AUSTRALIA’S LARGEST BIRDS 
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Eggs . — One or two, buff or greenish-buff, smudged or blotched all 
over with brown markings. Breeding-season: January to April ; June and 
July (northern Queensland) ; September to November (New South 
Wales). 
6. Jabiru Xenorhynchus asiaticus Latham 
Xen-o-rhyncti-us — Gk, xenos , strange; Gk, rhynchos , beak: asiaticus — 
Asiatic. 
Distribution. — Northern and eastern Australia, from the Fitzroy 
River (north-western Australia) to north-eastern New South Wales; also 
occurs in India, Burma, the Malay Archipelago to New Guinea. 
Notes. — Also called Black-necked Stork. Usually singly, in pairs, or 
family parties, frequenting swamps, salt-water creeks, and lagoons. It 
is generally seen stalking quietly about seeking its prey, every now and 
again jumping along with great strides and jabbing at fish with its huge 
bill. Food: fish, crabs, and carrion of all kinds. 
Nest. — A large pile of sticks and twigs, on which a thin layer of grass 
or rushes is laid, placed on a low swamp tree, or in a tall tree. 
Eggs . — Two to four, whitish unless nest-stained. Breeding-season: 
May and June (Northern Territory) ; March and April (Queensland). 
7. Brolga Megalornis rubicundus Perry 
Meg-al-orn-is — Gk, megas ( megalos ), large; Gk, ornis, bird: ru-bi-cun- 
dus — L., rubicimduSj red. 
Distribution. — Australia (except the south-western portion). 
Notes. — Also called Native Companion and Australian Crane. Usually 
in pairs or flocks, frequenting plains and swampy areas. It is a permanent 
resident in some districts, nomadic in other localities. Its flight is easy and 
graceful and at times it soars to a great height. A flock will amuse itself 
by dancing, forming “quadrille parties” or “corroborees.” All manner of 
movements are performed in a most graceful way. Its call is a deep 
trumpeting note. Food: insects, small rodents, frogs, and reptiles; also 
herbage and edible roots of various kinds. 
Nest. — Usually none made, the eggs being laid on the ground; 
occasionally the eggs are rimmed around with pieces of reeds, plants, or 
grass. Sometimes it is a substantial platform of grass tussocks, reeds and 
similar material. 
Eggs . — Two, glossy white, covered with a few purplish-red spots. 
Breeding-season : September to March. 
S. Black Swan Chenopis atrata Latham 
Cheri-op-is — Gk, chert, goose; Gk, opsis, appearance: a-tra-ta — L., atra - 
tus, blackened. 
Distribution. — Australia (except the extreme northern portions) and 
Tasmania; introduced into New Zealand. 
