338 P0DAK(;II)/E. 



Stomachs examined contained the remains of frogs, crickets, spiders and the heads and 

 wing-cases of large beetles. 



I have frequently stood on bright moonlight nights at Rose\ ille and Chatswood, underneath 

 these birds perched and calling within a few feet of my head. I have also heard their notes 

 uttered many times throughout the day, and from the sounds, which may be heard some distance 

 away, traced it after some trouble, as this species undoubtedly possesses ventriloquial powers, to 

 one or more of these birds sitting on a thick bough, generally of a gum-tree. During a twenty 

 years experience, however, in localities where these birds are tolerably common, I have never 

 heard them emit any other note except that resembling " oom, ooni, ooui," repeated from ten to 

 fifteen times in succession, and uttered as if with tightly closed lips. 



From Glanmire, near Bathurst, Mr. Alfred E. Ivatt writes me : — " Do you know anything 

 of the sound made by Podargus strigoides, somewhat resembling " um " sounded with the mouth 

 closed, and in a low note, repeated twelve or fifteen times ? I have heard it on several 

 occasions, but never identified it with the bird until this season. Also as to the food of 

 P. strigoides, which I believe Gould states to consist of insects caught on the bark and branches 

 of trees. I have seen two or three feeding, and they appear to feed, and to sit and watch for their 

 food, in a similar manner to the Laughing Jackass, i.e., sitting on a dead branch or the top of a 

 fence post not far from the ground quite motionless, and then flying down and up again after a 

 short interval. Of course it is too dark to see the actual food taken. ' 



Mr. Thos. P. Austin, of Cobborah Station, Cobbora, New South Wales, writes me as 

 follows: — "One morning while riding beneath an Apple tree ( Angophora lanceolata) I saw a 

 Podargus strigoides sitting upon a nest about twenty feet from the ground. Upon climbing the 

 tree I discovered a second bird perched upon a neighbouring bough, not more than three feet 

 from the nest. The nest contained two eggs, which I did not interfere with, but when passing 

 the tree about six hours later, neither bird was upon the nest, nor could I see them in the tree, 

 so I again climbed to the nest, and much to my surprise there was nothing in it. When I 

 reached the ground I hunted for the broken eggs, but could see no signs of them, so presume the 

 birds thought it wise to move them elsewhere. While on a visit to Mackay, North-eastern 

 Queensland, during the first week of November, 1907, I saw a nest of these birds with two half 

 fledged young ; when passing the nest again the following day, both young buds had disappeared." 



While resident at Hamilton, in South-western Victoria, Dr. W. Macgillivray kindly favoured 

 me with the following interesting notes : — " Podargus strigoides is common throughout the district. 

 This bird finds its living much in the same way that the Brown Flycatcher does, by sitting on a 

 fence post, exposed limb of a tree, stump or other point of vantage, sallying forth at intervals to 

 capture any insect venturing within range of its vision, and returning to its perch. I kept two 

 of these birds for several months in my garden at Coleraine, and they proved amusing and 

 instructive pets. This bird's note is often uttered during the daylight, it takes the form of a low 

 hoot repeated twenty or more times in succession, commencing in a low key and rather slowly, 

 and becoming quicker and higher pitched towards the end. With regard to the attitude assumed 

 by this bird for the sake of protection, that is of sitting in the long axis of a limb, with head 

 extended in a line with the body, eyes nearly closed and feathers closely folded, my observations 

 lead me to believe that it is only assumed on the approach of danger, and is not an habitual or 

 restful one ; when undisturbed, and when sleeping, they sit as any other bird would ; their 

 hearing must be very acute, as on anyone approaching within thirty or forty yards the protective 

 attitude is assumed, and the intruder watched through half closed eyelids; when their attitude 

 and coloration is found to be no longer of any use, safety is sought in flight ; when this is 

 impossible, as it was with my pets, who had their wings cut, or in a state of nature when caught, 

 they have recourse to another expedient, that is to convert themselves into as fearsome objects 



