36 Harvev, Bird Notes from Mackay, Q. [.sf^uiy 



which had, in some unaccountable way, incurred its displeasure. 

 One day, having the camera with us, we decided to take advan- 

 tage of this to secure a photograph. After focussing on a branch, 

 the dog was tied up beneath it, and, in spite of our presence and 

 the close proximity of a fearsome-looking camera, down came 

 the bird, and the photograph was taken. The cyclone experience 

 has so humbled the few survivors that they are now as corre- 

 spondingly shy and retiring as once they were audacious. The 

 two sole survivors in our locality are seldom seen or heard now, 

 and are certainly more esteemed on that account, for distance 

 lends enchantment to more things than a view. 



Yellow-necked Bittern {Dupctor goiildi). — This interesting bird 

 appears to be a migrant, but we are unable to say where it goes 

 to after leaving here. Jt usually arrives here about September, 

 and as the nesting season approaches its loud calls, which may 

 be heard during the stillness of the night, serve to remind us that 

 yet another wet season is drawing near. The call consists of a 



Yellow-necked IMangrove-BiUena {Dupctor i^oiddi) ou nest. 



.u 11. t. HAnvi:y. 



Icjud, long-drawn boom, which, according to some, is the origin 

 of the mystical bunyip. The nesting season is usually in full 

 swing during the wet season (December to March). The nest, 

 which is generally built over water, consists of a frail platform of 

 twigs without any lining, and just enough depression to keep the 

 eggs from rolling out. Four eggs usually form the clutch — rarely 

 five. 



