THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 
G. F. Hill {Emu, Vol. XII., p. 256, 1913) wrote : “ A common species in 
the coarse grass near the river and creeks (at Borroloola, Northern Territory). 
Two sets of eggs, each containing three, were taken on 29th December and 
23rd February, and a set of four eggs on 25th January. All three were open 
nests, built of leafy eucalyptus twigs, lined with detached eucalyptus leaves, and 
situated in large tussocks of grass, about 18 inches from the ground. Their 
food consists of grass seeds and insects (principally Coleoptera). Several 
specimens examined were free from external parasites.” 
Of the Port Essington bird Gould prints a note : “ Mr. Gregory informs 
me that ‘this bird is almost invariably found in thickets or canebrakes near 
water, and appears to live principally upon seeds and insects ; but one was 
observed devouring a Cockatoo that had been recently shot and fallen in a 
jungle. In flight it somewhat resembles the Common Hawk, but with an 
irregular and uncertain movement ; it runs over the ground with great speed, 
and then resembles a hen Pheasant ; in the trees their actions are much like 
those of JajT's and Magpies. The eye has a rich golden tint, and is remarkably 
keen and hawk-like. The body is slender, and by no means fleshy. We 
observed it generally in small companies and sometimes only in pairs.’ ” 
Mr. Tom Carter has told me : “ This peculiar bird used to occur in the reed- 
beds round the Lake at Minilya River, but when the country was stocked with 
cattle, which drank there, they disappeared from that locahty, which was 
probably their southern limit. They are not uncommon in thick reeds about 
the Ashburton River. They are known in the mid-west as Native Pheasants.” 
Whitlock recorded {Emu, Vol. VIII., p. 191, 1909) : “ A few pairs on the 
Coogan and some of its larger tributaries. Also observed on the Taiga River, 
and again on the de Grey. I was surprised to hear the remarkable notes issuing 
from a clump of mangroves in the early morning, at Condon. It could hardly 
have been breeding there, I think.” 
I printed Rogers’ notes from Parry’s Creek, in North-west Austraha in 
the Emu, Vol. IX., p. 8, 1909 : “ Numerous along the creek. I heard the call 
for the first time on lOth September, which was the first hot season day we had 
had. It was only the first few notes of the call, and uttered half an hour 
after sundown. Saw one on an open piece of ground. When the bird heard me 
it lay flat on the ground and did not move till I stopped and looked at it. It 
then flew into a tree about 30 yards away. They call till nine o’clock in the 
evening.” He later reported them as numerous on Melville Island, adding : 
“ The alarm caU is a harsh scolding note ; they hop right to the top of the trees 
where they seem to be actually lying on the topmost leaves.” 
Bemey’s notes {Emu, Vol. II., p. 211, 1903) read : “ Coucal. “ Coop 
coop coop coop coop coop coop coop coop coop,^^ with a pause after the first 
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