Vol ’i 924 IV ’] CHISHOLM, Around Tiunbarumba 
103 
Platycercus eximius. Rosella.—Only one of these seen, as it 
prefers the more open country to the west. 
Dacelo gigas. Laughing Kookaburra (Laughing Jackass).—Sev¬ 
eral seen, and distributed everywhere. One of the few birds of which 
the Goanna (Varanus varius) is afraid. I have seen one chasing 
a Goanna, swooping down at intervals, and scolding loudly, and 
the lizard going as fast as its legs would carry it. I have several 
times seen this bird dive into water. 
Halcyon sanctus. Sacred Kingfisher.—Only one seen. This seems 
to prefer forest country, where it feeds extensively on the larger 
Cockchafer Beetles, particularly of the genus Anoplognathus , which 
it picks off the gum leaves without alighting. It feeds mostly 
on the ground on various small lizards, worms, etc. When near 
water, frequently to be seen diving. 
Hirundapus caudacuta. Spinetail Swift.—A flight of these seen 
passing over in great numbers. The distances these birds fly 
in a day must be enormous. 
Hirundo neoxena. Welcome Swallow.—Seen about dwellings. The 
amount of flies and other dipterous insects that this bird consumes 
must be considerable. I have found it feeding its young at times on 
a small black cicada. 
Uhipidura flabellifera. Grey Fantail.—Much in evidence, and 
always in the company of other birds. A migrant. Notable for 
its pretty cup-shaped neat nest, with a long tail of bark pro¬ 
jecting from the bottom. The whole outside of the nest is covered 
with spiders' web, giving it a very finished appearance. 
Rhipidura leucophrys. Black and White Fantail (Willie Wagtail). 
_Seen occasionally. It adapts itself to any kind of country, and. is 
found everywhere all through the State. A favourite situation 
for the nest is overhanging water. Another situation frequently 
chosen is right under and close up to a Peewit’s nest, the latter 
acting as a protection from the weather. 
Microeca fascinans. Jacky Winter.—Not many seen, as it prefers 
the more open forest land. It is very graceful in its actions, 
and very quick to detect the slightest movement of an insect 
on the ground. It is one of the few birds that hover, remaining 
stationary in the air for many seconds, while locating its food. It 
possesses a very pretty little song. 
Petroica multicolor. Scarlet Robin.—A pair seen several times, 
frequently in the company of the Buff-tailed Thornbill ( Geobasileus 
reguloides) , the Grey Fantail ( Rhipidura flabellifera), and the 
White-throated Tree-creeper ( Clirnacteris leucophxa). The three 
species named are constantly in association with it. 
Petroica goodenovii. Red-capped Robin,—Saw one specimen, also 
in the company of other small birds. 
Eopsaltria australis. Yellow Robin.—Fairly common, and seen 
mostly in the denser growth about gullies. Very fearless, and 
engaging in its habits. 
Pachycephala pectoralis. Golden-breasted Whistler.—Seen feed¬ 
ing high up in the Eucalypts. A fine whistler; the notes 
are hardly continuous enough to be called a song. This bird is 
stationary. ' 
Pachycephala rufiventris. Rufous-breasted Whistler.—This bird, 
unlike the last species, is a migrant, arriving fairly punctually 
each year. I look upon this as one of our best songsters, the 
whole bush ringing with its notes in the hot days of early 
summer. Fairly plentiful here. 
Colluricincla harmonica. Grey Thrush. — A pair or two seen, 
each pair inhabiting its own district, and rarely invading the otheFs 
territory. One of our best songsters. This mountain country is 
really the home of this bird. 
