170 THE AUSTRALIAN NATURALIST. 
quently hiding) before it will take to its wings, and when 
it does fly, makes a pigeon-like or almost quail-like whirr. 
This, and a certain suggestion in its appearance, has given 
rise to a misleading name of “Spotted Ground-Dove” 
sometimes applied to the species. It is not related to the 
Doves in any way, being a member of the Timelidae or 
Babblers. .In size of body it comes between the Thrush 
and the common Indian Turtle Dove. When one gets 
close enough he finds it a very beautiful bird; and it is very 
prettily spotted and striped with white. 
One afternoon, in the early part of this year, shortly 
after my arrival at Mount Victoria, en route to Jenolan, | 
took a short stroll along the main Western Road towards 
the valley, keeping as far as possible on the edge of the 
bush, so as to see as much as possible of the living things, 
I had the satisfaction of seeing a pair of these at close- 
quarters. One Flame-breasted Robin (Petroica phoenicea) 
was also seen. During April of this year, I again observed 
this bird in the ranges near Yarrangobilly Caves. 
Ganc Ganc Cockatoo (Callocephalum galeatum).— 
This quaint and beautiful little Cockatoo I have frequently 
seen on our Southern upland country and in various moun- 
tain parts, including the upper slopes of Mount Kosciusko ; 
but I was very interested to see a fine example in a tree, 
on the banks of the River Hunter, at West Maitland, re- 
cently, while on a short visit there. 
FrecKLED Duck (Stictonetta naevosa).—During 
1910, while I was visiting Narrandera, I picked out from 
among a number of Black Ducks, which had been shot an 
a lagoon on Buckinbong Station—a few miles out—a fine 
example of the Freckled Duck. It was looked upon as a 
great rarity by local people, who did not know what it was. 
—David G, Stead. 
EXCURSIONS. 
_ Kitty’s Creek.—The warm hands of the afternoon sun 
folded back the mantle of grey mist which hung over the 
harbour and round the hills on Saturday, the roth August, 
and as the soft light lit up the level surface of the Lane 
Cove River and made a tracery of shadows on the floor 
of the bush, one realised that Spring was already heralded. 
‘Sixty members of the Society attended the excursion to 
Kitty’s Creek on that afternoon, a special launch conveying 
