THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 
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so that its departure was unseen, or else so hurriedly on my side that my snap- 
shot was without result. I noticed that the ‘ More Pork ’ was uttered in a 
very leisurely maimer at first, with an interval of four or five seconds after each 
call, but after a few minutes the interval became rapidly less until the ‘ More 
Pork ’ became continuous and more guttimal, gradually merging into ‘ Morr- 
porrk-M-porrk, M-porrk, M-porrk-porrk-porrk-porrk-urrk-urrk,’ and then a 
sudden silence, the bird having flown away. The last few notes much resembled 
a very rapid hoarse croaking by a frog, and could not be heard at any distance. 
Sometimes several months would pass without hearing a call at Broome Hill, 
and then a bird or birds would be heard almost every night for some weeks. 
About Point Cloates this species appeared to breed any time after rains. Thus 
on October 30, 1900, I drove in my buggy forty miles inland right under one of 
their slight nests, containing two eggs, built about ten feet from the ground in 
a small Black Heart (sp. MaUee ?). As usual, the bird sat in upright position, 
with tip of beak pointing upwards. Its eyes were wide open and intently 
watching me. It was a male bird. Other eggs were noted July 16, 1901, 
February 7, 1902, and a fledgling on December 4, 1900. The nest is usually 
from six to ten feet from the ground. About Broome Hill there seems to be 
a regular breeding-season, commencing in September and continuing through 
October. On Nov. 4, 1906, noted small fledgling (pale grey). Nov. 2, 1908. 
Fledgling young (two), can just fly. Light grey plumage. Irides reddish-hazel. 
Oct. 9, 1910. Two eggs (usual clutch). Nov. 3, 1910. Fledged bird seen. 
Nov. 29, 1911. Newly fledged young. Sept. 26, 1912. Very small young in 
white down, fallen out of nest ; this small bird contained some grasshoppers 
and two centipedes, one four inches, the other 3J inches in length. Oct. 25, 
1912. Noted two young in nest, about a week old. Centipedes appear to be 
the main food, and also beetles, spiders and grasshoppers. A neighbour’s 
wife told me she knew a nest that had been laid in every year for seven 
years, although her boys took the eggs or young from it every year.” 
Mr. J. P. Rogers noted at Melville Island: “Cooper’s Camp, Oct. 28, 1911. 
Three were seen to-day. Nov. 3, 1911. Another party of three were noted. 
Both these had young birds with them. Nov. 5, 1911. A single bird seen. 
Dec. 15, 1911. This species is now fairly numerous. Jan. 14, 1912. None were 
seen at the north side of the island. Jan. 31, 1912, Cooper’s Camp. A party 
seen again.” 
I hereafter give some notes on the call of this bird, but will first comment 
upon the breeding habits. It will be noticed that Gould found one male sitting, 
though, apparently, generally females undertook that act. Recent recorders 
sometimes conclude that the male only officiates, while others suggest the female 
alone. It seems important that such items should be considered, as it may 
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