50 Keksey, Notes from Dolomite, Western Queensland. [i,t j"iy 



Notes from Dolomite, Western Queensland. 



By Herbert J. Kersey, R.A.O.U. 



During a residence of five weeks at Dolomite, about six miles 

 west of Cloncurry, in what I consider as one of the most desolate 

 districts in Queensland, I had an excellent opportunity of 

 studying the birds of the locality. In all, I recognized sixty-three 

 (63) species, and was told by the residents that during the dry 

 seasons of the year great numbers of birds from the interior came 

 to that place to drink at- the stream of water — then the only 

 water to be found for miles around. It is kept flowing by being 

 pumped from the mine. 



The fohowing is a list of the birds recognized, together with 

 notes concerning them : — 



Dromaius novae-hollandiae. Emu. — On 21st January one of these 

 birds, together with a large chick, was seen from the train, about 

 50 miles east of Cloncurry. 



Synoicus australis. Brown Quail. — Several seen on 14th, 20th, and 

 24th February. 



Geopelia tranquilla. Ground-Dove. — Very numerous, and were seen 

 almost daily. Their notes sound more plaintive than those of the 

 coastal birds. 



Phaps elegans. Brush Bronze-winged Pigeon. — One bird seen in the 

 trees along the banks of the Cloncurry River on 26th January. A 

 few days later Mr. A. J. Corr reported having seen four of these birds 

 very close to his home. 



Ocyphaps lophotes. Crested Pigeon. — Were to be seen in pairs every 

 day. 



Lobivanellus lobatus. Spur-winged Plover. — This bird was heard 

 during the nights of 6th and 15th February. 



^gialitis nigrifrons. Black-fronted Dottrel. — A pair was seen on 

 the mud-banks in the Cloncurry River on 26th February. 



CEdicnemus grallarius. Southern Stone-Curlew. — Heard only once. 



Choriotis australis. Australian Bustard. — Very common. Some 

 very large birds were seen, and a loud croaking sound could be heard 

 as the birds were flying overhead. 



Carphibis spinicollis. Straw-necked Ibis. — Many flocks, numbering 

 in each perhaps 150 birds, were always to be seen following and 

 de\ouring the swarms of locusts, which were everywhere very 

 numerous. 



Notophoyx novae-hollandiae. White-fronted Heron.— N'ery rarely- 

 seen. 



Notophoyx pacifica. While-necked Heron. — Seen on two occasions 

 hshing in the water at the bottom of one of the " open cuts.'' 



Nycticorax caledonicus. Nankeen Night-Heron. — A pair of these 

 birds llcw o\cr mv tent late one evening. 



Dendrocygna arcuata. Whistling-Duck. — Heard almost every 

 night. Seem to l)c very numerous. 



Phalacrocorax carbo. Cormorant. — A single bird rose from the 

 water in the " open cut " of the Salmon mine. 



