28 Austin, Nnfes on Birds from Talhriif^ar River, N.S.W. [,,/'")"|y 



Field Notes on Birds from Talbragar River, New- 

 South Wales. 

 By Thos. B. Austin, Cobbora. 



Part I. 

 Wedge-tailed Eagle {Uroai'tus audax).— An occasional visitor. I 

 have only known of three nests here, one of which was deserted before 

 completed. 



Whistling Eagle {Haliastur spheniirus). — Very numerous, especially 

 recently (20/4/07). I counted thirty-two ilying practically in a flock. 

 It is no uncommon thing to see half a dozen birds in the same tree. 

 A great many of them breed here ; I have several times seen two nests 

 in the same tree. 



Square-tailed Kite (Lophoic/inia isura). — This species is seen 

 occasionally, but I only have one record of it breeding here. I found 

 a nest last 27th October with three young. The nest was in a large 

 red gum by the river. 



Little Falcon (Falco lunulafus). — A few seen at all times of the 

 year, but I have never known them to breed here. 



Brown Hawk (Hieracidea orientalis). — Very plentiful at all times, 

 but I have found very few nests. The young birds are very numerous 

 at present. 



Nankeen Kestrel (Cerchneis cenchroides). — Always a few about, 

 but at no time of the year in great numbers, and I have no record of 

 them nesting here, although I think it most probable that they do 

 breed in this district. 



BooBOOK Owl (Ninox boohook). — Very seldom seen, although it may 

 be more plentiful than it appears to be. 



Crow (Corvus coronoides). — Like the Raven (Corone australis), much 

 too numerous, as they are a continuous trouble amongst the sheep, 

 especially in the lambing season, although I must say they do a great 

 amount of good in many ways, but not enough to make up for the 

 damage they do. They both breed here, and always make their nests 

 in the very largest trees. 



Grey Jumper (Struthidea cinerea). — One of the most common birds 

 of the district. No matter where one may go a flock of these friendly 

 birds may be seen, but, strange to say, I have never seen one in this 

 locality with white eyes; they all seem to have dark brown. At 

 times they are a great trouble in the garden, as they nip off young 

 peas, &c., as soon as they show above the ground. They breed here, 

 mostly in the pine trees, and in a few instances I have known them to 

 go about a mile to get the mud for their nests. 



White-winged Chough {Corcorax melanorhamphus). — Almost as 

 jilentiful as the Struthidea cinerea. I consider it a very useful bird to 

 the country, although the farmers give it a bad name. " They say it is 

 very destructive on the young wheat crops, but I do not think it 

 really does so much damage as people say. 



Magpie-Lark {Grallina picata). — This also is a very common bird 

 in these parts. There are always a great many about a dam just 

 outside my garden fence. I tried to count them one evening, but 



