256 
BARNARD, Birds of Coomooboolaroo [ ’'XhT 
White-faced Heron (No tophogx novx-hollandix ) . — Is always about 
and generally nests some distance from water, high up in forest 
trees. 
White-necked Heron (Notophoyx pacifica ). — Nests in the swamps. 
Nankeen Night-Heron (Nycticorax Caledonians ).—Is not plentiful, 
but there are always a few about in hiding. 
Black Bittern ( l>upeior fiavicollis ) . —Many years ago this unob¬ 
trusive little Bittern was frequently seen along the banks of creeks, 
and several nests were found in the trees overhanging small water- 
holes. Now the cattle have tramped away the long grass, small 
bushes, etc., along the creeks and the small water holes have silted 
up and disappeared. These birds have disappeared also, and I have 
not seen one in this district for many years, though they are still 
found nearer the coast. 
Black Swan (Chenopis atrata ) . — Occasionally seen on the lagoon. 
For several years they bred on an outlying swamp. 
White-quilled Pigmy-Goose ( Nettapus coromandelianu s). — For¬ 
merly a common species often seen with young on the lagoon, it has 
now become scarce. 
Wood Duck (Chenonetla jubata ). — A common species, breeding 
regularly. 
Whistling Duck (Dendrocygna. javanica ). — Formerly a common 
bird, now much scarcer. 
Plumed Whistling Duck (Dendrocygna eytoni ) . — Formerly common, 
now scarce. 
Black Duck (Anas superciliosa ). — Always common, nesting both 
in trees and on the ground. 
Chestnut Teal (Virago castanea ). — Not very common. 
Grey Teal (Virago gihberifrons) . — Plentiful. On one occasion a 
nest in a hollow tree was investigated, and a goanna was found in it. 
After it had been killed, it was found that it had three unbroken 
Teal’s eggs inside it. 
Bluewing Shoveller (Spatula rhi/nchotis ). — Rather rare, but has 
been found breeding. 
Pink-eared Duck (Malacorhynchus menibranaceus ) . — Fairly com¬ 
mon at times. 
White-eyed Duck (Nyroca australis ). — Formerly very common, now 
scarce. 
Spotted Harrier (Circus assimilis ). — Years ago was often seen 
sailing along low down over the grass in the open paddocks near the 
homestead on the look out for lizards, snakes, etc. It is very seldom 
seen now. Only two nests were ever found here; one in an ironbark, 
the other in a bloodwood, each about 20 feet from the ground. 
Swamp Harrier (Circus approximans ). — Occasionally seen near 
swamps, but also over drier country. One very wet day, on looking 
out to see at what the dogs were barking, we saw a Swamp-hawk, 
locking very wet and miserable, busily engaged in tearing meat from 
a bone about thirty yards from the house: two of the dogs were 
standing barking a few feet away. Several times the Hawk turned 
on the dogs and made a rush at them with outstretched wings. His 
appearance was so formidable that they hastily retired and the Hawk 
returned to his meal. 
Grey Goshawk (Astur novx-hollandix ) . — Both the grey and the 
white forms of this bird have been seen on a few occasions. 
Australian Goshawk (Astur fasciatus ). — Fairly common. The 
young of this species are very bold and fearless, sometimes coming 
right in under a verandah after cage-birds, and sometimes tackling a 
half-grown fowl. 
Collared Sparrowhawk (Accipiter cirrhocephalus ). — This small 
species keeps to the timber, and is not much in evidence. 
Red Goshawk (Erythrotriorckis radiatus ). — This fine Hawk is now 
very seldom seen, and was always rather a rare bird. I believe we 
have the credit of being the first to discover its nest and eggs. The 
first nest was found as a result of the Hawk attacking a White 
