1 6 Fletcher, Bird Notes from Wilmot, Tasma)iia. [,st "July 



of the orchards. I found a nest in a plum tree ; it contained 

 two eggs. 



This district has been settled seven years, but it is only within 

 the last two years that the Ground-Lark {Anthus australis) has 

 made this its home. It seems to have followed the grassy pad- 

 docks, which are superseding the felled scrub. Early in the 

 morning these birds may be seen running about the gardens 

 after the insects. 



The Fire-tailed Finches {ZoncBginthus bcllus) are about in great 

 numbers. Last year they were building early in October, and 

 two years ago this month (March) 1 found a nest with fresh 

 eggs. 



Of the Pardalote family I have noticed two members — the 

 Spotted or Diamond-Bird {Pardalotus punctatiis) and the Yellow- 

 tipped (Pavdalotus afflnis). Once I found a nest of the former 

 driven in a bank. xA. few days afterwards I returned and 

 cautiously peeping in saw a snake had possession. Which of 

 us was more astonished was hard to say. 



In the tussocks of the swampy flats the Field-Wren iCala- 

 manthus fuliginosus) may always be seen, and its nest sometimes 

 found in a tussock. In the same localities the timid Emu-Wren 

 {Stipiturus malachmus) may be watched if the observer is a 

 quiet person. They flit from clump to clump, chirping to one 

 another so happily, and rarely show themselves above the level 

 of the grass. Their nest is dif^cult to find. 



In all parts of the district the familiar Long-tailed Blue Wren 

 {Malurus gouldi) is to be seen, generidly together in numbers 

 of four or five. In winter they become very fearless of human 

 beings, and their trust is very rarely ill repaid. 



The Dusky Fantail {Rhipidura dicmcnoisis) is to be seen 

 and heard near all our creeks, and in the quieter gullies it builds 

 its nest — a beautiful structure. 



Addenda. — Early in September (1903) a pair of Dusky Robins 

 {Petro'ca vittata) was noticed to be constantly about the back 

 verandah, and after the course of a few days their actions 

 plainly showed they were nest-hunting. The spot selected was 

 in the corner where the school verandah joined the house — not 

 a quiet situation by any means.* Both birds worked earnestly 

 at the nest, bringing rootlets principally. These they pro- 

 cured from the playground, where several loads of loam had been 

 spread. The situation of the nest was very secure, consequently 

 the nest was ill-constructed. Feathers were used as lining. 

 Before September was past the female was sitting on three eggs. 

 When she had been sitting about ten days our pair of Swallows 

 {Hirundo ncoxcnd) returned, and then a war began. They 

 were dreadfully indignant to find the verandah was in strangers' 

 possession, although their own last year's nest was untouched 

 in its corner. Backwards and forwards m front of the sitting 



* Most unusual for this bird to seek human habitations in nest-building. — Eds. 



