420 A LIST OF THE BIRDS OF THE MUDGEE DISTRICT, 



159. Gallinago australis, Lath. 



Generally a few arrive on September 1st, but the main body 

 come in the middle of the month, and they remain up to Feb- 

 ruary 1st. 



160. RHYNCHiEA AUSTRALIS, Gld. 



Rarer than the last bird. 



161. Geronticus spinicollis, Jameson. 



These arrive in thousands in dry years, in October and Novem- 

 ber, many young birds being amoug them, their necks being 

 clothed with white feathers, and their backs brown instead of 

 bronze. Locally known as " Hard-times." 



162. Threskiornis strictipennis, Gld. 



Another occasional visitor, but only seen in pairs. We have 

 shot them in April and January. Besides these two Ibises, we 

 have seen one specimen of Ibis falcinellus, Linn., shot at Coolah, 

 but as that is a little beyond the limits of our district as before 

 described, we have not included it in our list. 



163. Platalea melanorhynca, Reich. 



Occasionally a few pairs visit us in January and February, as 

 does the succeeding species. 



164. Platalea flavipes, Gld. 



165. Grus australasianus, Gld. 



A visitant observed in December and March. 



166. Mycteria australis, Lath. 

 A rare accidental visitant. 



167. Ardea pacifica. Lath. 



168. Ardea Nov^-Hollandi^, Lath. 



Both species are common and breed in the district. On one 

 occasion one of us saw seven young birds of this species perched 

 round one nest. 



