50 



Austin, Xo/es oit Birds jrcm Talbra^ar River, N .S.W . \^^^^^"W■ 



Rufous Song-Lark {Cindorhamphus rufescens). — In a good spring 

 this species is very plentiful, but some years not a single bird is to be 

 seen. No record of a nest. 



Tricoloured Chat (Ephlhianura tricolor). — Like many other birds, 

 only a visitor in a favourable spring, when this beautiful httle bird 

 arrives about September in large flocks. Only one season have I 

 known of it breeding here. In October, 1905, I observed four nests, 

 all with eggs ; these are the only nests of this bird I have seen in this 

 district, and, strange to say, I discovered them all within an hour, 

 while rabbit-shooting. 



White-froxteu Chat {Ephthianiira albifrons). — Flocks of this species 

 are occasionally seen, but they always appear to be travelling to some 

 other part ; I have never known them to remain here. 



Whiteface {Xerophila leucopsis). — A permanent resident. They 

 breed here, and one of their favourite places for building their nest is 

 attached to the underneath part of the Whistling Eagle's (Haliastur 

 sphenurus) nest. 



Black-backed Magpie (Gymnorhina tibicen). — Always plentiful, but 

 not in such large numbers as they are seen in some districts. They 

 are far more numerous than the White-backed {Gymnorhina leuconota). 

 They both nest here. 



Black-throated Butcher-Bird (Cracticus nigrigularis). — Generally 

 one or two pairs breed here, but I have never seen many of them 

 about, and very seldom do any remain through the winter. 



Butcher-Bird (Cracticus destructor). — In no part of the State have 

 I seen less of this familiar bird. Although its nests are common in 

 most districts, I have no record of one here. 



Brown Tree-creeper {Climacteris scandens). — A bird which is 

 always with us in great numbers throughout the year. 



Orange-winged Tree-runner (Sittella chrysoptera). — Not often 

 seen, and only once have I observed it nesting here ; this nest I 

 discovered before it was completed. 



Warty-faced Honey-eater (Meliphaga phrygia). — About on an 

 average this handsome Honey-eater comes in October one year in 

 three ; but this year it came in very large flocks about the end of 

 March, and appears to be going to winter with us.* 



White-plumed Honey-eater (Ptilotis penicillata). — Perhaps the 

 most common of all birds in the district. During the breeding season 

 their nests may be seen in great numbers in the red gums and river 

 oaks overhanging the river. This year I observed one with three eggs 

 during the first week in March. 



:\IiNER {Manorhina garrula). — Little need be said of this well-known 

 bird. It is very common here. 



Red W-attle-Bird {AcanihochcBra carunculata). — I observed a few 

 of them nesting about one bend of the river last January. This is the 

 only year that I have known them to breed here, although there are 

 always a few about. They appear to be very partial to the trees by 

 the river — seldom seen elsewhere. 



* Should this biril winter in the district, a record of tlie fact woiihl be of value and 

 of interest. — Ki)S. 



