26 Bird Notes. 



A pair of Murray Magpies built their mud nest in a gum 

 near the house early in the month, and they have three young 

 now, which both birds help to feed. Both assisted in the incu- 

 bation of the eggs. 



Noisy Minahs brought out young during the month, the 

 old birds are to be seen carrying insect food to the young. 



The pair of Laughing Jacks which have been with us for so 

 long began to look out their nesting site; they again renewed 

 their efforts to make an entrance into the roof, through the 

 rough plaster at one of the gables, but the strong netting at tho 

 back of the plaster has prevented them ; they tried to make an 

 entrance into a gum tree at a growth crack, but, after vigorous 

 pecking with their strong bills, have given up the task. A Boo- 

 book Owl has been calling throughout the month at night time. 

 A pair of Frontal Shrike Tits have been much in evidence, but 

 do not seem to have settled upon their building site yet. 



A pair of Harmonious Shrike Thrushes have been about for 

 some time, but there is only one now, and from his constant 

 whistling no doubt his mate is sitting, and I believe their nest 

 to be- in the dense, prickly pears. 



NOTES FOR OCTOBER, 1920. 



. Mr. J. Sutton, Netherby, states — 



Willie Wagtail, with three young, seen for the first fort- 

 night in October in the garden, the young being fed by both 

 parent birds. 



October 23 — In the rain about 5 p.m., a male and female 

 Scarlet-breasted Robin were seen, after a lapse of some months. 



October 28th and 29th — Black-chinned Honey-eater heard 

 calling. 



The Fairy Martins noted bnildina: in a small dry, water- 

 course, finally left on October 2nd, after the nests had been 

 broken down four times by boys between the 26th of September 

 and October 2nd. 



Mr. R. C. Beck, of the Grange, says — 



October 5th — Three young Willie Wagtails left the nest, 

 and Avithin three weeks the nest was cleaned out and re-lined 

 and the birds sitting again. The nest was most cunningly 

 })laced. being attached to the slender, weeping twigs of a pepper 

 tree auite out of harm from cats. 



Two pairs of Swallows each brought out three young, and 

 have now hatched a second brood. 



