42 EDWARDS, ./ South-Coastal Sclhornc. Fi^ffub" 



A South-Coastal Selborne 



By II. \ . KDWARDS, R.A.O.U., Bega, X.SA\'. 



Au>lralia is so rich in birds that it is often possible to observe 

 a fairly large number of different species in a very limited area, 

 which in this instance is a tract of country about four miles 

 square in extent, and lies on the far South Coast of New South 

 Wales, between Bermagui and Tathra. It is known generally 

 as Bunga, which in the aboriginal tongue is said to mean the 

 "Fighting Ground." The country comprises grassy hills, lightly 

 timbered, and levels flanked by dense scrubs, deep gullies, and 

 thickly-wooded mountain ranges. The only fresh water lies in 

 creei)s, swami)S, and dams, all of limited extent. There is also 

 a salt lake known as Eurungonia (or Bunga) Lake, and an 

 estuary known as Murrah. The soil is in part of volcanic forma- 

 tion and part slate. During a residence of about six years in 

 this quarter I observed all the birds mentioned below — the bus- 

 tard excepted, and also several others, of nomadic species chiefly, 

 which I could not with certainty identify. Only a comparatively 

 few miles further inland other species, rarely occurring on this 

 part of the coast, are either common or fairly so, but I have made 

 no attempt to add to my list from elsewhere. While it is remark- 

 able that so many different birds should occur in so limited an 

 area, it may be well to remember that Gilbert \Miite says that 

 the district which is most examined yields the largest number of 

 species, though he was not referring to birds alone. 



The following is my list : — 



Coturnix pectoralis. Stubble Quail, and Brown Quail (Synoicus aus- 

 tralis). — Fairly numerous at times on grassy flats and among bracken 

 on the hill sides. The monitor lizard and fox must often prey on 

 this strong -scented bird and its offspring. 



Lopholaimus antarcticus. Topknot Pigeon. — Rare; also the intro- 

 duced Indian Turtle Dove. 



Lcuco.sarcia melanoleuca, Wonga Wonga Pigeon, and Bronzewing 

 Pigeon (Phap.s chalcoptera). — Fairly common. Peaceful Dove (Geo- 

 pelia placida). — Very numerous near the jungles and fed with domestic 

 fowls. 



Hypotaenidia philippensls. Pectoral Rail. — Seen occasionally about 

 swamps. Also saw a female in a tussock-covered gully with a downy 

 brood shuffling at her heels. 



Porphyrio melanotus. Bald Coot. — Occurred sparsely about dams. 

 Australian Coot (Fulica au.stralis). — Common. Sometimes flocked in 

 considerable numbers on the back waters of Bunga Lake. 



Podiceps ruficollis and P. poliocephalu.s. Black-throated and Hoary- 

 headed Grebes. — Appeared on Bunga Lake and also on dams. 



Eudyptula minor. Little Penguin. — Fairly common. Often washed 

 up dead on the beaches, but sometimes cast ashore alive but stupefied. 

 The strange barking cry of this bird, sounding suddenly from the pin- 

 nacle of some lonely rock, is apt to startle the uninitiated. 



