Vo, ’i 926 IV ’ ] BARNARD, Birds of Coomooboolaroo 257 
Cockatoo, whose loud screams attracted our attention. On our 
approach, .the bird left the Cockatoo, which it had begun to devour, on 
the ground. I once saw one strike down a Black Duck when flying 
high in the air. 
Wedge-tailed Eagle ( Uroaetus audax) .—This bird was at one time 
quite numerous, and it was not at all uncommon to see one swoop 
down on a Kangaroo-Rat or Stone-Curlew which had been disturbed 
by the cattle when we were driving a mob. We have also seen them 
kill Native-Bears, scrub Wallabies and Opossums. A dead Eagle was 
once seen hanging by its leg from a spout of a tree; it had evidently 
been trying to get an Opossum out of the hole and had caught its leg 
in the splintered wood surrounding the cavity. They are seldom seen 
now owing to the poisoning consequent on the passage of the Dingo 
Destruction Act. 
Little Eagle (Hieraaetus morphnoides) .—This was always a scarce 
bird here, though we have taken several nests. The remains 
of ground lizards were always seen about the nests, and these appear 
to be the principal food of this species. For several years we were 
puzzled by a dark brown Hawk, which flew off the nest on our 
approach. At length by visiting the nest very early in the morning, 
we succeeded in shooting the bird, which proved to be a very dark 
brown form of this species. This bird was a female, but as it was 
the only dark specimen shot, I cannot state whether the dark form 
is confined to this sex or whether dark males also occur. 
White-breasted Sea-Eagle ( Haliaetus leucogaster) .—Frequents the 
rivers and lakes in this district. A pair breed regularly every 
winter at a lake 70 miles from here. 
Whistling Eagle (Haliastur sphenurus). —A fairly common bird, 
nesting high up in gum-trees growing by lagoons and swamps. 
Fork-tailed Kite (Milous migrans). —Very numerous here in the 
early days, though never known to breed. It is now very seldom 
seen, having apparently migrated westward. I think that as the 
western country became stocked with sheep, the Kites found a better 
food supply there than in the cattle country. 
Square-tailed Kite (Lophoictinia . isara). —This handsome Kite, 
though never a common species, was formerly generally in evidence 
in the nesting season, but of late years it seems to have become more 
scarce. These Kites appear to feed a good deal upon young birds. 
We have found the nest of the Fuscous Honey-eater, with the nest¬ 
lings in it, in the Kite’s nest. The twigs to which the Honey-eater’s 
nest had been attached had evidently been broken off, and the nest 
carried off intact to that of the Kite. I have also seen the Kite, after 
circling about through the trees, fly up and hang on to a thick bunch 
of leaves in which there was a Finch’s nest. The Kite put its head 
into the Finch’s nest, so possibly they eat eggs as well as young birds. 
Black-breasted Buzzard ( Hamirostra melanostema) .—Often seen 
formerly, generally flying high in the air, but never found nesting. 
It has not been observed in recent years. 
Black-shouldered Kite ( Elanus axillaris). — Formerly frequently 
seen hovering over cleared country and dropping into the grass for 
mice or insects; now only seen at long intervals. 
Crested Hawk (Baza subcristata) .—This species is not often 
noticed on account of its retiring disposition, but appears to be hold¬ 
ing its own. It is the only Hawk that I have known to attack a per¬ 
son climbing up to a nest: both birds will keep darting in very close 
to one’s head. 
Peregrine Falcon ( Falco peregrinus) .—Very rarely seen. Once one 
was observed attacking a flock of Wood Ducks, one of which was 
struck and fell to the ground dead. 
Black Falcon ( Falco subniger) .—This Falcon was occasionally seen 
in former years, but none have been seen for many years past. 
