Vol- IV.-] Excursion to N S.W . National Park. l6l 



1905 J 



378 Pallid Cuckoo {Cuculus pallidus). 



380 Square-tailed Cuckoo (Cacomantis variolosus). 



459 Little Green Pigeon {Chalcophaps chrysochlora). 



462 Bronze-wing Pigeon {Phaps chalcoptera). 



548 White-fronted Heron {Noiophoyx novcs-hollandicB). 



570 Land Rail {Hypotcenidia philippinensis). 



S77 Black Swan (Chenopis atrata). 



585 Black Duck {Anas superciliosa). 



597 Silver Gull (Larus novce-hollandice). 



653 Pied Cormorant {Phalacrocorax hypoleucus). 



A further excursion was taken during the same session of this 

 Congress to the Tuggerah Lakes district, situated half-way between 

 Sydney and Newcastle, when a large number of birds were identified 

 and many intei-esting notes taken. The account of this excursion 

 will appear in the next issue of The Emu. 



Field Notes on Some Birds of the Casterton District 



(Victoria). 



By (Dr.) E. A. D'Ombrain. 



Part II. 



Tawny Frogmouth [Podargns strigoides). — The nest of this bird 

 was discovered on eight occasions during 1903. The only notice- 

 able facts about them were that in one instance the nest was in a 

 " spout " of the tree and contained the unusual clutch of three 

 eggs.* Time of season, August to November. 



Brown Kingfisher, or Laughing Jackass [Dacelo gigas). — 

 Birds and nests very numerous. The only note of interest is that 

 these birds play great havoc with poultry chicks. An acquaint- 

 ance of mine wondered what was taking his brood of chickens, 

 set a watch, and found a pair of Laughing Jackasses helping 

 themselves. They had taken all but four out of fourteen chicks. 



Hoary-headed Grebe {Podicipes poliocephalits). — My friend 

 Mr. W. M'Lennan watched a pair building in a reedy dam. Both 

 birds assisted in the buikUng. The nest site was in the reeds, 

 about 5 yards from the end of the dam. The structure was of 

 brown weeds growing in the water near the edge. The birds dived 

 for the weeds, and on reappearing dived again, and came to the 

 surface near the nest. Not much time was spent in placing the 

 weed on the nest, and the birds then dived off the nest. Date, 

 8/11/03. On 10/11/03 nest completed, but no sign of birds any- 

 where about, nor on 19/11/03. The question as to the flight of 

 these birds is sometimes raised. Mr. M'Lennan, on the same 

 dam, in March, 1904, saw one of these Grebes, and sat down to 

 observe it. It was very inquisitive, and swam within a few yards 

 of him, making a chirping noise. On throwing a piece of earth 



* Instances of three eggs to a clutch are recorded in " Nests and Eggs " 

 (Campbell), p. 540. — Eds. 



