Ah Md a ; i BY FRANK. MERVYN LITTLER, FES. (Member of the Australasian Ornithologists’ Union). a an Launceston, [asmania : ita a rig " “ PU BLS FED BY eRe VA ARE OR: i ‘aiedo to: } tiie [All Rights “Reserved. | CORNELL UNIVERSITY LIBRARY BOUGHT WITH THE INCOME OF THE SAGE ENDOWMENT FUND GIVEN IN I891 BY HENRY WILLIAMS SAGE handbook of the birds of Tasmania and Cornell University Library The original of this book is in the Cornell University Library. There are no known copyright restrictions in the United States on the use of the text. http://www. archive.org/details/cu31924000123368 A HANDBOOK OF THE BIRDS OF TASMANIA AND ITS DEPENDENCIES A HANDBOOK OF THE BIRDS OF TASMANIA AND ITS DEPENDENCIES BY FRANK MERVYN LITTLER, F.ES. (Member of the Australasian Ornithologists’ Union). Launceston, Tasmania : PUBLISHED BY THE AUTHOR. 1910. [Al Rights _ Reserved. ] PREFACE. No apology is offered for the appearance of the present modest little volume dealing with the avifauna of our island home. The time appeared ripe for such a book as would deal, in a manner consistent with scientific accuracy, and plain to understand, with our feathered friends. While every endeavour has been made to eliminate errors and to attain as high a degree of accuracy as possible, the author does not claim infallibility. The present volume makes no pretence to be either a ‘‘ history ’’ or a ‘‘ mono- graph ’’ of the various species passed under review. The sins of omission are both manifold and manifest, and for these kind indulgence is craved. The one most regretted is in connection with the brevity of the field notes under the heading of ‘‘ Observations.’’ This was imperative in order to compress the subject matter within reasonable limits. Some day it may be the author’s privilege, or that of someone more worthy, to write a history of the birds of this garden isle. Until such is done, the hope is expressed that the present effort may to some extent help to bridge the gap. Every endeavour has been made to make the book purely Tasmanian—i.e., to describe from material collected within the confines of Tasmania, and to use only field notes collected in the island. A large amount of success has been achieved in this direction, thanks chiefly to the good offices of various kind friends. The writings of the author’s predecessors and contemporaries have been constantly consulted, and much help obtained there- from. All measurements taken by the author are expressed in terms of millimeters, as being in his estimation the easiest for comparison, and, now that the decimal system is coming so much. into everyday use, the simplest also for the layman. At the end of the subject matter will be found an extract from iv PREFACE. the latest Tasmanian Game Protection Act, with a complete schedule of the species afforded total protection under the Act. An asterisk placed against the name of a bird at the beginning of an article denotes that it is protected under the Act. The Author desires to express his grateful thanks for valuable assistance in material and notes to Mr. H. H. Scott, Curator of the Victoria Museum (Launceston), who kindly placed the entire resources of the Museum at the writer’s disposal; to Messrs. H. C. Thompson, H. Stuart Dove, A. L. Butler, R. H. Green, F. D. Barclay, Geo. Russell, Col. Legge, and others who assisted in many ways. THE AUTHOR. LauNcESTON, TASMANIA. INTRODUCTION. TASMANIA and its dependencies consist of the main island of Tasmania, and a number of islands of greater or lesser extent, and groups of islands, chief among which are the Furneaux Group, of which the largest are Flinders, Cape Barren, and Clarke Islands; the Hunter Group includes Robbins Island, Barren Island, Three Hummock Island, and several smaller ones; then King Island, Maria Island, Bruni Island, Schouten Island; the Macquarie Group, consisting of a number of ‘moderate-sized islands; the Kent Group; Hogan’s Group; also a number of small islands scat- tered about Bass Strait in the vicinity of Tasmania. It is with Tasmania that we are chiefly concerned, and so may to a great extent ignore the islands which are politically joined to her. Lying as she does at the extreme south of the Australian ‘‘region,’’ Tasmania is visited by but few migrants from Arctic and sub-Arctic regions who ‘‘ winter’’ in the Southern Hemi- sphere during the Australian summer. Not only are the species fewer, but the individuals of those species which reach here are considerably less than further north. Taken as a whole, Tasmania cannot be considered rich in bird- life either as to species or individuals. What birds there are are very irregularly distributed, owing to the very diversified nature of the country, climate, and vegetation. The only portion of the island where birds may be said to be absolutely scarce is on the West Coast, where the mountains and gullies are densely clothed with forests of myrtle and an almost impenetrable tangle of scrub and undergrowth. About the mountain tops of this portion Hawks, Goshawks, and Falcons may be seen wheeling on facile wing. The Midlands form the stronghold of such Plovers as are found here. The large amount of clearing that has been going on vi INTRODUCTION. during the last few years is responsible for a marked decrease in the number of birds in many districts. For not only have the birds been driven to seek other haunts, but those that remained have fallen victims to ‘‘ pot-hunters ’’ and settlers’ cats. Compared with the resident birds of the Australian mainland, those of Tasmania may be said to show marked melanistic tendencies. Of the species ‘‘peculiar’’ to the island, all save the Lesser White-backed Magpie (Gyninorhina hyperleuca) are larger than their nearest allies on the mainland. A number of species lay four or even five eggs to the clutch, while the same species or related ones on the continent of Aus- tralia lay but three. There are also a number of structural differences in the nests of several species as compared with those across the Strait, but this point is not emphasized as much as the preceding ones, nor is it as important. Some 214 species are glanced at in the succeeding pages. Omitting the orders Gavie and Tubinares, owing to the distribution and economy of certain species included in them not having been fully worked out, the birds may be roughly subdivided as under :— oe Position on list challenged ... on un 5 species Occurring on dependencies only... ae 4 ,, “Peculiar ’’ or insular forms ra xa DL es Accidental and casual visitors Loe . 16 5 Permanent residents (circa) ... ns we ALO yy, The total number of absolutely authenticated species, including accidentals, casuals, and migrants, of all Orders, for Tasmania and her dependencies may be placed at slightly over 200. SYSTEMATIC INDEX. + ORDER-—-ACCIPITRES: BIRDS OF PREY. SUB-ORDER—FALCONES: FALCONS. FAMILY—FALCONIDA: HAWKS.: Sus-Famity—AcciPitrRin& : LONG-LEGGED Hawks. Harrier or Swamp-Hawk (Circus gouldi) Spotted Harrier (Circus assimilis) .. White Goshawk (Astur nove- hollandic) Goshawk (Astur approzimans) .. Sparrow-Hawk (Accipiter cirrhocephalus) Sus-FAMILY—AQuILINE : HAaGLes. Wedge-tailed Hagle (Uroaéius audazx) White-bellied Sea-Hagle (Haliaétus leucogaster) Sus-FamMity—Fa.conina@ : Faucons. Black-cheeked Falcon (Falco eee Saar Little Falcon (Falco lunulatus) ... ses Brown Hawk (Hieracidea orientalis) ... Nankeen Kestrel (Cerchneis cenchroides) > Or POD Ye elie se) SUB-ORDER—PANDIONES: OSPREYS. White-headed Osprey (Pandion leucocephalus) .. 10 SUB-ORDER—STRIGES: OWLS. FAMILY—BUBONIDH: OWLS PROPER. Sus-FamiILy—BvBONINazE. Spotted Owl (Ninox maculata) ... me ae .. 10 FAMILY—STRIGIDH: BARN OWLS. Chestnut-faced Owl (Strix castanops) ... eed we “LE viii BIRDS OF TASMANIA. ORDER—PASSERIFORMES: PERCHING BIRDS. SUB-ORDER—PASSERES. FAMILY—CORVIDA: CROWS. Sus-Famity—Corvinz: Crows Froperr. Raven (Corone australis) : Hill Crow-Shrike (Strepera arguta) “a6 Sooty or Black Crow-Shrike (Strepera fuliginosa) FAMILY—DICRURID: DRONGOS. Drongo (Chibia bracteata) FAMILY—PRIONOPIDA: WOOD-SHRIKES. Sus-FamMILY—PRIONOPINA. Magpie-Lark (Grallina picata) ... Whistling Shrike-Thrush (Collyriocincla rectirostris) FAMILY—CAMPOPHAGIDA:: CUCKOO-SHRIKES. Small-billed Cuckoo-Shrike (Graucalus parvirostris) ... White-shouldered Caterpillar-catcher (Lalage tricolor) FAMILY—MUSCICAPIDA: FLYCATCHERS. Dusky Fantail (Rhipidura diemenensis) i Leaden-coloured Flycatcher (Myiagra rubecula) Satin Flycatcher (Myiagra nitida) Scarlet-breasted Robin (Petreca legget) Flame-breasted Robin (Petreca phanicea) ... Pink-breasted Robin (Petreeca rhodinogastra) ... Dusky Robin (Amaurodryas (Petreca) vittata) Long-tailed (Gould’s) Blue Wren oe sii att Dark Blue Wren (M alurus elizabethe) .. FAMILY—TURDIDA: TRUE THRUSHES. Sus-Famity—SyLvimn&/ : WaRBLERS. Reed-Warbler (Acrocephalus australis) Sus-Famity—TurpIna&: THRUSHES. Large-billed Ground-Thrush (Geocichla macrorhyncha) FAMILY—TIMELIIDA!: BABBLING THRUSHBES. Sus-FamIty—TiMeLiin= : BAaBBLeRsS, &c. Emu-Wren (Stipiturus malachurus) Grass-Bird (Megalurus gramineus) Grass-Warbler (Cisticola exilis) ... 13 14 29 380 SYSTEMATIC INDEX. Tasmanian Tit, Brown-tail (Acanthiza diemenensis) ... Ewing’s Tit (Acanthiza ewingi) .. Large-billed Tit (Acanthiza magnirostris) aes Yellow-rumped Tit, Yellow-tail (Acanthiza chrysorrhoa) White-breasted Scrub-Tit (Acanthornis magna) Brown Scrub-Wren (Sericornis humilis) ; Spotted Ground-Bird (Dove) (Cinclosoma punctatum) Striated Field-Wren (Calamanthus fuliginosus) White-fronted Chat (Ephthianura albifrons) ... FAMILY—LANIIDA: CROW-SHRIKES. Sus-FamMILy—GYMNORHINAE. Lesser White-backed Magpie (Gymnorhina hyperleuca) Grey Butcher-Bird, Jackass (Cracticus cinereus) Sus-Famity——PacHYCEPHALINA, White-throated Thickhead (Pachycephala gutturalis) Grey-tailed Thickhead (Pachycephala glaucura) Olive Thickhead (Pachycephala olivacea) FAMILY—CERTHIIDA. Susp-FamiLy—CERtTHINaE. White-throated Tree-creeper (Climacteris leucophea) Brown Tree-creeper (Climacteris scandens) FAMILY—MELIPHAGIDA: HONEY-EATERS. Sus-FAMILY—ZOSTEROPINA, White-eye (Zosterops cwerulescens) Sur-Faminy—MyzomeE ina. Spinebill (Acanthorhynchus tenuirostris) Sup-Famity—MELIPHAGIN2. Strong-billed Honey-eater (Melithreptus validirostris) Black-headed Honey-eater (Melithreptus melano- cephalus) ’ ke Fulvous-fronted Honey- -eater (Glycyphila fulvifrons) Yellow-throated Honey-eater (Ptilotis flavigularis) . Crescent Honey-eater, Tasmanian co austral- asiana) ‘ Whitie-bearded Honey- -eater (M eliornis nNOve- -hollandia) Miner (Myzantha (Manorhina) garrula) ea Waittle-Bird (Acanthochera inauris) ... Brush Wattle-Bird (Acanthochara mellivora) FAMILY—DICAHIDA: FLOWER-PECKERS. Yellow-tipped Pardalote (Pardalotus affinis) ... x BIRDS OF TASMANIA. Spotted Pardalote, Diamond-Bird (Pardalotus punc- tatus) . 66 Forty- spotted Pardalote (Pardalotus quadragintus) . 67 FAMILY—HIRUNDINIDA: SWALLOWS. Swallow (Hirundo neoxena) ... o we8 . 68 Tree-Martin (Petrochelidon nigricans) . ies .. 69 Fairy Martin (Petrochelidon ariel) 70 FAMILY—MOTACILLIDA: WAGTAILS AND PIPITS. Ground-Lark (Anthus australis) oi eh fam. FAMILY—ARTAMIDA: WOOD-SWALLOWS. Wood-Swallow (Artumus sordidus) ... so = 612 FAMILY—PLOCEIDA: WEAVERS. Fire-tailed Finch (Zoneginthus bellus) es wee ORDER—PICARIA: PICARIAN BIRDS. SUB-ORDER—CORACIA. FAMILY—CYPSELIDA: SWIFTS. Susp-FamMIty—CypsELInazs. White-rumped Swift (Micropus pacificus) ... wen 48 Sus-Famity—Cu Turina. Spine-tailed Swift (Chetura caudacuta) se = =616 FAMILY—PODARGID 45. Sus-Faminy—PoparGing&. Tawny Frogmouth (Podargus strigoides), ... . 18 Sus-FamMiIty—AUGOTHELINA. Little or Owlet Nightjar (Afgotheles nove-hollandie) 79 SUB-ORDER—HALCYONES. FAMILY—ALCEDINID: KINGFISHERS. Sus-FAaMILY—ALCEDININE. Blue Kingfisher (Alcyone azurea) dae = .. 80 Sup-FamMiby—DacELoninas. Sacred Kingfisher (Halcyon sanctus) ... sae .. 80 SYSTEMATIC INDEX. xi SUB-ORDER—COCCYGES: CUCKOOS, &c. FAMILY—CUCULIDA: CUCKOOS. Sus-FamMIby—Cucunine@. Pallid Cuckoo (Cuculus pallidus) ss wy 81 Fan-tailed Cuckoo (Cacomantis flabel liformis) J. = B4 Narrow-billed Bronze-Cuckoo (Chalcococcyx basalis 85 Broad-billed Bronze-Cuckoo (Chalcococcyz lucidus) ... 86 Bronze-Cuckoo (Chalcococcyx plagosus) sh .. 86 Channel-bill (Scythrops nove-hollandie) a .. 87 ORDER—PSITTACI: PARROTS. FAMILY—LORIDA: LORIES, OR BRUSH-TONGUED PARROTS. Blue-bellied Lorikeet (Trichoglossus nove- Scie’ 88 Musk Lorikeet (Glossopsittacus concinnus) ... 88 Little Lorikeet (Glossopsittacus pusillus) ... ix 190 FAMILY—CACATUIDA:: COCKATOOS. Sup-FaMILy—CacaTuINz. Black Cockatoo (Calyptorhynchus funereus) ... en 0) Gang-Gang Cockatoo (Callocephalon galeatum) cee 92. White Cockatoo (Cacatua galerita) —... 98 Rose-breasted Cockatoo, Galah (Cacatua roseicapilla) 93 FAMILY—PSITTACIDA: PARROTS. Sus-FaMIty—PLaTYCERCINEZ : PARRAKEETS. Green Parrakeet (Platycercus flaviventris) ... .. 94 Rosella (Platycercus eximius) ... . 95 Blue-winged Grass-Parrakeet (N eophema venusta) . 96 Orange-bellied Grass-Parrakeet ee ee chryso- gastra) oe san OT Swift Lorikeet (Nanodes discolor) eas sie .. 99 Ground-Parrakeet (Pezoporus formosus) 69 ... 100 ORDER—COLUMBA:: PIGEONS AND DOVES. SUB-ORDER—COLUMBA: PIGEONS. FAMILY—TRERONIDA. Sus-Famity—PriLopopinz. Purple-crowned Fruif-Pigeon (Ptilopus superba) ... 101 xii BIRDS OF TASMANIA. Sup-FamMILy—CaRPoPHuaGINa@. Topknot-Pigeon (Lopholemus antarcticus) ... ... 102 FAMILY—PERISTERIDA. Sus-FaMILY—PHABINA. Bronze-wing Pigeon (Phaps chalcoptera) ... .. 108 Brush Bronze-wing Pigeon (Phaps elegans) ... ... 104 ORDER—GALLINA): GAME BIRDS. SUB-ORDER—ALECTOROPODES. FAMILY—PHASIANIDA: FHEASANTS, &c. Stubble Quail (Coturnix pectoralis) ... he .. 105 Brown Quail (Synecus australis) ae wey ... 107 Greater Brown Quail (Synacus diemencinsis) ... ... 108 ORDER—HEMIPODII : HEMIPODES. FAMILY—TURNICIDA: HEMIPODES. Painted Quail (Turniz varia)... ote eas ... 109 ORDER—FULICARLAL. FAMILY—RALLID#: RAILS. Slate-breasted (Lewin’s) Rail (Hypotenidia is Laat 110 Pectoral Rail (Hypotenidia philippinensis) ... 112 Spotted Crake (Porzana fluminea) ... ws .. 118 Little Crake (Porzana palustris) bey ae ves. AVA Spotless Crake (Porzana tabuensis) ... sed .. 114 Native-Hen (Tribonyx mortiert) ... se ~ .. 115 Bald-Coot (Porphyrio melanonotus) ... 3 we ALG Coot (Fulica australis) ... ae ay ie .. 118 ORDER—LIMICOLA : PLOVERS, &e. FAMILY—@DICNEMIDA: THICK-KNEES. Stone-Plover (Burhinus (Gidicnemus) grallarius) ... 119 FAMILY—CHARADRIIDA: PLOVERS. Sup-FamMILy—ARENARIINE, Turnstone (Arenaria interpres) ... = ae ... 120 SYSTEMATIC INDEX. Sus-FamiLy—H @MATOPODINA: OYSTER-CATCHERS. Pied Oyster-catcher (Hematopus longirostris) Black Oyster-catcher (Hematopus unicolor) ... Sus-FamMILy—LoBIVANELLINE. Spur-winged Plover (Lobivanellus lobatus) SuB-FAMILY—CHARADRIINE. Black-breasted Plover (Zonifer tricolor) Grey Plover (Squatarola helvetica) Lesser Golden Plover (Charadrius dominicus) .. Double-banded Dottrel (Ochthodromus (Aigialits) bi- cinctus) : Red-capped Dottrel (Ai gialitis ruficapilla) Black-fronted Dottrel (Agialitis melanops) Hooded Dottrel (Aigialitis cucullata) ... Sus-FamMity—Himanropopin#: Struts, &c. White-headed Stilt (Himantopus leucocephalus) Banded Stilt (Cladorhynchus leucocephalus) ... iy Red-necked Avocet (Recurvirostra nove-hollandia) ... Sus-FamMity—Toranina. Curlew (Numenius cyanopus) Whimbrel (Numenius variegatus) sik Barred-rumped Godwit (Limosa nove- -eealandic) Common Sandpiper (Tringoides hypoleucus) .. Greenshank (Glottis nebularius) : Sus-FamiLy—Sco.Lopacin@ : Snips. Little Stint (Limonites ruficollis) Sharp-tailed Stint (Heteropygia acuminata) . Curlew Stint (Ancylochilus si aati Snipe (Gallinago australis) ORDER—GAVIA: SEA-BIRDS. FAMILY—LARID: GULLS AND TERNS. Sus-Famity—StTERNINzE : TERNS. Caspian Tern (Hydroprogne caspia) Crested Tern (Sterna bergii) ... ae White-fronted Tern (Sterna frontalis) ... Sooty Tern (Sterna fuliginosa) ... White-faced Ternlet (Sterna nereis) Sup-Famiry—Larin@& : GULLS. Silver Gull (Larus nove-hollandia) Pacific Gull (Gabianus pacificus) xiii 122 123 124 125 127 128 129 131 1382 133 134 185 135 136 137 188 139 140 142 143 144 145 146 147 148 150 151 152 153 Xiv BIRDS OF TASMANIA. FAMILY—STERCORARIID: SKUAS. Skua (Megalestris antarctica) ... ae .. 155 Richardson Skua (Stercorarius crepidatus) sey .. 156 ORDER—TUBINARES : TUBE-NOSED SWIMMERS. FAMILY—PROCELLARIID/: PETRELS. Sus-FamMity—OckANITINe[ : STORM-PETRELS. Yellow-webbed Storm-Petrel (Oceanites oceanicus) ... 157 Grey-backed Storm-Petrel (Garrodia nercis) ... .. 159 White-faced Storm-Petrel (Pelagodroma marina) ... 160 Black-bellied Storm-Petrel (Cymodroma melanogaster) 162 ‘White-bellied Storm-Petrel (Cymodroma grallaria) ... 163 FAMILY—PUFFINIDA: PETRELS, &c. Sus-FaMILyY—PUFFININE. Wedge-tailed Petrel (Puffinus Ee .. 163 Allied Petrel (Puffinus assimilis) ms i .. 164 Fleshy-footed Petrel (Puffinus carneipes) oes .. 165 Short-tailed Petrel, Mutton-Bird (P. ee .. 165 Forster Petrel (Puffinus gavia) .. : .. 169 Brown Petrel (Priofinus cinereus) af si ... 170 Silver-grey Petrel (Priocella glacialoides) ... .. 171 Spectacled Petrel (Majaqueus festa Ceeige be .. 172 Black Petrel (Majaqueus parkinsont) . .. 178 Great-winged Petrel (Gistrelata macroptera) . .. 173 White-headed Petrel (Gistrelata lessoni) en w. 175 Soft-plumaged Petrel (Gstrelata mollis) ae .. 175 Brown-headed Petrel (Céstrelata solandri) ... . 176 White-winged Petre] (Gistrelata leucoptera) ... .. 176 Sup-FamMity—FvuLMaRiIne& : FuULMARS. Giant Petrel (Ossifraga gigantea) oi oe .. 1W7 Cape Petrel (Daption capensis) bau ae .. 179 Blue Petrel (Halobena caerulea) diss dis ... 180 Broad-billed Dove-Petrel or Prion (Prion vittatus) ... 181 Banks Dove-Petrel or Prion (Prion banksi) ... .. 182 Dove-Petrel or Prion (Prion desolatus) ... oe .. 183 Fairy Dove-Petrel or Prion (Prion ariel) 33 ... 184 FAMILY—PELECANOIDIDA. Diving-Petrel (Pelecanoides urinatriz) ... a .. 184 FAMILY—DIOMEDEIDA: ALBATROSSES. Wandering Albatross (Diomedea cxulans) ... .. 185 Black-browed Albatross (Diomedea melanophrys) ... 186 SYSTEMATIC INDEX. XV White-capped Albatross (Thalassogeron cautus) ... 187 Flat-billed Albatross (Thalassogeron culminatus) ... 188 Yellow-nosed Albatross (Thalassogeron ahldrorhgnaken 189 Sooty Albatross (Phe betria fuliginosa) .. sss .. 189 ORDER—PLATALE. FAMILY—IBIDID#: IBISES. Straw-necked Ibis (Carphibis spinicollis) ane ... 190 Glossy Ibis (Plegadis falcinellus) as List .. 191 ORDER—HERODIONES : HERONS. FAMILY—ARDEID&:: HERONS PROPER. Egret (Herodias timoriensis) ... . 192 White-fronted Heron (Notophoyx nove- e-hollandic) .. 192 White-necked (Pacific) Heron (N. phan) ie .. 198 Reef-Heron (Demiegretta sacra) : fo .. 194 Night-Heron (Nycticorax ers va .. 195 Bittern (Botaurus peciloptilus) .. Lie ays wae 95 ORDER—STEGANOPODES : PELICANS. FAMILY—PHALACROCORACIDA: CORMORANTS. Sus-FAaMILY—PHALACROCORACINE. Black Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo) oF . 197 Little Black Cormorant (Phalacrocoraz suleirostrs). 198 White-breasted Cormorant (Phalacrocoraz gouldi) ..._ 199 Little Cormorant (Phalacrocoraz melanoleucus) ... 200 FAMILY—SULIDHA: GANNETS. Gannet (Sula serrator) ... Moe a sie ... 201 FAMILY—PELECANID: PELICANS. Pelican (Pelecanus conspicillatus) abe ad ... 202 ORDER—PYGOPODES: DIVING BIRDS. FAMILY—PODICIPEDID&: GREBES. Black-throated Grebe (Podicipes nove-hollandia) ... 208 Hoary-headed Grebe (Podicipes a sea .. 204 Tippet Grebe (Podicipes cristatus) vhs ... 205 xvi BIRDS OF TASMANIA. ORDER—IMPENNES : PENGUINS. Crested Penguin (Catarrhactes chrysocome) ... ..- 206 Little Penguin (Hudyptula minor) ie ae ... 209 Fairy Penguin (Hudyptula undina) ... a6 ao B12 ORDER—CHENOMORPH i. SUB-ORDER—ANSERES: GEESE, &c. FAMILY—ANATIDA: DUCKS. Sus-Famity—CyGnina&: Swans. Black Swan (Chenopsis atrata) ... ns Le .. 212 Sus-Faminy—ANSERANATIN. Pied Goose (Anseranas semipalmata) ... ey .. 214 Sus-F'amMiLy—CEREOPSINe. Cape Barren Goose (Cereopsis nove-hollandie) .. 215 Sus-FamMILy—CHENONETTINE. ‘Wood-Duck (Chenonetta jubata) oe pas .. 217 Sus-FamMiby—ANATINa. Plumed Whistling Duck (Dendrocycna eytoni) .. 218 Shieldrake or Mountain-Duck (Casarca tadornoides) ... 218 Black Duck (Anas superciliosa) ... aa ae ... 219 Teal (Nettion castaneum) aes an -- 221 Grey Teal (Nettion gibberifrons) sek ae . 228 Shoveller (Spatula rhynchotis) . .. 228 Pink-eared Duck (Malacorhynchus membranaceus) 225 Freckled Duck (Stictonetta nevosa) ... aes 1 225 Sus-FaMILY—FULIGULINE. White-eyed Duck (Nyroca australis) ... oe ... 226 Sus-FamiLy—ERISMATURINE. Blue-billed Duck (Hrismatura si se .. 227 Musk-Duck (Biziura lobata) ... : ae ... 228 (For Alphabetical Index see end of book.) LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. Nest of Harrier Ae *Nest, Eggs, and Young of Harrier Wedge-tailed Eagle .. Nest of Wedge-tailed Eagle. . » Whistling Shrike-Thrush .. Dusky Fantail on Nest Nest of Summer-Bird » Scarlet-breasted Robin » Flame-breasted Robin » Pink-breasted Robin » Dusky Robin aa »» Gould’s Blue Wren (2 photos.) » Reed-Warbler, with Young Bird “5 Large-billed Ground-Thrush » Grass-Bird Nesting Hole of Yellow-tipped Pardalote *Scrub-Tit and Nest .. Nest and Young of Grey Butcher-Bird Nest of Black-headed Honey-eater.. Yellow-throated Honey-eater *Crescent Honey-eater and Nest Nest of New Holland Honey-eater .. *Nests of Colony of Fairy Martins .. *Wood-Swallow’s Nesting Site Nest of Bald-Coot *Nesting Site of Spine-tailed Swift .. *Frogmouth by Nest with Young PHOTO. BY HI. C. Thompson D. Le Souéf F. EB. Burbury L. C. Pitfield H.C. Thompson Do. A. J. Campbell Ht. C. Thompson Do. Do. A. H. E. Mattingley. . H.C. Thompson C. A. Barnard A. H. H. Mattingley.. H. C. Thompson D. Le Souéf J. Sears FAOING PAGE 2 2 xviii BIRDS OF TASMANIA. PHOTO. BY *Eucalypt Bark Ripped by Black Cockatoos .. AH. HE. Mattingley.. Nest of Brush Bronze-wing Pigeon ie .. H.C. Thompson » Native-Hen, with Chick .. ae ae Do. *Young Stone-Plovers “Planting” .. oe .. A. Burrell *Nest of Spur-wing Plover .. is dis 8 Do. Nest and Eggs of Red-capped Dottrel .. .. H.C. Thompson Nest and Egg of Hooded Dottrel .. is es Do. *Crested Terns Nesting a ae bs .. A. J. Campbell *Rookery of Sooty Terns... ai ts .. &. M. Cornwall The Hut, Ninth Island ue ar ai .. Jd. G. Itttler White-faced Storm-Petrel Rookery, Ninth Island Do. Portion of Mutton-Bird Rookery, Ninth Island .. Do. *Rookery of White-capped Albatross Hee .. A. P.C. Ashworth .. *Nests of White-fronted Heron ae a .. A.A. EB. Mattingley.. * , Night-Heron, Eggs, and Young .. is Do. General View of Cormorant Rookery, Ninth Island J. G. Littler Portion of Cormorant Rookery, Ninth Island .. Do. *Gannet Rookery, Cat Island es ee .. GC. L. Lempriere *Nest of Black-throated Grebe a5 8 .. A. HE. Mattingley.. *Little Penguin in Nest, with Young ms .. T. G. Campbell The Author, with pair of Little Penguins .. J. G. Littler *Nest of Black Duck .. ey oe et .. C. P. Conigrave FACING PAGE 90 104 115 118 124 132 132 148. 150 152 160 166 186 192 194 198 200 202 204 208 210 220 * I am indebted to the Council of the A.O.U. for the loan of these blocks, through the kind offices of Mr. A. J. Campbell, senior editor of The Emu. A Handbook of the Birds of Tasmania AND ITS DEPENDENCIES. ORDER—ACCIPITRES: BIRDS OF PREY. Sub-Order— Falcones : Falcons. FAMILY—FALCONIDE: (11 species). Sub-Family—Accipitrinz. SWAMP-HAWK (Auten Harrier) (Circus gouldi, Bonaparte). Male.—Upper surface dark brown, not including head and neck, which are reddish-brown; tail ashy-grey to brown, with interrupted bars of dark brown; upper tail coverts white, barred with reddish-brown; breast varies from buffy-white to pale reddish, each feather being striped with dark brown down the centre; legs yellow; beak and claws black; irides bright yellow. Dimensions in mm. :—Length, 6038; bill, 85; wing, 420; tail, 252; tarsus, 106. Female.—Practically same as male, but is generally more bulky. Young.—Upper surface, including wings, uniform sooty or dark chocolate-brown; upper tail coverts rufous; tail a shade lighter than back and obscurely barred with blackish-brown; chest red- dish-brown; abdomen and thighs the same, only brighter. ; Nestling.—Covered with buffy-white down; cere ard legs yellow. Nest.—Constructed of dry stalks of docks, thistles, and the like, and lined with grass. The situation usually chosen is among rushes or in a grain field. Eggs.—Clutch three to five; somewhat oval in shape; tex- ture of shell fairly coarse, and with little lustre; colour white, often nest-stained. Dimensions in mm. of a clutch:—(l1) 54 x 89, (2) 51 x 89, (8) 52 x 39.5. ‘Breeding Season.—September to December. Geographical Distribution.—Tasmania, King Island, and Aus- 2 2 BIRDS OF TASMANIA. tralia in general; also New Zealand, New Caledonia, Lord Howe Island, Norfolk Island, and Fiji Islands. Observations.—This fine Hawk may be seen flying over and about river flats and marshes almost everywhere in the island. As far as I am aware, it is nowhere very plentiful, but is in suffi- cient numbers not to be considered rare. It is somewhat of a bold nature, openly swooping down on a farmyard and carrying off sundry chickens during the season. SPOTTED HARRIER or HAWK (Circus assimilis, Jard. and Selby). Male.—Crown of the head, cheeks, and ear coverts dark chest- nut, each feather having a mark of brown down the centre; back of the neck, upper part of the back, and chest uniform dark grey; shoulders, under surface of the wing, abdomen, thighs, and under tail coverts rich chestnut, the whole of the feathers beautifully spotted with white, the spots regularly disposed down each web, and being largest and most distinct on the abdomen; upper tail coverts brown, barred and tipped with greyish-white; tail alter- nately barred with conspicuous bands of dark brown and grey. Length, 19 inches; wing, 16; tail, 10; tarsus, 38’’ (Gould). Female.—Similar to male. Nest.—Situated in a moderately high tree, and composed of sticks and twigs loosely placed together, with a lining of green leaves. Eggs.—Clutch two to three usually ; roundish in shape, texture of shell fairly coarse; surfece lustreless; colour bluish-white. Dimensions in mm. of clutch :—-(1) 50 x 40, (2) 49 x 41, (8) 51 x 42. Breeding Season.—August to December. Geographical Distribution.—Tasmania and Australia in general; also Celebes. Observations.—In no district is this well-marked species at all plentiful. It is to be found scattered over a wide area, but on account of its shyness it is not often seen close enough to be readily identified. The food of this Hawk chiefly consists of lizards, mice, and other ground game, and, like the Brown Hawk, varying its diet with beetles and moths. Rarely, if ever, is it a menace to the farmer’s poultry-yard. *WHITE GOSHAWK (Astur nove-hollandie, Gm.) Male.—Whole of the plumage pure white; cere and legs yellow; bill and claws black ; irides reddish-brown. Dimensions in mm. :— Length, 512; bill, 30; wing, 802; tail, 208; tarsus, 79. Female.—Plumage similar to male; dimensions a little greater. ER. OF HARRI NEST Photo. by H. C. THOMPSON. AND YOUNG OF HARRIER. » EGGS NEST, Photo. by D. LE SovEF. vEMU.” “THE From BIRDS OF TASMANIA. 3 Nest.—Composed of fine twigs broken from the extreme tips of dry branches, and lined with a few green eucalyptus. leaves; usually situated in a fairly lofty gum. Eggs.—T wo to three usually, four sometimes; roundish oval in shape; texture somewhat coarse; surface almost lustreless; colour bluish-white, more or less smudged and speckled with pur- plish-brown. Dimensions in mm. of a clutch :—(1) 46 x 38, (2) 48 x 38.5, (8) 46.75 x 37. Breeding Season.—September to November principally. Geographical DistributionTasmania, King Island, New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, and Queensland. Observations.—Although frequenting many parts of the island, it is by no means common anywhere. One reason for its scarcity is the fact that whenever it appears close to civilization violent efforts are made to shoot it, on account of its handsome appear- ance. From information received, it appears to be more common in the southern districts than in the northern. From districts other than southern, I have records of it. from Launceston, Lily- dale, Waratah, Wilmot, Table Cape, Mt. Balfour, Derby, and Gladstone. GOSHAWK (Astur approximans, Vig. and Hors.) Male.—Whole of the upper surface blackish-brown; tail barred with blackish; wing coverts outlined with brown, quills barred with blackish; cheeks finely streaked with white; upper throat nearly white; lower throat buffy-white, each feather heavily marked with dark brown; rest of under surface creamy-white, each feather broadly barred with reddish-brown, lighter in shade towards the vent; thighs light reddish, barred with bright reddish; inside of wings creamy-buff, marked and barred with dark brown; under surface of tail silvery-white, the blackish bars showing distinctly. Dimensions in mm. :—Length, 510; bill, 26; wing, 314; tail, 274; tarsus, 76. Female.—Similiar in plumage to male. Young.—Male.—Feathers on the upper surface narrowly out- - lined with reddish-brown; chest creamy-white, each feather heavily marked with blackish; markings on under surface more distinct than in adulf. Dimensions in mm.:—Length, 510; bill, 26; wing, 306; tail, 276; tarsus, 76. Young.—Female.—Upper surface similar to young male; under surface much darker. Dimensions in mm.:—Length, 380; bill, . 17; wing, 252; tail, 198; tarsus, 60. Nest.—A lofty eucalypt is usually chosen, and the nest con- structed of sticks and twigs, the lining being leaves. Eggs.—Clutch two to three usually, four sometimes; in shape stout oval, with one end somewhat sharp; texture fine, with very 4 BIRDS OF TASMANIA. little lustre ; colour bluish-white, sometimes without markings, at others with spots and blotches of rather pale reddish-brown. Dimen- sions in mm. of a clutch :—(1) 45 x 35.5, (2) 46 x 84.25, (8) 45 x 35. Breeding Season.—August to December. Geographical Distribution.—Tasmania, Australia, Norfolk Is., and New Caledonia. Observations. —Common compared with the White Goshawk. Like all other Hawks, it is much persecuted on account of its fondness for an occasional chicken. The stomachs of several that I have examined contained only the undigested remains of rats and mice. On farms where there are hayricks, it will stay about day after day on the look-out for its prey, upon which it will swoop down with lightning speed, striking uncalled for terror into the hearts of the farmyard hens and their families, with the result that it pays the extreme penalty. Flying with facile wing, it glides over the grain-fields, keeping a sharp look-out for its prey the while. Lizards and small snakes are not despised when hunger presses. SPARROW-HAWK (Accipiter cirrhocephalus, Vieillot). Male.—Whole of the upper surface, including head, blackish- grey or fawn; tail indistinctly barred with a feeper colour; round the back of the neck a semi-interrupted band of reddish-brown; throat whitish, the feathers obscurely banded with pale reddish; chest and rest of under surface reddish, crossed by numerous bands of white, finest on chest and then widening; thighs distinctly red- dish; under sides of wings and tail silver-grey, distinctly barred with dark brown or blackish, very distinct on former. ‘‘ Irides and eyelashes yellow; cere and gape yellowish-green; base of the bill lead colour, tip black; legs yellow, slightly tinged with green’’ (Gould). Dimensions in mm. :—Length, 481; bill, 24; wing, 267; tail, 221; tarsus, 71. ‘s Feimale.—Similar in plumage to male. Dimensions in mm. :— Length, 445; bill, 24; wing, 283; tail, 203; tarsus, 71. Young.—Male.—“‘ Cere and gape olive-yellow; irides and eye- lash primrose-yellow’’ (Gould). Nest.—Constructed in the fork of a fairly high tree, and com- posed of sticks and twigs, and lined with fine roots, leaves, &c. re mea the nest of another bird of prey is used’”’ (A. J. Camp- ell). Eggs.—Clutch three usually, four sometimes; roundish, of fine texture, and without lustre; colour white, faintly tinged with blue or green, generally without markings. An example in a clutch in the collection of Mr. F. D. Barclay is somewhat heavily marked with brown at the smaller end. Dimensions in mm. of a clutch :—(1) 41 x 83, (2) 39.5 x 88, (8) 40 x 82. ‘aT IOVE GHTIVL-AOCaM ‘ ‘AUNGUNG “TA Aq ‘op0yg a BIRDS OF TASMANIA. 5 Breeding Season.—August to November. Geographical Distribution.—Tasmania, Australia, and New Guinea. Observations.—With an easy and graceful flight, this elegant winged arrow of a bird skims the hedgerows and trees, and marks down its victim. Of all our Hawks this species is the quickest on the wing, and the most feared by small birds. In the northern parts of the island, at least, it is not as plentiful as cither the Goshawk or Brown Hawk. Sub-Family—Aquiline. WEDGE-TAILED EAGLE (Uroaétus audax, Latham). Male.—Upper and under surfaces, except back of the neck, deep brownish-black ; feathers on upper back and chest minutely tipped with pale brown; back of the neck pale reddish-brown ; head ae than body ; bases of the feathers snow-white. Dimensions i in mm. —Length, 1,091; bill, 62; wing, 598; tail, 483; tarsus, 94. Female. —-Similar i in plumage. As the age of the bird increases, the major wing coverts turn rusty in proportion; the chest takes on a lighter hue. Young.—Rufous where the adult bird is blackish. Nest.—A bulky structure of dead sticks, lined with green twigs, grass, and soft bark; placed in the branches of a lofty tree in a commanding position. Eggs.—Clutch two usually, one or even three sometimes ; round or round oval in shape; texture fairly coarse, and surface almost without lustre; ground colour brownish-white, more or less heavily marked and blotched with rusty-red and dull purplish. Dimen- sions in mm. of odd examples :—(1) 78.5 x 60, (2) 73 x 61. Breeding Season.—August to November. Geographical Distribution.—Tasmania and Australia in general. Observations.—Although never as plentiful as in the northern part of the mainland, it is, nevertheless, numerous enough in some districts to justify shepherds keeping a sharp look-out, gun in hand, during the lambing season. Poison is also sometimes employed. For a couple of months during the summer of 1908 five large specimens were seen, day after day, wheeling round the summit and slopes of Mt. Arthur. Only solitary individuals had before been seen in the district. One afternoon in the same summer two fine specimens were seen slowly winging their way over Laun- ceston at a comparatively low elevation. The Lake District is one of its strongholds. The bird above described, and whose measure- ments are given, had a stretch of 7 feet 6 inches from tip to tip of its wings when alive. 6 BIRDS OF TASMANIA. *WHITE-BELLIED SHA-EAGLE (Haliaétus leucogaster, Gm.) Male.—‘Entire head and neck, with the entire under surface, lesser under wing coverts, under tail coverts, and terminal 34 in. of the tail, pure white; interscapular region, back, and rump dark einereous-grey, becoming darker on the upper tail coverts, the white feathers at the lower part of the hind-neck with dark shafts, and the grey hue appearing lower down on each side of them; wing coverts, scapulars, and tertials bluish slate colour, with dark shafts ; quills and basal portion of the tail blackish-cinereous ; under wing coverts and flank feathers with black shafts. Jength to front of cere, 25.2 to 26.5 in.; culmen from cere, 1.98 to 2.0; wing, 21.2 to 22.5; expanse, 71.5 to 78.0; tail, 10.0; tarsus, 3.4 to 3.8” (Col. Legge). Female.—Plumage similar to male. “‘ Length to front of cere, 27.0 to 27.75 in.; culmen from cere, 2.1; wing, 22.5 to 24.0; expanse, 79 to 80.1; tarsus, 4.0’’ (Col. Legge). Young.—‘‘ Head buff; upper surface and wings chocolate- brown; chest and abdomen buff-brown’”’ -(R. Hall). A splendid description of the young of this Eagle, from the unfledged nestling onwards, may be found in Col. Legge’s ‘‘ Birds of Ceylon,’’ page 68. Nest.—A large structure of sticks, usually situated on an isolated rock or in a lofty tree near the coast. E'ggs.—Clutch two usually; oval in shape and coarse of tex- ture; somewhat granulated and faintly glossy; colour dull white, frequently with brownish stains. Dimensions in mm. of a clutch: —(1) 71 x 52, (2) 70 x 51. Breeding Season.—August and September. Geographical Distribution.—Tasmania, Australia, Malay Archi- pelago, Philippines, Northern India, Ceylon, Cape of Good Hope. Friendly Islands, and several other groups of islands. scattered about the Pacific Ocean. : Observations.—So far as my observations go, and from the reports of those who know the coast well, this magnificent bird mostly frequents the north and east coasts from Low Head to Cape Pillar. At one or two places along the east coast it is fairly plenti- ful, but very shy. Sub-Family—Falconine. BLACK-CHEEKED FALCON (Falco melanogenys, Gould). Male.—"‘ Head, entire sides of the face, cheeks, and ear-coverts deep black; upper surface blackish-brown ; quills blackish, the outer secondaries with white tips; throat creamy; upper breast creamy, NEST OF WEDGE-TAILED EAGLE. Photo. by L. C. PITFIELD. BIRDS OF TASMANIA. 7 with black stripes; rest of under surface buff-white, with close narrow bars. Thighs transversely barred. Total length, 15 in.; wing, 11.75 in.” (R. Hall). _ Female.—‘ Similar, but larger; underneath deep rusty, paler on chest’’ (R. Hall). Nest.—The usual situation appears to be a crevice or ledge on a cliff near or on the sea coast; the hollow spout of a tree is also used. Eiggs.—Clutch three; oval in shape; texture fine, with a slight gloss on the surface; ground colour buff, heavily freckled and marked with pinkish-red and rufous-brown. Dimensions in mm. of a clutch :—(1) 50.5 x 88, (2) 51 x 38.5, (3) 50 x 39. Breeding Season.—August to November. Geographical Distribution.—Tasmania and Australia in general ; also the Moluccas. Observations.—The range of this bird is somewhat restricted, the southern portion of the island seeming to be mostly favoured. I have seen individuals wheeling round and about Mt. Wellington, but have never met with it in the vicinity of Launceston. At several points along the north-west coast, however, it has been met with. Among other places, I have records of it from Kelso, Lilydale, and the Wilmot district. LITTLE FALCON (WarrtsE-FrontEepD Fatcon) (Falco lunulatus, Lath.) Male.—Upper surface and wings dark grey; chin and throat buffy-white ; remainder of the under surface reddish-brown; thighs distinctly rufous. Female.—Similar in plumage. Nest.—Usually an old erection of another Hawk is appropriated and lined with leaves. According to Mr. A. J. Campbell, Mr. A. E. Brent took a nest from the broken spout of a peppermint gum. Eggs.—Clutch two to three; oval in shape, texture fine, but - without lustre; ground colour buff to buffy-white, heavily freckled and blotched with light reddish-brown. Dimensions of a clutch :— (1) 38 x 80, (2) 38 x 29. , Breeding Season.—September to November usually. Geographical Distribution.—Tasmania and the whole of the mainland. Observations.—I have never met with this species in the northern portion of the island, but Mr. R. H. Green informs me that he has seen it about Lilydale and Nolands Bay, while Mr. H. Stuart Dove reports it from Table Cape. The latter gentleman writes me that it is the boldest of the Hawks, and one of the swiftest, and is also absolutely devoid of fear. It is irregularly and sparsely distributed over portions of the southern half. 8 BIRDS OF TASMANIA. BROWN HAWK (Hieracidea orientalis, Schlegel). Male.—Upper surface, including head, wings, and tail, uniform dark brown; the feathers on the lower back, wing coverts, and tail barred with reddish-brown; chin and throat creamy-white to white, varying with age; rest of under surface creamy-white. In some specimens the feathers on the chest and sides are only streaked with black, in others black predominates on the whole of the under surface; thighs brownish-black; under tail coverts silvery-grey. Dimensions in mm.:—Length, 457; bill, 26; wing, 340; tail, 200; tarsus, 62. Female.-—Similar in plumage. Young.—Male.—Upper surface lighter than adult; under sur- face white, faintly creamed; feathers on chest and abdomen streaked with brown; sides of body and thighs brown. Dimensions in mm. :—Length, 425; bill, 25; wing, 323; tail, 125; tarsus, 62. Nest.—Usually situated in the branches of a tall eucalypt, and composed of sticks and twigs, with a lining of leaves and pieces of bark. Eggs.—Clutch two to three usually; round oval in shape; tex- ture of shell fairly fine and without lustre. Jiggs vary much in markings, even those of the same clutch. As a general thing it may be said that the ground colour is buffy-white and the surface much spotted and blotched with reddish to purplish brown; in some eggs the larger end, in others the smaller, is almost entirely covered by the markings; in others, again, the whole egg is smothered. Dimensions in mm. of a pair:-—(1) 51.5 x 41, (2) 51 x 389. A richly-coloured set in Mr. Hubert Thompson’s collection is worthy of remark. The upper quarter of (1) is pinkish-white, heavily covered with minute freckles of reddish-brown, with a few large blotches of the same colour about the centre; the rest of the surface is a uniform deep reddish-brown. The upper quar- ter of (2) is as in (1), but there are a number of various-sized spots scattered about it; the rest of the surface is very heavily blotched with deep reddish-brown and blackish-brown, with the pinkish-red ground colour showing out here and there. The remaining egg (3) is practically a uniform reddish-brown, but the pigment is not as heavily laid on as on the lower quarter of (1)—the extreme upper and lower quarters are slightly paler than the rest of the surface. Dimensions in mm. of this clutch :—(1) 50 x 40, (2) 51.5 x 41, (3) 49 x 40. Breeding Season.—August to November. Geographical Distribution.—Tasmania, King Island, and prac- tically the whole of the mainland. Observations.—Of all the Hawks found in Tasmania this species appears to be the most plentiful. Its food, judging from the con- BIRDS OF TASMANIA. 9 tents of the stomachs of anumber that I have examined, seems to be chiefly insects, such as grass grub moths, crickets, chafer beetles, grasshoppers, and the like. * On account of its habit of frequenting the vicinity of home- steads, and its comparative tameness, it more often falls a victim to the farmer’s gun than any other species. Even if it does take an occasional chicken, it more than pays for it by the number of insect pests destroyed. But then a Hawk is just a Hawk, and nothing more, to the average agriculturist. KESTREL (Cerchneis cenchroides, Vig. and Horsf.) Male.—Head, back, and wing coverts cinnamon-red; the feathers of the head and neck finely streaked with black; tail grey, banded near the extremity with black, and tipped with white; primaries and secondaries dark brown; under surface buffy-white, the feathers very finely streaked with black. Dimensions in mm. : —Length, 301; bill, 17; wing, 248; tail, 158; tarsus, 37. Female.—Similar in plumage. Nest.—No proper nest is formed, the eggs being generally laid either in a crevice in a cliff or a hollow spout of a tree. Eggs.—Clutch four to five usually; roundish, with one end slightly compressed; texture of shell fine and slightly glossed; colour pinkish-white, freckled and blotched with reddish-brown and dark brown, principally on the larger end. Dimensions in mm. of a clutch :—(1) 41 x 35, (2) 40.75 x 84.5, (8) 41 x 84.5, (4) 41 x85. Breeding Season.—August to November. Geographical Distribution.—Tasmania, King Island, and the mainland generally. Observations.—To the best of my knowledge, this species has not been met with in the northern parts of the island. Col. Legge is of opinion that it is merely a visitor. He informs me that a pair bred in the Sorell district, and also knows of it being observed three times in the vicinity of Cambridge. It does not appear to be at all plentiful on King Island. At the April (1889) meeting of the Royal Society of Tasmania, “‘ the Secretary drew attention to a rare bird that has lately been shot near Muddy Plains. It was commonly known in Australia as the ‘Nankeen Kestrel.’’’ Mr. Morton stated that it was a singular coincidence that in April, 1875, two specimens now in the Museum were shot at Sorell. It was in April, 1878, that the first specimen of this species was obtained, from Clarence Plains. 10 BIRDS OF TASMANIA. Sub-Order—Pandiones : Ospreys. WHITE-HEADED OSPREY ‘(Pandion leucocephalus, Gould). Male.—Head and back of the neck white, a few of the feathers streaked with brown; rest of the upper surface dark brown; under surface white, the feathers of the chest and flanks marked with reddish-brown. ‘‘ Length, 21 to 24 in.; wing, 19 in.; tail, 84 in.”’ (A. J. Campbell). Female.—Similar in plumage. Nestling.—‘‘Covered with down of a sooty-brown colour, except along the centre of the back, along the carpal bend of the wing, and on the breast and fianks, where it is dusky-white; all the feathers of the back are dark brown, with a broad tip of ochraceous- buff; crown and ear coverts blackish; eyebrow and throat white’’ (Dr. R. B. Sharpe). Nest.—An immense structure of sticks; the shallow nesting hollow is lined with seaweed. An inaccessible rock on the coast or on an island is usually chosen. Lggs.—Clutch three to four; in shape roundish oval; shell some- what granulated and without lustre; colour buffy or yellowish- white, usually heavily blotched with dark purplish-brown, espec- ially about the apex. Dimensions in mm. of odd examples :—(1) 61 x 44, (2) 60 x 42. Breeding Season.—July to November. Geographical Distribution.—Tasmania, Australian coast gene- rally, Moluccas, and New Guinea. Observations.—The Fish-Hawk, as it is frequently called, found in Tasmanian and Australian waters is a sub-species of the one ranging over a wide area in the Old World. Our species is slightly the smaller of the two. Gould records having shot one in Recherche Bay, but as far as Tasmanian waters are concerned, it is principally to be found about the numerous islets studding Bass Strait. Only an occa- sional solitary bird, or a pair at most, is to be seen at any time. Sub-Order—Striges : Owls. FAMILY—BUBONID£ (1 species). Sub-Family—Bubonine. *SPOTTED OWL (Ninox maculata, Vig. & Horsf.) Male.—Whole of the upper surface, including head, dark reddish-brown, with numerous white spots; under surface reddish- brown, heavily spotted with white; bill dark horn colour; feet BIRDS OF TASMANIA. 11 yellowish. Dimensions in mm.:—Length, 290; bill, 21; wing, 208; tail, 128; tarsus, 38. Female.—Similar in plumage. Dimensions in mm. :—Length, 280; bill, 22; wing, 200; tail, 123; tarsus, 33. Nest.—A hollow spout of a tree. Eggs.—Clutch, two usually; nearly round in shape; some- what fine in texture, and slightly glossy; the shell is often a little granulated ; colour white. Dimensions in mm. of a pair:—(1) 40 x 34, (2) 40.5 x 34. Breeding Season.—October to December. Geographical Distribution.—Tasmania, King Island, New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, and South Queensland. Observations.—Whether this or the Chestnut-faced Owl is the more plentiful is hard to say. It is very generally distributed throughout the island. That this the Spotted Owl is the author of the familiar night cry of ‘‘ Mo-poke ’’ is now firmly established. I myself have had demonstration going far to prove that the cry is not uttered by the Tawny Podargus or I'rogmouth. Some few years ago a Spotted Owl was captured at sea some fifty miles off the Hunter Islands. The skin of this bird I have now in my possession. FAMILY—STRIGID£E (1 species). *CHESTNUT-FACED OWL (Barn Owt) (Strix castanops, Gould). Male.—Facial disc chestnut, becoming deeper towards the margin, and encircled with black; upper surface, wings, and tail rufous-brown, irregularly marked with dark brown; a few small spots of white on the head and shoulders; under surface pale brown, with numerous round spots of very deep brown. Dimen- sions in mm. :—-Length, 366; bill, 35; wing, 330; tail, 148; tarsus, 61. Female.—Similar in plumage, but larger in size. Nest.—A hole in a tree, or a broken spout in all probability. Eggs.—Undescribed. Breeding Season.—Unknown. ; Geographical Distribution.—Tasmania, New South Wales, Vic- toria, and South Australia. Observations.—Why this handsome Owl should be shot on sight by most country people is hard to understand, considering the good it does in destroying rats and mice. There is hardly a district where this species is not found, but at the same time it is nowhere plentiful. The colour on the under surface varies from dull brownish to dirty-white. 12 BIRDS OF TASMANIA. ORDER—PASSERIFORMES : PERCHING BIRDS. Sub-Order—Passeres. FAMILY—CORVIDA: (3. species). Sub-Family—Corvine. RAVEN (Corone australis, Gould). Male.—Whole of upper and lower surfaces black, glossed with purple; bases of the feathers on the neck and throat vary in shade from soiled-white to greyish ; bill, legs, and feet black; irides white. Dimensions in mm. :—Length, 535; bill, 65; wing, 368; tail, 200; tarsus, 60. Female.—Similar in plumage to male. Dimensions in mm. :— Length, 519; bill, 63; wing, 354; tail, 205; tarsus, 59. Young.—Differ from adults in that the irides are hazel and the bases of the feathers, especially on throat, chest, and neck, are alraost snow-white. Nest.—Large and somewhat deep, constructed of sticks and twigs, and lined with shredded bark, grass, wool, and sometimes horse manure. The topmost bough of a lofty tree is usually chosen. Eggs.—Clutch, four to five usually; varying in shape from oval to pointed oval; texture fairly fine; surface glossy; colour pale green, spotted and blotched, some very heavily, with blackish- umber and olive. Dimensions in mm. of a clutch :—-(1) 41 x 80.5, (2) 44 x 81, (8) 48 x 81, (4) 40 x 30. Breeding Season.—August to December. Geographical Distribution.—Tasmania, King Island, and the whole of Australia. Observations.—After an investigation extending over some years, and examination of specimens from nearly every district in Tasmania, I am forced to the conclusion that the Crow (Corvus coronoides) is non-existent in this island. Jif some works on Aus- tralian bird-life the Crow is described as being white-eyed and the Raven hazel-eyed. Ravens are to be procured anywhere here, either white or hazel-eyed. I am of opinion that the irides change with age from hazel to white, similarly to what occurs with the Silver Gull (Larus nove-hollandig). One of the chief, if not the chief, distinguishing features between the Crow and the Raven is that the bases of the feathers of the former are snow-white, while those of the latter are dusky. Although a Raven may sometimes be procured whose plumage, especially on the throat and back of the neck, is nearly white at the base, yet the white gradually merges into the black as the tips of the feathers are reached. Now, with the true Crow there is a distinct line of demarcation between the white and the black. BIRDS OF TASMANIA. 13 As elsewhere, the food of the Raven varies from lambs’ tongues and eyes to fruit, eggs, and grubs. Its melancholy cawing note is too common to be appreciated. HILL CROW-SHRIKE (Brack Macprr) (Strepera arguta, Gould). Male.—Upper and under surfaces blackish-brown; in aged examples the under surface becomes grey; tail blackish-brown, aii but the two central feathers broadly tipped with white; primaries black, with basal half of inner webs white, extreme tips of some soiled- white; under tail coverts white; irides saffron-yellow; bill legs, and foot black. Dimensions in mm.:—Length, 536; bill, 70.5; wing, 292; tail, 255; tarsus, 68. Female.—Plumage similar to male, dimensions slightly less. Nest.—A somewhat rough open structure, composed of sticks and twigs, lined with fine twigs, rootlets, and a little grass. In some localities the nest is placed in a fairly low tree, in others in a lofty one. Eggs.—Clutch three to four; elongated oval in shape; texture fairly fine; surface slightly rough, but glossy; colour pale vina- ceous-brown, blotched all over with purplish-brown, a little light reddish-brown, and a little umber. Dimensions in mm. of a pair: —(1) 44.5 x 29, (2) 44 x 29.5. Breeding Season.—September to December. Geographical Distribution.—Tasmania. Observations.—Parts of the West Coast and the Lake District are the strongholds of this species, but it is to be seen and heard in a number of other places, both north and south. As is well known, Gould likened its note to the sound of a hammer on an anvil, but to my mind the sound more resembles that of a tramway gong, inasmuch as it is a ‘‘clanging’’ note rather than a “‘clinking’’ one. Like the Black Jay, the Black-Magpie has developed fruit- stealing propensities, but to a lesser extent. During the depth of winter, in the Lake District and round several mining camps on the West Coast, it becomes very tame, flocking round dwellings and eating any household scraps it can find. It is also much appreciated as an article of diet in these localities during winter, when it becomes very fat. The usual method of securing the bird is to trap it by placing a portion of the inside, say, of a sheep in a small paling enclosure with a piece of strong string attached to one side, the free end some distance away. When a number of birds have gathered inside the enclosure the string is pulled, and down falls a slide, securely entrapping the birds beneath. One of its favourite natural foods is the berry of the ‘‘stinkwood’’ tree. 14 BIRDS OF TASMANIA. SOOTY CROW-SHRIKE (Brack Jay) (Strepera fuliginosa, Gould). Male.—Whole of the upper and under surfaces sooty-black, the under surface having a slight tinge of ashy-grey; bases of the inner webs of the primaries white; the outer ones are broadly banded with the same colour, and there is also a narrow edging of white at the tips of some of the secondaries; tail dusky-black, all the feathers with the exception of the two central ones broadly tipped with white; bill, legs, and feet black; irides yellow. Dimen- sions in mm. :—Length, 455; bill, 57; wing, 255; tail, 173; tarsus, 56. Female.—Similar in plumage, but smaller in dimensions. Young.—Small edition of adult. Nest.—Constructed of sticks and twigs, lined with fine twigs and long, fine rootlets. Altitude of nest greatly depends upon locality. Eggs.—Clutch two to four; usually more pointed at one end; texture fairly fine; surface moderately glossy; colour rich pur- plish or dark vinaceous buff, blotched all over with reddish-brown and purplish-brown. Dimensions in mm. of odd examples :—(1) 45 x 82, (2) 42 x 80, (3) 48 x 81. Breeding Season.—September to December. Geographical DistributionTasmania, King Island, and several groups of islands in Bass Strait; also Victoria, New South Wales, South Australia, and Queensland. Observations.—Anyone who has had any experience of the bush cannot but be familiar with this black bird with its con- spicuous white tips to its tail feathers and its loud and harsh note. Before orchards came into existence here the food of the Black Jay was almost entirely insectivorous, a few berries being added to give variety. Now, in some of the northern districts, at least, as soon as the apples turn red a marauding band floats down silently from the tree-tops of the surrounding forest and takes toll. A sentinel is always posted on the highest neighbouring tree-top to give the alarm. After land has been scrubbed and burnt, this bird may often be seen in large flocks going carefully over the ground searching for food. After having been shot at a few times it becomes very shy and cunning, and is very careful to give no warning of its presence when near an orchard. When flitting from log to log its tail is jerked up and down, slightly fanned. On the approach of rain or any atmospheric disturbance it is more noisy than at other times. Its cry, which is familiar to most people, is *“* Killok, killok,’’ varying in tone according to the circumstances under which it is uttered. BIRDS OF TASMANIA. 15 FAMILY—DICRURID/Z (I species). *DRONGO (Chibia bracteata, Gould). Male.—‘‘ General colour above black, feathers of the head and sides of the hind-neck tipped with metallic steel-green; rump, upper tail coverts, wings, and tail black, washed with metallic steel-green; all the under surface black, slightly glossed with green; the tips of the feathers of the throat and fore-neck spangled with small spots of metallic steel-green; under wing coverts black, with a rounded spot of white at the tips; bill and legs black; iris red. Total length in the flesh, 12.25 in. ; wing, 6.25; outer tail feathers, 5.2; central tail feathers, 4.8; bill, 1.38; tarsus, 0.9” (A. J. North). Female.—Similar in plumage. Young.—‘‘ Fledglings are blackish-brown above and below: wings and tail black slightly glossed with metallic steel-green ’’ (A. J. North). Nest.—Situated in a fork at the extremity of a branch of a tree, and composed of rootlets and stalks of climbing plants, lined with thin wiry rootlets. ; Eiggs.—‘‘ Clutch three to four; almost oval in shape; texture of shell fine and thin; surface slightly glossy; colour a light pinkish shade or of a delicate pinkish-blush, sparingly and softly spotted with pinkish-red and purple, also with a few spots of chestnut, all the markings being more numerous about the larger end. Dimen- sions in inches of a proper clutch :—(1) 1.27 x .85; (2) 1.24 x .83; (3) 1.19 x .83’’ (A. J. Campbell). Breeding Season.—Octcber to January. Geographical Distribution.—Tasmania (accidental), New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, Northern Territory, and New Guinea. Observations.—At a meeting of the Royal Society of Tasmania in June, 1888, 2 communication was read by Colonel Legge regard- ing the shooting of a Drongo on the Hast Coast. This was the first record of this species as an accidental visitor to the island. In October of the same year the late Mr. A. Morton exhibited a specimen shot at Stanley and forwarded by Dr. L. Holden. Yet another was shot on the 8rd July, 1900, at Bridport, on the North- Hast Coast. , FAMILY—PRIONOPIDE: (2 species). Sub-Family—Prionopine. *MAGPIE-LARK (Grallina picata, Lath.) Male.—A broad line over the eye, sides of the neck, upper wing coverts, bases and tips of the secondaries, rump and upper 16 BIRDS OF TASMANIA. tail coverts, basal half of the tail, and abdomen white; head, back, chin, throat, and chest blue-black. ‘‘ Total length in the flesh, 10.5 in.; wing, 6.6; tail, 5; bill, 0.85; tarsus, 1.7’’ (A. J. North). Female.—Similar to male, except that in addition the lores, the forehead, and throat are white. Young.—Similar to adults, but duller in colour. Nest.—Bowl shape, composed of mud, lined with grass and a few feathers. The favourite situation is on a bare horizontal limb of a tree, in the vicinity of or standing in water. Eggs.—Clutch three to four; pyriform in shape; texture of shell fine; surface glossy; colour white to pinkish-white, more or less spotted, especially about the apex, where the marks often form a confluent band, with spots of pinkish-red and purple. Dimensions in mm. of a clutch :—(1) 28 x 19, (2) 26 x 20, (8) 26.5 x 19.5, (4) 27 x 20. : Breeding Season.—September to January. Geographical Distribution.—Tasmania (accidental) and the whole of the mainland. Observations.—On the 15th July, 1888, Dr. L. Holden shot the first recorded Tasmanian specimen at Stanley. *WHISTLING SHRIKE-THRUSH (Wuistuine Dick) (Collyriocincla rectirostris, Jard. and Selby). Male.—Head, rump, upper tail coverts, and tail grey; back, scapulars, and lesser wing coverts brown, striped with olive; greater coverts and quills dark brown, almost black, outer webs grey; lores and an indistinct line over the eye dull white; chin, throat, and fore-neck almost pure white; rest of under surface greyish-white; sides of body and under tail coverts grey; iris dark brown; bill black; legs and feet blackish. Dimensions in mm.:—Length, 251; bill, 24; wing, 124; tail, 107; tarsus, 30.5. Female.—Eyebrow rufous; feathers of under surface with black shafts; legs and feet greenish-grey; otherwise similar to male. Dimensions in mm.:—Length, 254; bill, 28.5; wing, 123; tail, 104; tarsus, 80.5. Young.—-Male resembles the adult female, save that the sides of the head and upper wing coverts are tinged with rufous; also the under surface is more broadly streaked. Nest.—The cup-shaped nest is usually composed either of narrow strips of stringy-bark, neatly woven together, or moss, fine rootlets, grass and leaves, with a lining of fine grass. The usual situation is a hollow in a tree or stump. Eggs.—Clutch three to four; stout oval in shape, with the texture fine; surface glossy; colour pearly-white, more or less spotted and blotched with olive and dull slate. Dimensions in NEST OF WHISTLING SHRIKE-THRUSH. Photo. by H. C. THOMPSON. DUSKY FANTAIL ON NEST. Photo. by H. C. THOMPSON. NEST OF SUMMER-BIRD. Photo. by H. C. THOMPSON. BIRDS OF TASMANIA. 17 mm. of a clutch :—(1) 29 x 20, (2) 28 x 21, (3) 28 x 20.5, (4) 80 x 20. Breeding Season.—September to December. ie Geographical Distribution.Tasmania, King Island, and Furneaux Group. Observations.—This cheerful whistler is a favourite with all, “wherever found. Many farmers and rough miners would no more think of killing a Whistling Dick than they would a Robin. Its general. attitude is one of alertness. Its movements are quick, whether on the ground or on a log or tree. On being flushed when feeding in fairly open ground it generally flies on to the top of the nearest log or stump and looks about as though inquiring why it had been disturbed. It soon becomes very tame round dwellings where it is not disturbed, and if fed with crumbs will soon come every day for some. I have known it fly right into a house and perch on a table when its daily food had accidentally been forgotten. As a destroyer of grubs and similar pests it renders a great service to agriculturists. By means of its power- ful bill it is able to strip the bark off eucalypts and other trees to secure its prey. Its loud and melodious whistling note may be heard during all seasons, but, as is usually the case, it is of a better quality during the nesting season. FAMILY—CAMPOPHAGID£E (2 species). *SMALL-BILLED CUCKOO-SHRIKE (Summer-Birp) (Graucalus parvirostris, Gould). Male.—Forehead, sides of the face and neck, and the throat jet black; crown of the head, all the upper surface, including centre of the wings, delicate silver-grey; primaries and inner webs of the secondaries black, ‘‘ the former narrowly and the latter broadly margined with white’’; tail grey, passing into deep brown- ish-black, heavily tipped with white; two centre tail feathers are without white tips and are largely grey; chest and thighs a shade greyer than back; abdomen, under wing coverts, and under tail coverts white; bill black; legs and feet dark brownish-black. Dimensions in mm.:—Length, 327; bill, 21.5; wing, 219; tail, 151; tarsus, 23.5. Female.—Similar in plumage to male. Dimensions in mm. :— Length, 827; bill, 21.5; wing, 194; tail, 153; tarsus, 25. Young.—Male.—Only sides of face and neck black; whole of upper surface as in adult; tail similar; throat dusky; chest same as adult; abdomen white, slightly tinged with grey. Bill, legs, and feet as in adults. Full adult plumage is not attained until the following spring. Nest.—Placed high on a dead horizontal branch of a eucalypt 3 18 BIRDS OF TASMANIA. tree; somewhat frailly constructed of fine twigs and fragments of bark matted together with spider’s web. Eggs.—Clutch three to four ; oval in shape; texture fine, surface glossy; colour dark green, sometimes heavily and at other times sparingly marked and blotched with various shades of umber; at times the markings are chiefly around the larger end. Dimensions in mm. of a clutch :—(1) 32.5 x 21.5, (2) 32 x 21.5, (8) 30.5 x 22. Breeding Season.—October to December. Geographical Distribution.—Tasmania, King and several other of the more important islands in Bass Strait. Observations.—Some years ago I was under the impression that this bird was a migratory species, as I knew from observation that it forsook certain districts early in autumn and did not return again until August or September. Like several other of our birds, this species is nomadic during autumn and winter. Some winters it is to be found in the bush round Launceston almost every day ; other winters not a bird will be seen. The East and North-Hast Coasts are its favourite winter resorts. Aiter the nesting season is over one hardly ever hears it utter its somewhat plaintive whir- ring, whistling note, which is uttered both when flying and when at rest; at the latter time the wings and tail are jerked slightly upwards. It has a flight peculiarly its own, progress being made in a series of wave-like motions, the wings being folded against: the body when arriving at the crest of a wave and kept motionless for a few seconds and then a few more strokes are again given. So the bird progresses, rising and falling the whole of the time. The ‘‘ Summer-Bird’’ is practically the only species that I have seen feeding to any great extent on the small green larve of a chrysomelid beetle that is very destructive to silver wattles (Acacia dealbata) in many districts. In some parts of the northern end of the island this bird suddenly developed fruit-eating proclivities in 1908—a trait not before known. I have no knowledge of how this Cuckoo-Shrike first received the name of ‘‘ Summer-Bird,”’ but presume it was on account of its appearing only in some districts to nest and rear its young. *WHITE-SHOULDERED CATERPILLAR-CATCHER (Lalage tricolor, Swainson). Male.—Upper surface glossy greenish-black; wing coverts white; rump and upper tail coverts light grey; tail black, the three outermost feathers tipped with white; cheeks, sides of the neck, all the under surface, including under wing coverts and tail coverts, white; bill, legs, and feet black. Female.—Upper surface brown; tail brown, with lateral feathers tipped with white; chin, throat, and centre of the abdomen dull white; rest of the under surface buffy-white; sides of the BIRDS OF TASMANIA. 19 breast and abdomen crossed with obscure bars of dusky-brown; bill dark brown; legs and feet greyish-black. Nestling—‘‘ The under surface boldly shows longitudinal streaks and faint bars upon the flanks. The upper surface, less the rump, shows conspicuous broad marks of black, brown, and white, the blackish-brown marks being subterminal and the white marks terminal’ (R. Hall). _ Nest.—A shallow structure, loosely constructed of fine stalks, grass, and bark; a layer of cobwebs is usually placed over the whole of the outside. One of the highest forks of a tree or sapling is the favourite situation. , Eggs.—Clutch two to three; round oval in shape; texture fine; surface glossy; colour varies from light to dull warmish green, more or less heavily blotched with bright umber and dull slate. Dimensions in mm. of a clutch :—(1) 45 x 41, (2) 46 x 41.5. Breeding Season.—September to January. Geographical Distribution.—Tasmania (accidental) and the whole of Australia, also New Guinea. Observations.—I am unable to discover how and when this bird first came to be placed on the Tasmanian list. FAMILY—MUSCICAPIDZE (9 species). *DUSKY FANTAIL (Crangy Fan) (BRhipidura diemenensis, Sharpe). Male.—Upper surface dark ashy-brown; two central tail feathers black; outermost one on either side pale grey, with outer webs and terminal half of inner white; two next with terminal half of inner webs white, the remainder with only a small terminal tip of dull white; all tail feathers with the exception of the two centre ones with white shafts; median and greater wing coverts tipped with white on the outer webs; secondaries edged with white on the outer webs; a line over the eye, one above the ear coverts, cheeks, and throat white; a black band on lower throat: chest blackish-buff; abdomen ochreous-buff; bill, legs, and feet black. Dimensions in mm.:—Length, 149; bill, 7.25; wing, 7.4; tail, 8.1; tarsus, 15.5. Female.—Practically similar to male. Young.—‘ The young birds of the first year have-a white line across the throat above the black throat mark and white spots on the head above the eyes and behind the ears; the remainder of their plumage is grey, except the breast, which is pale buff”’ (J. R. M‘Clymont). Nest.—-Usually situated a few feet from the ground in rather thick scrub, and is saddled on a naked horizontal twig. In shape it resembles a wine-glass with base of the stem broken off; the 20 BIRDS OF TASMANIA. tail-like appendage extends beneath the twig on which the nest is placed. When a stream is conveniently handy the nest is placed on a twig overhanging it. The materials mostly employed in its construction are fine dry grass, shreds of fine bark, and long, fibrous green moss, the whole being covered exteriorly with matted spider’s web, giving it a dirty-grey appearance; the interior lining consists of very fine rootlets, grass, or the long hair from the bases of fern fronds. Eggs.—Clutch three usually, four rarely; roundish oval in shape; texture fine; surface faintly glossy; colour dirty or buffy white, somewhat heavily spotted and blotched with reddish-brown and grey, especially in the vicinity of the apex, where the spots form a confluent band. Dimensions in mm. of a clutch:—(1) 14 x 10, (2) 14.75 x 10, (8) 15 x 10.25. Breeding Season.—September to December. Geographical Distribution.—Tasmania, King and several other islands in Bass Strait. Observations.—The bump of inquisitiveness seems to be largely developed in this small bird, for it has the habit of following one for hundreds of yards through the bush, just keeping out of reach, and uttering a broken little song the whole of the time. Its flight is weak; its long tail, which is opened fan-wise when flying, seeming too heavy. The name‘‘ Cranky Fan,’’ by which it is known to most. people, is derived from its curious head-over-heels flight when flitting about the tree-tops or on the edge of scrub. The song is a sweet little run of notes, to be heard to the best advantage during the nesting season. If this little songster can be heard to the accompaniment of a softly babbling stream the effect is greatly enhanced. Almost anywhere in the northern part of the island this species is plentiful, and I am informed the same can be said for the southern. Much discussion has taken place at various times concerning the utility or otherwise of the wine-glass stem constructed by the members of the genus Rhipidura to the bottoms of their nests. Taking everything into consideration, I am quite of Col. Legge’s opinion that the stem is placed for the practical purpose of balancing the nest during rough weather. No doubt it is a survival from some very early period, as one often finds a nest in a sheltered situation where no boisterous winds could possibly affect it. *LEADEN FLYCATCHER (Myiagra rubecula, Latham). Male.—Head greyish-lead, glossed with steel-green; back and tail also greyish-lead, but very faintly glossed with steel-green; wings blackish, secondary quills edged with ashy-white; neck, throat, and chest blackish, strongly glossed with dull green; rest of under surface white or dull white; bill dark lead, tipped with BIRDS OF TASMANIA. 21 black ; legs and feet black. Dimensions in mm.:—Length, 158; bill, 11; wing, 79; tail, 7.4; tarsus, 16. Female. —Head dull greyish- -lead; back same colour, but tinged with brown; tail brown; wings brown; secondary quills edged with ashy-white; chin and throat pale orange-buff, shading down to dull white on the abdomen and under tail coverts. Nest.—Almost the only situation chosen in Tasmania by this ‘species for the site of its nest is the extremity of a dead horizontal branch some distance from the ground. The nest is a beautifully neat cup-shaped structure, composed of fine bark and covered with cobwebs and prettily decorated with lichens. Eggs.—Clutch three; stout oval in shape, with one end decidedly rounded; texture fine; surface glossy; colour whitish; round the upper quarter is a broad belt of umber and purplish- grey, while scattered over the surface are a few spots of the same colours. Dimensions in mm. of a clutch :—(1) 18 x 14, (2) 17x 14, (3) 17.5 x 14. Breeding Season.—November to January. Geographical Distribution.—Tasmania, Australia in general, and New Guinea. Observations.—To Colonel Legge belongs the honour of being the first to record.this Flycatcher for Tasmania. His specimen was procured from near ‘Falmouth, in February, 1874. At the ‘present time this species is a regular visitor to the island, arriving and departing about the same time as the other regular migrants, and may be found scattered over a wide area. Among other localities in the northern portion of the island, I have it recorded from Noland Bay, Table Cape, Gladstone, Sprent, and Gunn’s Plains. Mr. H. Stuart Dove informs me that it is somewhat scarce on the North-West Coast. *SATIN OR SHINING FLYCATCHER (Mytagra nitida, Gould). Male.—Whole of the upper surface glossy blackish-green; throat greenish-black; abdomen white; legs and feet brownish- black. Dimensions in mm.:-——Length, 168; bill, 14; wing, 88; tail, 81; tarsus, 16.5." Female.—Head dark slaty-grey, glossed with greenish-black ; back dull slaty-grey; tail brown, as also are the primaries and greater wing coverts; sides of the neck and throat orange-rufous; rest of under surface, including under tail coverts, white. ' Nest.—A beautifully formed cup-shaped structure, composed of strips of bark, covered with cobwebs, frequently ornamented with lichens; lined inside with soft shreds of bark and a few fine rootlets. Situated at or near the extremity -of a dead horizontal branch of a tall eucalypt. 22 BIRDS -OF TASMANIA. Eggs.—-Clutch two to three; stout oval in shape, with one end distinctly rounded; texture of shell fine; surface glossy; colour pearly-white, with a well-defined belt of dull umber and purplish-grey spots; there are also usually a few spots of the same colour scattered over the rest of the surface. Dimensions in mm. of a clutch :—(1) 18.5 x 14.5, (2) 19 x 14.5. Breeding Season.—Last week in November to’ January. Geographical Distribution.—Tasmania, New South Wales, Vic- toria, and Queensland. Observations.—This Flycatcher is both more plentiful and more widely distributed than the Leaden species. It arrives from the mainland towards the end of October, and departs again early in March. Launceston, Kelso, Lilydale, Hobart, Wilmot, Tas- man’s Peninsula, Noland Bay, Table Cape, Gunn’s Plains, and Ross are among the localities frequented by it. Regarding this species, Mr. H. Stuart Dove writes me:— ““Karliest record I have is 22nd September, which was near Laun- ceston, and is early, considering it does not usually build here until last week in November or first in December. Other records are— 3rd November, Launceston district; 10th November, on Slopes of Mount Arthur, calling from the top of a dry tree and wagging tail sideways as it did so—the call is like ‘ Chuee, chuee, chuee, chuee.’ Several were building at Russell’s Plains on 30th Novem- ber. They change places frequently when sitting. 5th December one was flying along edge of scrub near Table Cape, backwards and forwards, apparently fly-catching. 16th December a pair came and sat on my verandah-rail ab Table Cape, showing to perfection the long, slender shape, the beautiful dark glossy-green of throat and upper surface of male—the female being brownish above, with throat and cheeks orange-rufous. This species is one of my favourites; it is so lively and entertaining in its motions, hardly still for a moment, and the gloss on the upper surface is very beautiful in sunlight.” % *SCARLET-BREASTED ROBIN (Petreca leqgei, Sharpe). Male.—Whole of the upper surface black; forehead white; lesser wing coverts black, secondary and greater white; white also on inner secondaries; lateral tail feathers white, margined with blackish-brown on basal half of inner web and towards the tip of outer web; sides of the head and throat black; breast light scarlet; rest of under surface dull white, all feathers blackish-grey at bases ; bill, legs, and feet black. Dimensions in mm. :—Length, 155; bill, 10; wing, 78; tail, 58; tarsus, 19. Female. —Upper surtace brown; white spot on forehead small; white markings on wings as in male: tail feathers also marked as in male; chin and throat greyish white : chest and upper part “‘NosaWOHy, 0 ‘H Aq ‘opyg ‘NOSENORT, ‘O “H Aq ‘oud ‘(oem poummgdn ue jo sjyoor yy UT) ‘NICOU GYISVAUA LATUVOS JO LSAn NISOWU GHISVTULANVTIA JO LSAN BIRDS OF TASMANIA. 23 of abdomen washed with light scarlet; rest of under surface, except under tail coverts, pale brown; under tail coverts dull white. Young.—Both sexes resemble adult female, save that: the under surface is uniform pale grey. Nest.—Cup-shaped; soft shredded bark, soft grass, and a little moss are its chief constituents ; pieces of lichen are frequently stuck on the outside for protective mimicry; the inside lining is usually fur. The forked branches of a tree or sapling in lightly wooded tracts is a favourite situation. Eggs.—Clutch three to four; stout oval in shape; shell fine and surface somewhat glossy; ground colour light greenish-white, rather heavily spotted and freckled with umber and a little dull grey. In the region of the upper quarter the spots form more or less of a belt. “Dimensions in. mm. of a clutch :—(1) 17 x 18.5, (2) 17.5 x 18, (8) 16.5 x 18.5. Breeding Season.—-October to December. Geographical Distribution.—Tasmania, New South Wales, South Australia, and South Queensland. Observations.—The chief features that distinguish this Robin from the Flame-breasted species are that this has the white mark on the forehead large and the throat black. The range of this species, as well as its general habits, are practically similar to those of the Flame-breasted Robin. It is, however, less of a nomad than its congener: During the nest- ing season it is always to be seen in pairs, and it is at that season that its sweet little song is to be heard at its best. At other seasons it consorts in small flocks and mingles with both the Flame- breasted and Dusky Robins. The colour of the breast of the female varies from light to bright red. Somewhat contrary to what occurs with some other birds, the colouration of the femble is as bright in the depth of winter as in the height of the breeding season. The amount of colouration on the breast and abdomen of the male also varies, being sometimes merely a broad band of colour on the chest and upper part of the abdomen, while the rest of the under surface is dusky white. Like the other Robins, its food is procured from off and out of the ground. During winter it often frequents bush homesteads, and will readily pick up any food thrown out to it. The note of the female is a sharp little ‘‘ Chip, chip,’’ uttered with a xapid upward flirt of the wings and tail. *FLAME-BREASTED ROBIN (Petreca phenicea, Gould). Male.—Whole of the upper surface greyish-black; white spot on forehead small; the median and greater wing coverts, also outer webs of inner secondaries, white; tail blackish, with two outer feathers on either side pearly-white; sides of the face and chin 24 BIRDS OF TASMANIA. blackish; throat, chest, and abdomen orange-scarlet; lower part oi abdomen and under tail coverts white; bill black; legs and feet blackish-brown. Dimensions in mm.:—Length, 153; bill, 10; wing, 76; tail, 57; tarsus, 19. Female.—Head and back brown; wings and tail dark brown, markings on wings and tail same as in male, only that the white is of a buff shade; spot on forehead small and buffy-white ; chin and throat brownish-white; chest and upper part of abdomen brown, rest of under surface dull whits. Dimensions in mm. :— Length, 180; bill, 10; wing, 75; tail, 538; tarsus, 19. Young.—-The males do not attain adult plumage until the second spring season, but they breed while in the dusky plumage. Nest.—-Cup-shaped or flattish and shallow, according to situa- tion. The choice of situation likewise has much to do with the choice of materials used in construction; fine shreds of bark and soft grass, with which are mixed spider’s web, thistle-down, fine rootlets, and a little moss, are chiefly used; fur, fine rootlets, and soft bark are the usual inside lining. The hollow spout in the broken limb of a fallen tree, a hole in the side of a stump, among the roots of a fallen tree, or under the edge of a bank of a creék are among the sites chosen. Eggs.—Clutch three usually; stout oval in shape; texture of shell fine; surface almost without lustre; cclour bluish or greenish white, spotted more or less heavily, especially about the apex, with umber and dull grey. Dimensions in mm. of a clutch—(1) 16 x 12, (2) 17.5 x 18, (8) 17 x 12.75. Breeding Season.—September to December. Geographical Distribution.—Tasmania, King and several other islands in Bass Strait, New South Wales, Victoria, South Austra- lia, and South Queensland. Observations.—That this species does not entirely leave the State during the winter months for parts of the mainland has now been proved beyond dispute. I have records of having seen it during different years (in fact, almost every year) in various parts of Tasmania in the depth of winter. Some districts are deserted altogether at the first touch of winter; in others the number of birds decreases. Almost any day any month in winter a few individuals are to be found round Launceston. According to Mr. H. Stuart Dove the bulk of the birds repair to the coastal regions for the cold months. ; The statement made by Gould, and since much copied, to the effect that ‘‘it retires to the forests for the purpose of breeding,’’ is somewhat misleading, as a little investigation of the places chosen for nesting will show. I have found as many nests in open, scrubbed land and round homesteads, where there are only a few prostrate giants and stumps here and there, as I have in forest land. In some districts this species is extremely plentiful, to the exclusion of the Scarlet-breasted Robin, and vice versd. In NEST OF PINK-BREASTED ROBIN. Photo. by H. C. THOMPSON. NEST OF DUSKY ROBIN, Showing egg of Pallid Cuckoo (on right). Photo. by H. C. THOMPSON. BIRDS OF TASMANIA. 25 Gould’s ‘‘ Birds of Australia ’’ (fol., vol. iii., pl. 6), the female is depicted with a reddish breast,..and in the letter-press accompany- ing the plate it is described as having a reddish under surface. This phase of plumage in the female is quite unknown to me. *PINK-BREASTED ROBIN (Petreca rhodinogastra, Drapier). Male.—Whole of the upper surface slaty-white; white spot on forehead small; sides of the head and throat slaty-black; chest and abdomen rose-pink; under tail coverts white; bill black; legs and feet blackish-brown. Dimensions in mm. :—Length, 130; bill, 10; wing, 68; tail, 51; tarsus, 18. Female.—Upper surface olive-brown; white spot on forehead small; under surface pale brown, except centre of abdomen, which is buffy-white. Nest.—Cup-shaped ; constructed of fine moss, on to which are stuck pieces of lichen and spider’s web; inside lining either the hair-like substance from the bases of man-fern fronds.or hair. It is usually placed in the forked branches of a low tree in a moist gully or thick scrub. _ Eggs.—Clutch three usually, four sometimes; stout oval in shape, with one end somewhat sharply pointed; texture of shell fine and surface fairly glossy; colour greenish-white, finely spotted with umber and grey; the majority of the spots are on the stouter end, where they form a band. Dimensions in mm. of a clutch :— (4) 19 x 14, (2) 18 x 18.75, (8) 19 x 13.75. Breeding Season.—October to December. Geographical Distribution.—Tasmania, King and several of the other large islands in Bass Strait, Victoria, and South Australia. Observations.—This Robin is the rarest of the four species found in Tasmania. In some parts of the island it is called the “* Solitary’? Robin. The class of country most favoured by this species is among the myrtle forests found in different parts. Round -Magnet and Waratah, on the West Coast, it is more plentiful than anywhere else I know of. It is also sparsely distributed on the East, North, North-East, and North-West Coasts. Occasionally a pair is to be seen in the bush round Launceston; also a few in the hilly country between Launceston and Scottsdale. Its note is a low, mournful kind of whistle, not to be confused with that of any of the other Robins. *DUSKY ROBIN (Petreca vittata, Quoy and Gaim.) Male.—Upper surface brown tinged with olive; greater wing coverts blackish-brown tipped with white; quills crossed by a dull white band, except outer primaries; tail brown, three outer feathers 26 BIRDS OF TASMANIA. narrowly tipped with white; the outermost one in addition has the external web white ; throat greyish ; rest of under surface grey, with the centre of the abdomen whitish; bill, legs, and feet black. Dimensions in mm. :—Length, 152; bill, 11.5; wing, 88; tail, 61; tarsus, 23.5. Female.—Similar to male. Young.—Feathers on upper surface brown, broadly streaked with white; under surface mottled. Nest.—Somewhat large and loosely built; composed of fine shredded bark, with which are mixed fragments of grass, spider's web, and fine rootlets; lined inside with horse-hair or fur; some- times nothing special beyond the soft bark used to finish off inside is added. In the hollow of a stump or in a niche in the bark of a large tree are the favourite sites. Eggs.—Clutch three usually; oval in shape; texture of shell fine; surface glossy; colour olive-green; some eggs are destitute of markings, others have the apex fawn colour, others again are pale brownish, darker on the apex, and with a few markings of fawn colour scattered over the surface. Dimensions in mm. of a clutch :—(1) 21 x 15, (2) 20 x 16, (8) 22 x 15. Breeding Season.—August to December. Geographical Distribution.—Tasmania, King Island, and Fur- neaux Group. Observations.—The Dusky or Stump Robin is a quiet, unemo- tional kind of bird, frequenting lightly timbered forest land and cleared tracts. It is practically voiceless, and pursues its daily round as though with some load on its shoulders. On freshly scrubbed and burnt areas where the young grass is beginning to show it may often be seen in numbers in company with the Flame-breasted and Scar- let-breasted species eagerly hunting for tiny snails and other ground food. Unlike the two other species mentioned, it does not seek the society of man and eat the crumbs,from his table. One but rarely sees a Dusky Robin perched on the limb of a tree, logs and dead stumps being practically its only vantage grounds. *GOULD’S BLUE WREN (Malurus gouldi, Sharpe). Male.—‘‘ Crown of the head, stripe from the corner of the mouth below the ears, and a broad crescent on the upper part of the back metallic ultramarine blue; back of the neck, shoulders, back, and rump deep velvety black; throat and chest deep blue- black ; under surface greyish-white, becoming brown on the flanks; tail feathers deep blue with lighter tips; bill black; legs and feet brown’ (Gould). Dimensions in mm.:—Length, 138; bill, 9; wing, 55; tail, 67; tarsus, 25. NEST OF GOULD’S BLUE WREN. Photo. by H. C. THOMPSON. NEST OF GOULD’S BLUE WREN. Photo. by H. C. THOMPSON. BIRDS OF TASMANIA. 27 _ ‘(Dimensions in mm. of a typical M. cyaneus from Victoria :— Length, 124; bill, 7.75; wing, 58; tail, 57; tarsus, 2.) Female.—Whole of the upper surface, including wings and tail, brown tinged with rufous; throat and abdomen greyish-white ; flanks brownish; bill, legs, and feet reddish-brown. Male (non-breeding plumage).—Upper surface slightly darker than female; under surface same as female; feathers of tail always distinctly blue; under surface grey, with the exception of the throat, which is whitish. Female (non-breeding plumage).—Upper surface, including tail, brown; under surface as in male. Young.—Plumage much lighter in colour than that of the adult ‘female or that of the male in winter dress; upper surface, wings, and tail light brown; under surface dirty-white ; irides light brown; legs and feet yellow. Nest.—Globular or oval shaped, with the entrance on one side near the top; grass, fine rootlets, and shredded bark are mostly employed in its construction, the lining being feathers and thistle- down. It is placed in a variety of situations, such as in black- berry bushes, brier and prickly box bushes, rushes by a river bank, &c. Eggs.—Clutch four usually; inclined to oval in shape; texture of shell very fine; surface glossy; ground colour white; the mark- ings, which are reddish-brown, vary greatly in individual speci- mens; some are greatly spotted all over, not only with moderate- sized spots, but also with very tiny ones, so as to give the egg quite a pinkish tinge; others, again, have the spots closer together at the stouter end so as to form a belt. Dimensions in mm. of a clutch :—(1) 18 x 12, (2) 18 x 12.75, (8) 19 x 18; (4) 17.5 x 12.5. Breeding Season.—September to January usually. Geographical Distribution.—Tasmania and Furneaux Group. Observations.—Of all birds found in Tasmania the ‘* Blue-cap’’ or.‘‘ Cocktail,’’ as it is variously called, is, perhaps the best known. Almost everywhere throughout the island it is very plentiful, the tiny males in their summer livery making spots of colour among the brier and blackberry bushes. There is great irregularity in the moulting of the males. Some rough notes made at different times on this subject read :—‘‘ 20th May the male Blue Wrens have lost their summer coats.’’ ‘10th July the same year notice the male Blue Wren in summer plumage, it being the first I have seen this spring. Evidently it had only just recently acquired it, as the colouring was not complete, grey feathers not being all moulted out.’’ In the Lilydale district I find that 17th July was the first date on which the male birds were observed to have moulted that year. Ist July the following year I find that ‘‘ many of the Blue Wrens around Launceston have not moulted at all but still retain their summer plumage.’’ The previous year it was at a much earlier date that they all moulted; in fact, by the 14th of the 28 BIRDS OF TASMANIA. month the majority of them were regaining their blue coats. ‘‘ 12th July, the Blue Wren still not moulted.’’ The following year I note that on 5th May a solitary male was still in summer plumage; all others round Launceston had acquired their winter dress. The date of either putting off or on the breeding plumage greatly depends on the climatic conditions. This is the crux of the whole matter. Much has been written on the subject of the Maluride being polygamous or not. At one time I was quite of opinion that our familiar Blue Wren was polygamous, but I have come to modify that opinion, and now hold that it is an uncommon occurrence for this to happen. During the non-breeding season one often sees a male accompanied by a small harem. The young birds of the year more often follow the males than the females when searching for food. Even during the winter the males do not consort much together. One generally, if not always, sees a male (to be dis- tinguished by his distinctly blue tail) accompanied by one, two, or sometimes three females or young birds, forming a little party by themselves. Each little harem keeps to itself; although one may see several groups feeding together, yet there is no indis- criminate mingling. The male does not lose his song entirely in winter, but at the same time it has not the same joyous ring as during the breeding season. Round homesteads the Blue Wren becomes very tame, hopping about the doorways and even into the passages in search of crumbs, &e. When in the scrub it prefers to use its legs when moving from place to place. Its powers of running are very great; it is as nimble on its feet as a mouse—in fact, it has the appearance of one when seen a few yards off as it scurries over and under logs and stones. Its flight is rather feeble, and only resorted to when desirous of moving from one locality to another, or when suddenly startled. The song is a weak but rather pleasing run of notes, usually uttered when perched on some elevation. DARK BLUE WREN (Malarus elizabethe, Campbell), Male.—Colouring richer and more intensified than in Gould’s Blue Wren. ‘Length, 5.5 in.; bill, .5 in.; wing, 2.1 in.; tail, 2.5 in.; tarsus, 1.0 in.’ (A. G. Campbell). Female.—Differs in plumage from the female of M. gould: in that the tail is tinged with blue. ‘‘ Length, 5.5 in.; bill, .32 in.; wing, 2.08 in. ; tail, 2.3 in.; tarsus, 1.0 in.’ (A. J. Campbell). Young.—Similar to female, only that the tail has no bluish tinge. Nest.—Similar to M. gouldt. WITH YOUNG BIRD. NEST OF REED-WARBLER, Photo. by H. C. THompson. BIRDS OF TASMANIA. 29 Eggs.—Clutch three; ‘‘in shape the eggs are roundish oval; texture of shell fine; surface slightly glossy; colour warm or pinkish-white, lightly spotted and splashed with reddish-brown, the markings being thickest about the upper quarter. Dimen- sions of a clutch in inches :—(1) .7 x .52, (2) .68 x .58, (8) .68 x .52’’ (A. J. Campbell). Breeding Seasom.-—Similar to M. gouldi. Geographical Distribution.—King Island. Observations.—‘‘ This Wren is one of the commonest birds on the island, being found not only in every patch of scrub and timber, but also inhabiting the tall grass and trefoil in the pasture ’’ (A. G. Campbell). 7 FAMILY—TURDIDZE (2. species). Sub-Family—Sylviine. *REED-WARBLER (Acrocephalus australis, Gould). Male.—Upper surface brown tinged with olive; rump and upper tail-coverts lighter, inclined to fawn; primaries and secondaries brown, edged externally with pale olive-brown; throat whitish; rest of under surface tinged with buff; bill dark brown; legs and feet olive-brown. Dimensions in mm.:—Length, 158; bill, 14; wing, 77; tail, 70; tarsus, 23. Female.—Similar to male. Nest.—Usually securely fastened to four or five reeds either permanently standing in water or else on the sloping side of a river, where, when the tide is up, the reeds stand in a couple of feet at least of water. It is cup-shaped and deep, and is com- posed of long and soft pliable stems of aquatic plants and strips of the ‘‘leaves’’ of the reeds, strongly woven together. Occa- sionally fine roots, cotton threads, and the like are employed. Lining, when present, the flowering tops of the reeds. Instances have come under my notice where the nest has been built some distance away from water. Eggs.—Clutch three to four; stout oval in shape; texture fine; surface glossy; colour greyish or greenish white, more or less blotched with roundish"markings of umber and grey. Dimensions in mm. of a clutch.—(1) 19.5 x 18.5, (2) 20 x 15, (8) 20.5 x 14, (4) 20 x 14. : Breeding Season.—End of September to January. Geographical Distribution.—Tasmania, New South Wales, Vic- toria, South Australia; also Lombok (Wallace). Observations.—This sweet singer usually arrives in Northern Tasmania about the end of the second week or the beginning of the third week in September, and departs at the latter end of March 30 BIRDS OF TASMANIA. or thereabout. Odd individuals are sometimes to be noted both earlier and later than the dates above indicated. In the reeds along the banks of the North Esk and the Tamar Rivers this species may be considered coiunmon guring the breed- ing season. On account of its shyness and its habit of keeping close among the high reeds, it is seldom seen unless one lays oneself out for that purpose. In the early morning, and also towards dusk, especially when the female is incubating, the sweet notes of the male may be heard floating up in the still air. Not only does it pour forth its tuneful notes during the day, but oftentimes throughout the summer nights. Its food consists of insects and mollusca gathered from the reeds and from off the mud laid bare by the receding tide. From observations and information received, I find that this species is very irregularly distributed, there being a number of localities seemingly suited for it in which it is never seen. Sub-Family—Turdine. *LARGE-BILLED GROUND-THRUSEH. (Geocichla macrorhyncha, Gould). Male.—Upper surface olive-brown; the crown of the head has a slight tinge of chestnut; each feather has a crescent-shaped black mark at the tip, the broadest markings being in the centre of the back; upper wing coverts dark brown, margined with olive-brown and tipped with tawny-white; primaries and secondaries brown, margined externally with a warm shade of olive-brown; tail feathers olive-brown, the outermost feather on either side nar- rowly tipped and margined for two-thirds of an inch on the inner web with white; the next feather on either side has only a tiny tip of white; sides of the neck white, tinged with pale chestnut and tipped with black; chin and throat white, the latter margined with pale chestnut, in addition to which some of the feathers are tipped with black; chest and sides likewise washed with pale chestnut; the feathers are somewhat broadly tipped with black, especially on the sides; centre of the abdomen white; under tail coverts white, a few of the longer feathers narrowly tipped with brownish-black; bill blackish-brown; legs and feet pale brown. Dimensions in mm.:—Length, 305; bill, 26; wing, 144; tail, 124; tarsus, 28. Female.—Usually differs from the male in that the markings on the under surface are heavier and darker. Dimensions in mm. : —Length, 285; bill, 27; wing, 132; tail, 110; tarsus, 30.5. Young.—Duller in colour, with the black markings smaller than in the adult stage. Mr. A. J. North states that after an examination of a large series of skins of the mainland G. lunulata and this species, he is convinced they‘are one and the same species. NEST OF. LARGE-BILLED GROUND-THRUSH. Photo. by H. C. THOMPSON. BIRDS OF TASMANIA. 31 Nest.—The structure is large and open, composed externally of green moss, grass, tiny sticks, and rootlets, the whole being tightly matted together; the inside lining usually consists of grass only. When moss is unobtainable, mud is employed to mat the various materials together with. A sheltered situation among thick scrub is always chosen; a moist, well-wooded gully is a favourite resort. The nest is either placed in the fork of a dog- wood, musk, or some similar tree, or else against the base of a bough springing from a horizontal limb. The moss used is the kind that keeps perpetually green as long as there is any moisture in the atmosphere. The egg cavity is often oval] instead of round. Eggs.—Clutch two to three usually, four rarely; elongated oval in shape; texture fine; surface glossy; colour light warmish green, marked all over with fine spots and diffused cloudy markings of reddish or rufous brown. Dimensions in mm. of a clutch :—(1) 39 x 23.5, (2) 85 x 22.5, (8) 87 x 23. Breeding Season.—July to October or November. Geographical Distribution._-Tasmania, King Island, Furneaux and Kent Groups in Bass Strait. Observations.—Moist gullies where there is an abundance of ground food are mostly favoured by this handsomely-marked bird. Owing to the amount of clearing that has been going on in many districts during the past few years, and also to its comparative tameness, it has decreased greatly. Ordinary domestic cats and domestic cats gone wild are its greatest enemies. It seldom flies except when hard pressed, trusting to its legs and similarity of colouring to that of its surroundings to escape from its enemies. Its note is a long-drawn-out whistle, half sweet and half melan- choly, mostly to be heard early in the morning and just at dusk. Like the Whistling Shrike-Thrush, when suddenly disturbed it will often jump on to a log or stump, should one be close by, and gaze all round in an inquiring manner before quietly flying a short distance and again settling on the ground. On account of the assiduity with which it searches for ‘“‘ cut-worms’’ and other cater- pillar pests among the farmer’s root crops, it should be rigorously protected by him and given every encouragement. FAMILY—TIMELIDZE (12 species). Sub-Family— Timeline. *EMU-WREN (Stipiturus malachurus, Shaw). Male.—Crown of the head light rufous streaked with black; neck and back ash-brown, passing into pale chestnut on the rump; all the feathers are centrally streaked with black; primaries and secondaries dark brown, with lighter margins; tail feathers blackish-brown and loosely webbed, outermost feathers shortest, 32 BIRDS OF TASMANIA. throat and fore-neck light blue; centre of chest whitish; rest of under surface yellowish-brown, darker on the sides; bill blackish- brown; legs and feet pale olive-brown. Dimensions in mm. :— Length, 158; bill, 8.5; wing, 41; tail (two central feathers), 89; tarsus, 19.5. . Female.—Similar to male save that the head is ashy-brown and the throat and fore-neck are yellowish-brown. Young.—Duller in colour than adults; no rufous on the crown of the head; feathers on upper surface tinged with ochraceous- brown and very lightly streaked with black; chin and throat very light blue. Nest.—Resembles somewhat that of the Blue Wren, only that it is very loosely constructed, the mouth takes up practically the whole of the upper part of the nest, and the egg cavity is very shallow, the eggs lying almost on a level with the lip of the opening. Fine, soft grasses are generally used, with a few feathers as lining. A seemingly favourite situation is among grass at or near the foot of a clump of briers; other situations are among a clump of thick grass or in dense scrub. Eggs.—Clutch three to four; elongated oval in shape; texture of shell very fine and surface glossy; colour pearly white, with markings of rich reddish-chestnut. The amount of markings ou eggs in the same clutch varies; in one egg the markings will be evenly distributed, on another those on the stouter end will be more pronounced, and in a third the stouter end alone will be marked. Dimensions in mm. of a full clutch :—(1) 18 x 12.5, (2) 17.5 x 13.5, (8) 18 x 13.5, (4) 18 x 18. Breeding Season.—September or October to December. Geographical Distribution.—Tasmania, New South Wales, Vic- toria, South Queensland, South and Western Australia. Observations.—This tiny Wren is somewhat rare, only being found in a few districts. Open, plain-like country is its favourite haunt, where the button, band, and cutting grasses grow espec- ially. Its flight is weak and wavering, most ,of its time being spent on the ground or close to it. In disposition it is very shy, kecping well out of sight should danger, seeming or real, threaten. When flushed it flutters for a few yards and then quickly dis- appears from sight in a clump of grass. A few are to be found round Launceston and its vicinity. It is also to be found in suitable localities in various other parts of the island, the class of country mostly favoured being that covered with Epacris and grass-trees in addition to light timber. Of this species Gould says :—‘‘ It is a recluse little bird, concealing itself from view by keeping near the ground in the midst of the mora dense parts of the grass-beds, and very seldom showing itself. Its extremely short, round wingsill adapt it for flight, and this power is consequently seldom employed, the bird depending for progres- sion upon its extraordinary capacity for running; in fact, when PS) NEST OF GRASS-BIRD. Photo. by H. C. THOMPSON. NESTING HOLE OF YELLOW-TIPPED PARDALOTE. Photo. by H. C. THompson. BIRDS OF TASMANIA. 33 the grasses are wet from dew or rain its wings are rendered per- fectly unavailable. On the ground it is altogether as nimble and active, its creeping mouse-like motions, and the extreme facility with which it turns and bounds over the surface, enabling it easily to elude pursuit, and amply compensating for the paucity of its powers of flight. The tail is carried in an erect position, and is even occasionally retroverted over the back.”’ Such widely separated places as Kelso, Wilmot, *Tasman’s Peninsula, Noland Bay, and Smithton are among the localities from which I have it recorded. *GRASS-BIRD (Megalurus gramineus, Gould). Male.—Head reddish-brown streaked with dull black; eyebrows dull white; back slightly paler than head; feathers centred with black; rump and upper tail coverts pale fulvous; tail brown mar- gined with fulvous; upper wing coverts similar to back; quills dark brown, outer webs fulvous, innermost secondaries blackish- brown margined with whitish; under surface dull white, washed with fulvous on fore-neck and breast, passing into fulvous-brown on the sides of the body; irides brown; bill olive-brown; legs and feet olive-brown. Dimensions in mm.:—Length, 160; bill, 10; tail, 68; tarsus, 20. Female.—Similar to male. Nest.—The.commonest type of nest here in Tasmania is that constructed of grass and lined with feathers, placed in the centre of a clump of long tussock-grass in swampy situations; it is slightly domed or hooded. Eggs.—Clutch three to four; roundish oval in shape; texture very fine; surface slightly glossy; colour light pinkish, sometimes tinged with purplish, spotted all over, at times more heavily on the apex, with purplish-red and dull grey. Dimensions in mm. of a richly marked clutch in Mr. F. Claridge’s collection :—(1) 18.75 x 14.25, (2) 17.5 x 14, (8) 17.5 x 14, (4) 18 x 13.75; of a pair in the same collection—(1) 16.5 x 12, (2) 17 x 12. Breeding Season.—September to the end of the year, generally. Geographical Distribution.—Tasmania, King Island, and Aus- , tralia in general. Observations.—As its name implies, this bird is to all intents and purposes a purely terrestrial species. Most of its time is spent on the ground among the clumps of band-grass on the open areas favoured by it. Rarely does one see it perch on a bush or the like. Its flight is strong and rapid, always close to the ground. In many districts it is fairly common, judging from the frequency with which one can hear its sharp little whistling note issuing from clumps of grass on the edge of flats, creeks, and similar situations. 4 34 BIRDS OF TASMANIA. Owing to its rapidity of flight, during which the tail is displayed fanned, and general shyness, one catches but a fleeting glimpse ot a bird here and there, even in a locality where it is plentiful. *GRASS-WARBLER (Cisticola exilis, Vig. and Horsf.) Male (breeding plumage).—‘‘ General colour above golden-buff, the feathers of the back with a slight ashy shade and broadly cen- tred with brownish-black; upper wing coverts like the back, pri- maries and outermost secondaries brown externally edged with golden-buff, the innermost secondaries blackish-brown margined with golden-buff; tail feathers brownish-black, edged and largely tipped with golden-buff; forehead and sides of the head and neck slightly darker than the crown; all the under surface pale golden- buff, slightly darker on the breast and flanks ; under tail coverts pale golden-buff; upper mandible brown, lower mandible flesh colour; legs and feet flesh colour. Total length in the flesh, 3.6 inches; wing, 1.9; tail, 1.2; bill, 0.88; tarsus, 0.72’? (A. J. North). Female (breeding plumage).—Similar to male save that the head as well as the back is. broadly striped with black. Winter Plumage (both sexes).—Practically the same as breed- ing plumage of female. Young (both sexes).—Young birds of both sexes resemble the winter plumage of the adult female, but are duller in colour, the feathers on the hind-neck and rump above showing a distinct wash of golden-buff, those on the under surface being dull white, with a faint tinge of yellowish-buff on the neck and golden-buff on the sides of the body’”’ (A. J. North). Nest.—Generally situated in open grass country or river flats; it is inclined to oval in shape, with entrance near the top; con- structed of fine grass, with which are mixed spiders’ webs and cocoons; lined with thistle-down or some similar soft material. Eggs.—Clutch four usually; roundish oval in shape; texture fine and surface lustrous; colour delicate bluish-green, moderately but distinctly blotched with reddish-brown and purplish-brown. Dimensions in mm. of a clutch :—(1) 15 x 11, (2) 14.5 x 10.75, (8) 15 x 10.5, (4) 14.25 x 11. Breeding Season.—October to December. Geographical Distribution.—King Island and Australia in general; also ‘‘ New Guinea Islands, Molucca Islands, Philippines, Formosa, Malayan Peninsula, Further India, and India’’ (A. J. Campbell). Observations.—This bird is common among the grassy flats on King Island. So far as I am aware, its existence has not been reported from any of the other large islands lying in Bass Strait, although it is quite possible it frequents more than one. BIRDS OF TASMANIA. 35 *TASMANIAN TIT (Browy-raiz) (Acanthiza diemenensis, Gould). Male.—¥Forehead rufescent; head. and al! the upper surface including wings, deep olive-brown; upper tail coverts inclined to chestnut; tail olive-brown, crossed by a band of blackish-brown; cheeks, throat, and chest greyish-white, irregularly streaked with black; rest of under surface greyish-white washed with rufous, deeper on flanks, thighs, and under tail coverts; bill dark brown; legs and feet light brown. Dimensions in mm.:—Length, 100; bill, 11; wing, 51; tail, 45; tarsus, 19. Female.—Similar to male. Young.—Similar to adults. Nest.—Globular in shape, with the top longer than the bottom, entrance at the side near the top; the materials used are fine grasses, moss, leaves, and wool; lined inside with fur and feathers. The nest is almost invariably placed low down in thick scrub; occa- sionally it is attached to the branches of a young wattle in a thick plantation of these trees. iggs.—Clutch three to four; rather oval in shape; texture very fine;.surface glossy; colour pearly-white to faint pinkish-white, fairly freckled all over with reddish and purplish brown; the mark- ings on the outer end form a zone. Dimensions in mm. of a elutch :—-(1) 18 x 18.5, (2) 17 x 12.5, (8) 17.5 x 18, (4) 17 x 12.5. Breeding Season.—August or September to December usually. Geographical Distribution.—Tasmania and most of the larger islands in Bass Strait. Observations.—In the northern half of the island, at least, the Tasmanian Tit, Brown-tail, or Badger-Bird, as it is variously called, is very plentiful. Among the eucalypt forests it consorts in small flocks of half a dozen or so individuals. The food of this species consists of insects of all kinds, espec- ially flies, beetles, caterpillars, and grubs, all of which are obtained on the ground among decaying vegetation or from under the loose bark of the eucalypts. It is a pretty sight to watch a flock of ‘‘ Brown-tails’’ scurrying along the limbs of a eucalypt, poking and prying into every crack in the bark in search of food. They are full of energy and animation. It is no uncommon sight to see this species right out on the extreme tips of the twigs of a tree hanging suspended downwards to the leaves picking off spiders and flies from their under surfaces. When searching for food the commonest note is a sharp ‘‘ Creak, creak ’’ many times repeated with great rapidity; occasionally a double ‘‘Creak’’ is finished up with ‘‘ Phee, phee,’’ somewhat prolonged. In addition to the above, a few low, unintelligible whistling notes are also uttered. The birds are agile on the wing, darting with great rapidity from tree to tree or from bough to bough when searching for food. Thickly-wooded tracts are mostly preferred as hunting grounds; 36 BIRDS OF TASMANIA. insect life being most abundant, and as a natural corollary less labour is required to satisfy the pangs of hunger of self and the little ones at home, if if be nesting season. EWING’S TIT (Acanthiza ewingi). Male.—Forehead rufous, feathers faintly edged with black; upper surface brownish-olive, more rufescent on the rump; tail brownish or rufescent olive, broad black subterminal band on all save centre feathers; upper wing coverts like back; primary coverts blackish; bastard wing and primaries almost black; bases of secondaries rufous, then black, with olive on outer webs; chin, cheeks, throat, and fore-neck grey ; rest of under surface dull white ; flanks dark olive; irides light red; bill brown; legs and feet dark olive-brown. Dimensions in mm.:—Length, 101; bill, 11; wing, 48; tail, 47; tarsus, 19. Female.—Similar to male. Nest.—Differs from that of A. diemenensis in being smaller and more compactly built; very firm to the touch; sides flat; domed ; entrance small and well concealed. Outwardly constructed of grass, moss, cocoons of spiders; inside, very fine grass, neatly woven together, then finally lined with feathers and a little fur. Dimensions in inches:—Top to bottom, 4.25; front to back, 3; across the front, 2.25; diameter of entrance, 1. ggs.—Clutch three to four; inclined to oval in shape; texture fine; surface glossy; colour warmish or pinkish white, finely freckled, especially about the apex, with reddish-brown. Dimen- sions in mm. of a clutch taken near Corra Lynn:—(1) 18 x 18, (2) 18 x 12.75, (3) 17.5 x 12.5. Breeding Season.—September to December. Geological Distribution.—Tasmania and King Island. Observations.—Ewing’s Tit was originally figured and described by Gould (‘‘ Birds of Australia,’’ fol., vol. iii., pl. 55, 1848), but in his ‘‘ Handbook ’’ (1865) he places the species as synonymous with the Brown-tail (A. diemenensis). It is also omitted from the British Museum Catalogue. During the 1903 Congress of the Australasian Ornithologists’ Union, held at Hobart, the bird was finally and firmly re- established as a distinct species. Specimens were obtained from the slopes of Mount Wellington, and exhibited in the flesh during the progress of the congress. In 1902 Mr. A. J. Campbell shot an Acanthiza on King Island which he was doubtful about, and this bird turns out to be A. ewingt. Mr. A. J. North states (‘‘ Nests and Eggs,’’ vol. i., p. 274) that an adult female of this species was received at the Australian Museum in July, 1899, having been received from near George BIRDS OF TASMANIA. 37 Town. Colonel Legge, in the introduction to his ‘‘ Systematic List.of Tasmanian Birds’’ (P.R.8. Tas., 1900-1), stated that the re-discovery of this species was very probable, evidently forgetting that in November, 1892, he read a note before the Tasmanian Royal Society entitled “‘ A Note on a Tasmanian Acanthiza.’’ In this note he says (inter alia) :—‘‘ Last December, when visiting an out-of-the-way settlement on the Elephant Hill, near St. Mary’s, situated about 1,500 feet above sea level, I met with a solitary bird hopping about the scrub and bushes on the edge of a clearing, and, being attracted by its peculiar note, I procured it, having by chance my gun with me. It proved to be a small Acanthiza, very similar to the common ‘ Brown-tail’ or Tasmanian Acan- thiza, but differing in having the forehead paie rufescent-grey instead of rufous and the throat and fore-neck with the markings much less pronounced than in the last-named species—in fact, the colouration of that part is almost uniform, the centres of the feathers also being slightly darker than the rest of the web. At the base of the outer webs of the primaries there is a narrow rufous band, similar to that shown in Gould’s figure, which, how- ever, has the markings of the throat more pronounced than in my specimen. Owing to the absence of throat markings, I was inclined to look on the bird as an immature male of the common Brown-tail, particularly as the month was that in which so many young birds are procurable, but the actions and the note of this individual were so totally different from that of the Tasmanian Acanthiza that no doubt is left in my mind as to its distinctness. The common species is gregarious, nearly always being found in small parties, which flit about with great zest and activity, utter- ing in unison their peculiar little note, which may be syllabilized ‘Zit, zit, zit, whoorl,’ the latter being somewhat guttural. The note of my new species resembles ‘ Tit, tit, too, woo,’ the latter syllables being soft and melodious. . . . There can be little doubt that this bird is, in reality, the Acanthiza ewingi of Gould, which should, therefore, be reinstated in the Tasmanian avifauna.”’ A résumé of the dates of the discovery and re-discovery of Ewing’s Tit runs thus :— 1848—First figured and described by Gould. 1854-—‘‘ List of Birds of Tasmania,’”’ by Rev. T. J. Ewing, P.R.S. Tas., August, 1854. 1865—Omitted by Gould from his ‘‘ Handbook.”’ 1879—Specimen received at Australian Museum from George Town. 1892—Specimen shot by Colonel Legge near St. Mary's. 1902—Specimen shot by Mr. A. G. CampbelJl on King Island. Examples received by Australian Museum from Waratah. 1903—-Several specimens shot on the slopes of Mount Wellington, and the species finally re-identified and reinstated as a valid species. 38 BIRDS OF TASMANIA. Briefly desertbed, the habits of this, one might almost say famous, species are to a great extent dissimilar to those of the familiar Brown Tit, for, whereas the latter species consorts in Hocks and frequents the open country, the former is either solitary or goes in pairs and resorts to the beds of creeks and moist gullies. This habit has earned for it the name of the ‘‘ Creek Tit.’’ The distribution of Ewing’s Tit has not yet been fully worked out, but it is known to occur round Hobart and Launceston, on the way to the Lakes, and part of the West Coast. Mr. H. C. Thompson has furnished me with an interesting note concerning the location of the nest and the nest itself. He states :—‘‘ It is always built near a creek, usually in a small bush, near the ground. One nest discovered was in a dry wattle about 15 feet from the ground; the tree was in thick scrub near water. The nest is much smaller than that of the Brown-tail, and is very compact; it is oval in front, with flat sides; entrance very small, and often closed when the bird is not laying, making it difficult to find. It is constructed of dead grass, rootlets, and moss, and lined with feathers and fur. I have seen the egg of the Bronze- Cuckoo built into the lining of this nest.’’ LARGE-BILLED TIT (Acanthiza magnirostris, Campbell). Male.—‘‘ Upper surface olive-brown; forehead cinnamon- brown, each feather having a crescent-shaped mark of a brighter colour at the extremity, and tipped with dark brown; upper tail coverts reddish or rufous brown; tail marked with a band of dark brown near the extremity; cheeks, throat, and chest whitish, each feather centred and edged with dark brown or black; rest of the under surface light olive-brown, darker on the flanks and under tail coverts; bill dark brown; feet brownish or fuscous. Length, 4.25 in.; culmen, .45; wing, 2.0; tail, 1.6; tarsus, .7’’ (A. J. Camp- bell, Hamu, ii., p. 202). Female.—Similar to male. Nest.—Unknown Eggs.—Unknown. Breeding Season.—In all probability similar to that of the rest of the genus. Geographical Distribution.—King Island. Observations.—This Tit was discovered by Mr. A. G. Campbell during a visit to King Island towards the end of 1902. The dis- coverer of this species records that it frequents more the shorter scrub of the island, away from the watercourses. So far as I am aware, its nest and eggs are still desiderata. BIRDS OF TASMANIA. 39. *YELLOW-RUMPED TIT (Yetiow-tai) (Acanthiza chrysorrhoa, Quoy and Gaim.) Male.—F¥orehead black, each feather tipped with white; upper surface, including wings, olive-brown; rump and upper tail coverts bright citron-yellow; base of tail feathers yellowish-white, central portion blackish-brown, then a short tip of greyish-white; chest and under surface yellowish-white, passing into light olive-brown on the flanks; bill, legs, and feet blackish-brown. Dimensions in mm.:—Length, 106; bill, 9.75; wing, 59; tail, 46; tarsus, 17. Female.—Similar to male. Nest.—A bulky, elongated structure, divided into two parts. The nest proper is closed in, with a spouted side entrance; above this is a semi-nest, open back and front. Dry grasses and wool are usually the chief materials employed; the lining is either wool alone or wool and feathers, a thick layer being used. The situa- tion varies, but as a general thing the drooping boughs of a moder- ately low to low tree, or near the centre of a gorse bush, is chosen. Eggs.—Clutch three to four or even five; long oval in shape; texture very fine; surface glossy ; colour pure white, without mark- ings, but sometimes a few tiny spots of dull red appear on the apex. Dimensions in mm. of a clutch :—(1) 18 x 12.5, (2) 18.5 x 18, (8) 18.25 x 18, (4) 18 x 12.5. Breeding Season.—August to December. Geographical Distribution.—Tasmania, New South Wales, Vic- toria, Queensland, South and Western Australia. Observations.—This bird is popularly known to most under the name of Yellow-tail. It is widely distributed throughout the island, and is perhaps the commonest of the Acanthize. It is also very common during certain seasons of the year in suburban gardens. This more particularly applies to the winter months, when its natural food is running short and competition is very keen among its feathered congeners for anything in the shape of provender. The object of the upper or false nest has been the subject of much discussion. Many and varied opinions and theories have been advanced from time to time as to its real object and utility. The most generally accepted theory is that it serves as a roosting-place for the male at night while its mate is engaged in the task of incubation. Another theory is that it acts as a blind to enemies, for, on finding an empty space, they naturally conclude that the nest. is vacant, and so do not investigate further. Yet another theory is that it serves as a shelter for the young when grown too big for the nest proper but not yet able to shift for themselves. Often have I found a nest containing the first clutch of eggs of the season and the upper apartment showing signs of having been used. I do not see any reason why the three theories should not dove-tail one into the other, and the upper structure come in for all three purposes—viz., a blind to enemies, shelter for the 40 BIRDS OF TASMANIA. parent bird, and a refuge for the young fledglings. It is no uncommon sight to see the birds assembled in flocks of 30 or 40 in winter, running over the ground picking up any stray scrap of food, in addition to the usual diet of insects and seeds. As I have above mentioned, the bird does not confine itself to bush-land, but comes right into gardens in the larger towns in search of food. It is often to be seen swarming over the fruit trees in search of codlin moth and other grubs; it is nob averse to picking off mussel scale where thick. When flushed from the ground, the Yellow-tail utters a sharp, high-pitched note, and only flies a few yards before again alighting. It is quite possible to go within a few yards of a Hock without the birds taking flight. When flying a short distance it moves in a jerky, wavy manner. The song of this species is a very pretty little run of notes—not loud, but very sweet; it is usually uttered when the birds are feeding together in a flock on the ground. This species is about the earliest of our birds to nest. One mild June I saw a parent bird carrying food to its young. For a completed nest to be discovered in July is no rare occurrence. Mr. H. Stuart Dove writes me :—‘‘ On 29th September, 1909, I found in a prickly wattle at Flowerdale a two-chambered nest, lower part of which contained an egg and three unfledged young; upper part had an unfinished dome, with a depression on one side like a roosting-place. On 24th December this nest was found to be triple ; the lowest compartment contained one freshly-laid white egg; the next compartment had three eggs, partly incubated; the third compartment was empty, but had been used fcr shelter, and was not so well covered as the other two. There was also a sort of shallow depression on top at right-hand side (the so-called ‘cock’s nest’). Looked at again after New Year, the three eggs in middle compartment were hatched, but single egg in lowest room remained the same.’’ *WHITE-BREASTED SCRUB-TIT (Acanthornis magna, Gould). Male.—Crown of the head, lower back, and rump deep brownish- olive; upper back olive; tail blackish-brown, outer webs lighter, sub- terminal band black; wings black, first five primaries narrowly edged on terminal half of outer webs with white; greater wing coverts edged with white; lores and a stripe over the eyes white; ear coverts and cheeks slate-black; throat white, becoming pale yellow on the abdomen; flanks and under tail coverts deep brownish-olive; irides light yellow; bill blackish; legs and feet brownish. Dimensions in mm. :—Length, 109; bill, 18; wing, 53; tail, 44; tarsus, 21. Female.—Colouration in general browner; throat tinged with yellow NEST. SCRUB-TIT AND From ‘“ THE Ev.” Photo. by A. J. CAMPBELL. BIRDS OF TASMANIA. 41 Young.—Dull brownish-olive; patch of dull yellow on each side of the chest; centre of abdomen white. Nest.—According to Mr. A. L. Butler, the position of the nest varies according to the nature of the scrub in which it is found. He says :—“‘ I have found them as low as 3 inches from the ground and as high as 9 feet, in grass and ferns, and then again in the dead fronds of the tree-fern.’’ The nest is globular in shape, with a side entrance, and is composed of strips of bark, rootlets, and a little green moss, the lining being fern down, feathers, and fur. Eggs.—Clutch three; inclined to oval in shape; texture of shell fine ; surface glossy ; colour pearly-white, more or less blotched with reddish-brown and purplish-brown, and, as is often the case, the markings are heaviest about the stouter end. Dimensions in mm. of a clutch :—(1) 18 x 18, (2) 19 x 18, (8) 18.5 x 12.5. Breeding Season.—October and November principally. Geographical Distribution.—Tasmania. Observations.—On account of the nature of the country it frequents, combined with its shyness, this interesting Scrub-Tit is but rarely seen unless one lays oneself out to specially search forit. Of its habits Mr. Butler says :—‘‘ With its mouse-like moye- ments, it will fly to the base of a tree-fern, run rapidly to the top and down the other side, just pausing long enough to grasp an unwary beetle, or some such small object, then off again to another tree, and repeat the performance. Whilst it is feeding its note is a short ‘Cheep, cheep,’ but at times you will hear it trilling out a little song something like the Calamanthus (Reed- Lark), but not so full or sustained as that bird’s note.”’ Regarding the distribution of this Tit, it has been found round Piper’s River in the north, Penguin in the north-west, and Waratah in the west. JI expect there are other places where it is present. Mr. Butler has found it at the Huon, Carnarvon, North- West Bay River, Glenorchy, Bismarck, New Norfolk, in addition to different places about the base of Mount .Wellington. *BROWN SCRUB-WREN (Sericornis humilis, Gould). Male.—Crown of the head, back, and wings dark olive-brown ; rump and tail dark olive-brown tinged with reddish ; = spurious wing blackish-brown, each feather margined with white; throat greyish-white spotted with blackish-brown’’ (Gould); chest dark grey, passing into brownish-yellow on abdomen; chest obscurely marked with blackish-brown ; flanks rufous-brown. Dimensions in mm. :—Length, 130; bill, 18; wing, 62; tail, 54; tarsus, 25. Female.—Similar to male, except that the lores are slate instead of black. _— Nest.—Somewhat large for the size of the bird; inclined to globular in shape, with the entrance at the side; composed of fine 42 BIRDS OF TASMANIA. rootlets, leaves, grass, and moss, lined with fur and feathers. When not built right on the ground at the foot of a thick shrub or a clump of broad-leaved cutting-grass, it is placed a little way up. In some districts the nest has been found in a clump of black- berries. Eggs.—Clutch three to four; somewhat stoutish oval; texture fine; surface fairly glossy; colour light purplish-buff, marked, especially about the apex, with umber and purplish-brown. Dimensions in mm. of a clutch :—(1) 21.5 x 17, (2) 21 x 15.5, (8) 21 x 16, (4) 21.5 x 16.5. Breeding Season.—August or September to the end of the year. Geographical Distribution.—Tasmania, King Island, Furneaux and Kent Groups. Observations.—Although it may be stated that as a general rule the Sombre Sericornis frequents localities clothed with dense to moderately dense undergrowth, yet in some districts where the only cover is among the blackberry and gorse hedges the species is surprisingly plentiful. I may instance the Scottsdale district in this respect. Its diet consists almost exclusively of insects, which are gathered from among the fallen leaves and branches, and from under the bark of the trees strewn about its haunts. It seldom ascends to the top of the scrub, preferring to remain among the undergrowth. Its progress through the thickets is ‘‘on foot,’’ and it displays a marvellous nimbleness. During certain seasons the male utters a series of rather pretty low and sweet notes. *SPOTTED GROUND-BIRD (Grounp-Dove) (Cinclosoma punctatum, Lath.) Male.—Upper surface brown to rufous-brown, the feathers on the back with distinct black centres; on the other parts the black is somewhat obscure; upper wing coverts glossy black tipped with white; primaries and outer secondaries brown, the former margined externally with ashy-grey to whitish, the inner series of the latter chestnut, broadly striped with black on the outer web; two central tail feathers greyish-brown, rest black broadly margined with grey on their inner webs and tipped with white; ‘stripe over the eye, a nearly circular spot on the side of the neck, and the centre of the abdomen white’’ (Gould); throat and a narrow band across the chest glossy black; chest ashy-grey; flanks and under tail coverts reddish-buff; each feather has a broad stripe of black down the centre; bill black; legs and feet pale flesh colour. Dimensions in mm.:—lLength, 278; bill, 16; wing, 114; tail, 180; tarsus, 31. Female.—Upper surface lighter than in male; throat greyish- white; spot on the neck rufous; no pectoral band. BIRDS OF TASMANIA. 43 Nest.—Bowl-shaped; rather loosely constructed of strips of bark, leaves, and a little grass; lined with similar materials, only finer. Usually situated under the shelter of a log or a large stone on the ground. iggs.—Clutch two to three or even four; sormewhat lengthened oval in shape; texture of shell fine; surface glossy; colour white; spotted and blotched, especially about the stouter end, with umber and dull grey. Dimensions in mm. of a clutch :—(1) 87 x 24, (2) 36 x 24, (8) 36.5 x 25. Breeding Season.—August to September. Geographical Distribution.—Tasmania, New South Wales, Vic- toria, South Australia, and South Queensland. Observations.—The distribution of this species is fairly general in Tasmania, being the most plentiful in those districts best suited to its habits. But in no locality is ib as plentiful as it was before the country was opened up as it is now. Lightly timbered slopes are greatly favoured by this species, but it also may be found in heavily timbered tracts. It keeps almost exclusively to the ground, although occasionally it may be seen perched on a bough some distance from the ground. Its powers of flight are nowise strong, and are seldom used except when the bird requires to traverse any unusual distance. Great agility is displayed in running along fallen trees and over the ground when searching for food, which consists of insects, seeds, and small berries. When suddenly disturbed it rises from the ground with a whirring noise very much like that made by a quail; only a short distance is traversed, as it quickly descends and is lost to sight in the scrub. A somewhat long-drawn whistling note is practically the only sound uttered by this bird. In Gould’s day this species was extremely plentiful, and he menticnus having seen large numbers exposed for sale in Hobart shops. Under the Game Act of 1907 this bird is afforded total protection. STRIATED FIELD-WREN (Calamanthus fuliginosus, Vig. and Horsf.) Male.—Upper surface greenish-olive, all the feathers centred with black ; tail feathers olive-brown, the central pair streaked with black along the shafts; on the rest a subterminal band of black, except on the extreme outer webs, which are pale ashy-brown, as also are the extreme tips; primaries and secondaries blackish- brown; the outer primaries are margined externally with ashy- - white, and the remainder of the quills with greenish-olive; chin and throat white, streaked with black; centre of abdomen white to buffy-white; rest of under surface yellowish-buff, streaked with black; bill brown, tip blackish. Dimensions in mm. :-—Length, 142; bill, 11; wing, 58; tail, 54; tarsus, 23. 44 BIRDS OF TASMANIA. Female.—Similar to male, except that the chin and throat are dull yellow or buff instead of white. Dimensions in mm. :— Length, 135; bill, 10.5; wing, 58; tail, 48; tarsus, 22.5. Nest.—Roundish, more or less domed or hooded; constructed outwardly of grass, leaves, moss, &c., then a layer of fine grass, finally feathers and hair. The usual situation is either on or close to the ground in a clump of long grass, rushes, gorse, or briers. When young are in the nest ths entrance is opened out, so that it takes on a bowl-shaped appearance. Eggs.—Clutch three to four; roundish, with one end distinctly pointed; texture fine; surface glossy: colour vinaceous-buff; round the apex is a broad belt of reddish or purplish brown. Dimensions in mm. of a clutch :—(1) 20 x 16, (2) 20 x 15.5, (8) 19.75 x 16, (4) 20.5 x 15.75. Breeding Season.—August to December. Geographical Distribution.—Tasmania, New South Wales, and South Australia. Observations.—When searching for food among tussock-grass and similar light growth favoured by this Field-Wren, its tail is carried in a line with its body, and not erect like Gould’s Blue Wren. The means by which a person observing this bird quietly feeding, and who had not before seen it, could tell it belonged to the erect-tailed Wrens would be by the narrowness of the tail at the base, and the manner in which the feathers fold over one another. As soon as the bird comes out into the open the tail is erected and kept so. After coming to rest cn a branch or post, the tail is jerked backwards and forwards several times. On the ground it is a quick runner on occasions, but when searching for food it progresses with a hopping motion. Open grassy country, studded with band-grass and cutting-grass, is mostly favoured. When flushed in the open it flies with rapid motion, just clearing the ground, only rising sufficiently to clear any obstacle, and quickly drops on the ground out of sight. Rarely does it perch on a bush at the end of its flight after being flushed. On account of its strong odour it is known to quail-shooters as the ‘‘ Stink- Bird.’’ Sporting dogs will often set to it in mistake for their proper quarry. During the breeding season especially it has a very sweet little song, which is most frequently uttered when perched on the top of a brier or gorse bush. The rest of the year it is practically voiceless. *WHITE-FRONTED CHAT (Ephthianura albifrons, Jard. and Selby). Male.—¥Forehead, sides of the head, cheeks, and throat white; crown of the head and nape black; rest of the upper surface dull grey; upper tail coverts black; tail feathers dark brown, central pair uniform, rest tipped with white on the inner web; primaries BIRDS OF TASMANIA. 45 and secondaries dark brown; ‘‘ chest crossed by a broad crescent of deep black, the points of which run up the sides of the neck and join at the back of the occiput ’’ (Gould); remainder of the under surface white; flanks tinged with grey; bill, legs, and feet black. Dimensions in mm.:—Length, 118; bill, 11; wing, 71; tail, 40; tarsus, 17. Female.—All the upper surface, including head, wings, and tail, greyish-brown; the white spot on the tip of the inner webs of the lateral tail feathers indistinct; throat and under surface buffy- white ; crescent on chest narrow and less distinct than in male. Young.—Resembles adult female, but a litte more dusky in hue. Nest.—Cup-shaped; the favourite situation appears to be the centre of a tussock or clump of band-grass, when the nest is com- posed of fine grass-stems and lined with horse-hair. Eggs.—Clutch three usually; roundish oval in shape; texture. of shell fine; surface fairly glossy; colour white, spotted and freckled, especially on the larger end, with reddish-brown and purplish-brown. Dimensions in mm. of a clutch :——-(1) 18 x 14, (2) 17.5 x 18.5, (3) 18 x 18.5. Breeding Season.—August to October generally, November sometimes. Geographical Distribution.—Tasmania, King and several other Bass Strait Islands, New South Wales, Victoria, South Queensland, South, Western, and North-Western Australia. Observations.—By many people this species is known as the “*Moony’’ on account of the crescent-shaped band on its chest. The range and numbers of the White-fronted Chat have increased greatly during the last few years. Not so long ago it was restricted to a few districts, and rare in these; now it is a plentiful species in many. It appears to have been first noted in the southern end of the island, and, after having spread over a wide area, gradually advanced up north by way of the midland districts. As a rule open grassy country is mostly favoured, where it may be seen busily engaged searching for seeds and insects among the grass. On the North-West Coast it may frequently be seen in fairly large flocks on the sea shore about high water mark, eagerly searching among the débris. The muddy edges of lagoons, clay-pans, and the like are resorted to. When rising from the ground with rapid flight, sharp and distinctly metallic notes are uttered, dissimilar to those of any other bird I know of. This bird is distinctly nomadic in its habits, suddenly appearing in a district for a longer or shorter time, and then as suddenly disappearing. 46 BIRDS OF TASMANIA. FAMILY—LANIID-E (5. species). Sub-Family—Gymnorhine. *LESSER WHITE-BACKED MAGPIE (Gymnorhina hyperleuca, Gould). Male.—Head, scapulars, primaries and secondaries, terminal half of tail, and entire under surface, save under tail coverts, glossy black; hind-neck, back, upper and under tail coverts, basal half of tail, shoulders, wing coverts, and basal half of outer webs of primary coverts pure white; irides yellowish-brown; bill bluish- horn colour, tip black; legs and feet black. Dimensions in mm. :— Length, 365; bill, 46; wing, 240; tail, 140; tarsus, 55. Fcemale.—Back greyish-white; under surface greyish-black without gloss. Young.—Male.—Upper surface ashy-grey; wing coverts parti- coloured, black and white; under surface more grey than black; irides hazel; bill lead-coloured ; legs and feet black. Nest.—Open and bowl-shaped; sticks, twigs, and strips of eucalypt bark constitute the main items in its composition; the inside lining consists principally of grass and shredded bark. The situation usually chosen is in the forked branches of a eucalypt, generally some distance from the ground. Although the same nest is but rarely if ever used during successive seasons, the same tree is frequently resorted to year after year. Eggs.—Clutch three to four; oval in shape; texture fine; surface glossy; colour light greenish, blotched and marked all over with rather dark umber. In some clutches both the ground colour and the markings vary a good deal, but the above description may be taken as typical. Dimensions in mm. of a clutch :—(1) 36 x 26, (2) 87 x 25.5, (3) 86 x 25.5, (4) 87 x 26. Breeding Season.—August or September to December. Geographical Distribution.—Tasmania. : Obscrvations.—Although this species is one of the best known birds in many districts in Tasmania, yet there are parts where it is almost if not quite an absolute stranger. It is only within the last few years that it has extended its range to any extent on the West Coast, and I am given to understand that even now in the more densely timbered and moist localities it is unknown. The male bird is by far the handsomer of the two, especially during the breeding season, when the contrast between the white upper surface and the black under surface is very pronounced. To Tasmania belongs the privilege of being the first State to recognize the Magpie as being of economic value, and to extend protection to it. In 1879, under the Game Protection Act, 42 Vict., No. 24, it was decreed that whosoever killed the birds or destroyed their eggs would be liable to a penalty not exceeding £1. In 1885 this Act was extended, under 48 Vict., No. 35, so that persons BIRDS OF TASMANIA. 47 could not buy, sell, or offer for sale birds of this species. Notwith- standing this, large numbers of young birds are taken annually from their nests and sold in the towns for garden pets. Very entertaining and useful ones they are, too. Because this bird may often be seen busy in a field of sprouting grain, some farmers labour under the impression that it is the grain it is after, but a little time spent in investigation would show that it is the pests affecting the crops that the Magpie so diligently searches for. A most lamentable number of Magpies are destroyed every year through the careless and indiscriminate laying of poison for rabbits and Sparrows. There are a certain number of agriculturists who cannot, or will not, see any good in birds, and who consider that even their total annihilation would have no effect on the many “pests ’’ with which they are plagued. The food of this species is almost entirely insectivorous; in the winter seeds and any stray grains are added to the menu. Grass-grubs are greatly sought after. When not engaged in seeking food most of the time is passed among the branches of lofty trees. 1t moves in flocks of, say, six to a dozen individuals, although occasionally larger companies may be seen. The largest I have seen round Launceston consisted of 47 birds. Round Conara (the native name of the Magpie) and other midland districts even larger flocks may be seen. This bird is of a somewhat pugnacious disposition, always quite willing to cross swords with one of its own species or any other bird; or, if tame, it does not scruple to try conclusions with a cat or dog. Hawks are its pet aversion, not an opportunity being lost to harass every one that comes near. On one occasion a Hawk was too clever for its tormentors. Some half-dozen Magpies were chasing one away from a tree which contained a nest and young birds. Suddenly the Hawk doubled, and, darting straight for the tree, plucked a young bird from out of the nest and sailed triumphantly away. i Magpie makes an entertaining pet, though after a while it becomes very mischievous, and delights in pulling up freshly-set lants. is This bird is one of our best songsters, its voice being both very powerful and pleasing. Early on a summer’s morning nothing is more delightful than to hear a number of Magpies pouring forth their melodious song while swaying on the topmost bough of some lofty tree. Morning and evening are the times when most singing is done, but it is no uncommon thing to hear the birds burst into song in the middle of some bright moonlight night. ‘ The wing power of this bird is very great; it can dash through the air with marvellous rapidity. Long distances (comparatively) speaking) are traversed without perceptible movement of the out- stretched wings. 48 BIRDS OF TASMANIA. GREY BUTCHER-BIRD (Jackass) (Cracticus cinereus, Gould). Male.—Head, ears, and back of the neck black; rest of the upper surface, including shoulders, grey, with a faint tinge of bluish; tail black, tipped, principally on the inner webs, with white, except the two centre feathers, which are wholly black; upper tail coverts white; space between the eyes and the bill, middle of the secondaries, and throat white; rest of the under surface greyish-white ; primaries black; bill bluish lead colour, with black tip; legs black. Dimensions in mm.:—Length, 826; bill} 40; wing, 154; tail, 121; tarsus, 34. Female.—Whole of the upper surface, including head and shoulders, ashy-grey; tail brownish, tipped like male, only obscurely so; secondaries also brown, edged with white; throat dirty-white; rest of under surface greyish-white, more grey than white; bill and legs same as male. Dimensions in mm. :—DLength, 285 ; bill, 86; wing, 187; tail, 109; tarsus, 31. Young.—‘‘ An adolescent male had the marginal wing coverts tipped with buff and the median wing coverts tipped with olive; the feathers of the mantle had brownish-olive tips. Iris light brown ’”’ (J. R. M‘Clymont). Nest.—Somewhat large and open; composed of long, thin twigs compactly woven together and lined with long, fine grass. It is placed among the branches of a tree at no very great distance from the ground; a she-oak is a favourite tree. Dimensions of a typical nest :—Over all, 7 in.; egg cavity, 5 in.; depth of same, 24 in. Eggs.—Clutch three to four; roundish oval in shape; texture fine; surface glossy. The eggs of a clutch vary considerably. In a clutch before me one egg is pale green with only a broad band of reddish-brown and purplish-brown round the larger end; another is fawn colour, spotted and blotched all over with reddish-brown; a third is warmish green, banded at the larger end and the rest of the surface spotted with both reddish-brown and purplish-brown; the fourth is a little more green, densely spotted, especially about the stouter end, with small reddish-brown spots. Dimensions in mm. of a clutch :—(1) 31.5 x 24, (2) 82.5 x 24, (8) 82.25 x 24, (4) 33 x 22, Breeding Season.—August to November principally. Geographical Distribution.—Tasmania. Observations.—The distribution of the ‘‘ Jackass,’’ as it is familiarly called, is fairly general throughout the island, though in some districts it is much more plentiful than in others. Properly speaking, this bird is merly a sub-species of the mainland Butcher- Bird (Cracticus destructor), the chief point of difference being its larger bill. This so-called ‘‘Jackass’’ is a very familiar bird, either to dwellers in town or country. Its favoured haunts are moderately NEST AND YOUNG OF GREY BUTCHER-BIRD. Photo. by H. C. THOMPSON. BIRDS OF TASMANIA. 49 thickly timbered tracts, where it can find an abundance of both insect and animal life to satisfy its wants. It is a familiar bird round bush dwellings, where, with its loud and discordant notes, it strikes terror into the hearts of chickens and cage-birds. So far as my observations go, the autumn and winter months are when the Grey Butcher-Bird is most frequently seen about town gardens. A “‘Jackass’’ is much in favour as a pet, being either caged or allowed the run of the garden, where it does good work among many noxious insects. A young bird may, by dint of perseverance, be taught to whistle scraps of airs with a certain degree of accuracy. The food of this species consists of large insects, mice, and small birds. Also, during winter, it may often be observed picking scraps of fat off sheep and other skins hanging on farm fences. Like its English cousin, our Butcher-Bird often impales its victims on long thorns. In many instances each bird has its particular bush which it uses as a larder, and this is usually near its nest. Recently I came across a larder which contained two callow nestlings of some small bird, the remains of a mouse, and a number of large beetles. On another occasion a couple of Sparrows were foundimpaled. The Butcher-Bird does not at first kill its victims, but impales them alive, for it knows well that dead bodies soon decay, and as a rule it does not like its game “‘high.’’ Its notes are hard to describe, they being rather ‘‘ a jumble of discordant sounds.’’ Nevertheless, the vocal efforts of a number of these birds singing in the early morning, or of two rival males courting the same female, are far from being unpleasant. The notes are very loud, and can be heard for some considerable distance. Sub-Family—Pachycephalinz. *WHITE-THROATED THICKHEAD (Pachycephala gutturalis, Lath.) This species is included by Colonel Legge in his ‘‘ Systematic List.’? I have two records of it by a good field observer from different localities, nevertheless I do not feel justified in listing it as a Tasmanian species. “6 *GREY-TAILED THICKHEAD (Pachycephala glaucura, Gould). Male.—‘‘ Crown of the head, lores, space beneath the eye, and a broad crescent-shaped mark from the latter across the breast deep black; the throat within the black is white; back of the neck, a narrow line down each side of the chest behind the black crescent, and the under surface yellow; back and wing coverts yellowish-olive; wings dark slate margined with grey; tail entirely 5 50 BIRDS OF TASMANIA. grey ; under tail coverts white, or very slightly washed with yellow; irides yellowish-brown; bill black; feet dark brown ’’ (Gould). Dimensions in mm. :—Length, 178; bill, 12; wing, 100; tail, 84; tarsus, 25. Female.—Upper surface olive-brown; under surface pale brown. Young.—When newly fledged both surfaces are greyish, washed with chestnut; this changes to a plumage closely resembling the adult female’s. The young males do not attain full plumage uniil the second year. Nest.—Comparatively bulky; constructed of fine twigs and bark, a few leaves being often added; the inside lining usually consists of fine grass and rootlets or fine twigs. A low bush or tree in thick scrub is very frequently chosen as a situation, with the nest placed at the end of a thin bough. Eggs.—Clutch two to three usually ; inclined to oval in shape; texture fine; surface glossy; colour light yellowish-white, darker towards the apex, which is thickly freckled with small spots of umber and dull slate, the latter colour appearing as though beneath the surface; a few spots of the same colours are scattered over the rest of the surface. Dimensions in mm. of a clutch :—(1) 28 x 17, (2) 24 x 17. Breeding Season.—October to December. Geographical Distribution.—Tasmania and several of the larger islands in Bass Strait. Observations.—This sweet-voiced bird is fairly plentiful nearly everywhere in the island where the conditions are suitable for it. It is somewhat shy, however, and is more often heard than seen. Moderately well timbered country is mostly favoured, where it may be seen busily engaged in searching for insects on and under the bark of the eucalypts, also among the foliage; it is also very adroit at catching its prey on the wing. For its size the Grey-tailed Thickhead has a wonderfully deep voice, which is to be heard to the best advantage when the males are challenging one another from the tree-tops at the commence- ment of the breeding season. ; Mr. H. C. Thompson informs me that he has frequently seen birds in immature dress sitting on eggs or tending young, so that he is convinced that, like the Flame-breasted Robin, this species breeds while yet in adolescent plumage. *OLIVE THICKHEAD (Pachycephala olivacea, Vig. and Horst.) Male.—Head slate-grey; upper surface, including tail, olive- brown; primaries and secondaries slaty-black, narrowly margined with olive-brown; throat white, freckled with dark grey; upper chest grey, rest of under surface light brown; bill black; legs and BIRDS OF TASMANIA. 51 feet dark brown. Dimensions in mm. :—Length, 200; bill, 14.25; wing, 99; tail, 92.5; tarsus, 80.25. Female.—Head olive-brown; upper surface, including tail, chestnut-olive; primaries and secondaries dark brown, narrowly margined with a lighter shade; throat white, freckled with dark grey; no grey as in male on upper chest, but a short extent of fawn, lighter in colour than rest of under surface. Dimensions in mm. :—Length, 200; bill, 14; wing, 98; tail, 92; tarsus, 29.15, Nest.—Cup-shaped and moderately large; constructed of fine twigs and bark, the inside lining being principally fine grass. The situation usually chosen is a low tree in thick scrub. Eggs.—Clutch three to four usually; oval in shape, with both ends pointed; texture of shell fine; surface fairly glossy; colour light yellowish or creamy white, more or less spotted and blotched, especially about the apex, with chestnut and dull grey. Dimen- sions in mm. of a clutch :—(1) 28.5 x 21, (2) 29 x 21, (3) 29 x 20.75. Breeding Season.—September to December. Geographical Distribution.—Tasmania, King and several other islands in Bass Strait; also New South Wales, Victoria, and South Australia. ; Observations.—As far as my experience goes, I have found this Thickhead less plentiful than the Grey-tailed species. It also favours denser country, and is quicker than that species. Launceston, Lilydale, Waratah, Penguin, Hobart, Sandford, Tasman’s Peninsula, Table Cape, Gladstone, Gunn’s Plains, and Ross are among the places for which I have it recorded. A note by Mr. H. Stuart Dove runs:—‘‘ A pair of these fine birds made their appearance in my garden at Table Cape in the middle of May one year, and stayed the winter with me, hopping quietly about in the open or among the bushes, looking for insect food. At this period they were very silent, but in the spring their peculiar notes resounded among the trees. The call to mate during winter months is a hissing note, finishing smartly; and a somewhat similar call is used in summer, but during the latter season the well-known bold, melodious whistle, somewhat like the words ‘ I’ll wet you,’ is the more frequent.”’ FAMILY—CERTHIIDZE (2. species). Sub-Family—Certhine. WHITE-THROATED TREE-CREEPER (Climacteris leucophea, Lath.) Male.—Head brown, feathers centred with black; back olive- brown; upper tail coverts greyish; tail brownish-black, tip paler; wings dark greyish-brown, crossed by a band of dull buff; chin white; centre of abdomen soiled-white; sides of body and flanks 52 BIRDS OF TASMANIA. dark brownish, the feathers conspicuously centred with white; bill black; legs and feet blackish-brown. Dimensions in mm, :— Length, 145; bill, 16; wing, 81; tail, 63; tarsus, 18. Female.—Similar to male. Young.—Differs from adult in having the forehead slightly rufescent; rump and upper tail coverts distinctly rufous; abdomen washed with rufous. Nest.—Within a hollow limb or tree trunk; composed of fine bark, grass, and moss, and lined with fur or feathers. Eggs.—Clutch three usually; roundish in shape; texture fine; surface slightly glossy; colour white, sparsely blotched on the stouter end with reddish-brown and purplish-brown. Dimensions in mm. of a pair:—(1) 21 x 16, (2) 20.5 x 16. Breeding Season.—September to December. Gevgraphical Distribution.—Tasmania, New South Wales, Vic- toria, Queensland, and South Australia. Observations.—The right of this species to appear on the per- manent Tasmanian list has now been practically settled, for, although no specimens have been secured, I have seen it in the big forests in the north-east of the island; Col. Legge feels sure he has seen it in the myrtle forests at the back of Quamby Bluff and on the track to the Great Lake; and Miss J. A. Fletcher is practically certain of it being among the big timber in the Wilmot district. BROWN TREE-CREEPER (Climacteris scandens, Temm.) At one time I was under the impression that this Tree-creeper, in addition to the White-throated species, was a frequenter of our forests; now I am convinced I made an error in identification. At the same time I am induced for several reasons to include it, at least provisionally, among the birds of Tasmania. > FAMILY—MELIPHAGID- (11 species). Sub-Family— Zosteropine. *WHITE-EYE (SILver-EYE) (Zosterops cerulescens, Lath.) Male.—Crown of the head olive-green; circle of short white feathers round the eye; back green tinged with brown; upper tail coverts brownish; tail greenish-black; wings similar, outer webs of quills greenish-yellow; chest greyish; centre of abdomen and under tail coverts white; sides of the breast brown; irides brown; bill blackish; legs and feet pale brown. Dimensions in mm. :— Length, 110; bill, 10; wing, 60; tail, 47; tarsus, 15.5. Female.—Similar to male. BIRDS OF TASMANIA. 53 Young.—Practically similar to adults at an early age. Nest.—Cup-shaped ; composed of fine grass-stems, with which are mingled scraps of wool, moss, and cotton (if built near a habita- tion); usually lined with long horse-hairs; suspended by the rim in almost any kind of thick bush or low tree. In suburban gardens the pear is a favourite tree. Eggs.—Clutch three to four; roundish oval in shape; texture very fine; surface slightly lustrous; colour uniform light bluish- green. Dimensions in mm. of a clutch :—(1) 16 x 11, (2) 15 x 10, (8) 14.5 x 11, (4) 15 x11. Breeding Season.—September to December. Geographical Distribution.—Tasmania, King and several other islands in Bass Strait, New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia; also New Zealand, Chatham Islands, New Cale- donia, New Hebrides, and Fiji. Observations.—The majority of growers of small fruits consider this bird a pest, and use every endeavour to diminish its numbers. Although during the fruit season it does a fair amount of damage, it more than pays for the fruit taken by the quantity of blight destroyed during the autumn and winter months. It usually moves in flocks varying in numbers from halfa,dozen birds to many dozens. Its movements are quick and eager. During both autumn and spring its song is very sweet, and exhibits a consider- able range. The White-eye is not at all particular as to the class of country it frequents, it being equally at home in heavily timbered tracts, light open country, or suburban gardens. It is principally during the autumn and winter months that the birds congregate in any number; often flocks of from 12 to 50, if not more, may be seen hunting for food in garden or field. During the summer months it moves in pairs or in very small flocks at most. Food of this species consists of insects of all descriptions, seeds, small berries, and fruit. It is very fond of the berry-like seeds of the grass-palm. During the fruit season the White-eye is considered a very great pest by horticulturists, especially those who grow small and soft fruits, such as currants, cherries, goose- berries, and grapes. The greatest havoc is generally wrought in those orchards which are planted right up to the edge of thick scrub. It is not so much the quantity of fruit actually eaten, but the quantity only pecked and half eaten, which makes this bird so obnoxious to orchardists. But to the credit of its account must be put the good done by the destruction of vast quantities of noxious insects during the remaining months of the year. The movements of this bird are very rapid when insect-hunting; it seems animated with the desire to devour as many as possible in the shortest time. Suburban growers of chrysanthemums and roses have a lot to thank it for; but for its assistance it would often be a difficult task to bring these plants to perfection. In the early autumn, when food is becoming somewhat scarce, it turns 54 BIRDS OF TASMANIA. its attention to the pear-slugs, destroying numbers of them when they are full grown and are thinking of descending and turning to pupe in the ground. This bird is often kept in captivity, either a young one that has been taken from the nest or an old one that has been wounded. During the summer the song of the White-eye is somewhat feeble and uninteresting, but the opposite is the case during the colder months. I have often been astonished at the power and sweetness of its notes. The flight of this species is fairly strong; it sometimes may be seen flying in flocks at a great altitude. Sub-Family—Myzomeline. *SPINEBILL (Acanthorhynchus tenuirostris, Lath.) Male.—I have carefully compared typical Tasmanian examples with Gould’s description of both A. tenuirostris and A. dubius, and find the birds tally exactly with neither, but are a compound. Crown of the head shining greenish-black; space between the bill and the eye, ear coverts, lunulated band on the sides of the chest, primaries, and six middle tail feathers black; the remainder of the tail feathers black at base, rest white; back of the neck rufous- chestnut, passing into chestnut-brown on the upper part of the back; secondaries, greater wing coverts, and rump greenish-grey ; throat, cheeks, and chest white, the first with a patch of chestnut- brown in the centre; abdomen, flanks, and under tail coverts light chestnut-brown; bill and feet black. Dimensions in mm. :— Length, 140.5; bill, 21; wing, 59.5; tail, 58; tarsus, 20. The dimensions of the above bird tally with Gould’s A. dubius except that the bill is slightly shorter. Female.—Similar in plumage to male. ; Young.—“‘ Differs from the adult in being without the crescentic mark on the chest; the throat and chin are uniformly sandy- grey; the rest of the under surface is orange-brown; head and back olive-brown; upper surface of wings glossy greyish-black (plumbaginous), under surface of wings grey; tail feathers, 10 in number, black, except three, which are white for about the half or one-third their length, reckoned from the tip. Iris brown tipped with red; tarsus lead-coloured; upper mandible brown, lower mandible yellow’’ (J. R. M‘Clymont). Nest.—Cup-shaped and deep; neatly constructed of moss and strips of bark, and lined with grass, then feathers. The situation chosen is usually either the centre of a thick bush or the top of a tea-tree. Eggs.—Clutch two to three; shape varies from oval with one end somewhat pointed to stoutish oval; texture fine; surface a little glossy ; colour pale buff, darker on the apex, sparsely spotted, BIRDS OF TASMANIA. 55 especially about the apex, with rich brown and a little purplish- grey. Dimensions in mm. of a clutch :—(1) 20.5 x 14.5, (2) 19 x 18, (8) 19.5 x 14. Breeding Season.—October to December. Geographical Distribution.—Tasmania, King Island, Furneaux Group, New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, and Queensland. Observations.—When hovering Humming Bird-like in front of a flower, the tail is widely spread, plainly displaying the white tail feathers on either side. This Honey-eater is one of if not the most plentiful of its kind in many parts of the island. It is one of the species that most frequently visit the suburban gardens and pay attention to the blossoms of salvia, abutilon, fuchsia, and flowers of a like nature. Its vocal capacities are practically restricted to one note, which is uttered slowly at first then increases in rapidity and volume until it becomes decidedly shrill. For some reason this species is known to boys as the “‘ Painter.”’ Sub- Farnily—Meliphagine. *STRONG-BILLED HONEY-EATER (Melithreptus validirostris, Gould). Male.—Crown of the head, ear coverts, and back of the neck black; a band of white traverses the occiput, terminating at each eye; back, including rump, yellowish-olive; tail brownish-olive ; wings brown; chin black; throat white; rest of under surface greyish-brown; bill black; feet pale brown. Dimensions in mm.: —Length, 148; bill, 15.5; wing, 76; tail, 63; tarsus, 19. Female.—Similar in plumage to male. Dimensions in mm.: Length, 148; bill, 14.5; wing, 81; tail, 63; tarsus, 19. Young.—‘‘In the young bird of this species the mantle is tinged with greenish-olive; the cheeks, lunar mark behind the head from eye to eye, and the centre of abdomen are light yellow, and the bill, cere, and legs are straw-yellow in colour, the black head, ear coverts, and throat remaining prominent’’ (A. G. Campbell). Nest.—Cup-shaped and deep; composed of strips of soft bark, wool, and grass-stems ; the inside lining is usually the soft flowering heads of grasses. The top of a sapling is very frequently chosen as a site. Eggs.—Clutch three usually; approximately oval in shape; texture of shell fine; surface without lustre; colour fleshy-pink, more or less spotted and blotched with reddish-brown and dull purplish-brown, the majority of the markings being in the region of the apex. Dimensions in mm. of a clutch:—(1) 22 x 17, (2) 22 x 16, (8) 21 x 17. Breeding Season.—August to December. Geographical Distribution.—Tasmania and King Island. 56 BIRDS OF TASMANIA. Observations.—In a number of districts this fine Honey-eater is fairly plentiful. The denser portions of the scrub are almost always resorted to, it being seldom that one sees this species out in the open the same as almost any of the Honey-eaters. Its manner of feeding during the autmun and winter months reminds one of a Tree-creeper. The agility with which it runs up and down the perpendicular stems of the trees, poking its bill into the crevices of the bark and detaching loose pieces, is wonderful. I have seen them so plentiful in a belt of thick scrub that the noise of their beaks and feet on the loose dry bark sounded like the pattering of dogs on dry leaves. While feeding a somewhat sharp whistling note is frequently uttered, in addition to which a fair amount of quarrelling is continually going on. *BLACK-HEADED HONEY-EATER (Melithreptus melanocephalus, Gould). Male.—Head black; upper surface greyish or brownish olive, tail blackish, outer fringes greyish ; wings slightly more brown than the back; lower throat and chest almost pure white; breast and abdomen greyish-white; sides of the body greyish; bill black; legs and feet pale brown. Dimensions in mm.:—Length, 142; bill, 12; wing, 76; tail, 61; tarsus, 19. Female.—Slightly duller in colouration, but otherwise similar. Young.—Head and upper surface brownish; cheeks and throat brownish-black ; bill brownish. Nest.—Usually placed at the end of a slender horizontal branch of a peppermint, white gum, or sometimes stringy-bark; a thick clump of leaves is chosen, so that the nest is practically invisible from the ground. It is cup-shaped and somewhat deep; sometimes it is placed high, at others low; the vicinity of a creek is nearly always chosen. Wool is the chief constituent; scraps of green moss are woven into the outside to make it harmonize with its surroundings. Fggs.—Clutch three, sometimes with the addition of one of the Pallid Cuckoo; roundish oval in shape; texture fine; surface slightly glossy ; colour pale fleshv-pink, only moderately spotted and blotched with reddish-brown and purplish-brown ; most of the mark- ings are about the apex. Dimensions in mm. of a clutch :—(1) 20.5 x 14.5, (2) 20 x 18, (8) 19 x 14. Breeding Season.-November to end of December. Frequently three broods are reared. Geographical Distribution.—Tasmania, King Island, and Fur- neaux Group. Observations.—From my own experience and that of other observers, this species does not appear to be as plentiful in the northern portion of the island as in the southern. In its general habits it strongly resembles the Strong-billed Honey-eater. NEST OF BLACK-HEADED HONEY-EATER. Photo. by H. C. THoMPSON. a a A Nit YELLOW-THROATED HONEY-EATER (Nest under leaves on left of picture). Photo. by H. C. THompson. BIRDS OF TASMANIA. 57 A rather curious trait that has been observed by all who have had anything to do with the taking of this species’ nest, and which was first recorded by Mr. A. E. Brent, is the manner in which the female bird clings to the nest when the tree in which it is built is being felled and has even crashed to the ground. *FULVOUS-FRONTED OR TAWNY-CROWNED HONEY-EATER (Glycyphila fulvifrons, Lewin). Male.—Crown of the head tawny; eyebrow white; a line of brownish-black commences at the base of the bill, passes through the eye down the sides of the neck to the breast; back dark brown, shafts of the feathers greyish-white; wings and tail dark brown, inner webs of quills edged with fulvous; throat, breast, and abdomen white; sides of body and flanks ashy-brown; irides light brown; bill blackish-brown; legs and feet brown. Dimensions in mm. :—Length, 155; bill, 16.5; wing, 81; tail, 70; tarsus, 28. Female.—Similar to male. Young.—A prominent patch of yellow on the throat, which dis- appears when the birds put on adult plumage. _ Nest.—Cup-shaped and deep; usually constructed of pieces of soft bark and grass-stems; a few spiders’ cocoons are often added ; lined inside with soft grass, and then wool or cow-hair. A favourite situation is in a low bush in open country. At both Kelso and Bridport nests have been taken from the centre of a grass-tree (Xanthorrhea). Eggs.—Clutch two usually; inclined to oval in shape; texture fine; surface fairly glossy; colour white, faintly tinged with pink and sparingly spotted with chestnut or purplish brown or black. Dimensions in mm. of a clutch :—(1) 21 x 14, (2) 20.5 x 14. Breeding Season.—August to December. Geographical Distribution.—Tasmania and Kent Group; also New South Wales, Victoria, South and Western Australia. Observations.—Open, sandy, heath-clad country is mostly favoured by this Honey-eater, which is not at all plentiful in the island. Its flight is the most rapid of any of our Honey-eaters. I have but few records of this species in Tasmania beyond the two localities above given, they being Lilydale, Waratah, Wilmot, ‘and the country lying about St. Helens. *YELLOW-THROATED HONEY-EATER (Ptilotis flavigularis, Gould). Male.—Head and cheeks blackish-grey; ear coverts greyish- white; upper surface, including wings and tail, dark yellowish- olive; throat gamboge-yellow; chest blackish-grey; abdomen pale grey tinged with olive-green ; bill black; legs and feet deep blackish- 58 BIRDS OF TASMANIA. brown. Dimensions in mm.:—Length, 192; bill, 14; wing, 98; tail, 95; tarsus, 24. Female.—Similar in plumage to male. Young.—Upper and under surfaces greyish ; no yellow on throat. Nest.—A warmly constructed cup-shaped structure ; outwardly composed of soft bark, twigs, grass, and spiders’ web; the inside lining being usually fur, wool, hair, and the like. Although the usual situation is in a low bush, yet at times the centre of a clump of band-grass is chosen. Then, again, another nest was in a tea- tree bush overhanging a river and some 10 feet from the surface of the water. Eggs.—Clutch two to three; somewhat oval in shape; texture fine; surface slightly glossy; colour a delicate pinkish-white, sparingly spotted with reddish-brown and purplish-grey; the majority of the markings are frequently concentrated in an open zone round the larger end. Dimensions in mm. of a clutch :—(1) 25 x 17, (2) 25.5 x 16.75, (8) 24 x 16.5. A clutch from Flinders Island differs in three respects from the above one—viz., the ground colour is deeper; there is no zone, but the spots are somewhat thickly scattered over the stouter end; and the purplish-grey predominates. Dimensions in mm. of this clutch :—(1) 26 x 19, (2) 27 x 19, (8) 26 x 19.5. Breeding Season.-August to December. Geographical Distribution.—Tasmania, King and several other islands in Bass Strait. Observations.—The Yellow-throated Honey-eater is fairly well distributed over the island. In some districts it is very plentiful, while in others, where the nature of the country does not suit it, it is rare, if not altogether wanting. It favours fairly heavily timbered country, from whence it procures its food, when fiower- ing trees and shrubs are not plentiful, which consists of various kinds of insects obtained from under the bark of the trees of its haunts, as well as flies, &c. The vocal powers of the species are practically limited to a loud whistle-like call note, often repeated. The favourite position when uttering this call note is on the top- most bough of some tree or sapling. In several districts in Northen Tasmania where “‘ small fruit ”’ growing is rather extensively gone in for, this Honey-eater is con- sidered a perfect pest during the spring and summer months, owing to the ravages it makes among the cherries, currants, and goose- berries. Its local name in these districts is the ‘‘ Green Cherry- Picker.’’ ; *CRESCENT HONEY-EATER (Tasmanian HonEy-EATER) (Meliornis australasiana, Shaw). Male.—Upper surface, including head, dusky-black; tail brownish-black, fringed with golden-yellow at the base; two outer- most feathers with a large and the third with a medium-sized oval