202 Cheney, Birds of Wangavatta Districf, Victoria. [,sf April 



Ihc marshes in March and September. Tlie birds have a most 

 peculiar soft call when surprised at night, as though they were gently 

 whispering the alarm. It was weird to hear a company of about 

 two dozen around one. 



(Edicnemus grallarius. Southern Stone-Curlew. — ^Frequently seen 

 in the crops, and their mournful cry of "Wee-loo" sounded, in the 

 winter nights, like a chorus of lost souls. There were often two or 

 three very large sized birds among the flock. They seemed to act 

 as sentinels, possibly being more fitted for that position on account 

 of their extra height. 



Choriotis (Eupodotis") australis. AustraUan Bustard. — From eight 

 to ten years ago these birds were frequently seen. Latterly they have 

 been very rare A few specimens were recorded for 191 3, and on 

 28th October, 1914, a flock was seen heading westward across the 

 plains. 



Ibis molucca. Australian White Ibis. — Two full-grown birds and 

 three young ones stalked unconcernedly about on the Black Swamp, 

 heedless of the passing of vehicles on the road near by. On rare 

 occasions the birds travelled east along the creeks to the Beechworth 

 Hills. 



Carphibis spinicollis. Straw-necked Ibis. — Both common and 

 highly valued. Last year's drought, much to the farmers' sorrow, 

 drove it away for some months. The result was that the year proved 

 to be one of the worst known for insect pests in the fields. 



Platalea regia. Black-billed Spoonbill. — Sometimes seen in the 

 remoter swamps. 



Platibis flavipes. Yellow-billed Spoonbill. — One was seen, not long 

 ago, in the Black Swamp. Others appear at odd times on the water- 

 holes in the paddocks. 



Mesophoyx plumifera. Plumed Egret. — One pair nested in the 

 Pelican Lagoon ; they occasionally came down to the Black Swamp. 



Notophoyx novse-hoUandise. White-fronted Heron. — At almost 

 every swamp or water-hole one or more of these birds might be seen 

 rising majestically into the air. Their plumage ranged through every 

 shade from pale lavender to dark blue. This was not a mere 

 plumage phase, for I saw seven lavender-coloured birds of all sizes 

 not long ago. 



Notophoyx pacifica. White-necked Heron. — These birds were 

 seldom seen, never being noticed on the roadside swamps. Towards 

 evening I have discovered them on lonely billabongs. 



Nycticorax caledonicus. Nankeen Night-Heron. — These Herons 

 usually appear before heavy rain. The tribe of aborigines that 

 formerly frequented the Eldorado district always moved their camps 

 on to the high land if they saw these Herons flying about in the day- 

 time. On several occasions I have seen three or four flying about 

 Clear Creek before rain. They are known locally as " Cinnamon 

 Cranes." 



Botaurus poeciloptilus. Australian Bittern. — A Bittern lived at 

 the junction of Clear and Reedy Creeks, but disappeared a little over 

 a year ago. 



Chenopis atrata. Black Swan. — At night we heard Swans calling 

 as they flew across, but seldom saw them for long at any pool. 



