i-eared in holes made in a sandy bank of a river or dry water- 

 <ourse. The entrance is scarcely larger than a mouse-hole, and 

 is three oi- four feet deep. A chamber is constructed large enough 

 to contain five or six pinky-white eggs. 



—The Wood Swallow.— 

 Two species of these extremely useful l)irds were noted near 

 the camp. The dusky wood swallows (Artamus-tenebrosus). were 

 found nesting in the upright forks or behind bark in the timber 

 along the creek, and their famllar call was heard all day long as 

 they chased winged insects near the watercourse. The wood 

 swallow should be a general favorite with Australians, not only 

 for its graceful and pleasing actions, but for the great amount of 

 good it does, and from its trustful nature. They will often take 

 up their abode near houses, and rear their young within the 

 sight of human beings. A large flock of masked wood swallows 

 (Artamus personatus) were identified by the aid of fieldglasses as 

 they passed overhead, evidently migi-ating to some locality to lay 

 their eggs and rear their young. Those pretty and useful little 

 birds the striped diamond birds (Pardalotus-ornatus). were in 

 great numbers among the timber along the creek, and could be 

 seen in every tree hopping about among the green foliage in 

 search of insects and parasites which are so injurious to the 

 healthy growth of the eucalyptus. As these birds hopped from 

 twig to twig and leaf to leaf they kept up a continual call of 

 two notes, which resembled the words "be quick, be quick." One 

 of the most conspicuous and plentiful birds about the camp was 

 the black magpie or strepera (strepera-fusca). These birds seek 

 their food on or near the ground, sometimes in swampy situations. 

 in Tasmania and the Bass Straits Islands one of this family is 

 to be seen searching among the rocks and seaweed for mariiie 

 insects. Grasshoppers and insects of every kind are eaten by 

 them. These are varied sometimes by seeds and berries. They 

 bop with remarkable agility over the ground, and leap from 

 branch to branch with great ease. Their flight is short and heavy. 

 They seldom mount high in the air, and during flight they usually 

 litter a shrill cry which is frequently repeated and answered by 

 other birds of the same troop. 



Ye birds on swift wing who cleave the air. 

 What lessons you teach us and messages bear; 

 You beckon our spirits from this earth to rise. 

 And tell us all lowly actions to despise. 

 You tell of how earth's pursuits are vain, 

 Even pleasure is toil and ambition is pain. 



That very familar bird the magpie, comes next under notice. 



