Page:The Emu volume 4.djvu/158



(Grey-breasted Wood-Swallow).—Wood-Swallows were not common, but I think the few I saw belonged to this species.

(Bush-Lark).—A few pairs met with on the sand plains some twelve miles west of Mogumber.

(Frogmouth).—A nest containing young found near the source of the river. It was in the fork of a limb some 15 or 20 feet from the ground.

(Bee-eater).—Not uncommon to the west and near Mogumber. The native name is "Berrin-berrin."

(Sacred Kingfisher).—Common, and breeding, especially near Mogumber.

(Pallid Cuckoo).—A few observed, or heard, up and down the river.

(White-tailed Cockatoo).—Pretty common, and very noisy. I met with flocks every day. There were many young birds amongst them. At a station some fifteen miles west of Mogumber three nesting-places were pointed out to me. In each case a hollow limb of a gum tree was utilized, at heights of from 20 to 40 feet. They were inaccessible without a lot of trouble, in the absence of a rope ladder. Probably they contained eggs of a second brood, as the females flew out of the nest-hole in two instances.

(Western Long-billed Cockatoo).—At Mogumber I saw an individual in captivity that had been obtained some 30 miles or so further north. I was told by an old resident that formerly this species was not uncommon in the neighbourhood.

(Yellow-collared Parrakeet).—Pretty common, and breeding amongst the eucalypts.

(Brush Bronze-wing).—At Mogumber I saw the survivor of a pair in captivity. This was formerly a common species, but its disappearance is attributed by residents to the number of domestic cats now running wild in the bush.

(Rails).—Near Mogumber are several swamps, and some five miles south is Lake Wannamool, a large and reedy area of water. In the breeding season these swamps contain a lot of water and vegetation, and are frequented by a number of aquatic birds. I was, however, in default of shooting, not able to identify the majority of them.

(Coot).—A pair on a pool at the sources of the river.

(Stone-Plover).—Heard at night. This species used to breed commonly, and still does so to a smaller extent, at Bindoon, some 14 miles to the south of Mogumber.

(Wild Turkey or Bustard).—Occasionally seen.

(Black-breasted Plover).—Near New Norcia I observed several Plovers on a large cultivated paddock. They appeared to be of this species.

(White-fronted Heron).—Not uncommon near the Moore River and neighbouring swamps; breeding in several places. I climbed one tree containing several nests. The most accessible one contained the unusual number of eight eggs. Four, however, clearly belonged to a different parent, who may have perished accidentally or otherwise.