Vol. II."! M'Clymont, Notes on Some Familiar Birds. 2X 



1902 J ' o 



(20th October) a Yellow-throated Honey-eater {Ptilotis flavi- 

 giilaris) was observed flitting hurriedly from perch to perch 

 before a Pallid Cuckoo near the same spot. In one of its 

 hurried flights it grazed the Cuckoo's head, causing the latter to 

 flinch slightly, and this was the only movement on the part of 

 the Cuckoo on either occasion. This went on for four or five 

 minutes until the Honey-eater flew away. What meant the 

 strange agitation of the two non-parasitical birds, the almost 

 absolute passivity of the other ? The true solution would be 

 interesting. Mere playfulness on the part of the smaller 

 birds, and a love of teasing the intruder, may be the 

 explanation. 



Much forethought and ingenuity are involved in the selection 

 of a suitable nest and of the right foster-parent for its young ; 

 and these qualities, I think, save the Cuckoos from any charge of 

 stupidity or maternal incapacity. There are several points of 

 interest in connection with these birds which are worthy of close 

 observation. I venture to mention a few of them — i. Migratory 

 range of the various species. 2. Complete lists of nests appro- 

 priated by each species.* 3. Whether other birds, either singly 

 or collectively, drive the Cuckoo from their nests. 4. Whether 

 the young birds consort with and accompany their parents or 

 otherwise. 5. Whether the Cuckoo's ^^^ is laid in the nest of 

 the foster-parent or otherwise. 



The following are some of the dates of the appearance of the 

 Welcome Swallow. It appeared last year at Kingston, about 

 10 miles from Hobart, on 15th September. In 1891 I noted 

 its appearance at Koonya, Tasman Peninsula, on 23rd Sep- 

 tember. I believe that it appears in the Huon district very 

 late in September. The disproportional lateness of its appear- 

 ance in the two last-named districts may be due in a measure 

 to their greater humidity, later springs, and less abundant supply 

 of insects for food. It may be worth noting that the advent 

 of Swallows at Kingston (sea level) on 15th September was 

 followed by their appearance on 20th September on a neigh- 

 bouring hill, at an altitude of about 600 feet — an extension 

 of migration into the third dimension of space. From 20 to 30 

 Swallows were seen, singly and in pairs, over this locality on ist 

 April. They were heading in a northerly direction, flying high 

 and rapidly, with the exception of one bird, which kept near the 

 ground, hawking for insects now and then. Probably the 

 straggling band was being augmented as it sped along. The 

 day was fine and calm, the following one being chilly and 

 showery. 



The Wood-Swallow {Artaimts sordidiis) sometimes evinces a 



* Lists up to date of foster-parents of the better known Cuckoos are furnished in 

 " Nests and Eggs of Australian Birds " (Campbell). On page 565, 35 foster-parents 

 are recorded for the Pallid Cuckoo. — Eds. 



