35 



liann. If one takes the ti-ouble to invostisate the suiTouiuIings 

 of one of those bird's nests it will l)e found that hundreds of 

 rabbits are brought as food for tlio young. Sometimts a single 

 lamb's remains are found, but in all cases these lambs are weak- 

 lings, which would bo little or no loss to the owner. Pi-obably 

 they have died from cold or other causes, and have been conveyed 

 to the nest after death. A strange feature connected with these 

 birds' nests is that invariably the little yellow-rumped tit builds 

 its dome-shaped nest among the sticks of its noble relative's hugo 

 Best, where it rears its family in peo-fect safety. The black- 

 cheeked falcon (Falco-melanogenys) was once seen to dart down 

 amid the timber in pursuit of some small rodent or reptile, alighted 

 for a moment on a branch, turned its black face towards the 

 observer, and was gone again on swift wing. The rare and swift- 

 flying hawk, the black falcon (Falco-subniger), was reported as 

 having ))een seen on one occasion. The western brown hawk 

 (Hieracidea occidentalis) was closely observed by several of the 

 ornithologists, and it was noted for its small legs, compact body, 

 and long-pointed wings. Its flight was elegant, made up by long 

 sweeps and curves, and manoeu^Ting close to the' ground. The 

 latter trait is peculiar to the hawk family, which prefers plenty 

 •of wing room when performing in the characteristic sweeping 

 movements. The bird's diet consists chiefly of lizards, frogs, 

 insects, caterpillars, and carion. Those useful little birds, the 

 nankeen kestrels (Cerchneis cenchroides), so wrongly called spar- 

 row hawks, were seen in almost every locality, especially about 

 the wheatfields, where they kept watch for mice, lizards, and large 

 Insects. They were frequently seen suspending themselves ovct 

 some particular spot in midair without the slightest apparent 

 motion of the wings. One of the most graceful of the hawk 

 family, the letter winged kite (Elanus scriptus) was noticed by me 

 on one occasion sweeping by. These birds are fairly plentiful in 

 the central part of Australia, but an odd one or two pay an oc- 

 cassional .summer visit to the south. The bird derives its name 

 from the coloration of the uudersui-face of the wing, which when 

 extended forms the letter V, and if both wings are seen from un- 

 ilerneath at the same time th& letter W. 



In the hollow branch of a dead old gum which hath neither 

 leaf nor flower. 



The boobook owl doth dwell. 



Dull, hatred despised in the sunshine hour. 



But at dark is abroad and well. 



Not a bird of the scrub ever mates with him. 



All mock him outright by day. 



But at night when the scrub is still and dim 



The boldest will shrink away! 



