A'ESTS A.\D EGGS OE AUSTRALIAN BIRDS. 



553 



time. By their clamorous uoise for food the whereabouts of the young 

 is easily ascertained. 



In my note-book I find the following recorded : — 



9th November, 1870. — Visito<l a nest, containing tliree young, in 

 the hole of a tree ncai' Dandenong Creek. 



11th October, 1880. — Found an egg fresh upon the ground near 

 Berwick. 



13th October, 1885. — Present when a pair of eggs was taken from 

 termites' nest at Coomooboolaroo, Queensland. 



1st November, 1890. — Clutch, three eggs, taken at Clayton, 

 Victoria. 



6th November, 1892. — Observed nest with young, MmTay River. 



Jackasses have been observed gathering mussels (Uniu) at the edge 

 of a creek, and whacldng them against a log or limb endeavouring to 

 open them ; they will also dive for small cray-fish. Mr. C. H. McLennan 

 tells me he has obsei-ved these birds perching on a limb just over 

 the river (Wimmera), and diving into shallow water after yabbies (small 

 crayfisii), sometimes going right under. 



No doubt the Jackasses only kill snakes for food, because dead ones 

 are occasionally found in their nesting holes. Mr. A. W. Milhgan, 

 formerly of Traralgon, Victoria, also proved the fact by taking yoimg 

 Jackasses from a nest in the vicinity of his home and keeping them in 

 a cage. When the old bkds found out the captives, they sometimes 

 brought, amongst other tit-bits, snakes, and large ones too, to feed their 

 young. 



In reference to Ja<^kasses killing snakes, Mr. H. W. Wlieelwi-ight 

 ooserved a pair that had a disabled carpet snake imder an old gum 

 tree. Tlie bu'ds sat on a dead branch above the reptile, every now 

 and again darting do\vn and pecking it, and by their antics and chatter- 

 ing appeared to considerably enjoy themselves at the expense of the 

 snake. 



Mr. Thos. R. Macdougall's (Queensland) field observations on 

 "Jackasses v. Snakes," read: — 



" On one occasion I saw a Jackass with a black snake about twelve 

 inches or eighteen inches in length. On frightening the bii-d it dropped 

 the snake, and I carefully examined it and foimd that it had not been 

 long dead, and was only wounded behind the head. Its neck was 

 broken. I also saw on one occasion a Jackass and green snake that 

 had been killed while on the gi-ound. The snake was coiled tightly 

 arovmd the bird's neck and body, so that it could not rise from the 

 si'oimd." 



