44 Bhrney, A^. Queensland Notes on Some Migratory Birds. [jsPo'ct 



little bird ; she is such a dainty, delicate wee thing in form and manner. 

 In 1902 they were here from end of March to September, during which 

 latter month they entirely left. In 1903 they did not show up at all, but 

 this winter I saw the first of them on 20th May, and now (July) one may 

 generally be seen any day in their haunts — thinly timbered country where 

 there are low bushes for them to sit on ; they are particularly partial to 

 the prickly acacias {^Acacia farnesiana) growing along the gullies on the 

 open downs. 



Black-breasted Song-Lark {Cindorhamphus cruralis). — A common 

 summer resident. We have them here, too, through most winters, but 

 in greatly reduced numbers, and in numbers, too, that vary one year with 

 another. This winter (end of July) they are more numerous than usual 

 for the time of year ; last winter they were entirely absent, with the 

 exception of an odd bird, while through the winters of 1901 and 1902 

 there were a good many about. But our summer Larks and our winter 

 Larks are different individuals, the former moving off in April or May, 

 and the latter taking possession within a week or two, but in the interval 

 there is a total absence ; but September again finds the winter birds 

 slipping away until we have practically none in November, and thus we 

 remain until our summer lot comes back to us during December. They 

 nest in the district. I have found eggs and young squabs through 

 February and March, my earliest date being 8th February (four eggs, 

 slightly incubated). I once found a nest with five eggs (14th February). 

 The male is rather grotesque-looking, with long legs and big feet, and he 

 does not add to his appearance when he sits on the top of a fence post with 

 his tail stuck up at right angles to his back — an attitude that doesn't 

 seem decorous. His song, too, is just such as you would expect from 

 him, quaint and unmvisical, but, being in no way discordant, is 

 pleasant to listen to. Although the winter birds sing while with us thev 

 do not don the black breast. 



Rufous Song-Lark {Cinclorhamphns rufescens'). — A solitary male, 

 obtained on 24th February, 1904, is my only experience of this species. 



Tricolored Bush-Chat {Ephthianura tricolor). — Undoubtedly, I think, 

 a migratory bird, but it is hard to distinguish its movements. It is in 

 the district all the year round, but much more numerous in the winter, 

 the influx commencing during March. 



Swallow {Himndo neoxena). — A winter visitor only, never being seen 

 in summer. I have record of them from October to March inclusive ; 

 never at any time as numerous as its ally, the Fairy Martin {Petrochelidon 

 ariel). During the winters of 1903 and 1904 it was represented by one 

 solitary individual only each year. Previous to 1903 it appeared to arrive 

 during April and leave again in August, a few remaining into September, 

 but being all gone by the end of that month. On the wing it is easily 

 distinguished from ariel by its forked tail, which part in the latter bird 

 looks stumpy by comparison ; then the dark rump in ncoxena is in strong 

 contrast to the light rump of ariel. 



Black and White Swallow {Chcramaca leucostemum). — May be seen 

 here at any time almost through the year, but never in any numbers, 

 twenty being the most I ever saw at one time. Though here at all seasons, 

 their appearance is very irregular and uncertain ; they are here to-day 

 and gone to-morrow, never staying long enough to nest. I believe there 

 is the same migratory movement with these birds as there is with 

 Petrochelidon ariel and Cindorhamphus cruralis — that is, our summer 

 residents go north at the approach of winter, their place being taken 



