Vol. VI 

 iqo7 



1 Mellor, The A.O.U. in Tasmania. 163 



abundant. The work of the Black Cockatoo {CalyptorJiyncJms 

 funereus), in searching for its food in the dead eucalypts, was 

 very noticeable, these birds literally shredding the bark off the 

 stringybark species and picking out with their hard, strong bills 

 the larvae of injurious insects which destroy the forest trees, but 

 it was noted that only the dead trees were worked upon, and so 

 the birds are exceedingly useful in keeping in check large 

 insects that would fast multiply and menace our forest pos- 

 sessions. (See illustration, Plate XIV.)' In the swampy situations 

 the plaintive note of the Swamp-Quail {Syncecus diemenensis) 

 was heard, and the bird occasionally flushed ; also the Spotted 

 Ground-Bird {Cindosovia piinctatuni), which was greatly admired 

 on account of the pretty spotted appearance of the plumage. 

 The Brown Scrub- Wren, whose habits take it in the dense scrub, 

 was often seen under the shady bovvers, picking up insects in 

 the decaying leaves and vegetation, its sombre plumage being in 

 marked keeping with its lowly surroundings and occupation. 

 Tasmania's only Finch {ZoncsgzHthiis belliis), or the Fire-tail, as 

 it is locally called, on account of the brilliant patch of scarlet 

 above the tail, was here identified,, being only moderately 

 plentiful. It searched out its food in the long grass and 

 herbage. The Small-billed Cuckoo-Shrike, locally known as 

 the " Summer-Bird," was noted nesting, and likewise the 

 Tasmanian Butcher-Bird {Cracticus cinereus), the latter being 

 exceptionally pugilistic whenever a bird approached its nest of 

 young, even should the intruder be of many times its own size, 

 and would even fiercely attack a large Brown Hawk, and drive 

 it off. A Raven with young was noted in the vicinity, and it 

 was stated that these birds are exceedingly troublesome on the 

 farm, worrying poultry and carrying off eggs. The Wedge- 

 tailed Eagle {Uroactus aiidax) has also a bad name in the 

 district, and is said to have carried off a small pig to its aerie. 

 These birds were observed soaring at great altitudes, but they 

 always kept in these elevated positions, and avoided their 

 enemies. Night-birds were scarce ; indeed, the only species 

 identified from its notes was the Spotted Owl {Ninox macuiata), 

 whose mournful cries were heard on several occasions in the 

 dead of night, as it uttered in subdued tones the words " More 

 pork," being much more feeble in tone than that of the mainland 

 species (A^. boobook). Much work was also done in botanical 

 collecting, the place being rich in dense masses of verdure, 

 especially in the limited gullies where tall myrtles, blackwoods, 

 sassafras, and other kinds of moisture-loving trees grow to a 

 great height, and on the more elevated positions the giant 

 eucalypts raise their lofty heads above the lower and more bush- 

 like herbage of acacias and other pinnate-leaved plants and 

 shrubs. Much regret was expressed by all at the great 

 destruction of the beautiful and noble forest trees by ring- 



