86 Grossman, Birds Seen at Cnm-minin Sfa/inii, W .A . [ ist 'oct. 



Bustard (Eupodofis australis). — The so-called Wild Turkey is not 

 common, though at times one may come across parties of three or 

 four. 



Black-breasted Plover {Zonifer tricolor) . — This bird seems to 

 prefer the cultivated land, and is much commoner where there is 

 arable land. A few pairs might be seen every year about the time 

 the crop was coming up. 



Straw-necked Ibis {Carphibis spinicollis). — A frequent visitor in 

 early summer, when they apparently come after the grasshoppers. 

 In 1907 some four or five hundred of these birds frequented the 

 paddocks round my homestead for a considerable time. 



White-necked Heron (Notophoyx pacifica) . — A Heron of this 

 species visited the small dam near the house on several occasions 

 in 1907. 



White-fronted Heron (N. novcs-hollandicp). — I saw one bird of 

 this kind on the run in the early part of 1908. 



Mountain-Duck (Casarca tadornoides).- — I saw a pair of Mountain- 

 Ducks with five or six very small young on a lake in the Salt River 

 about 9 or 10 miles from Cumminin in September, 1907, and an old 

 male was shot by an aborigine at the homestead about October, 1908. 



Black Duck {Anas super ciliosa). — Large numbers of these Ducks 

 frequent the pools and lakes on the Salt River in wet seasons. 



Teal (Nettion castaneum). — I shot a pair of Teal at Cumminin in 

 1907. They are occasionally to be found on dams and waterholes on 

 the run, and no doubt in wet seasons are plentiful on the Salt River. 



Spotted Harrier (Circus assimilis).— This species used to be very 

 troublesome about the time young Turkeys (domestic) were about. 



Wedge-tailed Eagle (Uroactus audax). — This Eagle is unfortu- 

 nately of frequent occurrence during the lambing season, and does a 

 great deal of damage. They undoubtedly nest in the district, though 

 I never actually found a nest. Poison gets rid of them, but they seeni 

 to require a strong dose of strychnine. One I killed measured over 6 

 feet across the wings. 



Black-cheeked Falcon {Falco melanogenys). — I have occasionally 

 seen this species in the district. 



Little Falcon (F. lunulatus). — I was able to identify this Falcon at 

 least on one occasion. 



Brown Hawk (Hieracidea orientalis).- — Both this and the next 

 species are plentiful. The Brown Hawk is not above feeding on 

 carrion, as on two occasions I have found one dead near a poisoned 

 lamb. It is curious to see the male and female differing so much 

 in colouration as do Brown Hawks. They are a source of great loss 

 in the poultry-yard. 



Striped Brown Hawk (//. berigora). 



Sparrow-Hawk (Accipter cirrhocephalus). — I have seen this bird 

 occasionally at Cumminin. 



Kestrel (Cerchneis Qenchroides). — Common. It is quite possible 

 that C. unicolor (Milligan) occurs also, as there appear to be two 

 varieties, but I have never handled specimens of the birds. 



Boobook Owl {Ninox boobook). — This bird is common, and its well- 

 known note may usually be heard at night in fine weather. 



