^'"•i.i^"] MORSE, nirc/s of the Morcc Dislrict. 25 



I am indehled lo Mr. 11. A. .Ma\\hine\- for iiolcs on the breed- 

 ing of several si)ecies, but of tho.se bird.s enumerated two only 

 have not come under my per-sonal observation. 



Droniiceius novje-hoUandije. Emu. — Plentiful, especially on the 

 larger holdings, where they have more scope. In the prickly pear 

 country, they are vei-y numerous, subsisting; on the fruit of this plant, 

 which is going to be the means of protecting them for many years to 

 come. 



Alectura lathami. Brush Turkey. — In the N. and N.E. portions of 

 the district, where the prickly pear is extensive, these birds are very 

 numerous, and as this same type cf ccunti'y embraces a large portion 

 of Southern Queensland, their preseivation is assured. 



Coturni.v pectoralis. Stubble Quail. — After a succession of good 

 seasons, these birds are here in countless thousands. I don't think 

 this is caused by a large inilux from other parts, but through their 

 own wonderful powers of propagation. The breeding season lasts 

 from August to the end of March, each hen laying from eight to 

 thirteen eggs, and no doubt ahe will bring out two or three broods in 

 a season. 



Synoicu.s australis. Brown Quail. — Not numerous, confining them- 

 selves more to the swamp and margins of creeks and rivers. 



Turnix varia. Painted Quail. — Thinly distributed all through the 

 lightly timbered country. 



Turnix pyrrhothorax. Red-chested Quail. — This year (1922) they 

 are numerous en the open plains. Started breeding October, and there 

 are still eggs to be found. Nests are always hooded over. 



Turnix velox. Little Quail. — Not so plentiful as the former species; 

 but still fairly numerous. They seem to prefer the lightly timbered 

 land to the open plains. 



Geopelia humeralis. Bar-Shouldered Dove. — Is thinly distributed 

 through all the pine belts. 



Geopelia placida. Peaceful Dove. — Not numerous except in the 

 eastern quarter, where no doubt they are attracted by the wheat. 



Geopelia cuneata. Diamond Dove. — Thinly distributed over the 

 greater portion of the district. For its size this bird has a remark- 

 ably loud call. 



Phaps chalcoptera. Bronzewing. — Thinly distributed through the 

 western portion, but very numerous round the margins of the brigalow 

 and belar forests, where they collect to feed on the berries of a bush 

 known as the wild currant. 



Histriophaps histrionica. Flock-Pigeon. — I have on two occasions 

 seen a single bird. History relates that before the advent of the sheep, 

 they at times came here in thousands. One old identity informed me 

 that during the eighties "they were breeding in such numbers in his 

 horse paddock that he could have filled a washing tub with the eggs." 



Ocyphaps lophotes. Crested Pigeon. — Very numerous over the 

 yvhole district. In the 1919 drought I began feeding a couple of pairs 

 in the garden, and by the end of a few weeks 80 birds used to turn 

 up every morning for breakfast. 



Leuccsarcia nielanoleuca. Wonga-Wonga. — In the same type of 

 country as that favoured by the Brush Turkey, these birds are still 

 fairly plentiful. 



Hypotaenidia philippensis. Buff-banded Rail. — Numerous during 

 summer months; they appear to arrive with the Snipe during August, 

 Breed freely in the swamps. 



