234 
WOLSTENHOLME, Birds of Camp-Out [ Th j a n mu 
Megalornis rubicunda. Brolga (Native Companion). — Before 
breakfast one morning a few of us motored to McLaugh¬ 
lin’s Swamp, a little way from Rockhampton, where a pair 
of Brolgas were nesting. The nest, which contained two 
eggs, was on a tiny islet in the middle of the swamp. 
From the road we could see the neck of the sitting bird 
rising from among the reeds, the red patch on the head looking like 
some strange flower. Luckily the swamp was small and its water not 
deep, and we could wade out to the nest without much inconvenience. 
The two eggs were decidedly different in shape, one being fairly round, 
the other somewhat elongated. The boy who brought the information 
as to the nest and acted as guide was anxious to know whether one 
would produce a male and the other a female, and if so which was 
which. None of the learned ornithologists present could answer these 
simple questions. As we approached the nest the two birds retired 
slowly to the further shore, and there did some very graceful dancing 
—sometimes leaping into the air, both feet over a foot from the 
ground. 
Threskiornis molucca. White Ibis.—Seen on several of the swamps 
near Rockhampton, also among the mangroves on the banks of the 
creeks near Yeppoon. 
Threskiornis spinicollis. Straw-necked Ibis.—Common about Rock¬ 
hampton, especially about the swamps. 
Plogadis falcinellus. Glossy Ibis. — Three of these birds were seen 
on the lagoon adjacent to the Rockhampton Botanic Gardens. 
Platalea regia. Royal Spoonbill.—A few of these birds were seen 
on the Botanic Gardens lagoon and on the swamp containing the 
Brolga’s nest. 
Platalea flavipes. Yellow-billed Spoonbill.—A number of these 
birds were seen on the Botanic Gardens lagoon; some were also re¬ 
corded at the brolga swamp and the Goose Swamp, Fitzroy Vale. 
Xenorhynchtis asiaticus. Jabiru.—The small party that journeyed 
from Yeppoon to Byfield on the motor lorry with the luggage observed 
one of these quaint-looking birds not far from the road in a swampy 
paddock on a farm called “Bonnie Doon.” The lorry was stopped and 
we noted the bird’s light plumage, the glossy black plumage of the 
head and neck and the big black bill until at length the bird stalked 
slowly away. 
Egretta garzetta. Little Egret. 
Egretta intermedia. Plumed Egret. 
Egretta alba. White Egret. 
These three species were seen in various places. Many of the 
swamps had some of these white birds on them, and a number were 
seen along the banks of the Fitzroy River. The fine large E. alba 
was easily recognised. The two smaller species, being much the same 
size, were not readily distinguished, unless the colouring of the bill 
could be seen plainly. Both were identified at Gracemere. 
Notophoyx novse-hollandke. White-faced Heron.—These were seen 
about several of the swamps near Rockhampton. There were also a 
nuniber on North Keppel Island, some on the creek, and others 
wading on the mud flats. 
Notophoyx pacifica. White-necked Heron. — A number of these 
birds were seen about the swamps near Rockhampton. 
Demigretta sacra. Reef Heron. — One white bird and several with 
slaty-blue plumage were seen on the rocks and mud-flats at North 
Keppel Island. One or two blue specimens were also seen on the 
rocks at Yeppoon. 
