120 THE WOMBAT. 



across, except perhaps the Petroicas. Dacelo gigas wakes- 

 the echoes with his unique call, as also does Cractieus 

 torquatus, the terror of those who keep canaries. Small 

 flocks of Pomatostomus superciliosus are often met with in the 

 bush : they always seem to have a great deal to say to each 

 other. A most friendly and inquisitive little bird is Rhipidura 

 albiscapa. I have often sat down in the bush while two or 

 three of these little fellows have hopped around in the most 

 patronizing manner, taking stock of everything about me.. 

 Sauloprocta motacilloides is very common : one sits on my 

 garden fence every morning, and says as plainly as possible,* 

 " Pret-ty lit-tle crea-ture." 



I saw several species of parrots during the month, but 

 never shot one. The only species I distinguished were- 

 TricJioglossus nov. holl., and Platycercus eximius. I notice the 

 colloquial name of the latter is "Joey," which I presume to 

 be short for " Joseph," because he wears a coat of many 

 colours. I spent an hour one day trying to get near enough 

 to a flock of Plictolophus galerita to have a shot, but not 

 having the countersign, the sentries would not allow me to 

 approach within firing distance. I could not even get to^ 

 have a parley with them, it was a case of " Guard, turn out," 

 when I was hundreds of yards off, and away went the whole 

 flock in retreat at once, using dreadful language, judging from 

 the harshness of it. 



We have not much water in the neighbourhood, but on 

 the dams I have seen Graculus nov. holl., locally called the 

 " Shag," also Plotus nov. holl., and a single Ardea nov holl., 

 took up his residence on the banks of the . lake in the 

 Botanical Gardens for a day or two. 



A great pest to the vignerons is Zosterops coerulescens ; one 

 man informed me that he lost a considerable portion of his- 

 grape crop through these birds. Anthus australis is frequent,, 

 running about, not hopping, on the bare hill sides, and with 

 Calamanthus campestris I must close my list for May. Of course 

 I know there are dozens of other species in the neighbour- 

 hood which I have not mentioned because I have not come 

 across them yet, but hope to do so before the next issue of 

 the " Wombat." 



THOS. PERRY & SON, 

 Gunsmiths, Locksmiths & General Machinists. 



Scales & Weighing Machines Repaired & Adjusted. Metal Turning & Screw Cutting. 



RYRIE STREET EAST, GEELONG. 



