The Emu. 
133 
Some Notes on the Birds of Lake Eyre District, 
(Geological Expedition under the Leadership of 
Professor Gregory, F.R.S.) 
By C. M. Lyons, Melbourne University. 
The following is a short account of some of the birds seen by us 
while accompanying Dr. Gregory on his expedition around Lake 
Eyre, in the interior. 
We left Hergott Springs on i8th December, 1901, and 
commenced our march across the desert, but, with the ex- 
ception of Crows, no birds were seen until the Clayton River 
was reached. Here large flocks of Bare-eyed Cockatoos, 
Rose-breasted Cockatoos (Galahs), and Crested Pigeons were 
seen. Several small flocks of Teal were seen on the waterholes, 
and around them numbers of the Black-tailed Native Hen were 
playing. Hawks were also numerous and very bold, a couple 
of them hovering about within 20 feet of the camp. Next 
morning a pair of Wild Turkeys (Bustards) was seen, but we 
were unable to shoot either of them. The above-mentioned birds 
are typical of this area, and were met with along all the water- 
holes which we subsequently came across. 
From the Clayton to the Dulkaninna artesian bore no birds 
were seen, again excepting the ubiquitous Crow, but on the small 
swamps formed by the overflow from the bore were large flocks 
of Teal, Black Ducks, and a few Mountain Ducks (Shieldrake). 
Until the Cooper was reached we saw no more birds, but here 
they were very abundant. As the bed was dry no waterfowl 
were about, but Hawks, Crested Pigeons, and small birds were in 
plenty. We were struck by the number and size of the Hawks' 
nests. These were easily accessible, owing to the small size of the 
trees ; no eggs were, however, obtained. At Lake Killalpaninna, 
which is fed by the Cooper, we saw, in addition to the birds 
above mentioned, a white or bluish-white fishing hawk — 
probably the Sea Eagle. These were in a flock of about 20, 
but were too far off to shoot or to accurately determine. Black 
Swans and Pelicans were also observed here for the first time. 
Two or three Magpies were also noted in the distance ; these 
were the first and last seen on the journey. Native Companions 
were seen by Dr. Gregory at Kopperamanna Bore. Going down 
the Cooper some fine Wedge-tailed Eagles were seen, but none 
were obtained. Along the dry bed to Piranna waterhole 
bird-life was scanty ; but in the early morning round 
the latter I saw Wild Turkeys, Red-necked Avocets, Teal, 
Widgeon, and Mountain Ducks, Grebes, Chestnut-eared Finches, 
and immense flocks of Crested Pigeons. Previously I had only 
seen the latter singly or in pairs, but being early morning they 
had assembled to drink. After seeing a small dead tree abso- 
lutely covered with them I felt less sceptical of the accounts of 
