140 THE GEELONG NATURALIST. 
NOTES ON SOME BIRDS OF MILDURA. 
Bx H. E. Wrinnraws. 
1l. Corvus coronoides (White-eyed Crow). This bird is ex- 
ceedingly numerous, and occurs generally over all these plains and 
irrigation settlement during the hours of daylight, returning at 
night to roost in companies at certain *rookeries" amongst the 
tall gums on the banks of the Murray river and the billabongs. It 
is found in the same numbers over the plains of Riverina and 
across the country to Spencer's Gulf, South Australia, the latter 
district being commonly called * Crow Land.” These birds are a 
perfect pest to sheep owners and others up here, and are most 
rascally and cunning thieves. It is amusing to watch one bird en- 
deavouring to abstract a scrap of food from the clutches of a 
companion, or from fowls when being fed. The melancholy caw 
of the crow is heard ail day long, and becomes rather monotonous. 
2. Petreca bicolor (Black Robin.) This species occurs in 
twos, threes, or fours amongst the thinner and smaller timber on 
the plains, but is rather rare. I have noted it along the Queenscliff 
Road, near Geelong. 
3. Malurus (sp. leucopterus or leuconotus.) So far I have 
been unable to ascertain which of the above species occurs here. 
The bird I have seen now and again is much slighter in form than 
M. superbus found commonly round Geelong, and the blue por- 
tions of the plumage are much lighter in hue. On the wing there 
is seen a strong flash of the white plumage, but as it is shyer than 
M. superbus, and frequents dense, prickly thickets and bushes. 
I must obtain a specimen to make sure of the species. 
4. Gymnorhina tibicen (Black-backed Magpie.) I draw your 
attention to the fact already noted in several papers that this 
species is the only common one north of the Dividing Range. ...So: 
far I have not noted a single example of the G. leuconota common 
round Geelong. 
5. Climacteris scandens (Brown Tree-creeper.) This bird is 
apparently peculiar to the interior, and is fairly common here, 
oceurring generally near the billabongs and permanent lagoons. 
Unlike O. leucophea (found near Geelong) which very rarely 
descends to the ground, this species is often noted hopping about 
over the debris at the foot of some tree. When alarmed, it quickly 
flies upon some tree-trunk and ascends the same gradually, keeping 
the trunk of the tree between itself and the intruder. It utters a 
sharp, chirruping note, and resembles, to a remarkable degree in its. 
color, the dry exterior bark of the larger gums, where it is generally 
found seeking its food. 
6. Cacatua leadbeateri (Major Mitchell's Cockatoo) occurs 
along most of the rivers of this part of the country. Numbers are 
brought into Wentworth and Mildura in October and November, 
being young birds to be kept as pets. Owing to their apparently - 
