Vol. X."] 



Outings. lyi 



At Exoggera Reserve. 



At the invitation of the Brisbane Field Xaturahsts' Club, the 

 R.A.O.U. delegates on 5th October visited the Enoggera Water- 

 works Reserve, about 8 miles from the capital. Drags were pro- 

 vided, and the drive out was most enjoyable, for the sun was 

 shining, and here and there along the way pleasant views opened 

 out — rural homes surrounded by gardens and timbered paddocks, 

 clusters of smaller houses in folds of the hills, and bits of bush 

 land, with a panorama of the receding city when one cast looks 

 behind. Permission to roam over the Reserve had been obtained 

 from the Water Commissioners, and the hours passed swiftly in 

 this employ. Before lunch the two boats available were launched 

 and rowed leisurely about the lake, which was alight with flowers 

 of the lotus lily. In some of the quiet reaches the water was so 

 laden with these plants that it was a task to thrust the boats 

 along. Broad green leaves and tangled stems and roots retarded 

 progress, clinging to the oars and about the prows of the little 

 craft. But, once among the lilies, there was no desire for speed ; 

 it was pleasure enough to gaze upon thousands of blue and white 

 blossoms open to the sun, at the still water, and the hills, dotted 

 with trees and clumps of bamboo, which rise gently around the 

 lake. 



Many species of birds were observed, notably the Comb-crested 

 Jacana, which trips daintily over the floating lotus leaves, its 

 bright orange shield shining like a jewel. Several pairs of Jacanas 

 were seen during the day, and, after a careful search, two nests 

 were discovered — flimsy structures, composed of pieces of reed, 

 lotus stems, &c., and placed on a movable base of living vege- 

 tation. Each of the nests examined contained a full clutch of 

 four eggs, richly marked. Mr. H. W. Wilson obtained a series of 

 photos, of the nests, but the birds were too wary to be " snapped." 

 It was interesting to find the Jacanas breeding in this Reserve, 

 where they are perfectly safe from collectors and pot-hunters. 

 They are in keeping with such a haunt of peace — part of the 

 picture made by the lake among the hills, with its lotus flowers, 

 and the quiet beauty of the reed-fringed banks. (See j^late XIV.) 



Other members of the party had investigated a pocket of pri- 

 meval scrub, where numerous birds were identified, notably the large 

 Masked Owl {Strix novcp.-hollandicB), Little Green-Pigeon (Chalcophaps 

 chrysochlora). Rufous-breasted Shrike-Thrush {Pinarolestes nifigaster), 

 and others, while the notes of the strange Koel Cuckoo {Eiidynamis) 

 were heard, and the familiar trilling songs of the Yellow-eared 

 Honev-eater {Ptilotis lewini) enjoyed. 



The Field Club provided a banquet for the visitors, and after 

 the meal and complimentary speeches from guests and hosts, 

 further excursions on the water and among the hills were enjoyed. 

 Some of the delegates witnessed a number of DoUar-Birds 

 {Eurystomus australis) hawking above an ant mound, and the 

 lake ramblers returned with lotus blooms and a harvest of notes 

 regarding the ways of the Jacana. 



