^°'i9^23^"] McGILP, nirds of Lake Fromc District. 287 



adjoin inj? tree, and both birds rearing younp; in the same tree. A 

 large quantity of wool and horsehair is used in the nest if such is 

 available. 



Acanthagenys rufogulari.s. Spiny-cheeked Honey-eater. — Com- 

 mon; breeds freely at any period of year when conditions are suit- 

 able, but generally from June to December; probably rears two or 

 more broods a year. The nest is rather a crude one; first a rim of 

 green plant tendrils is attached to several twigs, usually of a tea- 

 tree, then tendrils are passed over and the ends worked into the rim, 

 allowing the centre of tendril to loop down; this method continues 

 until the tendrils cross and recrcss like a basket, but nothing is put 

 on in a horizontal manner except the rim. Into these tendrils is 

 worked wool and cobweb, and when completed the nest has (juite a 

 woolly appearance. So much variation in size occurs that measure- 

 ments ax'e of little use; an average nest measures about 4', inches 

 diameter by 2 to 3 inches in depth. The inner cup is usually about 

 same size, diameter 3 inches by neai'ly 2 inches in depth. The gut- 

 teral call of the "Spiny Cheek" is more often heard during nesting- 

 time than at other periods of the year. Both birds assist in con- 

 sti-ucting nest, aiid feeding young. 



Anthus australis. Australian Pipit (Ground-Lark). — Very com- 

 mon, and in drought years is often the only bird visible on the open 

 plains; breeds freely; 3 or 4 eggs to clutch. 



Taeniopygia castanotis. Chestnut-eared Finch. — In thousands; our 

 only Finch; breeds all the year round according to season; seldom 

 build new nest, an old one is repaired and relined; clutch, from 4 to 7 

 eggs. Usually found only close to water in summer time; a number 

 of nests often found with eggs or young on same shrub; sometimes 

 eggs are laid in an old nest, and the repairing continues for some 

 time afterwai'ds. 



Corvus cecilae. Australian Crow. — Not as numerous as the Short- 

 bills. Destructive to ewes and lambs; breeds freely; typical nest and 

 habits as elsewhere; clutch, 4 to 5 eggs; down smoky grey. 



Corvus bennetti. Short-billed Crow. — Very numerous; breeds freely; 

 spends most of their time searching after grubs and insects and pre- 

 fer open plains to timbered country; typical Crow's nest; clutch, 4 to 

 7 eggs. 



Cracticus nigrogularis. Pied Butcher-Bird. — Only one pair of these 

 beautiful birds noted, evidently visitors; better songsters than our 

 own "Coollady" or Grey (Collared) Butcher-Bird. 



Cracticus torquatus. Grey (Collared) Butcher-Bird. — Fairly 

 numerous in hilly country, but no record of its breeding in district. 



Gymnorhina tibicen. Black-backed Magpie. — Common, and without 

 doubt increasing; breeds freely, nesting in tall trees when available; 

 clutch, 3 to 5 eggs. The eggs are often covered with fur when bii'd 

 leaves nest, but whether she covers them or whether the fur rises up 

 as she gets off nest I am unable to record. Odd nests are not lined 

 with fur. 



Sparrows and Starlings. — Former in fair number, two or three of 

 latter. 



Note. — It will be observed that I have not dealt with the birds sub- 

 specifically, except in a few instances. Many of the birds in district 

 have been made sub-species, but the writer claims that conditions 

 of season alter the colour of the birds to a certain extent; for in- 

 stance, a Yellow-tailed Thornbill taken in drought time has the rump 

 of a much paler colour than one taken during a good season. Leigh's 

 Creek, a locality quoted by Mr. G. M. Mathews, is not far from the 

 Lake Frome District. 



