112 
FLETCHER, Birds of the Steppes 
f The Emu 
L 1st Oct. 
Lam prococcyx plagosus. Bronze Cuckoo. 
Hirundo neoxena. Welcome Swallow.—I noticed that many of the 
Swallows had their homes built in the burnt-out trunks of large trees. 
They favoured those with the opening to the east or north, particu¬ 
larly a tree in which they had a choice of two entrances. In 1922 
they did not use the house verandah, though there were four or five 
of their old nests still remaining. My observations tend to show 
that they are content with one clutch in this colder region. 
Hylochelidon nigricans. Tree Martin. — Numerou^. Nesting in the 
trees along the Interlaken Road. Spent much of thkir time hawking 
over the Lagoon. At the end of November I found a hatched egg¬ 
shell thrown out of nest. So far as I observe these Tree-Martins 
rear one brood. Many of the migratory birds leave the district 
during the snowy weather, returning after the lapse of a few days. 
Petroica multicolor. Scarlet Robin. — Not nearly as plentiful as 
the Flame Robin. Is fond of frequenting the level strips of country. 
It generally chooses the hollow between three banksia cones in which 
to build its nest, which is thus difficult 'to detect. 
Petroica phoenicea. Flame Robin. — Without doubt the Robin of 
this Highland country, being present in large numbers. They made 
a gay spot of colour when the landscape was white with snow. I 
noticed that the majority of these Robins chose the inside hollow of 
a burnt-out tree for their nesting site, probably on account of weather 
conditions. All nests I found were facing east or north. They were 
built much more warmly than similar nests which have come under 
my notice in other parts of Tasmania. Again I observed that those 
nests which were not inside a tree were in a great many cases largely 
constructed of fur—rabbit fur, chiefly. Others again, in the same 
positions had an extra foundation of stringy bark. I discovered three 
nests built on the ground on stones and sheltered by the sloping 
trunk of a fallen tree. I wish I had seen how they fared during the 
heavy snowstorms which passed over the district even as late as 
November. A photograph of one of these little homes appeared in 
the “Emu,” vol. XXIII., pi. 37. Unluckily these little ones were taken, 
presumably by a ferret, which was picked up close to their nesting 
spot. The other two reared their families. In contrast to these 
“ground floor tenements, 3 ” one pair of Flame-breasts rented a “sky¬ 
scraper,” namely the broken spout of a limb, quite forty feet from 
the ground. These Robins are migratory, leaving before the heavy 
snowy weather commences in May. 
The sitting bird comes off to feed in the morning and evening. Her 
mate is very attentive, helping her to procure her meals when off, 
and feeding her when on, the nest. He has a peculiar call to let her 
know he is near, and she answers with a low, squeaky cry. The 
young feather very quickly, and I lost several chances of photograph¬ 
ing some broods through not knowing this. In many cases they had 
left the nest under the usual fortnight. The Flame Robins appear 
to be very tolerant of one another. I expect this is because there is 
an unlimited food supply. In a space of not more than an acre, I 
knew of eight occupied nests, and probably there would be as many 
more successfully concealed. 
Judging by my observations I should say the Black Magpies are 
one of the worst enemies of the Robins. They display much of the 
shrewdness of the Raven in the careful way they examine all likely 
corners of a tree or stump for the little nest. I spent an anxious 
five minutes watching a Bell-Magpie walking along a log under which 
a Robin’s nest was built. But the would-be robber did not find it. 
Fortunately, the brooding bird stayed quietly covering her babies. I 
have an idea that perhaps this is the reason that some of the Flame- 
breasts are preferring to build under the shelter of a log. My expe¬ 
rience indicated that an average of two out of every three clutches 
are taken, either before or after hatching. 
