106 
CHISHOLM, Around Tumbarumba [ T ist Oct!* 
Acanthochaera carunculata. Red Wattle-bird (Gill-bird).—Seen 
now and then, but not in any numbers. They feed largely on the 
nectar of flowering Eucalypts, travelling from place to place in 
search of them. 
Philemon corniculatus. Noisy Friar-bird (Leather Head).—A few 
seen feeding about Loranthus. 
Anthus australis. Australian Pipit (Ground Lark).—Common on 
open cleared land. 
Corvus coronoides. Australian Raven (Crow).—A few seen. I 
was a firm believer that we had only one Eastern bird — 
and had not much faith in the distinction of colour of the 
base of the neck feathers. I have now examined a Crow with snow- 
white bases to the feathers of the neck and body, and I think there 
are probably two species—the Crow and the Raven. 
Corcorax melanorhamphus. White-winged Chough (Black Mag¬ 
pie).—Fairly common. Seen in small companies. The females of a 
company appear to lay their eggs in the one nest, the eggs being 
sat upon by each in turn. 
Strepera versicolor. Grey Bell-Magpie (Grey Magpie).—Saw 
several of these on the mountains, generally singly or in small 
groups. 
Gymnorhina tibicen. Black-backed Magpie.—This was the com¬ 
mon species, and the only one seen here, though at Holbrook, 
about 40 miles west, and on the Upper Murray, 25 to 30 miles south, 
I came across the White-backed (G. hypoleuca); though not nearly 
so common as I found it 25 or 30 years ago. 
Introduced Birds. 
Passer domesticus. House Sparrow.—Common about the town. 
Its close ally, the Tree Sparrow (P. montanus), I did not meet. 
It is very common a short distance west. I saw several P. montanus 
at Holbrook, about 40 miles away, and it is quite a common bird 
now in most Riverina towns. I first came across this latter 
bird at Junee about 1898 or 1899, when I caught several of them. 
It is now to be seen in large flocks in the Riverina, often associated 
with P. domesticus. 
Carduelis carduelis. Goldfinch.—I saw a few of these right 
amongst the mountains, feeding on the seeds of the Scotch Thistle. 
It has increased enormously of late years. I met with it all over 
the Riverina; in fact, in a good many widely scattered areas all 
over the State. It is a decidedly useful bird on account of its 
feeding on this thistle, which has got a great hold in certain parts. 
Sturnus vulgaris. Starling.—I saw small flocks of these birds, 
which are increasing at a great rate, and have found their way 
to almost every part of the State. Great controversies take place 
from time to time as to whether it is a pest or not. I think 
myself that, on the whole, it is decidedly beneficial, for its food 
consists almost entirely of insects, of which grasshoppers form a 
large part. It is credited, too, with being a consumer of blow¬ 
fly larvae, and it no doubt eats many other insects harmful to 
crops. On the other hand, one hears complaints of its ravages 
on orchard fruit. It certainly will attack garden fruit at times, 
though this habit is by no means universal. Speaking from per¬ 
sonal experience, I can state positively that, when living at Picton, 
where I had a large orchard, and the birds were in countless nun*- 
bers, I never saw one attacking the fruit; this experience ex¬ 
tended over a period of four years. 
