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THE BIRDS OF THE COBBORA DISTRICT. 



Nest and eggs of the Little Eagle (Eutolmcetus morphtioides) ( originally the nest of a Raven 

 (Corone australis) ) in branch of a river Red Gum. 



Haliastur sphenitrits (Whistling Eagle). — Before I eradicated the rabbits on the Estate these 

 birds were present in great numbers, and I used to take about thirty clutches of their eggs every year. 

 As soon as I got rid of the rabbits these Eagles mostly disappeared, and now I only see on an average 

 about one nest a year. They are very erratic in their breeding habits ; I have taken their eggs 

 during every month of the year with the exception of January and February. Two eggs are usually 

 the full clutch ; but of one hundred and eight nests I have examined containing eggs, thirteen 

 contained sets of three. I have never seen a larger clutch, and only once have I seen three young 

 birds in a nest. 



Falco htiiiifatus (Little Falcon). — A very rare species here, just occasionally a pair or a single 

 bird putting in an appearance at any time of the year. I have only known them to breed here once ; 

 the nest was placed near the top of a very lofty river redgum tree, from which I scooped three fresh 

 eggs on October 9th, 1912. 



Hieracidea orientalis (Brown Hawk). — During the years 1908, 1909, 1910 and 1912 these birds 

 were very common here, and I took seventeen sets of their eggs. Since then I have not known them 

 to breed here till 191 7, when I found two nests ; in fact, the birds arc seldom seen here now. They 

 generally use an old Raven's nest ; only once have I known them to build a nest for themselves. 

 The clutch is generally three ; I have never taken more. 1 have examined nests containing eggs 

 from the middle of August till November nth. They do no harm. 1 have not even known them 

 to kill a bird of another species. 



Cerchneis cenchroides (Kestrel). — Frequently met with at any time of the year. They are 

 quite harmless ; in fact, I consider they do a lot of good by destroying such pests as grasshoppers 

 and mice. They are rather late breeders ; of twenty-five clutches of eggs I have taken all were 



