Vol. VII 



1907 



j Austin, Notes on Birds from Talbragar River, A'.S.tF. yy 



poisoned in hundreds — stations where not many years ago these fine 

 birds remained througliout the year in very large flocks, and now the 

 owners of these properties tell me they ha\e not seen a Turkey lor 

 five years. 



Stone-Plover {Burliinus grallarius).— Another very useful bird, 

 being a great destroyer of nocturnal insects, and for this reason I know 

 of no better bird for a garden pet. They breed here, and are rather 

 numerous. 



Spur-winged Plover {Lobivunellns lobalus). — Where is the Aus- 

 tralian who has never heard the peculiar notes of this fine Plover ? 

 Like the Stone-Plover, another night insect destroyer. They are very 

 plentiful here throughout the year, and breed in large numbers. 



Black-breasted Plover {Zonifer tricolor). — Arriving here about 

 the end of May, they breed in large numbers, and then depart about 

 March. It seems strange whv these birds should only migrate for two 

 months in the year. 



Black-fronted Dottrel {Mgialitis nielanops). — This elegant little 

 bird may be found by the river throughout the year. I have several 

 records of them breeding here. 



White-headed Stilt {Hiniantopus leucocephalus). — In a wet season 

 I have known flocks of them to come, but they never remain long. 



Snipe (Gallinago australis). — In a suitable season a great many come 

 here, but of late j'ears I have only seen odd birds. 



Painted Snipe (Rosiratitla australis). — I have only three records of 

 this bird appearing in our district. 



Marsh-Tern (Hydrochelidon hybrida). — In a wet season, when there 

 is plenty of water about, these graceful little birds may be seen flying 

 over the swamps and lagoons, but I have never known them to breed 

 here. 



White Ibis (Jbis molucca). — This must be put down as a rather 

 rare bird in this district. I have seen small flocks of them, but have 

 never known them to remain long. 



Str.-wv-necked Ibis (Carphibis spinicollis). — Now I have come to the 

 bird which I consider deserves all the protection that the law can give 

 it. Of all the many fine birds wMch Austraha possesses, I must place 

 this noble and most useful feathered creature before all others. 

 Frequently have I seen many thousands of acres of grass and crops 

 threatened with certain destruction by plagues of countless millions 

 of locusts, grasshoppers, caterpillars, &c., when suddenly, to the delight 

 of the landowners, large flocks of Carphibis spinicollis arrive to their 

 assistance. What wonderful instinct is it which tells these birds where 

 the insect plagues are ! Though the Ibis failed us this past summer 

 when the grasshoppers were so bad, I felt sure it was only on account 

 of them being fully occupied elsewhere. Upon more than one occasion 

 when the locusts have been numerous I have known of squatters 

 trying to drive the flocks of Ibis on to their own property. C)ne can 

 easilj- imagine the benefit derived from a flock of a thousand Ibis for 

 a few days where any insect plague is doing such great destruction. 

 Many an evening have I watched large flocks of Ibis flying from the 

 plains (where they have been feeding all day) and flocking into a few 

 large trees for their night's rest ; it is a sight well worth seeing, also 

 one which few people can resist gazing upon. Much more would I 

 like to write about the Carphibis spinicollis , but will finish my few 



