. If one stands
back a'short distance, the bird will return bj short runs, and
gradually draw closer to the nest. VYhen the nest is
reached, she stands with her back to one, and with head
turned over shoulder, to watch. To all appearances she is

standing motionless, but, nevertheless, after a while, succeeds
in completely covering the eggs with the contents of the "ring"
round the depression, and sneaks quietly away, and stands
still for a very long time, until she is satisfied the danger is
past, when she again sneaks up to the nest, and this time one
can plainly see her scratch out the covering matter from the
nest, and form the ring again.

If one slowly approaches a dottrel on the nest, so that the
bird sees the danger at some 'distance away, she will usually
attempt to cover the eggs before leaving. When the eggs are
covered it is a very difficult thing to find them, unless one cares
to spend much time and patience in waiting for the bird to
return. The eggs, when freshly laid, are of a greenish color,
but this changes to yellowish-brown after a few days. They
vary a good deal in shape, some being tapered abruptly towards
the small end, others are more oval in form*. The clutch is
usually very uniform ; and the average size of many eggs I have
measured is barely 1^ inches by a little over 1 inch. The eggs
are alwiiys placed point in towards centre of the depression or
nest.

The young leave the nest shortly after they are hatched,
and can even then run very smartly. If a brood a few days
old is disturbed, the parent will give a call, and the young will
squat down on the ground with head outstretched, and in the
herbage if possible. They are very hard to locate when they
are in this position, as their mottled appearance makes them
look like liltle clods of earth. The mother, in the meantime,
pretends injury, and flutters about trying to draw one's atten-
tion to herself. After a little while she gives a different call,
evidently assured the danger was past. If one watches care-
fully, each little chick will stand perfectly still for a second,
jerk the head, and run a few paces, just as the parent birds do.
Again at the danger call from the mother bird, the young will
disappear altogether for some time, but at a ''clear" call, the

52 CAilPJiELL — Ornithological Nurnenclature.

youngsters jump up, and proceed as before mentioned. 1

noted that the mother did not let the young go far without a
"danger" signal. The chicks do not run together, but each
seems to take its own course somewhere towards the mother.
After a considerable time the whole family is removed from
danger. I would like to mention that T have never r^anaged
to follow tlie three young after the second danger signal, being
fully occupied in watching one little chick, and in the majority
of cases, I have failed to follow the movements of any of them
at all, after the third ''danger signal."

I regret very much to state that these grand creatures are
having a bad time through the destructive agency of the fox,
which accounts for a great many of the eggs and the young, and
although the Dottrel is fairly numerous, the time will surely
come when the end of this hard worker for mankind will arrive.

When over on Ivangaroo Island recently, I saw some of the
"Flinders' Chase" country, but I doubt if these splendid
dottrels could exist over there, it being ditfereut from the dry,
arid plains of their homeland.

The Australian Dottrel, together with the Black-breasted
Plover, Straw-necked Ibis, and Bennett's Grow (not the Raven)
are, I venture to state, of gi-eat value on account of their fine
destruction of grubs and grasshoppers. There are other species-
that are individually as valuable in this respect, but they do
not come along in the splendid flocks at the right moment, as
those I have mentioned.

Ornithological Nomenclature.

To the Editors, K. .4. Ornitholofji.st.

vSirs — As Mr. (Tregory M. Mathews somewhat conspic-
uously does me the honour of referring to me, by direct infe-
rence in his article under the above heading, in your issue for
January (p. 17), without desiring to enter into a lengthy con
troversy on the subject, I shall be glad, with youi- permission,
to make a few brief remarks.

Mr. Mathews is to be commended foi- his well-written and
lucid dissertation and his honest endeavour to enlighten us, and
now is the time most opportune to ventilate the subject. To

(' AMI' BELL — OrnithdLogicul Nomeii(iature. 53

begin, he says "The specialist must always surpass in his local
study, the best endeavoui- of the general student." Precisely.
Mr. Mathews would settle Oi'uithological Nonu-nrlature
(Special) by the rules of the Zoological Code (('i^ieral).
Ornithology is the most popular of the Natural Sciences.
Think of the tens of thousands of young members of llieAudu-
bon Societies of America and the (xould Leagu;-s of Australia.
These are very important and should be carefully cateicnl for.
Does not The 'ihis (1919, p. 771) hint that there is an "Ornitho-
logical Code," apart from the International one?

"The Law of Priority." Mr. Mathews proceeds to say. ''is
biised on custom and <m the custom of 1 (»() years,'' to which he
might truly add — .1//*^/ tee have not yet reached finaUti/. That
there has been no practical finality to the law of priority, is to
attack the foundation of the International code. And, if thai
code had worked well universally, why has it been found
necessary to appoint the l>ii/stema Avium Committee to re-
classify the birds of the world? The only real road to finality
is to have .4// AHfhorifatire Arny/c* (not necessarily bed-rock
priority I declared by some competent commission, such as that
pr<)j)osed to (\v:i\ with the Systeuui Avium, Avhen many well-
known and api)ropriate names will receive consideration.

To further quote Mr. Mathew^s — '*A British Ornithologist en
deavoured to select the best established name without i-ecognis-
ing ])riority and dismally failed." If the late Henry See-
bohm is referred to, that name has a halo of undying fame. He
was by no means a "faddisi," nor showed '•ignorance of history"
of ornithology, nor was "non-scientific." Mr. Mathews in his
own '^Rirds of Australia," vol. ^"II., p. 4(55, states: — Seebohm
was a "famous worker." Why does Mr. Mathews persist in
[)utting the "cart before the horse" — Nomenclature always first :
Ornithology, second? Seebohm "dismally failed," as a nomen-
clator. \i'f was a ''famous worker," as an ornithologist.

Mr. Mathews claims to have rescued from oblivion (accord
ing to the law of j)riority) John Cotton's + long-lost name for a
viiriety of the Spiny-cheeked Honey -eatei- — .{coiithneJidcra rod-
nrJnfurha. What iotn of vnluo would science lose if the name

•FirMt sii^gestfd hv Sir E. Kay I/iinkcsttT, F.R.S., twentv-four voars aRO.— See
I'.Z S 1S96.

tJohn Cotton was the j?randfnther >,: iho rstppmcd Hon. Secretary of the R.A.O.U.
Th<- lace Mr. CVitton m f t vjhwblo nianuscr.'itt', well-illnstra'ted, on Au^'t^dlian birdJ. whicfc
di'tiiments', vnon unfortunately, unaccounta'ntv di.eaTipeared many yean; ago.

54 CAMPBELL— Ornithological Nomenclature.

were never resuscitated? Noue whatever. Why then use
obsolete names that are valueless? Seeing Mr. Mathews gives
an '^ornithological opening" here, I may say that his supposed
sub-species for the Victorian bird as differing from that of New
South Wales is extremely doubtful. From much material, no
tangible difference ("darker colouration above and below, es-
pecially noticeable on the breast" — is too poor) can be dis-
ceined between the birds of New South Wales (type loc), Vic-
toria, and adjacent parts of South Australia. Therefore, the
Mathewian name ci/gnns with Cotton's rodorhiincha will both
fall into the drag-net of Synonymy and Gould's time-honoured
name rufigularis prevail for the South-east Australian bird, at
least.

Mr. Mathews is deservedly solicitous for the rights of the
original author, "irrespective of his greatness or the size of his
work." "But many that are first shall be last," is an eternal
truism Moreover, if one consults the "History" of nomen-
clature he will find that the early American Committee has left
on record "the rules to that end (uniformity of practice) should
be formed with reference to i-inciples and without regard to
personality, and that thereto-;' the matter of justice or injus-
tice is, in this connection, without pertinence."

In a strictly technical sense there is nothing inconsistenc
with the history of the original law of priority and the use say,
of Gouldian names (those, of course, that are ornithologically
correct) for Australian forms, because the original definition
of the law of i>riority did not say. or presume to say. when Aus-
tralian Ornithology should begin — with Gould, or any other
author. It merely, for the sake of convenience (and without
regard for justice or injustice to anyone) stated, the law of
priority was " not to extend to antecedent authors'' to the Lin-
naeus "Tenth Edition." which obviously does not affect Austra-
lian ornithology, the beginnings of which were a century later
than Linnaeus. The suppositious case re the same bird having
been described in The Victoria )i Naturalist, then in the The
Thifi. the latter description to prevail, because of the accom-
panying coloured plate, as being analagous to Gouldian names
for Australian forms, cited by ^Ir. Mathews is evidently
strained and altogether misleading. Neither is it excusable to
say Gould's names should not "be standardised, because his great
folio work is "expensive and scarce." Instead of Gouldian,
some names Mr. Mathews would have us use are absolutely
unique, being wholly obsolete and references unobtainable.

CAMPBELL — Ornithological Nomenclature. 55

Pinallv, in the pui-e technical matter of Gcniifi uplittinij
Ml*. Mathews was a "lumper" in his "Reference List," in A or/
Utte>< Zoologicae (11)12), and turned a somersault and became a
"s])litter'" in his "1913 List." Now, lie states in the conchidinjr
lines of his article, ''irheii the split f/cnrra are rc-a.s.soithlcd
sufr-eftsfiillj/, I do not think there will be much to concern us, in
<u'nitholoj4"ical nomenclature." Let us hope so, and like at the
conclusion of some pleasant novel, the heroes Oj" the plot or the
contending- parties shake hands and everyone is happy, for ever
afterwards. I am. &c.,

A. J. CAMPBELL,

•Rul-ga-roo," Box Hill, Victoria, 21/1/20.

SP

W. K. Thomas A Co., ^
Printers, ^

areofell St., Adelaide.

-^

□

m

D

nid

1

Vol. V.

Part 3.

THE

SOUTH AUSTRALIAN

ORNITHOLOGIST,

A Magazine of Ornithology.

1st JULY. 1920.

n

mn

a

1

EDITORIAL COMMITTEE;
R. CROMPTON. R.A.O.U.
A. G. EDQUIST
S. A, WHITE, C.M.B.O.U.
F. R. ZIETZ, R.A.O.U..

Price, 2/-

a

LM.

it ^_.

THE

South Australian

ORNITHOLOGIST

Editofial Copiviiliec :

F. M. Angel, R.A.O.U.
A. G. Edquist
S. A. White, C.M.BO.r
F. R. ZiKTz, R.A.O.U.

Secretary :

J. Neil McGilp,

"Origma, " Napier Terrace,
King'3 Park, S.A.

CONTRNTS.

Pack
Th»' Soutli Australian Ornithological AH^ociation fi3

Ordt'r PasserifonneH, Family Proceid.'c, Genus Zoria'pnthus ... 68

The Birds of Kivers Murray ami Darliii},' and the District of
Wentworth. l!y A. Chenery, M R.C.S., L.K.C.P, and
A. M. Morjjaii, M.B.. P>.ri, fi9

(iippslau.l Bird Notes. By Edwin Ashhy, F.L.S., M.B.O.U. 77

Tasnianian Notes. do. do. ... 79

Aii.stralia s Mockinj; Bird. do. do. ... 81

Matiliing Culuurs hv Artificial Illumination. By Arthur U.

Kiddle ... ' ... .„ 84

New Pec-ord for S,,uth Australia. By J Nfii Mc(iil{), K. A.O. U. 86

Bird Notes for the Month of May .S6

Adelaide PiOj-ella and Murray Magpie. By J. W. Mellor .., 89

The Editorial Committee accepts no responsibility for the
views or deductions expressed by any of its contributors.
The Journal welcomes a free interchange of ideas with the
object of extending the knowledge of our avifauna, but the
author of each article ia responsible for the opinions and
deductions recorded.

THE

South Australian Ornithologist,

Vol. v.] Ist JULY, 1920. [Pakt 3.

The South Austrahan Ornithological
Association.

MONTHLY PROCEEDINGS.

—March, 26th, 1920.—

The twenty-first Annual Meeting was held in the Royal
Society's Rooms, Friday evening, 26th March, 1920, Capt. S. A.
White in the chair.

Professor J. Burton Cleland was duly elected a member.
The resignations of Mr. Thos. Gill, C.M.G., and Mr. L. Jury,
were received with regret.

Mr. A. Crompton recorded a Bee-eater and a Landrail at
Stonyfell, and the Boobook Owl was heard every night. Dr.
Morgan noted a Little Falcon at the golf links, Seaton, on 21st
March. Whistling Eagles were observed at Lockleys by Mr.
J. W. Mellor, while Minahs and Large Wattle-birds were about
in numbers. The same member reported that he frequently
came across they bodies of Magpies that had been electrocuted
by contact with the electric power wires along the Henley
Beach Road. Mr. A. R. Riddle kindly undertook to bring the
report under the notice of the Electric iSupply Co. ;Mr. W.
Weidenbach drewiattention to the unusual numbers of Magpies
near the city, and stated that he recently counted 43 of these
birds at Glen Osmond in ten minutes. Mr. J. Sutton observed
a Brown Flycatcher at Netherby, and also a White-naped
Honey-eater attacked and killed by a Magpie. Mr. K. Ashby
stated that Parrots were about in thousands during the month
at Blackwood, mostly Blue-mountains and Lorikeets. Spine-
bills and Mistletoe birds were also recorded. Capt. White
reported that Boobooks were about at Fulham, but very quiet,
also a few Delicate Owls.

64p Thu South Au>^traliav. Ornithological Amocration.

The Association is indebted to Mr. A. R. Riddle for bring-
ing under .its notice the Mazda C2 electric lamp, with the use
of which the colours can be distinguished almost as accurately
as by daylight.

Mr. Keith Ashby gave an interesting account of the birds
observed by him during a holiday in the Big Timber country of
Gippsland.

Before, proceeding with the election of officers for the ensu-
ing year, the Chairman gave a resume of the good work accom-
plished during 'the past year, and the valuable finds recorded
by members.

The election of officers resulted as follows —

President — Mr. Edwin Ashby.

Vice-President — Mr. F. E. Parsons,

Secretary — Mr. J. Neil McGilp.

Editorial Committee — Messrs. F. M. Angel, A. G.

Edquist, S. lA. White, F. R. Zietz, and the

Secretary (ex officio).

Regret was expressed that Mr. F. M. Angel, who had been
Acting-Secretary for the past fouriyears, was relinquishing the
Secretarial duties, and a hearty vote of thanks was recorded
for his valuable services.

The Cash Statement, which was adopted, showed a small
surplus of receipts over expenditure during the year, which, in
view of the, greatly increased cost of publication of the journal,
was considered very satisfactory.

—April 30th, 1920.—

Mr. Edwin Ashby presided.

The Acting Secretary (Mr. F. M. Angel) read'ia letter from
the Institute of Science and Industry, inviting condensed
reports of meetings and important papers dealt with from
scientific bodies for publication in the "Science and Industry"
journal. It was resolved to fall in with the suggestion.

Attention was drawn to \h.e fact that Volume IV. of the
"S.A. Ornithologist" (contains four parts only, as against 8
parts in Volumes II. and III. Mr. F. M. Angel stated that
through a mistake on the part of the publishers, Vol. V. was
commenced for the current year, instead of continuing under
Vol. IV., and the Editorial Committee propose to limit the

The South Au^traliati Ornithological Association . 65

present volume to 4 parts also, so that Volumes IV. and V. can
be bound together to bring the size up to previous ones. Sub-
sequent volumes will comprise 8 quarterly parts.

The resignation of Mr. R. Henderson as a member was re-
ceived with regret.

Mr. A. R. Riddle reported that 'he had conferred with the
Manager of the Adelaide Electric Supply Co. regarding the

elt'fti'ocutioii of Mfiii'pies iepoi"ted at the las; iiieeiini:'. i'lie

different I systems employed by the Company for conveyance of
current to the suburbs were lucidly explained by Mr. Riddle,
when it was seen that the danger to bird' life was almost con-
fined to the Henley Beach system. No alteration to this line
was contemplated by the Company at present, but the Manager
would be pleased to hear of any complaints or suggestions
from the Association.

The principal business of the evening was the Chairman's
account of the birds observed during his recent trip to Tasma-
nia and Gippsland. ; His description of the wonderful mimicry
of bush calls by the Victorian Lyre-bird was particularly in-
teresting.

Members were pleased to hear that, at the request of the
South Australian Government, the Customs officers of the
whole of the Commonwealth have been instructed to exercise
special vigilance to prohibit the importation and exportation
of all protected/ fauna in the South Australian schedule.

Notes of observations for the month were received from
Capt. S. A. White, Messrs. J. W. Mellor and J. Sutton.

—May 28th, 1920.—

Mr. Edwin Ashby in the chair.

The resignation of Mr.|F. E. Parsons from the office of
Vice-President was received with regret, and Mr. F. M. Angel
was elected to fill the vacancy.

A letter was received from Mr. Parsons, stating that owing
to the ravages of weevils, the late Dr. Angove's collection of
bird skins had been destroj^ed, and as he feared that the collec-
tion of eggs would share a similar fate, if not rescued, suggested
that an effort be made to secure the collection for the Associa-
tion or the S.A. Museum. It was thought very desirable that the
Association should, have a collection handy for reference, and,
as the eggs in question would form a valuable nucleus, it was
resolved to ask the present owner if he is willing ta. present the

66 The South Au»traliun Ornilhological A/itociation.

egg collection to the Association if suitable accommodation be
found.

Mr. A. G. Edquist exhibited the silver trophy presented
some 3'ears ago by members of The S.A. Ornithological Associa-
tion, if or annual competition among the public schools, for the
purpose of encour;; "^ing a love and knowledge of our native
birds.

Mr. R. Beck showed a pair, partly eaten by Zosterops. in
which a large number of pepper berries had been secreted by the
birds.

Mr.iKeith Ashby tabled a fine specimen of Neostrepera ver-
sicolor ( 9 ) from Yinnar, Gippsland, and Mr. Edwin Ashby a
skin of Myzantha melanota from Karoonda, S.A.

In order to ensure ample time for the main business of
the evening, a resolution was passed, fixing S.4,5 p.m. as the
time for the commencement of same.

The principal subject for consideration was Capt. S. A.
White's report on the birds on the .Yanco Irrigation Area. At
the invitation of the New South Wales Government, a bird sur-
vey of the district was. made f or ,the purpose of determining
which birds are beneficial or destructive. Supported by reli-
able data, and records of stomach contents of birds taken in the
district, a lengthy report, with recommendations, has been pre-
pared by this member.

Bird notes for the month were received from Messrs. E.
Ashby. F. E. Parsons, J. W. Mellor, J. Sutton, A. Crompton,
and Capt. S. A. White. The occurrence at the Outer Har-
bour of the Blue-winged Parrot {NeonfinodcH chrj/sostomus),
reported by Mr. F. E. Parsons, is worthy of special mention.

Retiring Chairman's Address.

The retiring chairman gave a brief address upon the work
accomplished during his term of office covering the Hst two
years. He said, "Ornithologists onld congratulate them-
selves upon much which had been accomplished. First of all
an Act called tht^ ''Animals and Birds Protection Act" was
drafted owing to the want of better protection for our wild ani-
mals and birds. The bill lapsed in the first session of this Parli-
ament, but was brought in again in the second session as a lap-
sed bill, and after being much mutilated became law. Although
several strong measures were cut out still it is a great improve-
ment upon li.c nid Act, and al'. must look for amendments in

Retiring President's Address. (17

the future. Your chairman was successful in arranging for
numbers to be placed before the name of each protected bird in
the Act which corresponds with the number in Dr. Leach's
''Australian Bird Book" and now the Government has supplied
each Police Station with one of these books, so there v/ill not be
any mistake in identifying the bird. One of the most impor-
tant happeninprs in the history of the State of South Australia
(from a Biological and Botanical point of view) was the consti-
tuting of Flinders Chase, Kangaroo Island, because within this
great reserve many species of the fast disappearing avifauna
on the mainland can be introduced and saved for all time.'"
The retiring president said "In company with Mr. G. R.
Laffer, M.P., a representative for the district (the Premier be-
ing prevented from going at the last moment) visited Kangaroo
Island. 'The whole question w^as discussed with the Kings-
cote District Council. After a long discussion the Council
agreed that they would no longer oppose the fixing of the
boundaries of the Chase. This action was closely followed
up by your president who had frequent interviews with the
Hons. the Premier, Attorney General, and Mr. Laffer. M.P.. to
ensure having the reserve properly constituted by Act of Par-
liament. Members of the Ministry gave a promise to that
effect, and later on these promises were right royally carried
out, for the Bill passed both Houses practically without altera-
tion. After twelve years of fighting the great Reserve is now
a reality. The Board of Governors controlling Flinders Chase
has been formed and is now hard at work nn the management
of this fine sanctuary. 200 square miles of country is really
not large enough, but the Act provides for extension.

The protection of the Association's Islands in the Coorong
is maintained and your President during term of office made
numerous visits to the birds breeding grounds. Both swan and
pelicans reared a fair number of young birds the last three
nesting seasons. Good sound work has been put in by many
members of the Association. Dr. Morgan has made several
trips, which he has w^ritten up in his usual very thorough man-
ner for "The South Australian Ornithologist.'' Mr. F. Parsons
made a good discovery in a new sub species of Emu Wren on
Kangaroo Island. Mr. L. K. McGilp's meeting with the scar-
let-chested grass parrot (N. aplrndida) in the country north of
Lake Frome, September, 1919. Last but not least your retiring
President is deeply indebted to the loyal backing of the Associ-
ation, especially to the Hon. Secretary (Mr. F. M. Angel) who
has rendered such valuable assistance to the Association and
Ornithologists in general, and it is with greatest regret that I
hear of his resignation as Secretary.

68 Order Fafsvri former. Family Prcceidct. Genics Zonoegmthus.

Order Passeriformes, Family Proceidae,
Genus Zonaeginthus.

Zonaeginthus bellus (Fire- tailed Finch).— Mr. Gregory M.
Mathews has made only one suh-sp. of this bird, i.e., Z. heliums
^amueli (Kangaroo Island Fire-tailed Finch), giving New
South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania, and South Australia as the
habitat of the dominant species, and Kangaroo Island as that
of the suhsp.

Description — Sexes are almost alike in colouration and
markings ; under surface, greyish brown, crossed by very nar-
row lines of black ; upper surface, brown, crossed by very nar-
row bands of black ; a line across the - forehead black ; lores,
black; eyelid, black and rump and tail coverts, bright scarlet;
vent and undertail coverts, black and often la black spot in
centre of abdomen; tail feathers, greyish brown with dark
stripes across each feather ; iris, dark brown ; feet, pinkish flesh-
colour; bill, crimson. The Kangaroo Island bird is darker
in plumage.

Distribution — Found over the coastal scrub countries of
New South Wales, Victoria, and South Australia, and almost
over the whole^of Tasmania.

Habitat— In this State (South Australia) the Fire-tailed
Finch is found in the wetter coastal parts, and as a rule fro-
quents scrubby, moist country or, when undergrowth is fairly
thick growing, under timber. They are to be met with in the My-
ponga and Black Swamp country, and from Kingston to the
Victorian border.

Habits — Move about in small parties till pairing time,
when they take up their nesting sight, and move very quietly,
and are to be found within a few hundred yards of their nest at
any time. Like so many other members of this family, their
food consists of the seeds of rushes land grasses, also berries.

Flight — Not long sustained as one would suppose in
scrubby country, strong, yet erratic ; when out in the open it is
swift upon the wing.

Note — Rather low and mournful.

Nest — Dome-shaped and constructed of dry grass and
straw, and usually much larger than those built by other mem-
bers of' the family.

A nest taken at Robe on October 24th, 1918, was built of
grass and fine tea tree twigs and lined with the down of

CHENEBY ^ MORGAN— Birds of Bivert Idnrray ^ Darling. 69

Clematis seeds and rabbits' fur. The nest was pear-shaped,
with a long entrance tunnel leading into a globular egg cavity.
It measured — length 22 cm.; height overall, 17 cm.; length of
cavity 13 cm. It contained seven fresh eggs. The nest was
placed in a tea-tree on the edge of a small lake and was about
six feet from the ground, two other nests from near the same
locality were 15 ft. from the ground.

EG'GS Pure white in colour, seven eggs measured were
exactly the same size 1.85 x 1.35 cm. Clutch from four to
seven.

The Birds of Rivers Murray and Darling and
the District of Wentworth.

PART II.

—By A. Chenery, M.R.C.S., L.R.C.P., and
A. M. Morgan, M.B., Ch.B.—

Glossopsitta porphyrocephala (Purple-crowned Lorikeet).
— A fairly common bird all over the district.

Calyptorhynchus hanksii (Banksian Cockatoo). — Found
on the Darling, from Albermarle to Wilcannia. The young
have been taken by men on river boats.

Cacatoes galerifa (Sulphur-crested Cockatoo). — A very
common bird along the Murray. It does not go out back to
the mallee country.

Lophochroa leadheateri (Pink Cockatoo). — Fairly common
in the back country, where it nests in the hollow mallee trees.
It only comes into the river in dry seasons. They all had
young in the nest in October, 1919.

Ducorpsius gymnopis (Bare-eyed Cockatoo). — Does not
come below Burlundy, 40 miles north of Wentworth by road,
on the Darling, but more plentiful further north. It is often
seen in company with C. galerita.

Eolophus roseicapUlus (Galah). — Very plentiful in parts
of the district; most numerous in the back country, where it
breeds in the hollow mallees. After the breeding season, they
congregate in large flocks.

Lcptolophus auricnmis (Cockatoo Parrot). — A migratory
species, arriving usually in September, from the North. It
is found almost exalusively in the mallee, and never remains
about the river gums.

70 CEENEBY §' MORGAN— Birds of Rivers Hurray ^ Darling.

Polytelis anthopeplus (Black-tailed Parrot or Rock Feb-
bier) . — Found in limited numbers along the Darling as far up
as Pooncarie, but is not found near the Wentworth end of the
river. It is a fairly common bird lower down the Murray. It
is a shy bird, except when near the nesting hole, which is
always in a tall river gum. They go a long way back into the
mallee to feed.

Platycercus flaveolus (Yellow Parrot). — A common bird
along the river frontages. It never goes far from the river
gums.

Barnardius barnardi (Mallee Parrot). — The commonest
parrot in the district. It is met with both along the river
frontages and in the mallee.

Psephotus haematonotus (Red-backed Parrot). — A very
common and tame species found along the river banks and in
box country. It does not go far back from permanent waters.

Northiella hacuiatogaster xanthnrrhoa (Yellow-vented Par-
rot).— Plentiful in the mallee and sandalwood country, but
does not come in to the river gums. A specimen collected at
Lake Victoria has red under tail coverts, while others collected
from the same flock had them yellow.

Psephotus varius (Many-coloured Parrot).— Fairly com-
mon in black oak [Casuarina sp.), where it nests. It is never
seen along the river frontages.

Melopsittacus undiilatus (Shell Parrot).— A migratory
species. Ifcomes clown from northern districts in September
in numbers, depending on the season. In 1919 very few
appeared, while in 1917, they were present in hundreds of
thousands.

Podargiis strigoides (Tawny Frogmouth) .— A fairly com-
mon bird in the mallee and box country.

Acgotheles cristata (Owlet Nightjar).— A common bird in
the mallee and box country, where it nests in the hollow
spouts.

Dacelo gigas (Great Brown Kingfisher or Laughing Jack-
ass).— Very common along. the river frontage, but becomes
rarer as one leaves the gum country. They are destructive to
both the young and eggs of other species. The smaller birds
treat them as natural enemies.

Cjianahnion pjjrrhopjjgins (Red-backed Kingfisher). — A mi-
gratory species, arriving early in October. , It keeps mostly
to the open country, where it breeds in any suitable bank.

GHENERY ^- UORQAN— Birds of Rivers Murray ^ Darling. 71

Sauropatis sanctus (Sacred Kingfisher). — Also a migratory
species, arriving in September. It prefers the gum country
along the Murray and Darling.

Cosmaerops ornatus (Bee-eater). — Arrives late in Septem-
ber, and is common in the sandhill country ; only a few arrived
in 1919.

Eurostopodus mystacalis (White-throated Nightjar).-—
Rarely seen, but more often heard at night. A single specimen
was flushed from near the river bank at Chowilla, on the Mur-
ray, in 1917.

E etero scenes pallidus (Pallid Cuckoo). — Arrives in the
district at the end of July, though odd birds remain throughout
the winter. It sings all night at times, during a moon. It
is not known to breed in the district.

Neochalcites basalis (Narrow-billed Bronze Cuckoo). —
Fairly common in box and mallee country.

LamproGoccyx plagosus (Broad-billed Bronze Cuckoo). ^ —
Plentiful in good seasons, very few in 1919. The commonest
hosts here are A. uropygialis and Hallornis cyanotis (White-
Winged Wren) ; an egg was also found in a nest of Smicrornis
hrevirostris. They arrive in July.

Hirundo neoxena (Welcome Swallow). — Common and pre-
sent throughout the year. A pair builds each year under the
punt at Wentworth, which crosses to and fro over the river all
day.

Cheramoeca leucosternon (White-breasted Swallow). —
Common near Renmark and between that place and Morgan,
where they breed in the banks of the limestone pits along the
road, and in the banks of the river. Less common further up
the river, though odd pairs are still to be met with along the
Murray and Darling and other watercourses.

Eylochelidon nigricans (Tree Swallow). — Plentiful in the
Wentworth district, and remains all the year round.

Lagenoplastes ariel (Fairy Martin or Bottle Swallow). —
The most numerous swallow ; every cliff and suitable bank on
the Murray and Darling has its group of nests; they also breed
under large fallen trees, bridges and the eaves of houses. At
the Wentworth public school and post office the nests have to be
repeatedly hosed down. The recess under the tank of the
water tower at Renmark has a triple row of nests around it.

MicroGca fascinans (Brown Flycatcher). — Common. It
is met with along the rivers and in the back country

72 GHENERY ^- MORGAN— Birds of Rivers Murray ^ Darling. '

Whiteornis goodenovii (Red-capped Robin). — Common in
the box flat country, and in the scrubby back country.

Melanodryas cucullata (Hooded Robin). — Sparingly dis-
tributed throughout the district. They are very local in their
habits. They breed early, a nest having being found in August
with young.

Smicrornis brevirostris (Short-billed Tree-tit). — A very
common bird in the box country, and is to be met with to a less
extent in the mallee.

Lewinornis rufiventris (Rufous-breasted Thickhead). — A
common bird in the out-back country.

Oilbertornia rufogularis cjilberti (Gilbert's Thickhead). —
Not met with near the rivers. Prefers the acacia or "current
bush" country.

Rhipidura flabelUfera (sub.-spec). — An autumn visitor
only; does not breed in the district.

Leucocirca tricolor (Black-and-White Fantail, or Wag-
tail).— Present in pairs all the year round, very local in their
habits. They breed early sometimes, having young in the nest in
August.

Seisura inquieta (Restless Flycatcher). — Present through-
out the year in pairs, and fairly common. The female makes
a loud, clear call, once repeated, when sitting on the nest.

Pteropodocys maxima (Ground (-uckoo-Shrike). — Met with
in small parties of five to seven in number, always in open coun-
try, such as scattered sandalwood, black oak, or pine timber.
They spend much time on the ground, and are shy birds.

Coracina novae-hollandiae melanops (Black-faced Cuckoo-
Shrike). — Not common. Met with occasionally in pairs,
both along the rivers and in the back mallee country. Of three
nests found in October, 1919, two were in sandalwoods and one
in a mallee.

Lalage tricolor (White-shouldered Caterpillar-bird). —
Arrives in the district in September, and remains to breed. They
are more plentiful in good seasons; very few came in 1919.

Cinclosoma castanotum. (Chestnut-backed Ground-bird). —
Occurs in the mallee near Renmark, but has not been seen fur-
ther up the river.

Morganornis superciloaua (White-browed Babbler). — Very
common.

GHENEBY ^ MORGAN^ ISirds of Jitv>'.r^ Murray 4* Darlivg 73:

Pomatostomus ruficeps (Chestnut-crowned Babbler). — Not
so common as the last, and found mostly in the back country.
It appears to prefer open bluebush country with belts of timber
at intervals.

Cincloramphus cruralis (Brown Song-lark). — Plentiful
and breeding in good seasons. In 1919, a dry season, scarcely
one was to be seen or heard.

Ptenoedus mathewsi (Rufous Song-lark). — Comes in num-
bers in good seasons.

Epthianura alhifrons (White-fronted Chat or Tin-Tac). —
Common all the year round.

Parepthianura tricolor (Red-fronted Chat). — Plentiful 'n
the back country in 1917, a good year. In 1919, only odd pair.s
were seen.

Aurepthianura aurifrons (Orange-fronted Chat). — A
regular spring visitor, but fcAver in dry seasons.

Conopoderas australis (Reed-warbler). — Fairly common
where any reeds are still growing along the water-courses.
They were fairly plentiful in 1917, in the cane grass swamps,
and were found breeding in the same year in polygonum
swamps.

Poodytes gramineus (Grass-bird). — A very common bird
when the polygonum and cane grass swamps are full.

Acanthiza nana (Lemon-breasted Tit). — Only found in
pine and needle-bush country. They are unevenly distributed
and very local in their habits. They are occasional hosts of the
Narrow-billed Bronze-cuckoo.

Acanthiza uropygialis (Chestnut-rumped Tit). — The com-
monest tit in the district; found almost exclusively in t^e back
country.

Geoiasileus chrysorrhous (Yellow-rumped Tit or Tom-tit).
— Not at all plentiful. They spend much time on the ground.

Pyrrholaemus hrunneus (Red-throat). — Common in the
saltbush 'flats near Renmark, and a single bird was heard near
Lake Victoria Station. They were not seen elsewhere.

Malurus cyaneus leggei. suh-sp. (Blue Wren).— A few
birds were seen and one collected on a flooded polygonum
swamp at Rufus Creek in October, 1917.

Malurus melanotus (Black-backed Wren). — Found only in
the outback scrub; not at al! commonly seen. Bu^- they are
quiet and shy, and coald easily be overlooked.

Hallornis cyanotis (White-winged Wren). — The commonest
wren in the district. They are confined to the saltbush flats.
They breed in August and September.

74 OHENEBY ^ MORGAN— Birds of Rivers Murray .V Darling.

Leggeornis lamherti assimiUs (Purple-backed Wren). —
Fairly common. They are met with in pairs in the scrubby
acacia country, and in ihe "old man" saltbush growing between
the trees on the box flats.

Artamus leucorhynchus leiicopygialis (White-rumped
Wood-Swallow). — A migratory species, arriving at the River
banks in September. They do not go in flocks, and are never
found f.ir from water. We found nests in hollow spouts,
well below the opening, in old magpie larks' nests, and one in
the perpendicular fork of a box tree.

Cinriphcllornis personatus (Masked Wood-Swallow). — A
yearly visitor : ;t arrives from the North, late in September.
in large flocks in company with the next bird.

Camphellornis superciliosus (White-browed Wood-Swal
low). — Similar in habits and movements to the previous bird.
Austrartamus melanops (Black-faced Wood-Swallow).—
Migratory, but not in flocks. It prefers sparsely timbered plain
country, away from the rivers.

Pmudartumus ci/fnwptenis (Dusky \^'ood-Swallow). —
A resident species generally in pairs ; found both near the river
and in the box country. This bird and C. supercilosus and
personatus have a delightful subdued song, interspersed with
imitations of a few bars of the songs of other birds.

('oUuricincla Jwrmonun (Grey Shrike Thrush). — A com-
mon bird. They are found in pairs both in the river timber
and in the scrub country, but less plentifully in the latter ; they
commonly nest in the tops of broken stumps. '

Grallina cyanoleuca (Magpie Lark). — A very common
bird. It is met with in great numbers on the river frontages,
and a pair or so are usually to be found around each tank out
back.

Gymnorhina tihicen (Black-backed Magpie). — The com-
mon species in the district. Never seen in great numbers.

Gymnorhina leuconota (White-backed Magpie). — This
bird is probably present in small numbers. A very tame pair
inhabited the Wentworth common for a time, but they were
possibly escaped cage birds.

Cracticus nigrogularis (Black-throated Butcher-bird). —
Not common and confined to the river gums and box flats. They
arc very local in their habits, and may be heard in the same
small area every spring. They have a beautiful note during
the breeding season, and also throughout the year in the early
morning. They are fond of chasing and pouncing upon spar-

OHfJNtJRY cS- MORGAN— Birds of liivers Murnnj ^- Darling. 75

rows, which know them as natural enemies, give the warn-
ing cry at once, and dart from cover. One was seen holding a
sparrow by the leg on the ground, unable to ,get enough purchase
to knock it on the ground, and afraid to let go for a fresh grip.
The sparrow was released, and "hopped promptly under the wood
pile.

Bulestes torquatus (Collared Butcher-bird). — A fairly
common bird, both in the river frontages and in the outback
scrub. They are most destructive to small b rds, and are robbers
of the worst character,

Oreoica cristata (Crested Bell-bird). — A common bird in
the acacia shrub, and occasionally met with on the box-flats.
They decorate their nests here, as elsewhere, with live caterpil-
lars; nesting begins in August.

Aphclocephala leucopsis (White-face). — A common and
universally distributed species. They are very early breeders.

Neosiita pileata (Black-capped Treerunners). — Rare birds
in the district. They are met with occasionally in small flocks
in the casuarina country. They do not come into the rivers.

Climacteris erythrops superciliosiis {White-hrowed Tree-
creeper). — Found almost exclusively in casuarina country.
They are shy and very silent, and are easily overlooked. The
nest is difiicult to locate.

Neoclima picumna (Brown Tree-creeper). — A common bird
in the box flats and in the river gums. Sometimes, but more
rarely, met with in the mallee scrub.

Zosterops lateralis (Silver-eye). — A visitor only in the
autumn and late winter. They do not breed in the district.

Austrodiceaum hirundinaceum (Mistletoe Bird). — Plenti-
ful in the spring months, and odd pairs to be met with all the
year round.

Pardalotus punctatus xanthopjjgius (Yellow-rumped Dia-
mond Bird). — Fairly common in the mallee scrub about Ren
mark and Paringa. They were not met with roar Wentworth.

Pardalotus striatus (Striped Diamond Bird). — Common
both along the rivers and in the mallee scrub country.

Melithreptus gularis (Black-throated Honey-eater). — Un-
common. Pairs are met with occasionally in the box flats
jear after year.

Melithreptus atricapillus (Brown-headed Honey-eater). —
Fairly common bird in the ftox country ; also met with in the
back scrub countrv; thev move about in small flocks.

76 CHENERY .y MORGAN— Birds of Rivers Murray ^- Darling.

Plectorhyncha lanceolata (Striped Honey-eater). — Not
common. Pairs are met with occasionally in the box flats
in the district. They are met with occasionally in small flocks

Cissomela nigra (Black Honey-eater). — Uncommon. A
bird ,was collected at Lake Victoria in October, 1917, and a few
appeared near Wentworth in late October, 1918. They were not
known to breed.

Gliciphila albifrons (White-faced Honey-eater). — Migra-
tory and fairly plentiful in the spring months. Frequents
jacacia and sandalwood scrubs when these are in flower. They
nest sometimes in sandalwoods, a few feet from the ground, and
sometimes in low bushes a few inches from the ground. The
nest is a very poorly constructed affair for a honey-eater.

Meliphaga sonora (Singing Honey-eater). — Not at all com-
mon, but odd pairs met with occasionally, especially in tobacco
bush flats.

Lichenistomus ornatus (Yellow-plumed Honey-eater). —
Strictly confined to tho mallee; generally found in small colo-
nies. They are very loc^^l in their habits.

Ptilotula penicillata (White-plumed Honey-eater). — Very
common in *he river gums and box flats. It does not go inland.

Myzantha melanocephala (Noisy Minah). — A very common
bird in tbo river gums of th" Murray and lower part of the Dar-
ling; on the upper part of the Darling its place is taken by M.
flavigula, which hece comes into the river gums.

Myzantha flavigula (Yellow-throated Minah). — A very
common bird in the back country. They only come into the
frontages where the Noisy Minah is absent. This bird and the
Raven may be the only birds met with for miles when travelling
in the back country during the summer.

Coleia carunculata (Red Wattle-bird). — A rare bird; only
met with in the mallee, and then seldom.

Acanthagenys rufogularis (Spiny-cheeked Honey-eater). —
A very common and resident species. It is found in all classes
of country.

Entomyzon cyanotis (Blue-faced Honey-eater).— A fairly
common bird, strictly confined to the river gums.

Microphilemon orientalis (Yellow-throated Friar Bird).—
Common on the river frontages. They are migratory, arriving
in September.

Anthus australis (Pipit or Ground Lark).— A common bird
on the plains.

ASHBY—Gifpsland Bird Note>. 77

Staganopleura guttata (Spotted-sided Finch).— Odd birds
have been seen at the Curlwa irrigation settlement.

Taeniopygia castanotis (Chestnut-eared Finch). — Fairly
(Common on the irrigation settlements.

Ghlamydera maculata guttata (Yellow-spotted Bower
Bird). — Uncommon; a few fbirds were seen at Kulkyne Station,
on the Murray. From reports it appears that this bird is now
much rarer than it was a few years ago.

Gorvus coronoides (Raven). — Common throughout the
district.

Gorvus bennetti (Small-billed Crow). — An inland bird.
It seems to prefer open country, away from the rivers.

Strepera sp. — A bird of this genus is occasionally met with
in the mallee country. They are exceedingly shy, and so far
no specimen has been obtained for identification.

8truthidea cinerea (Grey Jumper). — A small family of
these birds was located at a tank on the road from Wentworth
to Cuthro, but on the tank drying up they left.

Gorcorax melanorhamphus (White-winged Chough). — A
common bird, both on the box flats and in the mallee. They are
sometimes met with long distances from known water.

Gippsland Bird Notes.

—By Edwin Ashby, F.L.S., M.B.O.U.—

It was my privilege to spend a few days of the first week
in April at Yinnar, Gippsland. Yinnar is just a hundred miles
from Melbourne.

My last visit to that part of Australia was in the winter of
1886, or 34 years fego. Where previously was virgin forest,
untouched by the presence of man, is now miles and miles of
rung timber. The place I camped at in 1886 was nine miles
beyond the next station (Boolara), in the "big timber country."
Two birds I met with there appear absent at Yinnar; they are
the Vittorian Large-billed Scrub- Wren {Sericornis magnirostris
howeiMat.), which was there creeping about like a mouse,
amongst the ferns of the creek bottom, and the Victorian Pink-
breasted Robin {Erythrodryas rodinogaster incxpectn Mat.),
which was then fairly numerous in a small piece of rung timber.
only an acre or so in extent. The cock birds seemed to know
their protective colouration, and would settle with their backs

78 ASHBY—Giypsland Bird Notes.

towards me on the charred and blackened surfaces of fallen tim-
ber. I found it necessary to wait till they turned their conspicu-
ous breast, before one could shoot them.

Now for the birds that are still around Yinnar. Of the
parrots, the day before piy arrival, the Victorian King. Parrot
{Alisterus cyanopygius neglectus Mat.) was seen near the
homestead, but no further specimens put in an appearance dur-
ing my stay. In the open valley bordering Middle Creek,
Rosellas {Platycercus eximius, 8. & N.) were very numerous,
but they were not seen back in the scrub, their place there being
taken by the following species. The Crimson Parrot {Platy-
cercus elegans Gmelin), while sometimes seen in small flocks in
thu timbered ranges, was in the forest move oiten seen in twos
or threes, always highly coloured specimens, mostly males,
sometimes females, which are a little less highly coloured. Not
once did I see any highly coloured adults in the orchard, in the
valley near the homestead, although large flocks of the young
birds, green and red, were always to be found eating the fruit
there. This seems to be the usual habit, for my friends thought
that the highly coloured birds of the forest were a different
species, because they did not mix with the green ones.

There were several Gang Gang Cockatoos {Callocephalon
galeatum Lath.) feeding in the tops of the gums on the borders
of the forest, their strange, murmuring notes guiding us to their
position, and a very fine cock-bird was secured.

Along the banks of Middle Creek, under the shade of the
willows, the Victorian Mountain Thrush (Oreocincla lunulata
'Jeiidyl Mat.) was quite common, and a fine specimen was ob-
tained. It is a little lighter than specimens from S.A., but
differs very widely from the specimen I shot at Mallanganee,
N.S.W., on 9th November, 1912, this latter evidently being (0.
heinei Cahanis) . My son, A. K. Ashby, who has just returned
from the same locality, brings back a skin of the Victorian Spot-
ted Ground-bird [Cinclosoma punctatum neglectum Mat.),
which is rare in the locality, and was not seen by me. This
specimen differs considerably from South Australian speci-
mens in my selection, and needs further investigation.

Psephodes olivaceus scrymgeouri Mat. (Victorian Coach-
whip Bird) — which, in the Yinnar district, is always known as
"Stock-whip vBird;" is fairly common, but at this season of the
year the birds hardly made a sound, except one very wet day,
when they were making their astounding "crack" in fine style,
we obtained a fine female ; it is curious how often a female is
shot when the huntsman is following the notes of a male.

ASHBY—Gippsland Bird Notes.

The Green-rumped Shrike-Robin (Eopsaltria australis viri-
dior Mat.) is fairly common in the tree-fern gullies, but also
occurs in the open forest ; several specimens were secured.

The White-throated Tree-creeper (Clhnacteris leucophaea
leucophaea Lath.) was very busy everywhere, and was shot in
the endeavour to find the rare Red iSye-browed Tree-creeper,
which was collected in the same place by Mr. A. K. Ashby in the
spring. It seems that they had quite left the locality, and must
have visited the spot for breeding purposes.

The Victorian Scrub- Wren (Sericornis longirostris longi-
rostris. Q. & G.) did not appear to be nearly as numerous as it
is at Mount Dandenong, but this may have been due to the fact
,that the birds were not calling at this season of the year. The
Victorian Blue-Wren was very common, and seemed a very
robust type, one immature male being taken in mistake for a
Sericornis.

The Grey Crow Shrike {Strepora cuneicaudata Vieill) was
also obtained, and is referred to in following article.

The Victorian White-eared Honey-eater (NesoptUotis leuco-
tis melanodera. Q. & G.) was secured, but does not seem to be a
common bird in this district.

Rliipidura ffaheUifera victoriac Mat. (Victorian Fantail) —
was numerous. A specimen shot shows a great contrast to the
Tasmanian form, the latter in every respect being very much
darker.

The Victorian Brown-Tit {Acanthiza pusilla macularia
Mat-) was everywhere busily gathering insects, without any
apparent rest.

Tasmanian Notes.
—By Edwin Ashby, F.L.S., M.B.O.U.—

A few notes on the birds collected and observed on the occa-
sion of a very brief visit to Tasmania in the last week in March
this year may be of interest to the readers of the "S.A. Ornitho-
logist." An afternoon was spent in the somewhat low scrub on
the opposite side of the Derwent to Hobart, and some miles up
the river. The date was the 2nth March ; a flock of the little
Black-headed Honey-eater {McUtlireptns affinift affinis Len.) flew
over our heads as we left the jetty, and settled in some low trees.
Their note is low, but penetrating, and roniinds one of the fanii-

so ASHBY—Tasmaniun NoU,.

liar note of M. brevirostris. The first specimen shot was in
immature plumage, the crown being brownish green, instead of
the typical black. Next to the Melithreptus, the commonest bird
in the patch of timber adjoining the river was the Tasmanian
Yellow-throated Honey-eater (Nesoptilotis flavicollis flavigula
Gould) ; this handsome Honey-eater, with its grey-green to
bright, yellowish-green plumage and brilliant yellow throat enli-
vens the bush with its constant loud calls.

One picks out notes that remind one of the White-eared
Honey-eater, and also the loud whistle of the Singing Honey-
eater, but in addition it has a repertoire all its own, full, rich,
melodious notes, one series of which has been likened to the
words "get over," repeated many times.

Another bird common in this scrub was the Tasmanian
Crescent Honey-eater {Phylidonyris pyrrhoptera inornata
Gould) why inornata I cannot imagine. For a specimen shot
later on South Bruny Island has a jet black crescent mark, deli-
cate pencilling on the throat, and bright yellow on the wings,
forming a combination as vivid and effective as the best speci-
men I have seen from the mainland.

A specimen of the charming Fire-tailed Finch {Zonaegin-
thus hellus hellus Lath.) was shot; its scarlet rump shone
with intense lustre in the sunshine, and when handled, the deli-
cate olive scalloped marked back, and ;grey scalloped marked
underside, make it easily one of Tasmania's handsomest birds,
and one of Australia's most charming finches. The next bird
to be collected was the Dusky Fantail (Rhipidura flabellifera
albiscapa Gould) ; many of these little "gnat catchers" were flit-
ting about with ever restless movement, uttering their call —
"chit chit." I think that completes the list of species collected
in that spot, but Scarlet-breasted Robins were represented by
several pairs ; a large flight of Spine-tailed Swifts were hawking
at a considerable height, and every now and again swooping
down between the tree tops. I was intending to get a specimen,
or rather, try to, after I had secured specimens of several of the
smaller birds, but in half-an-hour's time all the Swifts had
-cleared out, and T saw no more of them during my stay in Tas-
mania. Musk Lorikeets and Tasmanian Minahs were busy in
a neighbouring orchard.

A Tasmanian White-bearded Honey-eater [Meliornis novae-
hollandiae canescens Lath.) was collected; it diverges some-
what from others I have collected in Tasmania ; but I doubt,
if a series of the insular birds were mixed up with the
mainland ones, that they could be separated except by means of
their labels.

ASHBY — Australia's Mocking Bird. 81

From the 22nd to the 25th of the same month I was at Lnna-
wanna, South Bruny Island ; the weather was very wet and I
had but little time to spare, apart from the strenuous marine
work I was engaged in. I collected skins of the Whistling Shrike
Thrush (Colluricincla harmonica strigata Swainson) ; the
rufus eyebrow and spangled breast are , rather striking fea-
tures, also as I have before noted its whistle is superior, and in
some respects distinct, from the mainland birds. Also a Tasma-
nian Raven {Corvus coronoides tasmanicus Mat.) was shot,
feeding on the flotsam of the beach. Certainly this bird has an
exceptionally robust beak, as compared with the birds of the
mainland.

The Brown Scrub- Wren [Tasmanornis humilis Gould) was
noted ; all the species of Honey-eaters heretofore noted as near
Hobart were seen on the Island, with the addition of the Tasma-
nian Spine-bill, which was very numerous. Several of the Grey-
tailed Thickhead {Pachycephala pectoralis glaucura Gould)
were seen, but they were not in song. I was pleased to see the
Tasmanian Wattle Bird {Dyottornis paradoxus Daudm) feed-
ing on Honeysuckle (Banksia) blossoms.

The Pink-breasted Robin (Erythrodryas rodinogaster Dra-
piez) is found in the secluded fern gullies on the Island. What
I take to be Swamp Quail (Synoicus ypsUophorus) is fairly
numerous at Lunawanna, but all agreed that there were two
forms, the smaller still numerous, and the "very much larger
one", rarely, if ever, seen on the Island.

I am able to record, on what I consider quite reliable in-
formation, the fact that the Tasmanian Tawny-crowned Honey-
eater {GUciphila melanops crassirostris Mat.) has .recently put
in an appearance at Lunawanna. I knew it occurred, although
rare, on the north-east coast of Tasmania, and a .friend of mine
took a clutch of eggs there, but this far southern locality is quite
new to me.

Australia's Mocking Bird.

—By Edwin Ashby, F.L.S., M.B.O.U.—

The Victorian Lyre-Bird (Menura novae-hollandiae vie-
'aria" Gould). — Although the season for the Lyre-Birds to be
calling had not arrived, Easter Monday, being very wet, one of
my friends suggested that we should go into the Fern Gullies,
and trv and hear this wonderful bird, as heavy rain seems to

82 AS HBY— Australia s Mocking Bird

brighten them up. We had hardly reached a deep gully (that had
once been rung out, but is now fast going back into luxuriant
scrub) with rain pouring down, when we heard a Lyre-Bird
calling "chunk, chunk," with a metallic ring in this loud note,
.which my companion told me was the bird's natural note, not
an imitation cry. We took off our mackintoshes, because of
^he swish they make as one pushes through the scrub, and hoped
the rain would ease off a bit, as we preferred not to be soaked to
The skin. The bird was calling some quarter of a mile away,
pn the top of the ridge, of which the fern-gully formed the foot.
On reaching the top of the ridge, vve found that the bird we
were after was still a quarter of a mile further on, but another
then commenced calling nearer to us, so we, with the greatest
care, worked our way, moving only when the bird vras calling,
and stopping dead when the bird was silent, and at last, by this
method, succeeded in working our way through the scrub till wo
were under 50 yards from the bird. We then waited for a long
time, enjoying the treat of its wonderful performance.

(1) It had been uttering its original cry for some time —
"chunk, chunk," repeated in duplicate, with a short breathing
.space between each repetition.

(2) It went through the flute-like whistle of the Butcher-
jbird (Bulestes torqiiatiis olindus Mat.), giving the full run of
Jiquid, flute-like notes of that bird to perfection. Then a pause,
while the Lyre was listening, then came

(3) the strange, long-drawn-out notes of the Gang Gang
Cockatoo iCalloccpJialon galeaturn Lath.). These were re-
peated several times, and again absolute silence, followed by

(4) the two long-drawn-out notes of the Coach- Whip Bird,
ending with the resounding "crack" for which that bird is noted.
Again silence, and then the flute-like notes of the Butcher Bird
greeted our ears; in fact, these notes recurred several times
throughout the performance.

(5) The impressive silence was followed jby the weird wail-
ing notes of the Funeral Cockatoo [Calyptorhynclius funereus
xanthanotus Gould) . several wails being given before the next
silence.

(Q) Then came the harsh, gutteralcall of the Wattle Bird,
(Coleia carunculata tregellasi Mat.), so familiar to us all ; this
followed by the swish and rustle of the bird's beautiful tail as
he shook it over his back, and rustled the long tail feathers to-
gether. We were just too far away to get this sound properly.
This part of the performance was immediately followed by

ASHBY— Australia'^ Mocking Bird. 8!^

(7) the piping flute notes of the White-backed Magpie
{Gynnorhina hypoleuca leuconota Gould) ; again a stillness
that could be felt, and

(8) then came the shrill whistle of the Crimson Parrot
{Platycercus elegans elegans Gmelin) , very similar to that of
the Adelaide Rosella, which most of my readers know so well.
Silence was then followed

(9) by the call of the Grey Crow Shrike {NeosU'epera ver-
sicolor Vieill) but better known as ( iS. cun •icaudata Vieill.) , a
bird I have never seen in any other part of Australia, and it is
just 34 years since I previously collected it within 20 miles of
Yinnar. In spring and summer this bird keeps to the higher
ranges and forest country, only coming down to the orchards as
winter approaches.

(10) After a short pause we listened to a perfect imitation
of the familiar whistling of the Victorian Grey Shrike-Thrush
{Colluricincla harmonica victoriae Mat.) ; the usual "Bob, bob
Whitehead" series of notes was most plain.

(11) The whistle of another parrot was distinguished by
my companions, but being unfamiliar to me, I did not recognise
it, namely the Victorian King Parrot {Alisterus cyanopygius
neglectus Mat.) ; its whistle was rather dovetailed in with
others.

(12) The last production that we were able to easily recog-
nise was that of the Victorian ^Tiite-throated Thickhead
{Pachycephala pectoralis youngi Mat.) ; only a portion of the
full Nightingale-like notes of this splendid songster were pro-
duced, but there was no doubt as to their identity, the typical
"swish sound" completing the series.

(13) In addition to the foregoing, the twittering of some
of the small insectivorous birds were imitated splendidly.

While we were careful to record the series, the order of
production was not accurately preserved ; for instance, the But-
cher Bird's long run of flute-like notes was produced several
times during the performance, as were the notes of several
others — the Wattle Bird and the Thickhead, being imitated
more than once.

To the above record of the performance of this particular
bird as heard by the writer, my friends with whom I was stay
ing (and who have lived 30 years in the locality) were able to
add some interesting examples of the powers of mimicry of
the Lyre Bird.

84 RIDDLE— Matching Coloui

Mr. John Walker, when in the Jnmbuck Range of moun-
tains, saw a Lyre Bird fly and settle in a spot not 20 feet away
from where he stood ; he' kept perfectly still, when the bird com-
menced imitating a bitch dingo with pups, the whimpering of
the litter of pups as they tried to follow their parent as she
travelled through the bush, was, he tells me, quite perfect.

This record is of particular interest, as nowadays it is diffi-
cult enough to get an opportunity of hearing dingo pups in the
bush, much less to hear a perfect imitation thereof.

Mr. Joseph Walker told me of an instance, when he was
close to a Lyre Bird which was imitating the clink and ringing
sound made by the knocking together of two metal wedges used
by the woodsmen in felling timber ; this sound is common when
the wedges are thrown down after splitting a log. He also
heard the bird imitate perfectly the sound of a crosscut saw. My
son also in the same locality watched a cock Lyre Bird going
through a wonderful performance on a log. and amongst its
other items was the sound of stapling a wire fence ; the peculiar
ringing sound caused by the vibration of the wire was got to a
nicety; all these records have been obtained on the Walkers'
property.

On paying a second visit to the same gully where I had
listened to the cock's performance, I heard in the bottom of the
gully a loud, gutteral note, repeated in couplets, best described
as "chunk chunk," but less metallic and more gutteral than the
cock-bird's natural note; this had also a sort of quaver in it,
quite distinct from the other. I managed to get quite close,
and then saw the boughs of a tall wattle moving as a heavy bird
jumped from bough to bough, thus ascending the tree till 15 or
20 ft. high, when the bird (a hen) volplaned down to the bot-
tom of tiie gully in full view about 20 paces away from me, tail
held straight out behind.

Matching Colours by Artificial Illumination.

—By Arthur R. Riddle.—

Every student of Natural History must, at some time or
other, have regretted the shortcomings of most artificial illumi-
nants, in that they failed to adequately show up the colours
existent in specimens. Whilst the trouble has been mitigated
to some extent with each advance in artificial lighting, one could
not until recently make a colour comparison of extreme accu-

RIDDLE— Matching Colours. S5

racy by their aid. Colours matched by artificial illnminatlon
were found to be not quite accurate when daylight was brought
to bear on them. The response to industrial necessity has now
given us a source of illumination, which is wonderfully near
daylight. Due chiefly to intensive industrial work, stimu-
lated by war needs, a demand existed for an artificial source of
illumination which would approximate daylight in so far as its
radiation was concerned. This was felt especially in the tex-
tile industry, and wherever colour had to be matched. The
Research Laboratories of the largest electric lamp concern in
America, took up the problem, and the Mazda C-2 lamp was the
sequel. Certain structural modifications were made, but the
chief factor is the bluish glass which has been used. This was
selected after close research in order to provide a filtering
medium, such that the spectrum of the filtered radiation would
closely approximate the spectrum of solar radiation. For all
work where colour is concerned, the lamp has proved to be ideal.
It is an interesting experiment to take lamps representative of
the various milestones in the evolution of electric lighting, and
wire them up so as to make them immediately ready for com-
parison. Take the following four lamps —

Carbon Filament Lamp.

Vacuum type Metal Filament Lamp.

Mazda C gas-filled Metal Filament Lamp — commonly

called |-watt type.
Mazda C2 gas-filled Metal Filament Lamp — commonly

called the "Blue Glass" or ''Daylight Lamp."

The radiation from the Carbon Filament Lamp appears
fairly white when it is the only source of illumination. It in-
stantly assumes a reddish-yellow tinge when the vacuum lamp
is switched on. This lamp in turn appears yellow by com-
parison with the ^-watt type, which is very brilliantly white,
but even the -^-watt type suffers by comparison with the type
C2. By comparing the first and last lamps, one can hardly
believe that the radiation from the former ever did appear
white. Whilst the ordinary ^-watt type is a great advance on
previously existing types, and gives a radiation approximating
very closely to the ideal, the C2 lamp goes further, and stops
little .short of perfection.

As conoerning current consumption. One can say roughly,
avoiding techniralities essential to accuracy, that for equal
candle powers, the ordinary metal filament lamp takes only one
fourth of the current used by the carbon filament lamp. Simi-

S6 McGILP — New Rpcord for South Australia.

larly, the ^-watt and daylight types of lamps take only about
one half of the current used by the metal filament vacuum lamp.
The sales of both the Mazda lamps are controlled by the Aus-
tralian General Electric Company.

Mew Record for South Australia.

—J. Neil McGilp, R.A.O.U.—

Red-winged Parrot [Aprosmictus erythropterus) .

On the 21st January, 1920, a Red-winged Parrot was taken
on Moolawatana Station. This station is approximately 100
miles from New South Wales border, and 500 miles from Ade-
laide.

My employe stated that he noticed the bird in a large Gum
Creek, and, as it was new to him, he shot it with a .32 bore rifle,
after much difiSculty, as the parrot was very shy. He also
reported that when flying, the bird had a peculiar action, not
unlike the Grallina cyanoleuca. and tluit it had a loud screech,
which continued most of the time it was on the wing.

The presence of this and many other birds is accounted
for by the very severe droughty conditions now raging over
North- Western N.S.W.

It was on Moolawatana Station that the Neophema splen-
dida (female) was recently secured.

Bird Notes for the Month of May.

Mr. J. Sutton, of Netherby, a suburb of 'Adelaide, writes—
May 6: "Saw six Wood-Swallows {Pseudartamus cpanoptenis)
near the South Terrace Croquet Club grounds ; Black-faced
Cuckoo-Shrike (Coracina novaeholhnuUae melanops) seen at
Netherby — one on the 7th, one on the 14th, four on the 16th, one
on the 24th; White-shafted Fantail (Rhipidura ffahelUfera
whitei) — one seen at Netherby on the 25th; Pardalotus puncta-
tus (Spotted Diamond Bird) — one seen at Netherby on the
16th; NinofT hoohook (Mopoke) are about again at Netherby;
heard at night on 21st and 22nd, and at 6.25 a.m. on 28th.

Mr. F. E. Parsons — Taeniopygia castanotis (Chestnut-
eared Finch) — observed a nest in a pine tree at Brighton on
21st; Flame-breasted Robin {Littlera chrysoptera) — three seen

. Bird Notes for May 87

at Oaklands, the 24th; Blue-winged Parrot {Nconanodcs chrys-
ostomus) — a small liock of the "Blue-winged Parrots" seen at
Outer Harbour, the 27th.

Mr. Edwin Ashby, of Blackwood, in the Mount Lofty
Ranges — "Owing to the heavy tlowering of the peppermint gums
[Eucalyptus odorata) and the blue gum {E. leucoxylon) all
the common Honey-eaters and Lorikeets have been about, in ex-
ceptional numbers, though the Blue Mountains (T. novae-hol-
landiae) are less numerous than they were, owing to the
orchards having been cleared of fruit. About the second week
in May, Regent Honey-eaters [Zanthomiza phrygia) put in an
appearance, and have been very numerous since, their call note
being heard continually throughout the day.

1 heard the Fantailed Cuckoo {Cacomantis ruhricatus) on
the 26th, but there are very few about, or they are not calling
freely.

A stranger appeared on the 29th, in the form of the Spiny-
cheeked Honey-eater [Acanthagenys rufogularis). — This is so
essentially a plain or dry country bird that its occurrence in
these hills is of especial interest.

The usual autumnal visit of the Adelaide Kosellas [Platy-
cercus elegans adelaidae) occurred early in the month.

The Tawny-crowned Honey-eater [Gliciphila melanops
chandleri) appear to be more numerous than usual, and we
have heard their charming whistle for the last two or three
months.

Capt.^S. A. White, on the Adelaide Plains, at the Reed-
beds — Spiny-cheeked Honey-eaters {Acanthagenys rufogularis)
are still with us, and calling loudly all day.

Southern I Scarlet-breasted Robin (Petroica multicolor
frontalis) — Has been in the garden throughout the month.
South Australian Fantail {Rhipidura flabellifera ivhitei) is
also staying on very late with us this year. /Red-browed Finch
(Aegintha temporalis lofty i) have been about in large num-
bers all through the month.

Observed two Magpies chasing an English Blackbird on
the 19th, and they kept up the chase for quite/ a time, through
trees and undergrowth, but did not make a capture. Upon

the same date a (Whistling Eagle (Haliastur sphenurus) was
seen flying very high.

Numbers of Black-faced Cuckoo-Shrikes (Coracina novae-
hollandiae melanops) have been about during the month.

When the first rains fell, after such a long, dry spell, a
little water ran out into the swamps, which attracted great

88 Bird Notr.s for May\

numbers of Teal (Virago giberrifrons) and a few Black Duck
{Anas superciliosa) . A large flock of Pied Geese (Anseranus
semipalmata) had been seen on the lower Murray flats,

J. W. Mellor, Lockleys, S.A., reports —

At Lockleys noted numbers of Chestnut-eared Finches still
about in the boxthoin bushes in the paddocks, they were build-
ing their little straw nests in these. bushes, and living in them
during the cold nights, and so kept warm, as the nests were
lined with feathers.

The Noisy Minahs keep about all the year round, and fre-
quent the. large red and blue gums. During the month
they were very noisy, and the weather keeping dry, they
would, come to the tap in fruit garden, which is generally kept
''dripping," there they would drink from the nozzle, seve-
ral clinging to the tap at once. Magpies were also plentiful,
they keep about in the large gums, and come into the garden
and" pick up large grubs and insects. Murray, Magpies are also
about all the year, -although no water is here for them, they
come to the tap and get their drink, and are quite tame, com-
ing right up to the door in quest of food.

The Laughing Jacks are also tame, and come about the
house and look out for mice, and are often seen "flopping"
down in their usual clumsy manner after the large goat moth
as it emerges from the ground just after a shower of rain.
They also like the large worms, and are seen tugging away
at them, getting a firm hold in their bills, and laying
back with all their might until the worm at last gives, way, and
Jack goes laughing away to some convenient place to eat this
dainty morsel. The Fantail Cuckoos have been about all the
month both at Lockleys and Fulham, and feeding on grubs, etc.,
but making not the slightest noise, their presence generally be-
ing made known by the native birds chasing them, and calling
loudly. In this respect, the "Greenie" or White-plumed Honey-
eater is the most common.

Several Whistling Eagles were seen at Lockleys, but al-
ways singly, and flying above the large gum trees.

White-plumed Honey-eaters, and New-Holland Honey-
eaters, or ''Yellow-wing" as it is often called, have been plen-
tiful in the bushes and trees, likewise the Singing Honey-eater,
the two latter species liking the thick boxthorn ns a shelter.

Blue Wrens also favour this shelter at Lockleys, the sharp
thorns seem to be a protection from their enemies.

MELLOR— Adelaide Rosella and Murray Ma'jpie. 89

Several times during the month Goshawks ( Urospiza fasci-
Gta) were about near the fowls' yard, and were chased by large
flocks of European Starlings ; White-backed Magpies were also
-after them in that district.

Adelaide Rosella and Nurray Hagpie.

—By J. W. Mellor, Lockleys.—

A somewhat strange incident came under my notice
recently which is worthy of note. I was perplexed several
times at hearing the ''kneedeep" call and other notes of the
Murray Magpie coming from the thick foliage of a lemon
scented pine near my back door. For the time being I was
nonplussed, never having seen these litle birds in this situa-
tion, although they are about in the more open trees such as
the red gums. So I determined to make a close observation to
clear the matter up, and upon carefully going near the place,
what was my surprise to find no other bird than an Adelaide
Rosella which was imitating the call notes of the Murray Mag-
pie so well and truly that it needed to be watched carefully
before one could believe their own eyes and ears. After
"keeping an eye" on this parrot for some days, I found that it
was '^keeping company" with a Murray Magpie, which it would
follow about from tree to tree in quite a general way, feeding
about on the seed foods and making both its own call and that
of its companion. There being very few Rosellas about, this
bird had evidently become lonely and wanted a mate, having
taken up with a bird of quite different habits, yet they seemed
"good company" nevertheless.

-n

W. K. Thoi.iM t Co.,

Printers,
Qrenfell St., Adelaide.

jm

llU^

TCI

M.

Q

D

IT

Vol. V.

Part 4.

THE

SOUTH AUSTRALIAN

ORNITHOLOGIST,

A Magazine of Ornithology.

Ut OCTOBER. 1920.

EDITORIAL COMMITTEE:
F. M. ANGEL, R..\.O.U.
A. G. EDQUIST
S. A. WHITE, C.M.B.O.U.
F. R. ZIETZ, R.A.O.U .

Price, 2

d

liiiL

W

s

THE

South Australian

ORNITHOLOGIST.

Fiiiitonal Coruuil/cd :

F. M. Angkj,, R.A.O.U.

A. G. I^DQUIST

S. A. White, C.M.BO.U
K. R. ZiRTz, R.A.O.U.

Secrriary :

J. Nkii. McGii.p.

"Orignia. " Napier Terrace.
Kmjj's ParV S.A.

CONTKNTS.

Tack

hf Soutli Aiistiali.-tri ( (rriilholo^'ical AKtifx-iation 95

Or<l«T raj-sdifoiiiifK, l";iiiiil\ l'luct;icla-, (;«iiuk Sta^'oiiuiileiira ... 08

N<)t«s on Aplilucei»liala nigricincta (Hlack-banded Whitefac*-),

■.m<\ oilier I'.irds. By J. Neil Mc-Cilp, K.A.U.l' OS

Tlie I{ii<ls of Kuitpo Forest. P.y S. A. White, C.M.H.O.l'.,

C.F.A.O. IT " 100

Kii.i Note?, for ti.e Moritli^ of June aiul July

The Editorial (•ommilteo accepts no responsibility for the
views or (1(m1 net ions expressed by any of its con ti-ibn tors.
The Journal welcomes a free intercluin<;e of ideas with the
object of extending the knowledfie of our avifauna, but the
author of each article is responsible for tlie opinions and
deductions recorded.

THE

South Australian Ornithologist.

Vol. v.] Ist OCTOBKR, 1920. [Part 4.

The South Australian Ornithological
Association.

MONTHLY PROCEEDINGS.

— Meeting held on 25tli June. 1920. —

Mr. Edwin Ashby in the chair.

I >r. Morgan reported liaving seen a Caspian Tern on Tor-
rens Lake during the month. Mr. J. Sutton noted a Fantail
Cuckoo on the 15th. and two Crimson Parrots on 23rd June, at
Netherby.

Mr. J. W. Mellor observed Bhick Swan, Teal, and Black
Duck on water at Keedbeds, also Whistling Eagle and a Little
Falcon. Mi-. E. Ashbv reported that the swift Lorikeet had
appeared at Blackwood during the month ; a tlock of quite 20
Red-ruin[)ed Parakeets was seen on 20th June, and that Stone
Plovers were heard calling in the evening of 24th June, this be-
ing the first time recorded at Blackwood for some considerable
time.

The i>rincipal business of the evening was the examination
of Maluridae and other bright plumaged birds by means of the
"Daylight" Electric Lamp. With this light it was found that a
minute comparison of colours was {)ossible.

Mr. A. K. Riddle was accorded a hearty vole of thaidvs for
l»ioviding and manijtulating the "Daylight" Lamp.

Mr. Zietz drew attention to an article in tlic "Ciiiidren's
Hour" on "The White-backed Magpie," in which the nestinj.
and other habits were incon-eci. evidently being taken from
the life history of the English Magpie. Mr. Zietz was asked to
point ont the mistake to the Plditor.

Th« South Auifiralian Omithnlojicjl Ajiaciafioti..

It was resolved that a (lelej;ale he nominated (o vepvesent
(lie Association at tlie Science Coniircss to be held at Hobai't,
Tasmania.

Tt was decided to place the Field Xatnralist^ section of the
Koyal Society and the I'erth Museum on the honorary list of re-
cipients of the "S.A. Ornitholojiist," and that a coin])lete set of
back numbers and future issues be sent to each.

— Meetino- held :5()th .Inly, l!»l20.—

Mr. F. M. An^el i)resided.

The Chairman referi-ed to the j;reat loss the Association had
sustained by the death of Mr. Symonds Clark, who was a foun-
dation member and ]>ast President of the Association. A
letter of heartfelt sym])athy had already been sent to Mrs.
(Mark.

Capt. White and Mr. J. W. .Mcllor cnlooised the splendid
work accomplished by the late Mr. Clark, and it was resolved
that the Association i)lace on record its appreciation of the
valuable services rendered to the Association and for the pre-
servation and protection of our native birds.

A letter was received from Mr. I. W. Ilosking. tendering
his resignation as a membei' on account of pressure of profes-
sional duties. Tt was decided to ask Mv. Hosking to reconsider
the matter.

Acknowledgements of receii)t of the "S.A. Ornithologist"
were received from the Director of the Perth Museum and the
Hon. Secretary of the Field Naturalist Section of the Royal
Society.

A letter was received from Mrs. Angove, advising that she
had no power to donate the late Dr. Angove's egg collection to
the Association, but she would enquire what could he done in
the matter.

Capt. White reported that the next session (►f Hie Koyal
Australian Ornithologists' Union would take place in Perth
about the middle of October, and also stated that the Committee
fvas at work on the new check list.

Bird notes for the month were received from Professor J.
B. Cleland, Capt. White, Messrs. J. W. Mellor, F. R. Zietz, E>
and A. K. Ash by.

Capt. White exhibited a very tine j)air of Freckled Duck
from Narrung.

The South Au.'ttralian Ornithological Astociatton. 97

The rest of tlie eveniiij;' ms taken u]) in coinparin'i- and (lis
.•ussinji tlie I'ollowin.u si)eeies of Maiuridae— M. nielanotns, M.
splendens, M. callaiiius, M. leueoptei-ns. M. cvanotus.

—Meeting- held on L'Tth Angust, 1!)lM).—

Mr. Edwin Ashby presided.

A letter was received from the Hon. Minister of Indnstry,
asking for a report on the alleged fruit-eating habits of the (iold
finch. It was decided to adjourn this discussion until the next
meeting, to enable members to consult their notebooks, and
secure further data, and the secretary was insti'ucted to wi-ite
the Hon. Minister to this effect.

Mr. Mellor reported Boobook Owls calling loudly at Lock-
leys. A very large gum-tree had to be cut down on his i)roi)erty.
This had been the home of Screech Owls for some time. A
kerosene tin full of ]»ellets. si)arrow heads, mice remains, etc.,
had been collected from the hollo.ws. and was sent on to the
Museum for tabulation.

Mr. Ashby also sent a nund)er of i)ellets of the Pxxtbook Owl
from Blackwood on to the Museum.

Mr. A. K. Ashby showed a skin of the Landrail. This bird
had been caught in a rabbit trap at Yenar, Victoria, and. being
considered a new bird in that district, was sent along for identi-
fication. Members thought that it was somewhat larger than
those found round Adelaide. Mr. A. Crompton said that the
T^andrail Avas often seen i-oosting in orange trees. The Thair
man asked Mr. ('rom])ton to secure date, etc., so that this inte
resting habit could be placed on record.

The (Miairman ri^xu-ted that the Swift Lorikeets wei-e nume
rous about Blackwood, and were feeding i>i'incipally on the seeds
of the Pei)j)ermint flum, and were not fre(puMiting the h<>ney-
laden flowei-s of the Blue Gum jiearly as much as he had
expected. Mi*. A. K. Ashby mentioned that this species has a
very sweet warble.

A resolution was i»assed. expressing much a])]»rei iat ion of
the Daylight Tiamit: but mendx'rs thought it might be lowered
a little, thereby allowing a closer com|»aiMson of coloui's.

Bii-d notes for the month were handed in bv Messrs. .1. W.
Mellor and Edwin Ashby.

A discussion then took |»lace on the following speci(>s of
Malnridae

.M. lambei-li. .^L elci/ans, >L ci-nentai iis. M. leiiconoins. M.
melanocephalus. and M. lencoptei-ns illii' I'lmk .ind white
^^'ren from Barrowi.

98 Order Patsrri forme''. Family riccvid<p, Gentis Stagonopletira.

Order Passeriformes, Family Ploceidae,
Genus Stagonopleura.

;^l<i(j(>noj>]riifa guttata (S])otted-sided Finch). — Mr.
Gregory M. Mathews has made one sub.-sp. for \'ii'toria and
South Australia, calling it »S'. g. philordi.

Description. — Upper surface and wings, brown ; rump and
upper tail coverts, scarlet; tail, black; Hanks, black, each
feather having a white spot ; broad, black band crosses the
breast; lores, black; crown of the head, grey; under tail coverts,
abdomen, and throat, white; bill, coral-red .line of bluish purple
at base; eyes, coral-red, with bluish eyelash; feet, brown.

Distribution. — Dispersed over most parts of Queensland,
New South Wales, Victoria, and South Australia.

Habitat. — The bird does not seem to be confined to any one
class of country, for it is found in the .Ranges, and out upon the
plains, and is to be met with in open limbered country, grass
land, and even in thick scrub.

Habits. — Miich like other members of the family ; grega-
rious during many months of the year and only pairing off at
nesting time.

Flight — Strong and straight ami will rise • to a great
altitude when shifting from one district to another.

Note. — A long-drawn, low, and mournful note.

Food. — The seeds of many rushes and grasses.

Nesting Season October to December.

Fggs — l»ure white, rather elongated. Average measure-
ment of la eggs 1.1):', cm. X 1.33 cm., largest egg 2.05 cm. x 1.35
cm., smallest egg, 1.S5 cm. x 1.25 cm.

Nest — Large structure comi)osed of dry grass, twigs, leaves,
etc. A nest taken near Stone Hut was entirely covered with
bright yellow everlasting flowers woven into the structure of the
nest.

Notes on Aphlocephala nigricincta (Black-banded
Whiteface), and other Birds.

P>y .1. Neil McOilp, K.A.O.F.

This species was noted in flocks of from two to six in num-
ber. The call is much sweeter and very different from the ordin-
ary AYhiteface, and this bird spends more of its time on the
ground. Though we were camped on a bore stream T did not note
this species coming into water, although often seen within a

McGILP — A'ofe.s- on Varioii.t liirds. 99

quarter of a mile of it. All other birds observed in the district
were noted at the water. This Whiteface started to nest, in com-
mon with Orange-fronted Chat, White-winged Wren, and Chest-
nut crowned Babbler, three weeks before the drought broke. The
nest is a bulky, retort shaped structure, the outside being of
twigs or brauchletsiof the "Roily poley" (Buck Bush), and in-
side I his a layer of dried flower stems and flower pods, with a
final snug lining of soft feathers. The noticeable thing about
the nest is the long, narrow entrance, one I measured being 9 in.
long, and only^l^ inches in diameter; this is only scantily lined
with feathers for about half the distance from the egg chamber,
The nesting places noted were in a Buckbush,( usually a half-
green one, which showed up the nest conspicuously, it usually
being of a very dark. colour ; the nest Avas also found in a prickly
acacia, called "Dead finish;'' the reason for the name can be
readily understood if one accidently comes in ^contact with it.
I noted that both birds took part in building the nest. They
left the nest, together, and only one, the female, I presume, in
returning carried material, the other bird accompanied her to
the bush, whereon he sat and whistled until the former had
placed the material in the nest. Then the mate flew off alone,
and returned with material which the female who had remained,
took and placed in the nest. After this, both birds flew oflf to
again repeat this system ; this was done without variation for
over an hour, though, of course, I was not.able to identify the
female. The clutch appeared to be of two eggs, only, for
only one clutch of three Avas noted, and several nests contain-
ing two very young birds were observed, but as I left the district
a few days after the rain, I was, not able to note if the young
from the nest had the black band. Very few eggs
were hatched out before the rain. Did these birds know that
the drought was to break or was it a good guess?

These birds do not resent one touching, the nest, or eggs or
young, which is rather strange, as it is necessary to almost de-
stroy the long, narrow.entrance in order to inspect the contents
f»f the nest.

Ejifhiannni (tiirifroux ( Orange-fronted Chat). — This bird
commenced breeding about three weeks before the rain. The
clutch was two eggs; only one of three was noted out of fully
fifty nests visited. I noted a rather peculiar habit in the-se
pietty creatures. The male sits on the nest from daylight (or
as soon as T was able to .see) up till 10 o'clock, and though scores
of times T visited the nests to test this, I failed to flush the fe
male during these hours, and the male was never flushed from

100 McGlLF — Notct oil Various Birds.

Ihe nest after that hour. I made a particular study of this, as
my work took me past a number of nests, and the result was
always the same. I do not know when the male goes upon
the nest, but I have flushed the female just at dusk in the even-
ing on dozens of occasions. The female, I noted, was the best
actor or actress in pretending lameness to draw danger from her
nest. The male appeared the less venturesome, no doubt ou
account of his brighter coloration.

— Birds on Bore Stream. —

It w^as very interesting to note that towards sundown all
the water birds seen, i.e., Swans, Black Duck, Pink eared Duck
and Teal, Avocets, Cranes (Antigone), Red Cap and Black-fron-
ted Dotterel, came up near the Bore head (here the water was
almost at the boiling point), and passed the night in or near
the warm water, returning to their feeding ground in the early
hours of morning. The birds evidently appreciate warmth as
well as human ,beings during the cold nights we experienced
during May. We were not camped about the Bore head, so they
did not leave that part on account of our disturbing them. In
fact, it was noticeable that where we camped (about two miles
downstream), the bulk of the birds were close to the camp dur-
ing the day. I think, on account of the sheep watering, they were
able to get food that was disturbed by the sheep.

The first bird to call in the morning was Sphenostoma cris-
tatum pallidum (the Wedgebill) ; we called him "Daylight
Bird.-' These were very numerous, but did not appear to have
started nesting operations, though they always seemed to be in
pairs. They have a very sweet call, but did not sing much
dnrmg the day time. Numbers of birds, including Antigone,
were killed by the fox, which, on our arrival, w%as very nume-
rous, but for a time, at least, the birds will not be molested, for
we destroyed a great many foxes during our sojourn in the
sandhill countrv.

The Birds of Kuitpo Forest.

By S. A. Wiut(\ CM.B.O.V.. (\F.A.O.U.

Through the kindness of Mr. IT. Corbin. consulting
Forester to the Government and Lecturer in Forestry at the
Adelaide University, the writer has made several very enjoy-
able trips to the forest under his supervision, at first, on bird
observing and pleasure bent, and later an official inspection,
as the Chariman of the Forestrv Committee of the Advisory

WHITE— The Birds of Kuitpo Forest. 1 0 1

lioartl. The Forest, of Kuitpo is about 30 miles south of
Adehiide, situated in ihe nin^'es, the nearest railway station
is 12 miles away, at Wilhmga. Some of the hi«;hest peaks
and rido-es reach X<200 to 1,:>()0 feet above the sea, and the
average rainfall must be about 30 inches. The Forest com-
prises some 8,000 acres, and is as yet mostly covered in native
trees. The red gum {Eucalyptus rostrata) covers much of the
creek fiats which are heavily soaked with water for five or six
months of the year. Most of the big trees have been felled,
and a regeneration of healthy saplings is covering the
ground, and in many places forming a fine timber belt along
the valleys. Many of the slopes and ridges are covered in
stringy bark {E. ohJiquu) but in most cases the ravages of fires
have left their marks only too noticeable upon the trees. In
places there is some thick scrub consisting of a stunted form
of Eiicali/ptK.s rosiuophjjlid, stunted Blue Gum E. h'ueo.ri/loii),
.•uitl rink (}um {E. faficiculofui), scrub She-Oak {Cni^uarina
(listila), and white-flowering Lcpfospermum. This scrub is
growing on the poorer parts of the Forest lands. Large areas
ihave been planted with Finns iiisignns and Pin us marifima,
the.'^e are in plots of different ages and are doing well. Large
areas of the native timber are being cleared off, all market-
able timber going through the mill and then a fire is passed
over the area to make ready for the planting of soft woods.
The first rhing that strikes an Ornithologist is the absence of
!)ir(l life in the pine forests, it is only when some native tree^
have grown up among the introduced timber that any of our
small birds will be found in ordinary weather,*but when strong
wijids are blowing many birds take shelter in the warm dry
pine forest. The Black Cockatoo (Califpforhi/nchus funcrcns
irhitc(if) A'sits the jiines in numbers to feed upon the seeds.
It miist be raid that bird life is really scarce over the forest
area, and this is due no doubt to the felling of the natural
limber and the 'burning olf after felling. Tiie nesting i)laces
f»f many species are destroyed as well as the old feeling trees,
and as tin- pine arciis are extended so the Tuajority of the
birds must <hHl a liome elsewhere. Tliere are parts of Ihe
area \vhi(h are bcng j)lanted with hard woods princi]»ally
various nuMubers of the Euculfiptns family. These will form
fceoing i rounds for an\ species of birds, also a sau'tnary. but
iliese trc'-'S will not lie allowed to stand long enougli to form
iic^'tinu liolldws for n,:i'iy useful birds.

The following is a list of the birds observed during the
s\rit('i-'s slioiM \v\\\< to I\ui)i»o Forest, but it should lie nndrr-

102 WHITE— The Birds of Kuitpo Forest.

stood that the list is not an exhaustive one, for there may be
man}' birds which visit the forest at different times of the
year.

Orfygodes i-arius (Eastern Painted Quail) — Observed one
bird only on the hill side amidst fairly thick scrub country.

Ccrchiicin cencliroidcs (Nankeen Kestrel) — One bird seen
in the open timbered country.

Spiloglaiix hoohooJc marmorata (Boobook Owl) — Heard a
bird calling; during the night in the red gum country.

TricJioglossus uovaehallancVae (Blue-bellied Lorikeet) —
A small flock of these birds flew overhead on their way probably
to some feeding trees.

Glossoimtta porphjjroccpliala (Purple-crowned Lorikeet)
— A blue gum (Eucalyptus leucoxylon) being in blossom it was
pleasing to watch these active little birds diligently searching
every flower in search of 'honey, invariably hanging, head
downwards in reaching the flowers at the extreme end of the
branches.

Calyptoi'hyiwhiis fmicrem whitcae (Southern Black Cocka-
too)— There seems to be quite a number of these birds w^hich
spend most of the year in the forest, they have discovered the
oily and sweet pine seeds. Hearing the strange calls of these
birds I moved quietly and noiselessly over the soft pine
needles, right under them while hard at work tearing open
the pine cones with their powerful bills. The remains of
pine cones were strewn around, torn into shreds by these
Cockatoos. Mt. Cor'bin tells me the birds do very little
damage, at times they may breack off the central shoot of
the pine w-hen alighting upon it, and sometimes they will bite
off the shoots. These birds prefer the seeds of Pinns mari-
tima to those of Pinns iusiynus. this is easily undertood when
we know that the seeds of the former are larger and much
more easily got at in comparison to the latter tree.

PJatyccrcus cleyans adelaUhte (Adelaide Rosella) — This bird
is found in many parts of the forest, their loud call notes were
heard many times.

Psephohis haniKitonotiis (Red-backed Parrot) — Several
small parties of these parrots were seen.

Dacelo gigas (Great Brown Kingfisher) — This typical bird
of the ranges is to bo found all through the gum country in
the Forest, but nowhere plentiful.

Eirundo neoxenn (Welcome Swallow) — About the
Forester's bouse, the saw mill sheds etc.

WHITE^Thr llirds ,;/■ l<n!ti,o I'orcsi. 103

H j/locltflidoii itif/rivdus <-(il('iii ( TrccMai-tin I — These little
swallows were uict witli in inaii.v jiaiis of lln' Forest jiciUM--
ally in fairly lar^c ]»artios.

MUroccit fdsciiKins (l>rown Flycatcli(M-) — An odd jiaii- or
Two met with thi-on.iih the j^um country.

Sinicrunns hrevirosfris viridesccns (Greenish Tree Tit)--
This bird was heard in the tree to])s on one occasion only.

IjCticnrirca tricolor (Black and White Fantail) — One or
two seen in the gum conntry, and rcmnd the Forestei-"s house.

Ac(i)ifhi.:a lUicaia (i^onthern Striated Tit i — This is one of
the most jjlentifnl birds in the Strinjiy bark conntry. they are
vc^ry lively little (diaps. and are to be seen at the very tops of
I he trees searcdiiiii;- amonj^st the leaves, and at other times
ihey are hopjiinii' about in the low bushes, and at times even
upon The ground, calling to one another nearly all the time.

MitJiiru^ cjltiiiciis l('(/(/('i (Southern Blue Wren) — A few
small paities seen at different times but not plentiful.

f'f<cii(Jarf(tiniis ci/diioptcrHs (Wood Swallow) — One or two
seen in the open timber(Ml country.

('()Uiiri<iii(](i luiniion'ica riciorUiv (X'ictorian (!iey Shrike
Thrush) — The m(d(idious clear call of this useful bird was of-
t(Mi heard amidst tlie big gum country. and at times they
were met with as they tlew from the ground wIkmm^ they had
b<'en searching for insects, grubs, etc.

(irdlVnid ri/diioleiica (Magpie Lark) — Two biids were seen
out in the o])en timbeicd country along the creek.

djinmorhiiid lii/jiolriird Iciiconotd (White-backed Magjtiel —
A few birds seen at different times, but not numerous.

Nro<-1iiiid picunnia udstralis (Southern llrown Treecreeper)
—The shall) call note of this bird was often heard as he as-
<-ended tln^ tree ti-unks.

I'drddlotiiiiis xfridhis Huhdjpiiis (South .\ustralian Pai'da-
lote) — A j)air of tlnsse birds seen in the gum saplings alli-acted
at teuton by their familiar call.

Mclillinpfiis Iinidfiis dthhiiihiisis (Soul hern White-naped
lioney-eateri — .\ small jiarty in the tops of the Stringy bark
gums calling loudly.

I'lUoliild iii'tiicilldtd irliifii (Sduthern White-plumed
Honey -eat eri — This is a fairly ((tnimoji bird in the red gum
{ /'iicdli/jtfds rostrafd) conntry, and was often seen in small
]'arties seaiching for food in the saplings.

l*hj/Ii(Ion!/ris pi/rrliopfrra iin1if<tiiicf(i (Southern Crescent
Ilon<'y-eater) — The clear ringing not<' of this bird was often
heard in the thick scrul). and it seems to occasionally visit the
pin<' forest.

104 Bird Nutcs for June.

Mr1i())-iiis )i(ir<ir]iollaiidi<ic .sithds.siniilis (South Ansli;ili;iii
Whirc-bcardcd llonoy-eatci')— This wich^ly distributed bird
was often met with botli in the scrub and o])en timbered
country, it certainly shows a ])rpference for thick scrub wlien
F.anksia and otlier feedinj; trees abound.

MjjZdiitliii iii('hnioc('i>}i(thi trhitei (Southern IJlack-heaikMl
Minah) — An odd bii'd or so was met with in tlie biii' jium
country, they wei-e not jdentifui.

Aiilhoclidcrd chr/fsoptrni inlvniinJUi (lirusli W'atth' r>ii-d) —
This bird was heard ujkui one occash)n in tin* thi(dc scrub, it
does not seem to be a common bird.

Bird Notes for )une 1920.

Mr. J. Sutton reports from Netherby — June 15th. A Fan
tail Cuckoo (Cacoinantis rubricatus) seen, but not calling; two
Adelaide Rosellas ( Flatifcerciis elcgans aclelaidac) observed.

Mr. .1 W. Mellor says — "During the first week in June
numbers of Bl ick Swans (Chenopis atrala) in flocks of 15 to 20
seen at the Reedbeds, most likelv travelling ^c their breeding
places. Numbers of Teal (Xctthti'i (fihbcriiruns) were seen
feeding in the swamps. Black ducks {Anas supcrciliosa) were
also there, but these birds were in i)airs. and small flocks. It will
soon be time for them to nest; they are ])airing off, and will, no
doubt, nest if they get the chance! The F.rush Wattle Birds
{ AntluH-luicni rlirj/soptcrd iiitcrinctliii ) are abcmt in the garden
ar Fulham ; they did not leave during the winter. They nested
in the orange and lemon trees in the early spring, and. bringing
itp two or three broods, did not finish breeding till late autumn,
lAvo l)eing the number of eggs laid in each case.

Noted several Noisy INIinahs {Myzantlut inehDiorrphdla
irhiici ) at Fulham; they were calling and making their usual
loud noise. These birds have nested for some time at Lockleys,
and seem to st;'y there all through the year; they seem to have
extended their range to Fulham this year. Noted several Whist-
ling Eagles (Hdlidstiir sphrnunifi) at Lockleys, in the open
paddocks and amongst the big gums. A little Falcon ( Falro
longipciniis) was seen n]»on one occasion, flying very swiftly,
and occasionally settling in some, of the big trees; the small
birds made a great fuss at the a])proach of their enemy. English
Starlings (Stiirnus rdlf/aris) were seen eating the berries of the
l)epper tree at Fulham; the olives being scarce and just ended.

i:ird .V,)/.-.. /'i/r July. 105

iii all pi'ohahilil V has foinvd Ilu'sc> hii-ds to lake any fond williiii
rlioir reach, ('licstimt-eared Finches {T^iciiiopi/f/ia cdxitinoth)
ai-e still numerous at Lockleys, sleepiui*- ill the old j-rass nests
luiilt ill the box-thorn bushes, which they warmly lined with
feathers. Screech Owls [Tjito aJhn (Jclinitiihi) were callinji' in
the trees at nijiht at Lockleys, esi>ecial1y in the early ]»art of the
eveuinj^s, when they start to <>o forth for food, rurple-crowned
Lorikeets { (ilossojtsiffd porplii/roccphdhi ) were about both at
l>ockleys and at Fulham ; the blue jiums bein^- now in (lower
form an atrraction for these birds. The Fantailed Cuckoos
{('(icoDuintist niJn-icalit.s) have been about at Lockleys durinjj;
the month. The small birds followed the cuckoos from tree t<»
n-ee, calling; loudly and pecking at them."

From Mr. E. Asliby, of Blackwood, in the Mount Lolty
Kaniies — "On June 11. my son (A. K. Ashby i identified Swift
Lorikeet { Lathaniiis discolor) tlyiug over at Blackwood; Tith,
tlu-ee of these birds tiying over oarden. and later one seen in the
llowerini*- l;)Iue "ums near the house. Same date, Regent Honey-
(>aters (ZdHthomizd phrj/f/ia frcf/rlhisi) calling freely. 20tli.
saw a score of Red-rumped Parrots {Pscphotiis hdriiKitoiiotii.'i)
in one flock just outside my }»roperty; Adelaide Rosellas ( /'. e.
nilcluiddc \ numerous, and Blue-bellied Lorikeets (Ti-irliof/Iossiiti
nordcholhtitdidc : still about. 24th — This evening the

Srone Plover ( Biirhiniis ludf/nirostrist) was calling; have not
lif^ai'd them foi* a long time j»reviously."

From Caiit. S. A. White, on the Adelaide plains, at the
Reedbeds, .luiie 2 — Si)iny-cheeked Honey-eaters ( ArdnfJidf/riiiis
nifof/Hhiris) calling; also heard the first Fantail Cuckoo (C-
riihricdtiis ) . 20th — S]>iny-oheeked Honey-eaters calling. Seve-
ral Fantailed Cuckoos about. Scarlet-breasted Robin in the gar-
den, nundiers of ^lagjue Larks (GnilJind rj/dnolriird) Hying
nver dui-ing the day. B>"own T-'lycatchers (Mirrored fdsriiid)i>i)
singing sweetlv all day. 25th — Several Swans (C. dtrdta) on
rhe water in ^ho swantjis; both Teal and P.lack Duck plentiful.

BUM) N()Ti:S FOB .IFLV. 1!»2().
Ca|)t. S. A. White noted. .Inly 1 ^Si.iny-clieeked Honey
eater l.L riifofpildris ] still at the Reedbeds.

•Inly 2. — Pdack-chinned TToney -eater ( MrJitlirc/)! us ffiihiri'i)
calling loudly ami fluttering in flocks.

July 5. — Great nundiers of Silver (Jul

July S. — Black-chinned Honey e
noisy; several Blue Wrens i Mdhinis
plumage.

(lulls about.

■ater ( .1/. (pihirix :

\erv

ci/d iirds Ii(ff/ri \ ii

1 full

KM'} Jiird Note-" for July.

•Inly lO.^Scarlet breasted Robin (Pctroica iiiulticolor
jronUilis) in tbe siarden ; Black-chinned Honey-eaters, very
noisy, mobbing together in the air. calling loudly, and descend-
ing to the ground in a mass; Spiny-cheeked Honey-eaters cal-
ling; Fantail Cuckoo calling.

.iuly 17. — Spiny-cheeked Honey -eater calling; also Black-
chinned Honey-eater. Many Black-faced Cuckoo-Shrikes (Cora-
cina norarhollaiifliar incJanops) about. HarmoniousShrike-
Thrush {Colliiriorinrla harmotiira \ calling loudly. Bronze
C'uckoo {Ltnnprocorcy.r phif/o.<iiis) calling. Spotted-sided Finch
iKta<louo])lnira f/nttato i giving forth their mournful call. Sil-
ver eyes {Zoxtcrops hitcrdlis ira^tcriicnsifo searching the fruit
trees for insects. Swans flying over, going South, during the
afternoon; one or two .seen in the swamps during the week.

July 28 — Spiny-cheeked Honey-eaters disa]>peared. Greater
numbers than usual of the Night Heron iXi/cticoni.r caledorii-
cvfi) which liave been roosting in the j>ine trees during the day
time this year u]) to this month, when many have left for their
breeding rookeries, but some of last year's birds still remain.

Pi'ofessor .1. liurton Cleland. re]»orted that he had
examine<l the stomach of a New Holland Honey-eater
I Meliornix rioraeholhittfliiic) which had been picked up under
an almond tree in blossom; a fungus growth was found in the
wall of the stomach, which caused the bird's death, and that
this growth could easily have been caused by these birds taking
the germs from the flowers. The Professor heard the Boobook
Owl calling on the night of the 25th.

Mr. Zietz (Ornithologist to the S.A. Museum ) reported that
the nest and two eggs of the large Wattle-bird had been sent in.
The Caspian Tern { Hi/flroproffiie tdschef/raia strenua) had
again been seen on the Torrens (Dr. Morgan having reported
it for the same locality a month earlier). The good work done
by the Shrike-Tit (Folriinculus frontntits) by the destruction
of tree galls; some galls were exhibited from a shea-oak tree,
each gall being torn open by the means of this bird's powerful
bill in search of the grub which forms the gall.

^Messrs. E. and K. Ashby reported the first Bronze Cuckoo
at Blackwood on the IGth, and on 13th July, twelve Swift Lori-
keets were observed flying low. A Boobook owl, which had
been under .ob.servation for some time, was found shot on 25th
July, and the occurrence was reported to the police. Twelve
l)ellets from this bird were collected.

Bird Sot't for July. 107

Mr. J. W. Mellor reports from I.O(kl(\vs. on the Adelaide
jilains —

July 1. — White-fronted Herons returned to Lockleys, and
look up their abode in the, large red gums, where they have bred
each year for a considerable time past, owing to the protection
given them. Within a day or two the birds paired off, and
kept to themselves. If another bird came near, harsh, discordant
notes were given out, seemingly in protest of such encroachment.
Nesting started soon after the arrival of the birds, which selec-
ted the topmost limbs and branches of the high gum trees, out
of ordinary harm's way. but T am afraid that later in the month
the birds had been disturbed by guns being fired in the vicinity
one night, presumably by someone after o]>ossums. as these ani-
mals were also present. The next night the herons had shifted
their (piarters to some smaller gum trees close to my house, but
here it is not so suitable for nesting, being too near the ntain
road. Itut it is to be hoped that the scaring of the birds is only
temporary, as the s])ot where they have formerly built and
i-eai*ed their young is ideal. During the night in their new (piar-
ters 1 he birds were very agitated, and on one coming near an-
other. shar]> sna]ipiiig of bills could be heard, witli the usual
angry "kop, kop. koj)," and harsh grunting noise made in the
throat. During the daytime the herons are numerous in the
swamjts at the Reedbeds. just east of Henley Beach, where tliey
wade about in the shallow water up to theii- knees, ever and
anon probing their bills into the mud and grass we»Ml to secure
some acpiatic in.sect or a frog.

Birds have started to nest early at Lockleys. Noted a
-Magpie (white-backed i carrying hair to line its nest on July 10.
All the month a pair has been particularly pugnacious, swoop-
ing down on anything and everything crossing the paddock, the
Hock of tame tui-keys getting their share of the battle, and each
tone the birds come at them the gobblers all join in an angry
chorus, and keep it up for a considerable time, getting more and
Tuore agitated each time, and louder in their indignation at
being attacked.

On July 17. noted a White-})lumed Honey eatei* carrying
web and bits of fine grass, etc.. to construct its nest in a lemon
.scented pine near the back door. The nest was A\-el] on its wa\
to completion by the end of the month.

The Noi.><y Miiiahs are also pairing, and are very noi.sy and
(juarrelsome with ea<h other, also with any other bird that
conies near thcni. A pair of theni is nesting in a high r»Ml

108 Bird Notes /.<»• July.

jj;uiu. I noted them first carrying nesting material on July 17,
and the nest was well on towards completion by July 150.

On July 21, noted a Whistling Eagle at Fulham, flying
about the.large gum trees.

The Fantail Cuckoo was calling in various localities all tlie
month, an<l was being chased by smaller birds.

Koobook Owls have been calling, at Lockleys, also the Deli-
cate Owls have been very vigorous in their "screeching" in the
gums at night.

Noted .the Little Falcon about, flying swiftly.

Quite a number of Black Ducks are about the shallow
swamps at the Keedbeds. since the 1st of the month. ,when dose
season started, and the birds seem to know that they are pro-
tected, as they are to be seen quite near the Henley l»each road,
sporting in the water, or basking in the sunshine on tiie edge of
the large pools. where food is abundant at this time of
the season. They are matijig up now. and ;ire often seen in
f»airs. preparing for nesting.

A few pairs of sordid Wood-swallow are still to be seen
at Fulham, they having been about all the season. ;ind iip-
parently inteTid to prolong their stay for nesting this year.

Zebra l-^inches are still about at Lockleys and Fulham, feed-
ing in small flocks on the seed of weeds in the gardens.

Noted a Niinkeen Kestrel hovering near an old hollow tree
at Lockleys on July 2!», where is usually lays its eggs and rears
its young each season: Judging by the actions of the bird it
seemed to be looking up its old nesting haunt again.

W. K. Tlioiuas & Co., PKiitrre. Idclaido.

VV. K. Thotnai « C<..,

Priuicr*.
UreufeU 8t., Adtlaids.

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