MAGPIE-LARK 
301 
characterise so many of our indigenous birds. This 
usually manifests itself at the end of April : the birds 
gather on trees and then Hy circling and crying 
continuously, and at times make mile-long flights 
high in the air. There is, further, a well-held belief 
that to see Magpie-larks flying north is a sure sign 
of rain ; but from my own experience I should say 
that while they are very susceptible to atmospheric 
changes, so that their autumnal movements are 
probably connected with the "break in the season," 
it is not the case that every considerable northward 
flight portends rain in the locality whence the flight 
is made. 
The food of the Magpie-lark consists of insects 
obtained chiefly on the ground. 
The nest is interesting as being one of the three 
Australian birds' nests which are built of mud, either 
solely or in great part. The other two birds are the 
White-winged Chough, which, as we shall see, inhabits 
parts of the Geelong district, and the Grey Struthidea, 
which is not found south of the Divide. 
The Magpie-lark's nest is bowl-shaped, and is 
affixed to the horizontal branch of a tree ; generally 
a eucalyptus, though I have seen them in willows 
and on two occasions in she-oaks. It is not so easy to 
discover as from its exposed position would appear 
probable ; it has the look of a large natural excrescence 
on the bough. Nearly always the tree is near fresh 
water. 
Four is the usual clutch of eggs. They vary in 
