112 THE BIRDS OF THE COBBORA DISTRICT. 



watched it do it about a dozen times, and it was each time done so cleverly that I really thought the 

 bird was a cripple, but upon making a nearer approach it flew away. I tind they just as often lay 

 three eggs as two, but I have never found more than three for a sitting, and I have taken their eggs 

 from the ist October up till January 13th. 



Burhinus grallarius (Stone Plover). — About eight or ten years ago they were very numerous 

 throughout the district ; since then I notice that they are getting less and less each year, and it is 

 seldom I ever hear one now. I can only put the decrease down to the increase of the fox. The 

 young of this bird becomes such an easy prey for this pest. Their eggs in this district show very 

 little variation, and I have found them from September 12th till December 10th. 



ffutophoyx novae-hottandiae (White-fronted Heron). — Never to be seen in great numbers here, 

 but there are/ always a few about. They are usually to be met with in pairs or single birds feeding 

 in the vicinity of water. For nesting purposes they generally resort to redgum trees overhanging 

 water, often returning to the same nest year after year. The clutch is mostly from three to five, anil 

 I have found nests containing eggs from September nth till November 21st. 



*Notophoyx pacifica (Pacific Heron). — A very rare species here ; only small flocks of about 

 half a dozen and single birds suddenly put in an appearance after big falls of rain, which fill the swamps 

 and lagoons. I have only known of one nest here, which had young birds standing upon it when I 

 found it. 



Chenonetta jubata (Wood Duck). — At times they are here in large numbers, but usually in small 

 flocks of from four to a dozen birds, mostly met with feeding upon short green grass near water, such 

 as the margin of a river, dams, lagoons, etc., and when disturbed they will often only fly a short 

 distance, and settle upon a dead tree. They breed here more freely than any other species of Duck- 

 usually going some little distance away from water to select a nesting tree with a suitable hollow. 

 Although I see several broods of their young each year, I seldom find their nests, but I have taken 

 their eggs from July 27th till September 1 ith. the largest clutch being ten eggs ; but I have a set of 

 fifteen in mv collection, taken in the Riverina. 



A uas superciliosa (Black Duck). — It is very rarely impossible to find a few of these fine birds 

 on the Estate, but at no time are they in very great numbers. They are mostly met with in pairs 

 or small flocks along the river. Nearly every year a few of them breed here, generally hatching their 

 eggs in hollows in river redgums ; only once in this district have I seen their nest upon the ground. 

 Their breeding is governed by the season. I have seen young birds just hatched from the middle of 

 June till the end of the year, but I have only seen eggs during August and September, the largest 

 clutch being twelve. 



Neltium castaneum (Chestnut-breasted Teal). — A very rare bird here. During my seventeen 

 years' residence in this district I have only seen two pairs ; the first put in an appearance during May, 

 191 3, and I took their eggs, a clutch of nine, on July 26th. Another pair were on the Estate on 17th 

 November, 1917, the female having a green head. Although I have seen a fair number of these birds 

 in Victoria and Tasmania, this is the only time I have noticed a female in this stage of plumage. 



Neltium gibberifrons (Grey Teal). — A rather common species here in suitable seasons, sometimes 

 arriving in large flocks. Unlike the Black Duck, they are seldom seen upon the river ; they appear 

 to prefer dams, swamps and lagoons. They seldom breed here, but I have seen several nests containing 

 eggs, all of which have been in hollows in redgum trees overhanging water, twelve eggs being the largest 

 clutch. I have also seen a few broods of young birds. 



Astur fasciatus (Goshawk). — Not by any means a common species. Occasionally a bird puts in 

 an appearance, but they very seldom breed here. During 1906 I found a nest with young ; the birds 

 returned and bred in the nest again the following year. They laid and hatched while I was away in 

 North Queensland. I have only taken two sets of their eggs in this district. 



