1 62 Hill, Notes from Geelong and Otzvay Districts. L,st7an. 



Swallow {Hirundo neoxenci). — Plentiful. 13/1/01, Spring Creek: 

 Swallow's nest perched in a small hole right on seaward face of cliff. ' 

 16/1/01, Spring Creek: Two more Swallows' nests on cliff face, near Bird 

 Rock. 



Fairy Martin {Petrochelidon arid).- -Yexy comtaon in places — e.g., at 

 Connewarre Lakes and Dean's Marsh and along the Moorabool. 



Laughing Jackass {Dacelo gigas). — Very common both on the plains 

 and in the forest. We one day noticed a couple of Jackasses in a tree on 

 the River St. George— an old bird and a young one. The old bird would 

 give a few notes, and then the young one would try its hand, but it in- 

 variably broke down after a couple of notes. The lesson went on for a 

 considerable time. 



Sacred Kingfisher {Halcyon sanctus). — Not very common anywhere, 

 but to be seen occasionally in any part. 



Blue Kingfisher {Alcyotie aziirca\--'K?iX& on the plains; common on 

 all the creeks in the Ranges, particularly on the Barrum River at Apollo 

 Bay. 



Wood-Swallow {Artainus sordidus); White-browed Wood-Swallow 

 {Artamus superciliosus). — Both these Wood-Swallows are common enough 

 at times. Breeding. 19/4/02 : Wood-Swallows flying so high overhead 

 that I can only see them by the aid of the glass. Making due north. 

 20/4/02 : Heard more Wood-Swallows this morning, but could not see 

 them without glass. At very great height, and making due north. 



Spotted Pardalote {Pardalotns pimctatus). — Common. 



Crow-Shrike {Strepera .''). — Very common in many parts of the 



forest, where it properly belongs, but an occasional bird is to be seen near 

 Geelong. I have seen it at the Dog Rocks. 



Black-backed Magpie {Gymnorhina iibicoi). — Have seen a solitary 

 specimen only in the district— at Mt. St. George, near Lome. 



White-backed Magpie {Gymnorhina leuconota). — Very common outside 

 of the forest, where it does not occur except at the mouths of the creeks. 

 29/7/93, Dog Rocks : Several nests built of fragments of boxthorn. 

 14/9/94 : Nest at Queen's Park. Cock bird attacked me as usual, and 

 followed me about the park for a good hour, making occasional darts at my 

 head. Noticed that he selected his time, and always attacked from behind. 

 18/5/02 : Two fowls quietly feeding in a paddock in Newtown. Suddenly 

 two Magpies flew up, and as they made a simultaneous rush at one of the 

 fowls, there was a puff of feathers as if the unfortunate bird had received a 

 charge of shot. The hens made off at a great pace, pursued by one of the 

 Magpies till they were right out of the paddock, when the victor strutted 

 back, apparently very well pleased with himself. 



BuTCHiiR-BiRD {Craciicus destructor). — Anywhere in the district. 



Magpie Lark {Grallina picata). — Not common in the Otway, though it 

 occurs on all the creeks ; common everywhere else. Breeding. 



Black-faced Cuckoo-Shrike {Graiicalus melanops). — Common on the 

 plains. 



White-shouldered Caterpillar-catcher {Lalage tricolor). — Com- 

 mon in parts. Have not seen it in the forest. 



Rufous-breasted Thickhead {Pachvcephala .rufiventris). — Not com- 

 mon. Except for one specimen from the You Yangs, I have only seen it on 

 the Barwon and Moorabool. 



Harmonious Thrush {Collyriocincla harmonica). — Common in the 

 forest country ; very common on the Moorabool. Breeding in the forest. 



White-shafted Fantail {Rhipidura albiscapa). — Common generally, 

 especially in the tea-tree scrub on the coast. Remarkably abundant at 



