^"iQos^ ] Campbell, Ah Ait/inini Raiuhlc. 53 



the house, and the screeches of numerous Lorikeets. And on 

 opening wide my window, I noticed a pair of Brown Flycatchers 

 on the garden fence, and some Babblers hopping over the ground 

 among the fruit trees about 50 paces away. So much for " feathered 

 friends " seen or heard before I break my fast. After breakfast, 

 with a sympathic companion,* I ramble into a bush paddock, 

 where Lorikeets are clamorous everywhere. The cause is not far 

 to seek. The swamp gums, which have not flowered here for years, 

 are now full of bloom, surcharging the air with a mawkish-like 

 aroma. These nectar-laden blossoms have attracted four kinds of 

 the honey-eating Parrots, all species sometimes seen feasting in the 

 same tree. The most numerous is the Little Lorikeet, which is 

 seen in strings at times upon the tops of dry branches. Then, in 

 point of numbers, come the Musk Lorikeet. Some Swift-flying 

 Lorikeets are identified by their longer-pointed tails, and when on 

 the wing by brilliant scarlet under-shoulder parts, and by their 

 chattering-like notes. The fourth species is the little Purple- 

 crowned Lorikeet, seen in pairs, but few and far between. 



Passing an old cultivation paddock a single Spur-winged Plover 

 is disturbed with protesting cries, and male Flame-breasted Robins 

 are seen perched upon stumps or posts. In an acacia hedge is a 

 Scrub-Wren (probably Sericornis osciilans), with noisy notes, a 

 contrast with the merry songs of a Shafted Fantail and a Yellow- 

 faced Honey-eater. In a more thickly timbered patch a pair of 

 Brush Wattle-Birds is observed, also White-eared and White- 

 plumed Honey-eaters, in addition to a beautiful male White- 

 throated Thickhead, some Striated Tits, and a Butcher-Bird. 

 Here, too, we capture a female Rosella, fluttering along the ground 

 and through bushes, endeavouring to escape us. We examine her 

 with much curiosity. She evidently is suffering from moult 

 troubles, and, having shed the primaries of both wings, is unable to 

 fly. In the tail there remains a feather or two, but the rest of the 

 body is fairly clothed, though somewhat soiled in travelling over 

 the ground. This bird apparently is no exception, because my 

 companion informs me that during his walks afield this season he 

 has seen several Rosellas similarly feathered, incapable of flight. 

 I must not omit to mention an exceedingly handsome Great Brown 

 Kingfisli(M\ which we observed closely — an old male, no doubt, 

 judging by the splendid patch of blue on his wing coverts and the 

 rich brownish markings of the upper tail coverts. 



In the afternoon we visit a messmate (gvuri) forest, brightened 

 with early-flowering pink epacris, and through which runs a tea-tree 

 creek. Here we add to our list Orange-winged Sittella, Scarlet- 

 breasted Robin, Yellow-tailed Tit, Red-browed Finch, Little Field- 

 Wren {(lithonicola), Ground-Thrush {(icocichla — a single example), 

 and on returning home the familiar Swallow, several of which will, 

 no doubt, remain in the district during the winter. We are glad 

 to notice how j^lentiful the large and useful Babbler {Poinalurhiuus) 



* Mr. G. E. Shepherd, of Somerville. 



