294 BIRDS OF THE DISTRICT OF GEELONG 
in thousands upon the Queenscliff Road bush about 
the middle of October, exhibiting every appearance 
of staying for the summer. But by the end of No- 
vember most had gone, and my record of nests found 
there that season amounted to seven only. Sudden 
cold weather would probably turn back all those 
birds which had not actually begun to nest. 
There was another smaller irruption towards the 
end of 1897. I do not know whether in that year 
they settled in the Queenscliff bush, but they were 
breeding in small numbers at Freshwater Creek, and 
were plentiful at Highton, where Mr. Mulder notes 
that on December 24th there were nests all over his 
orchard on branches of the fruit trees. He found the 
birds very tame, the male bird sometimes sitting on 
a branch a few feet above his head and scolding 
vigorously. On this occasion some nests were found 
on low bushes and in hedges, and even on the tops of 
haycocks in a field. On Christmas Day in that year 
he noted them as being plentiful at Bream Creek, 
accompanied by a few pairs of the Masked species. 
In subsequent years they have not appeared in 
great numbers, though it is usual for a few pairs to 
come to the Eastern Park every summer, and these 
probably breed. 
Between April and September we never see 
them ; during that period they are probably very 
far inland. The first warm north wind in spring is 
sure to bring them south ; they may, perhaps, not 
come to earth at all^ but if on such a day you hear 
