262 
BARNARD, Birds of Coomooboolaroo 
The Emu 
April 
Magpie-Lark (Grallina cyanoleuca) . — Always to be seen about the 
paddocks and in the garden, nesting in the trees along the lagoon. 
Willie Wagtails generally build in the same trees. 
Eastern Shrike-Tit ( Falcunculus frontatus). — Fairly common, 
breeding in the tops of tall saplings. 
Crested Hell-bird (Oreoica gutturalis) . — This bird has practically 
disappeared from the station. Many years ago, when riding about, 
especially over dead timbered ridges, one was sure to hear their bell¬ 
like note. Now I cannot remember hearing one for years. The other 
day, when I was riding over some ridges fifty miles away, I heard one 
ringing, and it was like meeting an old friend. Cats may be respon¬ 
sible for the disappearance of this species, as the Bell-bird, being a 
ground feeder, would be an easy prey. 
Eastern Whip-bird ( Psojdiodes olivaceus), — There were formerly a 
few in the scrub, but the species has disappeared from the district. 
Ground Cuckoo-Shrike (Pteropodocys maxima). — Appeared during 
the 1902 drought, but has not been seen since. 
Black-faced Cuckoo-Shrike ( Graucalus novx-hollandise) . — A com¬ 
mon bird, nesting about October. 
Little Cuckoo-Shrike {Graucalus robustus) . —Also a common bird, 
but from its habit of keeping more among the leafy branches, is not 
so noticeable as the preceding species. 
Great Caterpillar-eater (Edoliisoma tenuirostHs) . — A fairly plen¬ 
tiful summer visitor, arriving about November, and chiefly frequent¬ 
ing the scrubs. The natives considered that when they heard the 
loud cicada-like note of this species, “plenty big white eggs” (of 
Scrub-Turkeys) would be found, its arrival coinciding with the laying 
season of the Turkeys. 
White-shouldered Caterpillar-eater (Lalage tricolor). —This little 
bird is much in evidence when the nesting season begins about Octo¬ 
ber, when the male assumes his black and white coat. 
Varied Caterpillar-eater (Lalage leucornela) . — Formerly common 
in the scrubs, where it has been found nesting, but has not been seen 
in recent years. 
Southern Fig-bird (Sphecothcres vieilloti). — Occasionally used to 
come into the garden for fruit. 
Grey-crowned Babbler (Pomastostomus temporalis). — A common 
bird. 
Ground Thrush (Oreocincla lunula t a). —Occurred years ago in the 
Expedition Ranges. 
Orange Chat ( Ephtkianura aurifrons), — Appeared in small flocks 
during the 1902 drought. 
White-throated Warbler (Gerygone olivacea ). — A fairly common 
species. The Bronze Cuckoo commonly lays its eggs in the nests of 
this bird. 
Weebill ( Smicrornis brevirostris). — A common bird in forest coun¬ 
try, breeding freely. 
Little Thornhill (Acanthiza nana). — Common in the scrubs, nest¬ 
ing in the tops of the brigalow trees. 
Brown Thornhill (Acanthiza pusilla). — Formerly fairly common in 
the scrubs. 
Yellow-tailed Thornhill (Geobasileus chrysorrlions) . — Fairly com¬ 
mon in brush country, frequently found nesting. 
White-browed Scrub-Wren (Sericornis frontalis). — Formerly com¬ 
mon in the edges of the scrub. 
Speckled Warbler (Chthonicola sagittata). — Frequent in brush 
country: it formerly nested on the ridges. 
Brown Song-Lark (Cinclorhamphus cruralis). —This fine bird was 
at one time a regular visitor, but now it is very seldom seen. Is it that 
the seasons have been so dry of late years that the scarcity of t>rass 
has driven the bird to more favourable lccjilities, or has it been starved 
out? i 
