^""u'^^'l '-'■' ^<-"^'' 1' •'^^" Macphekson. The Birds of Sydney. 83 



come right to one's feet iifter tit-hits. Small tlocks can usually 

 be seen diving about in the shallow water after water-weeds 

 which grow on the bottom. They do not rise more than a few 

 inches from the water when flying, and hang their legs down. 

 They have a sharp little screech call-note. They nest in the park, 

 often within a few feet of the banks. They are useful in keeping 

 the water-weeds in check, which would otherwise materially help 

 to silt up the ponds. 



Black-throated {Podiceps gularis) and Hoary-headed Grebes (P. 

 polioccphahts). — The httle Dabchicks are quite at home in the 

 ornamental waters of the parks and Botanic Gardens, though 

 they usually keep well out from the shore, and go about in small 

 family parties of from four to six ; they procure most of their 

 food by di^nng. 



The beautiful Silver Gull {Larus novce-hollandice) is quite one 

 of the ornaments of Centennial Park and the Botanic Gardens ; 

 a hundred or more birds may sometimes be seen in the former 

 place, attracted, we think, by the bull-frogs. They travel back 

 to the harbour in small flocks, circhng round and reaching a great 

 height before gradually drifting off to the east towards the coast. 



Several of the pretty Black-fronted Dottrels {.Egialitis nigri- 

 frons) can be seen around the ponds in Centennial Park. They 

 are tame, and their feeding habits can be observed at close range. 

 They specially like feeding on the muddy banks, and will be seen 

 digging vigorously into the earth after insects and worms. Their 

 flight is rather laboured, and they utter their call-note, " Pink, 

 pink," only when on the wing. 



A small colony of Night-Herons [Nydicorax caledonicns) nest 

 in a clump of large pines in front of Macleay House, in the suburb 

 of Potts Point. They fly off in the evening, making for the 

 feeding-grounds, and when they have young return in the early 

 dawn, and the fledgehngs make a great clacking noise when being 

 fed. 



The Black Duck {Anas superciliosa) is quite as tame as the 

 domesticated species, and may be seen in the Botanic Gardens 

 and the Centennial Park ponds ; they cross with the white 

 domestic birds, aixl party-coloured specimens are sometimes 

 observed. 



The handsome Chestnut-breasted Teal {Nettimn castaneitin) is 

 a regular visitor to the ponds in Centennial Park, and there are 

 sometimes hundreds round the islands. 



Sometimes hundreds of the Grey Teal {Nettiitm gibbcyifrons) 

 are to be seen in Centennial Park ; they usually keep well away 

 from the shores, and out of harm's \\d,y. 



White-eyed Duck {Nyroca aiistralis). — This Duck is generally 

 present, sometimes in numbers, in Centennial Park. They keep 

 to the middle of the ponds, and are expert divers. They sit low 

 in the water, and are, in appearance, somewliat like the Musk- 

 Duck. 



Many hundreds of Cormorants come into Centennial Park to 



