ACROSS THE PLAINS 181 



sleepily and was perfectly docile. Its back was 

 covered in soft white down, like teased silk, but the 

 wing and tail feathers were well developed. The 

 Delicate Owl is not a rare species, though its nest is 

 seldom found. 



Leaving the Owls' haunt, we walked to a billa- 

 bong, where Warbling Grass-Parrots [Melopsittacus 

 undulatus] were nesting among the dead gum trees. 

 Many birds were seen entering or leaving hollows, but 

 all appeared to have chosen trees which stood in fairly 

 deep water, and, lacking a boat, we could not use the 

 camera to advantage. Crossing the plains, we had 

 seen vast flocks of "Betcherrygahs." Startled while 

 feeding, thousands of lovely little birds rose from the 

 ground, and flew to the nearest tree. In flight they 

 resembled butterflies, the glorious "Bird-Wings" 

 [Troides priamus], which flutter over Lantana bushes 

 on the northern rivers of New South Wales. During 

 some seasons Warbling Grass-Parrots are so numerous 

 in Riverina that trappers capture many thousands, 

 and the market becomes glutted, though the birds are 

 offered for sale at a few pence apiece. 



After our adventures among birds on the Yanco, 

 we returned to Jerilderie, sunburned but satisfied, 

 with a store of pleasant memories and many unique 

 photographs. Riverina is a wonderland for bird- 

 lovers. 



