] 



Barrett, Birds of a Atnyyay Island. 1>^Q 



Beside a huge dead red gum by the waterside we started a large 

 lace monitor (Varanics variiis), which splashed into the river and 

 climbed a tree. In a hollow log about 20 yards distant a carpet 

 snake {Python varicgatus), at a guess 12 feet in length, had its 

 home. The lizard certainly was an enemy to the I)irds of the 

 island, and i)erchance the snake might be classed as a destroyer 

 of nestlings. Safe from all such enemies was the nest of a pair 

 of Welcome Swallows {Hiriindo neoxena), built in the shell of a 

 burnt gum-tree stump, standing in deep water. Swallows 

 skimmed day long above land and water, and at dusk flocked to 

 the homestead, where they harboured for the night under the 

 verandah. That wide, cool verandah at Kulkyne, with the 

 l)epper-trees, tall and shadow-giving, in the yard beyond, was a 

 tine place for a i:)ird-observer at all hours, for the trees' visitors 

 included Bower-Birds, Crested Pigeons, Parrots of several species, 

 and other birds. The homestead, of course, is intimately 

 associated with the island ; birds weave invisible links between 

 the two places as they come and go across the creek. 



My observations on the Murray islet were neither systematic 

 nor continuous, but I saw sufficient to realize that such places 

 are favourite bird haunts, and would make good sanctuaries. At 

 Kulkyne the birds are not molested, but all station ])eople are not 

 bird-lovers, else many species that are becoming rare would still 

 be numerous. 



In the vicinity of the island, on creek and river. Ducks and other 

 water-loving birds were abundant, and during short voyages in 

 a flattie I extended my acquaintance with the avifauna of the 

 locality. The river was in flood, and one could travel for miles 

 over inrmdated country into dim, mysterious regions among tall 

 gum-trees, whose reflections in the still water were distorted by 

 the quick passage of startled waterfowl ; through flood-lakes, 

 wheie Ibises and Herons were congregated and the silence was 

 broken by harsh cries of nesting Cockatoos. I came to Kulkyne 

 from Swan Hill on a river steamer, and all the daylight hours 

 were pleasant, for never a mile of the voyage lacked interest — 

 birds in view on every reach, and scenery of unfailing beauty. 



Bird Life at Dumbleyung, W.A.* 



By M. W. Elliott. 



Yellow-plumed Honey-eater (Ptilotis ornata, Gould). — This 

 is one of the commonest birds in this district ; it is to be 

 found in timber and scrub country ahke. Were it as large as a 

 Magpie it might well be termed the " bush bully." Of all the 

 feathered inhabitants of our scrubs, this bird, in my opinion, is 

 the most pugnacious. You will perhaps see two or three picking 



* These aiotes from Ids correspondent, Mr. M. W. Elliott, of Dumble- 

 yung, were forwarded by Mr. W. B. Alexander, M.A., Keeper of Biology, 

 Perth Museum. — Eds. 



