Il8 SvLi.iv.\^, Some Mallee Birds. [^Mrmct. 



October. Red-kneed Dottrel (Erythrogonys cincliis). — Ten birds 

 arrived at the subsiding flood-waters at the beginning of August. 

 The white wing-bars and chestnut thigh coverings of this bird 

 were not mentioned in my handbook, and I had to obtain a 

 specimen for identification. This bird and two other water-birds 

 are the only ones I shot in the district. Spur-winged Plover 

 {Lobivanellus lobatiis) and the Black-breasted Plover {Zonifer 

 tricolor) were numerous in May, June, and July, but afterwards 

 became scarce. Red-capped Dottrel (.Egialitis riificapilla) ap- 

 peared in October, and in November were still numerous. Black- 

 fronted Dottrel {M. melanops) could be found all the season near 

 any water. White-headed Stilt [Himantopus leiicocephalus). — A 

 group of seven birds frequented the flooded flats of the Wimmera 

 from September onwards. Sharp-tailed Stint (Heteropygia aurita) 

 — Large flocks appeared round the swamps during October and 

 November. 



Straw-necked Ibis {Carphibis spinicollis) and the White Ibis 

 {Ibis molucca) were always present in small, scattered flocks. On 

 23/9/10 three great clouds of Ibises approached the lake from the 

 north. They circled round the river backwaters, and then left 

 towards the south I presume they were making for the south- 

 west of the State, where for several seasons I saw Ibises arrive 

 at this time of the year. Black-billed Spoonbill {Platalea regia). 

 — One bird spent a fortnight here in June In October I saw 

 three Yellow-billed Spoonbills {Platibis fiavipcs). White Egret 

 {Herodias timoriensis). — Occasionally small groups were seen in the 

 swamps. White-fronted Heron (NotopJioyx novcB-hollandicB). — Very 

 plentiful all the period. Pacific Heron (A'^. pacifica). — Became 

 rather plentiful from October. Night-Heron {Nyciicorax cale- 

 donicus). — These birds were not seen till the evening of 12/11/10. 

 when I was in a pleasure boat and disturbed several hundred 

 birds roosting in a small clump of river trees. This explained 

 the small flocks of mysterious birds I had previously seen following 

 the course of the river towards the lake of an evening just at dark. 

 Bittern [Botaurus paxiloptihis). — Often heard in the swamps of 

 an evening. 



Black Swan [Chenopsis atrata). — A few seen regularly. Wood- 

 Duck {Chenonetta jiibata) were rare. Shieldrake {Casarca tador- 

 noides). — Two seen. Black Duck (Anas super ciliosa). — In June 

 the birds were in enormous flocks all among the reedy stretches 

 of the lake. In July isolated pairs, and in November young 

 Ducks in all stages of development, were seen on the surrounding 

 waters, and the old birds were still mating. 



Black Cormorant {Phalacrocorax carbo). Little Black Cor- 

 morant (P. sulcirostris), and Pied Cormorant (P. hypoleuciis). — 

 All three species were occasionally seen, but were never numerous. 



Pelican {Pelecanus conspicillahts). — Became rather plentiful 

 about the end of October. I never saw these birds take flight 

 off deep water. They seem to prefer to rise from a place where 

 the solid earth enables them to take to the air with a succession 

 of kangaroo-like jumps. 



