Bird Notes. 181 



month two species have been about Lockleys, much to the dis- 

 comforture of the various birds that are forced to become 

 foster-parents. 



The Pallid Cuckoo {Hctciosccncs pallidus) 1 noted again 

 on August 1 calling loudly. The Honey-eaters were much 

 concerned and were chasing the Cuckoo. On various occasions 

 throughout the month I have noted different birds trying to 

 frighten the Cuckoos away, but without avail. 



On the first of the month, at Lockleys, I also noted rhe 

 Narrow-billed Bronze Cuckoo {Xcochalcitcs basciUs mellori). 

 It was perched on the same tree that I noted it on last year, 

 a white cedar, growing on the red sand dimes, and surrounded 

 by thick boxthorn bushes, in which several Blue Wrens were 

 tiii"eading their way and twittering. I visited (vne of the 

 market gardens at Lockleys on the tirst day of the month, and 

 was pleased to see several pairs of Flame-breasted Kobins 

 (Littlera chrysoptcra pJioenicea \ Hying about amongst the 

 fruit trees, and at times settling en the grcnnd, picking np 

 some insect or worm, and Hying to an adjacent fiuit tree to eat 

 it. The owner of the garden, Mr. S. Lewis, I am glad to say, 

 takes a great interest in the birds, and will not allow them to 

 be disturbed. He stated that the Robins had been about for 

 a long time, and were in the habit of entering the glass houses 

 amongst the young tomato plants, where flies and gnats were 

 plentiful. The >Willy Wagtails, or Shepherd's Companions, 

 were also his friends in this respect, and one pair last year 

 actually built their nest on a post in the glass house, 



Red-backed Grass Parrots i P.scphotiis haniKitoiiotiis) have 

 been in evidence amongst the old gums, and I am hopeful that 

 they will breed this season. In company with them has been 

 the Pale-headed Rosella {Plati/rrrcus adscHus paUiccps), which 

 has been about all the wintei", but having no mate of his kind 

 lam doubtful whether he will stay much longer. 



On August 5 I had a gocd look at the Southern Grass Bird 

 (Poodijffs (/rcnnineiis duhius) recorded last month, and which 

 have been about ever since, and may stay to breed. They were 

 calling loudly in the thicket of boxthorn, and on my answering 

 them gradually came ri<?ht u]) to me at the edge of the bushes. 

 On the same day I noted a little South Australian Pantail 

 ( Rhipidiira fahellifrra n'hitci) in the garden. 



Tlie White-f rented Herons iXofophojj.r novaehollandiae) 

 have been coming into the large red gums right at the back 

 door. 



On August 10 I noted a pair of Black and White Fantails 

 ( Lruroriirn tricolor) carrving bits of bark and cobweb to make- 



