BY RICHD. HELMS. 
407 
with their mingled caws of terror and surprise. On land I have 
never seen such a number of birds rise together as I saw at Mt. 
Tate; it could only be compared to the incalculable number of 
seafowl that rise when they are disturbed at their lonely rock-isle 
by a sudden shot from a passing vessel. 
It is almost impossible to form an estimate of the number of 
the insects that are annually devoured by the crows; just as 
difficult as it is to form an idea of the masses formerly consumed 
by the blacks. The figure in each case must, however, reach 
high into the millions. Like the dusky coloured men, the 
birds are fonder of this food than anything else, and will not 
touch even dead or dying sheep, I am informed, whilst plenty of 
" Bugongs " are to be found. My own observations confirm this 
statement. 
The Dingo, as well as the Native Cat, it is stated, feed upon 
the moths. 
Dr. R. von Lendenfeld (Report on the Gold Fields of Victoria, 
1886, p. 72), speaking of the Bogong Range, states : — "The high 
tablelands which constitute the nucleus of this range are inhabited 
by a species of moth belonging to the N octuina. The caterpillars 
of it are exceedingly abundant, and formed, half-roasted, at certain 
seasons, a favourite food of the Australian natives. The natives 
call these caterpillars 1 Bogong,' which name was afterwards 
applied to the habitat of the Bogong," &c. 
The statement as to the caterpillars having been eaten is 
incorrect. The larvae of Agrotis spina, Gn., like the imago, are shy 
of light. They are night feeders, and hide during the day, like 
all other species of the genus, in the ground or at the base of 
plants, and besides are protected by their colour. Their habits, 
as well as their protective colour, prohibits a collection in numbers 
sufficient to serve as food for whole tribes of natives. 
The accompanying sketches I owe to the skill of my young 
friend, Mr. Claude Fuller, whose valuable assistance was readily 
given and is deserving of my warmest thanks. 
