2 White, Field Ornithology in South Australia. \ ^'^"1 



*• ' ^-^ l.i-t July 



and Zosterops ccendescens were plentiful, hopping about on the 

 ground in large parties. 



Leaving next day for Warunda we formed our camp close to 

 the old camping-place of the R.A.O.U. in 1909. Around the cam]) 

 birds were fairly numerous. Blue Mountain Parrots {Tricho- 

 glossus novcB-hollandice) were nesting in the sugar gums {Eucalyptus 

 corynocalyx), selecting the most inaccessible hollow limbs. The eggs, 

 two in number, were placed on bare wood. Young were covered 

 with soft grey down. No gums being in flower along the creek 

 at this time the birds were feeding on the flowers of a heath-like 

 plant {Astroloma conostephoides) which grew close to the ground. 

 They are very noisy birds when nesting. They perch, in pairs 

 or singly, on the limbs close to their nesls, screeching and 

 making a great noise. 



Strepera fusca was not nearly so numerous as in 1909. We 

 heard only one pair near the camp, and it was some time after 

 we arrived that we discovered a nest placed among the topmost 

 branches of a gum {Eucalyptus odoratus). The branch was slender, 

 and the climb a hard one. After many attempts, I had at last 

 to cut the limb and lower it, which took half a day to accomplish. 

 But we were rewarded by a fine clutch of brown eggs, spotted with 

 indistinct blotches of a darker colour. These eggs were more 

 pointed than is usual with this species. I presented the clutch 

 to Mr. H. L. White, of Scone, N.S.W. The nest, unhke those 

 of other birds of the same genus, was neatly lined with dry 

 grass, and was composed of fairly large sticks. The male feeds the 

 female on the nest, and the latter makes the same gurgling and 

 gulping sound as the young Magpie does when being fed. These 

 birds are very wary, and when alarmed will keep just out of gun- 

 shot, flying on from tree to tree. Each time a flight is made the 

 bird gives a loud, piping, bell-like call, very clear, yet harsh, and 

 a distinct cry of alarm, at which most other birds and animals take 

 warning. These birds nest, as a rule, very early, this season being 

 somewhat late. 



Acanthochcera carunculata was very numerous round our camp. 

 Their peculiar harsh cry and queer calls are kept up from 

 the first streak of dawn till darkness sets in. They are very early 

 nesters, nearly all we saw having fully-fledged young. There were 

 one or two late broods — most likely second ones. Their chief food 

 appears to consist, at this time of the year, of soft, hairy cater- 

 pillars. 



Pardalotus ornatus was also plentiful. They seemed to keep to 

 the big gum country, and were found constructing their beauti- 

 fully formed nests of soft bark and grass in the hollow of a gum 

 limb or bole, a hole with a very small entrance being always 

 chosen. 



Cuculus pallidus was very numerous. The quaint notes could 

 be heard all over the country. All specimens collected were 

 males, and I firmly believe that the female seldom calls, and not 

 at all at this time of the year. 



