180 AN AUSTRALIAN BIRD BOOK. 



has the red rump as well as the red brow and bill, but the under 

 surface is not banded. These birds usually build a very large 

 nest, which has been compared to a "stocking hung by the toe, 

 while the eggs are laid in the heel, and entrance is gained through 

 the leg." 



The introduced Starling has firmly established itself, and is 

 extending its range rapidly. Incredible numbers gather at 

 lagoon-sides to roost in the reed-beds. 



This bird is a favorite with farmers and graziers, but orchard- 

 ists view its rapid increase with alarm. It is possible, as Mr. 

 C. French, Government Entomologist, has pointed out, that the 

 Starling will yet prove a more expensive pest than the Rabbit. 



Starlings, at least, upset the balance of nature, for, by occupying 

 all available nesting sites, early and late, they displace the native 

 birds. Kingfishers, Parrots, and other birds that nest in hollows 

 are thus being driven away from their old haunts. 



The Australian Oriole is a member of the family of true Orioles. 

 The Fig-Birds of Queensland towns are closely related. The 

 members of this family are restricted to the Eastern Hemi- 

 sphere. Our Oriole is an interesting migrant which visits even 

 cities. Its beautiful hanging, cup-shaped nest woven amongst 

 the twigs at the end of a leafy bough is a clever piece of work. 

 Its note is melodious and varied. It often calls "o-ree-ee-o-ole." 

 It is also fond of mimicking other birds. 



The Baltimore Oriole, or Golden Robin, is properly not an 

 Oriole, but comes in a related family — the Icteridae — which con- 

 tains American birds somewhat similar to Orioles. The Aus- 

 tralian bird, as shown by the colored illustration, has not the 

 conspicuous golden and black plumage of the European bird. 



The Spangled Drongo is the Australian representative of a 

 family of birds spread from Africa, Madagascar, and India up 

 to Japan, and through the islands to Australia. They are a 

 characteristic feature of Indian ornithology, for they are found 

 everywhere in that country. The one Australian bird is a 

 migrant, and seldom reaches Southern Australia. Like other 

 Drongos, it is a glossy black, has a long, forked tail, is a good 

 mimic of other birds' calls, and is also a vicious fighter. It is 

 exceedingly active, and has a disagreeably harsh, cackling, and 

 creaking whistle. It will drive away even hawks and crows. 



After the Shining Starlings of Queensland, come the mar- 

 vellously-beautiful Birds of Paradise — "God's Birds." 



These unique birds are found only in New Guinea, Papuan 

 Islands, Molucca Islands, and the rich, tropical coast scrubs of 

 Eastern Australia. One, the Riflebird, is found even down to 

 North-Eastern New South Wales. 



The Federal and State Governments are doing excellent work 

 in protecting our beautiful birds, and are giving what seems 

 to be a really efficient protection, so that some of our birds which 

 possess the fatal gift of beauty in an extreme degree will pro- 

 bably survive for some time yet. Collectors as well as plume- 

 hunters should be compelled to keep hands off our exquisite birds. 



