7^. Berney, Birds of the Ricluiiond District, N .Q. Und'oct 



I have seen youngsters that could not fly sufficiently to get away in 

 April and October. I caught one of these latter, and on its crying 

 out I was at once surrounded by a flock of 20 old birds, which jumped 

 and scolded in an unmistakable manner. As a rule they go in parties 

 of seven to ten. 



Black-breasted Song-Lark {CinclorJiam pints cniralis). — A migra- 

 tory bird, very much more numerous in the summer than the winter. 

 It nests with us. For details of its movements, and, to save 

 repetition, reference may be made to vol. iv. of The Emu, p. 43. 



I remember one fearfully hot day in January, 1902, when I was 

 driving a mob of wethers across open downs. The sheep rounded up 

 and went into camp early in the day, and I made for the only shade 

 (save the mark !) in the landscape — a little, miserable bush, under which 

 I crept, drawing myself up into the shape of an N to fit the scanty 

 shade. I placed an Australasian on my knees and prepared to make 

 the best of things through the intense heat ; but I found I was jumping 

 the claim of a lot of Bush-Larks (Mirafra) and Black-breasted Song- 

 Larks, which were also driven to the shade, panting, with open beaks ; 

 but, nothing daunted, they clustered round any portion of me that 

 threw a shadow. Some got under the angle formed by my legs, while 

 one cruralis hopped on to my lap and sat contentedly under the shade 

 of the newspaper. 



Rufous Song-Lark {CincloyJianiphiis rufescens). — Whereas cruralis is 

 found on the open country rufescens prefers the lightly timbered foi'est. 

 Generally on the ground, it moves about in a quiet, retiring manner, 

 takes to the branches of a neighbouring tree or bush when flushed, and 

 returns to the ground again as soon as the disturbing object has passed. 

 It is here winter and summer, but never in any great numbers, and 

 most probably has a migratory movement. 



Tricoloured Bush-Ch^t {Ephthianura tricolor). — This beauty is 

 always here, but in greatly increased numbers during the winter. This 

 winter they are more numerous than I ever have seen them before ; 

 they seem to be scattered over the ground everywhere. The descrip- 

 tion of the plumage in Gould's Handbook is not accurate, but that 

 given in the Australian Museum's No. i Special Catalogue is excellent. 

 Its only note appears to be an insignificant " Chip, chip, chipper, 

 chipper, chip," uttered impatiently on the wing. 



Orange-fronted Bush-Chat (Ephthianura aurifrons). — A rare and 

 irregular visitor. A few appear at odd seasons, remain two or three 

 weeks, and then disappear again for perhaps a couple of years. 



Black-backed Magpie (Gymnorhina tibicen). — The Magpie is always 

 here, and pretty numerously represented. I think this is the earliest 

 of the early birds, for its beautiful notes may be heard with the faintest 

 streaks of the dawn. I have a good many notes of nests with eggs or 

 young birds in September. 



Black-throated Butcher-Bird (Cracticus nigrigularis). — A con- 

 stant resident among the timbered country, nesting in September and 

 October. 



Butcher-Bird (Cracticus destructor). — Common enough at Spring 

 Valley, where the scrubby country suits it, but I never see it away 

 from the scrub. Destructor has an ominous-looking hook at the end 

 of the upper mandible, which, together with the upturned extremity 



