16



Walter Goodfellow—A Collector on Melville Island



own and is difficult to get back into his cage once he has been allowed

out for a fly. At first a large piece of lettuce put inside the cage was

sufficient to entice him in, but now the room must be darkened and the

bird picked up in my hand if I wish to return him to his cage, otherwise

I must wait until be becomes hungry and returns of his own accord.

Handling “ Nicky ” in this way makes him very angry because, although

he likes to perch on one’s finger, he will never permit anyone to

touch him.



A COLLECTOR ON MELVILLE ISLAND


By Walter Goodfellow

(Continued from p. 324)


During March and April there was a great influx of birds I had

not seen on the island when I first arrived there. These, no doubt,

were migrating to the islands still farther north of Melville. One

evening incredible numbers of Swifts filled the sky, and remained on

the wing until dark. After that I saw no more. White-breasted

Wood Swallows ( Artemus leucorhynchus) came in great numbers, and

one evening filled my dead tree to its utmost capacity. It is strange

how these birds crowd together even when there is ample room on a

branch, though this evening they had an excuse for it. Sleek and

immaculate, they always suggest a bird moulded in plaster and coloured.

They are extremely graceful on the wing, and execute beautiful

evolutions. No doubt many of these remain on the island all through

the dry season, as I still saw many about at the end of May when

I left. Bee Eaters (Merops ornatus) also arrived at this time in great

flocks, although I had seen a few about when I arrived, and also

in Darwin. It is a pretty bird, but not so beautiful as the European

species. It has the same musical call note of all the family, and is

also a late feeder. In the evening they unite in large flocks and keep

on the wing over one area, but during the day they separate, each

one taking a stand on a prominent branch, continually turning the

head in every direction looking for passing insects. With graceful



