88 Bird Notr.s for May\ 



numbers of Teal (Virago giberrifrons) and a few Black Duck 

 {Anas superciliosa) . A large flock of Pied Geese (Anseranus 

 semipalmata) had been seen on the lower Murray flats, 



J. W. Mellor, Lockleys, S.A., reports — 



At Lockleys noted numbers of Chestnut-eared Finches still 

 about in the boxthoin bushes in the paddocks, they were build- 

 ing their little straw nests in these. bushes, and living in them 

 during the cold nights, and so kept warm, as the nests were 

 lined with feathers. 



The Noisy Minahs keep about all the year round, and fre- 

 quent the. large red and blue gums. During the month 

 they were very noisy, and the weather keeping dry, they 

 would, come to the tap in fruit garden, which is generally kept 

 ''dripping," there they would drink from the nozzle, seve- 

 ral clinging to the tap at once. Magpies were also plentiful, 

 they keep about in the large gums, and come into the garden 

 and" pick up large grubs and insects. Murray, Magpies are also 

 about all the year, -although no water is here for them, they 

 come to the tap and get their drink, and are quite tame, com- 

 ing right up to the door in quest of food. 



The Laughing Jacks are also tame, and come about the 

 house and look out for mice, and are often seen "flopping" 

 down in their usual clumsy manner after the large goat moth 

 as it emerges from the ground just after a shower of rain. 

 They also like the large worms, and are seen tugging away 

 at them, getting a firm hold in their bills, and laying 

 back with all their might until the worm at last gives, way, and 

 Jack goes laughing away to some convenient place to eat this 

 dainty morsel. The Fantail Cuckoos have been about all the 

 month both at Lockleys and Fulham, and feeding on grubs, etc., 

 but making not the slightest noise, their presence generally be- 

 ing made known by the native birds chasing them, and calling 

 loudly. In this respect, the "Greenie" or White-plumed Honey- 

 eater is the most common. 



Several Whistling Eagles were seen at Lockleys, but al- 

 ways singly, and flying above the large gum trees. 



White-plumed Honey-eaters, and New-Holland Honey- 

 eaters, or ''Yellow-wing" as it is often called, have been plen- 

 tiful in the bushes and trees, likewise the Singing Honey-eater, 

 the two latter species liking the thick boxthorn ns a shelter. 



Blue Wrens also favour this shelter at Lockleys, the sharp 

 thorns seem to be a protection from their enemies. 



