16 
November 1949 The Queensland Naturalist 
swamp on the left hand side of the road after crossing a 
small creek and cutting (road) and perhaps 1 1 miles 
before reaching the Broadwater and turning towards 
Southport. 
5. The Ground Grauculus Pteropodocys maxima. I 
once saw about 1 i dozen of these beside the old road 
between Roma and Chinchilla amongst some light scrub. 
6. The Black-backed Magpie. I saw on one occasion 
on the Stephens’ property adjoining the Lamington 
National Park at least 3-4 dozens collected in the hol- 
low below the bouse. 2-300 yards distant. They were 
mostly quite idle. But occasionally one or two would 
fly off across the road, also about 300 yards from the 
mob, to where a man was ploughing, choose two or three 
grubs to eat and return to his own flock. I think they 
were gone next day. 
7. I happened once to be stationed temporarily at a 
place called Orallo, on the Injune Line. Hearing that 
I might be able to shoot a Scrub Turkey in a scrub per- 
haps a mile distant. I borrowed a gun at the week-end 
and walked out. but not a turkey could I see, though I 
could see signs on the ground. 
On returning to camp. I heard a rather amazing tale. 
I was told that a large flock of turkeys had invaded the 
township, coming evidently from the scrub. In passing, 
two or three were caught in paling yards and were after- 
wards consumed: the rest carried on with their migra- 
tion. My luck was definitely “out.” but I believe that 
things happened as recorded. 
8. One of the most remarkable gatherings I ever saw 
was at a place called Barakula, on a branch line from 
Chinchilla, which mainly consisted of a saw mill for 
cutting railway sleepers and bridge girders. 
Here one day, I noticed a great gathering of Leather- 
heads in about two tree tops over a waterhole in the 
local creek. 
They did not appear to have any desire to feed. 
There must have been about 200 of them and all they 
did was to chatter their hardest. I must say the noise 
they made was absolutely deafening, and strangely they 
were not flying about, only chattering. I went up and 
examined the pool and surroundings, but could find 
nothing at all ususual. It was a mystery to me. There 
was plenty of other water in the creek also. 
