Full text of "A record of the A.O.U. expedition to Eyre's Peninsula, October, 1909, with notes on ornithology, botany and entomology"

See other formats

ORNITHOLOCISTS. |

Be =D

» 4 j an) ree ) ts ee ip f 7s ; aah su is iy Chay ;
‘Qromannyuomnareen eye arierany meee sh) a

— GREGORY. M. MATHEWS

Ex Libris ae |

CH: WUmrw

Smithsonian Institution
ibrartes

Alexander Wetmore
194 6 Szth Secretary 1953

Birds
A RECORD

OF THE

A.O.U. EXPEDITION TO EYRE’S
iN ~
PEN eW LS.

OCTOBER, 1209,

WITH NOTES ON ORNITHOLOGY, BOTANY,
AND ENTOMOLOGY,

By CART. (8: A. WHITE, A-O.U.

ADELAIDE ;
W. K. THomas & Co., PRINTERS, GRENFELL STREET.

1910,

1) Fay oul _ >
PRP eau ‘|
3 MAL Bae a

sence, ate 1 > Apa > i ,

eg
1 Tay “re
."

g i.

: vee

a ed

F i t>

em
. *

‘a

nr
aed

| :

PREFACH.

The only explanation I can give as to the reason for my writing
this record, is that I felt the necessity of recording such an im-
portant working camp-out as took place on Eyre’s Peninsula, iu
October, 1909, under the auspices of the Australasian Ornitholo-
gists Union. I say important because, although several
ornithologists had done good work on the Peninsular, this was the
first attempt to make a list of the birds found in that district.
I will not say a perfect list, because the limited time spent in this
research would not permit of the list being a perfect one. I have
written of our doings in camp from day to day, not so much ina
scientific way, but in a chatty strain in hopes it may rouse an
interest in bird life; and, better still, their protection. Should this
ce the case with but one individual, f will be repaid for all my
trouble.

The list of birds attached to this record will be found correct I
hope. The scientific names are after Mr. G. Matthews, F.L.S..
F.G.S., M.B.O.U., &c. ‘The yernacular names are those contained
ix the list compiled by the committee appointed by the South
Australian Ornithological Association to carry out this work.

I have to thank Mr. A. H. H. Mattingley, C.M.Z.S., Mr. and
Mrs. H. Burrell of New South Wales for the use of their splendid
nature photos. I am indebted to Mr. Wi. H. D. Griffith for the list
of entomological specimens, and for his correcting proof of same.

“Wetunga,’’
Fulham, South Australia.
February 23, 1910.

MEMBERS ON BOARD THE S.S. ‘‘ RUPARA.”

INTRODUCTION.

— --—Q—.

In case this record should come under the notice of others than
members of the Australasian Ornithologists Union, I deem it ne-
cessary to state that the objects of the Union are ‘“ the advance-
ment and popularization of the Science of Ornithology and the
protection of useful and ornamental avefauna.” Each year a
session is held in one of the States and after the transactions of
business matters, &c., a working camp-out takes place. For the
year 1909 the session was held in Adelaide, and it was first
thought of holding the camp in the Far North, but the season
proving unpropitious, it was decided to try Eyre’s Peninsula,
(for reasons stated on another page), with this end in view ac-
companied by my wife I made a hurried trip to the Peninsula,
where I found the roads almost impassable after the heavy rains
which prevented me visiting several localities. Being handi-
capped with orders to curtail expenses, I selected the camping
ground close to the railway line, some 28 miles from Port Lincoln,
at Warunda Creek for the reasons, that after disembarking from
the train no transport would be required, permanent water close
to hand, mid-way between the Koppio Range and the Broom
Country with the West Coast within easy reach, and a railway
on which to draw fresh supplies. Mr. J. W. Mellor at his own
request conducted almost all the arrangements for the provision-
ing and housing of the party which was no small task. In con-
clusion I must say that the expedition has borne good fruit
already, for it has been the instigation of a rare and beautiful
family of birds (neophema) being placed on the totally protected
list, and the islands in Coffin’s Bay being proclaimed bird sanctu-
aries. As to the work done in camp, I will leave the reader to
judge after this record has been carefully read.

A.O.U. Camp, Warunda Creek, October, Igoo.

viy.iE members of the Australasian Ornithological Union left

= Port Adelaide by the well-equipped and comfortable steamer
Rupara for Port Lincoln on October 5. The party, including
the interstate delegates, were 25 strong—counting the cook. New
South Wales was represented by Mr. and Mrs. Burrell; Victoria
by Mr. J. A. Leach, M.Sc. (head of the Nature Study Department
in the sister State), Dr. Horne, Messrs. A. H. E. Mattingley,
C.M.Z.S., C. L. Barret (The Melbourne Herald staff), Barr, Rosen-
hain, Clarke, and Z. Gray; Tasmania by Mr. R. Hall, F.L.S.,
€.M.Z.S., (Curator of the Hobart Museum), and Mrs. J. W. Israel;
South Australia by Mr. IF. R. Zeitz (representing the Adelaide
Museum), Dr. Angoyve, Messrs. R. Crompton, John F. Mellor, J.
W. Mellor, Mrs. Mellor, and Misses Mellor (2), Mr. H. D. Griffith,
Capt. and Mrs. White, and Mr. A. C. Edquist (of the South
Australian Nature Study Department). The party reached Port
Lincoln on the morning of October 6, and proceeded by special
train to the camping ground at Warunda Creek, a picturesque spot
overshadowed by ancient sugar gums. The remainder of the day
was spent in pitching tents and forming camp. On the following
morning reveille was sounded at 6 o’clock, and after a dip in the
creek by the gentlemen of the party, breakfast was served under
the wide-spreading branches of a mammoth sugar gum. All appe-
tites were sharpened by the invigorating atmosphere, charged with
sweet scents from dew-laden shrubs which grew in great profusion
around us. Soon a start was made to explore the surrounding
scrub. Ornithologists with their fieldglasses, notebooks, and
tomahawks sallied forth to make observations, and to cut their

His Excellency the Governor visits the Camp.

Party leaving for the West Coast.

way to the top of tall trees to observe our feathered friends in the
act of nidification, while camera men took pictures of the young

and eggs in what seemed inaccessible places: to the uninitiated in
such work.

—Interesting Observations.

Those who had the pleasure of seeing that world-renowned
Nature photographer, Mr. A. EH. H. Matingley, C.M.Z.S., at work
will never forget it. He straps on the climbing irons and scales
the bare smooth trunk of a huge eucalypt of over 100 ft. without
a branch. Then he hauls up his valuable camera by means of a
line, and perched in a most dangerous position on some decayed
limb, takes pictures of the young birds and their nests. The
botanists went forth loaded up, for on their backs they carried
bulky packs of paper in frames, in which to press their specimens.
The entomologist took his bottles, jars, and chip boxes, and also
a large umbrella, into which he shakes the leafy-covered branches
of trees and shrubs in search of minute insects which are con-
cealed among the leaves and stems of overhaging branches; but
as soon as the branch is touched, these insects let go their hold and
drop in a lifeless fashion to the long grass beneath. The ento-
mologist guards against this by intercepting the fall with the up-
turned extended umbrella. The bright-flowering shrubs are
searched for the gorgeous beetles that belong to the Buprestide, or
Setonicidae family, and exist upon the sweet nectar abstracted
from the wild flowers. Bark is carefully removed from the trunks
of trees in search of insects of more sombre colouring, and dead
logs and stones are overturned in quest of beetles, spiders, and
jand shells. Last, but not least, the geologist thrusts his short-
handled miner’s pick into his belt, straps on a strong canvas bag
to his shoulders, in which to carry back to camp fragments of
rock and stones which may be of special interest; and with
hammer in hand he is soon at work among the relices of bygone
ages. The tapping of his hammer grows fainter in the distance
as the prospector works his way over the range or up some rocky
ravine. So, radiating from the camp to all points of the compass,
small parties of two and three go out, and the camp would be
desserted but for the cook—an important individual in any camp;
for, in spite of the advance of science, the scientist requires his
three square meals a day as well as anyone else does, especially
after a 15 or 20 mile tramp.

—Startled Birds and Animals.—

The harsh cry of the parrots is heard among the brushwood;
the birds have been disturbed, most likely by Some one from their
morning meal amid the berry-laden bushes or seedy grasses; or,
it may be, the brush-tongued lorkeets have been frightened from

rub.

alt in the

oon-day h

gularis).

altria

breasted Robin (Eops

Nest of the Grey

Mattingley.

Photo. by Mv.

their breakfast of honey amid the bright flowering eucalyptus:
overhead. The timid little brush wallaby pauses a moment to
listen as the cracking of a stick amid the undergrowth sounds out.
He waits but a second to view the intruder into his solitude, and
then this minature kangaroo bounds off to the more secluded
thickets of the bush. Kangaroo and Emu in like manner give the
scientists a wide berth, for—sad to say—in these parts our strange
and interesting animals haye long since found out that man is
bent on their extermination. Scenes like these pass before the
naturalist’s eyes; his nostrils are filled with the sweet and invig-
orating scents of the Austrlian bush; Lis pulse beats rapidly, and
the blood courses through his yeins as he views all Nature around
him as the Creator of all things has placed it. But, alas! the
vision of the inevitable passes before the Nature student—the axe.
followed by fire; the scrub-roller with more fire, stumpjump
plough, the seed drill. And so the natural fauna and flora are
wiped out on the piece of ground for ever. It is a pity that the
Government could not reserve a fair-Ssized block in each district
so as to hand down the indigenous trees, shrubs, and flowers to the
coming generations; and these reserves could be made sanctuaries
for our native birds and mammals.

-——In Camp Again.—

At luncheon time the pot lid summoned the camp to eat, but
few would put in an appearance. Most of the members took their
luncheon with them and a billyean, thus saving the precious time
to keep forging ahead. Towards dark groups of twos and threes
would appear in the vicinity of the camp, loaded with specimens,
leg-weary and with appetites of the proverbial hunter. Only on
one occasion did a member of our party fail to arrive in time, but
he eventually turned up in the small hours of the morning. Dark-
ness had overtaken him before he reached camp, and—it being 2
cloudy threatening night—the heavens were obscured; so there was
nothing for it but to take shelter in a hollow tree and wait tili
the clouds rolled by. After a clean-up all assembled at the mess
tent and did justice to the culinary efforts of our military cook.
Pipes were lit; specimens were brought forward to the big camp
fire to be identified and examined: notes were compared; graphic
descriptions of the wanderings and the country through which they
passed were given; and arrangements were made for the morrow.
The camp fire burned gradually lower and lower, and the members
one after another silently found their way to their tents to seek
the rest so necessary after a day’s tramp in such bracing atmos-
phere. One by one the lights were extinguished till our camp was
in darkness. The white tents rose like phantoms as they were
outlined by the starlight against the dark foliage of the sugar
gums. <All was at rest in sleep with the exception of one member-

Scrub Robin (Drymacedus—brunneopygius)
with nest and young.

Dr. Angove and Mr. Leach comparing notes.

12
of the party, who was renowned for heavy breathing. The noise
at times that issued from his tent would make one imagine a
vater hog had invaded the camp! Night birds gave forth their
lonely calls. The boobook owl was heard in the big timber calling
to his mate with the familar ‘“mopoke!” “mopoke!” The weird
and plaintive whistle of the stone plover, or curlew, as he dwelt
upon the last note of his call, was merged into the rest of the
sound. A great chorus of frogs kept a grand concert going with
immense zest through the livelong night. The occasional thud or
breaking of a stick close by in the scrub betrayed the jumping
gait of some marsupial, but even these sounds soon seemed further
and further away as we gently slid into the Land of Dreams.
Just as the silvery light of the coming day becomes perceptible
in the eastern sky (long before Old Sol paints that point of the
compass with his fiery tongues of light), the harsh, “Quack-quack”’
of the watlebird is heard in every tree as immense numbers of
these birds awake into activity. Soon afterwards the reveille
arouses the camp into life; and lightly clad forms are seen in
the early morning light, issuing from the tents with towels in hand
on their way to the creek. And so another day begins.

—Off to Coffin‘s Bay.—

On Friday, October 8, a party consisting of Dr. Horne (V.), Dr.
Angove (S.A.), Messrs. Leach, M.Sc., Barrett, and Barr (V.), Mr.
Robert Hall, F.R.S. (T.), and Mr. Edquist (S8.A.), left the main
camp for a flying visit to Coffin’s Bay, on the west coast. The
geologists of the party were anxious to explore an island in Coffin’s
Bay. where interesting fossil remains were supposed to have
been discovered while prospecting for phosphates. It was a warm
day, and the sun was well overhead before the little band of
scientists were under way in a backblocker’s vehicle, drawn by
horses whose education was not quite so complete as that of the
party who sat behind them. Soon a mallee brumby had the party
in trouble. Splintered mallee swingbars, combined with hair and
flesh, were flying around. This caper, as a rule, does not last
long, and when the brumbies had quietened down, a piece or two
of good old mallee, with a few feet of cocky’s friend (fencing wire),
soon put things to rights, and the flying column was again on
the way.

—Through the Mallee Country.—

The track led througa a dense mass of mallee, and nothing but
this stunted eucalyptus was to be seen on either hand. When 4
ridge was crossed the party could see for miles one unbroken sea,
rising and falling like billows, according to the undulating nature
of the ground on which it grows. Amid this dense bush and soli-
tude the scrub wren pours forth its melodious song, and that

Mr. Mattingley climbing by aid of climbing irons.

nh
<eey on

Mr. Mattingley photographing Mallee Hen’s Nest
(showing quartzites).

ehigma among birds, the mallee hen, constructs its natural incu-
bator; the wallaby hops along its well-defined track, which leads
to some claypan or feeding ground. ‘The party pushed on, and,
with a halt now and again to observe some bird in the vicinity of
the track, the horses were kept up to the collar. At Lake Wan-
gary camp was called for the night.

—A Happy Hunting Ground.—

On the following day all members of the party were about early,
anxious to explore the new fields. A start was made for Horse
Peninsula, a narrow strip of land jutting out into Port Douglas,
forming on the east side Mount Dutton Bay. This peninsular was
once a great camping ground of the aborigines, and therefore of
great interest to some of the scientists, for they soon traced the
extensive stone fishtraps into which the dusky warriors (now long
since passed away) have driven many a shoal of fish to be speared,
Their cooking places were to be seen all around where the fish
and cockles had been cooked for ages past. Many rough imple-
ments used by the almost extinct race for the preparation of
food—of course all stone—-were unearthed or lay bleaching on the

sand.
—An Aboriginal Graveyard.—

Ancient burial grounds were in the sand, the surface of which
has become disturbed by the action of the wind. Fragments of
buman skeletons were found after groping for several hours amid
the sand, which had many times been damped by tears of friends
of the departed (aborigines are great at lamenting), sand which
had absorbed many human bodies.

—A Human Pitfall.—

The scientists moved on up the coastline to where it rose in bold
relief in cliffs from the rocks below, on which the ever restless
ocean breaks in foam. This spot is marked as a point of interest,
for it was here many years ago about 50 of the now-despised
natives were forced after a tedious drive to the edge of the cliff
and then over it at the muzzle of the settlers’ guns, to be dashed
to pieces on the rocks below, simply for spearing stock that had
been let loose upon their own country which white man had robbed
them of, just as we would nowadays shoot a neighbour’s fowls
that continually trespassed upon our land.

—A Picturesque Coastline.—

The party retraced their steps along the bay to Wangary, and
thence along the shores of Mount Dutton Bay and Killidie Bay.
The day was a fine one, and the land and water scape were charm-
ing beyond description. The fine landlocked harbour of Port

‘Jsou uo (saprlosiiyjs—snsiepog) yom-so17 *JS9U UO (Saplosiajs—-snSsiepog) yow-so1,7

Douglas, its glossy surface glistening in the noonday sun trans
mitting glorious shades of colouring, from the light green of the
shoal waters to the deep blue of the centre harbour, backed up
by rugged and majestic rocks, or maybe by dazzling white sand
dunes dotted oyer by the light green shrubs characteristic to our
seashore, was a delightful picture. Drinking in these lovely vestas.
as every opening on the coastline revealed them, like the drawing
back of a curtain, the members of the party were enraptured.

—Country Rich in Birds.—

The party trudged on, the ornithologists noting each bird that
came within their scope of observation, be it a small wren, a tit,
or a honeyeater amid the undergrowth. The waders, some of
pied uniform, were standing on their long legs far out in the lake,
but powerful glasses made the birds appear within one’s reach.
The shore birds, as they ran along the glistening sand in the
sunlight, were noted. The nature photographer, ever on the watch
for a picture, trudged along under his heavy load of photographie
paraphernalia. If a nest was found with eggs or young, the
camera was fixed up and a record taken, and perhaps the parent
bird was snapped as she came or he cname back to the nest. The
collector of oboriginal remains was continually on the outlook for
any indications of native qevcupation.

-A Friend in Need.—

At last the party reached Coffin’s Bay homestead, one of the
raany properties owned by Mr. Mortlock, and our people were
fortunate to find the owner there, for by Mr. Mortlock’s generosity
in placing a boat at their disposal they were enabled to visit an
island in the bay, where many objects of interest came under the
scientists’ notice. The party returned to Wangary that night, well
satisfied with their day’s work.

—The Back Trail.—

Next day the malle brumbies were yoked up, and after a little
persuasion got off the mark and headed for Marble Range. Just
under the most southerly end of this bold pile of rocks the ornitho-
logists struck a rich spot, for it appeared as though many species
of birds had congregated under the sheltered side of the range to
build their nests and rear their young. Here among an undis-
turbed natural flora rare birds allowed photographs and observa-
tions to be taken of them in the act of nidification, and showed but
little or no fear. The party were loth to leave so lovely and so
rich a spot in ornithological material, but it was imperative to
reach the main camp by dark, so with regret our feathered friends
were left alone in their secluded spot to enjoy a brief period till
the axe, fire, and scrub roller come their way with the ever-des-

‘pues dssooy UO Pulm haphuyy ny yy fq o70ug
34} je worse ey} Sq a1eq ple] sUTeTMOY [eULSsIOqy (‘sna1sunj—snyoudys0jd Aye) coyeyIoD Yorlq_

treying hand of man. The horses’ heads were turned into the
dusty track through the mallee once more, and as the short twi-
light of the Australian bush was giving way to the darkness of
night, and the dear old laughing jack was giving his final hoot
before turning in his head to rest, the cheery camp fire was seen
burning brightly through the timber, and the wanderers and their
camp friends were soon exchanging coo-ees:

I daresay those who read of scientists going into camp imagine
it is a time for relaxation, ard that they have a real good “loaf.”
Could these people only see the daily work gone through by the
hard workers (of course, there are always one or two in every
society who take things easily) they would soon change their
opinion in regard to campers. When a party of scientists are
quartered in a certain locality they are nearly always limited to
time, and at once set about doing as much work within the hours
of daylight as can possibly be managed, so that the district shall
be thoroughly worked.

—Other Detachments Leaye Camp.—

On October 12 another party left for Lake Wangary and the
west coast, made up principally of conchologists. There were also
botanists and entomologists. They took the same route as the
first detachment, and the botanists and entomologists worked the
country on the way down. The conchologists commenced opera-
tiens as soon as they reached the coast. By this time most of the
country within many miles of the camp had been worked. Pre-
parations were therefore made to go further afield. On October
13 a detachment of nine left early in the morning, packed pretty
tightly in a small spring dray. They headed to the east. The
progress was slow, for the first seven or eight miles over rough
country, which lay between the camp and the range.

The Koppio Range.—

After reaching the foothills the track became so bad that all
had to alight from the vehicle, and it was as much as the ol¢@
horse could do to pull the dray up with our kit. Here the country
changed, and the low broom of the plains gave place to the yucea
and heath of the hills, and a dwarf species of Melaleuca was
found to be abundant. Its delicate pink blossom quite enlivened
the landscape with patches of colour. The picturesque spikes of
the yucca towered up on all sides, filling the air with sweet frag-
rance, for these strange flower heads contain an immense quantity
of honey, which had attracted many insects, foremsot among which
was the sugar ant. Wallabies broke cover continually and hopped
off to more secluded spots.

‘

snsosni sninesopAyoviy

*(sn}eurainoe—snuesn,y) Stopuons 1o yovIq dATeN “‘prezvy sardaetg 10 poyre}-duinqys

20
—Looking Backwards.—

When we reached the top of the first ridge we turned and looked
back. <A fine view inet our eyes, for we were at a fair elevation,
and stretching away at our feet, bathed in the bright morning
sunlight, were miles upon miles of mallee and broom country,
bounded by that fine range of hills, Marble Range, with the boid
pile of rocks called North Block, like a sentinel, at the northern
end of the range, but distinctly detached from it. These huge
rocks, shrouded in a purple mist, ran almost perpendicularly from
the dark mallee-covered plain. The latter was broken in a few
piaces by small patches of chocolate-coloured soil in fallow, or
maybe a light green patch of corn, with a galvanized-iron hut
glistening in the sun, indicating where that plucky and hard-work-
ing individual, the mallee farmer, has set himself to carve out a
future by determination and heaps of hard work. A spot or thread
of silvery light shining in the sun like molten silver, shows the
position of a swamp or claypan, filled to overflowing during the
past bounteous season.

—In the Ranges.—

Turning our backs on this ever-changing scene (it will not be
long before this vast plain will be all under the plough), we de-
scended into the valley beyond, to rise again on the other side to
the top of No. 2 ridge, and so on till we had put many miles
between us and the plain. The flora had changed considerably,
and timber was larger. Great masses of scarlet-flowering bottle
brush grew in the valleys, and a tree or two of banksia, as well
as sheoak were to be met with. Strange to say, however, the
birds had changed little, for we observed the greybreasted robin,
rufus-vented shrike thrush, the scrub wrens, black magpies, and
many others, all of which we had found on the plains. Having
persuaded the old horse to drag the dray so far along a wild and
rugged mountain track we called a halt in a wooded valley, and
liberated him from his harness for a while. Cameras, satchels,
and other impedimenta were soon hauled out of the dray, and the
party was swallowed up by the bush, all in search of objects in his
or her special line of study. All assembled at the appointed hour,
full of what they had or had not seen. The billyean (the in-
dispensable of bush life) was boiling. Tea made and a ration issued
all seemed anxious to take the edge off those appetites so well
sharpened by the healthful atmosphere of the Australian bush and
a good iong tramp. After a brief rest we again rambled off for
a little while. Soon the return journey had to be made, the track
in the ranges being a nasty one, and almost impossible to follow
in the dark.

*( yooqooq—xoulN) [MOQ Yyooqoog "IOPUOT JOP] ‘SNIIvVA snuvie A

50)

-——Turning Westward Again.—

The party returned to the first ridge overlooking the plain, where
the scene had changed, for, instead of the sun being high over-
head, it was fast dipping into the Southern Ocean, and causing
those bold peaks of Marble Range and North Rock to cast deep
shadows across the mallee-tops almost to the foot of the range on
which we stood. Birds on this side were still active in the sun-
light, as they flew from tree to tree or among the flower-laden
bushes in quest of food. Lower down, however, the deepening
shadows gave their warning that the daylight was near an end;
parrots, pigeons, and many other birds were assembling at the
rockholes in the beds of watercourses (which were being dried
up fast by the approaching stt¢mmer heat) to take their evening
drink ere they found their respective roosting places for the night.

The hum of the wild bee had ceased now that the sunlight was
gone, and he had hurried home to his associates in some hollow
tree, or if belated far out in the scrub, had taken refuge under a
piece of loose bark or large leaf from the heavy night dew to await
the morning sun. Birds of many kinds made much noise as they
called to one another that it was time to go to roost. The scrub
wrens and robins were pouring forth their evening song with theiz
levyely melodious voices. Our dear old magpies and laughing jacks,
both late birds, were still on the lookout for some dainty morsel
such as frogs, crickets, or night moths for their supper. Often
when the night has well set in one hears the former bird cleaving
the air on rapid wing and with startling ery making for his night
perch in some lofty tree. The quaint old jack flaps along with
heayy flight, bumps against his mates on some gum branch, and
then gives forth that well-known chorus which floats away over
the tree-tops on the still night air. With such sounds as these we
reached camp, tired and hungry, but rejoicing that we had the
chance of seeing so much that day.

—An Enigma Among Birds.—

On the following day word came in that a mallee hen’s nest
(Lipoa ocellata) had been located. <A party was formed to visit
the spot, and a long walk over rough country brought us in view
of one of Nature’s incubators, about 18 ft. in diameter, and 2 ft.
6 in. high. The mound was composed of sand, quartz, earth, and
debris scratched from all quarters in the scrub up to 20 or 30 yards
away. ‘These birds have strongly developed legs and feet, and
with the aid of their wings they scrape the material up into a heap
in a crater-like depression. In the centre decayed vegetation is
placed, open to the rains, and when well saturated is covered in
with sand and earth. When the bird lays her eggs she opens out
the nest, deposits the eggs on end, and closes it up again. This

hapbuyoyy “apy hq ‘ojoyg

‘aorjou adeosa

0} WOTeBIOTOD dAT}D9}0Id I19y} UO SuIpuadap (snIeT]eIS*
—sniying ) 19A0[q 3U0JG UToy}NoG 9} jo Ssunoy sy ‘punoy, SuIISAN uo (eyeT]I00—vodl’y) uaz sa] PIL

~
~

process is continued till she has one tier upon another. She then
allows the heat generated inside to complete the process of in-
cubation. So soon as the young are hatched they are able to take
care of themselves, having full use of their legs and wings, and
being well feathered. By the latest observations I have made,
and information I have collected, [ am sorry to say that without
a doubt within a short time these wonderful birds will be birds
of the past, as is the dodo, or any other of the extinct animals.
The taking up of the Jand, the destroying of their native habitat,
and that great scourge, the fox, are systematically wiping them
out. The only way open now to perpetuate these quaint birds is for
the Government to take steps and introduce them into Kangaroo
Island before it is too late. The photographer having taken the
pictures required, the party once more made its way through
mallee and thick undergrowth back to camp, which was reached
after a long and rough scramble, entered into with much en-
thusiasm and determination by some of the lady members of the
party.

Friday, October 15, brought us near the end of our stay, and
much had to be done before we struck camp. For example, there
were nests which when discovered some days previously did not
contain the full number of eggs, and had been left so that a picture
could be taken of the exact number. This in many cases entailed
a stiff climb.

—Dangers of the Ooligist.—

It is only those who do this work that understand the labour
entailed, for not only does one require muscular strength, but the
nerye-racking suspense when the finger nails or the short spurs
of the climbing irons are barely preventing one from a fall of 100
to 200 ft., is so exhausting that a strong wiry, and muscular man
will tremble like a leaf when the critical moment is over.

—Busy Time in Camp.—

Botanists left certain plants and flowers till the last day.
A double pressure of work made things fairly lively in and out
of camp at this time. The detachments which had made flying
visits to the west coast had now returned well satisfied with the
work they had accomplished. Other small parties which had been
out in other directions had also returned, and with the exception
of Mr. A. Mattingley, C.M.Z.S., (V.), Gvho had journeyed to Port
Lineoln for the purpose of giving a lecture) the camp had its full
sirength.

—More Tield Excursionists Leave Camp.—

On the eve of departure Mr. and Mrs. Burrell (N.S.W.), through
the courtesy of a local resident, was enabled to make a flying visit

Party of Ornitholog’sts working the <oppio Ranges, with their guide
in the for:groun1.

In Camp—Mrs. Burrell, N.S.W., J. W. Mellor stuffing birds, and A. H.
E. Mattingley, the world-renowned Nature Photographer.

to the Tod River, where they did some excellent work, and they
were able to add several aquatic species of birds to the list, as
well as make some useful observations of bird life found in the
hilly country which divided the camp from the Tod River. Mr.
Robert Crompton (S.A.), also journeyed to this river, and, after
a tramp of 12 or 18 miles, struck it in a more northerly direction
at Koppio homestead, where he remained a few days making
daily excursions for the purpose of observation. He is to be con-
gratulated on the amount of good work done in that direction.

—A True Bird Lover.—

Lo, on yon branch whose top is dead,

Over the gums’ still clustering shade the black magpie sits
Torpid and motionless, yet peering round

Suspicious of deceit, at our approach,

They mount, and loudly chattering from on high,

Bid the wild scrub of human guile beware!

It was most gratifying to all members to hear Mr. Crompton’s
graphic account, on his return from Koppio, of the way in which
the owner (Mr. Richardson) rigidly and jealously protects the
native birds upon his station. We were all delighted to hear this
mews, and it is a pity there are not more landowners like Mr.
Richardson, who, apart from the love of the birds, recognises the
great good our native birds are doing. I feel sure if the owner of
Koppio, as an obseryant man, will have discovered long ere this
that he has been repaid a hundredfold by the good work the birds
have done for the trouble entailed in their protection. I only
wish the Government, in fact, every individual in Australia,
would awaken to the fact, and stamp out the many enemies of oua:
native birds—fire and poison, and the boy with the pea rifle—
and grant them suitable reserves where they can safely live and
multiply. Like America, Australia will awaken to the fact, but
it will be too late!

—The Last Excursions.—

The last field Excursion the writer made was at the invitation
of Mjr. George Horne, M.D., of Melbourne, a most unselfish and
genial spirit who delighted in seeing others happy. The party
consisted of Surgeon Mjr. Horne, Mr. Robert Crompton (S.A.), and
the writer and his wife. Mjr. Horne had spent considerable time
and energy the day before beating up the district for some mode
of conveyance. Of course it is very nice when one has a long
tramp to a farmer’s home, and is told that he cannot hire, lend,
or give any transport, but Mr. So-and-So lives 12 or 18 miles
from here in that direction, and he most likely can let you haye
a horse and dray, and when you get there this man tells you of

Nest of the Spur-winged Plover (Lobivanellus-lobabus).

another neighbour in quite a different direction. Anyway at the
appointed time a small spring cart and a pony made its appear-
ance, and IT was done the honour of being entrusted to pilot the
party on the journey.

—A Secluded Spot.—

We made a considerable detour to strike and make use of a track
which led into the ranges, and we were on the gradual ascent all
the way. After leaving the foothills we came upon a pretty,
secluded valley, with a nice stream of water running through, it.
Here we tied up the horse and proceeded to follow up the creek
on foot, which had swampy ground on either side, covered, with
water grasses and rushes, among which tadpoles scuttled away
in the shallow water. Once a little landrail (Hypotanidia-
Philippinensis) ran from a thick bunch of rushes, paused for a
while as we stood still to survey us in astonishment, and with
a funny little twitch of the tail, which is carried erect, the bird
darted off into the long rushes. The New Holland honeyeaters
kept up a continual squeaking amidst the large patches of bottle
brush, where they build their nests. A little later on we espied
a mud nest of the jay (or corcorax) high over our heads, and after
n Climb it was found to be an old one. The full, liquid call of the
shrike thrush sounded up the gully in rich cadence; and a solitary
black cockatoo flew by, giving forth its harsh, screeching eall,
which clashed on the ear after the sweet notes of the thrush. Far
overhead soared a pair of wedge-tailed eagles, keeping an ever
watchful eye over their big nest in a lofty gum. After proceeding
a mile, the valley broadened out where two gullies met, and in
the rainy season emptied out their streams, spreading over a flat
some four or five acres in extent; but at this time it was covered
with a verdant grassy carpet, which would rival any lawn, with
a few gums dotted about, also bottle brush. On the soft soil were
seen many imprints of the emus’ feet, showing that these strange
birds haye not been entirely exterminated. .

—Among the Sougbirds.—

Ye children of man whose life is a span
Protracted with sorrow from day to day,
Naked and featherless, feeble and querulous,
Sickly, calamitous creatures of clay.

Attend to the words of the sovereign birds—
Immortal, illustrious, lords of the air

Who survey from on high with a merciful eye,
Your struggles of misery, labour, and care.

Resting for a while to listen to the rufus-breasted thickhead’s
lovely note we observed many birds in a clump of sheoak which

The Nest and Young of the Black Magpie Strepera-fusca).

ran down the hillside. Among them were the lovely little red-
capped robin darting about after winged insects like fire-flys. The
noisy black magpies, or Strepera, were making a great fuss be-
cause they had a nest of fleé slings close by. A male bird of the
rufus-breasted thickhead sat upon a dead twig and poured forth
his delightful song to his spouse, who was in the act of incubation
in the adjoining tree. <A little colony of Sittilla attracted our
attention by their quick movements as they searched each she-
oak trunk for insects, keeping up a continuous twittering the
while; and a fantailed cuckoo gave forth its regular and mournful
note from the top of a dead tree just over the valley.

—Returning to the Camp.—

We were loth to tear ourselves away from such an animated
scene, but time waiteth for no man, and evening was drawing
nigh. On reaching the starting point we found that the ever-
thoughtful Mjr. Horne had the billy boiling, so with a cup of
refreshing tea and something to eat we were on board again, and
descending the steep hills. Just at dusk, as we came out on ‘the
low country, we drove up to a pretty sight—a pair of brush
kangaroos were feeding at the edge of the scrub and allowed us
to approach within 10 or 15 yards of them, and on our pulling up
they went on feeding unconcerned and allowed us ample time
to admire them. Poor animals! It was with pleasure mingled
with pity that we viewed them. Almost every man’s hand and
every dog’s teeth were against them, and the time will not be
long before their tenure of this country will be over. We reached
camp after a long and profitable day (thanks to Mjr. Horne, who
made the last part of the journey pass very pleasantly with his
many humorous tales and anecdotes), just in time to take part
with our camp mates in the evening meal.

—The Last Evening in Camp.—

This was the last evening in camp, and a rather mournful air
pervaded the groups of capers, who stood or sat upon logs
‘round the huge fire, for I am sure there was not one who did
not regret that the outing was at an end. The general topics
of conversation were mostly on how long members would remain
in each State as they passed through on their way to their respec-
tive homes, and the likelihood of meeting one another next session.
Also who would take up the work of describing the different
sections of research: but as the evening wore on sleep made itself
felt, and the little groups became smaller, till all had melted away
around the white tents to seek their last night’s repose under
canvas for some time to come.

White-browed Wood Swallow (Artamus-superciliosus).

Striking Camp.—

lod

Saturday morning broke dull and threatening, and by 7 a.m.
a steady rain began to fall. This was unfortunate, because it
was not nice work or satisfactory to strike tents in the wet.
Thanks to the courtesy and forethought of the Resident Engineer
of the Railway Department (Mr. Hayman) the railway carriage
of the special train was sent up at an early hour, and formed
a haven of refuge for the ladies while the tents were being struck.

—Homeward Bound.—

Every one worked well, and by noon the whole of our kit was
well packed in the truck, the engine appeared on the scene, and
we left Warunda Creek, if not in tears, decidedly on the damp
side. Still we should not have complained, for by the beaming
faces of the farmers who we passed along the line unmistakably
told us that this rain meant much to them. Arriving at Port
Lincoln in good time, the truck was shunted down the pier to
the ship’s side, and, amidst q steady downpour, was unloaded
into the hold; and at a little after 5 p.m. the comfortable little
steamer Rupara threw off her moorings and stood away to Port
Adelaide.

—Regrets.—

There are always some things we are sorry did not come to
pass after every outing; might be for pleasure or work. Fore
most among our regrets were that our President (Mr. A. T.
Campbell, Col. Mem. B.O.U.). and our past President (Mr. D.
Le Souef, C.M.Z.S.), both men of sterling worth and keen ornitho-
logists, were not with us on the camp out; and, again, all regretted
we had not the time to complete the research which we had only
just begun. I regret very much that Dr. A. M. Morgan was unable
to accompany us, for we are greatly the losers by such a keen
ornithologist being absent.

—Many Windnesses to be Thankful For.—

A trip like we have just taken can be helped along consider-
ably, and can even be marred or made a success by the surround-
ing outside help, and we had many to thank for their assistance.
First of all the Adelaide Steamship Company for the generous.
Way in which they met us, and the untiring efforts of their
officials to make things go smoothly. The genial, warm-hearted
skipper of the Rupara, who did everything he could for us, even
to arranging a smooth passage there and back. Then our hearti-
est thanks are due to the Premier for the splendid way in which
he met us in regard to transport on the railway; also the rail-
way officials at Port Lincoln, especially the Resident Engineer

Mr. Robert Zietz, of the Natural History. Museum, Adelaide,
at work.

(Mr. Hayman), who was untiring in his efforts on our behalf.
Ovr thanks are due to the Supply and Tender Board for the splen-
did tents supplied by them; and we have also to thank Mr. J. W.
Jones and Col. Weir, also Mr. Thos. Gill (Under Treasurer), Mr.
Osbourne was thanked many scores of times during our stay in
camp for his very generous gift of fruit. Last, but not least, we
thank the postmaster at Port Lincoln for forwarding our letters,
the district council, the President and Vice-President of the Port
Lincoln Institute for their many kindnesses.

A good deal having been written on the ornithologists’
camp some will naturally wonder what good has come
of it all. I will, therefore, give a brief outline
of the work which was accomplished during the
short time which was at the disposal of the field workers. The
reason should be first stated for selecting Eyre’s Peninsular as
the camping place. First of all, on this peninsular the bird life
is of special interest to the scientist, for the reason that this form
of life has shown no defined boundary between the southern and
western forms. One overlaps and mingles with the other. To
ascertain by compiling a list of birds found on Eyre’s Peninsular,
and to prove how far this inosculation takes place, was one of the
chief reasons for selecting a camping site at Warunda Creek.
Although the campers represented many branches of Science—or-
nithology, botany, entomology, conchology, geology—all met under
the auspices of the Australasian Ornithologists’ Union, and we
will deal with that branch first. Bird life was found to be fairly
plentiful for such an aried country, and when one considers that a
list of 105 species of birds were seen and identified, without
doubt it proves that Dame Nature has been fairly liberal with
the distribution of bird life on this peninsular.

—Birds of Prey.—

First, that noble bird, the wedge-tailed eagle (Uroaetus-andax),
was seen in pairs in several localities, where it had built its nests
(immense structures of sticks) in high sugar gums, and in most
cases eaglets, covered in soft white down, occupied the home.
I ascended to one far up in an old sugar gum, where I found a
fluffy, downy eaglet, which opened its bill, sat back upon its tail,
and clawed in the air with its strong talons as my head appeared
over the side of its stick home. Close to the young one lay a
freshly killed wallaby, from the carcase of which the parent bird
had been feeding the young one when she was disturbed. Few
Australians know that this eagle is the largest of its kind in the
world. I am sorry to say that the harm (if any) which he is
supposed to do, is much exaggerated; for, after close and minute
observation we have found that this bird does far more good than

harm. If one takes the trouble to investigate the surroundings
of one of these bird’s nests it will be found that hundreds of
rabbits are brought as food for the young. Sometimes a single
lamb’s remains are found, but in all cases these lambs are weak-
lings, which would be little or no loss to the owner. Probably
they have died from cold or other causes, and have been conveyed
to the nest after death. A strange feature connected with these
birds’ nests is that invariably the little yellow-rumped tit builds
its dome-shaped nest among the sticks of its noble relative’s huge
nest, where it rears its family in perfect safety. The black-
cheeked falcon (Falco-melanogenys) was once seen to dart down
amid the timber in pursuit of some small rodent or reptile, alighted
for a moment on a branch, turned its black face towards the
observer, and was gone again on swift wing. The rare and swift-
flying hawk, the black falcon (Falco-subniger), was reported as
having heen seen on one occasion. The western brown hawk
(Hieracidea occidentalis) was closely observed by several of the
ornithologists, and it was noted for its small legs, compact body,
and long-pointed wings. Its flight was elegant, made up by long
sweeps and curves, and manoeuvring close to the ground. The
latter trait is peculiar to the hawk family, which prefers plenty
of wing room when performing in the characteristic sweeping
movements. The bird’s diet consists chiefly of lizards, frogs,
insects, caterpillars, and carion. Those useful little birds, the
vankeen kestrels (Cerchneis cenchroides), so wrongly called spar-
row hawks, were seen in almost every locality, especially about
the wheatfields, where they kept watch for mice, lizards, and large
insects. They were frequently seen suspending themselves over
some particular spot in midair without the slightest apparent
motion of the wings. One of the most graceful of the hawk
family, the letter winged kite (Elanus scriptus) was noticed by me
on one occasion sweeping by. These birds are fairly plentiful in
the central part of Australia, but an odd one or two pay an oc-
‘assional summer visit to the south. The bird derives its name
from the coloration of the undersurface of the wing, which when
extended forms the letter V, and if both wings are seen from un-
derneath at the same time the ietter W.

In the hollow branch of a dead old gum which hath neither
leaf nor flower,

The boobook owl doth dwell.

Dull, hatred despised in the sunshine hour,

But at dark is abroad and well.

Not a bird of the scrub ever mates with him,

All mock him outright by day,

But at night when the scrub is still and dim

The boldest will shrink away!

—-Owls.—

It is more than likely that the barn or delicate owl (Strix
delicatula), is found on Hyre’s Peninsular, but did not come under
the notice of our party during the time we were there. The
mopokes, or boobook owls (Ninox boobook) were heard every night
calling to one another amid the timber on the creek, where no
doubt they had their nest in some hollow gum bough. A bird
closely allied to the owls and which came under our notice was
the podargus, or frogmouth (Podargus strigoides). Like the rest
ot the genus these birds are strictly nocturnal. They sleep through
the day on some dead branch of a tree, across and never parallel
tc the branch. They sit in an upright position, and so resemble
the wood on which they are perched. It is hard, therefore, to
distinguish them from the tree. I discovered a pair of these
quaint birds in an old gnarled sugar gum. It was found that
the female was sitting in a loosely constructed nest of sticks,
carelessly interwoven and placed in a fork of the limb. Later
on several of the photographers took pictures of the bird on the
nest. She allowed one to climb within a few feet, and she was
almost taken in the hand. When, however, she flew off with lazy
flight with heavy flapping wings to a neighbouring tree, it was
found she had two young birds covered in the whitest of white
down. The food of these birds consists entirely of insects, and
they are, therefore, of much value to the State. Many are of
the opinion that this is the bird that makes the call at night of
“Mopoke.”’ This is a great mistake.

—Swallows.—

The welcome swallows (Hirundo-neoxena), was found to have
the same liking for the habitation of man as it has all over Aus-
tralia, and welcome it should be, for the thousands of flies and
mosquitoes it devours in a day is wonderful. The tree martin
(Petrochelidon-nigricans), was observed skimming over the surface
of lagoons or waterholes, or hawking high up over the treetops,
ever on the lookout for insects. It selects the holes in trees to
bring up its young. Little or no nest is made—perhaps a gum leaf
or two, or it may be that three or four pinky-white freckled eggs:
are laid on the soft dust of the hollow limb.

—-A Lovely Bird.—

The bee-eater (Merops ornatus) has so many attractions that
doubtless it may be always regarded as a bird of prominence in
Australia. It is often called the rainbow bird by the settlers from
its many brilliant colours. The extreme beauty of its plumage,
the elegance of its form, and the gracefulness of its flight, all
draw one’s attention. The eggs are deposited, and the young

37
reared in holes made in a sandy bank of a river or dry water-
course. The entrance is scarcely larger than a mouse-hole, and
is three or four feet deep. A chamber is constructed large enough
‘to contain five or six pinky-white eggs.

—The Wood Swallow.—

Two species of these extremely useful birds were noted near
‘the camp. The dusky wood swallows (Artamus-tenebrosus), were
found nesting in the upright forks or behind bark in the timber
along the creek, and their familar call was heard all day long as
they chascd winged insects near the watercourse. The wood
swallow should be a general favorite with Australians, not only
for its graceful and pleasing actions, but for the great amount of
good it does, and from its trustful nature. They will often take
up their abode near houses, and rear their young within the
sight of human beings. A large flock of masked wood swallows
(Artamus personatus) were identified by the aid of ficldglasses as
they passed overhead, evidently migrating to some locality to lay
their eggs and rear their young. Those pretty and useful litile
birds the striped diamond birds (Pardalotus-ornatus), were in
great numbers among the timber along the creek, and could be
Seen in every tree hopping about among the green foliage in
Search of insects and parasites which are so injurious to the
healthy growth of the eucalyptus. As these birds hopped from
twig to twig and leaf to leaf they kept up a continual call of
two notes, which resembled the words “be quick, be quick.” One
of the most conspicuous and plentiful birds about the camp was
the black magpie or strepera (strepera-fusca). These birds seek
their food on or near the ground, sometimes in Swampy situations.
in Tasmania and the Bass Straits Islands one of this family is
to be seen searching among the rocks and seaweed for marine
insects. Grasshoppers and insects of every kind are eaten by
them. These are varied sometimes by seeds and berries. They
bop with remarkable agility over the ground, and leap from
branch to branch with great ease. Their flight is short and heavy.
They seldom mount high in the air, and during flight they usually
utter a shrill ery which is frequently repeated and answered by
other birds of the same troop.

Ye birds on swift wing who cleave the air,
What lessons you teach us and messages bear;
You beckon our spirits from this earth to rise,
And tell us all lowly actions to despise.

You tell of how earth’s pursuits are vain,
Even pleasure is toil and ambition is pain.

That very familar bird the magpie, comes next under notice.

There is little need to dwell on its usefulness, for every one
knows what a great friend the magpie is to agriculturists and
pastoralists. One of these birds will do more work of its kind
in a day than three men. This bird is known to the scientist
as the white-backed crow shrike (Gymnorhina leuconota).
Small families of six to ten are often seen running over the newly
turned up soil in search of insects, and the number of locusts and
grasshoppers they devour is immense. Who is there who has
not felt a thrill of delight when, on some morning in early spring,
the magpie’s carol floats out on the bright, clear air from some
high dead eucalypt?

—The Cuckoo Shrike.—

A. few pairs of the black-faced cuckoo shrikes (Coracina-
robusta) came under observation. Its undulating and powerful
flight, also the peculiar call, would soon draw attention to this
useful bird, which lives almost exclusively on insects and their
larvae. It has a remarkable habit of perching on the top of a
dead tree for hours; occasionally it will sally out in pursuit of
some insect that may have come within the range of vision, then
back to its perch again. The nest of this bird is placed in the fork
of a horizontal branch, and is composed of small dead twigs glued
into position by fine cobwebs, and in many cases pieces of
“lichens”? are attached to the nest to make it resembie the bough
on which it is placed. The nest is very shallow, barely high
enough to keep the three brownish-green eggs in position. The
bird is rather conspicuous in coloration, for the plumage is of q
delicate grey, with a deep contrast in forehead and face, which
are deep black.

-—Thickheads.—

One of the most interesting and sweetest song birds on the
peninsnlar is the ‘Rufus-breasted thickhead (Pachycephala
rufiventris). This pleasing litle bird has a wide range, being
found over the whole of southern Australia, and is to be found
fairly plentiful around the partially timbered country, and few
birds in Australia utter a more animated and lovely song or loud
continuous whistle. The thickhead’s food consists of insects of
various kinds, and, like other members of the family, it creeps
and hops about the branches of the trees in a gentle and quiet
manner. The nest is of cup sbape, and very loosely put <*o-
gether with roots and fibres. It contains, as a rule, three eggs of
an olive tint, with a zone of indistinct spots and blotches. The
white-throated thickhead (meridionalis) were also met with in the
Scrub near the creek,

—Thrushes.—

Another beautiful songster was the buff-bellied shrike thrush
(Colluricinela rifiventris). This bird’s beautiful liquid notes re-
sounded through the scrub clear as a bell, and would be easily
mistaken for that species found around Adelaide
(namely, C. harmonica), the harmonious” shrike thrush;
but on comparing the two birds they will be
found to differ in the following particulars :—The
whole of the upper surface is pure grey instead of brown; the
abdomen and undertail coverts are deep buff, instead of greyish
white. This is one of the interesting forms of bird life found
in Western Australia, and overlaps on lByre’s Peninsular.
Thrushes spend nearly as much time on the ground as they do in
trees, and their food consists of insects and their larvae.

A Great Ventriloquist.—

The crested bell-bird (Oreoica cristata), was observed by me not
far from Port Lincoln. This is a Singular bird, and is thinly dis-
persed over the southern portion of Australia. It is extremely
local, and nowhere very plentiful. From my experience I have
found that it frequents the stony ridges or open patches in scrub
country. It keeps much to the ground, over which it moves with
great rapidity, and when flurried generally flies a short distance
and alights on a branch near the ground. The note is indescrib-
able, and must be heard to be understood, for this bird iS ay Per
fect ventriloqaist, and often its mournful whistle seems at a great
distance, while the bird may be a few yards away concealed in
the thick scrub. I quote Mr. Gilbert, who says:—“‘At first this
hird’s note commences in so low a tone that it sounds as if at a
considerable distance, and then gradually increases in volume
until it appears over the head of the wondering hearer, the bird
that utters it being all the while not more than a few yards dis-
tant, its motionless attitude rendering its descovery very difficult.”
It has two kinds of song, the most usual of which is a running suc-
cession of notes, or two notes repeated very slowly, followed by
a repetition three times rather quickly, the last note resembling
the sound of a bell, with a ringing tone. Its food consists chiefly
of caterpillars and grubs, and it is, therefore, a very useful bird.

—Wlycatchers.—

The pied fantail (Rhipidura-tricolor), is one of the most tame
and familar of Australian birds, and is a great favourite on ac-
count of its great liking for the habitation of man, for it frequents
the houses, gardens, and stockyards, rides upon the cats’ and
dogs’ backs, is a great friend to the stock, the latter showing great
appreciation for the services rendered by this little bird in ridding

them of flies and many other insects. A good many pairs of these
friendly little birds were observed at Warunda Creek busily bring-
ing up their families. Another representative of this family of
flycatchers was met with in the restless flycatcher (Seisura in-
quieta) which ranges over the whole southern portion of Australia.
It is a bird possessing many very peculiar habits for it not only
captures its food like other flycatchers, but it will suspend itself
in the air over open patches in the scrub and this is accomplished
by a remarkable quick motion of the wings, and ever and anon
it will dart down on some insect that is seen moving upon the
ground, precisely like a kestrel or falcon; and it is while perform-
ing these movements that it uters the peculiar sounds from which
it has received the name of “scissors grinder.’ This bird is
found in varied situations, and seems as fond of the thick scrub
as it is of the open timbered land. It has a loud, clear whistle;
but its more singular note—like a razor grinder at work—is
uttered while hovering over the ground in search of prey.

Sing on sweet bird, like thee
When with the gay the free,

If sorrow should be mine,

I'll not sing o’er the hours
xone, faded like these bowers,

My song shall be like thine.

— IR ora} —

That beautiful and useful little bird the red-capped robin
(Petrocea goodenovii) was identified, but not seen in any num-
bers. These birds seem to prefer the thinly timbered country
during the greater part of the year, but towards the spring they
repair to the pine or mallee scrub, where they build a most beauti-
ful nest, cup-shaped, and very compact, composed of bark, and
decorated outside with mosses and bright-coloured lichens, and so
resembles the tree on which it is placed that it is with the greatest
difficulty it can be discovered. The male bird has a most delight-
ful song, but the female has but little voice. The next species of
robin which came under our notice was the very solitary bird
in habits, the scrub robin (Drymodes-brunneipygius). Its plain-
tive call was heard at times; but, being a very shy and wary bird,
it was seldom seen, and it was only after great length of time,
keeping perfectly still and repeating its call, that I managed to
eall this very interesting little bird out of the dense scrub to a
clear patch. After answering my whistle for some time, a male
bird at last hopped out where I could get a good view. It seemed
to keep much to the ground, and pass most of its time among the
underwood. It appeared rarely to take wing, but depended upon
the quickness of foot to enable it to escape into the scrub. I did

-observe it on one occasion to perch on the top of a low bush, where
it gave forth its plaintive whistle. Its nest is very hard to dis-
cover, being placed among the dead leaves and twigs at the foot
of a tree. Another of those western forms again came under our
notice having overlapped on to Hyre’s Peninsular, and that is the
erey-breasted robin (HKopsultria-gularis). These are quite
conspicuous birds, owing to their bright colouring, which, like
all things in nature harmonizes so well, the beautiful tint of
grey which colours the upper part of this little bird blending with
the rich yellow of the under surface. The nest is very difficult to
detect, for the situation selected is a gumtree with ragged bar)
which hangs down in strips is on the fork of one of these trees.
The nest is plainer, constructed of narrow strips of bark bound.
into place by cobweb, while round the outside dangling pieces of
bark are suspended, making the fork resemble those in the vicinity
and a very unusual thing with the robin family, no lining is placed
in the nest, but the two brown eggs are laid upon the strips of
bark. All this family of birds are most useful in destroying the
many winged insects, caterpillars, and grubs which are so injuri-
ous to vegetation. When one watches these birds hopping from
twig to twig around the rough bark of a tree, peering into everT
erevice and crack in search of grubs and larvae, it comes vefy
forcibly before one that if the native birds had been protected
from the first a lot of trouble and expense would have been
saved in fighting the codlin moth.

Birds, the free tenants of land, air, and ocean ;
Their form all symmetry, their motions grace;

,In plumage delicate and beautiful—

Thick without burthen, close as a fish’s scales,

Or loose as full-blown poppies on the breeze,

With wings that might have had a soul within them,
They bore their owners by such sweet enchantment.

Under the family of Malurus are grouped those wonderful little
birds the blue wrens, or superb warblers—one of the most useful
of Australian types. Sixteen species are found throughout Aus-
tralasia. We observed two species of these lovely little birds on
Eyre’s Peninsula namely, Malurus cyanochlamys and Malurus
assimilis, the firsthnamed being that familar little blue bird to be
met with in many of the gardens around Adelaide. These birds
are gregarious for a few months of the year—that is, they travel
about in family circles composed of the brood of that season, for
as the young birds leave their nests they generally remain with
the parent birds till the next nesting season. During the winter
inonths they become very tame, and will frequent the gardens

and shrubberies near the city, and if domestic cats are not kept
will build their nests and rear their young in a shrub close to the
garden path in spite of persons passing up and down. This shows
that they rather cultivate than shun the presence of man. Their
food consists chiefly of moths, flies, numerous kinds of winged
insects, and the larvae of many beetles. The services they render
the gardener and orchardist can be imagined when one is re-
minded that the average daily diet of a wren is 100 grubs.
Malurus-assimilis is very like the above-mentioned relative both in
colouring and habits, but it is not nearly so plentiful. At the
first glance it can be distinguished by the red markings of the
body. Another wren-like bird which came under our notice amidst
the brushwood was the redrumped Hylacola (Hylacola-cuta). In
habits it is very like the wren, and also in structure, for it carries
its tail erect, but is larger in size and of more retiring nature.
Next upon the list comes that very common but extremely useful
bird, the yellow-rumped tit (Acanthiza-chrysorrhoa), named from
akanthis, a linnet; chrusos, gold; orros, a_ tail. Nearly every
observant Australian lad is familar with this little bird, which
congregates in small families, hopping over the ground in search
of insects with great rapidity, and when flurried the bright yellow
tail coverts show most conspicuously. It flies but a_ short
distance, and. alights again to carry on its useful work.
I observed two nests of these little birds containing young
placed in the huge stick nest of the wedged-tailed eagle, showing
that one of Australia’s smaller birds was on friendly terms with
the world’s greatest eagle, who is branded so wrongly and so
darkly by our squatters. Often the narrow-billed bronze cuckoo
places her egg in the tit’s nest, allowing the latter to hatch and
foster the young bird, who, in time, manages to throw the right-
ful owners from the nest, so that all the food carried by the
poor little parents, will build up and fatten the big intruder. One
of the three chats found in Australia came under our notice in the
White-fronted chat (EHphthianura albifrons), a bird which does
much good to the pastoralist, for, of bright and sprightly habits,
it is to be seen hopping over the ground in search of caterpillars,
erasshoppers (in thier minature stage), and grubs. These birds
congregate in large flocks during the winter months, and wage
war upon ail insect life. Being of rather pugnacious habits, great
fighting takes place, as the spring comes around, among the male
birds, as to their future wives. All having won or stolen their
brides, the colony disperse, and look out their building site. The
nest is of cup shape, and generally built near or on the ground
at the side or in the centre of a bunch of rushes. I have on
many occasions observed their nests in shrubs and thistles 2 to-
3 ft. from the ground.

What time the timirous hare leaps forth to find,

When the soft-winged owl skims over the grassy mead
Then high in the air, and poised upon his wings,
Unseen the soft enamoured lark doth sing.

The ground pipit (Akthus-Australia), from Tuthus, a small bird
and Australis, southern, although called a ground lark, differs
much from the true lark, both in habits and structure of bill and
feet. It is essentially a ground bird, for it will sooner try to
escape on foot than take to the wing, and when compelled to fly
its flight is of short duration, and it alights again after 20 or 30
yards. This most useful bird is an unpaid worker, and does his
duty well in keeping down the insect pests. Pipits are dispersed
over the whole of southern Australia, and are to be met with on
the mountain side and on the plain in almost all localities, prowvid-
ing the timbcr is not too thick. Others of the lark family who
rival in song their cousins of the Northern Hemisphere were not
met with on the trip, but may put in an appearance later on as this
country: becomes cleared of timber and broom.

The crows and choughs that wing the midway air
Seem scarce so gross as beetles.
(Shakspeare).

The next to come under our observation was the much-abused
“erow” Corone-Australis (Raven). Many tell us of the harm this
bird does, but they pause not a moment to put his good traits on
the other side of the scales. Apart from the discoveries made by
Australian ornithologists, we see that America has spent much
labour and money in this research. The Government at Washing-
ton had the stomachs of crows examined at all times of the year.
Crows to the number of 1,000 were dissected, and Dr. Hart
Merriam tells us after 10 years of research (most of the time oc-
cupying the attention of specialists) that crows have a liking for
insects possessing a strong smell. For this reason they detroy
much insect life that may be passed by other birds. The amount
of fruit eaten is yery small, the number of birds’ eggs and young
poultry show 1 per cent. of food for the year. Insects form 26 per
cent. of entire food, and in conclusion Dr. Hart Merriman tells us
that the crow is a decided friend to the farmer and not an enemy.
So much for our poor old crow, who has the same nature as his
American cousin. The white-browed babbler (Pomatorhinus
superciliosus) has been called the ‘‘codlin motheater’ by many,
which goes to show what good our native birds will do if only
encouraged hy protection. Babblers live in small communities,
and are most restless birds. They are continually on the hop
and jump over the ground and logs, prying into every crack and

corner in search of insects. When disturbed they chatter in a
most indiscriminate manner, hence the name of “babbler.’”’

—Honeyeaters.—

One of the most typical families of Australian birds are our
honeyeaters, and this species are legion. Of course, as may be
supposed, Eyre’s Peninsular is not overflowing with either milk
‘or honey; still the flora of that country, combined with the insect
life, is sufficient to support many species of this large family of
birds. Many of them are beautifully coloured and their song is
most pleasing to the ear. One of the most plentiful birds, not
only on the peninsular, but in many parts of Southern Australia,
is the yellow-winged honeyeater (Meliornis Nova Hollandiae). It
shows a more decided preference for shrubs than for larger timber,
and where the bottlebrush or banksia abound so will these birds
congregate, and on being disturbed will keep up an incessant sharp
squeaking. Their strikingly contrasted colouring and markings
makes them not the least attractive of our Australian avifauna.
When darting on swift wing from bush to bush the bright yellow
markings of the wing are very conspicuous, and it is often called
the “Yellow Wing” by the settlers. During my visit to Port
Lincoln a month prior to the camp-out I observed these birds in
thousands among the stunted cucalypts at the back of the town.
The gums were then in flower, and hundreds of young birds,
fully fledged and attended by their parents, were to be seen
everywhere, keeping up an incessant squeaking—the young to the
parents and the parents uttering notes of alarm to their young.
The singing honeyeater (Ptilotis sonora) was not observed in the
vicinity of the camp, but I believe it was identified by the party
who yisited Coffins Bay amid the low bush on the sand dunes
(a favourite locality for this species). This bird is sombre in
plumage, but it makes up for the want of colouring with its full,
sweet note, which is most pleasing to the ear of the traveller ia
the solitude of the low scrubs on our coastlines. The wattle-
cheeked honeyeater (P.-cratitia), was Seen by me but once on my
former visit, so little or no observations were obtainable. It is
named from two fleshy pendants of a plum colour, which hang on
either side of the cheek, and give the bird a most striking appear-
ance. The yellow plumed honeyeater (P. ornata) were fairly
numerous, but not nearly so as they were a month earlier, when
I visited the same locality. They showed a preference for the
bigger timber, where they were to be seen flitting about the
blossoms and foliage in a quick but graceful manner, descending
sometimes in a quick circular motion (like a piece of revolving
paper falling from a height) in pursuit of some insect which was
falling to the ground to escape capture. Among this family of

honeyeater we find that very familiar bird the red wattlebird,
(Anthochaera carunculata), or the ‘‘wattle bird” of the settlers.
These birds were very numerous among the timber on Warunda
Creek, and as soon as the first glimmer of light was to pe dis-
cerned in the eastern sky their harsh call resembling “quack,
quack,” came from every treetop. In their native bush they are
very useful, being continually on the hunt for insects, but since
man has destroyed much of their hunting ground and planted
such enticing baits in the shape of fruit trees it is not to be won-
dered at that, like Hive, they determined to taste, and are. branded
by the settlers as thieves. The flesh of the wattle bird is considered
by many to be superior to quail. A large species, which is a
native of Tasmania, was one time to be seen daily in the poulte-
rers’ shops of that country. A closely allied species to the above
bird in the brush wattle bird (Anellobia-chrysoptera), was observed
on the peninsula, but it was very scarce, and only one or two birds
came under our notice while there.

—Insessores.—

How pleasant the life of a bird must be,
Flitting about in each leafy tree,

In leafy trees so broad and tall,

Like a green and beautiful palace hall,

With its airy chambers, light, and room,

That open to sun and stars and moon,

That open unto the bright blue sky,

And the frolicsome winds as they wander by.

The grey-backed zosterops, or sliver-eye (Zosterops cerulescens)
were observed hopping about among the undergrowth in search
of insects and grubs. These lively little birds are looked upon by
the orchardist and vigneron too harshly by far; there is no doubt
they attack the soft fruit at times, but it must be remembered
that all the rest of the year they are hard at work destroying the
many pests and blights in the orchard and flower garden, in the
shape of codlin moth, aphides, and so on. Speaking from personal
observations, I am perfectly sure the good they do outbalances by
far the small quantity of fruit destroyed by them. While making
observations in a belt of sheaoak on the side of Koppio Range a
little colony of those most facinating birds, the black-capped tree-
runner (Neositta-pileata), came under notice. Although these
little birds resemble the treecreepers (Climacteris) much in their
habits. and are identical in diet, the treecreeper flies to the butt
of a tree, clinging to the bark with its strong toes and supported
by its tail, ascends the tree in a series of circles, or spiral motions,
diligently searching the while every crack and crevice in search
of insects. Now the sittella reverses the order of things, for it

fiies to the top of the tree, and goes through the same spiral move-
ments, descending with the head downwards, few insects or their
larvae escaping its quick eye. On reaching the ground it takes
to wing, flying to the top of the next tree, and repeats the per-
Tormance. The nest of this bird is a wonderful construction, and
mimics its surroundings to a nicety. Placed in an upright fork,
it is made of soft grasses and vegetable fibres, and covered on the
outside with spiders’ webs. to which are attached lichens and
pieces of bark, so as to resemble the bough on which it is placed.

—Cuckoos.—

All the species of these birds found in Australia (with the ex-
ception of one or two examples) are parasitic, for they deposit
their eggs in nests and entrust their young to the fostering care
of other birds. Of this family three species came under observa-
tion on Wyre’s Peninsula, namely, the little bronze cuckoo
(Chaleococcyx-malayanus). Often the mournful call of this bird
would be heard floating out from the top of some dead gum, where
the bird would sit motionless for hours at a time, calling in its
weird way. Then again, in the stillness of the night its voice
blended with that of the stone plover or the Boobook owl. The
little bronze cuckoo, like others of the family, shirks all domestic
duties, deposits its egg in the nest of a wren or tit, leaving the
poor little foster parents to incubate and rear the intruder, which,
being much larger and stronger, generally manages to push the
lawful tenants out of the nest, so that it may monopolize the
whole of the food. The colouration of the cuckoo’s and the wren’s
eges is so similar that the wren cannot distinguish between them.
Cuculus-inornatus was noted, also Cacomantis-rufulus was ob-
served near the camp.

—The Black Cockatoo.—

One of the strangest and most ungainly looking birds on the
peninsular is the black cockatoo (Clayptorhynchus funereus). It
is easily identitied by its harsh scream and its flapping, labour-
ing flight, although when alarmed and passing through timber
it will dive about at a great rate and in a most remarkable way.
This is without a doubt a useful bird, for its principal food con-
sists of the large laryae of grubs which are ruinous to many of
our fine timber trees. It varies its diet at times with the seeds of
the banksias and yucea. The hard, nutlike seeds of the former
plant are split open by its powerful bill with great ease. The
black cockatoo is a timid and wary bird, and if not approached
during feeding time, when it is near the ground, it will seldom
allow the observer to get close. They generally travel about in
small societies, and some of the members are always perched

high up in a lofty tree, whence they have a good view of the
surrounding country. On the first glimpse of an intruder a discor-
‘dant note is uttered by the outpost, and immediately the remain.
der of the party take their heavy flopping flight, giving forth most
diabolical screeches and cries.

—Parrots.—

There is no part of Australia where one or more species of
this great family of birds so characteristic to Australia are not
to be found. The parrot which first attracts one on Byre’s Pen-
insular is a very local one. The Port Lincoln parrot (Barnardius
zonarius) is a fine bird of striking colouration, being of a rich
dark green above and straw yellow beneath, with the head black
and a deep ring of yellow round the back of the neck. Owing to
these parrots living well in captivity and being good whistlers,
they are much sought after, and I am sorry to say becoming each
year fewer in numbers—only an occasional pair to be met with in
the timber on the creek. The birds which made the most noise and
were found in the greatest numbers were the gorgeous plumaged
Blue Mountain Lorikeet (Trichoglossus—Novae Hollandiae), which
had collected in great numbers to nest in the hollow gum boughs
near the creek. Their chattering and screeching were kept up the
livelong day, aud in some of the old sugar gums, where several
pairs were nesting in the same tree, the noise was deafening.
They lay but two white eggs (of a slightly elongated form), on
the bare wood of a hollow limb, sometimes following the hollow
of the limb some distance to the main trunk of the tree. From
the continual passing in and out, to feed the young, many of the
brightly coloured feathers are pulled out by the uneven white ant-
eaten Wood, and at times handfuls of their bright feathers are
found in the passage to the nest. Amother excedingly interest-
ing parrot came under the notice of the party who visited Coffin’s
Bay, and that was the pretty little rock parrot (Neophema
petrophila), which has been lately placed on the totally protected
list by the Government—very rightly, too, for it is a very harm-
less, Shy bird. Unlike other parrots, it does not seek hollow limbs
in which to rear its young; but in the nesting season repairs to
some barren island, and high up on its sea-girt coast, among
boulders and rocks,it seeks out holes or crevasses in the cliffs to
deposit its round white eggs on the decomposed rock, where it
rears its white downy little fledglings. One of the little lorikeets
was found nesting in an old gum, and several others had nests
in the same tree. This species, the porphy-crowned lorikeet
(Glossopsittacus porphyrocephalus) widely dispersed over southern
and Western Australia, and depends entirely upon the honey-pro-
ducing flowers of the eucalypti for its food. These little birds

seem fond of company, and are often seen in large colonies feeding
in the gumtops with equal numbers of the musk lorikeet (G. Aus-
tralis), and often the third species of the family the little lorikeet
(G. pusilla) are to be seen in the same tree. If the day be bright
the scene is an animated one, as these lovely little birds chase.
one another about amidst the foliage and blossoms of a searlet-
flowering eucalypt, showing off the brightly coloured undersur-
face of their wings each time they are expanded, keeping up their
shrill ery all the time.

—Order Rasores—Pigeons.—

But one species of this family came under our notice at War-
unda Creek, and that was the bronzewing (Phaps challoptera).
A few pair were flushed amidst the undergrowth, and sailed away
on warring wing. It is not to be wondered at that more birds
of the order Rasores were not seen, for Australia is not represen-
tative in this order, although the few which are found certainly
are peculiar, such as the leipoa, the talegallus, and the megapa-
dius, and a few of the larger pigeons which are to be found in
the eastern States.

The emu (Dromaius Novae Hollandiae) is still to be found on
the peninsular, for, although none of us actually saw one, fresh
footprints were seen frequently in swampy ground, and settlers
all said an odd one or two were still to be met with in the scrub.
Now we come to the southern stone plover, commonly called the
ecurlew (Burhinus-grallarius). I would think almost all Australians
are familiar with this bird and know its weird call at night. It
is like a long-drawn ‘“wee-lo,’ two or three times repeated.
Several pairs of these birds were noted during our stay on the
peninsula, and they formed one of the nocturnal orchestra which
performed each night. Always a very shy bird, one requires
much patience to get close enough for observation, and, having a
most wonderful protective colouration of plumage, the bird will
often squat beside a stone or fallen tree, which objects it so
resembles that one might almost tread upon it. The curlew is a
stately bird when walking, but, although it will mount high in
the air at times, its flight is rather a heavy and laboured motion.
Its eggs, which, like its plumage, have a wonderful protective
colouration, are laid on the bare ground, without g semblance of
a nest. The curlew generally feeds at night, and its diet consists
of insects, grubs, and so on, varied at times by berries. Another
very familiar bird which was identified on the peninsular was
the land-rail (Hypotoenidia philippenis). This pretty little bird
makes its appearance in the gardens around Adelaide about Sep-
tember, and at once looks out its nesting spot, which is generally
in some standing crop. The nest is but a loose collection of straw

and dried grass placed in a slight depression in the ground, where
the bird lays six or eight eggs of a cream colour, blocked over
with dark red spots. The young when hatched are covered with
a black down, and resemble chickens very much in their early
stage. The land-rail is most useful in the garden, and I have
known a pair of these birds to completely rid the flower beds of
slugs where previous to their coming it was impossible to rear
early seedlings.
—Ducks.—

The Australian black duck (Anas superciliosa) was seen on
Several occasions in the rockholes of the creek, and was generally
attended by a clutch of ducklings, more than likely the second
brood for the season. There was a very big surprise in store for
me, because towards the end of the camp a member of the party
discovered a little colony of the freckled duck (Stictonetta
noevosa), which had taken up their quarters on a pretty little
lagoon at the mouth of the Warunda Creek. I have seen these
birds south only during a dry season in the interior, and I much
regretted that our stay in the district came to an end so soon,
for I should have liked to ascertain whether they had nested in
that locality. A pair of Australian shovellers flew rapidly from
a bend. in the creek, and were soon lost to sight in the timber. It
Was no surpise to meet with this member of the family at this
time a year, because they often nest and rear their young among
the rank herbage of the Adelaide Plains. In conclusion to this
series of articles on the bird life of Eyre’s Peninsular I may say
that I have not dealt with the sea birds or the waders—a great
many of which came under the observation of those members of
the expedition who visited Lake Wangary and Coffin’s Bay—be-
eause the able pen of Mr. Robert Hall, F.L.S8., C.M.Z.S., has been
devoted to the species.

Associated with the ornithologists during their expedition to
Hyre’s Peninsular were several well-known specialists in botany,
entomology, and other branches of natural history. It is my in-
tention to give a brief outline of the work entered upon by these
branches of natural science.

Stars there are wherein we read our history,
As astrologers and seers of old,

Yet not wrapped about with awful mystery,
Like the burning stars which they behold.

Wondrous truths and manifold as wondrous
God hath written in those stars above,
But not less in the bright flowerets under us

Stands the revelation of His love.

50
Bright and glorious is that revelation
Written all over this world of ours,
Making evident our creation
In these stars of earth—these golden flowers.

It is always with the greatest interest that botanists behold
that flora which the father of Australian botanists, Robert Brown,
I.L.S8., beheld with so much delight a century ago; and no
wonder, for he was the first scientist to view South Australia’s
flora, and I believe that in the herbarium of the Botanic Gardens,
Sydney, some of the original specimens collected by him during
that memorable yoyage of the Investigator in 1802 are still to be
seen. So the botanists of our expedition trod the same soil, looked
upon the same flora, and, 1 dave say, could well understand the
feelings of that great man, who visited this district for the first
time. The flora of the peninsular was fairly rich and very charac-
teristic of that semi-desert country. At the time of our visit many
plants and shrubs were in blossom, and gave our specialists plenty
of work. One of the most marked features of the district was the
quantity of broom bush which belongs to the teatree family
(Melaleuca-uncinata). This seemed to vie with the mallee in
density. Of the stunted or dwarf eucalypts two species seemed to
predominate (Hucalyptus-calycogona and H.-uneinata). A pretty
pink flowering dwarf teatree (Melaleuca-decussata) was very at-
ractive, and it was from the sweet-smelling flowers of this shrub
that many captures in insect life were made. Of timber trees the
sugar gum (Hucalyptus corynocalyx) was inost in evidence, and we
were all disgusted at the wanton destruction of this splendid
timber gum. Hsleucoxylon, Esodorata. and Essantalifolia were
also identified. The flowering shrub which was growing in most
profusion around Warunda Creek and enlivened the landscape
with its wealth of bright yellow flowers was the Hibbertia-
stricta, and H.-sericea was also noted. A large and handsome
flowering hibiscus drew forth much admiration from the party.
It was the H.-wrayae. This plant seemed to have a partiality
Yor damp situations, and was to be found on flats and
low-lying places where the creek had. over-flowed. Here large
bushes 10 to 12 feet high were found. In like localities the hand-
some bottlebrush (Callistemon-coccineus) was found in full flower,
making a blaze of colour with its bright red flowers. Mr. GC. Bar-
rett (Victoria), writing lately on the flora of Warunda Creek, says:
—“The flame bush had been a fitter name for this lovely plant.
The term bottle brush describes the general appearance, sans
colour, of the bloom, but sounds harsh and ugly.” I quite agree
with him; such a gorgeous shrub deserves a better name. The

yucca bushes (Xanthorrhoea-semiplina), generally known as
grasstrees, formed a leading feature in the landscape, their quaint
flower spikes standing up 10 or 12 feet. A strange flowering
shrub was also met with near the camp and proved to be Caly-
thryix-tetragona. A very pretty little red flowering Grevillea was
discovered near the camp and was pronounced to be Greyillea-
aspera. A charming little white-blossomed sundew (Dorsera-
menzieil) was found climbing over the shrubs. The native peach
or quondong tree (Iusanus-acuminatus) was found on several
occasions in the scrub, but the fruit, although well developed, was
not nearly ripe. There were a good many plants of the orchid
family in flower, and some of very peculiar formation. That most
prickly of all grasses, the spinifex (Triodia-irritans) was well out
in flower, and its featherly bleoms wayed in the breeze, looking
most soft and delicate; but the new chum who tries to gather the
grass heads finds that a thousand spear points lurk below to lace-
rate the hand. The strawberry bush (Lencopogon-ovalifolium)
was fairly abundant. The bushes were covered in what appeared
to be fruit, but on closer inspection proved to be leafy galls, and
Mr. H. H. D. Griffith has since ascertained that these galls are
formed by a Lepidopterous larva.

A flower is not a flower alone,
A thousand sanctities invest it,
And as they form a radiant zone
Around its simple beauty thrown
Their magic tints become its own,
\ As if their spirit did invest it.

As one would suppose from the nature of the country in which
we were camped wattles took a prominent part in the surrounding
vegetation. That robust flowerer Acacia-acinacea was observed.
Many of the party had their attention drawn to Acacia-armata
from being pricked by its very sharp leaves. Acacia-pycnantha
was fairly common about the camp, and what I took to be Acacia-
Gilli (ately named by Mr. J. H. Maiden, F.L.S.) was also seen.
Acacia-longifolia and A. Anceps were also met with. In con-
elusion, I may say that the variety of plant life was excedingly
large, and, although there were many bright-flowering and elegant
shrubs and plants, yet the bulk of the flora reminded one that
the great arid tract of country (which stretches down from the
centre of our island continent almost to the seacoast) was not
far distant, because the desert forms showed themselves in many
varieties.

—Beetles.—

Their shape would make them, had they bulk and size,
More hideous foes than fancy ean devise,

With helmet heads and dragon scales adorned,

The mighty myriads now securely scorned

Would mock the majesty of man’s high birth,

Despise his bulwarks and unpeople earth.

Insects (omitting mosquitoes) were scarce on the peninsula dur-
ing our visit. The absence of some of the most noticeable Coleop-
tera family was due most likely to the gums not being in flower
at the time. A small eucalyptus in flower was spied by Mr. H.
H. D. Griffith soon after landing from the steamer at Port Lin-
coln, and on searching he was repaid by capturing a pair of very
pretty Longicorns (Amphirhoe-decora). On close examination
it is found that these insects have most ‘extraordinarily developed
“thighs” (femora). This capture is of great interest, because that
renowned entomologist, the Rev. Mr. Blackburn, worked this
district thoroughly, and had never met this species within 10
miles of Port Lincoln. At Lake Wangary the ant-like Longicorn
(Zoedia-divisa) was found on dead boughs, the minute Buprestid
(Germarica-casuerineae), on the foliage of the casuarina, and a
species of Belus on the leaves of the golden wattle. Along the
lower levels of Marble Range insect life seemed more plentiful.
The “broom bush” (Mellaleuca-uncinata) attracted several species,
and among them were identified a Paropsis (Chrysomelidae), Pe-
lororrhinus (Curculionidae), and several species of Stingmodera
(Buprestidae). Of the last-mentioned family I captured several
fine specimens of the species (Stigmodera-sanguinosa, Hope), fine
insects, with their dark-red wing cases pitted all over with metal-
lie green. Several of these brilliant insects were captured by
other members of the expedition. An insect belonging to the
family Curculionidae, namely Rhinotia hocmoptera (Kirby) was
taken in the vicinity of the camp, and so also were Stigmodera-
octospilota, S.-octomaculata, S.-amphichroa, and _ S.-simulata.
Some very small insects were taken, mostly Curculionidae, of the
subfamily Hrirhinides. A small dark Carabid occurred under
stones, and in the creek were considerable numbers of Dytiscidae,
belonging to Copelatus, and allied Genera from the broom bush.

—Mammalia.—

’Twas the Creator,
He sought in every volume open to him,
From the small leaf that hides an insect’s web,
From which ere long a colony shall issue
With limbs and wings as perfect as the eagle’s,

To the stupendous ocean that gives birth
And nourishment to everlasting millions
Of creatures, great and small, beyond the power
Of man to comprehend how they exist.
—The Pelican Island.

Our stay on the peninsula was not long enough to do much
work relative. to the animals. However, the few observations
made, notes taken, and specimens captured showed us that the
scrub kangaroo (Macropus-giganteus) is not yet extinct, but soon
will be. One evening when returning to camp after an excursion
in the Koppio Range a party of us drove up to a pair of these
poor animals just as the light was fading out of the western sky,
and they allowed us to approach within 20 yards. While we
admired them they went on feeding, and the only remark made
was, “Poor things; their day will soon come.’ Mr. Robert
Zietz captured a fine specimen’ of Lesueur’s rat kangaroo (Bet-
tongia-lesueuri). The dama wallaby (Macropus-eugenii) were very
plentiful, and came out in numbers at sunset from the broom
bush to feed. The dingo (Canis-dingo) is still in the district. there
is no doubt, for on the morning following our first night in camp
a large piece of roast beef was missing, and from impressions in
the soft soil there was ample proof that we had had canine
visitors.

—Opossums.

Of opossums, or phaleanger, there are two species. The com-
Mon opossum (Trichosurus-vulpecula) was captured and iden-
tified, and from information acquired from the settlers there is
little doubt that the ringtailed opossum (Psendochirus-peregrinus)
is found there also.

—Bats.—

At dusk numbers of small bats came out to wage war against
our enemies the mosquitoes. I was unable to procure a specimen
for closer observation ; still I am sure the species was the little
bat (Vespertilio-pumilis) ?

—-Wombats.—

The large burrows of these strange animals were seen on Seve-
ral occasions, but being nocturnal animals it would be only after
dark that they would come forth to feed. I fancy there is only
one species found on the Peninsular—Phascolomys-latifrons. They
live in large colonies in one warren, and often attain a great size,
and weigh 100 pounds at times. They are very powerful animals,
and it is almost impossible for the strongest dogs to kill them.
Their flesh is much relished by the aborigines. I believe there is

a species of bandicoot on the peninsula which differs from the one
around Adelaide—Perameles obesula—and I should haye liked to
come across this animal to clear up the doubt. Reptiles seem to
have made themselves scarce at the time of our visit. Very few
shakes were seen, and, with the exception of the sleeping lizard,
all lizards were scarce. A few small desert forms as well as
one or two lace lizards (Varanus) were captured.

The attached list of birds are the names of those which came
directly under my observation with the exception of Falco-sub-
niger (which was reported one evening as being seen during that
day). Coturnix-pectoralis—I heard the eall of this bird several
times in the wheat crops, and I feel sure there is not the slightest
doubt, for I know its call so well. Lipoa-ocellata—Although I did
not see this bird, several of their nesting mounds came under my
notice and | saw two eggs which had been taken from a nest in
the vicinity of the camp. Dromaeis-novae-hollandiae—This bird
was often close to the camp during the nighttime, the fresh foot-
prints and excreta having been seen by me. Corcorax-melanor-
hamphus was there without doubt, for in the presence of Mr. R.
Crompton, (S.A.), I climbed to a desserted nest. The scientifie
names are in order with Mr. Gregory Mathew’s Hand List which
I consider the most up-to-date. The yenacular names (with one
or two slight alterations)—namely, Blue Mountain Lorikeet to
Rainbow Lorikeet. Port Lincoln Parrot to Yellow-banded Parrot,
White-bearded Honeyeater to the Yellow-winged Honeyeater, are
those compiled by the Committee appointed by the South Aus-
tralian Ornithological Association. In addition IT am attaching
a list of birds identified by Mr. R. Hall, C.M.Z.S., as published
in The Hmu, Vol. IX: pt. 3:

Uroaetus-audax
Falco-melanogenys ..
Faleo-subniger See
Cerchneis-cenchroides ..
Elanus-seriptus ..
Ninox-boobook
Podargus-strigoides ..
Carone-Australis ..
Hirundo-neoxena
Petrochelidon-nigricans
Merops-ornatus ..
Artamus-tenebrosus
Artamus-personatus
Pardalotus-ornatus
Strepera-fusca ‘
Gymnorhina-leuconota
Corcorax-melanorhamphus
Coracina-robusta ¢. a
Pachycephala-rufiventris ..

Wedge-tailed Eagle.
Black-checked Falcon.
Black Falcon.

Kestrel.

Letter-winged [ite.
Boobook Owl.
Frogmouth.

Raven.

Welcome Swallow.

Tree Martin.

Bee Eater.

Dusky Wood Swallow.
Masked Wood Swallow.
Striped Diamond Bird.
Black Magpie.
White-backed Magpie.
White-winged Chough.
Black-faced Cuckoo shrike-
Rufus-breasted Thickhead.

Pachycephala-meridionalis ..

Collyriocichla-rufiventris .. .. .. ..

Oreoica-cristata .. .. ..
Rhipidura-tricolor .. ..
Rhipidura-albiscapa ..
Sisura-inquieta ..
Petroeca-goodenovii ..
Petroeca-leggei be
Drymaoedus- brunneipygi gius ..
Eopsaltria-gularis ..
Malurus-cyanochlamys.
Malurus-assimilis .
Hylacola-cauta .. are
Sericornis-maculata .. .. ..
Acanthiza-chrysorrhoa
Ephthianura-albifrons
Anthus-Australis ..
Cincolorhamphus-cruralis.
Pomatorhinus-supereiliosus ..
Meliornis-Novae-Hollandae ..
Glycyphila-melanops

Plo tis-erablilal ss. clu louis tek

Ptilotis-ornata ..

Melithreptus-brevirostris .. .... ..
Anthochaera-carunculata .. ......
Anellobia-chrysoptera .. .. ......

Zosterops-caerulescens
Neosetta-pileata .. .. ..
Chalcococcyx-plagosus
Barnardius-zorarius ..

Trichoglossus-N ovae- Hrollandaey
Glossopsittacus-porphyrocphalus.

Phaps-chaleoptera ..
Burhinus-grallarius

Hp otienidia-philippinensis ae eee

Anas-superciliosa ..

Spatula-rhynchotis .. .. ........

Stictonetta-naevosa ..
Bizura-lobata .. .. ..
Coturnix-pectoralis
Lipoa-ocellata ..
Lobivanellus-lobatus ..

Hy droprogne- caspia .
Sterna-nereis .. Salts
Larus-Novae- Flalinndiae! ee
Phalacrocorax-hypoleucus
Dromaeus-Novae-Hollandiae

White-throated Thickhead.
Eufi-bellied Shrike—Thrush.
Bell Bird.

Pied Fantail.
White-shafted Fantail.
Restless Flycatcher.
Red-capped Robin.
Searlet-breasted Robin.
Serub Robin.
Grey-breasted Robin.

Blue Wren.
Chestnut-shouldered Wren.
Striated Field Wren.
Spotted Scrub Wren.
Yellow-rumped Tit.
White-fronted Chat.
Ground Lark.
Black-breasted Song Lark.
The White-browed Babbler.
Yellow-winged Honeyeater.
Tawny-crowned Honeyeater.
Wattled-checked Honeyeater.
Yellow-plumed Honeyeater.
Brown-headed Honeyeater.
Red Wattled Bird.

Brush Wattlebird.

Silver Hye.

Black-capped Treerunner.
Bronze Cuckoo.

Yellow Banded Parrot.
Rainbow Lorikeet.

Blue Crowned Lorikeet.
Bronze Wing Pigeon.
Serub Curlew.

Land Rail.

Black Duck.

Shoveller.

Freekled Duck.

Musk Duck.

Stubble Quail.

Mallee xs owl.

Spur-winged Plover
Caspian Tern

Little Tern.

Silver Gull.

Pied Cormorant.

Emu.

Birds appearing in Mr. R. Hall's, (C.M.Z.8.), list published in The
Emu and which did not come under my observation and were
mostly recorded on the expedition to Coffin’s Bay, I am purposely
omitting (Strepera-melanoptera), because the only Strepera seen
had distinct white markings on wing, and S.-Melanoptra shows
no white whatever.

Petroeca-bicolor
Smicrornis-brevirostris
Malurus-cyanotus ..
Amytornis-textilis .. ..
Megalurus-gramineus ..
Acanthiza-apicalis .. .. ..
Calamanthus-montanellus
Aphelocephala-leucopsis ..
Ptilotis-sonora . os) Bodo ob
Cheramoeca leucosternum ..
Artamus-superciliosus
Dacelo-gigas ..
Cuculus-inornatus ..
Psephotus-muticolor ..
Neophema-petrophila ..
Melopsittacus-undulatus ..
Microtribonyx-ventralis ..
Gallinula-tenerbrosa
Porphyric-melanonotus ..
Haematopus-longirostris
Haematopus-unicolor ..
Zoniter-tricolor
Aegialitis-ruficapilla
Aegialitis-cucullatus .. :
Clade shynchus- Seneocepiinlaes
Recurviostra-Novae-Hollandiae
Numenius-varigatus ..
Pisobia-ruficollis ..
Hydroprogne-caspia ..
Sterna-bergi ..

Gabinus pacificus ..

Macronectes-gigantea .. .. .. .. ..

Notophoyx-Novae-Hollandiae
Nycticorax-caledonicus ..
Chenopsis-atrata .. ay
Cereopsis-N ovae- Srioliandiae
Casarca-tadernoides
Nettion-castaneum ..

Hooded Robin.
Short-billed Tit.
White-backed Wren.
Grass Wren.

Grass Bird.

Broad-tailed Tit.

Rock Field Wren.

White Kaced Tit Mouse.
Singing Honeyeater.
Black-and-White Swallow.
White-browed Wood Swallow.
Laughing Jack.

Pallid Cuckoo.

Many Coloured Parakeet.
Rock Parakeet.
Warbling Grass Parakeet.
Black-tailed Native Hen.
Black Moor Hen.

Bald Coot.
White-breasted Oyster Catcher.
Sooty Oyster Catcher.
Black-breasted Plover.
Red-capped Dottrel.
Hooded Dottrel.

Banded Stilt.

Red-necked Avocet.
Whimbrel.

Little Stint.

Caspian Tern.

Crested Tern.

Pacific Gull.

Giant Petrel.
White-faced Heron.
Night Heron.

Black Swan.

Cape Barren Goose.
Shelduck.

Eyton Teal.

WVALUOONULN

Internet Archive Audio

Featured

Top

Images

Featured

Top

Software

Featured

Top

Books

Featured

Top

Video

Featured

Top

Mobile Apps

Browser Extensions

Archive-It Subscription

Save Page Now

Full text of "A record of the A.O.U. expedition to Eyre's Peninsula, October, 1909, with notes on ornithology, botany and entomology"

See other formats