AUSTRALIA'S LARGEST BIRDS 
5 
eggs. One or two, buff or greenish-buff, smudged or blotched all 
over with brown markings. Breeding-season: January to April; June 
and July (northern Queensland); September to November (New 
South Wales). 
6. Jabiru Xenorhynchus asiaticus Latham 
Xen-o-rhynch'-us—G k, xenos, strange; Gk, rhynchos, beak: asiaticus— 
Asiatic. 
distribution. Northern and eastern Australia, from the Fitzroy 
River (north-western Australia) to north-eastern New South Wales; 
also occurs in India, Burma, the Malay Archipelago to New Guinea. 
notes. Also called Black-necked Stork. Usually singly, in pairs, or 
family parties, frequenting swamps, salt-water creeks, and lagoons. 
It is generally seen stalking quietly about seeking its prey, every now 
and again jumping along with great strides and jabbing at fish with 
its huge bill. Food: fish, crabs, and carrion of all kinds. 
nest. A large pile of sticks and twigs, on which a thin layer of grass 
or rushes is laid, placed on a low swamp tree, or in a tall tree. 
eggs. Two to four, whitish unless nest-stained. Breeding-season: 
May and June (NorthernTerritory); March and April (Queensland). 
7. Brolga Megalornis rubicundus Perry 
Meg-al-orn'-is—Gk, megas (megalos ), large; Gk, ornis , bird: ru-bi-cun'- 
dus— L., rubicundus, red. 
distribution. Australia (except the south-western portion). 
notes. Also called Native Companian and Australian Crane. Usually 
in pairs or flocks, frequenting plains and swampy areas. It is a per¬ 
manent resident in some districts, nomadic in other localities. Its 
flight is easy and graceful and at times it soars to a great height. A 
flock will amuse itself by dancing, forming “quadrille parties” or 
“corroborees”. All manner of movements are performed in a most 
graceful way. Its call is a deep trumpeting note. Food: insects, small 
rodents, frogs, and reptiles; also herbage and edible roots of various 
kinds. 
nest. Usually none made, the eggs being laid on the ground; oc¬ 
casionally the eggs are rimmed around with pieces of reeds, plants, 
or grass. Sometimes it is a substantial platform of grass tussocks, reeds 
and similar material. 
eggs. Two, glossy white, covered with a few purplish-red spots. 
Breeding-season: September to March. 
8. Black Swan Chenopis atrata Latham 
Chen'-op-is— Gk, chen, goose; Gk, opsis, appearance: a-tra'-ta— L., atra- 
tus, blackened. 
distribution. Australia (except the extreme northern portions) 
and Tasmania; introduced into New Zealand. 
