198 WHITE — Breeding Grounds on the Coorong. 



Nest. — Invariably placed in an upright fork, and is open. 

 The nest is small in comparison to the bird, and generally 

 consists of twigs, lined with rootlets. The female sits very 

 closely on the nest, and the male bird brings her most of her 

 food. 



Eggs. — Clutch two or three, generally the former, 

 but not infrequently only one is laid. The ground colour 

 varies from white faintly tinged with yellowish pink, to light 

 reddish brown. The spots, which are chiefly grouped about 

 the larger end, are generally rounded in shape, but occasional 

 irregular blotches occur, they vary in colour from very dark 

 reddish brown to bright reddish brown. Average measure- 

 ment of 7 eggs — 2.81 cm. x 2.05 cm. Largest egg, 2.90 cm. 

 x 2.15 cm. ; smallest egg, 2.70 cm. x 2.00 cm. 



A Visit to the Breeding Grounds of Swan and 

 Pelican on the Coorong. 



By S. A. White, C.M.B.O.U. 



Some few years ago a misguided Government was paying 

 blood-money for cormorants and pelicans. Many thousands 

 of these useful birds were destroyed in spite of all the efforts 

 of ornithologists to prevent it. Eventually the South Austra- 

 lian Ornithological Association was able to obtain a lense of 

 the islands in the Coorong, upon which the swans and pelicans 

 nested. 



A caretaker was recommended by the Association and 

 appointed by the Government. Notices were erected upon 

 the islands, and all went well till Mr. Goldfinch left on active 

 service, and another caretaker had to be appointed. 



Of late, reports had reached the Association that things. 

 were not altogether satisfactory, so upon the authority of the 

 Association, the writer left by train for Milang upon a trip of 

 inspection. Crossing Lake Alexandrina from Milang by 

 steamer, thence through the passage and over Lake Albert, 

 Meningie was reached the same evening. Mr. Thos. McOallum 

 was there to meet me, and before leaving the township 

 arrangements were made with a resident to drive over to 

 Woods Point taking with him a boat which would 

 be in readiness on the third day. My kind friend 

 motored me out to his well known station, McjGrrath's 

 Flat. Next morning we rode to some high ground 



