Vol. VI 

 1907 



J Batkv, Biyd-Life Sixty Years Ago. i^ 



Swift Lorikeet {N anodes discolor). — A frequent visitant. Some 

 two years ago a large party came. Seems to diet extensively on the 

 white waxy scales that abound on the leaves of the yellow box 

 (eucalypt). Those scales have a sugary taste ; a small, soft insect is 

 concealed under them. 



Purple-crowned Lorikeet {Glossopsittacus poyphyrocephalus). — 

 One instance only where identity established. This bird was amongst 

 the recent Swift Lorikeets. The writer has a recollection of taking 

 Purple-crowned Lorikeets on Redstone Hill long years ago. 



GAME BIRDS. 



Wild Turkey or Bustard {Eupodotis auslralis). — In 1846 and 

 years after abundant. Once counted 28 fly across from Redstone Hill 

 to Glencoe sheoaks. The late Mr. Edward Page said they laid a single 

 egg on the bare ground. Shot a brace about a third grown, and as 

 they were quite by themselves concluded they were one clutch. This 

 noble bird on the old area now the rarest. It may be counted extinct 

 on plains south of Mt. Macedon. In 1869 saw a brace near Lancefield, 

 winging south ; previous to which year I never had seen these birds 

 flying at such a high rate of speed. Hard seasons in the interior 

 (1869 was bad) causes Turkeys, with other birds, to head southwards. 

 My Riverina experience proved that a severe drought plays havoc 

 with Bustards and Emus. The former died of sheer starvation ; the 

 latter became so weak thai lliev could not gel out of Ihe way of a 

 sheep dog. 



Southern Stone-Plover {Burhinus grallarius). ~-In 1846 and for 

 some years after permanent on the area, but nowadays casual. Before 

 1850 found a nest of two eggs on the bare ground. A visit shortly 

 after proved the eggs had disappeared. Perhaps the bird had removed 

 them or Ravens had destroyed them. Towards 1870 found two 

 young ones on our land. 



Black-breasted Plover {Zonifer tricolor). — In lormcr days ex- 

 ceedingly numerous. The old squatters in our vicinity let them alone, 

 but later on people began shooting them, with the result that they 

 became scarce. Of late years they have increased somewhat.* As 

 regards this Plover, closer settlement does not seem to affccl it 

 seriously, because it continues to breed in the old location. 



Spur-winged Plover {Lobivanellus lobatus). — Always rare on Red- 

 stone Hill, Glencoe, and Koorakoorakup. Out of bounds, when 

 Melton swamps arc full, we find^it in small parlies. When good seasons 

 prevailed in Riverina the Spur-wing was fairly plentiful in the im- 

 mediate vicinity of swamps. Doubtless it bred there. 



Stubble Quail (Coturnix pectoralis). — Of old a few strictly 

 permanent, at'varying cycles very numerous, then years might elapse 

 without seeing a bird. In later times they have frequently visited the 

 old area. Quail are not migrants in the real sense of the word, for my 

 conclusion is that they merely shift about, and I think they travel at 

 night. Before i860, pa.ssing over an adjoining farm after nightfall, heard 

 more Quail-calls than ever heard before or since. A few days alter, 



• This autumn a sportsman icpoilcd .seeing a larj;e lluck of several liundieds near 

 Deep Creek. — Eds. 



