l8 Jackson, Trip to Upper Hunter River Dist., N.S.W. [,,f"]\ 



conditions. Ellerston is situated about twenty miles further up 

 the river, the homestead, which is occupied by Mr. Cobb, the 

 manager, lying north-west of the Mount Royal Range. Here, 

 too, I found the same profusion of bird-life, especially along the 

 well-timbered banks of Page's Creek and the Upper Hunter 

 River. Here these streams became very narrow. Many of the 

 nests which I discovered were as yet only half built, but, amongst 

 others which I was fortunate in securing, was a very fine clutch 

 of four eggs of the Spur-winged Plover {Lobivanclliis lobatus) on 

 a stony ridge close to the junction of the two streams. The 

 handsome Red-shouldered Parrakeet was frequently to be seen 

 feeding on the ground under the shade of the graceful river 

 oaks, and added its brilliant colour and striking beauty to what 

 must always be a lovely scene. I was surprised to learn from 

 Mr. White that the wombat is still plentiful in the bush about 

 Ellerston. On this station there is also a suspension bridge 

 across the river, and a very substantial one it is. Considering 

 the kindness and hospitality extended to me during my 

 stay at Belltrees and Ellerston, and the interesting phases of 

 bird, animal, and insect life which presented themselves, it is 

 not to be wondered at that the whole of the trip, with its 

 intimate suggestion of memories of the illustrious Gould, made 

 an impression on my memory that will not be easily effaced. 



Cormorants in Relation to Fishes. 



By a. H. E. Mattingley, C.M.Z.S., &c. 



For the last 17 years I have roamed throughout many parts of 

 the Commonwealth, and have come in contact with Cormorants 

 in many places and under diversified conditions, and have for 

 several years past made a special study of their nidification, 

 particularly in the vast areas of the River Murray swamps and 

 billabongs and on certain lakes where these birds are now found 

 nesting in hundreds, but formerly they were to be counted in 

 their " shaggeries " in thousands. Owing, however, to their 

 ruthless destruction by persons seized with the idea that they 

 were benefiting the fishing industry by destroying the " Shags," 

 as they term them, they are at present but a tithe of their former 

 numbers. P'ishermen and anglers have of recent years 

 complained bitterly of the scarcity of fish, and, as is natural, have 

 blamed the weakest creature, and one incapable of defence — 

 blame all but ourselves ; it is human nature to do so. They have 

 not, however, amongst other causes, attributed the short-sighted 

 policy of the wholesale destruction of the Cormorants for part 

 of the decrease in our fish supply, but, nevertheless, such is 

 undoubtedly a fact. In this paper I hope to be able to demon- 

 strate that such is the case. Most of our fresh-water fishes spawn 



