THE BIRDS OF THE COBBORA DISTRICT. Us 



found during the last three months of the year, and they usually lay from three to live eggs, which 

 5ho« considerable variations in the markings. I have never found them nesting in any place other 

 than in the hollow of a tree. 



Xinox. boobook (Boobook Owl). — Considering the class of country it is strange that this species 

 is not more numerous here ; but owing to their nocturnal habits they might be more plentiful than 

 they appear to be. I have only taken three clutches of their eggs, all of which were found during 

 the month of October. 



Xinox connivens (Winking Owl). — There are always a few pairs to be found on the Estate. 

 Once they take up their abode in any particular local' ty they remain about there for years, sometimes 

 nesting in the same hollow season alter season. They are early breeders, often having young by the 

 middle of August, but I have taken their eggs as late as November [6th ; this, however, might have 

 been a second laying. They usually lay three eggs for a sitting, often only two. I have taken ten 

 sets of their eggs, and 1 found a number of their nesting hollows containing young birds. Their usual 

 call note cannot be distinguished from that of Nitiox boobook, but when disturbed at their nest and 

 perched in a neighbouring tree they have quite a different note, somewhat resembling a loud screeching 

 growl. 



Slrix delicatula (Delicate Owl). -From the number of dead birds 1 have Found upon this estate 

 this species at one time must have been rather plentiful ; but for the last seven years I have not seen 

 one, dead or alive, and 1 think they are now quite extinct as far as this district is concerned. I have 

 only once found a nesting place, which contained three eggs. 



Glessopsittacus concinnus (Musk Lorikeet). — Some years, usually in the early summer, when the 

 eucalyptus trees are in bloom, these birds arrive in thousands, most of them departing again before 

 the winter. Usually a fair number of them remain throughout the year, and some seasons breed 

 here freely, commencing towards the end of July, but I have taken eggs as late as the middle of 

 October. I have examined about forty nesting hollows containing eggs or young, but have never 

 seen more than a clutch of two. When sitting the bird becomes very tame. I have repeatedly 

 seen them come and perch within a few feet of me while I have been chopping out their nesting hollow. 



Glossopsittacus pusillus (Little Lorikeet). — Rather a common species on the Estate, some years 

 arriving and feeding with G. concinnus, though never in such great numbers, but they are more often 

 met with in pairs. They are very tame, shewing little fear of man. When feeding they will often 

 allow of a very close approach, giving an intruder the impression that he had not been observed. 

 They nest here freely, but owing to being very close sitters their nests are most difficult to find, and 

 few would ever be discovered containing eggs only for two peculiar habits of the birds. One is, the 

 non-sitting bird usually remains near the nesting tree, and if watched for a few minutes invariably 

 flies to the entrance of the nesting hollow. The other is, the sitting bird will often leave the nest and 

 take a rapid flight, often with the mate, high up in the air, uttering a peculiar screeching note, 

 suddenly darting back to the nest. I have often chopped open their nesting hollows and had to pull 

 the sitting bird off the eggs. The clutch is usually four or five ; I have never seen more. They are 

 early breeders, commencing towards the end of July, but I have taken fresh eggs as late as the middle 

 of October, which was probably a second laying. 



*Calyptorhynchus viridis (Leach Cockatoo). — There are always a fair number of them in the 

 ranges, usually keeping to the dense ironbark forests. I have known of their nests to be found in 

 the district, and I have seen young birds, but I have never been able to find a nest myself. They 

 are exceptionally tame, showing little fear of man. I have often ridden beneath a tree containing 

 a flock of them, and there sat and watched them. I once saw six on top of a large dead ironbark 

 free, amongst them a beautifully yellow-mottled bird. This one I shot with a revolver ; the other 

 five did not appear to take the slightest notice of the shot, not even flying from the tree. 



Cacaiua galerita (White Cockatoo). — Rather a rare species here, being more numerous about 

 twenty miles down the river. But if I have a ripening maize crop these birds are sure to find it out, 



