« : : PROTECTED t OUUTH ie “« 4 SMITISONTAN \j nell % he Sar “ee po rity &y “=i We Nabe ” 4 | fe ty Fe ¢ i Hl Hl Ay F mays 2 ie: % tb (e) Sy Sy ent iD L i f i} FS A Oo Mon) dy) sa Wy PY Ly e 9S ity) no re Australia, THE DEPARTMENT OF INTELLIGENCE. SPHOIAL BULLETIN. PROTECTED NATIVE. BIRDS “South: ‘Australia. ‘Hast thou named. the birds without a gun?” PUBLISHED BY THE AUTHORITY” ‘OF THE HONORABLE CRAWFORD VAUGHAN, Commissioner of Crown bests and. Immigration. ‘Compruep By T. DUF FIELD, Seoreiary and Intelligence Officer: INTRODUCTION AND. Descriptions sy ALFRED GEO. EDQUIST, ZA Lecturer in Nature Study to the Educagion Depariment. Litwocraraup BY. / ALFRED VAUGHAN, Government Ari nant Drawines By C. WALL, Government ps pe BD: : : hay ki oath ‘ "Thema Abis wgamenite re oe ADELAIDE: R. E, E. ROGERS, GOVERNMENT PRINTER, NORTH TERRACE. = ——— Bere 1910, ~ 5) ’ 3 >) color, spotted with brown, and bluish-grey markings, the latter appearing below the surface. 14 DESCRIPTIONS OF OUR NATIVE BIRDS. STRIATED PARDALOTE. (Pardalotus striatus, or Diamond bird.) (Pardalotus ornatus.) OTHER SPECIES IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA. \ YELLOW-RUMPED PARDALOTE (P. xanthopygius). SrorrepD Driamonp Birp (P. punctatus). This little bird is only about 4in. long, and at first sight looks less than that, owing to its queer short tail feathers. — SIZE. Bitu.—Its beak is short, and grey to black in color. Freer anp Leas.—The color of the legs and feet is greenish grey. PLuMAGE.—The forehead and crown of the head are nearly black. The back of the neck and sides of the face are speckled with white on dark grey, the speckled appearance being due to a short white mark down the centre of each feather. A broad streak, which is orange colored near the nostril, extends backward over the eye, where it merges through yellow into white, until it reaches the ear. The throat and chest are yellow, and the abdomen white, shading into light brown near the tail. The neck and shoulders are brownish grey, the rump being colored a little lighter brown. The wing feathers are nearly black, and edged with white at or near the tip, the white edges giving them a streaked or striated appearance. On the wing is a distinctive red spot. The tail is black, tipped with white, and is very stumpy. The pardalote likes those localities that are timbered with eucalypts. Hasirat. Foop.—The food of this little bird consists chiefly of insect life. Nesr.—The nest is a small rounded one, made of fine grass, and situated in a hollow either in a river bank or in a dead limb of a tree. The time of nesting : ; % 5 is during September, October, and November. Eqos.—The eggs are white, and usually four in number, They are small, oval, and measure about $in. X $1n. een to “i arg) ae ga: Sr, aoe ee olan DESCRIPTIONS OF OUR NATIVE BIRDS. 15 YELLOW-RUMPED TOMTIT, or YELLOW-RUMPED OTHER SPECIES SOUTH THORNBILL. (Acanthiza chrysorrhea.) (Yellow-rumped Gegbasileus.) The little bird sits at his door in the sun, Atilt like a blossom among the leaves, And lets his illumined being o’er-run With the deluge of summer it receives ; His mate feels the eggs beneath her wings, And the heart in her dumb breast flutters and sings ; He sings to the wide world and she to her nest, In the nice ear of Nature which song is the best 2 LOWELL. ( Lirrte Brown Acantuiza (Acanthiza pusilla). CHESTNUT-RUMPED ACANTHIZA (Acanthiza uropyqialis). WesTERN ACANTHIZA (Acanthiza apicalis) IN RED-RUMPED ACANTHIZA (Acanthiza pyrrhopyqia). AUSTRALIA. Lirrte ACANTHIZA (Acanthiza nana). SrrraTED ACANTHIZA (Acanthiza lineata). \ BUFF-RUMPED ACANTHIZA (Acanthiza regulovdes). S1ze.—This tiny bird is barely 4in. long. -Briu.—The beak of the tomtit is small, but sharp and well adapted for picking up small insects. Freer aND Lres.—Its feet and legs are dark grey. PLUMAGE. —The forehead is speckled white and black, on account of each black feather being tipped with a white spot. A light streak extends from the nostril over the eye. The back of the head, the neck, back, and wings are greenish brown. The rump is colored bright yellow. The tail feathers are dark grey and tipped with dull white. The sides of the face and throat are ight grey. The chest is of a yellowish white color, which merges into the dull white color of the abdomen. Hasirat.—The small bushes growing on grass land and open timbered country is the favorite haunt of the acanthiza. Foop.—For the most part these little tits feed on minute animal life, and may be regarded as insectivorous. Nest.—The nest of the yellow-rumped tit is dome shaped, and very often has a supplementary open nest on the top, which gives the whole structure a two-storied appearance. While the female is sitting upon her eggs within the lower nest, her male companion may be seen occupying the cup-shaped nest at the top. The whole nest is built of grass, cleverly woven together and lined with feathers and other soft materials pro- curable, such as wool. The shallow cup at the top is not lined. The entrance to the nest proper is a small round hole at the side, near to the bottom. Eaas.—The eggs are colored white to flesh ae and ornamented with very minute pink spots near the broad end. A full clutch contains four or five eggs, each measuring about ?in, long x $in, 16 DESCRIPTIONS OF OUR NATIVE BIRDS. REED WARBLER. (Acrocephalus australis.) Size.—In size this merry little songster is a little larger than the sparrow. Bitt.—Its bill is rather long and pointed, and admirably adapted for catching insects. Freer AND Legs.—The legs and feet are of a dark greyish-brown color. PiumaGe.—lIts plumage is colored in varying shades of russet or rusty brown. The crown, sides, and back of the head, together with the back of its body are russet brown ; the throat and breast are colored light buff. Hapsrrat.—The habitat of the reed warbler is among the reeds that border lakes, lagoons, swamps, and creeks, where it also builds its nest. Foop.—This little songster lives chiefly on insect life. Nest.—The nest, which is built of soft material stripped from dead reeds and rushes, is about 5in. in diameter. It is usually built between three or four upright reeds, about a foot or two above the water. The reeds pass through the material of which the nest is made. Eaas.—The eggs, which are generally laid during November or December, are four in number, about }#in. long, and of a dull white color blotched with varying shades of brown. EERIE hens meres Y ~~ s ; DESCRIPTIONS OF OUR NATIVE BIRDS. 17 MAGPIE LARK, MURRAY MAGPIE, PIED GRALLINA, MUDLARK, or PEE-WEE. (Grallina australis)—Gould’s Hand Book. (Grallina picata)—Mathews’ Hand List. Size.—About the size of a dove; a full-grown bird measures about L0in. in length. Biiti.—lIts bill is ight grey, tipped with black. Freer AND Lecs.—The legs are colored dark grey to black. PiumMacr.—The general appearance of the bird is black and white, hence the name “ pied mudlark.” The top and back of the head are black. The back is black, tinged with bronze green, similar to the greenish tint seen on the feathers of black fowls. The tail feathers are black with white tips. The breast is white. The female has a white face, but the male has a black one. The wing has five feathers tipped with white, making a white bar across it. This bird is a very quick runner, but has rather a heavy flight. Hasirat.—The mudlark is generally found hunting along the muddy bed of a river or creek. It finds most of its food living on the mud banks of lagoons, marshes, and streams. After a heavy rain, they will hunt for insect life in the fields that border streams. Foop.—Insect life. It also eats pond snails, in which liver-fluke develop. On this account if is a most valuable bird. Nesr.—The nest is built of mud, and often reinforced with straw and grass and lined with feathers. It is about 6in. wide, and half as deep. Usually it is placed upon a horizontal limb. Eaes.—The full clutch of eggs numbers four. They are pinkish white, and generally spotted with light-brown, and bluish-grey markings that appear below the surface. The eggs measure about I}in. x #in. The magpie lark nests during the months of September, October, and November. Note.—They have a shrill, peevish cry of two syllables which sound like “ pee-wee.” 18 DESCRIPTIONS OF OUR NATIVE BIRDS. HARMONIOUS SHRIKE THRUSH. (Colluricincla harmonica)—(Gould’s Hand Book. (Collyriocichla harmonica)—Mathews’ Hand List. Size.—The thrush is about the size of the grass parrakeet, being between 8in. and Yin. long Biiu.—The beak is nearly black. Frer aNd Lecs.—Both feet and legs are dark, almost black PiumaGcEe.—The forehead, crown, and back of the head are brownish grey, owing to a brown streak down the centre of each grey feather. Around each eye isa light ring. The back of the neck and the back are dark brown. The rump is grey, and the tail feathers of a darker grey. The feathers in the wings are dark, with lighter grey edges. The white on the throat merges into grey over the chest, each feather having a faint brown streak down the centre. The abdomen is nearly white. Habirat.—This sweet-voiced bird is well distributed over the State, both in the scrub land and open country. Foop.—Its food is chiefly insectivorous, and often consists of caterpillars. Nest.—The nest is cup shaped, and built of bark and fine twigs. Sometimes the nest is built in a prong of a bough, but is often placed in the hollow at the end of a broken limb. Eaes.—The number varies from three to four. They are pearly white to salmon pink in color, and ornamented with faint light-brown spots and blotches of bluish grey. The egg measures about I}in. x 3in. na _ Pins LDS Lin OM LE re fost Lee he Oa, agen rai a DESCRIPTIONS OF OUR NATIVE BIRDS. 19 BLUE DOVE, or BLACK-FACED GRAUCALUS. (Graucalus melanops)—(ouwld’s Hand Book. (Coracina robusta)—Mathews’ Hand List. Size.—This bird is about the size of a pigeon, being quite 12in. in length when full grown. Briu.—The bill is leaden grey to black. Fret AnD Lecs.—Both feet and legs are colored leaden grey to black PiumaGe.—The forehead, sides of the face, and throat are jet black. The black on the throat shades off through grey on the chest to white on the abdomen. The crown and back of the head, the back, and rump are a delicate slaty grey. The large wing feathers are nearly black, and edged with grey. The tail feathers, with the exception of the two middle ones, are tipped with white. Haxsrrat.—These birds prefer open country, where the trees are large. Foopv.—The graucalus lives chiefly upon large insects, such as mantids, phasmids, and grubs. It is said to be fond of certain native berries and certain species of ants. Nesr.—The nest is a flat saucer-shaped structure, made from twigs and grass, the ends of which are matted together on the outside with spider web. The presence of the web makes it difficult to discover the flat nest, which is usually placed in a fork on a horizontal*limb. Eaas.—The eggs, which number two or three, are of a dull olive-green color, strongly marked with brown spots, and faint bluish-grey blotches that appear below the surface. The eggs measure about |fin. x fin. 20 DESCRIPTIONS OF OUR NATIVE BIRDS. WHITH-FRONTED CHAT. (Ephthianura albifrons.) a op | ORANGE-FRONTED Cuat (EL phthianura aurijrons). SOUTH AUSTRALIA. ( TRI-COLORED CHat (EL phthianura tricolor). Size.—From beak to tail this pretty little bird is about 44in. in length. Bitut.—The beak is black. Frer AND Leas.—The feet and legs are dull black. PLtumace.—The face, forehead, throat, and under surface of the male bird are white. A black band crosses the chest, and, running up each side of the neck, expands to form a black patch on the crown of the head. The back is dark grey, shghtly tinged with brown. The wings and tail feathers on the upper surface are very dark brown to nearly black, and tipped with white. The female is more soberly colored, the face, head, and back being greyish brown. The throat, chest, and abdomen are dull white, and a black crescent crosses the lower chest. Movements.—When disturbed the chat cries “ Tang,” and moves away by a series of short, low flights and rapid runs, its tail bobbing as it goes. Hasirat.—This little bird likes open grass land, where it feeds. Foop.—Its food consists chiefly of insects and other minute animals. Nesr.—It makes its nest close to the ground, and for preference in a bunch of rushes on the edge of a watercourse. The nest is open, and cup shaped. It is made of grass and lined with wool or feathers. Eaos.—The eggs, which number three or four, are of a flesh-pink color, speckled at the broad end with brown spots, which form a zone. TE Me “aN Rabie DESCRIPTIONS OF OUR NATIVE BIRDS. 21 GROUND LARK, or PIPIT. (Anthus australis.) Size.—The pipit is slightly plumper and longer than a sparrow. PLumacr.—The general appearance is light mottled brown. The head and back and wings are light brown flecked with darker markings, running from the head backwards. The striped effect is caused by a dark-brown central line running the length of each feather. The two outer tail feathers are partly dull white. The throat is dull white, the breast and under tail feathers being light brown to buff. Haprrat.—Grass land, fields, and open country. CHARACTERISTIC MovEMENTS.—The pipit is a fast runner, and flies with a rather heavy undulating movement. Foop.—This harmless little bird feeds chiefly upon seeds and insects. Nest.—The nest, which usually occupies a small depression in the ground, such as a hoof print, is composed of dry grass. Eaes.—A clutch usually consists of three greyish-white eggs flecked with grey and brown. The pipit rears as many as three broods in a season. They may be found nesting from September until January. De DESCRIPTIONS OF OUR NATIVE BIRDS. pe OTT D BOW EHR: Bin: (Chlamydodera maculata.) OTHER SPECIES IN S GutTTATED Bower Birp. SOUTH AUSTRALIA. \ StzE.—In size the bower bird is a little smaller than a pigeon, but larger than a dove. A full-grown bird is between 10in. and 12in. long. Brii.—Its bill is dark brown or black, with a pink shade in the skin at the corners of the mouth. FEET AND LEGs. The feet and legs are dark brown to black. PLumaGe.—The plumage is mottled brown, relieved by a rose-pink to lilac colored band across the back of the neck. The top, back, and sides of the head are rich brown, each feather being margined with a still darker shade. The back and wings are dark brown, but each feather is marked at the tip with a heht spot, which produces a mottled effect. The throat, breast, and underneath tail feathers, which are tipped with buff, are mottled with dark brown. Crossing the back of the neck is a bar of rose-pink to lilac colored feathers, which readily distinguishes it from other birds. Hasrrat.—The habitat of the bower bird is the scrubby and well-timbered dry localities inland. The spotted bower bird has been recorded from the Murray. Foop.—Its food consists chiefly of seeds and berries of native plants. THe Bowrr.—The pair of bower birds build a bower or avenue of sticks and grass. This bower is not the nest, but the playground of the birds. They collect pieces of bleached bone, pieces of bright stone, and bits of pearly shell, which they scatter immediately about the entrance of their bower. Nest.—The nest, which is saucer shaped, is loosely built of twigs and lined with grass. It is usually placed in a thick pine or melaleuca. Nesting opera- tions extend over the months of October, November, and December. Keeas.—The usual number in a clutch is two. It is, however, not uncommon to find three in a nest. The eggs vary very much in shape and size, but average measurements are about I4in. x lin. The eggs are light yellowish ereen, beautifully marbled with reddish brown and “dark umber, Bluish orey blotches appear below the surface. The markings often resemble zig-zag brush marks. ae on a iD a git « . ‘e rh aes TE a ree toms DESCRIPTIONS OF OUR NATIVE BIRDS. 23 PALLID CUCKOO, or UNADORNED CUCKOO. (Cuculus inornatus.) FANTAILED Cuckoo (Cacomantis rufulus). BLACK-EARED Cuckoo (Mesocalius palliolatus). Bronze Cuckoo (Chalcococcyx plagosus). NARROW-BILLED Bronze Cuckoo (Chalcococcyzx basalis). OTHER SPECIES IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA. —— rt! SizE.—This bird is as large as a dove. Its long tail, however, makes it appear larger. > Brtu.—Its bill is pick-shaped and black pointed, but showing yellow at the sides near the face. Kyers.—The eyes are encircled with yellowish rings. FEET AND LEGs. The feet and legs are a dirty yellowish green. PLumaGr.—The whole appearance is greyish brown mottled with white. The under wing and tail feathers are barred with white and tipped with white. ‘Hasrrat.—tThe cuckoo prefers well timbered country. Foop.—This bird lives chiefly upon insects. Nest.—The cuckoo does not build a nest for itself; it prefers to lay its egg in the nest of another bird. The cuckoo selects a different nest each time it lays an egg. Eaas.—Some bird observers claim that the cuckoo lays quite a large number of eggs in a season. It is, however, a difficult matter to settle. The eggs of the pallid cuckoo are pinkish white, faintly speckled with brown, - and measure about Zin. x 2in. 24 OTHER SPECIES } DESCRIPTIONS OF OUR NATIVE BIRDS. STRAW-NECKED IBIS. (Geronticus spinicollis)—Gould’s Hand Book, (Carphibis spinicollis)—Mathews’ Hand List. a { Wutre Its (Lb%s molucea). SOUTH AUSTRALIA. \ Grossy Its (Plegadis falcinellus). StzE.—The ibis measures about 28in. from beak to tail. Its long stilt-like legs and large curved bill add to its appearance, and make it quite an imposing bird. Biii.—The bill is long and curved. It is black, with the exception of a few yellowish bars that cross it transversely near the base. Fret anp Lecs.—The upper part of the leg is crimson, and the lower portion, PLUMAGE.— together with the feet, dirty brown. The head and upper neck of the matured bird are bare of feathers and colored black. The back and sides of the neck are covered with whitish down. The back and wings are of a glossy bronze green with a purple sheen. The wings are crossed with several bars of black. The breast, which is colored like the back, is adorned with a plume of long, thin straw-colored feathers, that depend from the lower neck. Hapitat.—The favorite haunts of the ibis are shallow swamps and lagoons. They may be seen feeding on the flat ground in the neighborhood of water areas, especially at that time of the’ year when grasshoppers are numerous. Foop.—This useful bird feeds chiefly on frogs, aquatic insects, and freshwater molluses. It is especially useful in destroying the freshwater snails, in which the dreaded sheep fluke spends one phase of its existence. As a destroyer of grasshoppers it has, perhaps, no equal among our birds. One ibis was found to have devoured 2,410 gra asshoppers, five fresh- water snails, and several caterpillars in a single day.* Nest.—The ibis makes a nest of flags and reeds on the margin of a lagoon or other freshwater area. Sometimes afew twigs are added in its construction. Nesting takes place from September to December. Eaas.—The eggs number three to five, and are white. An average sized egg measures about 24in. x 13in. * These obsery rations” were taken from Ww ild Life in Australia,” by Mr. Dudley Le Souef. C.M.Z.S. A DESCRIPTIONS OF OUR NATIVE BIRDS. D5 RO Gea St OoON BIULL: (Platalea regia.) OTHER SPECIES IN . . . 4 SOUTH AUSTRALIA. \ (Platibis flavipes). | YELLOW-LEGGED SPooNBILL (Platalea flavipes)—Gould. Stzk.—The size of this bird is about that of a crane, and when standing erect would be from about 20in. to 2ft. high. Brit.—Its bill, which is long, black, and spoonshaped at the end, is the most striking feature, and renders the bird easily recognisable. Lecs.—Its legs are long and black, and well suited to a bird of wading habits. Pirumace.—The plumage isall white. At the back of the head is a crest of fine white feathers, that can be erected and spread out in all directions at will. Hasitat.—The habitat of this lovely bird is along the margins of lagoons, rivers, and in swamps. Foop.—Its food consists chiefly of frogs, tadpoles, fish, and aquatic insects. Nest.—The spoonbill builds its flat nest by breaking down the reeds that grow along the margin of freshwater areas. Sometimes a few twigs are placed upon this platform of reeds. The nesting season lasts from October until January. : Eces.—The eggs, which number three to five, measure about 24in. x Ijin. They .re colored dull white and splashed with reddish brown near the broad end. 26 DESCRIPTIONS OF OUR NATIVE BIRDS. YELLOW-LEGGED SPOONBILL. (Platalea flavipes)—Gould’s Hand Book. (Platibis flavipes)—Mathews’ Hand Last. Size.—In size this bird equals the ibis, and when standing erect measures from 24in. to 28in. in height. Bitu.—lts bill is yellow and tinged with pink as it approaches the face, which is naked. The end of the bill broadens out into a spoon-shaped expansion, which character gives rise to the name “ spoonbill.” Lras.—The legs are long, naked, and yellow. PLumagr.—Its plumage is wholly white, with the exception of a curious line of black feathers which, crossing the forehead, passes round the back of each eye and thence forward under the bill. On the back, near the tail, and appearing over the wing tips isa thin plume of fine- -pointed black feathers. Hanging from the lower portion of the neck and over the chest is a white plume of fine feathers, resembling somewhat the brush of a turkey gobbler, only much more beautiful. Foop.—The spoonbill eats chiefly frogs, tadpoles, and other aquatic animals and insects. Hasirat.—The yellow spoonbill, like its royal brother, associates with ibises and other wading birds, and may be seen in numbers about the lakes of the Murray River and swamps of the South-East. When resting it stands mostly upon one leg, and rests its long bill on its chest, or else it perches upon the bare limb of a tree overhanging the water. Nest.—The nest is made of flags and reeds trampled down to form a platform just above the water line. The months for nidification are October, November, December, and January, according to locality. Eggs have been found as late as April in Queensland. Eacs.—The eges, which are quite white, number from three to five, and on an average measure 24in, x 1din. bn ¢ ig PROTECTED BIRDS OF YOUNG STARVING EGRETS. The price of a hat Krenek (Photo. by A. Mattingley, C.M.2Z.8.}. TWO-THIRDS NAT DESCRIPTIONS OF OUR NATIVE BIRDS. pA PLUMED EGRET. (Herodias plumiferous)—(ould’s Hand Book. (Mesophoyx plumifera)—Mathews’ Hand List. IN riensis). OTHER SPECIES THE AUSTRALIAN (OR WHITE ?) EGRET (/erodias timo- SOUTH AUSTRALIA. ( Tue Little Eerer (Garzetta nigripes). Si1zE.—In size the egret equals the blue crane, or white-fronted heron, being about 2ft. high when standing erect. Briu.—tThe bill is a dark yellow or nearly orange color, and the eyes are surrounded with yellow skin. PriumaGe.—Its plumage is pure white. On the back, near the base of the tail, is a lovely plume of long, slender, pointed feathers; another plume, equally fine, hangs from the lower portion of the neck over the chest. Hapitat.—The habitat of the egret is the swampy margins of lakes, lagoons, and rivers. Foop.—Its food consists chiefly of frogs, tadpoles, fish, newts, and aquatic insects. Nest.—The egret builds a loose, flat nest of sticks upon a flat forking limb. Nest- ing operations extend over the months of October, November, and December. Eacs.—The eggs of the plumed egret are of a uniform pale greenish-blue color. They closely resemble in appearance the eggs of the blue crane, but are a little smaller. Egret plumes are greatly sought after by bird hunters, who ruthlessly slay our handsomest and most useful birds to satisfy the fancy of thought- less people. The word thoughtless is used because, if many of the ladies who wear the wings, plumes, and skins of birds could but once see the cruel misery and suffering of wounded birds and starving nestlings, they certainly would never wear any but artificial feathers and plumes. Observe the poor disconsolate little nestlings, rendered fatherless and motherless by the plume hunters, and waiting to be fed by the parents that can never return. 28 DESCRIPTIONS OF OUR NATIVE BIRDS. WHITE-FRONTED HERON, or BLUE CRANE. (Ardea novae hollandiae)—Gould’s Hand Book. (Notophoyx novae hollandiae)—Mathews’ Hand List. ComMMOoN HERON. ) : Pacrric Heron (Notophoyx pacifica). OTHER SPECIES ; IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA. | WuiTe Reer Heron BiurE Reer Heron ' ( (Demiegretta sacra). NANKEEN CRANE oR Nicut Heron (Nycticorax cale- . donicus). S1ze.—When standing erect this bird measures about 24in. in height. It is about the size of the bittern, but looks sleeker and more graceful. ° Bitt.—lIts bill is long and pointed. The skin about the eyes is slate or lead colored. Piumace.—The general appearance is of a bluish slaty-grey color. The feathers on the face and throat are white. The back and wings are bluish slaty grey. The breast is grey, tinged with rusty brown. The feathers on the back and chest are long and pointed, somewhat after the manner of the hackle of a rooster. Foop.—The heron feeds almost exclusively upon fish, crayfish, frogs, and other small water animals. Hasrrat.—Lagoons, lakes, marshes, rivers, and river estuaries. Nest.—The heron nests during the months of October, November,and December. It builds a nest of sticks lined with leaves in the fork of a tree that grows near the swamp. Eaas.—The eges, which usually number four, are of a pale bluish-green color, about lin. x 1fin. DESCRIPTIONS OF OUR NATIVE BIRDS. 29 AUSTRALIAN BITTERN, or BOOMER. (Botaurus australis)—Gould’s Hand Book. (Botaurus poeciloptilus)—Mathews’ Hand List. S1zeE.—In size this bird resembles the crane. Bitu.—Its bill is long, pointed, and of a yellow color. The skin around the eyes is yellow, with sometimes a tinge of green. PiumaGe.—The plumage is mottled brown and buff. The back is dark mottled brown, but the wings and sides are slightly lighter in color. The breast and neck are lighter still, A most marked and characteristic feature is the crest of long feathers which grows over the back of the head and neck, and can be raised at will. Hasirat.—The bittern haunts the margins of lakes, lagoons, swamps, and rivers. Foop.—It feeds principally upon small freshwater fish, frogs, and aquatic insects. Nest.—The bittern nests along the margin of a lake or lagoon, usually among the reeds. The nest is constructed out of the flag and other soft parts of reeds, and forms a platform about 6in. above water level. Nidification takes place from November to January. Eecs.—The eggs number four to five in a clutch. They are light or pale olive in color, and measure about 2in. x 1]“in. Note.—The bittern is called “the boomer” on account of the booming noise it makes at night time. When booming it points its bill upward, and repeats its low note three or four times in succession. If attacked, the bittern draws back its head and shoots forward its long bill with great force and rapidity, aiming at its antagonist’s eyes. 30 DESCRIPTIONS OF OUR NATIVE BIRDS. MARSH TERN. (Hydrochelidon fluviatilis)—(Gouwld’s Hand Book. (Hydrochelidon hybrida)—Mathews’ Hand List. CaspIAN TERN (Hydroprogne caspia). OTHER SPECIES CRESTED TERN, OR Bass Straits TERN (Sterna bergit). IN WHITE-FRONTED OR SOUTHERN TERN (Sterna frontalis). SOUTH AUSTRALIA. Lirrte TERN (Sterna nereis). | Lone-LEGGED TERN (elochelidon anglica). Size.—The body is about the size of that of a dove, but the long tail, together with the long pointed wings, make it look much larger. From beak to the tip of the tail it is about 10in. to 12in. in length. Briu.—Its bill is blood red in color. Lees AnD Fret.—The legs and feet are also colored blood red. PLumMAGE.—The forehead, top, and back of the head are black. The back, wings, and chest are a light slaty grey. The sides of the head, chin, and throat whitish. Under the wings and tail the feathers are white. The wings are long, curved, and pointed, and admirably adapted for swift flying. Hasitat.—Freshwater lakes, lagoons, swamps, and marshes. It is mostly seen flying or hawking over the water, after the manner of the seagull. Foop.—Aquatic insects, tadpoles, frogs, and small fish. Nest.—The nest is built of stalks of aquatic herbage, with a submerged foundation, and fringed about with growing grass (couch) in a lagoon or swamp. ‘‘ Dimensions over all, including foundation under water, 18in. in depth, diameter of base at waterline 16in. to 18in., diameter of the top, which is slightly concave, 8in.”—Campbell. Nidification takes place from October to December. Eeas.—The eggs usually number two, although it is no uncommon sight to see three in a nest. They are of a greyish-green color, strongly spotted with dark brown and dull grey. The average size is about I}in. x 1;‘yin. tae Led Wis AP fa Gavan ) at id \ pi if ul] my ¥ cw Tih’. — 7 _ | = ee _ i 7 7 S -~ ; i j > 4 aan Sout Hi Mtn 4d, o “, = Ting | I) tL | shes. ss