104 Jackson, Haunts of the Spotted Bower-Bird. [,sf'o"ct. 



ing the lilac nape, which hitherto T always understood were only on 

 the males. The eyes of the Spotted Bower-Bird are large and dark 

 brown in colour, with a large black centre. The altitude of every 

 Spotted Bower-Bird's nest found on the trip was taken, also name of 

 the tree, circumference of same i foot up from the ground, and 

 position of tree from camp. Altogether I found 95 nests, the bulk of 

 which, of course, were very old — or 96 including the one found by Mr M. 

 Doyle — and were placed in no less than 1 7 different species of trees, 

 which were as follow : — 23 in buddas {Eremophila mitchelli), 17 in white- 

 woods {Atalaya hemiglauca), 15 in cypress pines {Callitris robustd), 8 in 

 wilgas (Geijera parviflora),6 in bumbles (Capparis mitchelli), 6 in leopard- 

 woods (Flindersia maculosa), 3 in needle- woods (Hakea leucoptera), 

 3 in belahs (Casuarina lepidophloia), 3 in bunarys {Heterodendron 

 olece folium) , 2 in cunnyannas (Ventilago viminalis), 2 in beef-woods 

 {Grevillea striata), 2 in sand-ridge belahs {Casuarina stricta), 2 in wattles 

 {Acacia longifolia), and i each in boobialla {Myoporum acuminatum), 

 blood-wood {Eucalyptus terminalis), iron- wood {Acacia excelsa), and 

 mulga {Acacia aneura). Twenty nests, including the new ones and the 

 best of the old ones, were collected for Mr. H. L. White's museum, and 

 they vary from shallow to rather deep cup-shaped structures ; it 

 depends on the position in which they are built, both as regards their 

 size and depth. For instance, those found in mistletoes are usually 

 smaller. 



On the morning of the 5th February, 191 2, I said farewell to my 

 friends at the Cambo Cambo homestead, who had extended to me the 

 greatest kindness during my visit, and had left no stone unturned to 

 afford me assistance. At Collarenebri I remained a few days for further 

 observations. Saw a number of Red-rumped Parrakeets {Psephotus 

 hcematonotiis) and other birds in the eucalyptus trees along the banks 

 of the Barwon River. Was surprised to see the numbers of Bower- 

 Birds which were then frequenting a Chinese fruit and vegetable 

 garden close to the town, eating grapes, peaches, and other fruits. I 

 counted 35 of the birds one morning. This garden is irrigated by the 

 water which is daily pumped from the river by an engine and is run 

 over the ground in trenches and wells. The proprietor of the garden 

 informed me that the Bower-Birds were "no good," and spoilt his 

 fruit, and that he had shot as many as 30 one morning from a fig tree. 

 From this it would appear that these birds congregate here from the 

 immediate district when the fruit is ripe. They also frequent the 

 pepper trees in the streets and gardens of inland towns, and become 

 very " cheeky," but always wary. Finally, I must thank those other 

 persons with whom I came in contact during my visit for the kind help 

 they gave me so freely, and only regret that it was my misfortune to 

 strike such a bad (dry) season as then existed. 



"American Ducks and How to Distinguish Tliem " is the title 

 of succinctly written and popular articles, by Dr. R. W. Shufeldt, 

 appearing in the Outer's Book (an excellent magazine devoted to 

 outdoor interest). The articles are well illustrated with photo- 

 graphs and original drawings by the author. If Australian Ducks 

 were written up in the way Dr. Shufeldt is treating the American 

 species, much more could be learned about the former. 



