'^°\™] MORSE. Birds of the Morcc District. 31 



Aprosmictus erythropterus. Red-winjred Parrot. — Fairly well dis- 

 tributed throughout the district. Their food is principally the seeds 

 of various trees, such as the leopard, white wood and prickly acacia. 



Platycercus adscitus. Pale-headed Rosella. — Not numerous; more 

 often found among the big gums of the rivers. 



Platycercus eximius splendens. Yellow-mantled Rosella. — During 

 the winter and early spring a few of these birds are to be found, but 

 they always leave before summer sets in, and take up their quarters 

 in the eastern parts of the district, where wheat is grown. 



Barnardius barnardi. Ring-necked Parrot. — Thinly distributed all 

 over the district. 



Psephotus hjematogaster. Blue-bonnet Parrot. — Plentiful. 



P.sephotu.s varius. Many-coloured Parrot. — In 1918, I came across 

 several pairs of these birds along the Barwon River. I don't know 

 whether they are permanent residents or not, as I have had no fur- 

 ther opportunity of investigating, but it is the only time and place 

 I have seen them. 



P.sephotus haematonotus. Red-backed Parrot. — Not numerous in the 

 westei-n quarter, but plentiful in the wheat growing area. 



Melopsittacus undulatus. Budgerygah. — Countless numbers of these 

 pretty little birds are here in some seasons. 



Podargus strigoides. Tawny Frogmouth. — Plentiful, but not often 

 seen. 



.i^gotheles crislata. Owlet Nightjar. — Plentiful, but, like the pre- 

 vious bird, not often seen. 



Eurystomus orientalis. Australian Roller. — A few pairs migrate 

 annually to the large trees of the river bank to breed. 



Dacelo gigas. Kookaburra. — Numerous. 



Halcyon pyrrhopygius. Red-backed Kingfisher. — Not numerous. 

 Seldom seen away from the rivers, where they tunnel in the banks for 

 nesting purposes. 



Halcyon sanctus. Sacred Kingfisher. — Plentiful from October to 

 March, after which they all go away. 



Merops omatus. Rainbow Bee-eater. — For the past five years we 

 have made a note of the arrival of these birds, and during that time 

 the first was seen between the 22nd and 25th September; never earlier 

 or later. 



A dozen pairs or so remain close to the house to breed each 

 year, but the wily fox has added the young to his menu, and except 

 those actually nesting in the garden, all fall victim to this omnivorous 

 feeder. He gets them in the same manner as he does young rabbits 

 by simply digging a perpendicular hole to the nest. No effort is 

 wasted in following the burrow from the entrance. 



Eurostopodus guttatus. Spotted Night-jar. — On rare occasions 1 

 have flushed one of these birds. I fancy they are birds of passage, 

 as they disappear entirely. 



Chaetura caudacuta. Spine-tailed Swift. — Often noted passing 

 usually the herald of stormy weather. 



Micropus pacificus. White-rumped Swift. — During the summer 

 months large flocks often seen passing. 



Cuculus pallidu.s. Pallid Cuckoo. — Plentiful; a few birds remain 

 here all the winter. 



