BY HICHD. HELMS. 407 



with their mingled caws of terror and surprise. On land I have 

 never seen such a number of birds rise together as I saw at Mt. 

 Tate; it could only be compared to the incalculable number of 

 seafowl that rise when they are disturl>ed at their lonely rock-isle 

 1)}' a sudden shot from a passing vessel. 



It is almost impossible to form an estimate of the number of 

 the insects that are annuall}'^ devoured by the crows; just as 

 difficult as it is to form an idea of the masses formerly consumed 

 by the blacks. The figure in each case must, however, reach 

 high into the millions. Like the dusky coloured men, the 

 birds are fonder of this food than anything else, and will not 

 touch even dead or dying sheep, I am informed, whilst plenty of 

 *' Bugongs " are to be found. My own observations confirm this 

 statement. 



The Dingo, as well as the Native Cat, it is stated, feed upon 

 the moths. 



Dr. R. von Lendenfeld (Report on the Gold Fields of Victoria, 

 1886, p. 72), speaking of the Bogong Range, states : — *'The high 

 tablelands which constitute the nucleus of this range are inhabited 

 by a species of moth belonging to the Noctuina. The caterpillars 

 of it are exceedingly abundant, and formed, half-roasted, at certain 

 seasons, a favourite food of the Australian natives. The natives 

 call these caterpillars ' Bogong,' which name was afterwards 

 applied to the habitat of the Bogong," &c. 



The statement as to the caterpillars having been eaten is 

 incorrect. The larvae of Agrotis spina, Gn., like the imago, are shy 

 of light. They are night feeders, and hide during the day, like 

 all other species of the genus, in the ground or at the base of 

 plants, and iDesides are protected by their colour. Their habits, 

 as well as their protective colour, prohiVjits a collection in numbers 

 sufficient to serve as food for whole tribes of natives. 



The accompanying sketches I owe to the skill of my young 

 friend, Mr. Claude Fuller, whose valuable assistance was readily 

 given and is deserving of my warmest thanks. 



