Batey, Bird-Life Sixty Years Ago. [xst^"'" 



July 



NIGHT BIRDS. 



Lesser Maskkd Owl {Stn'x dclicatu/a). — Probably it was in 1847,0113 

 moonless night, my father, seeing a light-coloured bird close at hand, got 

 the gun, while 1 attended him with the old-fashioned tin lantern. Finally 

 he located the stranger on top of a post, and a shot was fired at it without 

 killing it. Doubtless this was a Delicate Owl. Many years elapsed before 

 another was seen ; then one was taken, another found dead. Some drovers 

 from Lachlan way, amongst other birds taken to sell down country, had a 

 brace of these young Owls. In 1882 saw one near Lancefield. 



Boo BOOK Owl {Ninox boohook). —Always a peimanent, is still on the 

 old place, and in 1905 a brood of young, recognised as such by their cries, 

 was noted. Should say they were bred on Redstone Hill. This bird, on 

 the Murrumbidgee, N.S.W., appeared to me to have a different call to those 

 in V^ictoria. "Rolf Boldrewood" renders its cry " Hoo-hoo." 



Tawny Frogmouth {Podargus s^r/goides).- —Always a rare bird in the 

 locality, the timber being somewhat unsuitable ; but it was afterwards found 

 in Brodie's Forest. The country in Lancefield vicinity appears to be a 

 favourite haunt. 



White-throated Nightj.vr {Eiirostopus alhigularis).- On coming to 

 Sunbury, in 1846, saw it frequently ; after that year noticed it hunting at 

 dusk. Between 1855 and '60 flushed one from the ground not far from our 

 residence. Since then, though moving about much in and out, I have never 

 met this bird. 



Owlet Nightjar (^ACgvthclcs novtv-lwlUmditc). — It was well into the 

 fifties when we had our first intimation of this bird by its peculiar whistling 

 call. From then till now it appeared rare. Within the last three years one 

 was frequently heard and seen. 



PASSERINE BIRDS. 



Raven {Coronc australis). — One of my brothers maintained, long years 

 ago, that we had both Crows and Ravens, but I could not distinguish them 

 then. As far back as can be remembered Ravens feasted on the berries 

 that grew on thorny boxthorn and briar bushes, which to a great extent 

 have replaced wattles on the creeks. Both Crows and Ravens, I should say, 

 are very useful birds in destroying insect life of all kinds, either in the 

 matured or larva state, though they are also pests on fruit. 



("iREY Crow-Shrike {Strepera cuneicaudatd). — Of old came down in 

 force about autumn, remained through some winter months, after which it 

 left, supposedly to breed in the forest country. For years it has been an 

 uncommon bird. Saw nest at Newham. This bird has taken to fruit. 



Pied Crow-Shrike {Slrepera ^racii/ina). — For a year or two after our 

 arrival, in 1S46, this bird was an autumn or winter visitor. To the best of 

 recollection it ceased visiting the locality prior to 1850. About 1877 observed 

 a large fiock of them near Kilmore ; next saw one near Lancefield, in 1882 

 or thereabouts. This was the last seen. For two years as rabbit inspector 

 constantly exploring Gisborne Shire, then for a few months Newham Shire, 

 a few times in Lancefield region, away across Bolinda to Mickleham, and in 

 all such travels failed to locate a Pied Crow-Shrike. Was at Avenel about 

 1876 for six weeks, during which time, though excursions were made, did not 

 see one. 



White-wiN(;ki) Chough {Corcorax iJiti<i/!<>?-/i(ini/'/uis).---^e&n once or 

 twice in Glencoe sheoaks. Still found at (iisborne, Newham, and adjacent 

 timbered lands. Very tame in Riverina. The kitchen had two doors 

 opposite each other ; the cook out, one bird looked in, ran through, the others 

 followed. Permanent formerly in Brodie's Forest. 



