62 Personat Ubservations in the 
in groups of three or four, disturb the quiet of the night 
with their loud and shrill voices. 
The order of Rassores is here represented by several 
varieties of quail. The predominating species (Coturniz - 
pectoralis), frequents the high grassy ground near the banks 
of the creeks. 
In September pigeons begin to arrive from the northern 
countries at our more grassy and congenial plains. 
The absence: of the woodpeckers in Australia is rather 
remarkable, as they are universally distributed over the whole 
world, Polynesia excepted. 
The family psittaci, (order incessores), are not very fre- 
quently seen during the winter months, if we except two 
varieties of parrot, the blue mountain ( Trichoglossus Swain- 
sonit, and Trichoglossus porphyrocephalus), who are observed 
in the box trees, which, at the season alluded to, are beginning 
to blossom. 
Cockatoo.—At the commencement of the sowing season 
the white cockatoos, (Cacatua galerita), concentrate in large 
flocks in the agricultural districts, and cause much annoyance 
to the farmers. 
The gang gang cockatoo, or red crowned parrots, ( Calloce- 
phalon galeatum), evince the most extraordinary attachment to 
each other, and which I have repeatedly had occasion to remark. 
If one of a group of these birds be shot, the wounded bird, 
clinging to the tree, cries loudly till dead; and a number of 
others, in sympathy for the fate of their unfortunate com- 
panion, refuse to quit the tree, and may be secured one after 
another. 
King Parrot.—The beautiful king parrot or red lory, 
(Aprosmictus scapulatus), is far from being plentiful at Mount 
Macedon. It frequents the tops of gigantic eucalyptus, and 
isa very restless bird, continually flying from tree to tree. 
Cuckoos.—Of the cuckoo I have observed a number 
of species. These moody birds sit motionless on the lower 
branches of the eucalyptus, and observe with lethargic 
indifference the exciting love affairs of the other inhabitants 
of the forest. 
Magpie (Gymnorhina organicum).—In September the 
magpie chooses his mate, but invariably has many aspiring 
rivals to contend with. 
_ Magpie Lark.—The magpie lark, (Grallina Australis), takes. 
advantage of the contests which arise between other birds,. 
especially the white magpie, at the commencement of the 
