MI:LIJ)I! ^In thf Fin- .nul Mallee. 3i> 



I'^ggs — The eijijus are two in niiiubei*. of a rounded shape, 

 ihe textnn^ of flic shell dull and lusti-ele.As. They are pure 

 white when fiisi lai'l. bui sooii i)e<-oine stained a brownish 

 colour by the dust of rhe iu-'<(in«- hollow. Average measure- 

 ment of six ejijis. U.74 cm. x 1\2() e.ui. Largest e<;«>'. 2.80 cm. 

 X 2.40 cm.; smallest egg, 2.65 cm. x 2.20 cm. 



Flight — Very swift and strong; they fly to a great height 

 at times when moving from one locality to another. 



Food — Consists of honey, varied at times with berries 

 and seeds. They are very troublesome in the orchards at 

 times, having a great liking for pears and apples. 



Note — Loud and shrill, and when many are feeding in the 

 same tree, quite deafening. 



Habitat — ^Vherever the Eucalyi)ts are flowering whether 

 stunted mallee or the lofty gums. As soon as the trees finish 

 blossoniing they shift to another locality at times travelling, 

 great distances. 



In the Pine and Mallee. 



By J. W. Mel lor, R.A.O.U. 

 Part II. 



Llf^T OF BIRDS IDENTIFIED IN THE HUNDRED OF 

 ROOKPURNONG, SOI^TH AUSTRALIA. 



October, 1918. 



Emu {Dronnceaus novae-holla ndiae). — The fresh marks of 

 this 1 ird were obi^erved, and an egg taken in the district worked. 

 A clutch of eight eggs had not long ago been taken. 



Eastern Stubble Quail {(Joturnix pectoralis) .—These 

 birds were only moderately common, their call being some- 

 times lieard in the £>rass, and on one occasion a bird rose up so 

 ouicklv from beneath my feet, that it struck a stiff stemmed 

 shrub.' which plucked quite a number of feathers from its 

 breast. 



Button Quail (AnMrotnrniT irZo.r). —Several were flushed 

 in the long grass where they were feeding. 



Bronzewing Pigeon (Phaps chalcoptera) .—^oted. on seve- 

 ral occasions, but not common. 



