292 CHURCH, Birds of Biirketown, N. Qld. [ T X3T 
Gallinago hardwicki. Australian Snipe.—I had expected to see vast 
numbers of this hardy traveller, but only one small flock (barely 50) 
came to my view. I am informed by the local inhabitants that 
usually large numbers visit the plains and many are shot annually. 
Rostra tula australis. Australian Painted Snipe.—One of these 
beautiful birds settled on the edge of the lagoon, while I was camped 
there. My effort to secure a picture of this magnificent species was, 
I regret to say, a failure. 
Eupodotis australis. Australian Bustard.—A fair number of these 
fine birds was seen by me. They are shot extensively, and, I must 
admit, prove a delightful change to the inevitable “corned beef and 
camp pie” of the man in the bush. The argument against their kill¬ 
ing is, no doubt, sound, but, weighed in the balance against an empty 
“tucker bag,” I fear it is found “wanting.” 
Megalornis rubicunda. Brolga. These peculiar birds were quite 
common, and I had many views of their square dances. They were 
very shy, and I was unable to obtain a photograph, though I tried many 
times. Ungainly fliers, but very graceful when seen on the bank of 
the bore drain. They seem to be regarded with a certain amount of 
awe by the few blacks that live in this district, and are in some 
peculiar way credited with the powers of forecasting the weather. 
One old black boy (Peter by name), the head rain-maker of the 
tribe, told me he had to consult the Brolgas before any success could 
attend his efforts. I found several nests among the grass at the edge 
of the lagoon. The clutch is apparently two eggs, large white; some 
are faintly mottled reddish-brown, others darker. The nest itself 
in every case consisted of dried grass piled about 10 inches above 
the ground. No sort of covering was used when the parent birds 
left the nest; but, though apparently easily distinguished, I often 
had difficulty in observing the eggs. This, I believe, is due to the 
faint brownish markings. 
Threskicrnis molucca. Australian White Ibis.—Saw several flocks 
of this very fine bird. One I was able to approach quite closely. 
Both the lagoon and the river sheltered these birds. 1 saw also a 
couple of large flocks flying low across the plains. 
Threskiornis spinicollis. Straw-necked Ibis.—Only one was re¬ 
corded. It was feeding in the bore drain. 
Plegadis falcinellus. Glossy Ibis.—I had the pleasure of seeing 
one large flock of over two hundred fly right up the river and camp 
at the lagoon. They left almost immediately, however, and again I 
was unable to secure a picture of them. 
Egretta intermedia. Plumed Egret.—These very fine birds are, I 
believe, fairly numerous in the district, but I noted only one pair on 
the river banks. I was unable to approach them closely, and it is 
possible I mistook them for Egretta alba (White Egret), but I do 
not think so, on account of their size. 
Notophoyx novse-hollandiae. White-faced Heron.—I have only one 
record of this common bird, and I believe it is regarded as quite rare 
in these parts. 
Notophoyx pacifica- White-necked Heron.—Several of these fine 
birds were noted, both at the drain and along the river. 
Demigretta sacra. Reef Heron.-— I am very doubtful about includ¬ 
ing this bird in my list, but late in the evening, during a trip down 
the river, I noted one about three miles from the mouth. The failing 
light and short space of the observation, were not conducive to great 
asccuracy. 
Bittern.—I am unable to classify this species as I heard only its 
booming notes. Several attempts to “flush” the birds from the man¬ 
groves proved unsuccessful. Probably they were Mangrove Bitterns 
(Butorides stagnatilis ) . 
Dendrocygna javanica. Whistling-Duck.—These birds were fairly 
common, and on more than one occasion graced our “festive board.” 
Dendrocygna eytoni. Plumed Whistling Duck.—I shot one of these 
