I 64 Hill, Notes from Geelong and Otivay Districts. [^^^ j'"„ 



Grass -Bird {Megdherus grainineiis).—N&\y common in the saltbush 

 scrub ; have not seen it often anywhere else. 



Reed-Warbler [Acroccphahis ausiralis). — Have seen it on the Barrum 

 River only in the ranges ; common on the plains wherever there is water. 

 7/1/99, (2ueen's Park : 'Empty Reed-Birds' nests in great numbers in the 

 reeds ; a green frog has taken possession of one. One nest with fresh eggs. 



Red-browed Finch {^-Egiut/ia temporalis). — Everywhere. In immense 

 numbers on all the creeks in the Otway, where it appears to be in the height 

 of the breeding season at the end of December. 31/12/93 : One nest noted 

 on 27/12/93 with three eggs now has four. 2/i/'94, St. George : Nest with a 

 spout at the entrance and a beautiful hood at the end of the spout. 7/1/94 : 

 The young birds in a nest noted five days ago, then unfledged, can now fly 

 pretty well. 8/1/94 : Nest with three fresh eggs. 



Spotted Ground-Bird {Cinclosoma p!inctatum).'—'Et\\t\e I have 

 seen this bird at the Dog Rocks. 



Ground-Thrush {Geocichla lumclaia).—Y ery common in the Otways. 



Satin-Bird {Ptilonorhynichus violaceus). —Zomxviow in parts of the 

 Otways. 



Chough {Corcorax mdanor-hamphus). — In considerable numbers in parts 

 of the Otways. Seems to prefer the hill-tops. In fact, it seems a general 

 rule in the forest that the larger birds keep to the hills and the smaller ones 

 to the scrub in the gullies. 1 have never seen the Chough nearer Geelong 

 than Spring Creek, though I am told that it is plentiful in parts. 



Apostle-Bird i^Struthidea cinered). — Mr. W. Shaw has in his collection 

 an Apostle-Bird from this district. 



KWE^ {Corone ausiralis). — Common. Breeding. 23/1/01, Spring Creek : 

 Very large flock, extending over a mile in length. I do not remember ever 

 having seen a Raven or a Crow in the Otways. 



Babbler {PomuLtorhinus temporalis). — Have seen this bird only on 

 the flats from Bream Creek to Connewarre and Drysdale. 



White-bearded Honey-eater {Meliornis nova-hollandia). — Common 

 in many parts. Very common in gardens in town, where it breeds freely. 



Crescent Honey-eater {Meliornis australasiana). — Not uncommon 

 in the forest. 



White-eared Honey-eater {Ptilotis Icucotis). — Not uncommon in the 

 forest. Nearer Geelong I have seen this bird about Drysdale only. 



Graceful Honey-eater {Ptilotis ornata). — Common round Geelong. 



White-plumed Honey-eater {Ptilotis penicillata). — Very common 

 round Geelong. I believe that both P. ornata and P. pe?iicillata are 

 common in the ranges, but I have no mention of either of them in my notes. 



Yellow-faced Honey-eater {Ptilotis chrysops). 



Spiny-cheeked Honey-eater {Acanthochara riijigula7-is). — Have not 

 seen it in the forest. Not very common anywhere. Breeding at Bream 

 Creek. 



Wattle-Bird {Acanthochcera carunculata). — All over the district, but 

 not common except in the more heavily timbered country. Very common 

 in the Otways, but very local ; for instance, it was frequent on the Erskine 

 but scarce on the St. George, though these two creeks are only a couple of 

 miles apart. 



Spine-billed Yio'^^Y-Y.K'VY.v^{Acanthorhynchus ienuirostris). — ^o\. un- 

 common in the forest. 



Black-chinned Honey-eater ( ^UUtJireptus gularis). — Have seen this 

 bird on two occasions only, both at Bambra, near Dean's Marsh. 



