132 MORGAN— Birds of Port Broughton. 



Birds of Port Broughton. 



By A. M. Morgan, M.B., B.Ch. 



Port Broughton is situated upon an arm of the sea on 

 Spencer's Gulf, about midway between Port Pirie and Wal- 

 laroo. The surrounding country was originally dense mallee 

 scrub, now all cut down and replaced by wheat, except along 

 the roads, all of which have a belt of scrub on either 

 side of track; and, two or three small patches which have so 

 far escaped. The largest piece of virgin scrub is a government 

 reserve of about 100 acres, near Clement's Gap, about 15 

 miles from the township. The creek is margined by large 

 mangroves, and there Is a mangrove covered island, about four 

 miles below the town. On the western side of the creek is a 

 large samphire swamp, intersected by many small creeks. 

 There is also on this side a large patch of acacia. l and sheaoak 

 scrub. There is a fine well-kept hotel, the landlord of which 

 Mr. Wall, is most obliging in assisting visitors to see the dis- 

 trict. 



Birds observed. — 



(1) Coturnix pectoralis — Stubble Quail. — Very common, 

 constantly heard calling in the wheat fields. 



(2) Austroturnix velox — Button Quail. — Several birds were 

 put up and one was found dead in the mangroves. 



(3) Phaps chalcoptera — Bronze-wing pigeon. — Rare, occa- 

 sionally heard calling in the mallee at 'Clement's Gap. 



(4) Microtriboni/x veniralis wliitei — Blackmailed native hen. 

 Seen in thousands on a swamp near Snowtc m. 



(5) Thalasseus bergii poliocercus — Crested tern. — A few 

 birds seen fishing over the creek. 



(6) BrucJiigavia novcehollandioe ethelw — 'Silver Gull. — Very 

 common, they sometimes come right into the township. 



(7) Grabianus pacificus — Pacific Gull. — There were always 

 a few birds hovering about the end of the jetty. 



(8) Hydrochelidon leucopareia fluviatilis — Marsh Tern. — Seen 

 in numbers hovering over a swamp near Snowtown. 



(9) Haematopus ostralegus longirostris — Pied oyster-catcher. 

 A single bird seen on a mud flat at low tide. 



(10) Lobibyx novwhollandice — Spur-winged plover. — A few 

 birds seen on the borders of the mud flats. 



(11) Leucopolius ruficapillus — Red-capped dotterel. — Com- 

 mon on the beach, a few were in pairs, but most of thein were 

 in small flocks. 



