Central Farts of Victoina. 



61 



3. — Bidlinus obsciirus (?) — This shell is about three- 

 eighths of an inch in length, the convolutions winding from 

 left to right ; colour — dark yellow. It is plentiful in the nu- 

 merous brackish lagoons. 



4. — Unio tumidus (?) — This shell is very plentiful in all 

 our rivers, and forms a considerable portion of the food of the 

 natives during the summer season. 



Frogs. — During my stay at the Goulburn in September, 

 three species of frogs came under my observation, all very 

 plentiful along the banks of the river. 



Snakes and Lizards, — In the earlier part of October snakes 

 and lizards become plentiful ; and in the beginning of the 

 ensuing month change their skins. They prey upon young- 

 broods of birds and animals at this season. 



Black duck. — In the middle of July the sheltered places 

 at the base of the Mount Macedon ranges become the resort of 

 swarms of birds of every clnss. The natatores in particular 

 cono*regate in vast flocks on the swam[)y plains. Conspicuous 

 amongst these is the black duck {A7ias superciliosa) 

 and httle teal. The tcood duck {Bernicla jiibata) is 

 also observed in groups of three or four individuals in these 

 immense flocks ; and the gay plumage of the mountain duck 

 {Casarca tadarnoides) here and there becomes visible. 



Towards the latter end of July, the commencement of 

 the breeding season, these birds separate in couples ; they 

 breed in the following month, and the young are brought 

 forth in September. 



Plover. — At this period (July and August) two varieties 

 of plover, the alarm bird {Lobivanellus lobatus), and black 

 breasted plovit, (Sarciophorus pectoralis), gather in con- 

 siderable force around Mount Macedon, on the plains, especially 

 where the ground is honeycombed. 



Blue Crane (Ardea Nov(e Hollandice). — In this month 

 the blue crane may be observed flying singly through 

 the gullies and along the creeks. This well known 

 bird chooses his mate in September, and evinces the 

 most ardent attachment towards her ; the female, aware of 

 this, and desiring to raise the jealousy of her paramour, pre- 

 tends not to reciprocate his affection, and continually mani- 

 fests a pretended desire to desert him. 



The black shag or cormorant {Phalacrocorax carboides\ 

 frequents the creeks and gulHes at this period, and is seldom 

 observed in groups. x , . , i 



The curlew plovers ( Oedicnemus ffrallarius), which gather 



