^'"'i4^"l .Mc(;iLI'. IVirds of Lake frame District. 279 



in banks of creek and similar places. Clutch, 5 ckH's. Tunnel is 

 short, and is enlarg-ed for egg- cavity. Heads of beetles, etc., often 

 foun(I in tunnel; usual breeding season September and October; 

 young take adult plumage from nest, though of a duller colour, and 

 the collar round neck is washed with brown. Their "Chow chow" call 

 can be heard at some distance. Single birds are seen in district all 

 the year round. 



Halcyon sanctus. Sacred Kingfisher. — Only two pairs noted, both 

 of which nested in high gum close to water. The nest was in a hollow 

 and the birds were feeding young on 17th November, 1920, and 2nd 

 November, 1921. Possibly the same pair, though nests were 60 miles 

 apart. 



Merops ornatus. Rainbow-Bird (Bee-eater). — At times very nume- 

 rous, usually arriving in October; breed in great numbers, drilling a 

 tunnel into a bank or slightly rising ground. The tunnel is usually 

 deep and lengthy, as great a length as 4 feet having been recorded. 

 An enlarged chamber for eggs, no nest. Bird sits closely in nesting 

 tunnel, and is often caught when digging out burrow. The earth 

 excavated does not appear at entrance. Nesting period from October 

 to December, and birds usually leave in February. Clutch, 5 pearly 

 white eggs. Captures its food on the wing. Young birds take adult 

 plumage from nest. The long central tail feathers of the adult 

 birds apparently reach maturity only at breeding season, though 1 

 have taken several females from nest with no lengthy plumes in tail. 

 In some dry years it does not visit district at all. 



Eurostopodus guttatus. Spotted Nightjar. — Not often seen, but 

 in certain spots odd birds can be flushed, and just at dusk a pair 

 visit the homestead every night after scraps of food thrown out. No 

 record of nest, but undoubtedly it does breed in district, as one egg 

 was described to me. It was placed on ground almost under a small 

 shrub on stony ground. 



Micropus pacificus. White-tailed Swift (?). — My brother, who has 

 done much field work with me, reported that on 14th February, 1921, 

 in the evening, a large number of Swifts arrived on Moolawatana 

 at a hut ten miles from homestead. A heavy rain fell until 5 p.m., 

 and shortly afterwards flock after flock of Swifts g'athered. They 

 circled round and lound at a low elevation for about an hour twitter- 

 ing all the while. They left in a south-westerly direction, but ap- 

 peared to arrive from the north. The next day at homestead, due 

 west of the hut mentioned, he saw another large flock circling round 

 for a short time, but he did net see them arrive or depart. He did 

 not take a specimen, and as the birds were new to him, he is not 

 certain of identity. This is the only record for district. From his 

 description they were probably White-rumped Swifts. 



Cuculus pallidus. Pallid Cuckoo. — Usually numerous from June to 

 August; absent for rest of year; no record of breeding in district. 



IMesocalius osculans. Black-eared Cuckoo. — Not numerous, occur- 

 ring during early autunni months. Young birds just able to fly noted 

 being fed by several Wrens (Malurus assimilis). 



Chalcites basalis. Narrow-billed Bronze-Cuckoo. — Fairly numerous 

 in August and September, only staying a short time. Egg found in 

 nest of Tree-Tit (Smicrornis) on 17th August, 1920. 



Hirundo neoxena. Welcome Swallow. — Not common, but those 

 seen appear to be lesidents. Practically no increase by migration. 

 Nests in wells, huts and under overhanging rocks. Clutch, S or 4 

 eggs. One nest was placed 25 feet down a well shaft. Nests, Sep- 

 tember, October. 



Cheramceca leucosternum. White-backed Swallow. — Fairly com- 

 mon; breeds in small tunnels in high creek banks. The tunnels aver- 

 age 2 feet in length, and the end is enlarged. A mass of small pieces 



