276 AIcGIIJ', Birds of Lake Frame District. ['\stAp'?n 



when resting: on tree. Easily identified, a conspicuous white patch on 

 wing- seen when flying. Breeds in district, on October 18th, 1919. 

 Used an old Wedge-tailed Eagle's nest about 25 feet up in box tree. 

 Two young with bluish-white down, iris light brown, bill dark colour, 

 also space round eyes, legs light red. No record of eggs. A pair of 

 birds watched from June to October, 1921, but did not nest; left their 

 locality, and may have bred elsewhere. The call is a peculiar short 

 cry, somewhat like that of the Wedge-tailed Eagle. Though the 

 writer has often watched these birds, he has never seen them seek 

 food, and has seen a pair perched on a dry branch of eucalyptus for 

 hours at a time. Has not been observed on the ground. 



Falco peregrinus. Peregrine Falcon. — Very rare visitor; only 

 identified twice in many years. 



Falco hypoleucu.s. Grey Falcon. — P^airly numerous, usually seen in 

 pairs. A very beautiful bird, and easily approached closely when 

 nesting in trees. Food chiefly small birds. Breeds in district. Usually 

 takes possession of an old Raven's nest, which is enlarged and re- 

 paired. No lining is added to eixii cavity. Clutch 2 to 4 eggs. Size 

 and colour varies, and the eggs closely resemble those of the Brown 

 Hawk, but the markings are more freckled and the blotches smaller. 

 Breeding season August to November according to season. These 

 birds take charge of the nest months before eggs are laid. The same 

 nest is used year after year if available, even a second clutch has 

 been noted from same nest, and then a third setting was hatched 

 out in another nest in same tree. The young birds almost ready to 

 fly were noted on 18th November, 1921; they were of a much darker 

 colour than adults, legs orange, bill blue, skin round eye bluish yellow 

 (not bright yellow as in adults), iris reddish brown or hazel. No 

 record of nestlings in down. 



Falco subniger. Black Falcon. — Not plentiful. Breeds in district. 

 Like Grey Falcon, long before its eggs are laid, it takes possession ot 

 an old nest such as a Hawk's, Eagle's or Raven's, but little is done 

 to alter it. Only once have green leaves been found in egg cavity, 

 and then I was informed the nest was fought for between Whistling- 

 Eagles and Black Falcons, and the latter had hunted the rightful 

 owner out. Eggs, two to four to setting; resemble those of Grey 

 Falcon and Brown Hawk, vary in size a great deal; usually very 

 handsome eggs, but occasionally of a "washed" appearance. Nest- 

 lings are covered in grey down hair-like on head and neck only, iris 

 hazel, legs yellowish blue, bill leaden colour. The Black Falcon is 

 a splendid bird, and courageous, but of a more laboured flight than 

 the Grey, until in actual chase, when its speed is terrific, and its 

 shooting glide is wonderful. It seldom touches the smaller birds, 

 and appears to prefer Galahs as food. Hunts all large birds from 

 nesting locality. Like the Grey Falcon, it is never observed feeding 

 on anything it has not itself killed. The writer has not observed a 

 test of strength between the Black and Grey Falcon. I believe the 

 Grey is satisfied to keep well away from his black congener. The 

 Little Falcon, however, does not fear its black cousin, but the two 

 do not appear to molest each other. Both species clear the locality 

 of all birds, but the Grey is not so particular. Breeds from August 

 to November and usually choses those nests that are high up in gum 

 trees. 



Falco longipennis. Little Falcon. — Fairly numerous. A beautiful 

 bird, courageous, and the swiftest in flight of all birds when after 

 food. Food mostly small birds, but eats a quantity of grasshoppers, 

 which it captures and eats while on the wing. Breeds, though only 

 one set of eggs noted. It usually constructs its own nest in topmost 

 fork of the highest tree in its vicinity. The nest is small, like that 

 of tile Kestrel, made of small sticks, and the egg cavity lined with 

 fresh gi-een gum leaves. One was placed 35 feet from ground in 



