Vol. xxn 



192:. 



] McClTfJ', !r,rds of Lake Promc District. 241 



mediately. In May, 1918, thousands of younf>- were reared; clutch, 4 

 eggs, placed in a bare depression, rarely lined, in damp mud of 

 islets. Nesting in colonies, nests being close together. When dis- 

 turbed they give forth their loud barking call so energetically that 

 one cannot hear another speak. The young leave nest as soon as 

 hatched, and are curious balls of light-coloured, mottled down. It 

 is a pretty sight to see the parents with the young chicks wading 

 along water's edge, the young look like Red-capped Dotterels from a 

 short distance. Parents make no attempt to protect the nest other 

 than flying overhead "barking" continuously. Eggs are placed with 

 points to centre of nest. 



I'isobia acuminata. Sharp-tailed Stint. — In February, 1918, some 

 of the deeper parts of Lake Frome held flood waters. Thousands of 

 Swans, Ducks, small Dotterels, Avocets scon gathered there. On May 

 18th thousands of these Stints were first reported to me. I visited 

 the lake and found much of interest, as this was my first introduc- 

 tion to the bird in its natural state. Truly, they were in thousands, 

 but were divided up in flocks of fully 500 strong. When disturbed, 1 

 was astounded to watch the perfect "company" flying of each flock; 

 they twisted and turned as one bird, and all settled practically as 

 one mass in the water. I discharged shot after shot to disturb them, 

 and each time their evolutions were wonderful. None remained by 

 10th July. This is the only record for district, as it was also a record 

 so far as water to any extent being in Lake Frome during my resi- 

 dence at Moolawatana. 



Stiltia isabella. Australian Pratincole. — Locally known as "Spear- 

 wing" on account of its pointed wings. Visit locality in large num- 

 bers in good seasons only. Breeds occasionally, laying 2 eggs only 

 — small ends together, on bare ground, no depression formed. If a 

 stcne-strewn spot is chosen as a nesting site, the stones are scratched 

 out in circle, but more often a hard, bare clay patch is chosen. Young- 

 leave nest as soon as hatched, and when approached either crouch 

 down in herbage or in small cracks in ground and even down rabbit 

 burrows. Birds sit closely to eggs, and when disturbed pretend in- 

 jury, but will quickly return to nest or young. On account of protec- 

 tive coloi'ation, they are hard to see until their bobbing action calls 

 one's attention. When not nesting they are very wary, and easily 

 take to flight, which is a peculiar "side-slipping" action. The call is 

 a plaintive whistle. These birds may be seen watering at stock tanks 

 at any time during the day. 



Burhinus magnirostris. Southern Stone-Plover. — Fairly plentiful 

 in ranges, but rarely seen or heard on the plains and sand hills. 

 Breeds in September and October, two eggs being deposited on bare 

 ground at the foot of a small shrubby bush. Bird sneaks quietly 

 from nest and remains close at hand. 



Eupodotis australis. Bustards or Wild Turkey. — When a good 

 season gives an ample supply of food in the shape of grubs and grass- 

 hoppers, these birds appear in numbers, but they leave to follow the 

 food supply. For many years none nested in district, though about 

 ten years ago several nests with the single egg were noted. The eg.^ 

 is laid on bare ground close to a shinib, and invariably rising ground 

 is chosen for the nesting site. The old male birds are the last to 

 arrive and the last to leave the district. When danger is near, the 

 female, which does the incubating, will often crouch down on its nest, 

 but directly one stops near the nest, she sneaks a few yards and then 

 rises. If one continues straight on she will remain on nest. 



Antigone rubicunda. Brolga (Native Companion). — Small parties 

 come along in good seasons when lakes are full; others are often seen 

 passing over district flying at a great height. Only once saw a party 

 of 23 birds dancing on a flat near a bore stream. One record of a 



