104 
CHISHOLM, Around Turnbarumba oct. u 
Grallina cyanoleuca. Magpie-Lark (Peewit). — In evidence mostly 
about water, where it obtains most of its food, consisting of many 
water insects and the pond snail (an intermediate host of the fluke 
of sheep), which is generally to be obtained about standing water; 
therefore this species ranks high amongst our beneficial birds. 
Graucalus novae-hollandiae. Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike (Blue Jay). 
—Several seen. Feeds amongst the leaves, especially of Eucalypts, 
taking its food on the wing frequently from the tree-tops without 
alighting; a migrant. 
Malurus cyaneus. Blue Wren.—Occasionally seen, especially in 
situations where Blackberry or Briar or other dense growth 
abounds. 
Lalage tricolor. White-winged Triller (Caterpillar-eater, Peewit 
Lark). — Only one seen here, and that a female or male in immature 
plumage. This is a sprightly little bird, the male having a 
warbling song, often uttered on the wing. A migrant, and fairly 
constant in times of arrival, which in western districts is about 
the middle of November. 
Gerygone olivacea. White-throated Warbler (Native Canary). 
—Saw one bird in the company of flocks of Honeyeaters, which 
appeared to be all on the move, and only passing through on 
their autumn migration. The date was March 7th, and just about 
the time one would expect this bird to be leaving the far south 
of the State. 
Acanthiza pusilla. Brown Thornhill (Tit).—Seen, but not plen¬ 
tiful. 
Acanthiza lineata. Striated Thombill (Green Tit).—Feeding in 
companies in the trees, this species and the preceding are often seen 
together. 
Geobasileus chrysorrhous. Yellow-tailed Thornhill (Tit).—Not 
seen in the open forest country, but more near human habitations 
about the gardens in which it gets food and shelter. 
Geobasileus reguloides. Buff-tailed Thornhill (Bark Tit).—A good 
many seen feeding in companies, and sometimes with the above 
species. Both feed on the ground. These two species are fre¬ 
quently thought to be one, but their habits and mode of life 
are quite distinct. The nest of this species is characteristic, built 
between a piece of outstanding bark and the trunk of a tree, 
or in a spout or hole in the trunk. Both these are frequently hosts 
of either or both Bronze Cuckoos. 
Sericornis frontalis. White-browed Scrub Wren.—Seen in the 
low underbrush, and rather shy. 
Chthonicola sagittata. Speckled Warbler (Field Wren or Tit¬ 
lark).—I saw this species once feeding on the ground in the 
company of ground-feeding Thornhills (Tits). Its nest reminds 
me of that of the Yellow-tailed Thornhill (Geobasileus chrysorrhous) 
in that it has a cup-shaped, open resting place in front for the 
males, or possibly as a ruse for its enemies, the nest proper being 
dome-shaped, with side entrance, built under a bush or tussock, and 
generally well concealed. 
Artamus cyanopterus. Dusky Wood-swallow. — An interesting 
species, and a very valuable bird, in spite of the fact that it is 
known to feed on bees occasionally. Its staple food in the summer 
months consists mostly of grasshoppers, and it also takes toll of 
many other noxious insects, among them moths. It is stationary 
all the year round in warm localities, but most probably migratory 
here; not many seen. 
Climacteris leucophaea. White-throated Tree-creeper. — -Commonly 
seen, and always in company of other birds. It prefers the thickly 
wooded to the more open country. 
