Vol. X. 

 igio 



] GuBANYi, Bird-Life on Sandy Creek, Riverina,N.S.W. HQ 



general aspect of the country is remarkable, but far from being 

 completed. As a matter of fact, only recently hundreds of 

 thousands of acres of more or less heavily timbered Riverina land 

 were subdivided and opened up for closer settlement, cut into 

 small farms, and cleared for wheat-growing. 



The country round Sandy Creek is one part of those newly sub- 

 divided territories, lying about 15 miles to the south of the Murrum- 

 bidgee, near Wagga Wagga. On and round here (Sandy Creek) 

 ringbarking, clearing, burning-off, and general preparation of the 

 soil for intensive cultivation is still going on. It is certain that the 

 new conditions will in many ways influence the bird-life, and very 

 probably some interesting changes may be expected. 



The following list is of the birds observed between ist March and 

 1st July, 1910 : — 



Yellow-rumped Tit (Acanlhiza chrysorrhoa). — -Tliis useful little 

 bird keeps company with us all the year round, destroying a great 

 quantity of insects in the garden or round the farm-yard. 



Pipit (Anthus australis). — Fairly plentiful in tliis district, and spends 

 autumn and winter in or near the garden. As soon as the soil is 

 worked the Pipits are following the cultivators, looking for grubs and 

 larvae exposed. 



WooD-SwALLOw (Artamus sordidus). — This bird is very common in 

 our district, frequenting the timbered belt of the creek all the summer 

 round ; but during March and April small flocks are paying frequent 

 visits to the orchards, feeding on insects, especially locusts. These 

 Wood-Swallows leave the district at or about the end of May, but 

 August brings them back again. 



Sparrow-Hawk (Accipiier cirrhocephalus). — Very often seen at all 

 seasons. Not considered an enemy by the farmers. 



Magpie-Lark {Grallina picata). — Seen all over the country at all 

 seasons ; but during autumn the farm-yard and the garden are its 

 favourite hunting-grounds. It feeds chiefly on insects, but occasionally 

 picks up seeds and grains. The poisoned wheat laid out in the garden 

 for the destruction of Sparrows frequently brings about the death of 

 this useful and graceful bird. 



Blue Wren {Malnrns cyaneus). — A rare visitor. Sometimes in 

 April or May it puts in its appearance for a sunny afternoon, chasing 

 the insects from the garden fence ; then it is clad in grey. 



Black-and-White Fantail {Rhipidura tricolor). — This graceful 

 little bird is our most faithful companion all the year round. After 

 the breeding season they keep constantly busy near the house and 

 garden, uttering their various gay little notes from early morning till 

 sunset. 



Restless Flycatcher (Sisura inqiiieta). — Invariably seen round the 

 garden in autumn. 



Scarlet-breasted Robin {Petrceca leggei). — This species is only a 

 welcome visitor on the cultivated plains. During May and June it 

 is frequently seen in small flocks. 



Red-capped Robin (Petrceca goodenovii). — This species is much 

 smaller than P. leggei, and it is only occasionally seen during the late 

 autumn days. 



