Oct, 1920 
The Queensland Naturalist. 
107 
perhaps a dozen, sometimes only four or six, but usually 
in pairs. 
In the forest the Leatherheads pay the Channel-bills 
special attention and cause much commotion. The large tail 
at such times comes into play, and is spread out fan-like; 
it is the only ornamental part of the bird. In the scrubs 
they frequent the great fig-trees, feeding on the figs. 
A specimen in my possession was shot many years ago 
on a ridge near Taringa, and was engaged in devouring a 
giant phasma. The phasma (P. titan) I kept for several 
years ; it was a large brown species about a foot long, and 
not at all common. As I never troubled to shoot another 
specimen of Scythrops, no further opportunity was afforded 
of ascertaining its food, for, though often observed, it was 
not easy to say what the birds were engaged in eating. 
The name Channel-bill is given to the bird because of 
the grooves along the upper mandible, and as some supposed 
(according to Biggies) that its presence indicated a wet 
spell, the name “ Rain-bird” came into use. 
The nidification of the bird is unknown to me, and, 
although I have seen very many, I cannot remember ever 
having seen a young bird. It is probable that the Leather- 
heads ( 7 ropidorhynchus cornicuJatiis) could say something 
about its habits herein if able to speak, for they have a 
great aversion to it. 
MEETINGS. 
Members are asked to take note of the intended meet- 
ings and excursions for the remainder of the current year : 
November 6 — Excursion to Wellington Point. Train 
leaves Melbourne Street 1.20 p.m. 
November :8~General Meeting. Lecture by Mr. 
W. D. Francis, Assistant Government Botanist, on “ Scrub 
Trees.” 
December 4— Excursion to the Botanical Gardens. 
Meet at the Botanic Museum, 2.45 p.m. 
December 13. — General meeting. Subject, “Pond 
Life.” 
