Vol. XII. 

 igi2 



"I JacksoNj Haunts of the Spotted Bower-Bird. yy 



Three glass corks or stoppers from sauce bottles, more Emu egg-shell 

 bleached white, piece of very old wooden pipe-stem, three small curled up 

 galvanized iron clippings, two long, green cigar-shaped pods of the native 

 silk-vine [Marsdeiiia leichhardtiana.^ F. v. M.), &c. This bower (No. 3) is 

 placed quite close to the skeleton and scattered remains of an old and 

 isolated wooden house, which is completely wrecked and laid flat. No 

 doubt the Bower-Birds collect glass and other objects for their play-ground 

 round about the ruins. I sat in hiding, and again watched the two birds 

 at this bower in order to see if there were any signs of mating. One bird 

 hopped bit by bit until it got within 3 feet of where I was, and after 

 remaining for four or five seconds, and looking inquisitively towards me, 

 flew straight back to the bower. The small Barcoo flies (a species of 

 Muscidcc) are most troublesome, and are constantly getting down one's 

 throat and into one's eyes. I found another nest of the Reddish-crowned 

 Fly-eater {P.Jacksoni) being built in the suckers springing from the base of 

 a ring-barked coolibah. Shot a Pardalote for identification, which proved 

 to be Pardalotus ornatiis (Temm.) Noticed many masses of the black grubs 

 or larvs of a species of saw-fly {Pej-ga) on the green leaves of the coolibah 

 suckers. Large lumps of clear gum are often seen on the trunks of the 

 native lime trees {Atalantia glauca^ Hook.), and it makes a good adhesive 

 for camp use. After mid-day I travelled west, and found a nest of Brown 

 Hawk {Hicracidea berigord) placed about 80 feet up in a tall belah tree 

 (C lepidop/iloia, F. v. M.) ; bird flew off". Came across great quantities of 

 nypang vines [Capparis lasia/ithia., R. Br.) growing on the trees some 3 or 

 4 miles west of camp. Here were noticed two Bower-Birds feeding from 

 the leaves of a green coolibah tree ; they appeared to be collecting small 

 insects. They soon vanished, and no sign of a nest could be found 

 anywhere about. The ground at some parts is fearfully cracked, especially 

 about old warrambools, the fissures being large enough for a man to put 

 his foot into. Noticed many dragon-flies {Odona/a) hovering about over the 

 plain to the west of the camp to-day ; one would not expect to see so many 

 of these aquatic insects in such dry country and so far from water. Friar- 

 Birds were chasing some of them, and in many cases were successful in 

 capturing their victim. Found the first nest of the Spotted Bower-Bird 

 to-day, but it was very old, and placed up 18 feet in a cunnyanna tree 

 {Vc?itilago 7'iuiinaiis, Hook.) west of the camp, constructed of sticks, and 

 lined inside with smaller ones. 



jih October. — Crumbs which I put at my tent door late last night for the 

 Bower-Birds were appreciated by them, and they were picking them all up 

 at 5 a.m. Tramped northwards to-day, and passed No. 2 bower under the 

 boobialla tree {Myoporum acuiinnatii/Ji, R. Br.), and found it in good order. 

 Two birds were at it. At the present time these birds are in pairs at all the 

 three bowers now under observation. The trees all about these bowers for 

 a good distance have been repeatedly examined for nests. I am of opinion 

 they do not build very far from the play-ground. Total of different species 

 of birds identified to date is 96. 



%th October. — Last night for some hours a Pied Robin {Petra'ca picatd) 

 perched itself in a native lime tree near the camp, and kept up a moonlight 

 serenade ; the night was calm and very clear. These birds call at night 

 (when moonlight) much more distinctly than during the day, and not 

 nearly so rapidly. The night note resembles — " Wheatyer — cantyer — 

 cartyer — wheat." Also — " Wheat (pause) — wheatyer — cantyer — cartyer — 

 wheat." The first and last words (or notes) are of the highest pitch. After 

 arriving here, and before being properly acquainted with the call of this 

 bird, my assistant and I tramped about the bush one moonlight morning 

 about 2 o'clock to try and find out what bird it was. Saw no more Bower- 

 Birds to-day. Plenty of large goannas about the trees. 



<)th October.— Strong westerly wind blowing, and notes of very few birds 



