Vol. J 1 1. "I Littler, From a Tasmanian Notebook. 2*5 



Strong-billed Honey-eater {Melithrcptus validirostris).— Only one or 

 two specimens seen ; no nests observed. 



Black-headed Honey-eater (Melithreptus melanpcephalus). — The same 

 remark applies to this species. 



MINER (Manorhina garrula). — Plentiful everywhere, their noisy voices 

 were always in evidence. One nest with a full clutch of four eggs was 

 found. It was very substantially built, far more so than any I have ever 

 seen in other districts. Sticks and twigs formed the bulk of the material 

 employed in its construction. The egg-cavity was well lined with wool, 

 in all probability from a dead sheep lying at the foot of the tree. A number 

 of other nests was seen being built. This bird is thoroughly detested by 

 sportsmen, as it always gives warning of their presence to any game in the 

 neighbourhood. 



YELLOW-TIPPED PARDALOTE [Pardalotus affinis). — A few were observed 

 running over the limbs of the wattles in search of insects. 



SWALLOW (Hirundo neoxend). — Astonishingly plentiful round the home- 

 stead and the flats by the creek. Two nests had been built at the home- 

 stead, one under the verandah, and the other under the spouting, high 

 up in a corner on the wall. From the number of birds to be seen wheeling 

 round, there must have been several nests in the outhouses and barns, 

 but time did not permit of a thorough investigation. Does this bird ever 

 build in trees, under certain conditions ? I have good grounds for 

 suspecting it does.* 



GROUND-LARK (Anthus australis). — Flocks of a dozen or more birds were 

 common. No trace of a nest was found. The very fact of them still moving 

 in flocks seemed to indicate that they had not yet commenced breeding. 

 Their running powers are really great ; and the habit they have of flicking 

 their tails is very curious. When flying, the white margins of the primaries 

 and the white outer tail feathers are very conspicuously displayed. 



PALLID CUCKOO (Cuculus pallidas). — I have never before seen so many 

 birds of one species in such a small area. No two birds were seen together ; 

 each bird seemed perfectly oblivious of the existence of any other member 

 of the same species. Some of the birds were heard uttering their low, 

 plaintive notes, while others were quite silent. Their flight is peculiar. 

 When disturbed they fly with easy motion close to the ground for some 

 yards, then, when close to the object upon which they are going to perch, 

 they rise up almost perpendicularly on to it. The tail is jerked up and 

 down, when perching, rather slowly. They appeared to obtain most of 

 their food from off the ground. 



RoSELLA (Platycercus eximius). — Small flocks of half a dozen or so were 

 seen feeding on the ground in company with Magpies and Miners ; and 

 in the gum-trees feeding on the blossoms. 



NATIVE Hen (Tribonyx mortieri). — Very common on the flats by the 

 creek. Two nests were observed — one in the centre of a clump of band 

 grass, some 3 feet from the water's edge. It was composed entirely of grass- 

 stems ; its diameter was about a foot, and it contained seven eggs, evidently 

 incubated. The second nest was also this season's, but empty. It was 

 placed on the top of a pile of rubbish some 40 feet from the water, and 

 composed of dry grass-stems. The birds ran freely about in the open, 

 but were quite silent. Some birds among the reeds were making a noise 



* Where did this .Swallow build before the advent of white man in Australia? — 

 Eds. , 



