^tgoT^'] Hill, Birds of Ararat District. jjy 



comes on to the Pyrenees. The following are the birds found 

 about Ararat : — 

 Harrier {Circus goiddi). 



Goshawk {Astur approximans). — The commonest and most destructive 

 of the Hawk family. Green trees on the thickly timbered stringybark and 

 box ridges are invariably chosen for nesting places. The nests are built of 

 small sticks, and lined with about i inch in thickness of green leaves. Four 

 eggs are generally laid. 



Sparrow- Hawk {Accipifer cirrJiocephahis). — This species is seldom seen. 



Wedge-tailed Eagle {UroaiHus audax). — Ten or twelve pairs nested 

 in the district — sometimes in the dead trees, on open, level country, but 

 more often in growing timber on hillsides. The nests, like the Goshawks', 

 are lined with green leaves. In 1898 one ^'g'g was taken from a nest, and 

 on returning eight days later two more were found, one of which was 

 similar to the first, while the other was smaller, lighter in colour, and 

 marked at the reverse end. On one occasion a large male bird was seen to 

 hunt a calf three or four months old, while its mate flew from tree to tree, 

 watching the proceedings. But for the timely arrival of the owner there is 

 little doubt that the calf would have been killed. 



Whistling Eagle {Haliastur sphe/ninis). — Usually found along the 

 creeks, where the topmost branches of the red gums are selected for nesting 

 places. These birds are numerous throughout the year, but become more 

 plentiful in December and January, when they are attracted by the smell of 

 poisoned rabbits. 



Black-cheeked Falcon {Fako melanogcnys). — Rarely seen except on 

 the rocky western slope of Mt. Mistake, where there is little doubt they 

 build. 



Black Falcon {Falco subniger). — A very rare visitor, seen only during 

 the rabbit-poisoning period. 



Striped Brown Hawk {Hieracidea berigord). — Only one specimen was 

 identified, though no doubt the apparent scarcity may be due to the fact 

 that for some years I believed that there was only one species of this genus 

 in the locality. 



Brown Hawk (//. onentalis). — A common bird in all parts of the 

 district, though the eggs are rarely taken, owing to the inaccessible positions 

 selected for nesting. Unlike the Goshawks, they usually build in exposed 

 places in isolated trees. They live principally on rabbits, and during the 

 summer months, when rabbit-shooting becomes a part of the farm work, I 

 have seen these birds follow a shooting party, and even fly over the dogs 

 when hunting in order to secure the dead rabbits. 



BooBOOK Owl {Ninox boobook). 



Spotted Owl {Ninox maculatd). 



Winking Owl {Ninox connivens). — One pair nested regularly in a hollow 

 branch not far from the house. Last year one of the birds unfortunately 

 was shot before the young had left the nest, and, although the other 

 remained in the vicinity of the tree for some time, both the young died when 

 nearly old enough to leave the nest. 



Raven {Corone australis). — A common bird during the summer. Young 

 rabbits, small birds, eggs, grain, and fruit of all kinds form the greater part 

 of their diet, which also includes carrion. I have seen Ravens fly away 

 with walnuts and crack the shells by striking them against stones, but 

 seedlings found in the bush prove that they are not always successful in 

 opening them. 



