ZIETZ— Current Observations. 17" 



Swift Lorikeet in South Australia. 



It is not generally known that the Swift Lorikeet (Latha- 

 mus discolor tregellasi) was once a fairly regular visitor to South- 

 Australia, but such was the case. Mr. William White, of 

 the Reedbeds, states that he saw them in 1863 on the Adelaide 

 Plains at the Reedbeds, and on other occasions he also saw 

 them at Aldinga. They were never common, usually coming 

 here in the early spring ; they always kept to the 



eucalypts that were in flower, from which they gathered their 

 nectar food. Mr. White has a specimen in his collection that 

 he shot at the Reedbeds in the early days. 



Gang Gang Cockatoo. 



The Gang Gang Cockatoo (Callocephalon galeatum) now 

 found in Victoria, in the early days extended its habitation 

 to South Australia, and Mr. William White, of the Reedbeds, 

 has a specimen that he shot in the ranges at Mosquito Plains, 

 near Kalangadoo, in the south-east of South Australia, in 1858. 

 Mr. White states that he occasionally saw these birds in the 

 district while he was on the Tatiara* Station, but they were at 

 no time plentiful, and never stayed to nest. 



The White'fronted Robin and the Flower^pecker. 



By F. R. Zietz. 



The White -fronted Robin (Littlera chrysoptera plioenicea) 

 — These handsome birds are regular visitors to this State 

 during the wet season, making their appearance in April, and 

 departing in July. Last year three males paid daily visits to 

 our garden, but this year only one has been noticed. He was 

 first seen during the latter part of March, which is rather 

 earlier than previous records. They have never been found 

 breeding in this State, and apparently come here so as to avoid 

 the severe winter of Tasmania and South Gippsland. 



