VoLXVlii.T ^mj^^ Birds of Lake Victoria and Murray River. I^ 



volume of sound was most remarkable when their millions of little 

 throats were in full swing ; they produced a rushing sound 

 resembling a fast railway express dashing along. The frogs were 

 often seen during our excursions into the swamps — large green 

 creatures with brown markings ; they plumped into the water 

 at the approach of the boat. 



^ Next morning we left camp early and reached Renmark (where 

 the flood waters had nearly entered the town, and had completely 

 surrounded it) by noon. The following morning we left by motor- 

 car, which only proceeded through the township and then was 

 driven on to an improvised punt and landed on high ground. We 

 had a very pleasant trip into Morgan, through waving spear-grass 

 and mallee scrub, having covered the 70 miles before noon. We 

 boarded the train to Adelaide, reaching the city that evening. 

 So ended an enjoyable and profitable ornithological outing on the 

 flooded River Murray. 



The following is a list of the birds observed during the trip, with 

 the writer's remarks and field notes. The writer is indebted to 

 his old friend Dr. A. M. Morgan for notes and measurements of 

 some birds preserved by him during the time we were out together. 

 The measurements of the birds are in millimetres, and taken in 

 the flesh. The nomenclature is that of Gregory M. Mathews, 

 F.R.S.E., F.L.S., &c., in the " List of Australian Birds," 1913. 

 The " Official Check-list " name is given in brackets when such 

 is different. 



Dromiceius novaehollandiae {Dromaius novce-hollandics). Emu. — 

 Several of these birds were seen between ]\Iorgan and Renmark, and 

 tracks were seen elsewhere. Where there are only one or two now, 

 twenty years ago I have seen scores. There is no doubt the time is 

 only too quickly approaching when these strange birds will have 

 disappeared from the country. 



Leipoa ocellata rosin se (L. ocellata). Eastern ^lallee-Fowl. — We 

 were told by several station people that a few birds stUl remain in the 

 district. From all appearances they are almost exterminated. 



Austroturnix velox {Turnix velox). Eastern Little Quail. — These 

 birds were rather numerous, and were often flushed from the high 

 spear-grass. Specimens taken and compared with birds from further 

 south show the river bird to be much more strongly marked on the 

 head and neck. A female taken at Lake Victoria on 6/10/17 

 measured — length, 165 mm. ; spread of wings, 270 mm. Iris yellowish- 

 white ; bill bluish-horn colour ; feet pinkish-white. 



Geopelia placida tranquilla (G. tranquilla). Eastern Ground-Dove. — 

 These birds were not numerous. 



Phaps chalcoptera. Bronze-winged Pigeon. — An odd bird or two 

 flushed in the scrub. 



Ocyphaps lophotes. Crested Pigeon. — These fine birds were rather 

 numerous in places. A nest containing two fresh eggs was observed 

 in a box tree about 10 feet from the ground ; this was at Rufus Creek 

 on 9/10/17. Another nest was found near Renmark on 13/10/17 ; 

 it was placed in a mallee about 10 feet from the ground, and contained 

 two heavily-incubated eggs. 



