68 Dove, Birds al Essendon. f 



Emu 

 St Oct. 



Sacred Kingfisher {Halcyon sanctus, Vig. and Hors.) about 

 Essendon, and heard its clear, penetrating call. In all 

 probability it reared its young not far away, for there are still, I 

 am glad to say, many of the original gum-trees remaining, in 

 the hollows of which it could lay its round, pearly eggs. 



The Pipit {AntJius australis, Vig. and Hors.), more commonly 

 known as Ground-Lark, is very plentiful on the grassy hills 

 about the Maribyrnong River ; in fact, they may be seen in 

 almost any grass-paddock, and even about the roadsides of the 

 district. Although it is known that the bulk of these birds 

 make a long autumn flight to the north-west of Australia and 

 regions beyond,* yet plenty of them stay with us all the winter, 

 and pick up a good living from the ground, judging by their 

 plump condition. They will make little, short runs in front of 

 you, and do not like to take the trouble of flying unless you 

 press them, when they will make a short flight and again 

 alight. 



We have three Robins here — the Scarlet-breasted, the Flame- 

 breasted, and the Red-capped. Of the latter {Petrccca goodenovii, 

 Vig. and Hors.), which is in some respects the most beautiful of 

 the three, I have so far only come across a single pair, and that 

 was quite recently, at the edge of a grove of pines near the 

 Maribyrnong River. The male bird was in fine plumage, and 

 exhibited great confidence in my intentions, allowing a close 

 inspection without betraying any fear; needless to say, this 

 confidence was not abused. The breast, also the front and 

 crown of the head, were bright red, remainder of head black, as 

 was the throat ; the back and wings were also black, with a 

 broad white stripe upon the latter. This pleasing contrast of 

 colours, with the clean build and general air of alertness, make 

 this species very engaging to look upon, and I am hoping to 

 renew the acquaintance as spring progresses, if the pair stays 

 here to build. The female is quite plain, with none of the brilliant 

 tints of her mate, nor does she exhibit the same confidence in 

 the human being ; in the case above cited, she immediately 

 withdrew on my approach, nor did she again make her 

 appearance. 



The Scarlet-breasted [Peinvca Icggii, Sharpe) is very similar 

 to the Red-capped, but the black head has a large white spot 

 upon the front ; there is no red except upon the breast ; the 

 throat and wings are similar to the last, but the female, when 

 mature, has a dash of red upon the breast, much fainter in tone 

 and less in quantity than that of the male. I have noticed that 

 this species keeps in pairs all through the winter months, while 

 the next, the Flame-breasted {Pctnvca pluvnicea, Gould), flecks 

 after the nesting season is over, and remains thus in companies 



* Apart from a reference in " Nature Studies in Australia " (Gillies and Hall), 

 p. 12, this assertion has not been supported. — Eds. 



