2 i zj. Littler, From a Tasmanian Notebook. [ 2 nd April 



whom I was staying had previously told me that almost every night for 

 some time past his rest had been disturbed by the cry of a " Mopoke." 

 When I found this Owl in the tree so close to his bedroom window, I felt 

 almost sure that it was the culprit. 



RAVEN {Cor one australis). — Too plentiful to be appreciated. Called by 

 everyone " Crows." I took particular care to examine every specimen 

 I could lay my hands on — quite a number — and found them to be in every 

 instance Ravens. The damage they do among the young lambs is very 

 considerable. When driving to Eastfield I observed a lamb standing alone 

 in the centre of a field, feebly moving its head from side to side, trying 

 to avoid the cruel beak of one of these black brutes, who was dancing 

 round it, " cawing " loudly the while. At this time of the year Ravens 

 give little attention to anything other than lambs' and sheep's tongues 

 and eyes. I found what were evidently nests of this species, but, as they 

 were inaccessible, was unable to investigate them. 



Small-billed Cuckoo-Shrike {Graucalus parvirostris). — About two pairs 

 only were seen, but no trace of a nest. Their note at this time of the year 

 is a very short one, differing greatly from that uttered at other seasons. 

 Their curious undulating flight is a marked peculiarity of the species-. 



LONG-TAILED Wren (Malurus gouldi). — Fairly common among the gorse 

 bushes on the flats. Always moving in pairs. 



DUSKY FANTAIL (Rhipidura diemenensis). — One solitary specimen was 

 seen in a willow tree by the creek. Its warbling notes are very pretty, to 

 be heard at best advantage when a murmuring stream is close by. 



GRASS-BIRD {Megalurus gramineus). — Many were heard among the long 

 grass along the banks of the creek. A few were flushed ; some individuals 

 allowed one to nearly tread on them before rising. A few yards of their 

 flight would be traversed, and then they would drop again into the grass. 

 Their flight was somewhat weak and clumsy. Their voice, though weak, 

 was sweet. No nests were found, the flooded state of the ground precluding 

 an exhaustive search. 



VELLOW-RUMPED Tit {Acanthiza chrysorrhoa). — A small flock was seen 

 running over the trees by the homestead in search of insects. It was very 

 entertaining to watch the quick and eager way in which they searched 

 every nook and cranny of the bark. 



Striated Field-Wren {Calamanthus fuliginosus). — Among the long 

 grass and rushes on the flats, also in some of the fields of growing corn, 

 this bird could be flushed. In its manner of rising suddenly and dropping 

 again among the grass, &c, it much resembled the Grass-Bird. Its pretty 

 notes were often heard. It is a very quick runner, and does not take 

 readily to the wing. 



Lesser White-backed Magpie {Gymnorhina hyperleuca). — This fine bird 

 was to-be seen everywhere, and in the early morning would be heard 

 uttering its tuneful song from the tops of the pines round the house. I 

 found one nest containing a full clutch of four eggs. It was situated in 

 a stringybark, some 16 feet from the ground. Externally it was composed 

 of twigs, next came a layer of grass and bark ; the egg-cavity was snugly 

 lined with wool. On the same tree, and not more than 6 feet away, was 

 a Miner's {Manorhina garrula) nest. 



GREY BUTCHER-BIRD {Cracticus cinereus). — Only about two pairs were 

 seen or heard. No trace of a nest anywhere. 



