THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 
quoted : “ For many years past notes have been taken of the dates of 
arrival and departure at Dunk Island; they come from regions nearer 
the equator early in August and fly to warmer regions later in March. 
Though they have not, so far, been observed earher than August, on 
two occasions during twenty years casual and embarrassed flocks have 
lingered after March, one being seen well on m April and another 
towards the end of May. This season the first appearance of the 
heralds was recorded on 8th August, durmg anjdhhig but welcoming 
weather. The atmosphere was cool and dull, with liigh whids and 
driving rain—just such conditions as seem to be abhorrent to sun-loving 
birds seeking rest and refreshment after long and turbulent flight. The 
Starlings darted in droves through the forest, shrieldng distractedly, and 
disappeared. Two days after, when the smi began to resume control 
of local meteorological affairs, the Starlings came again, to forthwith tear 
in haste and flurry the fragments of last year’s nests attached to the 
Moreton Bay ash tree in the forest. Many new nests were built with 
aU possible speed, and the love-making m the taU, shm tree w'hich has 
been time out of mind the headquarters of the most neighbomly colony 
showed off the sprightly and beautiful birds in most engaging and fantastic 
attitudes. On 26th Spetember dozens of broken egg-shells were found under 
the tree. There will be successive broods until the end of January.” 
Campbell recorded McLennan’s note from Moa Island, Torres Straits: 
“ 18/11/19 : Hear Shining Starlings smgnig and mimicking calls of other 
birds—^Drongos, Fig-Bird, YeUow-spotted and Lesser Spotted Honey-eaters. 
11/12/19 : Strike an open pocket, at the edge of which Sliining Starlings have 
built. Some broken egg-shells on the gromid beneath show that the yoiuig 
are hatched. 20/12/19 : Large colony of Starlings buildhig m a tall white 
mangrove. Later, found another colony of the birds building in a similar 
tree. 19/1/20Have a look at the colony of Starlings noted. 20/1219: 
Several small hmbs v\ith nests attached are lying on the ground; each contains 
eggs, majority broken by the fall.” 
Previously, Campbell and Barnard had wrritten m connection mth Rocking¬ 
ham Bay birds: “ These socialistic birds with Starling-hke activity arrived 
shortly after our appearance in the district, and subsequently a breeduig-tree 
here and there in the scnibs was observed, notably at Deep Creek crossing 
and on ‘ Crescent Lagoon ’ Farm on the Upper Mm’ray. The first young 
were hatched 10th October. [During a collecting trip to Cape York Peninsula 
in 1896, these birds Avere observed flying from a northerly direction hi large 
and small flocks durmg September. They came across the open sea, and 
landed in the scrubs at the extreme end of the peninsula. — H.G.B.] According 
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