158 THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. 



pose of frightening other birds and disturbing the general peace. 

 The nest is placed upon the ground, and the complement of 

 eggs is two. In November I have found them, with the assistance 

 of the sitting bird, for it will leave the nest as you are approach- 

 ing with the feign of broken wing, as adopted by other ground 

 birds, including the European Lapwing. 



The Mountain Thrush, Geocichla lunulata, Lath. (W.), is a bird 

 of similar habitat, with a preference for moist land, such as low on 

 creek banks. It is well distributed, and the most familiar of the 

 three species known in this continent. The nest is a bulky one, 

 placed off the ground, and the eggs are laid as early as July, in 

 company with the Lyre Bird of moister districts. 



Amongst the southern spring and summer residents is the Aus- 

 tralian Oriole, Mimeta viridis, Lath. I have noted its arrival in 

 August, and a call peculiar to it, but similar to the Black-faced 

 Graucalus, is henceforth heard, with a reduction in autumn and a 

 departure by winter. The bird also has two harsh, powerful 

 notes, made quickly in succession. The Oriole pitches its voice 

 at a higher key to start with than the Graucalus, which com- 

 mences with a squeak, then continues in a similar manner to the 

 voice of the Oriole. One call of the young is like that of the 

 "Rosella." There is a divergence between the Orioles of the 

 mainland and those of the Malay Archipelago, as noted by Mr. 

 Wallace, and interesting as a case of protection. The two species 

 of the islands unconsciously mimic the Leatherheads (Philemon), 

 and thus lead birds of prey to believe they have to deal with 

 the pugnacious Leatherhead instead of the sombre and harmless 

 bird under notice. 



At a certain time of the year each district is generally visited 

 by the Australian Raven, Corone Australis, Gould (W.), a bird 

 different to the White-eyed Crow in so far as it has hazel 

 eyes and darker tips to feathers. In January (after breeding) it 

 may be seen flying high looking for the spots most favourable to 

 the nourishing of its body. Such places as where offal from 

 slaughter-houses is being placed in orchards are particularly 

 favoured. Its palate may be sensitive, but I would not think 

 the digestive organs were. It is certain some ferment works 

 rapidly, for if you carry a bird just shot under these conditions 

 for a mile, the disposition to carry it any further is lost, and the 

 bird is dropped for the ants and flies. 



In the Swan Hill district I have noticed great flocks of 

 this species and the White-eyed Crow catching worms on the 

 edges of swamps as the waters subside. Ravens are classified 

 amongst singing birds, as previously mentioned. Structurally this 

 is correct, but where do we hear the music, beyond the con- 

 tinuous din of its caw, caw ? I have seen one without its 

 black pigment, so that we have a white specimen of a Raven, 



