1 88 D'OwBRAiN, Visit to an Ibis Rookery. [znd'April 



features ot the colony, and there appears to be one to every few 

 hundred birds. It is also noted that, whereas the egg platforms 

 v^ary in height, the nurseries are practically level, and simply a 

 floating basketwork, upon which the birds can run about with great 

 dexterity. (See Plate XIV.) 



As we advance we mark the nests of the White and the Straw- 

 necked separately, as, once the birds leave the spot, identification 

 is difficult or impossible. 



Now the birds are growing ^m ore ^anxious and alarmed at our 

 presence, and some fly off, but by far the greater number do not 

 move, or rise only to settle in a few yards. One sees many with 

 large wisps of dry swamp-grass and rushes, the former for 

 lining the nests, carrying it home in their long curved bills, 

 generally by a single blade, the remamder hanging in air. The 

 white ones stand out prominently in the bright sunlight, whilst 

 the glossy backs of the Straw-necked shine with a metallic lustre. 



Standing admiring the novel sight, our attention is suddenly 

 arrested by the appearance of a tall white bird standing in majestic 

 way on a little rush island. At first it is thought to be an Egret, 

 once plentiful here, but only for a moment, for it raises its head and 

 shows the peculiar spoon-shaped black bill of the Royal Spoonbill 

 {Platalea regia). Visions of securing a clutch of eggs are dashed 

 on approaching and finding two newly-hatched young ones. 

 Standing up, with crest erect and mane flowing in the breeze, the 

 bird looked simply regal, the black bill and legs showing in striking 

 contrast to the white purity of the plumage. Another couple is 

 seen, and, although every effort is made to find the nest among 

 the crowds of Ibis nests, we are obliged to confess ourselves 

 beaten. We now proceed to get some photographs, but a quarter- 

 plate camera is lamentably too small to take in the wide expanse 

 of nests and eggs, and, after securing a few pictures, we retrace our 

 way to the trap, and after a change start off for a visit to another 

 swamp where the Yellow-legged Spoonbill {Platiids fiavipes) and 

 the Little Cormorants {Phalacrocorax melajioleiicus) breed in com- 

 pany. "^Arrived at the swamp, we see plentj/ of nests of each in the 

 trees in the water, and note young Ducks, and disturb a brood of 

 very young Black Swans. 



Having determined to secure some good-sized photogra])hs of 

 the Ibises, we return to Casterton. On the following day, 

 having enlisted the services of a photographic enthusiast, I make 

 with him another early start upon our 28- mile drive, well 

 equipped with an 8 x 10 camera and plates. On our way we see 

 plenty of Plover (Spur-winged), Ducks of various kinds, Cranes, 

 Herons, and other aquatic birds and waders. Arriving at the swamp, 

 we soon get into wading clothes, my friend carrying the camera and 

 plates strapped on his back — 40 lbs. weight in all. Having reached 

 the fringe of the nesting area we get photographs of the general 

 view, and then of a batch of nests, and one of the groups of young 

 ones, but find that the birds are less tame than before. Finally, we 

 get ready for the piece de yesistance — the flight. All being ready, 



