THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 
Mr. Edwin Ashby notes : “ Tliis is a rare visitor in the neighbourhood 
of Adelaide. I have seen two specimens killed at the Reed-beds, and I have 
once seen it near my home at Blackwood, South Austraha.” 
Mr. E. D. Barnard has recorded: “It may not be generally kuown that 
the Oriole is a capable mimic. A few mornings ago an Oriole treated us to a 
display of its powers, which proved it a fit rival to any Bower-Bird. Just about 
sunrise, when we were sitting at our breakfast rornid the camp fire, the bird 
came, and the entertainment only ceased when we had to leave the camp. The 
calls most easily identified and perfectly rendered were those of the Wedge¬ 
tailed Eagle, Black-backed Magpie, Butcher-Bird, Blue-faced and other Honey- 
eaters and Red-breasted Babbler; but his repertoire embraced several other 
birds, which the Oriole was apparently only learning, and could not render 
aright.” 
Macgilhvray has noted: “ Numerous on the Gregory River, but not so 
common m other parts of the Gulf comitry. Frequent at Cape York, where 
it was found in the open forest country. Its note differs considerably from 
that of its southern congener. Stomach, beetle and other insects, and cater¬ 
pillars.” Later, he added: “ Was noted at Cooktown. A few were noted on 
the Archer River in June in the open forest.” 
Barnard observed : “A fairly common bird on the McArthur. It was 
often foimd feeding m fig-trees and on wild berries gromng along the river. 
Nests were foimd during December and January.” 
Mr. J. P. Rogers has written me : “ Aug. 2, 1908 : I saw a great many 
Orioles to-day, chiefly of this species. Only saw one pair of 0. flavicindus? 
Later: “Only one seen at Mamgle Creek and the next one on the Fitzroy on 
my return from Jegurra Creek.” From Melville Island he A\Tote: “ Cooper’s 
Camp, Nov. 20, 1911 : Tins bird is not so numerous as 0. flavocinctus. It 
is now not so numerous as when I came on the island. Dec. 12, 1911: Have 
seen tliis species occasionally in the past three weeks. Jan. 13, 1912: A few 
were seen on the north side of the island. Cooper’s Camp, Jan. 29, 1912; I 
have seen none since my return here.” 
Ramsay, the son of the famous E. P. Ramsay, has recently noted from 
the Upper Clarence River district. New South Wales: “ Birds plentiful. On 
two occasions it was noted that their partly completed nests were taken 
possession of by Drongos.” 
Harvey Bros., ivriting from Mackay, North Queensland, note: “The 
Northern Oriole is not by any means a common bird m this district. During 
the breeding-season each pair of birds seems to be restricted to a certain 
locality, and never goes beyond its own boundaries. As a mmiic the Oriole 
has few equals. During the months of July and August, just before the breeding- 
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