I_^ Hatkv, Bird-Life Sixty Years Ago. | ,.t^''juiy 



thinking to make a bag, I visited the spot, with the result that not 

 a bird was to be seen. Probably they had come the previous night, 

 rested for the day, and when darkness fell began calling for a fresh 

 start. 



Brown Quail (Syttwcus ausiralis). — -Was permanent in small 

 coveys on Jackson's Creek for long years. It totally disappeared 

 from the old haunt, but some two or three seasons back I noticed a 

 few near our old homestead. From this it will be noted that it is 

 rare. 



Painted Quail {Turnix varia). — Taken on Redstone Hill in 1854. 

 The ones here (Drouin) are its exact counterpart. This single bird, 

 found amongst bracken ferns, was the only one met with on the 

 area. 



Little Quail (Turnix velox). — Whenever we have an extra good 

 season this handsome bird appears, when it is seen on grass lands or 

 growing crops. 



Collared Plain-Wanderer {Pedionomus torqiiatus). — Evidently 

 permanent; appeared very scarce ; nevertheless, coloration, combined 

 with habits, being so highly protective, possibly it was more plentiful 

 than supposed to be. During my 60 odd years' experience on the three 

 sheep-runs I have not seen half a dozen birds. The first was brought 

 to us by our shepherd in the later forties. The next was taken 

 about the middle fifties. Cattle putting up the bird, the grass 

 being short, it was marked down and captured. When taken, cui'ious 

 to relate, it could not be induced to take flight, and all it did was to 

 march about, occasionally extending its wings. It may be ten years 

 since Mr. H. Coburn was seen with a living specimen taken on 

 Rockbank station. In 1852 we found a nest with eggs, peg-top 

 shaped ; we did not sight the bird, but afterwards heard that they 

 were those of the Collared Plain-Wanderer. 



Black Duck {Anas superciliosa). — Once common on our line of 

 Jackson's Creek, where we found its nests, but of late years a rare 

 visitor on that stream. 



WooD-DucK {Chenonetta jubata). — Ever a casual, at times making a 

 considerable stay, and still appears at odd times. 



Pink-eared Duck {Malacorhynchus membrcifiaceus) — One found on 

 the creek about 1857. Very common in Riverina. 



Grey Teal {Nettion gibberifrons). — Always somewhat rare on the 

 creek. Odd wing- weary birds still drop in. Exceedingly numerous in 

 good seasons in Riverina, and nests. 



Shoveller {Spatula rhynchotis). — An extremely rare visitor on the 

 creek, not noted till 1854, when deluging rains in March of that year 

 brought up swarms of Ducks, amongst them a few Shovellers. In 

 that incursion were Black Ducks and Wood-Ducks, but the great 

 majority were Teal. Three years ago two brace of Shoveller, in 

 company with as many Teal, visited us. 



White-evkd Duck {Nyroca australis). — ln 1855 or 1856 I lirst saw 

 this Duck on Jackson's Creek ; since then it has" been very rare. The 

 bulge at the lower end of this bird's windpipe is far larger than that of 

 any Duck that I am acquainted with. 



