Vol. XXII. 

 1923 



I Mc(;iJJ\ Birds of Lake Frame Distriet. 275 



bush. Others up as high as 60 feet from ground. Clutch, in bad 

 seasons one egg is often hatched only; in good seasons two eggs are 

 usually found, and occasionally three eggs. The clutch generally 

 comprises one heavily marked e^yg; the other, which is the first laid, 

 is of a much lighter colour. The writer has observed hundreds of 

 sets, and has not seen a heavily marked set of two eggs, though two 

 pure white eggs have been noted. This is usually the .second laying, 

 in the event of the first set meeting with accident. A .great many 

 feeding platforms are to be seen in high gums. Though the Eagle 

 invariably adds to and repairs an old nest, I cannot recall a feeding 

 platform being made into a nest. The young are clothetl in pure 

 white down, bill and feet blue, iris yellow. The Eagle often lays 

 another egg, to complete set, if the first egg is removed, but other- 

 wise seeks another nest for its second laying. Breeds from April 

 to July. 



Hieraetus morphnoides. Little Eagle. — Fairly common, resident, a 

 valuable bird in the destruction of rabbits. Breeds freely, generally 

 using an old Hawk's nest, which it repairs and lines with green gum 

 leaves, placed high up in gum trees. Clutch usually two eggs, though 

 in adverse seasons, one egg is often a full setting. Eggs usually 

 faintly marked or washed with reddish brown; and like most 

 of the Hawk family, the inside appears to be green when held up to 

 a light. There are two distinct forms of Little Eagle, one a much 

 darker variety; they appear to inter-breed. Nestlings are covered in 

 a dark cream-coloured down, that on head .and neck being particularly 

 long and hair-like; iris orange, eyelids black, bill blue-black, feet very 

 light blue. The Little Eagle is easily distinguished from all other 

 Hawks on the wing. It is quiet and easily approached when resting 

 in a tree. Almost a miniature of the Wedge-tailed Eagle, except 

 for wings and tail. Nesting takes place from July to September. 



Haliastur sphenuru.s. Whistling Eagle. — A very common bird, also 

 a great destroyer of rabbits. Breeds freely. Nest, usually a "bor- 

 rowed" Hawk's nest, repaired and lined with green gum leaves. 

 Clutch, 2 or 3 eggs; markings of reddish-brown, but sometimes pure 

 white. Eggs are more pointed than those of Little Eagle as a general 

 rule, othei-wise indistinguishable. Usual breeding season, July to 

 September, but, as with all Hawks, it varies according to season 

 from April to November. Nestlings covered in white down, the head 

 being covered in white hairs, bill dark horn colour, feet blue, and 

 iris light hazel. 



Here I would mention that although preferring to use an old nest, 

 all the Havvk family occasionally build their own structures. A 

 Little Eagle and Whistling Eagle have been seen sitting on eggs in 

 same tree and invariably these two species and Black Kite form 

 colonies in the large gum creeks. 



Milvus migrans. Black Kite. — The Forked-tailed Kite appears in 

 great numbers about June or July, sometimes breed freely in district, 

 and usually leave before the end of November. A great destroyer of 

 grubs and caterpillars. In favourable seasons it borrows an old 

 Hawk's nest, but beyond scratching out an egg cavity the nest is 

 not repaired. The egg cavity is lined with rag, pieces of rabbit skin, 

 wool and bark, but in no instance has the writer noted green gum 

 leaves. The clutch is two or three eggs, varying in size and colour, 

 but usually well marked with brown spots sparingly on surface and 

 often confined to one end of egg, have seen a set of three eggs, one 

 egg nicely marked on smaller end, another on larger end, while the 

 third was sparingly marked all over. Nestlings are covered with 

 rufous coloured down, bill dark horn colour, legs yellowish, iris hght 

 brown. 



Gypoictinia melanosterna. Black-breasted Buzzard. — Rare, only 

 three pairs identified. Vei-y quiet birds, allowing close observation 



