^ESTS A.VD J^CGS Of AUSTRALIAN BIRDS. 761 



because I possess evidence of iudividuals having been seen to the west 

 of Eucla, and ouce on the Ashburton. However, the birds arc plenti- 

 ful in the North-west, above Lagrange Bay, 



Two nests I obsei-\'ed near the JMuixay River in both instances were 

 in a swamp, and appeared to have been biult by the bii-ds digging about 

 and heaping up the earth, gi-ass, and other vegetable matter. ''Rusticus" 

 in contributing some interesting information to the columns of " The 

 Australasian," in October, 1886, with regard to the nesting of the Aus- 

 tralian Crane, stated that, in the course of an extensive experience, he 

 found wet or swampy groimd always chosen by the bird for its nesting 

 place, usually swamplets, called crab-holes, in which case the bird will 

 select the most elevated site obtainable. The tiny islets usually found 

 in swamplets, just large enough to accommodate a nest, are amongst 

 the bird's favourite building sites. Sometimes, however, the Native 

 Companion selects deep and dense swamps ; the birds will then build 

 a huge nest of tussock grass, raised high above the surface of the 

 water. The nest is almost flat on the top. Usually when the nest is 

 approached the sitting bird walks slowly away, turning round now and 

 again, and uttering a hoarse, discordant note, which is answered by her 

 mate, who is never far distant. Sometimes the two birds will be 

 found feeding in close proximity to the nest. This is before the hen 

 has commenced to sit ; at this time they seem to care very little for 

 the fate of their nest if approached. Cutting a few grotesque capers 

 and uttering their peculiar hai'sh cry, they take wing for a few 

 hundred yards, then settle down and resume feeding. " Rusticus " 

 further remarked he had observed that Native Compajiions stick to the 

 same swamp year after year, and build as close to the old spot as 

 possible, although never using the same nest twice. It is not 

 uncommon to see two pairs of birds building in the same swamp, while 

 on one occasion he found no less than three nests, containing eggs, in 

 a swamp not haif-a-mile in extent. 



A Native Companion's nest I had the opportiuiity of examining 

 myself was situated on a little gi-assy rise, about three or foiu^ yards 

 across, in a swamp amid dead timber. Two dead thistles stood near 

 the nest, which contained one egg, and is the one described above. 

 The birds were seen perambulating at a respectful distance away. 



In a swamp, near liis camp at Mordialloc, Mr. H. W. Wheelwright 

 once foimd a Native Companion's nest. The nest was built high, of 

 dry rushes, and contained the usual complement — a pair of eggs. 

 Another time he captured a half-grown bird, which was kept at his 

 tent for a long time. That was in the early " fifties." 



A pail- of birds, bred at the Zoological Gardens, Melbourne, where, 

 Mr. Dudley Le Souef states, the birds .selected a dry knoll in swampy 

 ground, about four feet away from water. The nest was of the rudest 

 description, being only a few sticks and leaves, and the eggs themselves 

 were really on the bare ground, where a slight depression was made. 

 The hen bu-d mostly sat, the male sitting by the nest when she was 

 oflF feeding, apparently looking after it. However, it was found that 

 towards the end of incubation the male bird took turns at sitting. He 

 was very savage, and drove any other birds away from the vicinity. 



