Central Parts of Victoria. 63 
coupling season, and dexterously plucks feathers from the. 
excited combatants, with which to line the interior of his 
nest. 
In September the crows (Corvus corondéides) concentrate 
in large numbers around the squatters’ home stations; where 
they pick the skins which are there hung out to dry, and 
feed upon the refuse of the stations. They are very trouble- 
some to the bullocks, by picking in the hide for insects; 
and I have often seen one of these animals surrounded by 
them, and being far too lazy to rise, maintaining a perpe- 
tual flourish of his tail, in the vain endeavour to drive 
them off. 
In July the satin birds (Ptilonorhynchus holosericus) 
Baer in multitudes in particular localities, especially round 
eserted sheep stations. These large flocks consist principally 
of females, being accompanied only by one or two males, 
living in polygamy. In August and September, however, 
these birds retire into the more secluded districts. 
The white-winged chough, or black magpie ( Corcorazx leu- 
copteris), throughout the whole year associates in groups of 
ten or fifteen, and frequent the dense and hilly parts of the 
forests. Its voice is both loud and deep, and, when roused, 
breaks the silence of the bush by its monotonous cries, and 
peals forth an alarm to all the birds and animals of the forest. 
Hence it is looked upon with a distrustful eye by the 
sportsman ; and I can myself testify to the annoyance which 
it in this manner causes. 
Squeaker—The squeaker (Strepera anaphonensis) is a shy 
and solitary bird, living entirely on the flats, and is remark~ 
able on account of its frequenting only the same locality. 
He is hence easily distinguished from the Gymnorhina tibicen, 
pare shrill and piping voice is so well known on all the high 
nds. 
_ Little Kingfisher.—The little kingfisher (Haleyon sanctus) 
is plentiful along thé banks of the creeks and rivers, but 
quickly disappears at the approach of the observer. ‘ 
~ Laughing Jachass.—The great kingfisher (Dacelo gigantea) 
or, as it is more familiarly known, the laughing jackass, dur- 
ing the winter lives entirely on small fish, but in the summer 
months snakes and lizards form the staple of its food. It is 
well known to the colonists for its peculiar cry; at the first 
dawn of sunrise its wildlaugh is heard resounding far and wide 
through the woods, waking up the birds and animals of 
