THE 



South Australian Ornithologist. 



Vol. III.] 1st OCTOBER, 1917. [Part 4. 



The South Australian Ornithological 

 Association. 



JUNE 29th, 1917. 



The monthly meeting of the South Australian Ornitho- 

 logical Association was held on Friday evening, June 29th, 

 1917, in the Royal Society's Rooms. Capt. S. A. White pre- 

 sided. Mr. Ashby reported that the swift parrot 

 (Lathamus discolor), had been seen at Blackwood during the 

 last week, and remarked upon the unusually quick return 

 of these birds, for they appeared in numbers in 1914. The 

 first record of this bird having, been seen in South Australia 

 is in 1862, and this again appeared in 1882. Mr, Ashby also 

 stated that great numbers of wood swallows (Pseudartamus 

 cyanopterus) had appeared on the ploughed ground at Black- 

 wood, and that it was a very fine sight to see dozens of these 

 birds in the furrows after the plough had passed along, hunt- 

 ing for grubs and insect life. Mr. Ashby further remarked 

 upon the numbers of grass parrots (Psephotus haematonotus) 

 in his district this year. Dr. A. M. Morgan reported the 

 appearance of the fantailed cuckoo (Cacomantis rubricates), 

 and the narrow-billed cuckoo (Neochalcites basalis mellori), 

 and stated that he had seen great numbers of wood swallows 

 Pseudartamus cyanopterus) swarming at dusk upon a Grerillea 

 robusta tree growing in the park lands. This is a strange 

 custom common to these birds. The swarming takes place 

 at dusk, or on a dark cloudy day, when they hang to one 

 another like bees. Mr. A. Crompton stated he had seen 

 many Blue Mountain Parrots {Triclioglossus novae-hollandiae) 



