^"|- ^^^-J V\v. Bird Notes from Dookie. lOI 



Bird Notes from Dookie. 



By H. Pve, R.A.O.U., Agricultural Collfx.e, Dookie, Vic. 



Many and great changes have taken place in the bird-life of this 

 district since I first came here in 1887. In the fields below the 

 College I have seen the Native Companions in their quaint dance 

 in quite great numbers ; now not a solitary one has graced the 

 scene for years. The Wild Turkey (Bustard) shuns the neigh- 

 bourhood ; yet at one time a few could be seen. Stilts, (rrebes, 

 and Dabchicks, and some Gull-like birds were plentiful on tho 

 swamps ; now none deigns to visit them. I have not seen a 

 Leatherhead here for years ; yet at one time they were plentiful, 

 and took toll of the grapes when ripe. That terror of chickens, 

 the Derwent Jackass (Australian Butcher-Bird), has fled the 

 scene, but the Kookaburra still laughs in chorus, and the small 

 Kingfislier, with its sheeny plumage, may be seen darting here 

 and hither, near the Broken River. Occasional Bee-eaters, too, 

 nest about there, though I have not seen a burrow for ages. 

 Miners, whose voice used to irritate me, are so scarce now that 

 when I hear one I feel inchned to write a stanza of poetry to old 

 remembrances waked. I was called back to youth a few days 

 ago hearing the note of the Red Lory (Crimson Parrot), and saw 

 one or two, and a few green ones. They have gone onward. The 

 Native Thrush's beautiful note I hear each year for a month or 

 so, and I am grateful. Thank heaven the Magpie still carols on 

 the tree-tops ! I know no note that breathes so much of freedom 

 and joie de vivre. It must be in the air, for Australian character 

 seems to be embodied in that note. How those birds dare an 

 intruder near their nests ! Those lethal baits for rabbits have 

 thinned their ranks terribly. Even Crows are passing hence. 

 Eagles used to nest in the high trees not half a mile away, but for 

 twenty years there has not been one nest built about here. The 

 birds still can be seen, but the deadly breechloader carries the 

 message of death to each one coming within shot. The smaller 

 Hawks are becoming fewer the more enthusiastic the poultry 

 men become. Possibly, with eggs at 3s. a dozen, as they were 

 a little time ago, the mental worry, time, and shot and powder 

 are being paid for. Like the blacks, bird-life is dwindling fast. 

 Cockatoos and Galahs are still numerous, but when one sees a 

 hundred or more dead ones scattered over a field, their time will 

 come, and their chief will say, " Let us depart in peace." The 

 wise old ancients of the flock will moralize together and say in 

 sorrow, " And this is civilization ! " Rosellas but a few years 

 back were in thousands ; now only a few pairs may be seen. Grass 

 (Red-backed) Parrots still seem to hold out. An occasional 

 Woodpecker (Tree-creeper), may be still seen, and a few impudent 

 " Willie Wagtails " (Black-and- White Fantail). I even saw a 

 pair of Stone-Plovers last Saturday on a lonely hill, and a. f( \v 

 Water-Hens among the reeds by the river-bank. A Rail has not 

 appeared for many years. There are several kinds of Ro])ins 



