. Bird Notes for May 87 



at Oaklands, the 24th; Blue-winged Parrot {Nconanodcs chrys- 

 ostomus) — a small liock of the "Blue-winged Parrots" seen at 

 Outer Harbour, the 27th. 



Mr. Edwin Ashby, of Blackwood, in the Mount Lofty 

 Ranges — "Owing to the heavy tlowering of the peppermint gums 

 [Eucalyptus odorata) and the blue gum {E. leucoxylon) all 

 the common Honey-eaters and Lorikeets have been about, in ex- 

 ceptional numbers, though the Blue Mountains (T. novae-hol- 

 landiae) are less numerous than they were, owing to the 

 orchards having been cleared of fruit. About the second week 

 in May, Regent Honey-eaters [Zanthomiza phrygia) put in an 

 appearance, and have been very numerous since, their call note 

 being heard continually throughout the day. 



1 heard the Fantailed Cuckoo {Cacomantis ruhricatus) on 

 the 26th, but there are very few about, or they are not calling 

 freely. 



A stranger appeared on the 29th, in the form of the Spiny- 

 cheeked Honey-eater [Acanthagenys rufogularis). — This is so 

 essentially a plain or dry country bird that its occurrence in 

 these hills is of especial interest. 



The usual autumnal visit of the Adelaide Kosellas [Platy- 

 cercus elegans adelaidae) occurred early in the month. 



The Tawny-crowned Honey-eater [Gliciphila melanops 

 chandleri) appear to be more numerous than usual, and we 

 have heard their charming whistle for the last two or three 

 months. 



Capt.^S. A. White, on the Adelaide Plains, at the Reed- 

 beds — Spiny-cheeked Honey-eaters {Acanthagenys rufogularis) 

 are still with us, and calling loudly all day. 



Southern I Scarlet-breasted Robin (Petroica multicolor 

 frontalis) — Has been in the garden throughout the month. 

 South Australian Fantail {Rhipidura flabellifera ivhitei) is 

 also staying on very late with us this year. /Red-browed Finch 

 (Aegintha temporalis lofty i) have been about in large num- 

 bers all through the month. 



Observed two Magpies chasing an English Blackbird on 

 the 19th, and they kept up the chase for quite/ a time, through 

 trees and undergrowth, but did not make a capture. Upon 



the same date a (Whistling Eagle (Haliastur sphenurus) was 

 seen flying very high. 



Numbers of Black-faced Cuckoo-Shrikes (Coracina novae- 

 hollandiae melanops) have been about during the month. 



When the first rains fell, after such a long, dry spell, a 

 little water ran out into the swamps, which attracted great 



