100 CniSHOLM, Breeding of Bustards. [^^^ 



Emu 



without result in a belt of gum timber, on the edge of a small 

 plain, about six chains from the bank of the Condamine River 

 and 600 yards from my house. Two brownish eggs were laid on 

 the bare ground (for no nest is made), but owing to some farming 

 operations the sitting bird was unavoidably disturbed for an hour 

 or two, giving the ever-watchful ' Kelly ' (the Crow) his chance, 

 and the two eggs were carried away. Not dismayed, the Turkey 

 laid two more eggs a few yards from the old spot ; but disaster 

 came along again in the shape of some mischievous young cattle 

 that amused themselves chasing the sitting bird. One morning 

 I noticed a change in the old order of things, and found the cattle 

 bolting for their lives, with the Turkey with outstretched wings in 

 pursuit. Upon this change of attitude I felt certain that young 

 birds had appeared, so I rode down purposely and found the bird 

 on the nest. It proved so quiet that it allowed my horse to stand 

 within a yard for several minutes, and only flew off when the horse 

 became restive with fly worry. One of the eggs had been broken 

 by the cattle, and in a day or two the nest was deserted, so I took 

 the remaining egg. In the following year two birds reappeared, 

 and two more eggs were laid near the original nesting-place ; but 

 in a few days the birds were missed, and, looking at the nest, I 

 found the eggs had gone, with nothing but wing and other feathers 

 left to tell the tale. Reynard had arrived, and had come so 

 quickly that the hundreds of kangaroo rats that infested the district 

 were cleaned up in a few months. 



" No Bustards ever nested again in that paddock," continues 

 Mr. Caldwell. " Indeed, it is doubtful whether, during the last five 

 years, any Plain Turkeys have been reared on the vast plains 

 between Dalby and Pittsworth — once, and not long ago, the home 

 of thousands of these fine birds. Grass-fires must destroy many 

 young and eggs that the foxes happen to miss, and I think it will 

 only be a short time before the birds get out and remain in the 

 back country. All game-birds out in these parts seem unduly 

 shy, and I think the fox is responsible. Curlews, usually common 

 everywhere, are seldom heard with their melancholy wail at 

 night. Ducks also suffer terribly from the depredations of 

 Reynard — in fact, all ground birds are faced with extermination. 

 Something will have to be done in the near future in the way of 

 netted sanctuaries, and Dillalah State Station, once cleared of 

 dingoes, foxes, and rabbits, would be an ideal property for the 

 purpose." 



Mr. Caldwell adds that during the last mice plague on the 

 Darling Downs he opened the crops of two Bustards that had 

 been shot, and took from each a large double handful of masticated 

 mice. Further indication of the economic value of the bird 

 is given in a note from Mr. H. F. Jones, who has frequently 

 noted the ravages of Turkeys among grasshoppers in the Gulf 

 country. 



