200 CHENiiY, Birds of Wangaralta Dislricl, Victoria. [isf A^rii 



tion many of these migrant and nomadic birds would have been 

 missed. Swamp and water birds were numerous. Mountain 

 birds frequently visited the plain, while plain birds reached their 

 southern limit on the adjacent foothills. I was exceedingly 

 fortunate in having a band of enthusiastic helpers — my pupils — 

 who worked early and late observing the habits of familiar birds, 

 and the arrival and departure of those more unfamiliar. They 

 frequently journeyed several miles to ask me to see some new 

 species visiting the district. 



Coturnix pectoralis. Stubble-Quail. — These birds were frequently 

 surprised among the long grass in the play-ground of the school 

 during the summer months. We found a clutch of their eggs in an 

 old post-hole. 



Synoicus australis. Brown Quail. — Very tame, and often came 

 into the garden on a hot day. 



Excalfactoria australis. King Quail. — Being both pretty and rare, 

 this species was generally shot on sight by a certain type of " sports- 

 man." Once examined, the bird was thrown away, and the only 

 excuse given by the slayer was that he " wanted to see what it looked 

 like." This spirit of perverted curiosity is responsible for the death 

 of many different birds. 



Turnix varia. Painted Quail. — Occasionally half a dozen birds 

 were observed feeding in the paddocks along the dry water-courses. 

 They arrived when the grasses were seeding. 



Turnix velox. Little Quail. — We found one hanging by the neck 

 in a wire-netting fence, a prey, probably, of the Collared Butcher- 

 Bird. Another fraternized with some poultry, but, unfortunately, 

 a cat killed it. 



Pedionomus torquatus. Plain-Wanderer. — Owing to the drought, 

 these birds did not visit the district during 1914, although in previous 

 years we often saw them. 



Turtur ferrago. Indian Turtle-Dove. — A pair of these introduced 

 birds paid a week's visit to an orchard in September, 1914, none 

 having previously been recorded. 



Geopelia tranquilla. Ground-Dove. — When up in the hills it was 

 delightful to hear a chorus of soft cooings higli in the eucalypts ; the 

 call was taken up and repeated again and again by more distant 

 birds, until finally it died away. A few miles away, on the plains, 

 the birds were rarely seen. One might occasionally stay about a house 

 for a few days. 



Geopelia cuneata. Diamond Dove. — An occasional visitor to the 

 plains. Some nested not far from the school in 1913, but during 

 19 14 they did not leave the hills. 



Phaps chalcoptera. Bronze-winged Pigeon. — These beautiful birds 

 attract everyone, so that some people have tried to keep them in 

 captivity. I am glad to say that they met with no success ■ a bird 

 barred in a cage is a pitiful sight. 



Phaps elegans. Brush Bronze-winged Pigeon. — These were more 

 commonly seen than the preceding species. 



Leucosarcia picata. Wonga-Wonga Pigeon. — Two lived in some 



