244 oTiDin.T,. 



by which time ail tiie Saltbusli country contained the birds in flock-s of from ten to sixty or 

 seventy. The first to come appeared to be all younK or immature birds of no great size, and 

 just assuming the black cap; the larger old males did not put in an appearance for fully a 

 month later ; the first comers were poor, but all soon fattened on a plentiful supply of food, 

 consisting mostly of grasshoppers, beetles, crickets, caterpillars and the young shoots of the 

 Saltbush, as proved by an examination of a large series of gizzards. These l)irds seem to choose 

 a bare Hat or hill as a roosting place for the night, where the approach by an enemy could n(jt 

 easily be made without detection ; they ily out to their feeding grounds, usually amongst the 

 Saltbush, early in the morning ; at this time, and until nearly midday, they are actively engaged 

 in feeding, and are very alert and watchful, but after they have fed well and the sun is at its 

 height, they become more sluggish and disinclined to move, mostly squatting in tl;e Saltbush until 

 the heat of tlie day is over, when the evening feeding keeps them on the move again. They fly 

 on being approached, walking off at first and then running. In the Saltbush their colouring 

 assimilates with the universal gray-green, and as only the head and neck show they easily 

 escape detection; sometimes they will hide by S(]uatting and keeping the head and neck also out 

 of sight; the younger and lighter birds one has only to take the eyes off for a moment, and they 

 are difficult to pick- up again, even with the glasses. Wlien they think they are not seen, they 

 will run on in a crouching attitude, with head and neck low down, and finally S(iuat down out of 

 sight. INIr. \V. McLennan has noted this bird on some open country between Cape York and 

 the Jardine Ri\er, Northern Queensland." 



Mr. G. A. Keartland wrote me as follows from Melbourne, \'ictoria: — " In the beginning 

 of spring, or when the grasshoppers are numerous, the Bustard ( luipodotis ainlralis) is frequently 

 seen on the open plains of Werribee, Melton, Keilor and north of Preston, in Victoria, but they 

 do not stay long ; probably because they are disturbed by poachers. They are protected by 

 law throughout the year. In North-western and Central Australia they are \ery numerous, and as 

 they become very fat about February, when they commence moulting, they are easily shot, or killed 

 by the natives. In December, 1S96, I saw an old bird followed by a newly hatched young one, 

 on the opposite side of a creek. When I crossed over I could only see the old one, which soon 

 walked away for a short distance, and then llew oil. After searching for some time I found the 

 young one crouched in a hole made by a horse's hoof, when the ground was soft. As it lay 

 quietly it bore a close resemblance to a little tabby kitten curled up for a sleep. Many, both 

 old and young, fall victims to the wild dogs and the .'\borigines." 



From Broome Hill, South-western Australia, Mr. Tom Carter wrote: — " The Australian 

 Bustard or ' Turkey ' ( linpodotis aiistralis) was a very common bird on the wast open grassy 

 plains of North-western Australia. After rains, when grass was abundant, and their favourite 

 food of grasshoppers was to be found everywhere, pairs of these line birds, or small parties of 

 four or more, could be seen feeding as far as the eye could reach, their white fore-necks being 

 conspicuous objects. Sometimes they were very wary and difficult to approach, and then the 

 best way to obtain a shot was by driving in a buggy and closing in on the selected victims in 

 gradually diminishing circles. They occurred at Point Cloates commonly, but seemed to be 

 more wary there than inland. I have frequently seen them walking along the beach, below high 

 water mark, but whether for a change of diet, or the coolness of the wet sand, I cannot determine. 

 They apparently breed anywhere when feed is plentiful, as I have noted eggs on many occasions, 

 from the first weelc in June until October. There is hardly any nesting material, and two eggs 

 appear to form a clutch as frequently as one. I have seen a sitting bird rise from the nest, and 

 with outspread wings and a croaking noise drive away feeding sheep that approached too closely. 

 The birds are nocturnal to some extent in their habits, as in the breeding season their loud calls 

 may be heard all through the night, and I have often seen them Ily close over my camp when 

 sleeping out. They prefer the open country to tirnber, and are rarely seen in the neighbour- 



