130 SIIAKl.AXI) eK; CRANE, Birds of Hobart. Ti^focT" 



Ninox iiovae-zeelandiae maculata. — Spotted Owl.* — Common about 

 the city at night. In the day time it retires to the adjoining ranges, 

 where it may often be seen resting amongst the dense vegetation 

 along creeks. 



Glossopsitta concinna. Musk Lorikeet. — These pretty birds periodic- 

 ally sweep across Hobart, and enter every garden, park and reserve 

 where the eucalypts are flowering, remaining here just as long as the 

 honey is available. Their last stay was a particularly long one, Ap- 

 pearing in March, 1920, they did not leave until April, 1921. They 

 have not appeared since. At the approach of evening they congregate 

 in big flocks in the trees, and pairing off, make love by "kissing" each 

 other with their beaks, chattering incessantly during the process. 

 Intruding bii'ds are often given a rough time. 



Calyptorhynchus funereus. Black Cockatoo. — The Black Cockatoo 

 is not a resident within the five-mile radius, but may commonly be 

 seen over Hobart and on the slopes of Mt. Wellington, especially dur- 

 ing very wintry periods. 



Platycercus caledonicus. Green Rosella. This Parrot is confined 

 to Tasmania and adjacent islands. Very common about Hobart and 

 Bellerive, where it sometimes raids orchards. 



Platycercus eximius. Rosella.* — Probably the most numerous of 

 the Psittacidd' about Hobart and suburbs. It breeds on the Queen's 

 Domain close to the city. 



Podargus strigoides. Frogmouth.* — We have seen this bird on the 

 slopes of Mt. Nelson, where it nests, and at Bellerive. It is fairly 

 common, but is only animated during the night, when it sets forth on 

 its quest for insects. 



Chaetura caudacuta. Spine-tailed Swift. — A regular annual visitor, 

 appearing here usually about the middle of February, and leaving 

 again about the end of March or first week in April. Immense flocks 

 are sometimes seen tiear Bellerive. 



Cuculus pallidas. Pallid Cuckoo.* — A very common species about 

 Hobart and Bellerive. Arrives about beginning of September, and 

 leaves again end of March. Last year we added the Tasmanian Pipit 

 {Anihus australis bistriatus) to the list of the Pallid Cuckoo's foster 

 parents. 



Cacomantis flabclliformis. Fan-tailed Cuckoo.* — Tlie commonest 

 Cuckoo about Hobart. Mt. Wellington is their favourite spot, while 

 the open country on the eastern side of the Derwent is also fre- 

 quented. These birds often call at night. 



Chalcococcyx basalis. Narrow-billed Bronze Cuckoo.* — In common 

 with other species, this bird arrives from the mainland in September 

 and departs about March. 



Chalcites plagcsus. Bronze Cuckoo.* — Like C. basalis this Cuckoo 

 is a regular and very common visitor to the south of Tasmania. The 

 Yellow-tailed Thornbill {Gcobasilcus chrysorrhoa) appears to act as 

 foster-parent more than any other bird. 



Hirundo neoxena. Welcome Swallow.* — A common visitor, arriving 

 somewhere about August or September, and departing again some 

 time late in April. A few birds remain here all the year round. 



Hvlochelidon nigrican.s. Tree-Martin.* — In company with Swallows, 

 the Tree Martin comes right into the city, and appears to remain 

 here longer than the former. Nests are often found in hollow trees. 



Petroica multicolor. Scarlet-breasted Robin.*— A very common 

 resident, nesting on Mt. Wellington principally. 



Petroica phoenicea. Flame-breasted Robin.*— At the approach of 

 winter this bird moves to the lowlands from the mountains, return- 

 ing again in the spring. They are very common. 



