42 CHENERY ^ MORGAN— Birds of Rivers Murray S' Darling. 



them. Tn dry seasons, such as the present, they are seen 

 along the river frontage. A favourite food is the native peach 

 or quong dong. 



Leipoa ocellata (Mallee Hen) — Found in the Victorian 

 mallee, south of Mildura in parts not yet subdivided ; there are 

 still a few birds on the N.S.W. side of the river, especially 

 towards Euston. The only mounds seen were on Kulkyne 

 Station, in the back country. These birds are rapidly decreas- 

 ing in numbers, due to clearing of their natural cover, and their 

 destruction by foxes. It is said that the loose sand falls in too 

 quickly for a fox to dig out the eggs, but we do not vouch for 

 this. They can apparently exist without water. 



Coturnix pectoralifi (Stubble Quail) — Plentiful in 1917, 

 when they bred. Odd birds may be flushed in any year of 

 average rainfall : none seen in 1919. 



Austrotiirnijc relox (Button Quail) — Plentiful in the 

 spring of 1017 in the Lake Victoria District. At other times 

 they are occasionally seen in ithe mallee country. We have 

 not found them breeding. 



GeopeJia placida trnnquilla (Peaceful Dove) — Very com- 

 mon and very tame. They are found only on the river banks 

 and box flats, and do not go into the back country. Nests are 

 to be found from April to November. 



Sticfopclid ci(ii('at(( (Little Dovei — Locally known as tlie 

 "Darling Dove." They are found only near the river banks, 

 but not so commonly as the preceding species. They nest in 

 the fruit trees of the irrigation areas. 



Phaps chnlcoptern (Bronze- winged Pigeon) — Fairly com 

 mon, usually occurring as single birds or in pairs. They favour 

 the pine belts, but are also to be found near the river. 



Ocyphups lophotes (Crested Bronze- Aving) — Found in num- 

 bers in h^'th river and back country, but prefers river flats and 

 tobacco bush country. In the late summer and autumn they 

 collect in flocks of 20 or more. They nest freely in the district; 

 on one ( Lcasion a bird was seen sitting on an old Grallina's 

 nest. 



Hjjpotaenidia phUippensh oust rails (Landrail) — Quite 

 plentiful in the Wentworth district in 1917 (a flood year). They 

 bred freely in the lucerne patches of the irrigation area. The 

 largest clutch seen consisted of eight eggs. 



