^''',907"'] Batky. Bird-Life Sixty Years Ago. II 



Woon-SWALLOW {Artaiiius sordidus). ~-A few still come to breed ; they 

 c.inie in swarms at intervals. 



Whitk-browkd Wood-Swai.i.ow (-4;-A?w//.? stipcrciliosiis). — Not seen in 

 later times on the old location. They came with the Sordid, and about 1850 

 Glencoe sheoaks were alive with both sorts, and many nests. Once saw a 

 Masked Wood-Swallow {A. pcrsfliiahts) at Newham. 



PICARIAN BIRDS. 



Laughinc. Jackass {Dacelo f^ieas). — In 1846 and thereifter permanently 

 on the creek. Mr. E. Page, blaming them for taking eggs, shot some. 

 Seemingly they deserted our line of creek then, returning again within the 

 last few years ; have nested in hollow spouts. This bird, about Newham 

 and Lancetield district, appears to have increased. Never saw it killing 

 snakes, while from the sharp eye it keeps on the corn stacks feel sure it 

 destroys mice. 



Sacred Kingfisher {Halcyon sancfus). — Formerly constant, one pair 

 nesting in a white bo.\ tree for long years. Never seen now. 



Azure Kingfisher {Alcyom astcrea). — Never plentiful. Found a 

 nest once, drilled in face of earthy bank. Apparently e.xtinct on Jackson's 

 Creek now. 



Pallid Cuckoo {Cuculus palUdus). — Hardly a season passed without 

 getting a sight of it or hearing its call. 



Fan-T.AILED Cuckoo {Caconiautis flabclliformi s). — ':^\\\\ it on the area 

 frequently. 



ViKO''AZV.-Q.\3CV.OO{ChnIcococcyx plagosus). — An occasional visitor. Wanton 

 destruction of birds sometimes goes on when town lads are up for the day 

 with guns. One morning I found a hat thrown in the creek with its band 

 decorated with the wings of six distinct species of birds amongst them those 

 of a Bronze-Cuckoo and a beautiful Grass-Parrakeet. 



COCKATOO AND PARROT FAMIL\. 



Black Cockatoo {Calyplorhynchus funcreus).--Yxo\w 1846 to say 1850 

 a constant visitor on Jackson's Creek, which it followed down in quest of 

 wattle grubs. Last seen on Emu Bottom, some three or four miles up 

 stream. Of recent years saw one near Gisborne, and lately heard it is 

 found in the forest country between Bullengarook West and Ml Marcdon. 

 Old teamsters stated it was a precursor of bad weather. 



BanKSIAN Cockatoo {Calyptorhynchus bankxii) -Two on Redstone 

 Hill about 1849 ; o"^ shot. 



Whi IE Cockatoo {Cacatua ga/cri/n).—A.n irregular visitant, generrdly 

 in large flocks. Formerly its diet was divers forms of roots, but when 

 tillage commenced and variegated thistles appeared it changed. In 

 agricultural regions, where this bird is persecuted, self-preservation has 

 become the rule, for on thistled and cultivated areas sentries are placed 

 arounc^. These are relieved, one leaving his mates to take the place of the 

 sentry, which returns to the mob. About Sunbury three or four prospectors 

 would come alxtut for a icw days, then go away, and before the week was 

 out the main flock appeared. If their roosting places arc found shots can 

 be had soon after nightfall. The common and the variegated thistles were 

 quite unknown in the .Sunbury district until the latter was noted in 1847 at 

 Main's, now Flemington Bridge ; the former at Redstone Hill in 1850. 



RoSE-IJREAS'iED CoCKA'lOO {Ciictitun roscicapillti).- About 1882 saw two 

 or three. Regarded them as escapees from captivity. After that four were 

 shot, which, on examination, showed that each had had a wing c lipped 



