j52 NESTS AXD EGGS OF AUSTRALIAN BIRDS. 



It is known that at times Native Companions fight desperately to 

 defend their eggs against intruders, and woe betide the being that comes 

 in contact with their sharp bills. The breeding mouths are from Jime 

 to November, and probably later, according to the country and the 

 seasons, or as soon as there is sufficient rain. 



After breeding season the Cranes would appear to bo gi-egarious, 

 assembling in flocks of scores and even hundreds, especially in the 

 Murray River district. When in the vicinity of the Moira Lakes, 

 March, 1893, at sunrise one morning 1 witnessed a glorious sight. The 

 moist tract in the centre of a di'y lake-bed, on the Victorian side, was 

 covered with Cranes, which at a distance resembled a flock of sheep. 

 The birds were unsettled, and were coming from the Moira Lake, on 

 the New South Wales side, in companies of about a score, filling the 

 air with discordant cries. Others, with heavy flight, were winging their 

 way over the red gum-trees towards the rising sun, to feed on the plains 

 or the cleared gi'ound beyond. 



One morning in Queensland I watched a wild dog sneaking after 

 a Native Companion. When the quadruped came too near, the bird 

 simply gave a few leisurely flaps of its great wings, and placed a con- 

 venient space betwixt itself and the dog. Tliis perfonnance was 

 repeated several times, but whether the dingo eventually secured his 

 prey or gave up the chase in disgust (as I am inclined to believe he 

 did) I had not time to ascertain. Native Companions are frequently 

 offered for sale in the Melboui-ne market. It was only the other week 

 I saw six hanging in a shop. After being hung for a few days and 

 then stuffed with good gi-avy-becf they are excellent eating, and quite 

 equal to the Bustard or Wild Turkey. 



FAMILY— OTIDID.^ : BUSTARDS. 



591.--El'podotis .\rsTR.\Li.s. J. li. Gray. — (i'Jo) 

 BUSTARD OK WILD TURKEY. 



Figure. — Gould : Birds oi Australia, fol., vol. vi., pi. 4. 



Reference. — Cat. Birds Brit. Mus., vol. xxiii., p. 328. 



Previous Descriptions of Eggs. — Gould : Birds of Australia (184S) , 

 also Handbook, vol. ii., p. 2oq (1865): Ramsay: Ibis, p. 417 

 (1867); North t Austn. Mus. Cat., p. 297 (1889). 



(liiii/rd iihiriil Dixtriliiitiini. — Whole of Australia. 



Nent. — Sometimes indicated by a few twigs or gra.sses, l)ut is more 

 frequently the bare groutul in ojien situations or on a gi'a.ssy knoll of a 

 plain. 



