MAGPIE-LARK. 
“ The South-western birds occur generally through that part of the colony, 
but were rarely seen immediately round Albany, where there is no river within 
seven miles, but plenty of swamps. Although I had previously visited and 
stayed at Albany on many occasions, these birds were first noted by me there 
on March 24, 1910, about which date a few of them were feeding along the 
edge of the harbour ( sea water ) on the beach, and also in some of the streets 
of the town itself. Their appearance must have been unusual, because 
several residents called my attention to them and asked what they were. 
About Broome Hill these birds were more plentiful than in any other district 
of my knowledge. In the summer months they could be seen in parties up to 
thirty in number, often feeding in the township’s streets, and going to roost 
in company, high up in some tree on the outskirts of the little village. There 
were always three or four nests within sight of my house, ‘ Wensleydale,’ 
near there, the mud being obtained from the edges of a neighbouring stock 
tank. They were usually built high up in the trees, 30 to 60 feet, and frequently 
in such luxuriant green foliage (white gum trees mostly) that it was not easy 
to see the nest from the ground below it. An old nest was often used in a 
following year. The breeding season began in August, and continued until 
the end of December, as a second brood was often reared in the same season 
in the nest from which a first brood had fledged. Thus I noted in a nest in 
full view from my house : Aug. 18, 1911. Bird sitting on eggs, nest 60 feet in 
top of white gum. This brood of young left the nest on Sept. 18. Later on 
a bird was observed sitting again on the same nest and the second brood left 
it on Dec. 12. The clutch of eggs is usually four, often five. Oct. 11, 1906. 
Young birds heard in nest. Oct. 13, 1906. Four fresh eggs in another nest. 
Sept. 28, 1907. Four eggs. Oct. 10, 1908. Fledged young and Oct. 18, 1908. 
Old birds feeding young in nest, high up in white gum. Nov. 17, 1908. 
The same young still being fed in nest. Nov. 5, 1910. Fledged young seen. 
Dec. 19, 1911. Brood of young seen leaving nest. The Goshawk is very 
fond of killing this useful bird.” 
Air. J. P. Rogers wrote me from the North-west : “ Are evenly distributed 
over the district wherever water is found and are fairly numerous. At Marngle 
Creek very few were seen near my camp which was 14 miles from the 'permanent 
surface water. The surface water I camped at usually dries up every year. 
These birds seem to prefer waterholes, swamps and billabongs to the Fitzroy 
River itself.” 
Batey wrote : “ Continues to breed at Redstone Hill. I find it distributed 
over a large area of Victoria. As an insectivorous bird, to me, it seems to be 
unrivalled. It should be rigorously protected. Under no circumstances have 
I known it to attack fruit.” 
VOL. X. 
329 
