^'"i^e^''] Barrett, Bird Life on Yanko Creek {N.S.W.) \y 



Many nests of the Tricoloured Bush-Chat were found in a 

 bed of star thistles on the outskirts of the town, and others 

 among long, dry grass in the paddocks. Later, when travelling 

 across the plains, specimens of the Orange -fronted species {£". 

 aurifrons) were observed, but no nest was discovered. 



With Mr. Egger I made two trips to Yanko Creek, about i6 

 miles from Jerilderie. On the first occasion we visited, en route, a 

 great rookery of the Straw-necked Ibis {Carphihis spinicollis) in 

 a shallow lignum swamp on Yanko Station. The birds are strictly 

 protected. We estimated that between 15,000 and 20,000 

 were nesting at the time of our visit. Some of the bushes 

 supported a dozen or more nests. There were fresh eggs in nests 

 on the outskirts of the rookery, while many of those nearer the 

 centre contained chicks a few days old ; at the hub of the rookery 

 there were broods nearly ready for flight. The older birds 

 declined to remain in their nests when the camera was erected 

 near them ; many climbed to the top of the bush and clustered ; 

 while others scrambled or fell into the muddy water, and splashed 

 into the thickest cover. Alone in a nest was an albino fledgeling ; 

 its plumage was not pure white, but of a creamy colour, and it 

 was conspicuous among scores of dusky chicks in neighbouring 

 nests. 



Travelling across the plains, I was impressed by the work of the 

 Ibises. In every paddock there were hundreds of the birds 

 warring on young grasshoppers. It was easy to see that the 

 Ibises enjoy protection, for they allowed our vehicle to approach 

 fairly close to them before rising to fly a few yards, and resume 

 their feeding. Without Carphibis spinicollis to keep them 

 in check, the grasshoppers would indeecl become a terrible burden 

 in Riverina. While we were at the rookery a boundary-rider 

 galloped up, but he was reassured when he recognized Max 

 Egger, who had done much to spread knowledge of the value of 

 the Ibis to pastoralists. 



Pink-eared Ducks {Malacorhynchiis memhranaceus) breed among 

 the lignum in this swamp, but we failed to find a nest. It was 

 rather risky work searching the bushes, for they are favourite 

 resorts of black snakes. We did not actually see a reptile, but 

 as I thrust a stick into one bush there was a slithering noise, and 

 I prudently retired. 



On the journey to the creek many nests of the Australian Crow 

 {Corvus coronoides) were observed in dead trees. Most of them 

 were at no great height, and they were conspicuous objects even 

 at a distance. Though nests were so numerous, few Crows were 

 seen. Signs of their presence were noted in the Ibis rookery, 

 where many eggs and nestlings must be destroyed by the black 

 marauders. As the swamp dries up, Ibises that were late in 

 nesting desert the unhatched eggs, wliich are eagerly devoured 

 by Crows and rats. 



Yanko Creek is a fine stream, whose banks are lined with big 

 eucalypts, while the trunks of dead gum-trees rise Hke twisted 



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