180 
AlSr AUSTRALIAN BIRD fiOOIt. 
has the red rump tis well as the red brow and bill, but the under 
surface is not banded. These birds usually build a very large 
nest, which has been compared to a "stocking hung by the toe, 
while the eggs are laid in the heel, and entrance is gained through 
the leg." 
^ The introduced Starling has firmly established itself, and is 
extending its range rapidly. Incredible numbers gather at 
lagoon-sldes to roost in the reed-beds. 
I This bird, is a favorite with farmers and graziers, but orchard- 
' ists view its rapid increase With alarm. It is possible, as Mr. 
C. French, Government Entomologist, has pointed out, that the 
, Starling will yet prove a more expensive pest than the Rabbit. 
Starlings, at least, upset the balance of nature, for, by occupying 
all available nesting sites, early and late, they displace the native 
birds. Kingfishers, Parrots, and other birds that nest in hollows 
are thus being driven away from their old haunts. 
The Australian Oriole is a member of the family of true Orioles. 
The Fig-Birds of Queensland towns are closely related. The 
members of this family are restricted to the Eastern Hemi- 
sphere. Our Oriole is an interesting migrant which visits even 
cities. Its beautiful hanging, cup-shaped nest woven amongst 
the twigs at the end of a leafy bough is a clever piece of work. 
Its note is melodious and varied. It often calls "o-ree-ee-o-ole." 
It is also fond of mimicking other birds. 
The Baltimore Oriole, or Golden Robin, is properly not an 
Oriole, but comes in a related family — the Icteridae — which con- 
tains American birds somewhat similar to Orioles. The Aus- 
tralian bird, as shown by the colored illustration, has not the 
conspicuous golden and black plumage of the European bird. 
The Spangled Drongo is the Australian representative of a 
family of birds spread from Africa, Madagascar, and India up 
to Japan, and through the islands to Australia. They are a 
characteristic feature of Indian ornithology, for they are found 
everywhere in that country. The one Australian bird is a 
migrant, and seldom reaches Southern Australia. Like other 
Drongos, it is a glossy black, has a long, forked tail, is a good 
mimic of other birds' calls, and is also a vicious fighter. It is 
exceedingly active, and has a disagreeably harsh, cackling, and 
creaking whistle. It will drive away even hawks and crows. 
After the Shining Starlings of Queensland, come the mar- 
vellously-beautiful Birds of Paradise — ''God's Birds." 
These unique birds are found only in New Guinea, Papuan 
Islands, Molucca Islands, and the rich, tropical coast scrubs of 
Eastern Australia. One, the Riflebird, is found even down to 
North-Eastern New South Wales. 
The Federal and State Governments are doing excellent work 
in protecting our beautiful birds, and are giving what seems 
to be a really efficient protection, so that some of our birds which 
possess the fatal gift of beauty in an extreme degree will pro- 
bably survive for some time yet. Collectors as well as plume- 
hunters should be compelled to keep hands off our exquisite birds. 
