Bird \otis. 1(11 



when these fish are cast up on the shores. On this account 

 they are k)cally known as the ""Fish ICaj^le." 



On May 4 the Hrown Hawk ( [na-Ulcu Ixriyora i, which was 

 at one time plentiful in the district, liut now scarce, was seen 

 flying overhead. 



All the month the little Nankeen Kestrel {('ciclincis 

 <-(iichr()i(h's) has been busy cajituring mice. These are truly 

 useful birds in keeping down the mouse pest. 



The Little Falcon [Fulco l(ni</iit(iiHis\ has also been dili- 

 gent in securing the common Sparrows for food, and in this 

 respect it also is a very useful bird. In dissecting the stomach 

 of one of these birds, shot in the country and forwarded to me 

 for identification, I found t!u' remains of no less than three 

 sj -arrows. 



On May .") I noted (piite a nuwiber of Flame-breasted Kobius 

 { LittJcni chrifsopfcni plKxiucrd) , Tor the most part in sombre 

 garb, probably females or young males, but here and lliere a 

 beautiful old cock bird would stand (Uit like a small ilame of 

 tire. These birds were, however, migrating, as by .May l") 

 none was about, nor lia\e they since been noted. They seldom 

 stay more than a few weeks at the most, and none stays to breed, 

 and r an.i of the opinion that these little bii-ds are one and the 

 same as the Tasnmnian birds, and that they migrate to the 

 Island State to breed. 



On May IT several Southern Spiney-cheeked Honey-eaters 

 (AcdiifluH/ciii/s riipf/iildris <-!/<iiiiis\ were about, their loud and 

 beautifully li(piid calls being heard at (piite a distance away. 



During the latter jiart of the month several Fantailed 

 Ouckoos {(Uicouutnth nihric(ifns\ have been about. They are 

 very (piiet indeed in themselves, but their presence is fully 

 heralded by all and snndry of tlie small birds that nudvc a 

 great commotion while the Cuckoo is altout. 



The Red-backed or (Jiass Farrot { I'scpliofiis huciiidiouo- 

 liis) has a})i)arently come back to slay, as I saw several during 

 the last few days of the month. 



F>v J. SiTTox. Xkthkkbv. 



Flamim'.rk.vspei) KoBiN's. — First seen on May 7, and have 

 been about the gardens every day since then. 



Hko-cai'I'KI) Rop.ix. — A fennile was seen on May 7 — the 



first time I have noticed one here for four years. It has not 

 been observed since. 



