144 ASH BY— Birds of Pungonda. 



undulatus, S. & N.), Cockatoo Parrot (Leptolophus auricomis, 

 Swainson), but at Loxton, 18 miles away, Mr. Parsons saw the 

 Black-tailed Parrot (Polytelis anthopeplus, Lear.), and on the 

 river at the same place (Psephotiis haematonotus, Gld.), Red- 

 backed Parrot. To this list may be added several of the 

 Lorikeets, in all a remarkable number of representatives of 

 the Order Psittaciformes to be met with in so short a time in 

 practically one locality. 



On a small salt lagoon there were something under a 

 dozen Dotterel, curiously enough, representing three species: 

 Red-kneed Dotterel, Red-capped Dotterel, and the Black- 

 fronted Dotterel. 



COMMENTS. 



The district under review was of exceptional interest to 

 those of us to whom it was a first visit. The soil was red, 

 heavier on the flats, red sandy loam on the rising ground. 

 The flats are separated by low broad undulating sandy ridges, 

 always having an east and west direction. The crowns of 

 these sandy rises are covered with Pines (Gallitris), which are 

 exceptionally well grown, and in between the pines and on 

 the lower slopes grows an abundance of grass, the flower 

 stalks forming a 'waving mass nearly two feet high. There 

 are very few 'bushes amongst the pines. The only mallee 

 met with may be termed large, some having the trunks 

 equal to those of respectable trees; nearly all the mallee was 

 on the 'Victorian side of the Boundary. One patch of tall 

 Bull Oaks 30 to 40 feet high was visited, also on the Victorian 

 side of the fence. 



The only patch of smaller mallee visited was a mile or so 

 to the south, and there only was the typical sand hill scrub 

 met with, and the only true mallee bird, Eylacola cauta was no- 

 ted; it is therefore pretty evident that to obtain the more typi- 

 cal forms of 'birds that make the mallee peculiarly their home 

 one would have to go a good deal to the south. In the lis r of 

 species mentioned above the Small-'billed Crow (Corvus 

 bennetti, North), should have been included; the two nests 

 visited had young, in on* case recently hatched, in the other 

 almost fledged. 



Altogether 70 species of birds were identified, but this 

 does not by any means exhaust the list that would be met 

 with during a longer stay (we had only three days for work, 

 and on one it rained nearly all the time), also if the mallee 

 country a few miles to the south was explored, many addi- 

 tional birds should be noted. 



