v°'i^.]^"] MORSE, ninis of the Morcc Pislrict. 29 



Nyroca australis. White-eyed Duck. — Very numerous; always builds 

 a nest in a tussock of reeds or grass in the water; often makes use 

 of a Coot's or Moor-Hen's nest. 



Hiziura lobata. Musk Duck. — Plentiful in the larger roaches of 

 water. The power of flight of this bird is sometimes doubted. Some 

 years ago I happened to be sitting on the verandah with others in 

 the moonlight, when a large body banged on the roof and rolled down 

 the iron into a flower bed below; where we all had a good inspection 

 of the culprit — an old Musk Duck. 



Phalacrocorax carbo. Cormorant. — Fairly plentiful. Nests in rook- 

 eries with other species, but always selects the highest positions. 



Phalacrocorax ater. Little Black Cormorant. — Very numerous; 

 breeds freely in large rockeries. 



Phalacrocorax varius. Pied Cormorant. — Not numeious. I have 

 never yet found their nests. 



Microcarbo melanoleucus. Little Pied Cormorant. — Very numerous. 

 Large rookeries at many places on The Watercourse. 



Anhinga novie-hollandiae. Australian Darter. — Not numerous; but 

 their cackle can be heard at all the larger lagoons. I have never found 

 them nesting in colonies. Sometimes half a dozen nests can be located 

 within a hundred yards of one another, but many birds are quite soli- 

 tary in their habits. 



Pelecanus conspicillatus. Australian Pelican. — Numerous; has an 

 unpleasant habit of swallowing young Ducks or anything else that 

 comes within reach. 



Circu.s assimilis. Spotted Harrier. — Rare; odd pairs arrive during 

 flush seasons when Quail are plentiful. Quite recently one appeared, 

 the first we have seen for four years. This bird should not be called 

 a Swamp Hawk; he is always to be found working the open plains. 1 

 have never seen him near the swamps. 



Circus approximans. Swamp-Harrier. — A true Swamp Hawk; al- 

 ways to be found working to and fro over the sags, but I have never 

 seen one away from the watercourse. 



Astur fasciatus. Australian Goshawk. — Rare; seldom to be found 

 away from the rivers, where it seems to favour the tall timber, in 

 which it nests. 



Uroaetu.s audax. Wedge-tailed Eagle. — Plentiful throughout the 

 district. 



Hieraetus pennatus. Little Eagle. — Rare; a few birds are occasion- 

 ally to be found where rabbits are plentiful. 



Haliastur sphenurus. Whistling Eagle. — Very numerous on all the 

 rivers and watercourses. They appear to be quite friendly with the 

 other birds, often nesting in the same tree or in close proximity to 

 the hercnies. 



Lophoictinia isura. Square-tailed Kite. — I have seen an odd pair 

 or an occasional bird of this species, but they do not remein here 

 for long. 



Gypoictinia melanosterna. Black-breasted Buzzard. — During the 

 1919 drought a pair of these birds remained about here for some 

 months, causing much consternation among the Magpies, which were 

 nesting at the time. 



Elanus axillaris. Black-shouldered Kite. — At odd times I have seen 

 a good many of these birds scattered through the district, but only 

 when field mice are plentiful. 



