l6 Batev, Bird-Life Sixty Years Ago. [,^j 



Emu 



July 



Coot {Fnlica australis). — Every large pool on Jackson's Creek, 

 provided it had a good fringe of reeds, had one or two Coots. For 

 years they were permanents ; from personal observation nowadays they 

 are not even the rarest of casuals. 



M.\RSH Tern {Hydrochelidon hybrida). — Seen at Woodend North, 

 where it was noted that this bird when alighting has a peculiar graceful 

 action in folding its long wings. Having pitched on the ground the 

 wings are extended upwards, then the ])inions are shut down, after 

 which both wings are closed. My theory is that it is done to prevent 

 injury to the wings, for it appeared to me if not closed in that fashion 

 they would strike the ground. 



Str-vw-necked Ibis {Geronticus spinicollis). — My first acquaintance 

 with this bird was on the Murrumbidgee River, near Hay, in the 

 sixties. In 1869 we had a terrible drought on Keilor Plains. No 

 doubt this visitation was very severe up north, because Ibis, with 

 some Wild Turkeys, were in evidence. Just about Christmas time, 

 1868, we had to move a flock of sheep to Mt. William, near Lancefield, 

 where the animals remained till midwinter. One day a large flock of 

 Ibis was seen wending south ; from my Riverina experience they were 

 identified. However, in 1866, Mr. Thos. Kissock, on whom my father 

 called one day, was out with his gun ; presently he returned with a 

 pair of birds, no doubt utter strangers to him, seeing that he remarked 

 — "They look very like Whaups " (the Scottish name for seashore 

 Curlews). As the adjacent runs would be known to Mr. Kissock for 

 close on 25 years, it seems clear that during all those years he had 

 never seen an Ibis till then. Since 1869 we may count Ibis as 

 frequent visitors in the Sunbury district, but in all cases their visits, 

 in my opinion, are not the result of droughts up north. They must 

 have largely increased since aborigines disappeared, consequently, the 

 supply of food being overlapped, necessity has compelled them to 

 travel. In late years they have visited Redstone Hill and roosted 

 there at night. They are common enough at times in the Shire of 

 Newham, where there are some large dams, on which I have witnessed 

 them bathing in warm weather. Once a White Ibis (Threskiornis 

 slictipennis) was noted there. 



White-fronted Heron {Ardea novcu-hollandics). — A somewhat 

 frequent bird ; never numerous ; noted away from water, evidently in 

 quest of grasshoppers and other insects. 



White-necked Heron {Ardea pad fica). —The " Curwin " of Delatite 

 aborigines, and may be regarded as a rare bird, seeing we had been 

 years at Sunbury before one was seen. 



Night-Heron (Nycticorax caledonicus). — Can be put down as a rare 

 bird on Jackson's Creek. Occasionally an odd one still appears. Years 

 ago the speckled bird was supposed to be a distinct variety, but 

 ornithologists have discovered that it is the immature Nankeen 

 Heron. 



Bittern (Bohiunis poicilopterus).— Only one instance on our creek, 

 in 1853 ; then thirty-five years after two were found in Emmeline Vale 

 Swamp, near Old Gisborne ; one shot, and its identity established. 



Spoonbill (Plaf ibis flavipes).— In 1858 one came to Jackson's Creek. 

 In i860, early in January, after three days' deluging rain, some of my 

 folks went to inspect Melton swamps, when thcv found them swarming 



