242 McGILP, Birds of Lake Fromc District. [\^^ ^T 



nest in district. On a small islet in Teatree Lake a large nest was 

 placed on the ground between cane-grass; it was a flat mass of sticks 

 and grass, some of the latter being quite green. Two Brolgas were 

 close at hand, and appeared very nervous, but did not leave the 

 vicinity. The nest resembled a Swan's nest, but was built of finer 

 materials. A few days aftei-wards a thunderstorm filled the lake, 

 covering the island with water, and the birds disappeared. Date, 

 May 29th, 1918. 



Threskiornis molucca (White Ibis) and Threskiornis spinicollis 



(Sti-aw-necked Ibis). — Visitors in good seasons. Veiy few of the 

 former species, but large numbers of the Straw-necks. The White 

 Ibis prefers to remain about swamps and creeks containing water, 

 but the other species spends most of its time feeding on flats, seeking 

 after grubs, many of which they secure from out of the ground by 

 probing down with their long bills. The Straw-necked Ibis is mdeed 

 a very valuable bird. 



Plegadis falcinellus. Glossy Ibis. — A rare visitor for short periods 

 only. In the summer of 1912 one bird Avalked into the house at an 

 out station; it was almost exhausted from want of water and the ex- 

 treme heat. It remained for quite six months, during which time it 

 became so tame that it allowed itself to be caught. It was amusing 

 to see it and a kitten playing together. It did not seem to relish the 

 usual scraps thrown out from the hut, but preferi-ed to secure its 

 ■own food. Every morning, it paraded a wire fence a few yai'ds in 

 front of the house, at every post it would poke its bill into the wire 

 holes within reach and in this way secured a great many spiders, 

 ■etc. It disappeared one night in May or June. 



Platalea regia (Black-billed Spoonbill) and Platalea flavipes (Yel- 

 low-billed Spoonbill). — A few of the former and a fair number of 

 the latter occasionally call in for a short period during good seasons. 

 It is amusing to watch both species fishing; they wade along in shal- 

 low water with their long spoon-like bill right down in the water, 

 the bill is worked from side to side as the bird walks along. No 

 record of breeding. 



Egretta (species ?). — In July, 1918, several white Egrets were 

 seen on a fresh-water lake. No specimen was taken for identifica- 

 tion. It was possibly the Plumed Egret. They remained only for a 

 week or two. No other record. 



Notophoyx novae-hollandiae. White-faced (-fronted) Heron. — Fairly 

 common in good seasons. Breeding now and again in gums, the usual 

 stick nest; clutch, 3 eggs. Odd pairs remain in hills, around perman- 

 ■ent springs. 



Notophoyx pacifica. White-necked Heron. — Very numerous in good 

 seasons, and they prefer to spread over the district on small crab- 

 holes and claypans. No record of breeding. 



Nycticorax caledonicus. Nankeen Night Heron. — Usually a few 

 birds in box trees along bore streams, numbers largely increased in 

 good seasons. Birds in immature plumage also plentiful, but I doubt 

 if these Night Herons breed in district. Have not seen plumes on 

 any adult birds. 



Chenopis atrata. Black Swan. — Visits the district in large numbers 

 when lakes are full, immediately starts breeding, building its nest 

 of small branches of trees, bushes, leaves and down from its own 

 breast. Nests are sometimes within a yard or two of one another. 

 In May, 1918, hundreds upon hundreds nested on islands in deeper 

 parts of Lake Frome. The clutch varied from 4 to 7 eggs. A small 

 band of aboriginals camped on edge of water, and until my visit were 

 living upon the young and eggs of the Swan. I threatened to stop their 

 rations from the Government, and I also called on them the next 



