Central Parts of Victoria. 



63 



coupling season, and dexterously plucks feathers from the 

 excited combatants, with which to hne the interior of his 

 nest. 



In September the crows {Corvus corondides) mno^enimte 

 in large numbers around the squatters' home stations ; where 

 they pick the skins whicli are there hung out to dry, and 

 feed upon the refuse of the stations. They are very trouble- 

 some to the bullocks, by picking in the hide for insects ; 

 and I have often seen one of these animals surrounded by 

 them, and being far too lazy to rise, maintaining a perpe- 

 tual flourish of his tail, in the vain endeavour to drive 

 them off. 



In July the satin birds {Ptilonorhynckus holosericus) 

 gather in multitudes in particular localities, especially round 

 deserted sheep stations. These large flocks consist principally 

 of females, being accompanied only by one or two males, 

 livino" in polygamy. In August and September, however, 

 these' birds retire into the more secluded districts. 



The white-winged chough, or black magpie {Cor cor ax leu- 

 copteris), throughout the whole year associates in groups of 

 ten or fifteen, and frequent the dense and hilly parts of the 

 forests. Its voice is both loud and deep, and, when roused, 

 breaks the silence of the bush by its monotonous cries, and 

 peals forth an alarm to all the birds and animals of the forest. 

 Hence it is looked upon with a distrustful eye by the 

 sportsman ; and I can myself testify to the annoyance which 

 it in this manner causes. 



Squeaker. — The squeaker {Strepera anaphonensis) is a shy 

 and solitary bird, living entirely on the flats, and is remark- 

 able on account of its frequenting only the same locaUty. 

 He is hence easily distinguished from the Gymnorhma tibicen, 

 whose shrill and piping voice is so well known on all the high 

 lands. 



Little Kingfisher.— Tiie little kingfisher {Halcijon sanctus) 

 is plentiful along the banks of the creeks and rivers, but 

 quickly disappears at the approach of the observer. 



Laughing Jackass.— TWq great kingfisher (Dacelo gigantea) 

 or, as it is more familiarly known, the laughing jackass, dur- 

 ing the winter lives entirely on small fish, but in the summer 

 months snakes and lizards form the staple of its food. It is 

 well known to the colonists for its pecuhar cry ; at the first 

 dawn of sunrise its wildlaugh is heard resounding far and wide 

 through the woods, waking up the birds and animals of 



