124 THE AUSTRALIAN NATURALIST. 
was unable to identify. This probably accounts for the con- 
spicuousness of their nests, as the birds are evidently fearless. 
The only representative of the family Turdidae is the White 
Fronted Chat (Zpthianura albifrous), and only on one occasion 
did I see a small flock of these birds. Of the family Sylviidae 
or Warblers the little Tit-Warbler is the only member that I 
have observed. The Wood Swallow (Artamus tenebrosus) of 
the family Artamidae, is often to be seen among the branches 
of dead trees, where they. build their nests. 
Belonging to the family Prionopidae, the well-known Magpie 
Lark, or Peewee (Grallina picata) is very common. At present 
these birds have begun to pair for the nesting season, and in 
some cases building has just commenced. The Black-backed 
Magpie (Gymnorhina tibicen) is a very interesting member of 
the Laniidae, or Shrike, family, especially during breeding 
season, which has just begun. These birds have a habit of at- 
tacking anyone approaching’ their nests; their method of attack 
is to fly overhead, and suddenly drop within a few feet of your 
head, then rise again and repeat this procedure until you move 
to a safe distance. This is rather a foolish thing for the birds 
to do, as, when one knows there is a nest in the neighbour- 
hood, it is no hard task to find it. I have noticed also the 
White-backed Magpie (Gymnohina leuconota), but have not yet 
seen these birds attack anyone. 
The White-throated Tree-Creeper (Climacteris scandens), be- 
longing to the family Certhiidae, or Creepers, is to be seen in 
the more thickly wooded parts of this district, but is far from 
common. The family Meliphagidae, or Honey-eaters, is repre- 
sented by the Noisy Miner (Myzantha garrula), which is very 
common, and, like the Grey-crowned Babbler, is very pug- 
nacious, and attacks anything that comes in its way. ‘The 
chief food of this bird in this district is insects, since there is 
very little honey to be obtained, except on the thickly-wooded 
hills. Another member of this family, which is to be seen 
occasionally, is the Wattle Bird (Acanthochaera carunculata), 
but it is very rare. 
Of the Motacillidae, the Australian Pipit (Anthus Australis) 
is often to be seen running along in the paddocks, where it so 
cleverly conceals its neat little nest. 
The common House-sparrow (Passer domesticus) is to be seen 
occasionally, while the flocks of spotted-sided Finchs (Stagono- 
pleura guttata) of the Ploceidae family are fairly common. A 
