Vol. Vll."j From Magazines, &c. <Q 



the Malice. I meet them in flocks of from half a dozen to 50 

 all the year through. Some of the Tree- Martins seem to 

 migrate, but the House-Swallow and Fairy Martin are always 

 here, and I notice no diminution in their numbers during 

 winter." 



(3.) Visitors : — 



" The Flame-breasted Robin always comes soon after the 

 May rains, and starts south again early in August. 



"The Red Wattle-Birds are numerous here now. I have 

 noticed flocks of them — perhaps 300 to 400 — all coming from 

 the south or south-east, in the last days of April. They 

 generally come after the autumn rains. I sometimes meet with 

 flocks of White-fronted Chats which must number 200 or 300 

 birds. — "Nature Notes," Arg-iis, 10/5/07. 

 * * * 



The Avifauna of Torrens Lake. — The present season 

 seems to have been unusually good for the feathered world 

 generally in its wild resorts. Particularly does this apply to 

 waterfowl, as large numbers are to be seen on nearly all the 

 lakes and lagoons in the country, which have this summer kept 

 full, owing to the mild weather. The rivers also have plenty 

 of inhabitants of the swimming and wading varieties. Ev^en 

 within the bounds of Adelaide abundance of waterfowl have 

 assembled, and taken up their quarters on the Torrens Lake, and, 

 thanks to the rigid protection afforded them by the municipal 

 authorities, they are quite tame and confiding. They form a 

 pretty picture in nature study as they float over the placid 

 waters or bask in the sun on the green banks of the lakeside. 

 Recently several members of the South Australian Ornitho- 

 logical Association paid an unofficial visit to these regions, and 

 their remarks were extremely encouraging to the protectors of 

 this city reserve. The Black Swans ( C/ienopzs atrata) which 

 have been procured and set at liberty seemed to be quite at home, 

 and do not attempt to leave their quarters ; in fact, young ones 

 have been raised in the flags, and were swimming about with 

 their parents, in spite of the place being rather open and acces- 

 sible to the small boy. In the shallows where the water weed is 

 plentiful the Black Duck (Anas supcrciliosa) were in numbers, 

 feeding on the aquatic herbage and small titbits that abound in 

 the mud. Here also the Grey Teal {Nettioii gibbcrifrons) were in 

 plenty, while here and there a Musk-Duck {Birjiura lobata), with 

 its peculiar single black lobe hanging beneath the under bill, was 

 sporting and diving as in its native swamps. A few White-eyed 

 Y)uc\<.^ {Nyroca austr alts ), ohQX\ called " Widgeon " and "Hard- 

 heads " by sporting men, were observed near the flags, while in 

 the thick reed covers numerous \^a.\(\-Coo\.s {Poj^phyrio Jiiclajtotus) 

 were perched, with their blue uniforms and red helmets showing 



