168 THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. 



excursions, we naturally expected to gain some interesting 

 information, if not specimens, and were not disappointed. 

 Although birds were not so numerous as might be expected, 

 over 30 species were noted. On passing the Toorourrong 

 Reservoir a beautiful Azure Kingfisher, Alcyone azurea, was 

 disturbed, and soon afterwards the Blue Wren, Malurus cyaneus, 

 and Sericornis (sp.) were seen hopping through the scrub 

 beside our path, and the White-shafted Flycatcher, Rhipidura 

 albiscapa, fluttered about the trees on the margin of the aque- 

 duct. Near " the Cascades " a Collared Sparrowhawk, Accipiter 

 cirrhocephalus, rose from the ground with what appeared to be a 

 bird in its talons nearly as large as itself The Rose-breasted 

 Robin, Erythrodryas rosea, next arrested attention, whilst Pen- 

 nant's Parrakeets, Platycercus pennantii, were seen all along the 

 route to our destination. The loud screech of a Sulphur-crested 

 Cockatoo, Cacatua galerita, was also heard, and the Rufous- 

 breasted Thickhead, Pachycephala rufiventris, vied with the White- 

 throated species in proclaiming its presence. In the valleys 

 the Coachwhip-bird, Psophodes crepitans, made its note heard, 

 but kept out of sight. But the appearance of several Flame- 

 breasted Robins, Petroeca phcenicea, quite upset the theory that 

 these birds always leave the mainland in the spring to breed on 

 the islands of Bass Strait or Tasmania, returning again on the 

 approach of winter, and Mr. Hall not only secured an adult male 

 but also a young male just changing to the bright colours of the 

 adult. Many others were seen each day, so the specimens 

 secured were not isolated birds. A young Wonga Pigeon, 

 Leucosaria picata, scarcely able to fly, indicated that it was bred 

 in the vicinity, for had the country been open instead of dense 

 scrub it might have been caught without the aid of a gun. The 

 garden attached to our sleeping quarters was visited each day by 

 a Sooty Crow-Shrike, Slrepera fuliginosa, in quest of raspberries 

 and other soft fruits, for which he was execrated equally with the 

 Wattle-bird by the caretaker. Whilst wandering near the aque- 

 duct in the evening we disturbed several Bronzewing Pigeons, 

 Phaps chalcoptera, which created a surprising noise by the striking 

 of their wings as they dashed off. Whilst waiting for our con- 

 veyances on the return trip a pair of Gang-Gang Cockatoos, Callo- 

 cephalon galeatum, were seen. The sun was very hot as we 

 returned to Whittlesea, and at several small pools passed we dis- 

 turbed Crows, Magpies, Watile-birds, Minahs, and GraUinas, which 

 permitted the near approach of the vehicles before taking flight. 

 Amongst other birds noted were the Great Brown Kingfisher, 

 Lunulated and Yellow-faced Honey-eaters, Buff-rumped and 

 Lineated Acanthizas, Yellow Robin, Spotted Ground and Har- 

 monious Thrushes, Tree-creepers, White-fronted Heron, Nankeen 

 Kestrel, Black-faced Graucalus, and Fairy Martin. 



