QuickTime is software whose functions include the recording, editing and playback of sound and video. It can also be used to convert such media to and from formats.
\nQuickTime supports the incorporation of movies and audio into files created using applications such as Microsoft Word or in pages displayed by web browsers.
\nQuickTime is software whose file format or architecture:
\n1. Functions as a multimedia container for tracks that store data that is in the form of video, audio, animation, images or text in one or more of a wide range of supported file formats.
2. Allows the data to be edited as time-based data using tools that are provided, that is, Cut, Copy and Paste functions, the merging of separate audio and video tracks, and the placing of video tracks on a virtual canvas with options of cropping and rotation.
3. Supports the saving and exporting (encoding) of the file in a range of file formats (as supported by compatible codecs [coder-decoders]) and thus facilitates a range of file conversions, including for video capable iPod, Apple TV and iPhone.
4. Allows the data to be 'played', that is displayed on screen (or in the case of an audio track, 'heard') for the duration of the stored tracks.
Applications such as Final Cut Pro, iMovie and Premiere Pro allow the users to display, edit, copy and paste QuickTime movies in a similar way to working with text and graphics. They commonly incorporate additional tools for working with the data, such as video transitions and audio filters, that are more extensive than those provided by QuickTime itself.
\nExamples of software from Apple that take advantage of QuickTime include iTunes and iMovie.
\nQuickTime has both Macintosh and Windows versions.
\nThe system software for the iPod touch and the iPhone also includes QuickTime. QuickTime for Macintosh and Windows includes a basic player application called (understandably) QuickTime Player. In earlier versions, QuickTime Player included editing and export functions that are only accessible in later versions on payment of a fee for a licence key. The unlocked version is known as QuickTime Pro. Other applications have access to the full QuickTime feature set whether or not a Pro licence has been purchased.
\nQuickTime was released on 2 December 1991, although it was first demonstrated publicly at a World Wide Developers' Conference in May 1991. There an astonished audience saw QuickTime's lead developer use QuickTime to play Apple's famous 1984 TV commercial 'Blade Runner' (used at the release of the first Macintosh) on a Macintosh, at the time, an astounding technological breakthrough. At first, the screen size and number of frames per second of a movie played with QuickTime was extremely limited, but this was progressively improved over a number of years until QuickTime was able to sustain playing video full screen at 25 frames per second, that is, at a size and rate comparable with that of analogue video tape.
\nA person from Melbourne who tested QuickTime in 1991 prior to its release described it as 'an astounding technological breakthrough'. Additionally it was well in advance of Microsoft's competing technology, Video for Windows, which did not appear until November 1992. He was working for an advertising agency at the time. He became excited about QuickTime's animation and sound capabilities, its ability to compress video files, and its use of a virtual reality panoramic photo format. The video editing software of the time required the total resources of a dedicated computer and thus was not transportable. Additionally it was very expensive; only large institutions could afford such software. QuickTime was cheap and stored on a single CD. He was thus able to use QuickTime at home and share in the raising of a family. He says that it still took many years before video was able to become full screen and 25 frames per second.
\nIn launching a video production business in 1992, the donor purchased a QuickTime Developers Kit as well as the following items:
\nThe Compact Disks were read by an Apple CD Reader attached to the donor's Quadra 900 by a SCSI cable. Apple was one of the first companies to release a CD Reader, which it did in 1991. This facilitated the delivery of larger sized files of the new multi-megabyte applications including the QuickTime files on these CDs.
\n","contentSummary":null,"types":["Historical Narrative"],"authors":[{"firstName":"Noel","lastName":"Jackling","fullName":"Mr Noel S. Jackling","biography":"Volunteer with the Apple Company Collection at Museums Victoria.","profileImage":null},{"firstName":"Stephen","lastName":"Withers","fullName":"Mr Stephen Withers","biography":null,"profileImage":null}],"contributors":[],"media":[{"type":"image","alternativeText":null,"large":{"width":2694,"height":2048,"uri":"https://collections.museumsvictoria.com.au/content/media/21/237771-large.jpg","size":611226},"medium":{"width":1500,"height":1140,"uri":"https://collections.museumsvictoria.com.au/content/media/21/237771-medium.jpg","size":151347},"small":{"width":658,"height":500,"uri":"https://collections.museumsvictoria.com.au/content/media/21/237771-small.jpg","size":40856},"thumbnail":{"width":250,"height":250,"uri":"https://collections.museumsvictoria.com.au/content/media/21/237771-thumbnail.jpg","size":11243},"id":"media/237771","dateModified":"2016-11-10T03:36:00Z","caption":"Apple Macintosh Software - QuickTime Developers Kit","creators":[],"sources":["Museums Victoria"],"credit":null,"rightsStatement":"Copyright Museums Victoria / CC BY","licence":{"name":"Attribution 4.0 International","shortName":"CC BY","uri":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0"}}],"yearWritten":"2009","parentArticleId":null,"childArticleIds":[],"relatedArticleIds":[],"relatedItemIds":["items/1241375","items/1231822"],"relatedSpecimenIds":[],"id":"articles/2780"},{"recordType":"article","licence":{"name":"Attribution 4.0 International","shortName":"CC BY","uri":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0"},"dateModified":"2020-06-10T23:04:00Z","title":"Linear and non-linear editing - Adobe Premiere and QuickTime","displayTitle":"Linear and non-linear editing - Adobe Premiere and QuickTime","keywords":["Apple (computer)","Computers","Computing"],"localities":[],"content":"
This document explains the difference between linear and non-linear editing. It goes on to look at QuickTime and Adobe Premiere, which were early non-linear editing tools for the Macintosh
\nNon-linear editing is a non-destructive editing process. In video editing, the terms 'linear video editing' and 'non-linear video editing' have technical meanings, which can be explained as follows:
\nLinear video editing describes a process in which scenes are copied from one video tape to another, using two tape VCRs, in the order required. The new tape is thus created in a linear fashion. The disadvantage of this method is that it is not possible to insert or delete scenes from the new tape without re-copying all the subsequent scenes. Linear editing was the method originally used with analogue video tapes.
\nNon-linear video editing is achieved by loading the video material into a computer from analogue or digital tape. The editing process creates a new 'tape' by storing all the commands entered by the operator. This method allows the operator to cut, copy and paste scenes in any order and make any changes desired. At the completion of the editing process the computer can then build a new file by applying the commands to the original digital image stored on the disk. The original digital image on the disk is unchanged. The new video file can then be outputted to a video tape, attached to an email or posted to the web.
\nQuickTime and Adobe Premiere were early non-linear editing tools for the Macintosh.
\nAdobe Premiere v 1.0 is a non-linear video editor for the Macintosh computer. It was first released in December 1991 and made use of functions available within QuickTime (also released in December 1991) to enable professional digital editing of time-based imaging.
\nQuickTime permitted the editing of short movies; Adobe Premiere was a fully professional video editor. Using Adobe Premiere software allowed easy video editing at a very low cost compared to the professional systems in use in those days - AUD$20,000 versus AUD$100,000. Video editing using Adobe Premiere could be performed non-destructively, and inclusive of special effects, titling and transitions previously the domain of high-end production firms.
\nThe development of the QuickTime video format is an example of Apple bringing advanced computing to the general population.
\nBy the end of 1991, video editing was brought to a slightly broader group than high-end production houses through:
\nFurther advances followed in 1993, with the incorporation of analogue to digital video converter cards into the Centris and Quadra AV series of Apple computers, though none of these machines had the RAM capacity of the Quadra 900. Subsequently digital video converter cards were incorporated into the full range of Apple computers. Then, in 1999, great strides were made in empowering a wide group of video enthusiasts to engage in digital video production. The iMac DV SE computer was released with a FireWire port, which enabled Apple's iMovie application, which came bundled with the iMac DV SE, to import video footage to the iMac using the FireWire interface on most MiniDV format digital video cameras. From then on, movie editing at home was accessible to the general computing public. By then, transitions which took hours to be processed on the Quadra 900 in 1991 could take place in minutes. From 2001 Apple's iDVD was also bundled with the computer and this software enabled the edited movie to be burnt to a DVD without resorting to a third-party application. Also in 1999, Apple introduced a fully professional video editing application, Final Cut Pro, which was a direct competitor on the Macintosh to Adobe Premiere.
","contentSummary":null,"types":["Historical Narrative"],"authors":[{"firstName":"Noel","lastName":"Jackling","fullName":"Mr Noel S. Jackling","biography":"Volunteer with the Apple Company Collection at Museums Victoria.","profileImage":null},{"firstName":"Stephen","lastName":"Withers","fullName":"Mr Stephen Withers","biography":null,"profileImage":null},{"firstName":"Brian","lastName":"Livingston","fullName":"Mr Brian R. Livingston","biography":"Volunteer with the Apple Company Collection at Museums Victoria.","profileImage":null}],"contributors":[],"media":[{"type":"image","alternativeText":null,"large":{"width":1832,"height":1444,"uri":"https://collections.museumsvictoria.com.au/content/media/1/146801-large.jpg","size":486552},"medium":{"width":1500,"height":1182,"uri":"https://collections.museumsvictoria.com.au/content/media/1/146801-medium.jpg","size":231325},"small":{"width":634,"height":500,"uri":"https://collections.museumsvictoria.com.au/content/media/1/146801-small.jpg","size":57856},"thumbnail":{"width":250,"height":250,"uri":"https://collections.museumsvictoria.com.au/content/media/1/146801-thumbnail.jpg","size":15105},"id":"media/146801","dateModified":"2016-11-10T04:29:00Z","caption":"Negative","creators":["Photographer: Laurie Richards Studio"],"sources":["Museums Victoria"],"credit":null,"rightsStatement":"Copyright Museums Victoria / All Rights Reserved","licence":{"name":"All Rights Reserved","shortName":"All Rights Reserved","uri":""}}],"yearWritten":"2009","parentArticleId":null,"childArticleIds":[],"relatedArticleIds":["articles/2834","articles/2785"],"relatedItemIds":["items/1241384"],"relatedSpecimenIds":[],"id":"articles/2786"},{"recordType":"article","licence":{"name":"Attribution 4.0 International","shortName":"CC BY","uri":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0"},"dateModified":"2020-06-10T23:04:00Z","title":"Apple Computers & Digital Video Editing","displayTitle":"Apple Computers & Digital Video Editing","keywords":["Apple (computer)","Computers","Computing"],"localities":[],"content":"The invention of video tape recording and lightweight video cameras soon resulted in the displacement of 8mm film as the primary means for amateurs to capture video. Editing video tape recordings was carried out physically and good results were difficult to achieve.
\nIn 1989, in a major advance in the editing of videotapes, Avid Technology Inc introduced a digital non-linear editing system initially for use on the Macintosh II. (See below for an explanation of non-linear and linear editing)
\nVideos could be edited on disk as opposed to physically editing video tape or film. Analogue video to digital video conversion was expensive using the software, computer and plug-in printed circuit board. But it allowed high-end production houses to edit film or video more easily and non-destructively. Film was scanned and digitised, edited and then printed back to film.
\nThe first feature film, edited using the Avid system, came out in 1994. It was called 'Let's Kill All the Lawyers'. In 1995, 'The English Patient' was edited using the Avid system, for which it was awarded the first editing Oscar for a digitally edited film.
\nIn the meantime, in October 1991, Apple introduced the Macintosh Quadra 900. At the time of its release it was a state of the art computer with, for its time, a very fast 25MHz Motorola 68040 processor and a very large capacity to address up to 256MB of RAM.
\nJust two months later, on 2 December 1991, Apple released its QuickTime software. Among other capabilities, QuickTime supported the display of movies on screen, initially in a postage-stamp sized frame but later in full screen at 25 frames per second. The QuickTime software provided basic editing functions, such as cropping. Its file format functioned as a multimedia container for tracks to store video, audio, animation or text.
\nThe Quadra 900 was one of the first computers that could be used to create and edit movies using QuickTime. This was achieved by plugging a printed circuit board, such as a VideoSpigot card, into the Quadra 900. This transferred data from the camera to the computer through a cable. The computer read and converted the camera's analogue video into digital video, compressed it and saved it to the hard disk in QuickTime (.mov) format.
\nThe VideoSpigot needed software (ScreenPlay) installed in the Quadra to initiate and control the operation of the Videospigot card. The Quadra's support for a second monitor allowed multiple windows to be viewed whilst working in graphics or video.
Also in December 1991, Adobe released a fully professional digital non-linear editing program (see below) called Adobe Premiere. This allowed editing to be performed non-destructively, and special effects to be included, such as titling and transitions. The editing tools provided by Adobe Premiere were much more extensive than those provided by QuickTime. When editing was complete, the new video file could then be outputted to a video tape.
A modest Avid system in 1992 would have cost AUD$100,000 and with additional modules, AUD$150,000 or more, making it clearly the province of the high-end production house.
\nHowever, AUD$20,000 would have bought a Quadra 900 with a second monitor, VideoSpigot, CD-ROM reader, analogue video camera and Adobe Premiere. This brought video editing to a slightly broader group than high-end production houses.
\nFurther advances followed in 1993, with the incorporation of analogue to digital capability into the Centris and Quadra AV series of Apple computers, though none of these machines had the RAM capacity of the Quadra 900. Subsequently digital video conversion capability was incorporated into the full range of Apple computers.
\nThen, in 1999, the relatively inexpensive iMac DV SE computer was released, costing US$1500. This greatly increased the number of video enthusiasts engaged in digital video production. The computer came with increased RAM, a FireWire port and the iMovie application. Importation of video footage was now carried out using the FireWire interface, which was to be found on most MiniDV format digital video cameras.
\nFrom then on, movie editing at home or school was accessible to the general public. Improvements in computer technology meant transitions that took hours to be processed on the Quadra 900 in 1991 could be rendered in minutes on a Mac.
\nAlso in 1999, Apple introduced a fully professional video editing application, Final Cut Pro, a direct competitor on the Macintosh to Adobe Premiere. More importantly, it could to do work that previously required access to an expensive Avid studio. Initially it came bundled with the FireWire-enabled Power Mac G3. Final Cut Pro gradually became established as an essential tool for editors. It came into direct competition with Avid, forcing the one-time leader in non-linear editing to dramatically lower its prices.
\nFrom 2001, Apple's iDVD was also bundled with the computer and this software enabled the edited movie to be burnt straight to a DVD complete with menus and titles without resorting to a third-party application. In 2005, Apple released iMovie HD which supported the newly introduced high-definition video format HDV.
\nIn video editing, the terms 'linear video editing' and 'non-linear video editing' have technical meanings, which can be explained as follows:
\nLinear video editing describes a process in which scenes are copied from one video tape to another, using two tape VCRs, in the order required. The new tape is thus created in a linear fashion. The disadvantage of this method is that it is not possible to insert or delete scenes from the new tape without re-copying all the subsequent scenes. Linear editing was the method originally used with analogue video tapes.
\nNon-linear video editing is achieved by loading the video material into a computer from analogue or digital tape. The editing process creates a new 'tape' by storing all the commands entered by the operator. This method allows the operator to cut, copy and paste scenes in any order and make any changes desired. At the completion of the editing process the computer can then build a new file by applying the commands to the original digital image stored on the disk. The original digital image on the disk is unchanged. The new video file can then be outputted to a video tape, attached to an email or posted to the web.
References:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Avid, viewed 16/02/2009.
","contentSummary":null,"types":["Historical Narrative"],"authors":[{"firstName":"Noel","lastName":"Jackling","fullName":"Mr Noel S. Jackling","biography":"Volunteer with the Apple Company Collection at Museums Victoria.","profileImage":null},{"firstName":"Stephen","lastName":"Withers","fullName":"Mr Stephen Withers","biography":null,"profileImage":null},{"firstName":"Brian","lastName":"Livingston","fullName":"Mr Brian R. Livingston","biography":"Volunteer with the Apple Company Collection at Museums Victoria.","profileImage":null}],"contributors":[],"media":[{"type":"image","alternativeText":null,"large":{"width":633,"height":480,"uri":"https://collections.museumsvictoria.com.au/content/media/2/146502-large.jpg","size":54108},"medium":{"width":633,"height":480,"uri":"https://collections.museumsvictoria.com.au/content/media/2/146502-medium.jpg","size":47086},"small":{"width":659,"height":500,"uri":"https://collections.museumsvictoria.com.au/content/media/2/146502-small.jpg","size":52944},"thumbnail":{"width":250,"height":250,"uri":"https://collections.museumsvictoria.com.au/content/media/2/146502-thumbnail.jpg","size":12994},"id":"media/146502","dateModified":"2016-11-10T04:29:00Z","caption":"Negative","creators":["Photographer: Laurie Richards Studio"],"sources":["Museums Victoria"],"credit":null,"rightsStatement":"Copyright Museums Victoria / All Rights Reserved","licence":{"name":"All Rights Reserved","shortName":"All Rights Reserved","uri":""}}],"yearWritten":"2009","parentArticleId":null,"childArticleIds":[],"relatedArticleIds":["articles/2786","articles/2785"],"relatedItemIds":["items/1241389","items/1241375","items/1241384","items/1238832","items/1231822"],"relatedSpecimenIds":[],"id":"articles/2834"},{"recordType":"article","licence":{"name":"Attribution 4.0 International","shortName":"CC BY","uri":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0"},"dateModified":"2020-06-10T23:04:00Z","title":"The Ferranti Sirius in Museum Victoria's Collection - brief technical description.","displayTitle":"The Ferranti Sirius in Museum Victoria's Collection - brief technical description.","keywords":["Computers","Computing"],"localities":[],"content":"
The Ferrranti Sirius was sold with the basic CPU which could be expanded if necessary to increase the amount of memory. It used nickel acoustic delay line memory in trays. The CPU was the main unit and had 1000 word of store with a word = 40 bits. The system could be expanded with extra memory units with 3000 word store but the maximum configuration was three extra units to give 10,000 word of store. Input and output was via punch tape with a teletype and punch machines. The computer was operated by a small unit set on a desk in front of the CPU. The desk was separate from the CPU but supported by two small metal file cabinets on each side.
\nIt was designed by Ferranti Limited at their West Gorton factory in England and it was developed/manufactured from 1958-1962. It was one of the earliest computers to use transistors rather than valves (vacuum tubes). Thus it was relatively small (small enough to stand behind an office desk), had low power requirements, it ran off a standard 230 volt 13 amp socket and it did not need special air conditioning. A full system consumed about 2kW. It had a decimal display and a facility to slow the processor for demonstration and educational purposes.
\nICIANZ purchased a Ferranti Sirius with 7,000 word of store which equates to one CPU and two extra memory units.
The Rigid Frame Analysis programs calculate, for any multi-storied, rigid framed structure, the joint rotations, storey translations, and end moments in each member, for a number of columns 'm' and a number of stories 'n'. The product 'mn' must be less than 150.
The programs are based on solution by successive approximations of the slope-deflection equations for each structural frame. Separate analyses are carried out for each of the vertical and horizontal loading conditions. The programs require only the right-hand and lower member stiffnesses, and the fixed-end moments for each joint, and the incremental lateral load and the height for each storey.
The series of simultaneous equations representing the rigid framed structure are solved by relaxation methods, that is, certain values are assumed originally for all of the joint rotations and unit translations, the residual of each equation is calculated and either the joint rotation or unit translation is adjusted so that this residual becomes equal to zero. When all residuals become simultaneously equal to zero, the system of equations is solved.
\nResults are punched on 5-hole paper tape, which can then be printed out using the Flexowriter.
These programs have been used extensively by structural engineers to the extent that more than twenty multi-storey buildings have been analysed in one or more frames.
The five Rigid Frame Analysis programs are:
T515.1 Total Moments
T515.2 Wind Loads
T515.3 Incremental Moments
T515.4 Produce Machine Data
T515.5 Incremental and Data Moments
Acknowledging the Contributions of Women to the Gatherings
The Women on Farms Gathering Memorial Plaque is prominently displayed at each gathering to acknowledge the special role of key women in past gatherings.
It was initiated by Maree Ryan, a member of the organising commitee for the Ouyen Gathering in 1998 and presented with the names of Eileen Patricia (Pat) Hall from Mittyack, and Kathleen (Kath) Paynter from Chillingolah, who had both attended every gathering since its inception in 1990. Over the years other women have been acknowledged on the plaque including Rhonda Weatherhead and Muriel Dick.
\nMallee Root - a Symbol of an Enduring Spirit
The memorial plaque is made from a Mallee root, cut and polished by John Hughes, a local craftsman from Manangatang.
The north west corner of Victoria was the last region of Victoria to be settled. This was largely because of the challenges of this dry, semi-arid area and the abundance of mallee scrub. The mallee eucalypt has many stems that rise up from a large bulbous woody root (lignotuber); they are tough trees and can withstand the ravages of droughts, fires, and land clearing. Farming in the mallee demands the same tenacity and toughness that characterise the mallee scrub.
\nThe mallee root was also selected as one of the icons for the Swan Hill Gathering to symbolise the enduring spirit, energy, beauty and resilience of rural women. The single furrow plough on the top of the plaque directly references the Mallee farming community.
\nPat Hall
The plaque was created following the tragic death of Pat Hall in January 1997. While on holiday at Rosebud, she was injured in a car accident and died from her injuries two days later. Pat was remembered as 'A woman of many dimensions ... kind, generous and compassionate - a person who truly celebrated life' (Women on Farms Gathering, 1998b, p.3). Jenny Simpson recalled at the Ouyen Gathering how 'Those of us who attended the first Women on Farms Gathering in Warragul some 9 years ago will all remember how Pat and her good friend Marion shared their stories of life on a Mallee farm with the Gathering. Both their stories brought with them laughter and tears. It was the next day that Pat and Marion decided with the few other women from the Mallee that it would be fun to hold the next Gathering' (Women on Farms Gathering, 1998a, p.9). And so began the annual tradition of gatherings of rural women across Victoria.
Pat was also the inspiration and energy behind the organisation of the 1998 Ouyen Gathering and its theme United We Meet United We Stand. The Ouyen Gathering and the Ecumenical Service were dedicated to the memory of Pat Hall.
\nKath Paynter
Kath was born in Ballarat, 1922. Her parents were pioneers of the Chillingollah district where she lived all her life, except for secondary schooling and teaching. She left teaching and married a local farmer in 1948 and raised six children. In addition to farming Kath taught at the Lady Byrnes Centre for Intellectually Handicapped people for seven years.
Kath was a member of the 1995 Swan Hill Gathering organising committee and attended all of the gatherings. She loved the concept of the gatherings as a way to renew friendships, share experiences and swap ideas and information.
\nDedication to Pat Hall and Kath Paynter, by Yvonne Jennings at the 1998 Ouyen Gathering
The passing of our dear Pat Hall from Mittyack and Kath Paynter from Chillingollah saddened us all. I recently read a book called 'For She is the Tree of Life: Grandmothers through the eyes of women writers', edited by Valerie Kack-Brice, and it brought home to me the real value of our elder members - their wisdom, stability, continuity and practical commonsense.
In this book the stories of many different grandmothers are told and there is something to be learned from each - although like Pat and Kath, each of these women would probably be amazed to hear that.
The following quote is particularly apt I feel: \n'The Cut of Her Cloth':I believe Pat and Kath are here with us and the last thing they would want is to have us overcome by their not having a visible presence. As 'grandmothers' of the gathering who have passed on and become part of that spirit of the Gathering that is generated each year when we get together I know that they would not want us to dwell on and be weakened by their passing, but instead be strengthened and healed by being together.
\nAs a mark of respect and in their memory a board with their names has been made and people from other areas are welcome to add women from their area if they wish. It will be passed on to each Gathering with the banners. (Women on Farms Gathering, 1998a, p.7)
\nDedication to Rhonda Weatherhead, by Marie Harding at the 1999 Warragul Gathering:
6th June 1937 - 7th August 1998
Rhonda died last year on the 7th August, she was born in Yarram on 6th June 1937, 61 was far too young to die. Rhonda was a true Gippslander, she went to school in Gormandale and Traralgon. At 20 she fell in love and married a young farmer from Tynong North, Graham Weatherhead. They had four children - Sally, Ian, Jan and Allan, very sadly Ian died of SIDS.
\nOn the farm Rhonda shared the workload with Graham. Her country upbringing, love of animals and boundless energy made her a good farmer. Rhonda was an inaugural member of our Women on Farms organisation and co-founder of the Tynong North Community Group. She was also an active member of the Uniting Church. Rhonda was a fun lady and a bit of a dare devil. She had an infectious laugh, and would have a go at anything. When Rhonda and Graham retired 4 years ago they expected to have a long life of fun in the sun in the northern winters in Mackay, Queensland. But sadly that wasn't to be. Rhonda was the one who introduced me and many others in this room to the Women on Farms and I like many here tonight miss this lady greatly. (Women on Farms Gathering, 1999, p.36)
\nDedication to Muriel Dick, by Shirley Martin at the 2001 North East Women on Farms Gathering, Beechworth:
Vale Muriel Dick
This year we remember Muriel Dick, a true pioneer and co-founder of the original Gathering. In marking Muriel's death from breast cancer, we acknowledge her friendship, sense of humour and enormous contribution to the 'movement'. Muriel's name will be added to the women on Farms Gatherings Memorial. Shirley Martin spoke about Muriel's life and legacy:
\nWhen I first met Muriel back in 1988 at an informal meeting of setting up the Skills Courses for Women on Farms I thought to myself my goodness what have I met? This woman, farming over 200 acres, running 100 breeders on her own, very independent, strong willed, strong in her views on farming, especially looking after the environment.
\nWhen Muriel was talking to farming women who lacked self confidence in themselves, she would encourage them to have a go. Muriel herself was once in the supporting role, saying 'yes my dear' till the death of her late husband. Then the shock hit her; sell up the farm, live in town or take on the challenge of managing the farm herself? And yes, Muriel took that challenge on and all the women who knew her could understand why.
\nFor many Gippsland farming women Muriel was a real light in their life, always making sure that any new women who came to the Women on Farms Discussion Group would not be alone and feel uncomfortable. Muriel enjoyed these discussion group days and the Gatherings where she was able to chat with other farming women. Often she would give a cheeky grin, cover her lips and say 'Oh, was that me? I will be quiet.' But five minutes later away she would go again. You could always guarantee that the farm and her two beloved dogs, sex and men would come into the conversation. There are three sayings that Muriel used, they were 'Say it as it really is'; 'Yes I do know what you are saying and where you are coming from' and 'Always love and nurture yourself'.
\nThe women who have come to know Muriel as a friend are very grateful for the friendship and knowledge that she has given to them over the years. Many thanks must go to Muriel because of the informal chat that led to the very first Gathering at Warragul in 1990 and we are all here this weekend in Beechworth to enjoy this wonderful Gathering. Her smiling face will be sadly missed. (Women on Farms Gathering, 2001, pp. 20-21)
\nReferences
Women on Farms Gathering 1995a, The 6th Annual Women on Farms Gathering Proceedings, Swan Hill Women on Farms Gathering, Swan Hill, Victoria, p. 5
Women on Farms Gathering 1995b, The 6th Annual Women on Farms Gathering, April 28th, 29th & 30th, Swan Hill Women on Farms Gathering, Swan Hill, Victoria, p.14
Women on Farms Gathering 1998a, 9th Annual Women on Farms Gathering Proceedings Handbook, Friday 27th to Sunday 29th March, Ouyen Women on Farms Gathering, Ouyen, Victoria, pp.7, 9
Women on Farms Gathering 1998b, Weekend Handbook, 27-29 March 1998, Ouyen, North West Victoria, Ouyen Women on Farms Gathering, Ouyen, Victoria, p.3
Women on Farms Gathering 1999, Tenth Annual Women on Farms Gathering Proceedings, 30th April to 2nd May, Warragul Women on Farms Gathering, Warragul, Victoria, p.36
Women on Farms Gathering 2001, 12th Annual Victorian Women on Farms Gathering Proceedings, 20th, 21st and 22nd of April, Beechworth, North East Victoria, North East Women on Farms Gathering, Beechworth, Victoria, pp.20-21
Trooper George Simpson Millar was born in 1892 to Thomas Glass Millar and Annie Noble Simpson. He went to Geelong Grammar, but moved to Brisbane Grammar after his family relocated to Brisbane. During his time at these schools he served as a cadet. He and his sister were frequently mentioned in the Brisbane Society columns, holding parties at their home 'Nowranie'. There is a photo in the collection of Nancie in a swimsuit (MM 050491) and there is a newspaper clipping with her wedding notice.
\nIn October 1914, when Millar was 23 years old, he enlisted with the Australian Imperial Forces and was assigned to the 5th Light Horse Regiment, C Squadron. Millar left Australia for Egypt in December 1914 on the HMAT Persic.
\nThe Regiment arrived in Egypt in January 1915 and moved to el-Ma'adi (Meadi) Camp on 2 February 1915. The 5th Light Horse Regiment was billeted at the el-Ma'adi (Meadi) camp until 14 May 1915, when the regiment left for Gallipoli. At Gallipoli George Simpson Millar served as a stretcher-bearer and was described by his fellow soldier Harry Hammond (photographed in MM 050451) as \"A chap called George Miller [sic], who was always on the make, telling other people what to do without knowing himself\" (memoirs of Harry Hammond). He remained in Gallipoli until August, when he suffered scalded hands and was shipped out on the SS Caledonia to England.
\nIn November 1915 Trooper Millar was granted a provisional discharge to take up a commission as a Second Lieutenant with the Royal Field Artillery, Special Reserve in the British Army. Millar served with the Royal Field Artillery for 2 1/2 years before re-enlisting as a Lieutenant with the Australian Imperial Force in January 1918.
\nFollowing his re-enlistment in the AIF Millar was assigned to the 5th Divisional Artillery which served in France, before suffering from asthma and being 'invalided out' to England in August 1918. He returned to Australia in December 1918 on board the Saxon and was discharged in 1919.
\nIn recognition of his services George Millar received the 1914-15 Star and the British War Medal. George Simpson Millar died in Grafton, NSW in 1973.
\nTrooper Millar appears in images MM 050527; MM 050528; MM 050530; MM 050533; MM 050541; MM 050554; MM 050555, MM 107499, MM 05035, MM 050437, MM 050427, MM 050434, MM 050463 and MM 050487.
\nReferences:
\nThe AIF Project
Ancestry.com
Australian War Memorial
The National Archives of Australia
NSW Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages
Trove http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/19546555 http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/23594832
Harry Hammond's memoirs Australian War Memorial: PR01775
SATIN BOWER BIRD (Ptilonorhynchus Violaceus, Veillot - 276)
\nGeographical Distribution - Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria.\n
Nest - Open, shallow; somewhat loosely constructed of twigs; lined inside with leaves (Eucalyptus) and placed in a scrubby bush or tree, at a height varying from about ten to thirty feet from the ground. Dimensions over all, diameter 7 or 8 inches by 5 inches in depth. (See illustration).
\nEggs - Clutch, two to three; shape true oval; shell moderately fine in texture; surface glossy; colour varies from dark-cream to dirty-yellow, irregularly blotched and spotted with umber, cinnamon-brown, and a few purplish markings. In some specimens the blotches are very bold, with the markings under the surface of the shell of a bluish-black shade. Occasionally there is a type with a lighter or paler coloured ground and smaller-sized markings. Others again have the markings more in the form of hieroglyphics. Dimensions in inches of a typical clutch: (1) 1.76 x 1.l9, (2) 1.74 x 1.17. (Plate 9). Except for their larger size, the eggs in colour and character much resemble those of the Oriole (Mimeta viridis).
\nObservations - the male is especially beautiful by reason of his lustrous blue-black coat and lovely violet eyes, is an inhabitant of the forests, more particularly of the coastal region, of Eastern Australia, from Northern Queensland down to the Cape Otway forest, Victoria.
\nSome seasons Satin Birds are very destructive in the gardens and orchards, eating clover, especially the flowers, English grass, cabbages down to the very root, and fruit. The late W. B. Bailey, Pimpama Nurseries, South Queensland, informed me of an instance in which he had about three acres of mandarin oranges stripped in a week. The birds are also fond of sweet potato tubers. I noticed at Mr. Bailey's residence a very handsome male bird which he had in captivity. It was in its youthful coat of mottled-green when he first obtained it. It is interesting to learn that this bird did not don its full livery of blue-black till the fourth year.* The bird was an excellent mimic, could talk, and imitate well the meowing of a cat.
\nIt is somewhat remarkable that, notwithstanding the Satin Birds are plentiful locally, the eggs are exceedingly rare in collections. On the 23rd November, 1883, my friend Mr. Lindsay Clark found, near the Bass River, Western Port, a nest of the Satin Bird containing a rare prize: a pair of fresh eggs. Mr. Clark described the nest as being placed about twelve feet from the ground, in a scrubby bush, loosely constructed of twigs, &c., and lined with leaves; on being removed from its position it fell to pieces.\nA most remarkable instance, and one fortunate for myself, happened the following season. Mr. Clark went Mutton Bird (Puffinus tenuirostris) egging on Phillip Island, when it occurred to him to visit the mainland again in the neighbourhood of his Satin Bird's nest of the previous season. The result was that he found another pair of eggs, which are now in my collection.
\nI never enjoyed the opportunity of taking a nest of the Satin Bird, but at Christmas-tide, 1884, I saw a perfect bower on the north shore of Lake King, Gippsland. The structure was situated in a cleared space upon the ground, amongst some bracken in open forest. The cleared space was twenty-six inches across, the bower or avenue being in the centre of this space. The two parallel tapering walls of twigs were about twelve inches high, by a breadth of ten inches, and were six inches apart. The walls were somewhat curved, arching towards the top. The chief decorations within the bower, and round about, were the gay feathers of the Crimson Parrakeet (Platycercus elegans).
\nIt is stated that the first bower of the Satin Bird that Gould saw was in the Sydney Museum. He succeeded in conveying it to England. The illustration I have given is from a picture by Mr. D. Le Souëf, taken at Mallacoota Inlet.
\nThe Satin Bird's eggs which Dr. Ramsay described in the Proceedings of the Zoological Society (1875) were of an abnormal type, if referable to that bird at all, hence his excuse for redescribing (and rightly so) two well-authenticated sets collected by Mr. Ralph Hargrave, at Wattamola, New South Wales. Dr. A. E. Cox, Sydney, informed me that about the middle of October, 1876, at Mittagong, New South Wales, he found a nest of the Satin Bird situated on the tope of a tea-tree (Melaleuca) stump, containing two eggs which were nearly incubated.
\nFrom Mr. K. Broadbent's interesting articles on the 'Cardwell Birds', I take this extract: - 'The Satin Bower Bird (ptilonorhynchus violaceus) was observed at the Herbert River Gorge, and quite commonly in the Herberton scrubs. In the latter locality it occurred in company with the Spotted Cat Bird (Ælurodus maculosus), and the Tooth-billed Bower Bird (Tectonornis dentirostris), and Newton's Bower Bird (Prionodura newtoniana); in fact I have seen all these four species feeding in the same tree. These Satin Birds, as they are more popularly designated, may be often met with during the month of May in the open, along the edges of the scrubs, feeding upon the tops of young ferns. I have seen flocks of two hundred or more, composed in large proportions of plain-coloured mottled birds, with about ten or twelve dark or deep blue-coloured individuals amongst them.'
\nRegarding this Bower Bird in Southern Queensland, I take from Mr. Hermann Lau's MS the following:- 'Satin Bird - The sea-coast scrubs are its haunts. Now and again it comes out to the open forest to feed upon the berries of the mistletoe, or on the figs in the gardens. Its agreeable note is a clear whistle from tenor down to bass. While the male bird is clad in a beautiful shining coat of dark-blue, with eyes and base of bill to match, the female has only a simple (olive-green) attire. The females, with probably immature males, have been seen in flocks far from their summer abode.'
\n'Before nesting begins, the birds build up a play-ground (bower). The finest bowers are nearly in all cases on the sunny side of a lying log, the ground being strewn with moss, flowers, yellow and blue Lory Parrots' feathers, small bones, and snail-houses, for about a yard in diameter. In the middle is erected a bower about eighteen inches in height. When completed, several birds of both sexes run round and through the archway or avenue, picking up, in their joy, some of the nesting (? bower) materials and tossing them about, and we may guess, in their own way, choose partners.
\n'As I was watching one day at Cunningham Gap, a fine male bird with a withered fig-leaf in its bill, turning it over, became a prey to me. Half a mile away from the spot I found the nest (but no eggs) ten feet from the ground, in a small scrub tree. The nest was made of dry sticks, and lined with dry leaves, and was rather shallow. Later, when residing in the Bunya Mountains, I had the satisfaction of getting again a nest with two eggs (usual complement), ten feet from the ground.' Date, January, 1887.
\nI conclude with a brief account of a successful nesting outing that Mr. S. W. Jackson enjoyed amongst these fascinating birds. The notes, which Mr. Jackson was kind enough to write specially for me, are as follow: -
\nOn December 23rd, 1896, I started from South Grafton and proceeded on my bicycle towards Cloud's Creek, some fifty-nine miles distant, in hopes of finding some good eggs in the scrubs in those parts. However, on reaching my destination, after a good day's riding on my machine, which was heavily loaded with tent, camera, rations, &c., I pitched my camp, and afterwards had a stroll among the oak trees (two species of Casuarina). In answer to the cries or calls of the Satin Bower Bird, I walked about fifty yards from my camp, and was forced to stop at an oak tree, my notice being called to a female Bower Bird which flushed out from a cluster of mistletoe, which contained three fresh eggs. The nest was constructed of similar material, &c., to that of the Black-throated Butcher Bird (Cracticus nigrigularis), only lined with leaves of the spotted eucalyptus instead of small twigs.
\nI carefully emptied the nest of its contents, but unfortunately the nest could not be removed, on account of the sticks of the same being so intermingles with the twigs of the mistletoe, the latter growing on a very thick limb. After making further searches, I succeeded in finding nine more nests, all of which were built in oak trees, and in same position as the first nest found, with the exception that four of them were built in the upright forks of the oaks, and not in the mistletoe as the remaining six were. In the nine nests found there were eggs in four of them, out of which I got one fresh set of two, and a few addled eggs, the balance of the eggs being too far advanced in incubation to be blown. The remaining five nests all contained young birds, covered with down, and in one nest I found one young bird possessing four legs, and I regret I did not keep the curiosity, instead of placing it back into the nest.
\n'In all, I only procured seven eggs, which varied much in size and colour. Out of the ten nests found, the following is the detailed result: -
\n1 nest contained set of 3 eggs (fresh)
\n1 nest contained set of 2 eggs (almost fresh)
\n1 nest contained set of 1 egg (addled) and 1 bird
\n4 nests contained set of 3 young birds each
\n2 nests contained set of 2 eggs each (heavily incubated)
\n1 nest contained set of 3 eggs (1 addled, 2 heavily incubated)
\n
'The majority of the nests were one hundred or two hundred yards apart, at an elevation of about twenty to thirty feet, and mostly placed near the trunk of the tree, just where the smaller twigs branch off near the topmost part. The birds were very tame, and allowed their nests to be robbed without attempting to attack the intruder.
\n'I spent four days by myself in this wild bush, away from civilisation, and tried my best to find more nests of the Bower Bird, but only succeeded in finding two old nests (perhaps last season's).
\n'While I was busily climbing up to one of the Satin Bird's nests, and when nearing the same, I got rather an unexpected shock at finding an iguana (a reptile about three or four feet long) eating, or starting to eat, one of the heavily incubated eggs. The ugly creature, in it sudden amazement, jumped on my head, and then descended to the ground. The feeling to me was very unpleasant, and of rather a rare nature.'
\nThe breeding months extend from October to January.
\n----------------------------------- \n* Since this statement was published in the Proceedings of the Royal Physical Society (Edinburgh), Mr. A. A. C. Le Souëf, Director of the Zoological Gardens, Melbourne, has kindly favoured me with the following: - 'I think this par-ticular bird must have been of mature years when Mr. Bailey first got it, as many years ago I caged a number (at least a dozen) of these birds at the gardens here, young green birds, caught at Gembrook, and it was only after the expiration of nearly eight years they began to change colour. I think four or five birds put on the beautiful blue-black plumage, and in a year or two died off. It is, therefore, evident that the birds only come to their full plumage in old age, and that accounts for the fact that in a flock of say one hundred birds, which we often used to see at Gembrook, some years ago, there would be only a very few, hot half-a-dozen black ones among them. They die off shortly after the change.'
\n# Mr. I. W. De Lany informs me that he has only noticed blue feathers at bowers. His wife, by way of experiment, put out several pieces of coloured wools near the house, and only the blue ones were taken to the bower.
\nResources
\nTranscribed Archibald James Campbell. Nests and Eggs of Australian Birds, including the Geographical Distribution of the Species and Popular Observations Thereon, Pawson & Brailsford, Sheffield, England, 1900, pp. 191-195.
WHITE-WINGED CHOUGH - Corcorax Melanorhamphus, Veillot (298)
\nGeographical Distribution - Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia.
\nNest - Large, bowl shaped, composed of coarse cemented mud scantily lined inside with matted stringy-bark, grass, and sometimes with fur and feathers, and conspicuously placed on any convenient horizontal limb of a tree in open forest or belt of timber. (See illustrations.) Dimensions over all of an average nest, 8 ½ inches by 6 ½ inches in depth; egg cavity 7 inches across by 3 inches deep.
\nEggs - Clutch, five to seven usually, eight or more occasionally; inclined to be elliptical in shape; texture of shell comparatively strong, with glossy surface; colour, whitish or light yellowish-white, moderately but boldly blotched with irregular-sized patches of olive-brown and dull-slate, the latter colour underlying the surface of the shell. Dimensions in inches of a pair from an incomplete clutch of three taken near Pyramid Hill, Victoria, 6th October, 1884: (1) 1.58 x 1.11, (2) 1.53 x 1.11; of a proper clutch of five eggs (seven birds to the family) taken near the Murray, Riverina, 5th November, 1892: (1) 1.64 x 1.14, (2) 1.53 x 1.14, (3) 1.56 x1.14, (4) 1.51 x 1.10, (5) 1.41 x 1.12. (Plate 5.)\n
Observations - There is much of interest surrounding the Corcorax. Not only is the bird a unique or anomalous kind, but as a common forest species throughout the greater part of Australia, little is under-stood of its natural habits. Its total length is given at 16 to 19 inches; wing, 10 inches; tail, 9 inches; a somewhat slender bill is 1 ¾ inches, while the black plumage with its glossy-green reflections is set off with scarlet eyes. All our native birds are more or less infested with vermin. Some specimens of the Chough are very repulsive in this respect.
\nGould says the Chough occurs in small troops of from six to ten in number. During a recent inland excursion, I was careful to count the individuals of various families, which numbered respectively six, seven, seven and six. On another occasion I was present at the taking of a nest, where seven birds appeared in a very excited manner. Of course there may be larger flocks when augmented by the season's young. Mr. Chas McLennan witnessed in the Mallee, one autumn, a large flock of over 100 Choughs. The great naturalist also says, 'It has often struck me that more than one female deposits her egg in the same nest, as four or five females may be frequently seen either on the same or neighbouring trees, while only one nest is to be found.'
\nMr. A. J. North writes, 'As many as eight eggs have been taken from one nest. It would appear therefore that more than one bird lays in a single nest. It is well known that often more than one pair of birds assists in the construction of one nest.'
\nHowever, I think the actual proving of the interesting fact rests with my friend, Mr. Hermann Lau. Let his own words attest. 'The Black Magpie (Corcorax) is gregarious, living in small troops of from five to fifteen, and is dispersed all over the Downs (Darling). Together they commence building one nest, its material being simply mud mixed with dry grass, and often here and there I have found pebbles the size of a marble embedded. If the soil from which the stuff is taken is black, as on the plainy Downs, the nest shows that colour; on the other hand, if of a loamy character, as at Warroo and vicinity, the colour is lighter. The lining consists in the first-named case of dry grass and in the second mostly of opossum hair, on which five or six eggs rest. The whole company attend to one nest, as I have proved, shooting two birds from the nest, and seeing a third sitting the next day. As soon as the young are hatched, another nest gets built, and so on until Christmas (commencing in September), so that three broods may be expected. At Warroo, September, 1879, I sent my black man up a tree to fetch me a nest, with the complement of eggs. The nest weighted 7 ¾ lbs.'
\nWith regard to the nesting of the Chough, there still remains two important points to be settled: - What is the proportion of male and female birds to one family or nest? and, Do the females lay each one or more eggs?
\nAn exceedingly large nest of this remarkable species taken in the Swan Hill district, 1893, by Mr. Robert Hall, of the Field Naturalists' Club, weighed no less than 9 lbs. 6 ozs.
\nIt may not be generally known that the Chough is, at seasons, a nuisance to farmers. A correspondent in the Mangalore district, Victoria, informs me these birds give some trouble in the newly-sown fields by pulling up grain just as it is germinating.
\nBreeding months are August to December.
\nResources
\nTranscribed from Archibald James Campbell. Nests and Eggs of Australian Birds, including the Geographical Distribution of the Species and Popular Observations Thereon, Pawson & Brailsford, Sheffield, England, 1900. Transcribed from pages 65-66.
Boobook Owl
\nGeographical Distribution - Australia and Tasmania, also Lord Howe Island.
\nNest - Usually a hollow spout or limb of a tree, dead or living, the eggs being deposited on the decayed wood-dust within.
\nEggs - Clutch, three, occasionally four; nearly round, compressed slightly at one end; texture somewhat coarse, with a few limy excresences on the surface which is slightly glossy and very minutely pitted; colour, white. Dimensions in inches of a proper clutch: (1) 1.79 x 1.45, (2) 1.72 x 1.43, (3) 1.71 x 1.45.
\nObservations - The Boobook Owl is a rusty-coloured bird irregularly blotched with white. This nocturnal creature is undoubtedly the most common Owl in Australia., having been recorded from every district, and go where you will amongst timber you are almost sure to hear the familiar \"mo-poke,\" or, as the aboriginals more correctly imitate the bird's call, \"book-book,\" or \"buck-buck.\" I have heard it in the Dandenongs commence to call usually about three-quarters of an hour after sunset.
\nGreat has been the controversy whether this Owl or the Tawny-shouldered Frogmouth (Podargus) is in reality called the 'Mo-poke.' As far as I am concerned, it was settled long ago. One night we heard the unmistakable call repeatedly from a tall tree. Stealing up quietly, and having located the exact spot of the sound, a shot from one of our guns brought down a Boobook Owl. Moreover, in later years, during some of the pleasant camp-outs of a few enthusiastic field naturalists, we had additional proof as to the Owl calling 'mo-poke.' One of our members, who seemed possessed of a phenomenal throat, could imitate to the very sound the Boobook Owl, and when he could catch the bird's ear in the forest, by imitating it could always bring a bird into the tree overhead. I remember on one occasion we had a new member out with us who was anxious to procure a skin of the Owl. During the evening, our friend with the phenomenal throat got behind a tree at the rear of our tent and cleverly produced the Owl's call. 'Great Scot!' said our new member, 'a Boobook!' and seizing his gun rushed out of the tent. He continued to gaze up the tree where the supposed Owl was, till shouts of derisive laughter caused him to return.
\nOn the morning of the 11th of October, 1890, three of us were hastening over the she-oak (Casuarina) clad hills near Myrniong, on the Upper Werribee, Victoria, when one of us casually threw a stone against the limb. Then followed expeditiously the natural sequence - a climb, the chopping of a hole in the tough weather-beaten limb, and a clutch of three eggs is added to our collection. The situation of the eggs was about fifteen feet from the ground.
\nThe original eggs Gould described were taken on the 8th November, by his useful aboriginal companion, 'Natty.' The specimens were in a forward state of incubation. Mr. Wm. White (Adelaide), on two occasions on Kangaroo Island took four eggs of the Boobook Owl from deserted Ravens' nests. A curious place indeed for an Owl to deposit her eggs.
\nThe Boobook Owl can fly by day as well as by night; but it is not generally known that it sometimes takes its prey by day - at all events, in the subdued daylight of a thick forest. On one occasion Mr. G. A. Keartland, about two o'clock in the afternoon, in the Dandenongs, shot a Boobook in the act of devouring something which proved to be a freshly- captured Pilot Bird (Pycnoptilus).
\nThe usual breeding months are October, November, and December.
\nResources
Transcribed Archibald James Campbell. Nests and Eggs of Australian Birds, including the Geographical Distribution of the Species and Popular Observations Thereon, Pawson & Brailsford, Sheffield, England, 1900, p.43.
WHITE-BROWED BABBLER (Pomatorhinus Superciliosus - Vigors and Horsfield - 294)
\nGeographical Distribution - Australia in general.
\nNest - Similar to that of P. temporalis, but proportionally smaller; bulky, dome-shaped, with hooded side entrance; constructed of sticks; lined inside with such soft materials as portions of flowers, feathers, grass, bark and wool. Usually placed in a low tree or bush.
\nEggs - Clutch, three to five; stout oval, texture of shell fine; surface slightly glossy; colour, lightish grey, clouded with a dark colour and usually streaked with fine hair-like lines of dark-brown or sepia. Dimensions in inches of a pair: (1) .99 x .66, (2) .95 x .67; a smaller-sized set of three: .9 x .65 inches each. (Plate 11.)
\nObservations - This smaller-sized Babbler has a wider distribution than the common variety, being found in both Eastern and Western Australia.
\nLike its larger cousin, It may be seen, even in the same locality, seven or eight in a flock hopping over the ground like rats, pulling away at the short grass or levering over lumps of bark or sticks with its beak or head. When disturbed, with spread tail and wings, these birds leap actively from branch to branch through the trees, uttering chattering noises, but not quite so loudly as the Temporal or Common Babbler.
\nThe eggs of this species in my collection I took in the Mallee, end of October, 1884, - two nests, two or three respectively. The nests were lined with grass, fur and dry cattle manure.
\nMr. James G. McDougall informs me he has taken eggs of this species in South Australia, where it is in some places called the Kangaroo Bird, early in July.
\nGilbert observed in Western Australia that the breeding season commences in September, and continues during the three following months. The nest is usually constructed in a dead jam-tree (species of acacia), and it often happens that three or four pairs of birds build their nests in the same clump of trees.
\nLike the Temporal Babbler, the White-browed uses one of its nests as a sleeping place. At mid-winter I have witnessed a troupe filing into their dormitory at dusk.
\nBreeding months according to the season, from May to the end of the year.
\nReferences
Transcribed from Archibald James Campbell. Nests and Eggs of Australian Birds, including the Geographical Distribution of the Species and Popular Observations Thereon, Pawson & Brailsford, Sheffield, England, 1900, pp. 272-273.
STRIATED FIELD WREN (Calamanthus Fuliginosus - Vigors and Horsfield - 237)
\nGeographical Distribution - New South Wales, South and West (?) Australia and Tasmania.
\nNest - Roundish in form, dome-shaped, with side entrance; outwardly constructed of dark, dead herbage, grass, leaves, etc., mixed with moss, then a good ply of fine, dead grass, lined inside with feathers, fur and hair. Usually placed on the ground or on the side of a bank, concealed in grass, rushes or the centre of a low bush. Dimension outwardly, 4 inches in breadth by 5 inches in length; entrance 1 ½ inches across. (See illustration.)
\nEggs - Clutch, three to four; roundish in form but much pointed at one end; texture of shell fine; surface glossy; colour, vinaceous-buff with a broad belt of reddish or purplish-brown round the apex, or with an indistinct patch of that colour on the apex. Some examples are more of a purplish tone, with cloudy markings, more or less, all over the surface. Dimensions in inches of a Tasmanian clutch: (1) 0.83 x 0.64, (2) 0.82 x 0.65, (3) 0.81 x 0.62; of a pair from the mainland: (1) 0.82 x 0.6, (2) 0.82 x 0.58. (Plate 11.)
\nObservations - This Wren-like bird, with its pretty warble, which seems to keep time to the movement of its erect tail, claimed my attention in Tasmania, where one nest was found on the ground in the centre of a low gorse bush.
\nThe Field Wren may be described as a striped bird, with a greenish wash on the upper surface, while the under parts have a brownish tinge. There is a distinctive white line over each eye. Length 4 ½ inches, wing 2 ½ inches, tail 2 1/8 inches, bill ½ inch, tarsus 7/8 inch.
\nSome Tasmanian collectors call the bird by the somewhat uneuphonious name of 'Stink Bird' or 'Stinker', because of its peculiar scent, which will cause sporting dogs sometime to 'set' the Bird.
\nI have noticed this same species on the mainland, notably at Mordialloc, Oakleigh and other places in Victoria. There are also undoubted examples of this bird in the National Museum, Melbourne, taken in the same colony.
\nMoreover, I have no doubt that the eggs procured on Coode Island, at the mouth of the Yarra, by Mr. A J. North, and described by him, are referable to this species and not to C. campestris. I procured, through my son, birds from the precise locality, and comparing them with the Tasmanian bird, can find no difference, except that the mainland bird is a trifle smaller (as a general rule, birds of a species found on the mainland are, I find, smaller than the same species from Tasmania).
\nMr. A. E. Brent has found nests of the Striated Field Wren with an admixture of seaweed in their construction, and placed just above high-water mark on the Derwent, Tasmania, a favourite locality being the railway embankment close to that river.
\nPresuming the Field Wren found on Coode Island is C. fuliginosus, Mr. North furnishes interesting details regarding it.
\nThe bird is one of our earliest breeders. Mr. North cites an instance when eggs were taken 24th of May. On the 17th June, 1880, he himself found four nests of this species, each containing three fresh eggs. He observes, 'The situation chosen for the nest is somewhat varied, sometimes being placed underneath a tuft of rank grass, but more often have I found it artfully concealed at the bottom of a low, stunted thick shrub growing in the wet and swampy ground at the mouth of the Yarra. The nest is rounded in form, composed of grasses and lined with feathers; the nests found at the mouth of the Yarra were all composed exteriorly of an aquatic weed. The bird at times sits very close. On one occasion, when the nest was built in the grass, the bird allowed itself to be trodden upon before leavings its eggs, which were in an advanced state of incubation.'
\nBreeding months, May or June (but generally August) to December or January.
\nResources
\nTranscribed from Archibald James Campbell. Nests and Eggs of Australian Birds, including the Geographical Distribution of the Species and Popular Observations Thereon, Pawson & Brailsford, Sheffield, England, 1900, pp. 278-279
EMU WREN (Stipiturus Malchurus, Shaw - 201)
\nGeographical Distribution - South Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, South and West Australia, and Tasmania.
\nNest - Oval in form (but that part which might be termed the true nest is perfectly round) placed on its side; the mouth very large (comparatively), taking up the whole of the upper part of the front. It is very shallow, so much so that if tilted slightly the eggs would roll out, they being almost upon a level with its edge. It is outwardly composed of grass and the young dry shoots of reeds; lined with fine grass, roots, and finally a very fine green moss. Very loosely put together, and requires to be moved very gently to prevent it from falling to pieces (Ramsay). Another example is oval, broadest at the base, with side entrance near the top; well built of grass, lycopodium, &c., with a few spiders' cocoons on the outside; inside lined with fine grass, &c.; usual situation, about a foot from the ground, in thick, short scrub. Dimensions: length, 4 ½ inches; breadth 3 inches; entrance, 1 inch across.
\nEggs - Clutch, three, occasionally four; lengthened-oval in form; texture very fine; surface glossy; colour, pearly-white, spotted all over (like those of the Blue Wren, Malurus cyaneus, only redder), but sometimes with a large patch on the apex, and very few markings elsewhere, of rich reddish-chestnut. Eggs large compared with the size of the bird. Dimensions in inches of two pairs: A (1) .7 x .49, (2) .67 x .48; B (1) .67 x .54, (2) .66 x .49. (Plate 10.)
\nObservations - This remarkable little bird enjoys a somewhat extensive habitat, seeing it is found in favoured localities from Southern Queensland round to South-west Australia.
\nThe Emu Wren is by no means a scarce bird, but as it frequents dense grass beds and rushes of low swampy districts, its nest is rarely discovered. I have looked for it in vain in places where I have observed the birds. When out with a party of field naturalists on 9th November, 1884, we came across young which apparently had just left the nest.
\nGould found a nest containing three newly-hatched young in the neighbourhood of Recherche Bay, Tasmania. The nest, which he described as a small ball-shaped structure with rather a large opening on one side, was composed of grasses, lined with feathers, and artfully concealed in a tuft of grass.
\nDr. Ramsay gives an interesting account of the finding of his first nest. He says: - 'I had for many days visited the swamps upon Long Island, where these birds are very plentiful, in hopes of finding them breeding, but it was not until the 25th September, 1861, that I succeeded in discovering a nest, although I had watched them for hours together for several days. While walking along the edge of the swamp, however, this day, I was agreeably surprised by disturbing a female, which flew from my feet out of an overhanging tuft of grass growing only a few yards from the water's edge. Upon lifting up the leaves of the grass, which had been bent down by the wind, I found its nest carefully concealed near the roots, and containing three eggs. As the bird did not fly far, but remained close by a small swamp-oak (Casuarina), I had a good opportunity of satisfying myself that it was the veritable Emu Wren. The eggs were, of course, quite warm, and within a few days of being hatched; this may account for the bird being so unwilling to leave the spot; for when I returned about five minutes afterwards the female was perched upon the same tuft of grass, and within a few inches from where I had taken the nest.'
\nMr. G. E. Shepherd, Somerville, read some very interesting remarks on the 'Nidification of the Emu Wren' before the Field Naturalists' Club of Victoria, 14th December, 1897. He stated: - 'In the first place I may say that the birds are far from rare, though the eggs are exceedingly so - a fact, no doubt, due to the extreme difficulty experienced in finding the nest. In October, 1892, I found my first nest in the following curious manner. I had noticed a White Egret flying along the edge of the tide on the shore of Western Port Bay, and being anxious to secure the bird, a commenced stalking through the scrub fringing the fore-shore. Whilst so engaged I flushed an Emu Wren from a thick salonica bush, and dis-covered the nest, situated in the thickest part of the foliage, and containing three eggs, which were nearly hatched. Possessed of the knowledge thus obtained, I made repeated and persistent efforts to again find a nest, but without success until September, 1895, on the 14th of which month I succeeded in finding a nest containing two fresh eggs. This nest I also found accidentally through riding across a shallow swamp fringed with stunted tea-tree, from amongst which I saw the bird flutter, and after a short search discovered the nest. Two days afterwards I discovered another net in a patch of thick, low scrub. In this instance three eggs were taken, somewhat incubated, one of which broke when being blown.
\n'Owing to the absence of bush fires last summer the birds were more numerous this spring than for some years, hence I devoted all my spare time during the latter part of September and the whole of October to searching for their nests. On the 26th September I found a nest, in which were three eggs slightly incubated. The nest was placed at a height of eighteen inches from the ground among low dense scrub in a swampy locality. On the same date I also discovered the nest exhibited tonight, which the birds deserted, probably owing to my disturbing their nesting operations, as I saw the female within a few feet of the nest. This nest I have brought with as much surroundings as possible, and it will, I think, enable all interested to get a fairly good idea of the situations favoured by these birds for nesting. In this instance a space of two feet separated the nest from the ground, and in every instance coming under my notice the nests are situated among scrub, thick, low, and dense, and matted together with the wiry creeper as in the case of the nest exhibited. I subsequently found one nest and three fresh eggs; also, two nests, containing three and four eggs respectively, both the latter sets being nearly hatched; besides two others containing young birds.
\n'As all the nests were a considerable distance from my home, I had no opportunity of watching them for more than a brief period, which, however, enabled me to observe the female return to the nest on two occasions, and take her place upon the eggs. This she apparently does by 'backing' into the nest, hence her long tail sticks outward through the entrance and over her head, a conclusion forced upon me (even without the necessity of eye-witnessing) from the extreme length of the tail and size and shape of the nest. The eggs are somewhat large for the bird, and, like many other species, differ considerably in their markings. Nearly all those taken by me may be likened to the eggs of Malurus cyaneus, but some-what smaller. The nest is much more compact than the Blue Wren's, smaller, and much better finished, besides being more artfully concealed. As Gould has truly remarked, the bird's powers of flight are but feeble; hence it depends mainly upon its wonderful activity upon the ground as a means of escape from danger, and the dense undergrowth found in the localities it frequents.'
\nI have used Dr. Ramsay's description of the nest, and also have given the description of a typical nest which was kindly presented to me by Mr. Shepherd. The Western Port example is decidedly compact and well-built, and most resembles that of a Tit (Acanthiza). I have every confidence in Mr. Shepherd's identification. I have since been in the field with him, when he showed me similar nests built by Emu Wrens, one of which, by the way, contained an egg of the Narrow-tailed Bronze Cuckoo.
\nBreeding months September and probably to the end of the year.
\nThe illustration of the 'Emu Wren's Nest' is taken from one situated near a bit of leptospermum scrub.
\nReferences
Transcribed from Archibald James Campbell. Nests and Eggs of Australian Birds, including the Geographical Distribution of the Species and Popular Observations Thereon, Pawson & Brailsford, Sheffield, England, 1900, pp. 214-217
GROUND THRUSH (Geocichla Lunulata, Latham)
Geographical Distribution - New South Wales, Victoria, and South Australia.
Nest - Large, open, beautiful; outwardly composted of green moss, dried leaves, grass, etc., matted together with earth or sand; lined inside with a thick ply of grass, sometimes with pieces of rushes and rootlets added. Usually situated on a thick limb or fork of a coastal tea-tree (Leptospermum) or banksia, in a swamp tea-tree (Melaleuca) by a creek, or in a mossy musk or other tree in the mountains, but always sheltered by thick scrub. Dimensions over all, 8 to 10 inches by 5 or 6 inches in depth; egg cavity, 2 ¾ inches across by 2 inches deep.
Eggs - Clutch, two to three; true oval in form; texture of shell fine; surface glossy; colour, light warmish-grey, spotted and blotched, usually all over, with reddish or rufous-brown, intermingled with cloud-like markings of dull-red. Dimensions in inches of proper clutches: A (1) 1.33 x .9, (2) 1.32 x .92, (3) 1.31 x .92; B (1) 1.29 x .87, (2) 1.28 x .86, (3) 1.24 x .86. (Plate 9).
Observations - The true home of this lovable bird is the great forest region and coastal scrubs of South-East Australia.
My associations with the Mountain Thrush, or more strictly speaking, Ground Thrush, have been for the most part, of the pleasant and interesting kind; therefore if I have wandered too much into detail in giving my observations on this bird, please skip, and put it down to excessive enthusiasm on my part.
\nThe bird may be called Mountain, for it is a lover of the fern gullies and musk-tree thickets of the hilly tracts. But is has been in the tea-tree groves of the coast where I have most cultivated its acquaintance. On the eastern shore of Port Phillip, after passing St. Kilda, patches of tea-tree (Leptospermum), greater or smaller in extent, occur at intervals until Mordialloc is reached. Here density commences in real earnest, and constitues an almost unbroken margin to the eastern portion of the bay. In this dense brush, if carefully sought for, may be seen the Ground Thrush - a timid, modest creature - 'at home'. In October this great belt of living Leptospermum is a mass of white flowers, so dense that in some sheltered nooks the warm grey foliage and seed cups are barely visible. The aroma from the flowers is like the perfume of new honey.
\nLovers of nature, poets, and others, in all lands, usually connect the wedding garment of spring with the nesting of birds. And so it is, as a rule; but the nesting of the Ground Thrush is one of the interesting, but not altogether unique exceptions among our Australian birds. In the bleak and frosty months like July, the Ground Thrush commences to construct its nest, or re-build by making additions to a former home. In cases where nests are used by the bird's season after season, they become a goodly size, and the foundations have a venerable, moss-grown appearance. Some of these favourite old homes measure a foot across, while the actual cup of the nest would only measure half that dimension by two or three inches deep.
\nA favourite situation for the nest is about twelve feet from the ground in the fork of an upright tree, in the centre of a thick clump of scrub, growing in a hollow or dip between the ancient sand drifts, where about the base of the trees is scattered dead and decaying timber among dwarf and sparingly-grown bracken. Another favourite locality for a nest is on a sand rise, about twenty paces from the high-water mark, the nest being placed on a thick horizontal branch hidden with thick foliage; or another site is a darkened spot where the taller tea-tree tops meet overhead, together with the closely-packed, twiggy, lichen-covered stems, to quitely subdue the light below. Another nest may be humbly situated within read of hand. Yet again a secure resting-place for a nest may be chosen on a rough bulky limb of a banksia tree, if well protected with crowded tea-tree scrub. The nests are perfect models of bird architecture, beautify proportioned and tastefully decorated with verdant moss - fit subjects for pictures (see illustration). The eggs also are gems for beauty, being of a delicate light-green, mottled with purplish-red. A triplet of eggs may be found once in every two or three nests, the balance being in pairs.
\nAs stated, the eggs are generally deposited in winter. One wonders how it is possible for the little naked young to survive the raw months. But let a person enter these dense tea-tree scrubs, and he will be astonished at the mildness of the atmosphere there, for the density of the timber and foliage seems to exclude the keenest wind, and neither does the frost harden the ground. Sometimes the earliest birds lay about the end of June; a few during July. Perhaps about one-fifth of the young are hatched by the end of that month; but from the first to the middle of August the majority of the birds lay. Although the Ground Thrush is such an early breeder there are exceptions, as with other rules, in its case. Once in the middle of September I saw a nest with three eggs, supposed to be a second clutch or birds previously robbed in the locality, although I do not think they all lay a second time during the season if their nest is interfered with. Mr. J. Gabriel furnished me with two authenticated notes of late nests with eggs, seen in the Dandenongs. One was towards the end of November, the other the 20th of December. I also leant of another nest having been taken on the 9th of November, 1893, at Dandenong Creek.
\nIn the young, feathers soon succeed down, and from the nest they assume the same coloured garb as their parents, the prevailing colour of which is olive-brown, darkest on the back and much lighter on the breast and flanks. With the exception of the wings, tail, and centre of the abdomen, each feather has a lunar or moon-shaped mark of black at the tip; hence the specific name, lunulata. The beak and feet are horn-coloured, the former yellowish at the gape. The dark-brown eyes are full of meek expression. In fact, the bird's whole contour is captivating, more especially when seen with neck shortened on its moss-bedecked nest, or standing with partly drooping wings over its helpless fledglings.
\nWith other persons, including Gould, I used to fancy the one drawback in the nature of the Mountain or Ground Thrush was that it was dumb, save a few squeaky notes uttered when alarmed, or when the young was approached, when the bird hurried and flopped over the ground through the scrub, and at the feet of the intruder, making a feeble but sustained hissing whistle. But since, I have learned this Thrush is really a songster, which especially loves to sing 'betwixt the lights' after the sun has gone down. Then the Thrush may be heard in a modest, subdued whistling song, as it whiles away the interval of twilight. The music is interspersed with portions of song not unlike that of the English Thrush, but without the full impassioned notes, being a melodious whistle of chiefly two notes, a slide about a third from one to the other, with trills and variations. Sometimes the bird sings at dawn.
\nLike most true Thrushes, the Ground Thrush loves to feed upon molluscs, but it is not averse to worms. A field observer told me how he once watched a bird gathering worms, presumably for its young. Pulling a worm out of the ground, the bird would hop silently about with the twisting captive in its bill until another was discovered. Dropping No. 1, No. 2 was hauled from its hole, then No. 1 was again picked up and No. 3 prospected for; and so on, the bird laying down its mouthful each time a fresh capture was to be made, until it had difficulty in keeping together about half-dozen wriggling worms. It would finally fly away with the lot.
\nThe greatest season I experienced amongst the Ground Thrushes was in 1886. The following are my field notes:
31st July - Nest in upright tree, fairly thick scrub, in a dip with bracken, dead and decaying logs about. Eggs, two.
14th August - Nest in thick stumpy tree, dense scrub and undergrowth on sandy rise. Eggs, two.
14th August - Nest in stunted tree, dense small scrub on sandy rise near the beach. Eggs, two.
14th August - Among very thick lichen-covered trees near the beach, several growing from one root. Nest on overhanging prong, moss plentiful on ground underneath, springing through the dead tea-tree leaves. Eggs, three.
14th August - In straight tree amongst a clump. Nest on underneath limb. Large banksia near tree. Eggs, two.
14th August - In more open but clumpy scrub with thick grass about. Nest eight feet from ground. Eggs, two.
14th August - In overhanging tree in comparatively open scrub; beautiful nest, perfect in shape, edged with pretty moss. Eggs, three.
All the foregoing nests were found after three hours toiling in and out of a belt of scrub about half-a-mile in extent. The nests varied in height from six to twelve feet above the ground, and with the exception of No. 1, were all found building on the 31st July.
Giving the Thrushes a season's rest, I visited my favourit locality again in 1888. Result:
4th August - Saw fledged young flying with their parents.
4th August - Saw nest building; completed apparently on the 11th, when I took eggs (three), which were slightly incubated.
4th August - Nest in thick low tree. Three eggs partly incubated.
11th August - Nest on overhanging limb. Eggs, three, fresh.
11th August - Saw a nest in overhanging tree, containing three young which were flesh-coloured, with dark or black stripes along centre of back and down wings, with tufts of yellowish down. Birds probably fourteen days old.
All the above nests were in tea-trees.
15th September - Saw Ground Thrush's nest with three eggs. Supposed to be second clutch of birds previously robbed. Heard some birds whistling melodiously at 6.15 p.m., or about twenty-five minutes after sun-down.
Season 1889:
10th August - Two nests with young about ten days old. Two building in banksias, and a third with one egg. These contained three eggs each on the 24th.
Season 1890:
2nd August - (1) Visited nest from which I took eggs previous year; contained three fully-fledged young. (2) Found another old nest being renovated; fortnight afterwards contained two eggs. (3) Nest with two fresh eggs. (4) Nest with foundation laid. (5) Nest with two eggs slightly incubated. (6) Nest destroyed by some enemy - bird or beast; one egg remaining. (7) An old nest examined; it contained two eggs on the 16th. I heard birds whistling as the sun was setting.
All these nests were in tea-tree, except No. 5, which was in a banksia.
After another year's respite the haunts of the Ground Thrush were again invaded in 1892 by a party, including Messrs. Le Souëf (three), Mr. R. S. Rogers, my son, and myself, chiefly for the purpose of photographing, in situ, some of the beautiful homes. We found:
30th July - (1) A nest I had visited two seasons previously contained two eggs half incubated. (2) Nest with fully-fledged young. (3) Nest with two eggs, fresh. (4) Nest with two eggs, half incubated. (5) Nest with three eggs, fresh. (6) Two nests building. Fortnight afterwards (13th August) contained each three eggs. One of these nests made a most successful photograph.
To show how closely in some instances the various families of Thrushes live to each other, it may be stated that three of the above nests were not more than forty or fifty yards apart, and were situated at points so as form a triangle in the scrub.
I give Mr. Lau's interesting notes of this bird near its northern limit in the sub-tropical scrub of South Queensland, which may be taken as referring to G. heinii:
'Geocichla lunulate is an inhabitant of the gloomy cedar scrub along the sea coast, resorting near water and always hoping on the ground seeking among the moist debris for its food. Its colour resembles the European Song Thrush. The nest is not unlike that of the (home) Black Bird, and is situated in the first and thick fork of a tree richly bedecked with moss, and the outside covering being formed of the same material. The nest is not so easily detected, and only the bird flying from it betrays the convenient site. The lining consists of rootlets and dark fibre, abundantly to be found in such localities. The eggs also resemble those of the Black Bird. They number two or three - Bunya Mountains, December, 1856.'
An egg in Mr. D. Le Souëf's collection, collected by Mr. Lau, in South Queensland, is inclined to oval; texture fine; surface glossy, colour, pale bluish-white, finely and faintly spotted, thickest on the apex, with chestnut or rufous and dull purplish-brown. It is smaller and not so much marked as those of the southern birds. Dimensions: 1.12 x .79 inches. I venture to say this egg is probably that of G. heinii.
\nMr. W. White of South Australia sends me a note of having taken a nest of the Ground Thrush on Mount Lofty, which is probably the extreme western limit of the bird's range. I looked in vain for a Ground Thrush in the great timber tracts of Western Australia.
\nReferences
Transcribed from Archibald James Campbell. Nests and Eggs of Australian Birds, including the Geographical Distribution of the Species and Popular Observations Thereon, Pawson & Brailsford, Sheffield, England, 1900, pp. 184-188.
BROWN KINGFISHER (LAUGHING JACKASS)
\nDacelo Gigas, Boddaert - (60)
\nGeographical Distribution - South Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, South and West (intro-duced 1896) Australia.
\nNest - In a hole or spouted limb of a tree; but is sometime, especially in Queensland, in a hole drilled into the nest of ants or termites situated in a fork or upon the side of a standing tree. An instance is known of a net made in the heart of a 'calabash' - the fern, Platycerium alcicorne.
\nEggs - Clutch, three to four; round in shape, sharply contracted at one end; texture of shell fine; surface glossy; colour, pure white. Dimensions in inches of a clutch: (1) 1.92 x 1.45, (2) 183 x 1.5, (3) 1.83 x 1.42.
\nObservations - The Great Brown Kingfisher (native name Kookaburra), or more commonly called Laughing Jackass, from its quaint appearance and its rollicking laughter-like notes, is not only a favour-ite among naturalists, but with every dweller in the bush. The adult Laughing Jackass has a dusky back and wings, some parts of the wings, especially the shoulders, also the lower portion of the back, being relieved with markings of blue. The tail is brownish, barred with black. The rest of the plumage may be termed buff, with a dark-brownish wash on the feathers of the head and ear coverts. The awkward-looking bill is brownish-black on the upper mandible, and yellowish or pale buff on the under mandible, while the eyes are dark-brown, and the feet yellowish. The total length of the bird is about 18 inches, including tail 5 ½ inches, and bill 3 inches.
\nAmongst the most cheerful of forest sounds at evening are this bird's notes when heard among lofty trees up some gully. Then again at early dawn, soon after the chirping notes of the Yellow Robin and sometimes before the melodious Magpie, the voices of the Jackasses herald the coming day. On two mornings I timed the Jackass's first song at 4.20, or just one hour before sunrise. Again at evening it is delightful to listen to these birds in the bush, when they are particularly noisy. But all settle down quietly as the last light of the day fades out. It has been stated that the female only voices the laughter-like notes, while the male accompanies her with the growling noise. Is it a fact?
\nUntil recent years the Great Brown Kingfisher did not appear to exist in Western Australia - I refer more particularly to the forests of the south-west, which would appear equally as well adapted to the peculiar habits of the bird as the eastern timber tracts are. However, Mr. G. A. Keartland, of the Calvert ex-pedition in 1896, stated whilst camped at Mullawa he heard the well-known notes of these birds, and ob-served a few of them always near the camps. They were also noted between Fremantle and Perth. Perhaps these latter were some of the birds captured in Victoria by Mr. James Cooper, and sent to Western Australia by order of the Government, or perhaps the Jackasses had followed the numerous other eastern 'Jackasses' who had been attracted to the glorious west by the wonderful gold discoveries. The Brown Kingfisher being the southern form of the genus Dacelo, I was agreeable sur-prised, in 1885, to find the bird as far north as the Cardwell Scrubs, North Queensland. Since then, Mr. Dudley Le Souëf informs me he noted the bird on the Bloomfield River, still further north. It has been observed in the interior at Cooper's Creek.
\nThe chief breeding months of the Brown Kingfisher are from September to the end of the year, during which period usually two broods are reared. In Southern Queensland Mr. Lau observed that the first clutch was generally laid in September, and the second in November. The nesting place is not lined in any way; the eggs are merely deposited on the dust of the decomposed wood in the hollow, or, if in termites' nests, on the bare floor at the end of the tunnel. Old nests are sometimes resorted to; but if new quarters have to be found, both male and female birds assist in excavating the hole.
\nOn October 31st (1893), Mr. George H. Morton took three eggs from the spout of a red-gum tree, five feet from the ground, near the Murray River. On November 27th, he found a young bird in the same nest. When Mr. Morton removed the three eggs he may have left one remaining, but the greater prob-ability is the fourth egg was laid afterwards. However, on the 12th December the young had left the nest. Therefore we may infer that from the time the female deposits her eggs till the young quit the nest is about six weeks.* After the young leave the nest their parents continue to feed them for a time. By their clamorous noise for food the whereabouts of the young is easily ascertained.
\nIn my note-book I find the following recorded:
\n9th November, 1870 - Visited a nest, containing three young, in the hole of a tree near Dandenong Creek.
11th October, 1880 - Found an egg fresh upon the ground near Berwick
13th October, 1885 - Present when a pair of eggs was taken from termites' nest at Coomooboolaroo, Queensland.
1st November, 1890 - Clutch, three eggs, taken at Clayton, Victoria.
6th November, 1892 - Observed nest with young, Murray River.
Jackasses have been observed gathering mussels (Unio) at the edge of a creek, and whacking them against a log or limb endeavouring to open them; they will also dive for small cray-fish. Mr. C. H. McLennan tells me he has observed these birds perching on a limb just over the river (Wimmera) and diving into shallow water after yabbies (small crayfish), sometimes going right under.
\nNo doubt the Jackasses only kill snakes for food, because dead ones are occasionally found in their nesting holes. Mr. A. W. Milligan, formerly of Traralgon, Victoria, also proved the fact by taking young Jackasses from a nest in the vicinity of his home and keeping them on a cage. When the old birds found out the captives, they sometimes brought, amongst other tit-bits, snakes, and large ones too, to feed their young.
\nIn reference to Jackasses killing snakes, Mr. H. W. Wheelwright observed a pair that had a disabled carpet snake under an old gum tree. The birds sat on a dead branch above the reptile, every now and again darting down and pecking it, and by their antics and chattering appeared to considerably enjoy themselves at the expense of the snake
\nMr. Thos. R. Macdougall's (Queensland) field observations on 'Jackasses v. Snakes,' read:-
\n'On one occasion I saw a Jackass with a black snake about twelve inches or eighteen inches in length. On frightening the bird it dropped the snake, and I carefully examined it and found that it had not been long dead, and was only wounded behind the head. Its neck was broken. I also saw on one occasion a Jackass and green snake that had been killed while on the ground. The snake was coiled tightly around the bird's neck and body, so that it could not rise from the ground.'
\n*I possess a pair of live Jackasses that was taken from a nest when the birds were about a month old. At the age of six weeks one endeavoured to laugh, and both could laugh loudly and lustily before they were three months old.
\nResources
Transcribed Archibald James Campbell. Nests and Eggs of Australian Birds, including the Geographical Distribution of the Species and Popular Observations Thereon, Pawson & Brailsford, Sheffield, England, 1900. Transcribed from pp. 304-305.
GROUND THRUSH (Geocichla Lunulata, Latham)
\nGeographical Distribution - New South Wales, Victoria, and South Australia.
Nest - Large, open, beautiful; outwardly composted of green moss, dried leaves, grass, etc., matted together with earth or sand; lined inside with a thick ply of grass, sometimes with pieces of rushes and rootlets added. Usually situated on a thick limb or fork of a coastal tea-tree (Leptospermum) or banksia, in a swamp tea-tree (Melaleuca) by a creek, or in a mossy musk or other tree in the mountains, but always sheltered by thick scrub. Dimensions over all, 8 to 10 inches by 5 or 6 inches in depth; egg cavity, 2 ¾ inches across by 2 inches deep. \nEggs - Clutch, two to three; true oval in form; texture of shell fine; surface glossy; colour, light warmish-green, spotted and blotched, usually all over, with reddish or rufous-brown, intermingled with cloud-like markings of dull-red. Dimensions in inches of proper clutches: A (1) 1.33 x .9, (2) 1.32 x .92, (3) 1.31 x .92; B (1) 1.29 x .87, (2) 1.28 x .86, (3) 1.24 x .86. (Plate 9).
\nObservations - The true home of lovable bird is the great forest region and coastal scrubs of South-east Australia. My associations with the Mountain Thrush, or, more strictly speaking, Ground Thrush, have been of the most pleasant and interesting kind; therefore if I have wandered too much into detail in giving my ob-servations on this bird, please skip, and put down to excessive enthusiasm on my part.
\nThe bird may be called Mountain, for it is a lover of the fern gullies and musk-tree thickets of the hilly tracts. But is has been in the tea-tree groves of the coast where I have most cultivated its acquaintance.
\nOn the eastern shore of Port Phillip, after passing St. Kilda, patches of tea-tree (Leptospermum), greater or smaller in extent, occur at intervals until Mordialloc is reached. Here density commences in real earnest, and constitutes almost an unbroken margin to the eastern portion of the bay. In these dense brushed, if carefully sought for, may be seen the Ground Thrush - a timid, modest creature - 'at home'.
\nIn October this great belt of living Leptospermum is a mass of white flowers, so dense that in some sheltered nooks the warm grey foliage and seed cups are barely visible. The aroma from the flowers is like the perfume of new honey.
\nLovers of nature, poets, and others, in all lands, usually connect the wedding garment of spring with the nesting of birds. And so it is, as a rule; but the nesting of the Ground Thrush is one of the interesting but not altogether unique exceptions among our Australian birds.
\nIn the bleak and frosty months like July, the Ground Thrush commences to construct its nest, or re-build by making additions to a former old home. In cases where nests are used by the birds season after season, they become a goodly size, and the foundations have a venerable, moss-grown appearance. Some of these favourite old homes measure a foot across, while the actual cup of the nest would only measure half that dimension by two or three inches deep.
\nA favourite situation for the nest is about twelve feet from the ground in the fork of an upright tree, in the centre of a thick clump or scrub, growing in a hollow or dip between the ancient sand drifts, where about the base of the trees is scattered dead and decaying timber among dwarf and sparingly-grown bracken. Another favourite locality for a nest is on a sand rise, about twenty paces from high-water mark, the nest being placed on a thick horizontal branch hidden with thick foliage; or another site is a darkened spot where the taller tea-tree tops meeting overhead, together with the closely-packed, twiggy, lichen-covered stems, quite subdue the light below. Another nest may be humbly situated within read of hand. Yet again a secure resting-place for a nest may be chosen on a rough bulky limb of a banksia tree, if well protected with crowded tea-tree scrub.
\nThe nests are perfect models of bird architecture, beautify proportioned and tastefully decorated with verdant moss - fit subjects for pictures (see illustration). The eggs also are gems for beauty, being of a delicate light-green, mottled with purplish-red. A triplet of eggs may be found once in every two or three nests, the balance being in pairs.
\nAs stated, the eggs are generally deposited in winter. One wonders how it is possible for the little naked young to survive the raw months. But let a person enter these dense tea-tree scrubs, and he will be astonished at the mildness of the atmosphere there, for the density of the timber and foliage seems to exclude the keenest wind, neither does the frost harden the ground.
\nSometimes the earliest birds lay bout the end of June; a few during July. Perhaps about one-fifth of the young are hatched by the end of that month; but from the first to the middle of August the majority of the birds lay.
\nAlthough the Ground Thrush is such an early breeder there are exceptions, as with other rules, in its case. Once in the middle of September I saw a nest with three eggs, supposed to be a second clutch or birds previously robbed in the locality, although I do not think they all lay a second time during the season if their nest is interfered with.
\nMr. J. Gabriel furnished me with two authenticated notes of late nests with eggs, seen in the Dandenongs. One was towards the end of November, the other 20th December. I also leant of another nest having been taken 9th November, 1893, at Dandenong Creek.
\nIn the young, feathers soon succeed down, and from the nest they assume the same coloured garb as their parents, the prevailing colour of which is olive-brown, darkest on the back and much lighter on the breast and flanks. With the exception of the wings, tail, and centre of abdomen, each feather has a lunar or moon-shaped mark of black at the tip; hence the specific name, lunulata. The beak and feet are horn-coloured, the former yellowish at the gape. The dark-brown eyes are full of meek expression. In fact, the bird's whole contour is captivating, more especially when seen with neck shortened on its moss-bedecked nest, or standing with partly drooping wings over its helpless fledgelings.
\nWith other persons, including Gould, I used to fancy the one drawback in the nature of the Mountain or Ground Thrush was that it was dumb, save a few squeaky nots uttered when alarmed, or when the young was approached, when the bird hurried and flopped over the ground through the scrub, and at the feet of the intruder, making a feeble but sustained hissing whistle. But since. I have learned this Thrush is really a songster, which especially loves to sing 'betwixt the lights' after the sun has gone down. Then the Thrush may be heard in a modest, subdued whistling song, as if to while away the interval of twilight. The music is interspersed with portions of song not unlike that of the English Thrush, but without the full impassioned notes, being a melodious whistle of chiefly two notes, a slide about a third from one to the other, with trills and variations. Sometimes the bird sings at dawn.
\nLike most true Thrushes, the Ground Thrush loves to feed upon molluscs, but it is not averse to worms. A field observer tole me how he once watched a bird gathering worms, presumably for its young. Pulling a worm out of the ground, the bird would hop silently about with the twisting captive in its bill until another was discovered. Dropping No. 1, No. 2 was hauled from its hole, then No. 1 was again picked up and No. 3 prospected for; and so on, the bird laying down its mouthful each time a fresh capture was to be made, until it had difficulty in keeping together about half-dozen wriggling worms. It would finally fly away with the lot.
\nThe greatest season I experienced amongst the Ground Thrushes was in 1886.
\nThe following are my field notes:-
31st July - Nest in upright tree, fairly thick scrub, in a dip with bracken, dead and decaying logs about. Eggs, two.
14th August - Nest in thick stumpy tree, dense scrub and undergrowth on sandy rise. Eggs, two.
14th August - Nest in stunted tree, dense small scrub on sandy rise near the beach. Eggs, two.
14th August - Among very thick lichen-covered trees near the beach, several growing from one root. Nest on overhanging prong, moss plentiful on ground underneath springing through the dead tea-tree leaves. Eggs, three.
14th August - In straight tree amongst a clump. Nest on underneath limb. Large banksia near tree. Eggs, two.
14th August - In more open but clumpy scrub with thick grass about. Nest eight feet from ground. Eggs, two.
14th August - In overhanging tree in comparatively open scrub; beautiful nest, perfect in shape, edged with pretty moss. Eggs, three.
All the foregoing nests were found after three hours' toiling in and out of a belt of scrub about half-a-mile in extent. The nests varied in height from six t twelve feet above the ground, and with the exception of No. 1, were all found building on the 31st July.
\nGiving the Thrushes a season's rest, I visited my favour locality again in 1888. Result:-
\n4th August - Saw fledged young flying with their parents. 4th August - Saw nest building; completed apparently on the 11th, when I took eggs (three), which were slightly incubated. 4th August - Nest in thick low tree. Three eggs partly incubated. 11th August - Nest on overhanging limb. Eggs, three, fresh. 11th August - Saw a nest in overhanging tree, containing three young which were flesh-coloured, with dark or black stripes along centre of back and down wings, with tufts of yellowish down. Birds probably fourteen days old.
\nAll the above nests were in tea-trees.
15th September - Saw Ground Thrush's nest with three eggs. Supposed to be second clutch of birds previously robbed. Heard some birds whistling melodiously at 6.15 p.m., or about twenty-five minutes after sun-down.
Season 1889:-
10th August - Two nests with young about ten days old. Two building in banksias, and a third with one egg. These contained three eggs each on the 24th.
Season 1890:-
2nd August - (1) Visited nest from which I took eggs previous year; contained three fully-fledged young. (2) Found another old nest being renovated; fortnight afterwards contained two eggs. (3) Nest with two fresh eggs. (4) Nest with foundation laid. (5) Nest with two eggs slightly incubated. (6) Nest destroyed by some enemy - bird or beast; one egg remaining. (7) An old nest examined; it contained two eggs on the 16th, when I heard birds whistling as sun was setting.
All these nests were in tea-tree, except No. 5, which was in a banksia.
\nAfter another year's respite the haunts of the Ground Thrush were again invaded in 1892 by a party, including Messrs. Le Souëf (three), Mr. R. S. Rogers, my son, and myself, chiefly for the purpose of photographing, in situ, some of the beautiful homes. We found:-
\n30th July - (1) A nest I had visited two seasons previously contained two eggs half incubated. (2) Nest with fully-fledged young. (3) Nest with two eggs, fresh. (4) Nest with two eggs, half incubated. (5) Nest with three eggs, fresh. (6) Two nests building. Fortnight afterwards (13th August) contained each three eggs. One of these nests made a most successful photograph.
\nTo show how closely in some instances thee various families of Thrushes live to each other, it may be stated that three of the above nests were not more than forty or fifty yards apart, and were situated at points so as form a triangle in the scrub.
\nI give Mr. Lau's interesting notes of this bird near its northern limit in the sub-tropical scrub of South Queensland, which may be taken as referring to G. heinii:-
\n'Geocichla lunulate is an inhabitant of the gloomy cedar scrub along the sea coast, resorting near water and always hoping on the ground seeking among the moist debris for its food. Its colour resembles the European Song Thrush. The nest is not unlike that of the (home) Black Bird, and is situated in the first and thick fork of a tree richly bedecked with moss, and the outside covering being formed of the same material. The nest is not so easily detected, and only the bird flying from it betrays the convenient site. The lining consists of rootlets and dark fibre, abundantly to be found in such localities. The eggs also resemble those of the Black Bird. They number two o three - Bunya Mountains, December, 1856.'
\nAn egg in Mr. D. Le Souëf's collection, collected by Mr. Lau, in South Queensland, is inclined to oval; texture fine; surface glossy, colour, pale bluish-white, finely and faintly spotted, thickest on the apex, with chestnut or rufous and dull purplish-brown. It is smaller and not so much marked as those of the southern birds. Dimensions: 1.12 x .79 inches. I venture to say this egg is probably that of G. heinii.
\nMr. W. White, of South Australia, sends me a note of having taken a nest of the Ground Thrush on Mount Lofty, which is probably the extreme western limit of the bird's range. I looked in vain for a Ground Thrush in the great timber tracts of Western Australia.
\nResources
Transcribed Archibald James Campbell. Nests and Eggs of Australian Birds, including the Geographical Distribution of the Species and Popular Observations Thereon, Pawson & Brailsford, Sheffield, England, 1900. Transcribed from pp. 184-188.
REED WARBLER (Acrocephalus Australis, Gould - 246)
\nGeographical Distribution - Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania; also Lombock (A. R. Wallace).
\nNest - Cup shaped, deep; outwardly composed of long, soft, pliable stems of aquatic plants, woven and intermixed with swamp débris, roots, &c.; usually firmly secured on four or five reeds standing in water. Other examples are composed of a mass of dark-coloured roots; lined inside in either case with a goodly supply of clean yellowish grass, chiefly the soft tops of flowering portions. Dimension over all, 3 to 3½ inches by 3¼ to 4 inches in depth; egg cavity, 1 5/8 to 1¾ inches across by 2 inches deep.
\nEggs - Clutch, three to four; swollen oval in shape; texture of shell close and fine; surface glossy; colour, greyish or greenish-white, faintly spotted, in other instances boldly blotched, with roundish markings of umber or olive of different shades, and grey. Dimensions in inches of a proper clutch: (1) .83 x .61, (2) .82 x .6, (3) .79 x .6; of a smaller sized set: (1) .7 x .54, (2) .7 x .54, (3) .69 x .53. (Plate 9).
\nObservations - The Reed Warbler is an intensely interesting bird, ranging down Eastern Australia to Victoria and Tasmania, but coming and going mysteriously in the southern parts of its habitat.
\nBesides being a migrant, the Reed Warbler, as its name indicates, is a merry and cheerful songster, not only by day but by night, its song being quite canary-like. As the bird betakes itself to sedgy sides of rivers and to reeds and rushes of swamps, one cannot always see the birds in such secluded coverts, but their presence or arrival may always be ascertained by hearing their loud merry warbles.
\nWhen I first came to Armadale, not far distant from my home there use to be an abandoned brick quarry, partially filled with water, wherein flags grew. Here one or two pairs of Reed Warblers found a secure retreat. Often have I loved to listen to their lively voices, especially at evening, and sometimes through the night.
\nThe following are some promiscuous dates of the arrival of Reed Warblers in the vicinity of Melbourne: -
\nSeason 1886 - Birds heard at Yarraville, 1st September. On the 21st, others heard at Caulfield swamp, where none were present the previous day.
Season 1890 - First birds heard at 'Como' on the Yarra, end of August or beginning of September.
Season 1896 - First heard on the Yarra, near Toorak, 9th September.
Season 1897 - First heard on the Yarra, near Toorak, 9th August.
In the Bendigo district, Dr. W. Macgillivray has noted the Reed Warbler early in August.
\nMy data referring to the Reed Warblers' departure are not so complete. I recollect examining one nest containing young, apparently not many days old, on the 28th January (1895). Nine days afterwards, or on the 6th February, they had flown. February is the month the Warblers commence to retire northward. It was noticed in the neighbourhood of Toorak that during the second week of that month (in 1897) the birds left the river for the shrubs in the gardens close by before finally taking their departure, which was apparently accomplished by the last week of that month.
\nOn a balmy summer day it is a glorious experience for the enthusiastic egg collector, after donning a pair of old pants and boots which will as readily let water out as in, to walk through the sedges of a swamp. He quickly gets lost to view in the tall ranks of thick reeds, which he parts with first one hand and then the other, proceeding slowly, not unfrequently floundering into a hole, and consequently finding himself suddenly up to his arm-pits in the cooling water. Now and again a nest is espied, about two feet above the surface of the water, built on a few upright flags, and containing two, three or four, as the case may be, of the familiar greyish, brown-mottled eggs.
\nOn the margins of the Yarra, near Melbourne, some of the Reed Warblers, on account of the absence of reeds, suspend their nests in the drooping green tresses of willows that hang over thee river. As a rule, the Reed Warbler builds over water, but instances are known where nests have been observed on dry land, perhaps fifty paces from water, in herbage, such as flowering stocks of dock-week, &c.
\nThe first eggs are usually laid about the middle of October. At the height of the breeding season Reed Warblers appear to build their nests very rapidly. On the 24th November (1888) I visited a strip of sedges in a favoured locality and found two or three nests building. Going through the same sedges eleven days subsequently I examined no less than fourteen nests containing a total of thirty-eight eggs, mostly fresh, or an average of 2 4/7 per clutch.
\nRespecting the Reed Warbler in a more northerly habitat, I possess Mr. Herman Lau's note from South Queensland. He says: - 'Reed Warbler - one of our best singers, in all respects like its European cousin - lays three eggs. Sings during incubation at all times, even during the night. Comes to Queensland in the latter end of August, and leave, after rearing two broods, in February. Took eggs at Tummaville, twelve miles south of Yandilla, 1868.' \n
The illustration, although conveying a fair idea of the nest, is hardly a successful photograph.
\nResources
Transcribed Archibald James Campbell. Nests and Eggs of Australian Birds, including the Geographical Distribution of the Species and Popular Observations Thereon, Pawson & Brailsford, Sheffield, England, 1900. Page 181-183.
STUBBLE QUAIL (Coturnix pectoralis, Gould - (486))
\nGeographical Distribution - Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria, South and Western Australia, and Tasmania.
\nNest - Upon the ground in crop or herbage, the nesting hollow, 4-1/2 inches across, being lined with straw or grass as the case may be. (See illustration.)
\nEggs - Clutch seven to eleven or twelve, rare instances maximum fourteen; roundish oval in shape; texture somewhat coarse; surface glossy; colour, dirty-yellow, heavily blotched and smudged with dark olive green. Dimensions in inches of a proper clutch; (1) 1.27 x .91, (2) 1.27 x .9, (3) 1.25 x .93, (4) 1.25 x .88, (5) 1.22 x .91, (6) 1.22 x .92, (7) 1.19 x .88. (Plate 17).
\nObservations - The Stubble Quail may be said to be the only true Quail in Australia. As its name implies, it frequents grassy or stubble-like localities on plain or in forest alike, and is found throughout Australia, except perhaps the extreme north, and Tasmania.
\nIt is a fine bird, with its brown coat, the feathers being zig-zagged transversely with lines of black, and striped down the centre with spear l-like markings of yellowish-white. The chest and flanks are brown, while the abdomen is whitish; feet also whitish, dark, and eyes hazel. Total length about 6-3/4 inches; bill, ½ inch wing, 3/7/8 inches; tarsus, 7/8 inch. The male is readily distinguished from the female by the black markings on his chest and his buff-coloured throat, the throat of the female being white. Two brace of both sexes presented to me by a friend at the opening of last season weighed 15 ounces total.
\nDuring his rambles in Australia, Gould frequently found nests and eggs of this Quail, remarking that 'the number of eggs in each nest varies from eleven to fourteen. The situations chosen for the nest are much diversified; sometimes it is placed among the thick grass off luxuriant flats, while at others it is artfully concealed by a tuft of herbage on the open plains.'
\nI possess pleasant recollections of my first experiences amongst the Stubble Quail, when long ago, as boys, we used to find their eggs in the crops on the plain, or under rank tussock grass that clothed the banks of the Werribee River. So plentiful were they one season that we captured some of the birds themselves, not to mention maimed birds that had survived the shot of the fowler and escaped his dogs.
\nMr. C.H. Grove, Snowy River, Gippsland, sent me the following interesting note, together with the clutch of seven Stubble Quail's eggs:- 'Bird commenced to lay 30th November (1891) and laid for seven consecutive days, the smallest egg (a brownish-coloured example) being the last. The nest on the first day was a bare hole scrapped in the ground, but after the eggs were all laid some slight attempt was made at lining it.'
\nIn Southern Victoria, before the Quails were disseminated or distributed, \"Old Bushman\" (the late H.W. Wheelwright), in his fascinating little volume, 'Bush Wanderings of a Naturalist', remarks that he observed the Stubble Quail come down about the middle of September, and remain to breed, and early in February they all appeared to leave the breeding grounds, but not the district, for they them packed, and in certain localities large flocks were to be seen late in March. The call-note of the Stubble Quail is a loud, oft-repeated 'to-weep', the native name of the bird. Their note as they rise is a sharp chirp. Sportsmen regard the bird as easy to kill on account of its straight flight. Some of the earlier birds breed in September, others later, according to the season, the majority laying in the summer months (i.e., December, January, and February), or when the seeds ripen. We have many instances of late (probably second) broods in Victoria.
\nI knew of an incident at Mordialloc, on the opening day of the shooting season for Quail (1st March, 1897), when a Stubble bird rose and was shot, it being afterwards ascertained she flushed from a set of six fresh eggs. The same season, in Gippsland, at mid-winter (July), a clutch of newly-hatched young was seen.
\nCaptain Doveton, a keen sportsman, kindly furnished me with a note of having seen, at Sunbury, on 28th April, 1888, Stubble Quail too young to shoot.
\nMy friend Mr. A.W. Milligan, in communicating to The Australasian, and writing from Gippsland, the season 1895, states:- 'It might be interesting to some of your sporting and scientific readers to know that on Good Friday morning last, 12th April, whilst Quail shooting on the Traralgon Park Estate, Traralgon, I found a Quail's nest containing seven eggs. On breaking one of them I found it to have been comparatively new-laid. On Easter Tuesday following, the dogs of my friend who accompanied me flushed a 'squeaker,' which I subsequently caught, and have now in captivity.The dogs on the same day found three much younger birds, which were unable to fly, one of which they killed. The birds were the Coturnix pectoralis, or Stubble Quail.'
\nI could recount many other instances of Quails breeding laet in the season, were it necessary.
\nThere has been much controversy in Victoria, about the close season for Quails, many of our sportsmen complaining that it opens too late (i.e., 1st March); but I think it would be to the sportsman's own interest to let the law remain as it is, besides, it would give the birds the benefit of the doubt. Our Quail are not migratory, as some persons suppose, but their movements are regulated by the seasons. If they were migratory, they would disappear from Tasmania also, where, if I remember rightly, the shooting season does not open till the 1st May.
\nA fact that mitigates against our brooding Quails is that they are prone to nest in grain crops, which are usually garnered before the young are hatched; thus many eggs are destroyed. Then if the old birds seek other pastures they have hardly time to rear second broods before the hunter's gun is heard. I may here give the interesting and valuable remarks of 'Neno,' as they appeared in The Australasian, 5th December, 1896 :- 'The common belief is that Stubble Quail migrate, arriving in Victoria in spring, and leaving in autumn. Such a belief is erroneous. Quail do not migrate. They certainly shift about, and at odd times, owing to bad seasons, they move off to better feeding grounds. In spring the stubble birds are numerous on the grassy river flats and reclaimed coast marsh lands of South Gippsland, also in growing crops, and such like places. Young Quail may be seen in November, and I have noted them up to the end of February. When the shooting season opens in March many birds are shot on the flats and stubble fields, but during April and May sportsmen find that they are getting scarce in such places, and nine out of ten shooters will tell you that the birds are migrating. Not so; they have only gone to better feeding grounds, and will not be far off. The great wastes of barren bayonet or spear grass plains are the winter home of the Stubble Quail. The birds feed on the rich sunflower-like seed of the spear-grass. There are miles of spear-grass plains in South Gippsland, stretching from the mouth of Powlett River round to Foster In winter Quail are to be found wherever the spear-grass is in seed. The rat-tail-shaped seed pods are known locally as black-heads. Shooting over these plains I kill mostly stubble birds in the open, an d Brown Quail on the edges of patches of stunted tea-tree. On the dry ridges I get an occasional brace of Painted birds. The plains simply swarm with the little King Quail. The best shooting is to be had in June and July. In March a good shot should account for every bird rising in range, for, as a rule, they are mostly squeakers, but on the open spear grass plains on a chilly winter's day, with a stiff breeze blowing, the fine full-conditioned Stubble or Brown Birds get away with strength and speed, that will test the skill of the most expert. During last winter (1896) Quail were exceptionally plentiful on the Powlett Plains, and at Cape Patterson, but the market shooters swept over the country, and cleaned them out to a bird. There were hundreds of brace shot round about the village of Inverloch alone. The marketer uses the best nitro powders, and I have seen one tramping behind eight setters, working regularly day after day, and killing out every bird, often shooting as many as thirty brace in a day. When a marketer camps on a shooting ground he appears to consider that he is sole owner of the game, and manfully disputes the right of anyone else to shoot. I need scarcely say that he is not much loved by the sporting Quail shooter. When shooting in winter on the plains I have noticed the absence of Hawks. One would naturally expect to find them where game is so plentiful, yet we rarely see anything but an occasional Eagle. I often shoot specimens of the domestic cat gone wild, foxes and native cats on the Quail grounds; and I think the fox is the greatest enemy they have.'
\nYoung in down resemble miniature chicks of a domestic fowl, being brownish in colour, indistinctly striated with black.
\nResources
Transcribed Archibald James Campbell. Nests and Eggs of Australian Birds, including the Geographical Distribution of the Species and Popular Observations Thereon, Pawson & Brailsford, Sheffield, England, 1900, pp. 721-724.
WHITE-BREASTED ROBIN (Amaurodryas Gularis, Quoy & Gairmard - 177)
\nGeographical Distribution - West Australia.
\nNest - Cup shaped; composed of strips of bark, fine twigs and leaves; in some instances decorated out-wardly with dead, bleached pieces of bracken fronds; lined inside with fine rootlets and grass. Usually placed low in the upright forked branches of a small tree (such as a Casuarina), in the fork of a grass-tree (Xanthorrhoa), or in a thick bush in forest. Dimensions over all, 3½ to 4 inches by 2½ inches in depth; egg cavity, 2 inches across by 1¼ inches deep.
\nEggs - Clutch, two usually; inclined to oval in form; texture of shell fine; surface glossy; colour, olive or bronze-green, of a darker shade on or around the apex. Most resemble those of the Dusky or Hooded Robins. Dimensions in inches of a clutch: (1) .83 x .6, (2) .81 x .61; of another pair: (1) .86 x .61, (2) .83 x .59. (Plate 12).
\nObservations - The White-breasted Robin has a habitat peculiar to Western Australia, and may be easily identified by its dark, greyish coat, all under surface being white. Both sexes are alike in colour. To discover its nest and eggs was one of the tasks I set myself before leaving Melbourne for the great western territory. I had not been in the Albany district a week before I made my way to the Tor Bay saw-mills. There, to my delight, a pair of White-breasted Robins almost immediately introduced themselves by appearing about the men's quarters. In a day or two (2nd October, 1889) I was enabled to track them down to the creek close by, where, in a fork of an erect she-oak (Casuarina) sapling, eight or ten feet up, I discovered the nest containing a pair of eggs, about half-incubated. A few days or a week sub-sequently, in another part of the forest, I took a second nest, hidden in the fork of a grass-tree (Xanth-orrhoa), where the drooping, rush-like foliage carefully concealed the home. These eggs were perfectly fresh. A third nest, I found in a thick bush in the Karridale district, contained an addled egg.
\nGould and other authorities class the Whit-bellied or White-breasted Robin with the Eopsaltria, and I have ventured to place it in the genus Amaurodryas, with the Dusky Robin of Tasmania, to which, oologically at all events, it more closely belongs. Probably the chief breeding months for the White-breasted Robin are from September to December.
\nResources
Transcribed Archibald James Campbell. 'Nests and Eggs of Australian Birds, including the Geographical Distribution of the Species and Popular Observations Thereon', Pawson & Brailsford, Sheffield, England, 1900. pp.148-149.
YELLOW-BELLIED FIG BIRD (Specotheres Flaviventris, Gould - 287)
\nGeographical Distribution - Northern Territory, Queensland and New South Wales, also Ké Islands.
\nNest - Open, shallow; composed of wire-like stalks or tendrils of plants, and lined inside with brownish twigs. The structure can be easily seen through from beneath. Several nests are usually placed in the topmost horizontal branches of a tall eucalypt. Dimensions over all, 5 inches by 3 inches in depth; egg cavity, 3½ inches across by 1½ inches deep.
\nEggs - Clutch, two to three; oval in shape; texture of shell moderately fine; surface glossy; colour, varies from a delicate green to olive-brown, but usually pale or light green, moderately spotted and blotched with rufous or reddish-brown and purplish-brown. Similar to those of the Southern Fig Bird. Dimensions in inches of a pair: (1) 1.23 x .91, (2) 1.2 x .92. (Plate 6)
\nObservations - The Yellow-bellied Fig Bird is usually confined to Northern Australia and some of the islands beyond. However, Mr. S. W. Jackson noticed in the Clarence district of New South Wales, January, 1890; and another season subsequently, during the same month, he saw numbers of the bird at Byron Bay, where he shot a pair. The male is a beautiful creature, its rich jonquil-yellow under surface being shown off to perfection with aesthetic olive-green coat and glossy black cap, and eyes surrounded by bright crimson orbits. The female differs from her lord in being olive-brown with streaked markings like her cousins, the Orioles. Total length, 10 ½ inches; wing, 5 ¾ inches; bill, 1 1/8 inches; tail, 4 ¼ inches; tarsus, 7/8 inch.
\nThe most striking birds that visited the precincts of our camp at Cardwell were the males of this species. They often, especially in the morning, perched on the summit of the very trees to which our tents were suspended, and poured forth over our heads beautiful songs not altogether unlike those of the English Thrush. As in the case of the Yellow Oriole, we were much too early in the season for eggs. Macgillivray, a valuable correspondent of Gould, reported that once at Cape York he saw several nests which he (Macgillivray) which he entertained no doubt belongs to this bird; nearly all of them were built among the topmost branches of very large gum-trees, which the natives could not be induced to climb. However, it was left to Mr. Dudley Le Souëf years after to bring to scientific light the nest and eggs. He found the birds plentiful in the open country in the Bloomfield River district, and, as Macgillivray also noticed, often in company with Friar Birds (Philemon).
\nMr. Le Souëf's own words are: - 'We noticed them building on a small white gum-tree, on 18th October (1893), and found five of their nests on the tree, also that of a Silvery-crowned Leatherhead (P. argenti-ceps); they were all built near the ends of thin boughs, and only one could be got by our native climber. We could see from below how many eggs were in each nest, the full clutch being three. Our blackfellow had a long thin stick, and the nests he could not get at, he rolled the eggs out one by one, and I caught them all uninjured in my hat as they fell.' A field note, kindly sent me from Mr. W. B. Barnard, states that at Bloomfield River he found theYellow-bellied Fig Bird breeding in the month of January. At the extreme north (Cape York) his brother, Mr. Harry Barnard, in 1896 took the following nests: - In October, four nests, two with each three eggs and two with two; November, two with each three eggs, December, one with two eggs. Usual breeding months October to January.
\nResources
Transcribed Archibald James Campbell. Nests and Eggs of Australian Birds, including the Geographical Distribution of the Species and Popular Observations Thereon, Pawson & Brailsford, Sheffield, England, 1900. Transcribed from pp. 84-85.
WHITE-SHOULDERED CATERPILLAR CATCHER
\nGeographical Distribution -Whole of Australia and Tasmania (casual), also New Guinea.
\nNest - Small and shallow, loosely composed of fine stalks of plants, bark, grasses, with the addition of cob-webs, chiefly on the outside, and situated generally in the uppermost pronged branches of trees or saplings, sometimes on a dead horizontal branch. Dimensions of a fairly-sized nest, 3 inches over all, by 2 inches in depth; egg cavity, 2 inches across by 1 inch deep.
\nEggs - Clutch, two or three; roundish oval in form; texture of shell fine; surface glossy; colour, light or dull warmish-green, somewhat heavily blotched, especially about the apex, where the markings are confluent, with umber or reddish- brown and dull-slate. There is considerable variation in the ground-colour, which is lighter in some instances, darker in others, and frequently nearly covered with the reddish markings. Dimensions in inches of a proper clutch: (1) .81 x .64, (2) .79 x .63, (3) .78 x .65. (Plate 7.)
\nObservations - At one period or other of the year this bird is common to the whole of Australia. Its prevalence in the southern parts, however, is only noticed in summer, when it breeds, returning northward again in winter. It used to be well-known to collectors years ago in the vicinity of Melbourne, where in an afternoon two or three nests might easily be detected by the bird sitting in the topmost forked branches of black wattles (Acacia). The White-shouldered Caterpillar Catcher arrives at its most southerly limits about the beginning of September (I have noticed the bird in Riverina on the 1st, again at Mordialloc, Victoria, on the 19th), commencing to breed almost immediately, or by the latter end of that month. The breeding season continues into January or even February.
\nBoth Gould and Gilbert agree that during that particular season the male birds become very pugnacious by attacking each other in a desperate manner, or by chasing the female from tree to tree, at the same time pouring forth his sweet agreeable song.
\nGilbert's remarks of the bird in Western Australia apply accurately to our own in the east - that the nest is so diminutive that it is difficult to detect (except perhaps when the bird is sitting), and so shallow in form that it is quite surprising the eggs do not roll out whenever the branch is shaken by the wind.
\nDuring the progress of the Calvert Expedition in North-west Australia, numbers of the birds in immature plumage were noticed near Lake Way, in July. Near the Fitzroy River during February they were breeding, and several clutches of eggs were taken, which presented considerable variation in colour, some being heavily blotched with red on a pale-green ground, whilst others were streaked and blotched with dark-brown on a rich-green ground. The nests, which were as usual, small for the size of the birds, were built of fine grass, moss, cob-webs, and scraps of bark in the horizontal forks of the eucalypt and bauhinia trees, in such a manner as to make their discovery somewhat difficult.
\nFrom Mr. C. C. Brittlebank's observations it would appear that the male alone constructs the nest. He writes: - 'Re Campephaga, 17th February, 1897. Watched the male bird for over four hours in the morning, and about the same time in the afternoon, hard at work building the nest. His mate was nowhere to be seen. On the following day the same took place. This order of things continued until the nest was finished. We have observed this with three distinct pairs of birds.' Although the male in his conspicuous coat of black and white sometimes sits, he rarely or never feeds the young - he builds the nest, she feeds the young - a division of labour. Have any other observers noticed this?
\nResources
Transcribed Archibald James Campbell. Nests and Eggs of Australian Birds, including the Geographical Distribution of the Species and Popular Observations Thereon, Pawson & Brailsford, Sheffield, England, 1900, pp. 103-104.
WHITE BROWED SCRUB WREN (Sericornis frontalis, Vigors and Horsfield - 197)
\nGeographical Distribution - Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, and Kent Group (Bass Strait)
\nNest - Bulky, roundish in shape, with side entrance; somewhat loosely constructed of grass, moss, bark, and dead leaves and fronds; lined inside with fine grass and feathers. Usually placed near the ground in thick scrub or in debris. Dimensions, outward diameter, 5 or 6 inches; entrance, about 1 inch across.
\nEggs - Clutch, three; swollen oval in shape; texture of shell fine; surface glossy; colour varies from warmish or buffy-white to light purplish-buff, splashed and streaked with short marks of purplish-brown, sometimes chestnut, thickest on the apex, where they coalesce in the form of a zone. Dimensions in inches of a proper clutch: (1) .85 x .62, (2) .84 x .64, (3) .84 x .63.
\nObservations - The White-fronted, or more descriptive still, the White-browed, Scrub Hen, is a common species, enjoying a habitat throughout the whole length of Eastern Australia.
\nAccording to the 'British Museum Catalogue' Gould's smaller bird, S. minimus, is merely a northern variety of S. frontalis, and shows very distinctly the white eye-stripes. The question of variation of sub-specific differences in birds is very perplexing to ornithological students. There is another and insular variety of the White-browed Scrub Hen, which was first found during the expedition of the Field Naturalists' Club of Victoria to Kent Group, in 1890, for which Colonel Legge has proposed the sub-specific name gularis, (Victorian Naturalist, vol. xiii, p. 84, 1896) on account of its marked difference (darker) on the throat. It has also a conspicuously larger bill, and there are other minor points which serve to distinguish it from the mainland variety.
\nThe White-browed Scrub Wren and the White-naped Honeyeater (Melithreptus lunulatus) were two mainland species of birds, which we found on Kent Group, that are not found in Tasmania.
\nThere are various conjectures as to how the birds first came there. Their progenitors may have been carried to their insular quarters (about forty-five miles from the mainland) by the north-west gales that occasionally prevail. This agency may likewise account for the presence of the European Sparrow on Kent Group, which undoubtedly came from Victoria.
\nAnother cause may be the visitation of great forest fires in Gippsland, such as occurred in 1897-8. Indeed, Captain Simpson, of the steamer 'Thermopylae', did report on that occasion, that when off the Gippsland coast line it was completely obscured, and as immense volumes of smoke curled up from the fires and were blown seawards by a strong land breeze, thousands of insects and hundreds of birds were carried from their haunts far out to sea, numbers alighting on the rigging and decks of the steamer.
\nI have procured White-browed Scrub Hens from the Big Scrub of New South Wales, and have taken many of their nests artfully hidden away in scrub or forest debris in many localities in Victoria, notably in the coastal thickets of tea-tree (Leptospermum), where these birds may be said to be plentiful and breed early, some commencing to lay in August. In the season of 1888 I took three nests with each three eggs, on the 6th August. The following year, in September, I noticed five or six freshly-built nests, and one containing thee fresh eggs.
\nMr. C.F. Belcher reports that at the end of July, 1893, he took six nests, with eggs, of a Sericornis, in the Polygonum scrub, Lake Connewarre. I did not see a skin, but I believe the bird to be referable to this species. Some of the nests were on the ground, others were placed in tea-tree (Melaleuca), at a height varying from seven to eleven feet above ground.
\nAlthough this Scrub Wren usually builds low, I also recollect taking a nest with eggs, ten or twelve feet from the ground, or rather above water, near the tops of some melaleuca, on Phillip Island, Western Port, and October, 1880.
\nBreeding months are July to November or December.
Regarding the White-Browed Scrub Wren, and from knowledge gained through a correspondent in the Heytesbury Forest, Mr. Robert Hall states:- 'Before any sign of a nest was shown, a Sericornis placed a few grasses together in a thick-leafed bush, and continued to increase the mass for thirty minutes, when it discontinued, and gave vent to a number of grating notes to make up for lost vocal time, and appealed to its mate who had been hopping about branches close by watching the operation, for a recognition of its work. This was at 11 a.m., and it then adjourned work till 6 a.m. the following morning, when one hour's work was given to the nest. during the whole of which time a series of peculiar grating calls was given off, and nothing more was done until the same hour of the third morning 18th September, 1896), when the roomy cell of homogeneous plant-matter received the addition of an inner wall of another grassy material (mainly old withered leaves). The bird now made an alteration in its time table, and during the fourth, fifth, and sixth mornings, laboured from about an hour before noon to an hour after, working leisurely throughout the time until the lining was completed. On the seventh day the first egg was laid; colour brownish-purple spots and short streaks on a ground of lighter similar shades. The second egg was deposited on the ninth day of the month, and the third egg on the eleventh. On the fourteenth the bird had set itself to the task of incubation.
'In regular visits to four nests the eggs were found to be laid each forenoon early; the young birds hatched out on the twenty-third day from the time of laying third egg, and the young were able to fly on the fifteenth day from the breaking of the shell. The family immediately begins a nomadic life, and the locality is left to other birds before the morning of the following day. During the time of incubation the sitting bird leaves the nest to feed at early morning and evening, and at night returns with a small feather or some downy plumage, so that gradually the internal layer of its house is completed to it is satisfaction.
\n'In six nests observed in that district, two were lined with fur of rabbits, the others with feathers; all were inclined, with entrance protected from above, and all faced the north-east, which is the fine weather quarter at that period of the year. It was noticeable that the intelligence of the birds led them to build the external portion of their dome nest during rain or in early morning, when the wiry grasses are pliable, and the wet-softened material could be more easily adjusted to the required shape, while the inner layer was constructed at mid-day, when the material was drier.'
\nIllustrations of two nests of the White-browed Scrub Wren are given.
\nResources
Transcribed Archibald James Campbell. Nests and Eggs of Australian Birds, including the Geographical Distribution of the Species and Popular Observations Thereon, Pawson & Brailsford, Sheffield, England, 1900, pp. 245-247.
WHITE-HEADED TREE RUNNER
\nSittella Leucocephala, Gould - (374)
\nGeographical Distribution - South Queensland and New South Wales.
\nNest - Neat, small, open, upright; composed of spiders' webs and cocoons, covered outwardly with small pieces of greying bark placed parallel with and resembling the figure of the bark of the branch holding the nest - altogether a wonderful piece of mimicry both as regards colour and form of the nest; inside deep and lined with soft bark, spider and other insect cocoons. Usually situated in an upright, dead, forked branch near the top of a tree. The nest has an elastic tendency, and when removed from its resting-place readily contracts. Dimensions over all, 2 ¼ inches by 2 ½ inches in depth (or to the prong of the branch); egg cavity, 1 ½ inches across by 1 ¼ inches deep.
\nEggs - Clutch, three; roundish in form; texture of shell fine; surface glossy; colour, greyish-white, boldly blotched and spotted with sepia and slate. The eggs of the various species of Sitelloe are almost insep-arable from each other as far as appearance goes. But the eggs of the White-headed bird are slightly smaller than those of the southern forms. Dimensions in inches of a proper pair; (1) .63 x .51 (1) .62 x .5.
\nObservations - This sprightly Sittella is at home in the more inland portions of Southern Queensland, but it also frequents the northern parts of New South Wales. It is readily separated from its southern congeners by the pure white colouring of the head, hence its appropriate vernacular name; but the Pied Tree Runner has also a white head.
\nDuring my brief sojourn at Coomooboolaroo (Q.), October, 1885, most unfortunately I found the country suffering from the visitation of a disastrous drought. The cattle dead and dying on the station had a depressing effect on a stranger's feelings. What must it have been to the owners, Mr. George Barnard and his sons? As a matter of course, and although the breeding season for birds had fairly commenced, numerous species had not laid. Nothing has such a retarding tendency on the breeding instincts of birds as a droughty season.
\nHowever, strolling alone one day on the margin of a dry Brigalow scrub, I noticed some White-headed Tree Runners attentively examining or working at what appeared to be a notch on a dead topmost branch. This notch on closer inspection I found to be a nest which the little birds were constructing. This was encouraging, for the nest and eggs of this species had not yet been described. A further search in another direction discovered a second nest also in the course of construction. I left the nests as long as I could, even to the day before I left Coomooboolaroo (9th October), when Mr. Harry Barnard kindly ascended the trees and secured me the prizes - a pair of eggs from each nest. Great difficulty attended the taking of one nest, which was in an upright fork of a dead limb. This branch had to be sawn through and lowered gradually till it reached my hands below. Subsequently I made a photograph of it. (see illustration). These finds were reported to and duly recorded by the Field Naturalists' Club of Victoria.
\nSubsequently (1889) Mr. North independently described the eggs of the White-headed Sittella from the same locality, and was indebted, as he states, to the late Mr. Geo. Barnard for the same.
\nBreeding season, chiefly the months of September, October and November.
\nResources
\nTranscribed from Archibald James Campbell. Nests and Eggs of Australian Birds, including the Geographical Distribution of the Species and Popular Observations Thereon, Pawson & Brailsford, Sheffield, England, 1900, pp. 339-340.
WHITE-SHAVED FANTAIL (Rhipdura albiscapa, Gould - 134)
\nGeographical Distribution - Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia.
\nNest - Neatly and marvellously made, wine-glass shaped, with the base of the stalk broken off, composed of fine dry grass, but more usually of shreds of fine bark, matted exteriorly with spiders' web, imparting to the nest a greyish appearance; lined inside with soft grass, and sometimes fine, yellowish rootlets, with one or two horse-hairs added, and usually situated a few feet from the ground in warm scrub, where the nest is saddled on a naked horizontal twig (with the tail-like appendage extended underneath the twig upon which the nest is built) of a small sapling or bush, or more frequently on a branchlet overhanging a stream. Dimensions over all, 2-1/2 inches by 1-3/4 inches depth; not including the tai like appendage, 1 to 1-1/2 inches long; egg cavity, 1-1/2 inches across by 1-1/8 inches deep. (See illustration.)
\nEggs - Clutch, two or three; short oval in shape, prominently rounded at top end; texture of shell very fine; surface slightly glossy; colour ,light yellowish-white, mottled and spotted, particularly about the upper quarter, with light-umber or rufous and dull-grey. Dimensions in inches of a proper clutch: (1) .67 X .48, (2) .65 X .49, (3) .6 X .45. (Plate 8)
\nObservations - Generally described, this bird has the whole of its upper surface dark-grey; moon or crescent-shaped markings over the eyes and behind the ears, throat, tips of the wing coverts, margin of the secondaries white. Shafts of the tail feathers are also white (hence the vernacular name, White-shafted Fantail); under surface buff; eyes, bill, and feet black; total length, 6-1/2 inches (including tail, 3-3/4 inches.
\nThis exceedingly tame and lively little favourite is distributed over most of the eastern part of Australia, where it is everywhere met, especially in the more heavily-forested parts. The White-shafted Fantail has closely-allied representatives in Northern Australia, Western Australia, and Tasmania; therefore it is again advised that the study of their respective habitats will greatly aid the zoologist in separating the different species.
\nQuite a chapter might be written on this interesting and useful little Fantail and its beautifully-built, small elegant nest - sometimes not much bigger than the bowl of a large smoking pipe - which always attracts attention, particularly the singular ornamental handle or tail that is prolonged downward from the body of the nest.
\nWhen I meditate on those wonderfully-made little nests I always think of the lines, 'A Bird's Nest,' which I learned at school:-
\nIt wins my admiration
To view the structure of that little work -
A Bird's nest. Mark it well within, without;
No tool had he that wrought; no knife to cut;
No nail to fix; no bodkin to insert;
No glue to join; his little beak was all;
And yet how nicely finished! What nice hand,
With every implement and means of art,
And twenty years' apprenticeship to boot,
Could make one such another?
-Hurdis. \n
There are various suggestions about the utility of this tail, which is constructed long or short according to the whim of the bird. If not for ornamental purposes, I believe it is a case of pure mimicry, in which the nest and tail are made to represent an excrescence on the twig, the bird sometimes having to build its nest in exposed situations where food is plentiful; but whether it be essential for the stability of the nest or the safety of its contents, the tail always takes shape early in the construction of the nest. Although the nest proper is perfect for symmetry and neatness, the termination of the tail is frequently slovenly finished off, merely a few shreds of bark hanging by spiders' webs, which any breeze might unravel. The late Mr. T.H. Potts, who gave considerable attention to the Flycatcher of this genus inhabiting New Zealand, believed the affixing of the appendage steadied the nest in exposed yet good positions for a food supply for the young. It is probably in some situations exposed to sudden draughts or gusts of wind , which, agitating the twig, might endanger the safety of the eggs. Mr. Potts asks, 'Would not the resistance offered by this peculiar addition (the tail) lessen any such danger by diminishing the extent of the vibration?'
\nI have taken the pretty homes of the White-shafted Fantail from a variety of romantic situations. The first I ever found was overhanging a clear purling stream that had carved for itself a narrow track through a rich alluvial flat, where tall timber grew. The nest was low down, well under the shelter of one of the banks. In the Big Scrub of New South Wales I took another beautiful nest for two purposes, firstly, to enrich my collection from that locality, and secondly because it stood right in the way between my camera lens and a picturesque waterfall I intended to photograph.
\nMr. Lau writes, of the White-shafted Fantail:- 'This happy little bird may be seen all over the Downs of Queensland, in the open forest as well as in the scrub; but to look for its nest you have to resort to the latter place. In the month of October you may find a receptacle - a most lovely production - the property of this Flycatcher, sometimes within reach, although oft-times ten to twenty feet high in a tree. This nest is exactly the shape of a wine-glass without the foot, manufactured out of fine dry grass connected or enclosed by spiders' web, and lined throughout with fibres or fine rootlets. A nest containing two roundish eggs was taken at Cunningham's Gap, in the Toowoomba Range,1876. The first nest I found, however, was in 1856, at Ullandulla, New South Wales.'
\nWith regard to R. flabellifera of New Zealand, a closely-allied form to the R. albiscapa, the following periods of time noted by Mr. Potts respecting its nidification may apply to the Australian bird, and therefore not be out of place:-
\nOn the 23rd October he found a nest with only the foundation laid. The pair of birds building had a brood of three young ones to feed, hatched from another nest not far away. 27th.- Nest apparently finished and contained one egg. 29th.- Three eggs. 14th November.- Four young hatched. 27th - Young birds quitted their home.
\nSometimes the White-shafted Fantail will pull down a partly-constructed nest and built it elsewhere for no other reason apparently then its having been seen or watched b y some person. This little bird seems to be a favourite foster-parent of the Square-tailed Cuckoo (C. variolosus). The White-shafted Fantail is a late breeder. I have never taken eggs earlier than the 13th October, and have taken them as late as Christmas time. Between these periods probably two or more broods are reared.
\nResources
Transcribed Archibald James Campbell. Nests and Eggs of Australian Birds, including the Geographical Distribution of the Species and Popular Observations Thereon, Pawson & Brailsford, Sheffield, England, 1900, pp. 108-110.
BLACK AND WHITE FANTAIL (Rhipidura Tricolor, Veillot - 139 and 140)
\nGeographical Distribution - Australia in general, also New Guinea, Aru Islands, Solomon Islands and New Ireland.
\nNest - Cup-shaped, neat and symmetrical, with narrow but well-built sides, composed of dried grass or fine shreds of bark, felted outwardly with spiders' webs, some of the webs being worked round and underneath the fork or branch on which the nest is placed; lined inside with finer grass, a few fibrous rootlets, feathers, hair, &c., and usually situated on the dead portion of a low horizontal branch a few feet from the ground, more frequently above water. Dimensions over all, 2 ¾ inches by 1 ¾ inches in depth; egg cavity, 2 ½ inches across by 1 ½ inches deep. (See illustration.)
\nEggs - Clutch, three to four; inclined to be oval in shape, prominently rounded at one end; textured fine; surface slightly glossy; colour, light creamy-buff or yellowish-white, marked and spotted, usually faintly but sometimes boldly, with light-rufous or olive and grey, generally in the form of a belt around the upper quarter. Dimensions in inches of a full clutch: (1) .8 x .57, (2) .79 x .59, (3) .79 x .58, (4) .78 x .6; of a larger-sized pair: (1) .87 x .6, (2) .8 x .6. (Plate 8)
\nObservations - This bird is a simple study in black and white - the general plumage being glossy black relieved with a narrow line over either eye and abdominal parts white. Eyes, bill, and feet are black. Total length 7 ¾ inches, including tail 4 ½ inches and bill ¾ inch.
\nIf we include the smaller race of the north-west part of the Continent,? then the common Black-and-white Fantail is found throughout the whole of the Australia.
\nOne hardly knows where to commence the observations, which are always interesting, of this general favourite, sometimes called 'Wagtail' or 'Shepherd's Companion.' I shall just lead off from Mr. Lau's manuscript. Writing with reference to the Darling Downs, he says: - 'Queensland seems more the home than New South Wales of this lively, intrepid little customer, because, in spite of untiring search in the southern part of the last named State, I was never rewarded with its nest, although I often met with the bird. A lover of water, it courts the friendship of the Magpie Lark (Grallina), often builds with it in the same tree, chases with the Magpie Lark intruders, and finds with it the sustenance of life on the margin of a rivulet. The Fantail dances on the backs of horses, cattle or sheep, in search of parasites, also hopping in the grass before the devouring mouths of such animals, watching for frightened insects ascending from their hiding places. When with the Magpie Lark, the situation of the nest is high; but it builds low enough, frequently over water on the top of so-called snags, on posts, &c. Once in Glenelg I knew of a nest on the stem of a vine before my bed-chamber. In passing by, the birds always greeted me, but one morning the eggs were gone. I swore revenge and laid poison in the nest, which the following morning contained the corpse of a fat lizard. The open nest is neatly formed out of decayed grass and spiders' webs, lined with fibres, and contains three or four eggs. At least three broods are reared in a season, which extends from the end of August or September to December.'
\nI have taken these homely little birds' nests in Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland, and never particularly noticed, as Gould states, that a living branch always overshadowed the dead branch bearing the nest. Nor have I noticed any particular predilection of the Fantail to nest near a Magpie Lark's home. On one occasion I recollect finding a Fantail's nest with eggs in a small tree growing in a lagoon, near a Grallina's containing young, but there was also in the same tree a nest of the White-rumped Wood Swallow, with a set of beautiful eggs, placed within an old nest of a Grallina.
\nWith their peculiar rattle-like noise and restless actions, the Fantails soon betray the whereabouts of their nests.
\nIn confirmation of Gould and Mr. Lau's other remarks, that the Black-and-white Fantail sometimes rears three broods in a season, a farmer friend took particular notice of a pair near his home, and proved the fact, with the additional original informed that the first two broods, in that instance, were reared from the same nest.
\nA correspondent of the 'Queenslander', who enjoyed opportunities of watching the Black-and-white Fantail building its nest, states: - 'The site chosen for the nest is the horizontal fork of a small dead branch, generally near the tope of a tall tree standing close to water. Occasionally they build in a similar position in a fallen tree, and once I saw nest on the flat beam of a boat-house - a most unusual place. Having decided on a site, they call upon the patient and hard-working spiders, whose carefully-woven nets are torn away. The foundation is made by twisting the cob-webs around, under and across the two sides of the fork. Next a great many trips are made to the banks of the creek. Here they obtain the thread-like roots of plants, which have been exposed by the water washing away the soil. These rootlets, together with strips of soft bark, are twisted round the fork until a cup-like shaped is formed, the bird helping to mould it by turning round and round within the little cup and pushing and working it with its little breast, until the neatest and most perfect cup imaginable is at last formed. Then another visit is paid to the spiders, and with some more of their webs the birds cover the outside. The webs bind the roots together, and also give the net the exact appearance of the dead branch upon which it is placed, so that it quite resembles one of the warts or excrescences so common on our trees. No lining is needed, for the inside is quite soft'.
\nThe Black-and-white Fantail is exceedingly persevering in nest-building. The same correspondent one season notices no less than four nests build and eggs laid therein, which were either destroyed or stolen before the birds reared a brood. In one instance they removed portions of a previous nest to construct a fresh one some distance off.
\nThe history of a home: - 'A pair of 'Shepherds' built their nest in the peach-tree near my window. They started 28th August, had one egg on the 9th September, three by the 11th, and all hatched after dinner on the 26th.' - (E.D.B.)
\nIn the Dandenong district, Victoria, Messrs. Brittlebank and other collectors have on several occasions taken the egg of the Pallid Cuckoo (C. pallidus) from the nest of the Black-and-white Fantail.\nIn the Adelaide Museum there is a curious exhibit, a Black-and-white Fantail's nest built on the loop of a rope.
\nThe breeding months are from September to December, and probably in some localities to January.
\nResources
\nTranscribed from Archibald James Campbell. Nests and Eggs of Australian Birds, including the Geographical Distribution of the Species and Popular Observations Thereon, Pawson & Brailsford, Sheffield, England, 1900. Transcribed from pp. 116-118.
BUTCHER BIRD (Cracticus destructor, Temminick)
\nGeographical Distribution - Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, and South Australia.
\nNest - Open, basin-shaped, compactly constructed of fine dead twigs, lined with dry yellowish grass or with rootlets, casuarina needles, &c., and usually situated well up inn the forked branches of trees, in mistletoe clusters, &c. Dimensions over all, 7 inches by 31/2 inches in depth; egg cavity, 3-3/4 inches across by 2-1/4 inches deep. (See illustration.)
\nEggs - Clutch, three to five; roundish oval in shape; texture of shell fine; surface glossy; colour varies, sometimes in the same clutch, usually greyish or light-brown, spotted with reddish-brown and dull-slate, the majority of the markings forming a patch on or around the apex. Dimensions in inches of a somewhat small-sized clutch: (1) 1.13 x.86, (2) 1.13 x.85, (3) 1.06 x .84. (Plate 12.)
\nObservations - The common Butcher Bird may be said to enjoy a good range, including the States from Northern Queensland round to South Australia. The Butcher Bird may be described as possessing a dark coat, with the underneath surface greyish-white; the head is black relieved with some white about the face; the powerful bill is bluish horn-coloured, passing into black at the tip, where is a suggestive hooked notch; feet, leaden colour; eyes, dark reddish brown. Total length 11-1/2 inches, wing 5-1/2 inches, tail 4-1/2 inches, and bill 1-1/2 inches.
\nWherever there is a bush paddock, a belt of timber, or an open forest nook, from such a place will be sure to arise during some hour of the day the mellow flute-like notes of the Butcher Bird. Even after its nest has been robbed, it will sometimes favour you with its rich melodious song. However, when alarmed or angry, the bird can utter from the same beautiful voiced throat a harsh guttural scream.
\nMy earliest recollection of Butcher Bird nesting was many years ago, when we found a nest in the Murrumbeena district placed on the woody excrescence at the junction of a mistletoe (Loranthus) with the limb of the foster tree (a eucalypt) - a favourite position for a Butcher Bird's home. Perhaps the most handsome set of eggs I ever took was from a nest situated in a tall sapling near the creek at the rear of Oakleigh. They now grace the collection at the National Museum. The greatest number of eggs (five) I have found in one clutch of this species was on 19th September, 1894, when our genial field naturalist , Mr. Joseph Gabriel, and I were perambulating the fringe of a 'box' flat in Riverina. A quintet is, I believe, frequently taken in Queensland.
\nThe appellation Butcher Bird is well applied to the various Cractici. No doubt they slaughter for food many of the smaller species of birds, in addition to such vermin as small snakes, mice, &c. Once when Lyre Bird nesting in the Dandenongs, I watched from behind a fern tree trunk a Butcher Bird perched on the carcass of a tiger cat, pulling at the pleasant morsels, and every now and again pausing with bill poised in the air, as if enjoying the flavour of the decomposing beast.
\nUsual breeding months are August to November or December, when probably two broods are reared.
\nResources
\nTranscribed from Archibald James Campbell. Nests and Eggs of Australian Birds, including the Geographical Distribution of the Species and Popular Observations Thereon, Pawson & Brailsford, Sheffield, England, 1900. Transcribed from pp. 304-305.
SPOTTED BOWER BIRD (Chlamydera maculate, Gould)
\nGeographical Distribution - Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia.
\nNest - Flat, somewhat concave; loosely constructed of dead twigs or fine sticks; lined inside with finer twigs and grass; usually situated in a thick bush or tree in open forest country. Sometimes the nest is so frail that the contents may be seen through the structure from underneath. Dimensions over all of a good nest, 9 to 10 inches by 6 inches in depth; egg cavity, 4 inches across by 2 inches deep.
\nEggs - Clutch, two, occasionally three; shape inclined to oval, or long oval; texture and shell fine; surface slightly glossy; ground-colour light greenish-yellow. There are three distinct characters of markings, firstly, light-greyish blotches appearing on the inner surface of the shell; secondly, small stripes or hair-like lines of light-sienna and umber, as if painted with a camel-hair brush, in every shape and size round shell, principally zig-zagged latitudinally, but often taking longitudinal and other directions; and, lastly, over these a few darker and heavier stripes and smudges of umber. Both ends of the eggs are comparatively free from markings. Dimensions in inches of a proper clutch: (1) 1.64 x 1.04, (2) 1.63 x 1.05, (3) 1.55 x 1.04; a pair with more of the yellowish-white ground, and with both ends much freer from markings, measures (1) 1.57 x 1.06, (2) 1.5 x 1.07. (Plate 9.)
\nThe eggs are very beautiful and most singular in appearance, resembling fine porcelain with hand-painted markings.
\nObservations - The beautiful spotted Bower Bird is a dweller of the dry interior provinces.
\nIn a Riverina timber belt, how venerable and dark the cone-shaped pines (Callitris) appear, with every branch and branchlet, dead and living, bedecked with ornamental lichens! Their sombre character is relieved by the interspacing silvery, needle-like foliage of hakea trees of lower growth, bearing a crop of curiously-fashioned seed-balls; a species of acacia with short stiff leaves and with the wood not unlike the West Australian jam-wood for aroma, by its floral stores is celebrating \"Yellow-haired September;\" the quondong tree (Santalum), whose pendulous foliage clings likes skirts about its dark rough stem, is also seen, besides other dwarf trees called by lengthy botanical names; while all around the rich, red ground, well-grassed, sparkles with the flowers of small white immortelles, - such is the home of the Spotted Bower Bird as I saw it once in spring.
\nThere has been some discussion as to who first found the genuine eggs of the Spotted Bower Bird. I believe (and it is only my belief , without any direct proof, and therefore I am open to correction) that some of the earlier recorded finds, especially those on the coast of the northern portion of New South Wales, were none other than the eggs of the Regent Bird (Sericulus melinus). These coastal scrubs are the stronghold of the Regent Bird, whereas the Spotted Bower Bird, as I have stated, seeks generally the dry and arid parts of the interior. I have also the testimony of a keen observer inn the former locality that the Spotted Bower Bird is scarce there. Moreover, nothing would b e easier, at first sight, than to mistake a female Regent Bird for a Spotted Bower Bird when flushed from the nest. Probably the first discovered egg of the Spotted Bower Bird was obtained by Mr. A. N. Foot, in Queensland, and was exhibited by Dr. G. Bennett, of Sydney, at a meeting of the London Zoological Society, held 3rd June, 1873.
\nAnother of the first authenticated eggs discovered of the Spotted Bower Birds found by Mr. J.B. White, and described by Dr. Ramsay, vide Proceedings of Zoological Society, 1874. The same year (1874) Mr. Hermann Lau discovered a nest of this Bower Bird near Whitstone, South Queensland. I shall quote his original and interesting note:-
\n'This bird makes for the fruit when it ripens in the garden, especially the figs. The scrub, where it comes from, grows on a sandy bottom in the neighbourhood of the station. In this scrub I several times espied the bower of the bird, not like the edifice of the Satin Bird, which is closed on the top, but open. A cartful of bones* - the vertebrae of sheep predominating - pieces of glass, unripe wild fruit, even a shilling, sometimes betray the entrance of the bower.
\n'While bathing one afternoon in M'Intyre Creek, half-a-mile from the scrub, I observed a Bower Bird flying with a caterpillar in its bill. After dressing, I followed in the direction, and found its nest high in a tea-tree (Melaleuca) over the water, and procuring a ladder, beheld two young in the nest. Eventually I took the nest and young home, feeding the young for two months, as long as the season lasted, but at last they died.
\n'At the same place (Whitstone) I again got a nest with two eggs. December 1874. The nest represents small sticks, like that of a pigeon, but lined with grass, &c.'
\nWhen Mr. Lau was returning to his fatherland, this particular nest and eggs found a secure resting-place in the beautiful collection of Mr. D. Le Souëf, at the Royal Park, Melbourne.
\nAbout the end of October, 1877, while searching for specimens along a billabong f the River Darling, not far from Wentworth, New South Wales, I found a nest, about twenty feet from the ground, near the top of a red gum (Eucalyptus) sapling in a belt of timber. A bird (probably the hen) was sitting, and did not leave until I had climbed close to it. The nest was loosely composed of sticks and twigs, and lined inside with finer twigs and grass, and contained one fresh egg, the most remarkable for beauty and wonderful character of it is markings that it has ever been my fortune to find.
\nA nest of the Spotted Bower Bird was pointed out to me, from which a pair of beautiful eggs was taken on the 14th November, 1894. The nest was the usual frail structure, built at the height of about thirty feet from the ground, near the top of a pine tree (Callistris). The tree was situated about two hundred yards from a dwelling on Neimur Creek, Riverina, and was discovered by one of the lads tracking the bird while carrying a twig to construct its nest. The eggs, which are a light-coloured type, are now in the collection of Mr. Joseph Gabriel, Abbotsford, Victoria.
\nThe Spotted Bower Bird occasionally lays three eggs. Mr. R. MacFarlane, formerly of the Mallee Cliffs Station, New South Wales, found a nest containing three eggs in a needle-bush (Hakea). While the specimens awaited a favourable opportunity to be sent to Melbourne for my collection, the station cook it, is supposed, took a fancy to them, for they somehow mysteriously disappeared. Again, Mr. W. L. Hutton, writing to me from Lessington, near Bourke, says: - 'I saw three nests of the Bower Bird last season (1895), one of which had three eggs in it.' In Queensland, Mr W.B. Barnard found on the 12th December, 1897, an exceedingly handsome set of three eggs, now in my collection. The following is Mr. Barnard's field note concerning them: - I was travelling with a mob of cattle, and while coming through Moura run I found the nest in a sandal-wood tree, about fifteen feet from the ground. I could see the eggs through the nest from underneath. The old bird seemed shy, as she would not come near. Later in the day I found another nest, but it contained three young half-fledged. The nest was in a brigalow (species of acacia), about thirty-five feet from the ground.'
\nThe note of the Spotted Bower Bird is somewhat harsh and scolding. But it is not generally known, nor has it been properly recorded, that these birds are accomplished mocking creatures, as several of my bush friends can attest. The Misses Macaulay, of 'Bannockburn,' Riverina, had one or two birds which, at certain seasons, regularly between ten o'clock in the morning and two in the afternoon, used to visit the pepper trees in the garden, where the birds were heard imitating the calls of the noisy Miner (Misantha), Magpie (Gymnorhina), the Raven, but not quite so hoarsely, and Babblers (Pomatostomus); while the screech of the Whistling Eagle was so realistic as to cause a domestic hen and chickens to fly for cover, although no bird of prey was nigh. The Bower Bird also reproduces well the sound of a maul striking the splitter's wedge, and other familiar sounds, such as the mewing of cats, barking of dogs, &c.
\nMr. G. H. Morton, of Benjeroop, relates an amusing experience regarding the mimicry of the Spotted Bower Bird. His neighbour had been driving cattle to a given place, and on his way back discovered a nest in a prickly needle-bush or hakea tree. In 'threading' the needle branches after the nest, he thought he heard cattle breaking through the scrub, and the barking of dogs in the distance, and at once fancies his cattle had broken away, but could see no signs of anything wrong. He heard other peculiar noises, and glancing at his dog, as much as to say, 'What does that mean?' he saw the sagacious animal, with his head partly upturned, eyeing a Bower Bird perched in the next tree.
\nAlthough Gould has cleverly described the bower of this species, and, moreover, succeeded in taking one to England, which is now in the British Museum, and other authors have mentioned these wonderful creatures, without unnecessarily extending the present observations I may state that during our memorable 'flood' trip through Riverina, September, 1893, Mr. J. Gabriel and I embraced the opportunity of examining on the Pine Ridges six of the avenues or playing-grounds - all apparently in use - of the Spotted Bower Bird. Some of these singular structures we successfully photographed. They were under bushes, usually the prickly bursaria, and consisted of a pair of parallel walls of sticks, grass, &c., stuck into the ground on end, and heaped about wit bones, chiefly placed about either entrance. I give details of three of these bowers, which may be taken as types.
\nUnder a clump of bursaria bushes, with thistles and other vegetation grown near - platform or approach larger at one entrance. Space immediately around the bower and centre of avenue-like walk composed of dead twigs, well trampled down. Exterior portion of walls composed of twigs; interior side of walls composed of yellowish grass stalks, with the seedling parts uppermost. Number of bones - leg bones, ribs, and vertebrae of sheep - ninety at one entrance, ninety-two at the opposite. Inside the bower were twenty-four bones. Other decorations inside and round about were - pieces of glass, twenty-four; hakea seeds, thirty; quondong (Santalum) seeds, four; and green pine branchlets, two.
\nAt the edge of the mallee (species of Eucalyptus) scrub, under bursaria bushes, with pines and bull-oaks (Casuarina) near. Bones placed just at entrances; bower somewhat open, and concaved towards the centre of the floor; built principally of a species of coarse tussocky grass and casuarina needles or foliage. (See illustration.)
\nSituated under native hop bush, and slightly curved in shape; principally constructed of coarse tussocky grass and casuarina needles, with a few branching twigs placed outermost. Usual heap of bones at either entrance, also bits of glass, quondong, hakea, and other seeds, portions of pig-face weed (Mesembryanthemum), pieces of Emu egg-shell, &c. In centre a handful of bones (fifteen) and quondong seeds (eight).
\nStatement showing the dimensions in inches of three ordinary-sized play-grounds or bowers of the Spotted Bower Bird:-
\nTotal Length of Play-Ground
\n62
\t\t\t\t\t\n42
\t\t\t\t\t\n63
\t\t\t\t\t\n\n
Length of Bower
\n17
\n18
\n27
Breadth of Bower from Outside Walls
\n20
\n16-17
\n27
Width Inside
\n6-7
\n7-8
\n6-9
Height of Walls
\n15
\n12
\n10-12
Thickness of Walls
\n5-6
\n4-5
\n8-9
Lost jewellery, coin of the realm, &c., have often been recovered at bowers. It is said that any decorations of the bower by human hands is resented by the birds, the items, however beautiful, being thrown out. However, if the bones, &c., belonging to the bower be scattered, the birds will always gather them together again.
\nIt has always been stated, but I have not been able to verify it, that this Bower Bird discriminates colours, and that it will carry nothing of a bright-red nature to its play-ground.
\nWith reference to Gould's C. occipitalis, Dr. Ramsay, who has examined the type, pronounces it to be only a fine-plumaged adult male of C. maculata.
\nResources
\nTranscribed from Archibald James Campbell. Nests and Eggs of Australian Birds, including the Geographical Distribution of the Species and Popular Observations Thereon, Pawson & Brailsford, Sheffield, England, 1900, pp. 198-202.
VICTORIA RIFLE BIRD, (Ptilorhis Victoriae, Gould - 364)
\nGeographical Distribution - North Queensland, including Barnard Islands.
\nNest - Oval in shape, open, shallow; somewhat loosely constructed of tough branching rootlets and a few broad dead leaves and tendrils of climbing plants; lined inside with a layer of broad leaves, upon which are placed portions of very fine twigs. Usually situated in dense scrub. Dimensions over all, 8 inches longest breadth, shortest breadth 6 or 7 inches by 3½ inches in depth; egg cavity 4 inches across by 1½ inches deep (See illustration.) \n
Eggs - Clutch, two; blunt or stout oval in shape; texture of shell somewhat fine; surface glossy, with a few crease-like lines running lengthwise; colour of a fleshy tint, streaked in various lengths and breadths longitudinally with rich reddish-brown and purplish-brown. The markings commence near the apex, which is bare or nearly so, extend about half-way down the shell and assume the appearance of having been painted on (boldly at the top and tapering downwards) with a camel-hair brush. Some of the markings are confluent, and appear as having been painted over each other. In one example, the longest single marking measured 0.48 inch by a breadth of 0.09 inch. Dimensions in inches of a proper clutch: (1) 1.24 x .92, (2) 1.24 x .89. \n
The type specimen of these beautiful eggs described by me in the Victorian Naturalist: 1892, figured by Mr. D. Le Souëf in the Proc. Roy. Soc. Vict. the same year, and now in the Australian Museum, has, in addition to the above-mentioned markings, a few small spots near the lower quarter and one large blotch of rich reddish-brown which has a smudged appearance. Dimensions in inches: 1.23 x .09.
\nObservations - This, the smallest, but none the less gorgeous of the Rifle Birds or Plumeless Birds of Paradise, is a dweller of the rich tropical scrubs of Northern Queensland, and its habitat is intermediate between the Rifle Bird of New South Wales and Queensland, and the Albert Rifle Bird of Cape York, being a limited strip of country of about 250 miles, extending from the Herbert River scrubs in the south into York Peninsula about the Bloomfield River district in the north. \n
Macgillivray, when surveying the North-east coast of Australia, discovered the Victoria Rifle Bird on the Barnard Islands and on the adjacent shores of the mainland at Rockingham Bay. On the islands he found three young males fighting, which he bagged with a single charge of dust shot.
\nMr. Kendall Broadbent, who is undoubtedly a good 'field' authority on our northern scrubs, gives some very interesting details of the Victoria Rifle Bird. He found the bird in the mountainous districts inland from Cardwell even more numerous on the western fall of the range than anywhere else. In its peculiar district it is so common that Mr. Broadbent has seen as many as eight male birds while merely riding along the road through the scrub. The birds attain their full size the second year, but the plumage of the male is not perfect until the third year.
\nDuring the months of July, August and September (which Mr. Broadbent considered were the breeding season) the male bird is continually on the move, flying or hopping, and calling almost incessantly. On this latter account he is most easily obtained at this time of the year. After September, Mr. Broadbent relates, the male is very quiet, a fact that I thing would suggest its breeding season had only commenced, which, by subsequent discovery by other collectors of several nests with eggs, proved to be the case. The play-grounds and habits of the Victoria Rifle Bird are indeed remarkable, and aid is proving the affinity of Rifle Birds with Bower Birds. Mr. Broadbent proceeds to state: - 'Each male bird, as though by mutual agreement, has possession of a fixed domain, possibly some hundreds of yards in extent. In this area he has absolute rule - that is, as far as he can rule - and, if another male should enter on the ground, a fight ensues, the victor remaining in possession.
\n'A further interesting fact in this connection is the 'play-ground' used by each male bird. In early morning the bird resorts to his play-ground and there sports himself, now spreading his wings and rubbing them against the surface of the play-ground, and then whirling round with wings expanded. This he sometimes keeps up for a long a half-an-hour. No trouble is taken in preparing the ground, as in the case of the Bower Birds with their wonderful bowers. The bird simply selects the broken limb of a dead bum on the border of the scrub, a broken palm, or perhaps a dead stump; but, having chosen this, here he returns at dawn day after day, especially in (? before) the breeding season. Once having seen a bird at play in such a place, it is no difficult matter to obtain it is future; in this way I once procured a specimen which had selected a tree stump for its 'ground', and at a later date secured a second bird which had seemingly inherited the vacant property.'
\nOne of the chief objects of my trip to Queensland in 1885 was to gain, if possible, some information respecting the nidification of this Rifle Bird, which was up to that time a sealed book, or one of Nature's secrets. Although I did not succeed in procuring eggs, I had better give the story of our glorious outing amongst the birds themselves as it appeared in the columns of The Australasian, under the title to 'A Naturalists' Camp in Northern Queensland,: my companions being Messrs. A. and F. Coles, Melbourne, and Mr. A. Gulliver, Townsville: -
\n'While encamped at Cardwell, we determined to see the Rifle Bird in its native element, and, if possible, procure skins, and, as the Rockingham By variety was rarest, we were doubly anxious for success. Having failed to observe any of these birds on the mainland, and knowing that they were tolerably plentiful on some isolated islands up the coast, we resolved to enlist our friend, Mr. Walsh, sub-collector of Customs, into our services. We had no sooner made known our errand than he replied a trip could be capitally arranged, because he had officially to visit that part of the coast, and could go with us in the pilot cutter. It was a delightful morning as we left the camp behind and briskly 'pegged out' for town, where we arrived at half-past eight o'clock. The tide was unfavourable, and we did not get aboard till two hours later. Leaving port we had a fair wind, but when we got outside the bold land of Hinchinbrook Island the weather was rather dirty, with a strong south-each wind. We soon reached the Family Islands, a group of five, with slopes more or less grassed to the water's edge, where the blue sparkling water, grey rock, and green sward formed agreeable contrasts. Dunk Island was passed on the weather side, then King's Reef, which runs between Clump Point on the mainland and the two South Barnard Islands.
\nAfter a fair run of thirty-five miles we made the North Barnard, a group of five islets lying at various distances up to two-and-a-half miles from the mainland, and dropped anchor at about half-past four o'clock to the leeward of the largest and outermost island. Here our little craft strained at her anchor, pitching and tossing all night, much to the discomfort of invalided passengers. At sunrise nest morning our skipper pronounced the surf too great to enable the dinghy to land us with safety. This news was a great disappointment to us, especially as we were only a few cables' length from our much-coveted goal, so we decided to run for Mourilyan Harbour, on the mainland, distant about five miles, to wait until the weather moderated.
\n'Next morning at daybreak it looked calm outside, with a gentle land breeze we quietly slipped out, and before breakfast were once again riding at anchor off the outer Barnard. The island rises out of the Coral Sea to an elevation of about three hundred feet. It is half-a-mile long by a quarter broad, and enshrouded in luxuriant vegetation. Trees great and small show above the prevailing dense scrub. Although we appeared to be close in shore, it was a long row in the dinghy. A curling wave shot us on to the coral strand, which was bordered at hight-water mark with large, strongly-perfumed lilies (Crinum asiaticum), growing from broad flat-like leaves. A beautiful convolvulus (pomoa) of blue and purple festooned the nearer bushes. Up the face of the island large, noble and beautiful trees, the botanical name of which we had not learnt, met our gaze, contrasted with figs (Ficus magnifolia), Pongamia glabra, bearing large seed pods, and Ixora timorensis in flower, interlaced with small species of lawyer palm, and overgrown with innumerable creepers, pothos, and other climbers. I clambered up the face of a rough, rocky surface, with loose dark mould, sustaining crops of bird-nest ferns among vines and supplejacks; progress was rendered not only slow but difficult. When about half-way towards the summit of the island, I moved across the face and dipped into one of the numerous gullies or hollows which ran down to the sea. Here, with a fair outlook up and down hill, I waited the turn of events. Presently in the thicket I heard 'scrape'. My breechloader brought down through an entanglement of vegetation my first Rifle Bird - a female. After remaining in ambush some time I secured another female and returned to the strand, where I met the other members of the party in great ecstasies over a lovely male bird.
\n'Luncheon over, we took to the scrub, which was now uncomfortably damp from passing showers. After scrambling about until the perspiration was literally rolling off me, and as it had commenced to rain in earnest - real tropical showers - I thought, instead of chasing the birds, I would try an experiment and let them chase me. The idea was good, because after I had waited for some time there flew past me a lustrous black bird with rounded wings and of compact appearance. During flight its feathers produced a peculiar rustling noise like a new silk dress. Between thirty and forty yards off it alighted, and darted behind some green branches. In an instant, reckoning on the intervening obstruction, I discharged No.6 instead of dust shot. I was immediately surrounded by thick smoke hanging in the damp air, but whether my beautiful feathered visitor had fallen or flown I knew not. Overcome with excitement, I felt as if I could hardly venture to ascertain. I crawled slowly up the gully through prickly creepers, and on parting a bush there I beheld a gorgeous male Rifle Bird, dead, upon its back. It was a beautiful object in its rich shining garb.
\n'Two males and one hen fell to the second member of the party. The botanist was a long time in showing up, so we conjectured that he was either lost or had obtained a big bag. Both surmises proved correct. Every attempt he made to reach the beach he found himself on the wrong side of the island, but during his wanderings he 'bagged' no less than three males and seven hens. When he emerged from the scrub he looked a woebegone sight, dripping wet, scratched and bleeding, hair over his forehead, with gun in one hand, while under the other arm were the birds carefully rolled up in his hat. We enjoyed a hearty laugh. We soon got afloat, changed our clothes, and refreshed ourselves with a warm supper. Then followed the reckoning of the day's work - grand total, seventeen Birds of Paradise - the greatest day's taking of rarities recorded in the annals of Australian ornithology. Certainly it was a most unfortunate day for the poor birds, and for their sake let us hope it may never occur again. We were the best part of the night turning our booty into skins. The weight of one of the birds was a little over two ounces. About midnight we left our anchorage, and turned the cutter's nose towards Cardwell, wishing to reach port before Sunday. Good headway was made at the beginning but at sunrise the wind died almost away, and we drifted on leisurely, aided by wind puffs and tides. It was a most charming day - above a cloudless vault, below the ocean, true to its name, Pacific. Lovely islands were slowly passed, behind which could be seen the mainland melting into distance. Taking all things into consideration, especially the unqualified success of the object of our cruise, we felt supremely happy.
\n'The success we met with during the eight hours we spent among the Rifle Birds only whetted our appetites for more information, especially as the dissection of one female bird proved that the breeding season had commence, and the finding of a nest would be the greatest oological discovery of the day. Therefore we agreed to undertake another trip.
\n'The Burdekin steamer (Captain J. Keir), a regular northern trader, was due at Cardwell from the south, and gave us the chance of staying two days at the islands. Terms were soon agreed upon, and once more our party left Cardwell. We were provided with a tent and a breaker of fresh water, the island being without springs.
\n'The steamer arrived abreast of our island shortly after three o'clock. The captain put us into the steamer's boat, and in landing we had much difficulty in keeping our paraphernalia dry on account of the surf. Our tent was pitched between two palm-like pandanus trees, surrounded by strongly-perfumed lilies and thick foliage, adorned with convolvulus. The richly-wooded slopes of the island completely sheltered us on the windward side. Being in the Coral Sea, and under the protecting influence of the Great Barrier Reef, whose nearest edges were not more than ten miles off, we felt perfectly secure in our insular quarters. Winds might blow and storms beat, but no great billows can ever disturb these tranquil shores. The islet we were on had not been specifically names before, so during a passing shower, in the name of all that is beautiful in nature we christened it 'Ptilorhis,' that being the name of the lovely Rifle Bird so abundant in its scrubs. Notwithstanding the evening being showery, we climbed to the summit of Ptilorhis Island but the result was nil. In our tent we spent a tolerably refreshing night, somewhat broken, however, by the annoyance caused by numerous indigenous bush rats, which are not quite so large as common city vermin. They are known as the long-haired rat (Mus longipilus) of Gould. These rats had not seen human being before, for they made themselves so uncommonly familiar as to run over our bodies. A pistol was discharged among them. The echo of the report from the island opposite had barely died away before the impertinent intruders were at their little games again.
\n'Wednesday, September 9th, was a bright day in our calendar. By daylight and before breakfast we entered the wet scrub, and were rewarded with a brace of beautiful White Nutmeg or Torres Strait Pigeons. These pigeons were just beginning to arrive from northern latitudes. They roost at the islands at night, returning to the mainland to feed at sunrise. We saw dozens of last season's nests. Although we heard their loud 'coo' in different places, the pigeons were difficult to sight through the thick foliage of the trees in which they sought refuge. After being much embarrassed by the wet-scrub and canes, I got a splendid male Rifle Bird and a brace of hens (their plumage being at perfection at this period of the year). I then dropped into a sylvan nook to watch the actions of the birds around me. Here tall and thick foliage almost shut out the light of day. Pretty little Rufous Fantails darted at me as if I intruded upon their particular dominions; Zosterops chirped overhead; Megapodes or Scrub Hens chased each other through the underwood, and, not detecting my presence, passed within a few feet, uttering curious crying calls. Where the ground was loamy they were patching up their huge egg-mounds for the coming season - interesting in their way, but the subject preoccupying my mind was Rifle Birds. At one time I was surrounded by no less than two male Rifle Birds and five hens; some were on the ground turning over small stones and leaves in search of food, others were preening their beautiful quills or stretching their necks from behind a limb to watch me. Both male and female occasionally uttered the peculiar hoarse, guttural 'scrape' noise, which was sometimes repeated twice in succession. I could not sufficiently admire the splendid shining appearance of the male bird in every position, but when it darted through the rich green foliage or posed upon a rock it was really a superb creature. I felt convinced that the majority of the birds had not commenced to breed, so at intervals I fired small charges of dust-shot, and secured a pair of fine males and one hen. We all turned up at the tent hungry and wet, and over a warm 'billy' of tea exchanged experiences. The takings were distributed as follows: - The botanists, a pair of Rifle Birds and a pair of Pigeons; the younger brother, a pair of Rifles, a Megapode, and such small fry; and myself, three pairs of Rifles. Although a sharp look-out was kept none of us saw any traces of nests.
\n'Rats were again troublesome at night. They ran off with our preserved milk tin, and also destroyed one of our fine Pigeons. In the morning we expected the steamer, therefore we chiefly occupied ourselves in striking camp, &c., and gathering collections of sea-shells. These were volutes, cowries, cones, in end-less profusion, the majority being empty. The beach was entirely composed of fragments of dead coral, hard as cement, washed up by the sea. When the tide was out the rocks, which are of singular form-ation, like those of the island, bespangled with mica crystals, retained innumerable curious marine creatures, such as small fish, water snakes, a most remarkable roundish animal furnished with long brittle spines, live coral of bluish tint, &c. Abundance of oysters adhered to the rocks. After a while the 'Burdekin' hove in sight. Since our landing the surf had increased considerable, and the crew had to manouvre to keep the boat from being swamped by the breakers while taking us off. Without mishap, Cardwell was reached at six p.m. Thus ended our second excursion to the Barnards (or Ban-ards, as many persons insist upon calling them, by placing the accent on the second syllable), making a most agreeable climax to our 'Naturalists' Camp in Northern Queensland.'
\nIn 1887 I received from Mr. Charles French, F.L.S., the supposed nest and eggs of the Victoria Rifle Bird, which I described in the 'Naturalist' of that year. The specimens were found in the Cardwell Scrubs by an intelligent reliable collection of Mr. French; but upon Messrs. Le Souëf and Barnard's subsequent discovery, it appeared the collector, Mr. French, and myself had been misled - the old story of \"one fool makes many.'
\nThe honour of the first authenticated discovery of the nest and eggs of the Victoria Rifle Bird rests with my friends, Mr. Dudley Le Souëf and Mr. Harry Barnard, who visited the Barnard Islands and as if drawn by psychological influence, actually pitched their camp under a tree which was afterwards found to con-tain a nest and egg, and the hen of the rare bird sitting thereon.
\nThe following is Mr. Le Souëf's own description of the finding of the nest: - 'The nest was found 19th November, 1891. Mr. Harry Barnard and myself watched the hen bird for some time, and saw her fly into the crown of a pandanus tree growing close to the open beach. Although we could not distinguish the nest itself, we could see the head of the bird as she sat on it. The nest was about ten feet from the ground, and the bird sat quietly notwithstanding we were camped about five feet away from the tree.'
\nMeeting Mr. Le Souëf at Brisbane on his return home, I was one of the first to see his new and interesting discovery. He, with characteristic thoughtfulness, permitted me to describe the nest and egg. I took the earliest opportunity of doing so by describing them at the next (December) meeting of the Field Naturalists' Club, and thereby corrected my former error. The egg was afterwards figured by Mr. Le Souëf in the Proceedings of the Royal Society of Victoria, and finally found a secure resting-place, as the type specimen, in the collection of the Australian Museum, Sydney.
\nIt would appear that Messrs. Le Souëf and Barnard visited the inner Barnard Islands, and not the outer, where my party and I found the Rifle Birds so numerous.
\nMr. Le Souëf made further inroads into the secluded domains of the Rifle Bird, but this time on the main-land in the Bloomfield River district, where he found the birds fairly plentiful in the scrubs, especially near the coast, their harsh note being often heard. They were by no means shy, and seemed to be very local, but great difficulty is attached to finding their nests. One was discovered 29th October in a fan palm, not far from the ground, by the blacks when clearing a place for their camp. It contained a pair of beautifully marked eggs. Before Mr. Le Souëf left, he found another nest building in a cordyline, only about seven or eight feet from the ground. The nest was carefully watched, and the eggs were taken on 20th November by Mr. R. Hislop for the finder. These eggs, a perfect pair, the third recorded find, and with a history so complete, now adorn my collection.
\nMr. Le Souëf saw a pair of Rifle Birds endeavouring to drive a Black (Quoy) Butcher Bird from the neighbourhood of their (the Rifles') nest, when they uttered a different note to their usual one. In building, according to Mr. Le Souëf, the Rifles seem to possess an extraordinary fascination for shed snake skins, as in two instances he saw pieces of snake skin worked into their nest, one piece being about three feet long, most of which was hanging loose. The hen bird, when sitting on her nest, is not easily disturbed.
\nMr. W. B. Barnard, who, with an English friend (Mr. Albert Meek), was collecting in the vicinity of the Bloomfield River at the time of Mr. Le Souëf's visit, has kindly supplied his field notes respecting the nidification of the Victoria Rifle Bird. He says: - 'Three nests with two eggs each were found. Two eggs were broken. The nest is often built in the fan palm, right at the trunk of the tree where the fronds join, fairly well hidden amongst the fibre. Mr. Le Souëf gives a good photograph of the nest. In one nest a snake's skin hung from inside down two feet. These birds build from the first week in September till the end of November.'
\nResources
Transcribed from Archibald James Campbell. Nests and Eggs of Australian Birds, including the Geographical Distribution of the Species and Popular Observations Thereon, Pawson & Brailsford, Sheffield, England, 1900, pp. 69-75.
The Wedge-tailed Eagle
\nGeographical Distribution - Whole of Australia and Tasmania.
\nNest - Composed of dead sticks, and lined inside with such material as stringybark or grass and green branchlets. Usually the structure is exceedingly bulky, but woomewhat flat on the top; a fair-sized nest measuring about five or six feet across; inside, or egg cavity, about fourteen inches across by three or four inches deep. Situation, always a commanding one - a tall forest tree, or the forked limb of a tree at the bend of a river, or on a good mountain outlook. On the plains of the interior, where timber is absent, the nest is sometimes constructed of grass and placed on a bush.
\nEggs - Clutch, two usually, sometimes one, rarely three; round in shape or round ovals; texture of shell coarse, surface dull and lustreless; colour, warmish-white, blotched and spotted with rusty-red or chestnut, intermingled with m dull cloudy purplish markings, which underlie the surface of the shell. In another paid the dull purplish markings predominate, one example having the whole of the smaller end covered with a large patch of dull or light purple. In a third clutch the dull markings predominate in one egg, while the other is so richly marbled or mottled with the rusty-red (in large patches in places) and purplish markings as to obliterate nearly the entire white surface. In some instances specimens have been known to be devoid of any markings, or one white egg in a pair.
\nObservations - The readers of AnthonyTrollope may regard the statement as Australian \"blow\" when I say that our Eagle, or as Australians call it, the Eagle Hawk, is larger than the famous Golden Eagle of Europe and elsewhere. Nevertheless, that is the fact, and any person who doubts may see both birds side by side in that well-ordered and instructive institution, the Zoological Garden, at Royal Park, Melbourne. It is somewhat remarkable that, in his Handbook, Gould has not recorded detailed dimensions for so large and important a bird as the Wedge-tailed Eagle. Diggles gives figures as follows: Total length, 38 inches; wing, 24 inches; tail, 17½ inches; bill, 2 ¾ inches; and tarsi or legs, 5 inches. The measurements of the Golden Eagle are:- Length, 32 inches; wing, 24 ½ inches; tail 13 inches. He does not give the expanse between tips of the wings, but I should say the measurement in an average specimen would be about six or seven feet. We are all familiar with the garb of the Wedge-tailed Eagle, which is dark-brown, almost black in some specimens. The difference between the brown and black plumage may be accounted for by age. The wedge-shaped tail, which first suggested the vernacular name of the bird, is generally black. The cere - i.e. the naked space between the feathers of the forehead and the bill proper - is yellowish, the bill yellowish-horn colour, passing into black at the tip, and feet also yellowish. Taken altogether, it is a noble and imposing bird, with searching hazel eyes set in a flat-crowned head.
\nThe Wedge-tailed Eagle enjoys a wide range throughout the length and breadth of Australia and Tasmania. It is, however, becoming rare in parts, and in the near future may be as scarce as the Golden Eagle in Europe, consequent upon the war waged against the bird by squatters and others for sundry pastoral depredations, which the splendid bird is tempted by nature to commit. If we only reflect for a moment, we shall learn that the good Eagles perform considerably overbalances the harm they do.
\nMost of my experiences amongst Eagles' nests have been with the Messrs. Brittlebank in that romantic locality known as the Werribee Gorge, and the adjacent ironbark forest ranges beyond Bacchus Marsh, Victoria. Since the gold era, these wide localities have remained practically undisturbed for years. In some of the more secluded gullies we have seen trees supporting two or three nests, while at one favourite bend no less than six bulky structures were in sight, showing how long the birds had retained the same spot. Of course, only one or two would be the new nests; the others were abandoned aeries. Sometimes we proved that a particular nest was added to and used again season after season, and contained a plentiful amount of fur, evidently from rabbits and other animals consumed by the birds and young. The favourite situation for a nest or aerie is about thirty feed from the ground in a tree on the face of a steep hill, with the gully two hundred feet below and a commanding outlook on either side. Eagles' nests in the locality mentioned have been taken as early as the end of August and as late as 26th October, the birds appearing to commence to mate in March and April. However, in other localities, notably in Queensland, eggs have been taken as early as the 10th June.
\nIn some instances the eggs were covered with branchlets or nest debris, showing the birds' caution in not leaving their eggs exposed, when the owners were absent. The nests Gould had opportunities of observing were placed on the most inaccessible trees. Although, during the months of August and Setpember, he repeatedly shot birds from their aeries in which there were eggs, he was unable to obtain them, not one but the aboriginals being capable of ascending such trees. But, during the year 1864, Gould received his first fine egg from Mr. George Angas, of South Australia.
\nDr. Ramsay, writing to the Ibis, 1863, says:- 'The first eggs I obtained were taken in August, 1860, and were given me by Mr. James Ramsay, at Cardington, a station on the Bell River, near Molong. They were taken from a nest by a black-boy who had 'stepped' the tree. The nest was placed upon a fork near the end of one of the main branches of a large eucalyptus. It was fully seventy feet from the ground, and no easy task to get to it. The structure was about three-and-a-half feet high by four or five feet broad, and about eighteen inches deep, lined with tufts of grass and with down plucked from the breasts of the birds, upon which the eggs were placed.'
\nResources
\nTranscribed Archibald James Campbell. Nests and Eggs of Australian Birds, including the Geographical Distribution of the Species and Popular Observations Thereon, Pawson & Brailsford, Sheffield, England, 1900. Page 11.
MAGPIE LARK (Grallina picata, Latham - 102)
\nGeographical Distribution - Throughout Australia and Tasmania (accidental).
\nNest - Bowl-shaped, built usually black, but varies in shade according to locality where; gathered; lined inside sparingly with grass and a few feathers, and usually situated on a bare horizontal limb of a tree in the vicinity of water, overhanging a stream, or standing in a lagoon. Dimensions over all, 5 -1/2 by 4-1/2 to 5 inches in depth; egg cavity, 4-1/2 inches across by 2-1/2 inches deep. (See illustration.)
\nEggs - Clutch three to four, occasionally five; usual shape pyriform; texture of shell fine, and surface glossy; colour, pearly-white, spotted about the apex with dark purplish-red and light-purple, but generally the ground-colour is pinkish, ranging in tone from light pink or pinkish-white to rich buffy-red, with markings of pinkish-red and purple, confluent, and forming a belt around the upper quarter; in some examples the markings are more blotched, and distributed over the whole surface. Dimensions in inches of two proper clutches: (A) (1) 1.14 x .8, (2) 1.11 x .82, (3) 1.10 x .8, (4) 1.1 x .81, B (1) 1.8 x .82, (2) 1.08 x .8, (3) 1.6 x .81, (4) 1.05 x .78, (5) 1.03 x .78. (Plate 6.)
\nObservations - It is well that this interesting and most useful of insectivorous birds is a cosmopolitan as far as Australia is concerned. The sexes are similar in size, both black and white, but the female is readily distinguished by her white face, whereas the male's is black. Bill and eyes are yellowish in both; total length of a specimen about 10 inches. Almost in any locality where fresh water is found, from north to south or from east to west, the familiar pied-plumaged figures of the Grallina may be seen, or its plaintive call heard. However, the bird is only accidental to Tasmania. Gould was of opinion the Grallina was only a partial migrant to Northern Australia, or was not stationary there, departing during the rainy season, that is, the summer. It would be well if this statement were verified.
\nThe hard mud-constructed nests of the Magpie Lark or Grallina always attract attention, so conspicuous do they appear, cemented on to a naked limb. Sometimes several are seen in the same tree, being the homes of successive seasons, for it takes many winters' rains to totally demolish a Grallina's nest. These old homes are also attractive to other birds, such as the White-rumped Wood Swallow (Artamus leucopygialis), and Little Cuckoo Shrike (Graucalus mentalis), the former invariably, the latter occasionally, constructing their own nests within the roomy and secure one of the Magpie Lark. If a clutch of eggs be removed, the Magpie Lark will lay again in the same nest; but a new nest is usually built every year, if not for every brood, of which there are two or more a season.
\nI recorded, 8th November, 1894, in the Proceedings of the Royal Society of Victoria, the occurrence of the egg of the Pallid Cuckoo (C.pallidus) in the nest of the Grallina. The nest was taken at Cheltenham by my young friend, Mt. John Sommers, and contained five eggs of the Grallina besides the Cuckoo's egg. For many years Mr. S.W. Jackson could depend on taking sets of pure white eggs, laid by a Magpie Lark, in the Clarence River district. I examined one of these singular sets in Mr. Jackson's collection. \n
During the wet season, 1889, in the neighbourhood of the Lower Murray, where nearly all the adjacent country was under water, some Magpie Larks, so Mr. George H. Morton informs me, elected to nest in certain very odd places. One built its nest on the rail of a swing gate; another upon the top of a post; whilst a third bird selected some iron hooks suspended in an outshed. Mr. C. M. Maplestone, a member of our Field Naturalists' Club, remembers another odd situation for a nest, where the bird reared her young securely - the top of a telegraph pole on the high road between Camperdown and Lismore, Victoria.
\nA friend of mine once observed a reddish-brown tree snake (Dipsas fusca) in the act of taking young from the nest of a Magpie Lark, having had his attention directed to the spot by the terrified cries of the parent birds. When the snake found it was discovered, by the presence of stout sticks whizzing past uncomfortably close to its head, the reptile flattened itself along the limb, as if to avoid observation, or at all events to evade the flying sticks.
\nThe breeding months are chiefly from September to January. Sometimes in Queensland as early as the beginning of August; whilst in the North-west, in March (1897), the natives brought several ones into the camp of the Calvert Expedition near Fitzroy River.
\nThe Magpie Lark is indeed one of the most useful of Australian birds. Dr. N.A. Cobb, the Pathologist of the Department of Agriculture of New South Wales, proved that this bird destroys numbers of species of land molluscs that are intermediate hosts of fluke.
\nReferences
Transcribed from Archibald James Campbell. Nests and Eggs of Australian Birds, including the Geographical Distribution of the Species and Popular Observations Thereon, Pawson & Brailsford, Sheffield, England, 1900, pp. 87-88.
The Melbourne Centennial International Exhibition opened on August 1, 1888; it received over two million visitors (MacDonald 2001, p. 42). Victorian and Australian technological, material, and industrial progress were all exhibited, however contemporaries favoured music and art as pastimes indicative of the highest stages of civilisation (MacDonald 2001, 42). The centrality of the orchestra to the Exhibition indicated to a world audience that Australia was capable of rising from its convict heritage to attain an artistic conviction equal to European cultural achievements (MacDonald 2001, p. 48). The Centennial Orchestra was especially convened for the Melbourne Centennial International Exhibition. It was described as 'the most complete instrumental organisation seen in this part of the world' at its premiere in 1888 (The Argus, 1888).
\nThe Centennial Orchestra was led by Mr Frederick H. Cowen, a British Conductor who had accepted the 'very lucrative engagement' as Musical Director for the Centennial Exhibition (Ehrlich 1995, p. 149). Cowen was paid £5000 for the six month appointment (Colligan, p. 214). Cowen was contracted to bring about fifteen good instrumental musicians from England with him, to strengthen the orchestra and lead various sections (1890, p. 260). The Argus reports that the names of the musicians alone were indicative of 'the quality and function of the various instruments upon which they perform' (Argus, 1888). Tympani player Mr J. Munyard was engaged as a local musician (Argus, 1888).
\nThe Argus wrote of the percussion section: 'the drums deserve to be spoken of by themselves on account of the important position they hold in all great instrumental organisations. First stand the kettle drums, consisting of vellum heads stretched over closed metallic vessels.the big drum, the grosse-caisse, with its thunderous boom, has its own effective part to play: but it is the kettledrums, with their accurate intonations, which are prized by the musician when aiming at orchestral effect' (Argus, 1888).
\nReferences
\n1890. The Official Catalogue of the Centennial International Exhibition Melbourne 1888-1889. Melbourne: Mason, Firth and M'Cutcheon.
\nThe Argus. 1888. Exhibition Supplement, 2 August.
\nColligan, Mimi. 1996. 'More Musical Entertainments' in Victorian Icon: The Royal Exhibition Building, ed. David Dunstan. Melbourne: The Exhibition Trustees.
\nEhrlich, Cyril. 1995. First Philharmonic: A History of the Royal Philharmonic Society. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
\nMacDonald, Anna. 2001. Seeing Melbourne: The Centennial International Exhibition and the Cyclorama of Early Melbourne. Masters Thesis, University of Melbourne.
","contentSummary":null,"types":["Historical Narrative"],"authors":[{"firstName":"Harriet","lastName":"Boothman","fullName":"Ms Harriet Beatrice Boothman","biography":null,"profileImage":null}],"contributors":[],"media":[{"type":"image","alternativeText":null,"large":{"width":1457,"height":1203,"uri":"https://collections.museumsvictoria.com.au/content/media/46/391246-large.jpg","size":362569},"medium":{"width":1457,"height":1203,"uri":"https://collections.museumsvictoria.com.au/content/media/46/391246-medium.jpg","size":260290},"small":{"width":606,"height":500,"uri":"https://collections.museumsvictoria.com.au/content/media/46/391246-small.jpg","size":61605},"thumbnail":{"width":250,"height":250,"uri":"https://collections.museumsvictoria.com.au/content/media/46/391246-thumbnail.jpg","size":14196},"id":"media/391246","dateModified":"2016-05-02T00:21:00Z","caption":"Painting - Herr Schoot Drum Demon, Mr James, Oil, 1896","creators":[],"sources":[],"credit":null,"rightsStatement":"Public Domain","licence":{"name":"Public Domain Mark","shortName":"Public Domain","uri":"https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/"}}],"yearWritten":"2009","parentArticleId":null,"childArticleIds":[],"relatedArticleIds":[],"relatedItemIds":["items/1481435","items/1481458"],"relatedSpecimenIds":[],"id":"articles/2790"},{"recordType":"article","licence":{"name":"Attribution 4.0 International","shortName":"CC BY","uri":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0"},"dateModified":"2016-11-06T22:47:00Z","title":"Campbell's own observations of the Yellow-breasted Shirke Robin","displayTitle":"Campbell's own observations of the Yellow-breasted Shirke Robin","keywords":["ornithology"],"localities":[],"content":"YELLOW -BREASTED SHRIKE ROBIN
\nEopsaltria Australis, Latham - (175)
\nGeographical Distribution - South Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia.
\nNest - Cup-shaped, neat and beautiful in form, constructed of fine twigs, but chiefly bark, with lengthened pieces of outer bark (sometimes two or three inches long) stuck on perpendicularly, outwardly, by means of spiders' web,, and further ornamented, especially about the rim, with lichen; lined inside with a few rootlets and pieces of dead, flat, sword-like grass, or with whole small dead leaves of eucalypts, &c. Usually placed low in the slender fork, or on a horizontal branch of a tree in scrub, by creek or in forest. Dimensions over all, 3-1/2 to 4 inches by 3 inches in depth; egg cavity, 2 to 2-1/2 inches across by 1-1/2 inches deep. (See illustration.)
\nEggs - Clutch, two or three; varies in shape from roundish-oval to longish oval; texture of shell fine; surface slightly glossy; colour varies from light greyish-green to bright, bluish-green spotted and blotched, especially about the apex, with reddish-brown or chestnut and dull purplish-grey. Dimensions in inches of a clutch of round examples: (1) .83 x .65, (2) .82 x .65, (3).82 x .62; of a pair of long examples: (1) .94 X .62, (2) .91 X .63. (Plate 12.) A pair taken in Queensland is smaller in size, light apple-green in colour, somewhat faintly spotted all over with yellowish -brown and dull purplish-brown: (1) .78 x .59, (2) .74 x .61.
\nObservations - Of all feathered forest friends I know of none more attractive than the confiding and shapely Yellow-breasted Shrike Robin (it has become advisable to use the words Shrike Robin because these birds are not truly Robins*). Enter any quiet sylvan nook or deep gully for a while, and there one of these dear birds will surely detect your presence, and, alighting in a pretty attitude on a twig or clinging sideways to the bark of some tree-stem near, will watch your movements. Their lovely nests, too, as forest ornaments, are extremely beautiful.
\nIn the calm autumn evenings, when darkness is coming down upon the forest, it is pleasant to hear the numerous Yellow Shrike Robins in the timber with chirping hisses, unsettled, or rather settling down for the night.
\nHowever, the range of habitat and the varieties of the Yellow Shrike Robin of eastern parts are somewhat perplexing to naturalists. The British Museum Catalogue simply bunches them together, but not without certain qualifications in the shape of carefully selected foot-notes.
\nThis interesting Shrike Robin is at home in nearly all parts of Victoria. Extending its habitat northward, it appears to skip the sub-tropical scrubs of the Richmond and Clarence districts, where its place is taken by E. chrysorrhous (E. magnirostris, Ramsay) reappearing in the drier parts of Queensland, notably about the Fitzroy River, where I procured skins in the Brigalow (acacia) scrub.
\nIn Victoria, although the Yellow Shrike Robin especially enjoys the dark dank recesses of the great forest gullies, it may be observed in more open localities, such as in the belts o coastal tea-tree (Leptospermum) near the sea. I have taken its nest in the dry scrub of the Bendigo district, and once saw a pair of these birds in some acacia brush on the lower Murray near Echuca.
\nNaturally some of the Yellow Shrike Robins exhibit great anxiety when a person approaches a nest with young. They go hopping about with measured pace over the ground, at each hop flattening their bodies, while their pretty yellow breasts cleave to the earth. At intervals the wings are partially extended, and all through the acting is the embodiment of painful despair.
\nMr. Hermann Lau's poetical allusions to the Yellow Shrike Robin are, 'It is early morning, just as the dawn is approaching. Lying half awake, half-dreaming, in my lonely tent close behind the palm wold of Cooyer scrub, I hear a fine, equal, oft-repeated note in the thicket, as if heralding the golden sun, and which fills my heart with thankfulness to my great Creator. The notes emanate from this dear little bird, which also sings its psalm of praise to it is Maker at early dawn (Eopsaltria, the bird's generic name, literally means 'Psalm of Dawn').
\n'The Yellow Shrike Robin builds a nest manufactured out of string-like underbark, lined inside with dry grass and a few withered leaves like those of melaleuca, and usually situated in a three-pronged fork of a small tree. Lays two, rarely three, eggs, and is an early breeder. Cooyer (South Queensland), October, 1833.' It is just possible that Mr. Lau's note may refer to the Yellow-rumped variety (E. chrysorrhous).
\nUsual breeding months September to December or January. In its more northern habitat in mild winters it is said to commence sometimes as early as June. I had through my hands two clutches of eggs taken in Queensland by Mr. W.B. Barnard in July, 18997. Two and probably three broods are reared in a season. Mr. G. E. Shepherd reports the curious occurrence of a double clutch - six eggs in a nest.
\nIn concluding the observations on the common Yellow Shrike Robin, it may be here remarked that the bird figured in Gould (vol. iii., pl .ii.) is referable to the succeeding species (E. chrysorrhous), which differs from the common species in having the rump of a bright yellow colour, whereas E. australis has the same part dull wax olive. Both sexes are alike except that the male possesses a larger bill.
\nWith reference to Dr. Ramsay's doubtful species (E .inornata)* Dr. Gadow is of the opinion that the description is taken apparently from a young or immature bird of E .australis (?) obtained at Rockingham Bay. However, Mr. C.W. De Vis of the Queensland Museum says, 'The validity of the species has been denied without sufficient cause.' Here is an interesting point for field observers to settle.
\nResources
Transcribed from Archibald James Campbell. Nests and Eggs of Australian Birds, including the Geographical Distribution of the Species and Popular Observations Thereon, Pawson & Brailsford, Sheffield, England, 1900, pp. 311-313.
Description of the Island
\nby. D. Le Souef
\nTranscribed from Victorian Naturalist Vol. 7, No. 9 Jan 7, 1891 pg. 121-122.
\nThe Kent Group of Islands, which we have lately visited, are situated about 50 Miles S.E of Wilson's Promontory, and much nearer Australia than Tasmania. The group is composed of five islands, namely Deal, Dover, Erith, N.E and S.W Islands. Deal is the largest, and on it stands a lighthouse. This island is about 4 miles by 2 and is very hilly. The valleys are mostly covered with thick tussock grass, knee deep, and the hills are dense short scrub, consisting principally of Sheoak, Melaleuca, a small variety of the Eucalyptus, Pine (Callistris), Banksia, Acacias, and Ti-tree. All round the island, except in the coves, are bold granite cliffs, and lime stone is plentiful near the surface all over the island. There are several hills between 500 and 700 feet high, and the height of the land on which the lighthouse if built is over 900 ft. There are several small streams with slightly brackish water.
\nErith and Dover Islands are separated from Deal Island by Murray Pass, which is about a mile wide and from 25 to 30 fathoms in depth, and through which a strong five-knot current runs. These two islands are joined by a narrow isthmus just above high water, Erith Island is fairly level in places and covered with grass, Goodenia, pig-face, scrub, and on one part some fair sized sheoaks. There is a good sheltered sandy beach opposite the pass. The highest point of the island is 568 ft.
\nDover island seems to be altogether rock-bound, and is very hilly, with high cliffs on its west side, its highest point being 774 ft. It is covered in dense short scrub.
\nS.W Isle is a barren rock, 323 ft, about eight miles from the lighthouse, and close to the Judgement Rocks. The N.E Isle, on which the Mutton Bird rookery is situated, is about five acres in extent, and 345 ft high.
\nAlthough these islands are so close to Australia, their fauna is more closely allied to that of Tasmania, as, although the majority of birds are common to both, yet there are six or seven varieties belonging to Tasmania versus two belonging to Victoria. Of the reptiles the White-lipped Snake is found in both countries, as are the lizards, insects, and worms, except one lizard, which has not yet been identified, and which is probably not Victorian. The eel is the only freshwater fish found there, and it exists in both Tasmania and Victoria. With regard to plants, Baron von Mueller has kindly named those bought, and states that they all grow in Victoria as well as Tasmania. We should judge that the islands were joined to Tasmania after they had separated from the mainland, as so many Australian forms, both of fauna and flora, are absent, and yet the islands are within sight of Wilson's Promontory.
\nReport of Expedition to Kent Group
\nby. D. Le Souef
\nTranscribed from Vol. 7, No. 9 Jan 7, 1891 pp. 122 -131
\nThe expedition which consisted of Messrs. D. Le Souef, A.J Campbell, T.C Campbell, C. Lane, Jos. Gabriel, G.A Keartland, and F.W Ford left Melbourne on Sat. 15th of Nov, in the S.S Despatch, starting from the Australian wharf at 1 o'clock. Early the following morning a call was made at Wilson's Promontory to land a passenger, and our course was then shaped passed Rodondo Rock, Devil's Tower, and Judgement Rock, instantaneous photographs were taken of each as we passed by them. On arriving near Kent Group we were struck with the boldness of the granite cliffs, but we soon steamed into Murray Pass, and into a very pretty little cove, with a nice sandy beach, bought by Mr. Brown, the light house-keeper, and his son in sight, and they came out in their boat to assist in landing us and our stores. When everything was safely on the beach we proceeded up a steep incline to the residence of the light-house keeper, and were welcomed with warm hospitality. We shortly after proceeded to Garden Cove, on the other side of the island, about two miles from the landing, and there chose our camping ground; and Mr. Brown kindly sent a dray and a splendid team of bullocks to the beach for our luggage, and bought it down to our camping ground, and long before nightfall we had everything snug.
\nDeal Island.
\nOur camp was about 300 yards from the beach, in the cove, and open grass land between, while just behind the three tents was a dense growth of Melaleuca, Sheoak, and other shrubs, which afforded shelter, while a stream with quantities of fine watercress, ran past the camp about twenty yards away. We had a beautiful view from our tent doors down the valley, with the blue water in the cove and the sea beyond, and on each side high hills covered with vegetation, and on their summits large granite boulders showing above the dark foliage.
\nNext day (Monday) we started work early- Three members went into the scrub to note the different birds; two others went dredging in the Murray Pass, and the rest to fish off the rocks in the cove not far from the camp. Those in the scrub were fortunate in finding four different varieties of eggs - namely, those of the Flame-breasted Robin, the Tasmanian Warbler (in which nest was also the egg of the Bronze Cuckoo) and the egg of the Narrow-billed Bronze Cuckoo, which was found in a newly finished nest of the Sombre-coloured Scrub Tit, in which the rightful owner had not yet laid. The scrub was very thick and difficult to get through. The members who were fishing caught Parrot Fish and Australian Rockling, and they reported that both kinds seemed plentiful; a large crayfish was also seen. Those who were dredging also were fairly successful in securing principally Polyzoa.
\nDuring the afternoon a visit was paid to the lighthouse, nearly four miles from our camp. It is built on a hill over 900 ft high, and one of the highest points on the island, and close to the steep cliffs that run down to the sea. The lighthouse itself itself is built of granite quarried hard by, and is a substantial structure. It was erected by more than 50 years ago, and has a flash light. The Tasmanian Government intended, I believe, replacing the old light at present with a new one. the light is visible 36 miles off. The two assistant lighthouse keepers, Messrs. Franklin and Hutchen, live in quarters close by, while the principle lighthouse keeper lives about a mile away, at the East Cove, in Murray Pass; there is telephone communication between the two places.
\nThe day being fine, we had a splendid view, and clearly saw the highland of Wilson's Promontory, Rodondo Island, the Devil's Tower, Hogan Group, Curtis Group, and Judgement Rocks. The latter consists of three jagged looking rocks - one large and two small - they seem to lie in a line. The centre one is the smallest, and there is a level platform on one portion of it which the seals have chosen as one of their breeding grounds, and go there every year, in November, to have their young; a good many get killed by the half-caste sealers from Flinders Island; but it is only when the sea is very smooth that a landing can be effected, which is all in favour of the seals, otherwise the few there are would stand a good chance of being driven away from the islands of Bass Straits. The only other breeding ground near here is Craggy Island, situated between Kent Group and Flinders Island. From our high outlook, turning towards Tasmania, we could see a large portion of the coast line of Flinders Island, also the Two Sisters Islands, the Hummocks, and Craggy Island, and various small rocks, all showing the chain of islands and rocks extending from Wilson's Promontory, via Kent Group, Flinders and Barren Islands, to Tasmania, the only portions left of the land that once joined the two countries. Before leaving, photographs were taken of the lighthouse and adjacent cliffs, and on our way back to camp a pair of the Yellow-bellied Parrots and a Brush Bronzewing Pigeon were seen; and specimens were obtained of the Tasmanian Fantail, Sombre-coloured Scrub Tit, Tasmanian Warbler, and a hen Grey-tailed Thickhead, and also a few beetles, spiders and scorpions. A large White-lipped Snake was seen, but we were unable to capture it. when passing by the principal lighthouse-keeper's quarters, we were surprised to see two English sparrows. We could only account for their presence through their having been driven over by a strong N.W. wind from our Victorian coasts. As the evening closed in we could hear the penguins uttering their curious cry from a rookery situated on one side of Garden Cove, and they were noisy through the best part of the night. Early on Tuesday morning a visit was paid to the rookery, and we found the birds to be the Little Penguins. It was surprising to see how high up the steep cliffs many of the birds had their nests - in some cases fully 450 feet above the sea level. Many of the birds were sitting on their two white eggs, while others again had downy young ones in different stages of growth. The parent birds fought hard when interfered with, and could use their sharp beak and claws with effect, as those members who incautiously put their hands into their burrows can testify. The birds for the most part made their nests, which consisted of dry grass and weeds, in the cavities under or between the rocks. They breed all round the coasts of these islands, wherever they can secure a sufficient foothold to clamber up. In a few instances we found four eggs in one nest - two good and two addled ones - probably laid by different pairs of birds. At 8 o'clock we all started to visit Erith and Dover Islands, Mr. Brown having kindly promised to row us over. We arrived at East cove, and found the whaleboat ready, and soon rowed across Murray Pass, landing on a sheltered sandy beach on Erith Island, close to where the wreck of the s.s. Bullilies lies, with her two masts appearing above water, about 200 yards from the shore. Attempts have been made to raise her, large pontoons having been built for that purpose; but all efforts were apparently unavailing. One of the pontoons is still on the beach, but the other four that were made have been broken up and washed out to sea. The steamer had a cargo of 400 tons of coal, and was entering Murray Pass, when she struck a rock and sprung a leak. She was then brought in here to be beached, but sank before that could be accomplished. Erith Island Two of our members elected to remain in the boat for the purpose of dredging, and were successful in obtaining some specimens of Polyzoa. The rest of us ascended the sandy hillocks to explore the island. there were large numbers of penguins breeding here. The runs they had made on the beach to the places that were most easily ascended over the sand hillocks, to get inland, showed how numerous the birds must be. It looked as if a small flock of sheep had been driven up. There being no stones here under which to make their nests, they burrowed fairly deep holes instead, or laid under the thick tussocks of grass and pig-face, which latter plant was very abundant, and the masses of pink flower looked very beautiful in the bright sun. The first animal caught was a rabbit, which the dog got in a shallow hole. They appear very numerous on this island, where there are no half wild domestic cats to destroy them like there are on Deal Island. Shortly after the dog turned out a young opossum from under a tussock of grass, and it was secured unhurt, and it is now with another in our Zoological Gardens. We were told to beware of a vicious old billy goat which lives a lonely life on this island, but fortunately we did not come across him in our rambles. Two pairs of the Tasmanian Sooty Crow Shrike were seen, and a newly finished nest formed in a she oak tree, but not yet laid in. It is a curious fact that these birds seem to keep to this small island, and are seldom seen on the adjacent islands, which are larger. A pair of White-eyed Crows were also seen with their young, which had evidently only lately left their nests. The little White-eyes were numerous among the bushes, and a few of the White-fronted Scrub Tit were seen. A specimen of the Shining Flycatcher was also secured. We saw a pair of the White-bellied Sea Eagle gracefully soaring above our heads until they disappeared in the azure. Their breeding season was probably over, as the young birds are generally fully fledged by the end of November. The vegetation, except in the sheltered hollows, is scanty, but wherever the scrub was absent the tussocky grass grew very thick, and in some hollows the Goodenia flourished, and, being in flower, looked a blaze of yellow in the distance. it is the favourite breeding ground of the Swamp Parrakeet, but none were seen on this occasion. The cliffs round the island were very steep, and no sea-birds seem to breed on them, if we except the Penguin, but in most places it was even too steep for them. Dover Island we did not visit, although it is joined by a narrow isthmus to Erith Island, which the waves break over at high water if the sea is rough, but on the day we were there it was very calm - in fact, we did not see the sea anything but calm once during our stay at the group, except the day we returned home, when it made up for it. The island seemed covered with short, dense scrub, and was very precipitous, and we found climbing about the island we were on quite enough without visiting the other. We all returned to the beach for lunch, which we had on he rocks alongside the old pontoon. One of our members had been fortunate enough to secure a pair of the Yellow-bellied Parrot. During the afternoon we examined the penguin rookery, but found more young birds in the burrows, which we left undisturbed. We left early in the afternoon, so as to give plenty of time to dredge on our return, and as the depth of the water across was from twenty to thirty fathoms, we went very slowly, drawing the dredge over the rocky bottom, and, however had we worked at the oars, it seemed to make very little difference to our pace, and it was a great relief to the rowers when the dredge was hauled in, which it was when we reached the sandy bottom of East Cove. However, several interesting specimens of Polyzoa and Sponges were obtained, including the Adeona wilsonii, Acropora gracilis, Adeonellopsis lata (var.), Cellaria australis, Cabera grandis, and others. After hauling the boat into its shed, we started for our camp, reaching there about 5 o'clock. Mr. Gabriel stayed with Mr. Brown, and later on in the evening helped him and his son to row the small boat round to our cove with the seine net. The first haul only brought to shore one garfish, two or three salmon, and some whitebait, but in the nest cast about two kinds of fish were taken, being principally salmon and skip-jacks, with a few mullet, and one small shark. As both the lighthouse people and ourselves were now plentifully supplied, we did not try again, but returned to camp with our spoils. Mr. Gabriel, Mr. Brown, and his son Frank rowed the boat back again, and had a hard pull against an adverse current before they reached the boat shed. Deal Island Some of us started early on Wednesday morning to visit a land slip which we were told existed on the other side of the island. After a walk of about two miles we came to the place, and found that a very small rivulet of water had gradually worn out a large gulch on open country on the lower slope of a hill. The excavation extended about two hundred yards down to the beach of Freestone Cove, and was about fifteen feet deep and twenty feet across. During the heavy rains the side tumble in, and the friable soil soon gets washed away. We soon clambered down and saw from about three feet from the surface to the bottom small bones sticking out from sides in thin layers, and also a good many laying loose at the bottom. The majority of the bones evidently belonged to sea-birds, and those exposed to the air were very brittle. At the lowest depth we were fortunate enough to find a fossil jaw-bone of what we have since found to be the Giant Kangaroo (M. gigas). We also collected specimens of all the bones we could find, and they have been submitted to Professor McCoy, who has kindly examined them, and states that, excepting the jaw-bone, they all belong to small marsupials and birds. We regretted not being able to spend more time at this interesting place. Leaving this \"valley of dry bones\", we proceeded to some thick swamp ti-tree about a mile away, and had a rough walk along the steep sides of a hill to reach it, passing on our way a few musk bushes in flower. The ti-tree was also flowering, and attracted hundreds of wasps, which flew buzzing around in swarms when disturbed. We found the nest of the Olivaceous Thickhead with two eggs in, and secured a specimen of the Allied Pardalotus. Tracks of opossums were numerous, but we did not obtain a specimen. A pair of Brown Hawks were circling over us while we were hunting through the ti-tree scrub. We returned to camp in time for lunch, and at 2 o'clock we all started for a large penguin rookery on the other side of the hill that overlooked our camp. We had a steep climb down through masses of Goodenia, pig-face, tussocky grass, and the Native Hop, which latter plant is found so plentifully in the timbered country of the Dandenongs and other ranges. Underneath this thick vegetation the birds had run and quickly hopped under what we had laboriously to push our way through. We found the penguins numerous, but, as before, with mostly hard-set eggs or young birds, and but few fresh eggs were secured. We found some plants of the Asplenium fern growing in a cave overlooking the sea, close to the water's edge. Salt air seems to be essential to these plants, as both here and at King Island it was found growing in exposes situations between the clefts of rocks close to the sea, and in many instances must have had the spray dashed over it. On our return to camp we secured fine specimens of the lizards Lygosoma (hinulia) whitei and Lygosoma (Hinulia) leseuri; the latter seemed to vary from those obtained in Victoria. We saw the tracks and burrows of rats in the thick grass, but were unable to secure any for identification. On Thursday we collected specimens of the plants to be found in our neighbourhood, and a good many different varieties were obtained. We also found a few insects, and a lizard, which was new to us. During the afternoon a few showers of rain fell, and we took the opportunity of doing indoor work that had been put off for a wet day. It cleared up in the evening, and some of us went to the mouth of the small creek that flowed past our tent, and fished for eels (Anguilla australis). We made a fire, which was a matter of some difficulty owing to the wood being wet, and then patiently watched our lines. We succeeded in catching four eels in about three-quarters of an hour, by which time our patience was exhausted, so we returned to camp. Friday turned out a beautiful day, and two members went to the lighthouse, while two more went fishing, and the rest of us, with one of Mr. Brown's sons (Frank) as guide, started off to find some tree ferns, which were said to grow on the other side of the island, but which, so far, we had been unable to find. After a long walk we came to the head of a steep valley that ran down to Storm Bay. There was no scrub of any kind growing in it, and only a very little water trickling down. On descending for some distance, we came to a little hollow that the water had made, about three feet deep and four feet across, and running for a distance of about seven yards, and in this small place we found six different varieties of ferns, including three small specimens of the Dicksonia antarctica. Very few had any seed-spores on. None of the plants grew higher than the banks of the hollow, being probably too exposed, there being so little shelter. It seems strange that these ferns should grow here and not in more sheltered and favoured localities on the island, but his is the only place where the two species of tree-fern are found. After gathering specimens we left \"Ferny Spring\" and went to Freestone Cove, below where we had obtained the bones. We hunted about in the long grass near the beach for opossums, and every now and again the dog commenced barking by a hole under the stones, but each time we hurried up and looked in we saw only a penguin gazing at us. They were not disturbed, with the exception of one, which was killed and used as a bait to try and obtain some crayfish with, which are said to be numerous in this bay; but none were caught this time, although our guids informed us that had often caught as many as 20 in a morning. Our line was probably too short, but we had no means of lengthening it. Shortly after leaving the beach on our way back to camp, the dog found and killed a very large opossum. It was the first adult specimen that we had seen, and we found it to be the Short-eared Opossum (Phalangista canina), common both to Tasmania and Victoria. Later on in the day, when one of our members was forcing his way through thick scrub not far from the camp, he disturbed an opossum with a young one clinging on to its back. He shot the mother and secured the young one unhurt. These animals do not seem to feed on the he leaves of the Eucalyptus trees, as they are generally to be found where those trees are not growing, and we could seldom detect any scratches made by them on the trees, although we looked carefully for them. Their food evidently consists entirely of succulent plants, and they seldom seem to leave the ground. During the day they retire either under stones, if near the sea shore, or under the thick tussocks of grass which grows so abundantly here. The one obtained in the scrub was sleeping under the old up-turned root of a she oak, and when disturbed never attempted to climb any of the trees, but kept on the ground. On Erith Island, where we obtained our first specimen, we could find no Eucalyptus growing. Another White-lipped Snake was caught not far from the camp, and also a Giant Cyclodus or Blue-tongued Lizard (C. gigas). Three of these species were obtained during our stay. They are common to both Victoria and Tasmania; and one of our members secured a Lunulated Honey-eater, a pair of Fire-tailed Finches, and the nest and eggs of the Olivaceous Thickhead. During the evening the lighthouse-keeper rode to our camp and told us that a party of six half-caste sealers had arrived from Flinders Island to seal on Judgment Rocks, and that they would probably remain about three weeks; so we determined to visit them on the following day. Accordingly, next morning (Saturday) some of us went to East Cove, where they had anchored in their boat, but on arriving we found that they had taken their departure at daybreak. they had heard of our intended visit, and not being sure of our intentions, had gone, probably to the Hogan Group to collect Mutton Birds' eggs. We then went through some thick scrubby country near the lighthouse, and obtained a few birds and plants. Mr. Campbell went to Freestone Cove and took some photographs of the 'Valley of Dry Bones', where we had collected our specimens. he also shot an Olivaceous Thickhead that had a curious malformed bill, the upper and lower mandibles crossing. The bird must have found it difficult to obtain its food. A specimen of the Tasmanian Ground Thrush was shot not far from the camp during the day. In the early morning and evening we always heard these birds whistling cheerily in the scrub. During the evening some of our members again went eel-fishing, and were fairly successful. A tope Shark about 3 ft. 6 in. long was also caught with a light line thrown in from the sandy beach. Next day being Sunday no work was done, and we rose at 7 a.m. instead of 5 a.m., which was much appreciated by some of our members. We all went to the lighthouse during the morning, and then to lunch at Mr. Brown's, and seven of us made a good addition to his family party. During the afternoon a return visit was made to our camp, and we dispensed afternoon tea with the few luxuries we had, such as cake, Swiss roll, preserved ginger, biscuits, figs, dates, preserved fruit, &c., &c., to our visitors. We were supplied with abundance of fresh milk by the lighthouse-keeper. Arrangements were made for visiting N.E. or Mutton Bird Island on the following day should the weather permit. N.E. or Mutton Bird Island. On Monday morning, the weather being beautifully fine, we started for the East Cove, where we found Mr. Brown and his sons and Mr. Hutchen, one of the assistant lighthouse-keepers, ready to start. We were soon all aboard the large whaleboat with our baskets and crooks, and after a good two hours' pull reached the island. The sea being very smooth we managed to land without much difficulty, but if it were at all rough landing would be impossible, there being no sheltered cove, but only rocky sides straight down to the water's edge, except at one place, where it was not quite so steep, and there we managed to land and climb up. The first nests found were those of the Pacific Gull, each with three eggs, and built on the white-flowering pig-face weed on the cliffs. We quickly found the Dove-like Blue Petrel or Whale Bird sitting on their single egg in hollows under the rocks or in small burrows under the thick grass and pig-face plants. They have to be well sheltered, as they and their eggs seem to be at present the principal food of the gulls and falcons. These birds made short work of any eggs left exposed during the temporary absence of its owner. Ascending higher up the cliffs we found some of the young of the Diving Petrel, but no eggs, they laying early in August. Arriving on the top, which was 346 feet high, we found it covered with long thick tussocky grass and the goodenia plant. Walking was a matter of difficulty, as one kept breaking through the ground into the Mutton Bird holes, often to the discomfiture of the inmates. Although we were there the day before the arrival of the main flock of birds, there were already a fair number on the island, and we soon had the baskets we had brought with us filled with their eggs; they only lay one large white one. A few of the male birds were also taken for the lighthouse-keeper's larder. What the island is like when the rest of birds come in would be hard to describe, as there is scarcely a square foot on the top of the island without a burrow. They are not deep, but are principally under the matted grass and herbage. We found a good many penguins breeding in the same rookery. Small lizards were numerous, and a few White-lipped Snakes were seen, but none obtained. On another rocky eminence of the island the nest of the Black-cheeked Falcon was found. There were a pair of downy young ones in it about six weeks old. The parent birds were very brave in defending them, and struck the intruder to drive him off, but their little ones were not taken away from them. The remains of the Dove-like Blue Petrel and the Diving Petrel were plentiful about the nest. Not far from the same place, but much closer to the water's edge, the nest of the Sooty Oyster-catcher was found with two fresh eggs in, and from a small burrow hard by the egg, apparently, of the Stormy Petrel was taken, but the bird itself was absent. Mr. A. J. Campbell took two photographs on the island - one of the members getting Mutton Birds' eggs out of the burrows with their crooks (which saved their hands from the attach of the birds) and the other of our landing place with the boat waiting for us. At 2 o'clock, as the weather was looking threatening, we left, regretting that we were not able to stay longer on this interesting island. On our return journey the dredge was let down, and some specimens of Polyzoa obtained. On arriving at East Cove, we hauled the boat in its shed and started with our spoils for the camp. Shortly after reaching there, the rain commenced to fall, and continued more or less all night. Next morning (Thursday) the sky looked very overcast, but we were up early and had our breakfast without any rain. We had hardly finished when it commenced again in earnest, and continued throughout the greater part of the day, but cleared up towards the evening. Being kept indoors, we were enabled to blow and pack the eggs obtained the previous day, and were glad of the opportunity of doing so. As 7.30 p.m. Mr. Brown and his son Frank, with Mr. Gabriel, arrived at our cove, having rowed round with the small boat, and brought the seine net to fish. The first haul only brought in a few salmon and mullet; but we were more successful the second time, landing a few mullet and thirteen trevalla, the latter weighing about three pounds each. We tried again three times, but did not succeed in catching a solitary fish, and as it was late, and we were getting cold, a fire was made and a 'billy' of water boiled, and a pannicn of hot 'toddy', with a slice of lemon in, handed to each, and we then returned to camp. Mr. Gabriel helped Mr. Brown to row the boat round to East Cove, and the net was again put out there, and a few salmon and a barracouta caught. Early next morning (Wednesday) some of us went up the gully near the camp to try and secure some quail we had heard calling out the previous evening; one was seen, but we had not the good fortune to bag it, but were enabled to identify it as the Painted Quail. About 12 o'clock we struck our tents, and shortly after Mr. W. Brown arrived with the bullock dray. We soon had it loaded with our baggage, which was conveyed to the beach at East Cove, ready to be embarked. While waiting for the arrival of the steamer some photographs of the lighthouse-keeper's quarters were taken, and Mr. Brown's sons caught several penguins for the Melbourne Aquarium. On the voyage over, one of the birds laid an egg in the box, and several passengers inserted their hands with the object of securing it. The birds, however, made such a vigorous onset on the intruding hand with their sharp beaks, that it was quickly withdrawn without the coveted egg being touched. The steamer arrived at 6.30 p.m., and we were soon all on board, and regretfully bade adieu to the islands which had afforded us such a pleasant and instructive time. The wind was blowing strong from the N.W., and there was a high cross sea, but we soon retired to the cabin reserved for our use and tried to rest, but the way the vessel was tossed about by the heavy sea rendered that impossible, except to those accustomed to it, which we were not. The steps descending into our cabin also broke adrift during the night, and helped to keep us awake. The steamer called in at Refuge Cove, at the Wilson's Promontory lighthouse. We passed cape Schanck at 2 o'clock, and reached our berth at the Australian Wharf at 8 o'clock, very glad that our short sea journey was over.
\nMEMO by Professor McCoy on Spirit Specimens from Kent Group.
\nThe only freshwater fish is the Anguilla australia, common on Victoria. Of reptiles there is one snake, the Hoplocephalus coronoides, common also in Victoria. There are three species of lizards, of the group inhabiting herbage, of the genus Lygosoma, the commonest of which is the Lygosoma (Hinulia) whitei, very common in Victoria. The second is probably a variety of the Lygosoma (Hinulia) lleseuri (australis of Gray), and the other I have not seen before, but will be glad to figures it shortly. The few insects and Planaria seem all Victorian forms and of these I have had the advantage of Mr. Kershaw's opinion. National Museum, 28th November, 1890. My Dear Mr. Le Souef, - I have cleaned the fragments of skull, and have no doubt they are of the Tasmanian and Victorian Paddymelon (Halmaturusb illardieri) and the Old Man Kangaroo (Macropus major) - I believe not now living in the island. The fragments of body bones are chiefly birds', with a few belonging to the above marsupials - Ever truly yours, Frederick McCoy. D. Le Souef, Esq.
\nREMARKS ON THE BIRDS OF KENT GROUP, by Mr. A. J. Campbell, F.L.S.
\nWith regard to the birds, we were not disappointed. Two Victorian species, new for Bass Straits islands, were shot - namely, the White-fronted Scrub-tit (Sericornisfrontalis), and the Lunulted Honey-eater (Melithreptus lunulatus). It has been conjectured that their progenitors may have been carried to their insular quarters by the north-west gales that sometimes prevail; this is likewise the only agency to account for the presence of the European sparrow, which no doubt came from Victoria. Six or seven species seems to lean to the other (Tasmanian) side - namely the Yellow-bellied Parrakeet, Sooty Crow-Shrike, a Graucalus or Cookoo-Shrike, the Grey-tailed Thickhead (at once notices by its very pale yellow breast, in contrast to the brighter colouring of the Continental variety), the Tasmanian Fantail (noted for its more dusky colour), the Tasmanian Warbler or Tit (Acanthiza), and the insular variety of the Mountain, or, more properly speaking, Ground Thrush. The Ground Thrushes, considered by many persons to be very silent birds, were amongst the most pleasant recollections of our camp. Before sunrise their matins ascended in subdued whistle-like notes from the scrubby hill above our tents. Not till the stilly twilight were the soft notes again heard, as if the birds chanting low to the goodness of a closing day. The balance of the 54 species, including sea-birds, is common both to Victoria and Tasmania. One only need be mentioned - the pretty Flame-breasted Robin, so common about our gardens in winter time - which was here found plentiful. Right merrily did they cheer our camp, especially at early morn, with antiphonal singing, rapidly answering each other from tree top to tree top, or from rocky eminence to grassy bank. We were evidently at suitable breeding grounds, several nests being observed with eggs or young. A photograph taken represents a nest cleft in the side of a Eucalypt tree. it is a somewhat remarkable circumstance that these robins' nests are rarely, if ever, taken on the mainland, but in Tasmania and the intermediate islands. The Fire tailed Finches were beautiful visitors to our camping site, their lovely dark-grey pencilled plumage being most strikingly enhanced by pink beak and rump of brilliant scarlet. Then the name Thickhead is mentioned, invariably the risibility of some members of the Club appears easily provoked, but I assure them if they had the skinning of some of these birds they would find, when negotiating the head, they would frequently be in danger of splitting the skin, from the large size of the cranium; therefore, in this respect, the birds have been aptly named Pachycephala. Two varieties of Thickheads were obtained - the Grey tailed and the Olivaceous. Of the former, both the male and female possess very sweet notes - the latter has several peculiar strong notes, while the bird is hard to discover in the thick tangle of undergrowth where it loves to dwell. touching the sea-fowl, we enjoyed glorious experiences amongst them. The first to come conspicuously under our notice were the penguins They filled the night air with weird-like calls, which arose everywhere from the bold, rocky shores around. Our leader appointed an afternoon to visit the rookery on the camp side of Murray Pass. The locality was an ascent from the sea of about 1 in 2 for about 300 to 400 feet. Where the rocks permitted thick crops of yellow-flowering Goodenia and tussocky grass flourished under sheoaks. Hereabouts we found many nooks in crevices of rock or under herbage tenanted with a penguin sitting upon a pair of eggs or downy young. With considerable spirit and with a free use of bill and claws the birds defended their offspring - (in parenthesis, it may be added, to the dis-comforture of one or two of the party). It was decidedly noticed how highly odoriferous most of the burrows were; some we calculated had been constantly occupied since the days of Captain Cook. At half-past seven, the morning of the 24th November, ten of us, including lighthouse-keepers, man the whaleboat. At the steer oar is a typical Norseman - hardy, keen eyed, and of bulky frame - in whose skill we have implicit confidence. We pull away to North-East or what is locally called Mutton Bird Island, supposed to be a good rookery for various sea-birds, and which has not been visited for seven years or more. Fortunately the sea is calm, for we understand the landing is difficult. approaching the island we see it is about half a mile across and between 200 and 300 feet high - a huge, coarse granite rock, with beetling walls all round. We steer for a slight indentation upon the side, which seems our only chance by which to scramble to the summit. The rocks are prettily decorated with grey-coloured lichens and bright green pig-face weed, which, with white starry flowers, trails over in many parts. The feathered inhabitants now become alarmed at our presence. A pair of Sooty Oyster-catchers leave their nest with shrieking calls. Pacific gulls, which were gracefully posed upon pinnacles of jagged rock on our left, are now circling on high with hoarse bark-like notes; others are just quitting nests on rocky ledges adorned with the white-flowering pig-face weed. Except the trusty Norseman and his son, who remain to keep the boat off the rocks, one by one we all spring ashore as the swell offers opportunity. Our first revelation is the discovery of that charming little sea-wanderer, the Dove-like Blue Petrel, breeding in numbers in the crevices of rock or under the matted roots of pig-face weed. Then the young, nearly feathered, of the little Diving Petrel is secured, and appears to have been hatched about September. Of course we find penguins, and on the top of the island amongst coarse herbiage, which is knee deep, and in burrows, are countless Mutton Birds or Short-tailed Petrels, mostly sitting upon newly laid eggs. The eggs proved of extreme utility for camp purposes. By this time at a particular point of the island a pair of Black-cheeked Falcons fly round over head with angry cries. None of us dare attempt to gain their eyrie except our leader, who has to forge a part of his way in a horizontal position on account of the dangerous ledges of rock. The birds are not slow to take advantage of his defenceless position, and boldly attack him in the rear. When the nest is reached, lo! it only contains fledglings in white down. We look towards the (Deal) island, distant about two miles, and behold a grand picture. An easterly wind has brought up clouds, which are gathering about and enveloping the hill-caps in a most picturesque manner. A change of weather is imminent, and as the barometer has been tumbling down for the last twenty-four hours we deem it prudent to return to camp, dredging by the way. Shortly after 4 o'clock, loaded with the spoils of the day, we arrive safely under canvas just as the rain begins to descend.
\nKent Group Expedition - List of Photographs Taken.
\nRodondo Island (1,150 feet high) ) Devil's Tower (350 feet high) ) Taken from S.S. Despatch Judgment Rock (of Flinders) ) Murray Pass from Deal Island (left picture). \" \" \" \" (right picture). Lower Light Quarters - Deal Island Scene from Lower Light Quarters Lighthouse and Upper Quarters Deal Island from Lighthouse View from Lighthouse Camp Quarters, looking northward. Camp Scene Garden Cove, in front of Camp. Striking Camp. Boating Party - West Cove, Erith Island Deal Island from Erith Island - Masts of s.s. 'Bulli' midstream Scene from Deal Island - N.E. or Mutton Bird Island in distance. Deal Island (distant about two miles) from N.E. Island. Landing Place - N.E. Island. On the Mutton Bird rookery - N.E. Island Ditto Returning from N.E. Island with 'Spoils of the Day.' Nest of Pacific Gull Nest of Flame-breasted Robin - side of Eucalypt. Group of Naturalists. View from the 'Valley of Dry Bones'.
","contentSummary":null,"types":["Historic Text"],"authors":[{"firstName":"Archibald","lastName":"Campbell","fullName":"Archibald J. Campbell","biography":"Naturalist, conservationist, collector, photographer and writer in the late 1880s and early 1900s.","profileImage":{"type":"image","alternativeText":null,"large":{"width":2168,"height":3000,"uri":"https://collections.museumsvictoria.com.au/content/media/17/271867-large.jpg","size":830414},"medium":{"width":1084,"height":1500,"uri":"https://collections.museumsvictoria.com.au/content/media/17/271867-medium.jpg","size":213427},"small":{"width":361,"height":500,"uri":"https://collections.museumsvictoria.com.au/content/media/17/271867-small.jpg","size":42242},"thumbnail":{"width":250,"height":250,"uri":"https://collections.museumsvictoria.com.au/content/media/17/271867-thumbnail.jpg","size":14108},"id":"media/271867","dateModified":"2023-06-06T03:46:00Z","caption":"Archibald James Campbell, Townsville, Queensland,1916","creators":["Photographer: A.J. Campbell"],"sources":["Museums Victoria"],"credit":null,"rightsStatement":"Public Domain","licence":{"name":"Public Domain Mark","shortName":"Public Domain","uri":"https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/"}}}],"contributors":[{"firstName":"Rebecca (Bec)","lastName":"Carland","fullName":"Ms Rebecca (Bec) Carland","biography":"Senior Curator History of Collections at Museums Victoria.","profileImage":null}],"media":[{"type":"image","alternativeText":"Steamship on open sea.","large":{"width":600,"height":331,"uri":"https://collections.museumsvictoria.com.au/content/media/20/325470-large.jpg","size":24232},"medium":{"width":600,"height":331,"uri":"https://collections.museumsvictoria.com.au/content/media/20/325470-medium.jpg","size":20405},"small":{"width":906,"height":500,"uri":"https://collections.museumsvictoria.com.au/content/media/20/325470-small.jpg","size":49561},"thumbnail":{"width":250,"height":250,"uri":"https://collections.museumsvictoria.com.au/content/media/20/325470-thumbnail.jpg","size":9762},"id":"media/325470","dateModified":"2016-05-01T23:53:00Z","caption":"S.S Despatch. Built 1889","creators":["Unknown photographer"],"sources":["State Library of Victoria, La Trobe Picture Collection"],"credit":"Brodie Collection, La Trobe Picture Collection, State Library of Victoria.","rightsStatement":"Public Domain","licence":{"name":"Public Domain Mark","shortName":"Public Domain","uri":"https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/"}}],"yearWritten":"1890","parentArticleId":"articles/1521","childArticleIds":[],"relatedArticleIds":[],"relatedItemIds":["items/789751","items/790533","items/789406","items/789411","items/789765","items/789450","items/789421","items/789883","items/789884","items/789892","items/789901","items/789906","items/789909","items/789911"],"relatedSpecimenIds":[],"id":"articles/1637"},{"recordType":"article","licence":{"name":"Attribution 4.0 International","shortName":"CC BY","uri":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0"},"dateModified":"2016-11-06T22:47:00Z","title":"John Fox Twigg, Gunmaker, London (1732-1792)","displayTitle":"John Fox Twigg, Gunmaker, London (1732-1792)","keywords":["Municipal Government"],"localities":["London, England, United Kingdom"],"content":"John Fox Twigg was born at Grantham, Linconshire, in 1732 and is listed by Heer (1978) as being apprenticed to the Irish gunmaker, Edward Newton (active 1718-1764), though no dates for the apprenticeship are offered.
\nBy 1755, Blackmore (1986) lists Twigg working as a gunmaker from Angel Ct., Charing Cross until 1760 when he moved to 132 Strand, opposite Catherine St., and continued at this address until 1776.
\nHe moved again in 1776, this time to Piccadilly where he remained until 1790. During these 14 years he opened several warehouses; at little Somerset St., in 1771; 30 Cornhill, 1777 and Tower Hill in 1779. His only son, John, was apprenticed in 1786 to Henry Nock, and subsequently inherited his father's business.
\nIn 1788 Twigg formed a partnership with his newphew, John Bass (b.1761 - d.1794) although this was cut short by Twigg's death. As Blackmore notes, however, the trade directories are misleading in this respect, and show the business continuing at Piccadilly until 1795.
\nReferences:
Blackmore, H. (1986). A Dictionary of London Gunmakers, 1350-1850, Phaidon, Christie's, Oxford.
Heer, E. (1978). Der Neue Stockel, vol.2, Journal-Verlag, Schwend BmbH.
Howard Florey was born on 24 September 1898 in Adelaide, South Australia, and died on 21 February 1968.
\nSir Howard Walter Florey was Professor of Pathology at the University of Sheffield from 1931 to 1935 and at the University of Oxford from 1935 to 1962. He was awarded the Nobel Prize for physiology or medicine in 1945 for work on penicillin and was Chancellor of the Australian National University from 1965 to 1968.
\nCareer Highlights:
Knighted: 1944. Life Peer: 1965. Educated Universities of Adelaide (MB, BS), Oxford (MA, BSc) and Cambridge (PhD 1927). Rhodes Scholar for South Australia 1921; Rockefeller Travelling Fellow, United States 1925; Huddersfield Lecturer in Special Pathology, Cambridge from 1927, Joseph Hunter Professor of Pathology, University of Sheffield 1931-35; Professor of Pathology and head of the Pathology School, Oxford 1935 to 1962, Provost of Queen's College, Oxford 1962-. Chancellor, Australian National University 1965-68. Fellow, Royal Society 1941; Nobel Prize for Physiology and Medicine 1945 (shared with E. Chain and A. Fleming), first Australian President of the Royal Society 1960-65.
References:
http://www.asap.unimelb.edu.au/bsparcs/biogs/P000415b.htm
'The Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 1945 'for the discovery of penicillin and its curative effect in various infectious diseases'', in Nobel e-Museum, 1996, http://www.nobel.se/medicine/laureates/1945/index.html.
Museum Victoria History and Technology Department Supplementary File NU 18203, for material distributed by the Florey Centenary Committee in 1998.
Lieutenant Colonel Sir Ernest Edward 'Weary' Dunlop AC, CMG, OBE, KStJ (12 July, 1907 to 2 July, 1993) was an Australian surgeon who was renowned for his leadership whilst being held prisoner by the Japanese during World War II. He was born in Wangaratta, Victoria, Australia.
\n'.. It is amongst the terrible backdrop of war where he is most vividly remembered. For it was as a surgeon on the infamous Burma Railway where he carved his legendry status. In the face of unspeakable cruelty he refused to break - providing care, hope and humour to thousands of sick and dying soldiers. Dignity is difficult to find among starvation and disease. Yet Weary not only displayed great dignity, he unselfishly shared it with those who had nothing left. Upon returning from the war, Weary dedicated his life to caring for former prisoners of war..' (pamphlet issued with 1995 proof coin set issued by Royal Australian Mint).
\nReferences:
Lieutenant Colonel Sir Ernest Edward 'Weary' Dunlop http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edward_Dunlop
Invention of the Coolgardie Safe is credited to Arthur Patrick McCormick, a contractor in Coolgardie, and later Mayor of Narrogin. Coolgardie is in the Eastern Goldfields region of Western Australia. Gold was first discovered there in 1892, the townsite became a municipality in 1894, and by 1898 its population of 15,000 made it the third largest town in WA after Perth and Fremantle. In the last decade of the 19th century, Coolgardie was the capital of the West Australian goldfields. Being 180 kilometres from the nearest civilisation, food supplies were initially scarce and expensive. As fresh food was a valuable commodity, there was incentive to preserve it and keep it out of reach of scavengers. It was in an effort to do this that McCormick came up with his design for the Coolgardie Safe.
\nMcCormick noticed that a wet bag placed over a bottle cooled its contents. He further noted that if this bottle was placed in a draught, the bag would dry out more quickly, but the bottle would get colder. What McCormick had discovered was the principle of evaporation: 'to change any liquid into a gaseous state requires energy. This energy is taken in the form of heat from its surroundings.' (Ingpen 1982, p.18) Employing this principle, McCormick made a box for his provisions which he covered with a wet Hessian bag. He then placed a tray on top, into which he poured water twice daily. He hung strips of flannel from the tray so that water would drip down onto the Hessian bag, keeping it damp.
\nThe success of McCormick's invention would not have worked without a steady supply of water. Fresh water was scarce in the eastern goldfields at this time but the demand for water from a steadily growing population encouraged innovation. The solution was to condense salt water. Heating salt water in tanks produced steam that was condensed in tall cylinders, cooled and then collected in catchment trays. By 1898 there were six companies supplying condensed water to the goldfields, the largest company producing 100,000 gallons of water a day. (1992, p. 11)
\nMcCormick's safe was handmade using materials to hand. Many other prospectors in the Coolgardie region copied the design. In the early 20th century, Coolgardie Safes were manufactured commercially across Australia, and found their way into homes in both rural and urban areas. These safes incorporated shelving and a door, had metal or wooden frames and Hessian bodies. The feet of the safe were usually placed in a tray of water to keep ants away.
\nMuseum Victoria has an excellent example of a commercially produced Coolgardie Safe, the Trafalgar, which was manufactured in Adelaide by W. J. Rawling, c.1915.
\nReferences:
(1992). Worth its weight: a celebration of Coolgardie's centenary, 1892-1992, LISWA, Perth
Bonney, W.H. (1895). The History of Coolgardie, Hann, Enright & Co., Perth
Ingpen, Robert (1982). Australian Inventions and Innovations, Rigby, Australia
The Masumi Hiraga Jackson Collection is a significant group of cultural items which represent a range of themes, primarily pertaining to cultural maintenance as a result of the act of migration. The kimonos are a mix of brought memory objects from country of origin and traditional Japanese Noh performance costume used in Melbourne. The Shimotsuke dolls are a traditional form of paper doll-making which has been practised by the donor in Melbourne for nearly 20 years. The teamaking items, also brought migration objects, symbolise the donor's desire to extend traditional Japanese teamaking ceremony in Melbourne where she found it was in little evidence in the 1980s. This collection also complements the Museum's Immigration and Artistic Practice collection which explores how artists have maintained, adapted, rejected and evolved their various artistic forms as a result of the act of migrating.
","contentSummary":null,"types":["Collection"],"authors":[{"firstName":"Moya","lastName":"McFadzean","fullName":"Dr Moya McFadzean","biography":"Senior Curator of Migration & Cultural Diversity at Museums Victoria.","profileImage":{"type":"image","alternativeText":"Woman seated at table next to canal.","large":{"width":449,"height":405,"uri":"https://collections.museumsvictoria.com.au/content/media/13/799663-large.jpg","size":45469},"medium":{"width":449,"height":405,"uri":"https://collections.museumsvictoria.com.au/content/media/13/799663-medium.jpg","size":38929},"small":{"width":554,"height":500,"uri":"https://collections.museumsvictoria.com.au/content/media/13/799663-small.jpg","size":49665},"thumbnail":{"width":250,"height":250,"uri":"https://collections.museumsvictoria.com.au/content/media/13/799663-thumbnail.jpg","size":14264},"id":"media/799663","dateModified":"2016-11-10T03:39:00Z","caption":"Moya McFadzean Profile Photo","creators":["Unknown photographer"],"sources":["Museums Victoria"],"credit":null,"rightsStatement":"Copyright Museums Victoria / CC BY","licence":{"name":"Attribution 4.0 International","shortName":"CC BY","uri":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0"}}}],"contributors":[],"media":[{"type":"image","alternativeText":null,"large":{"width":1365,"height":1024,"uri":"https://collections.museumsvictoria.com.au/content/media/10/239610-large.jpg","size":80918},"medium":{"width":1365,"height":1024,"uri":"https://collections.museumsvictoria.com.au/content/media/10/239610-medium.jpg","size":68908},"small":{"width":667,"height":500,"uri":"https://collections.museumsvictoria.com.au/content/media/10/239610-small.jpg","size":36236},"thumbnail":{"width":250,"height":250,"uri":"https://collections.museumsvictoria.com.au/content/media/10/239610-thumbnail.jpg","size":12029},"id":"media/239610","dateModified":"2016-11-10T03:38:00Z","caption":"Fan - 'Shimai', Japanese Noh Theatre, 1990s","creators":[],"sources":[],"credit":null,"rightsStatement":"Copyright Museums Victoria / CC BY","licence":{"name":"Attribution 4.0 International","shortName":"CC BY","uri":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0"}}],"yearWritten":"2008","parentArticleId":"articles/2858","childArticleIds":[],"relatedArticleIds":[],"relatedItemIds":[],"relatedSpecimenIds":[],"id":"articles/1659"},{"recordType":"article","licence":{"name":"Attribution 4.0 International","shortName":"CC BY","uri":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0"},"dateModified":"2016-11-06T22:47:00Z","title":"The Bull & Mouth Hotel, Bourke Street, Melbourne","displayTitle":"The Bull & Mouth Hotel, Bourke Street, Melbourne","keywords":["construction industry","architectural feature","Cultures and histories : Melbourne and Victoria"],"localities":["Victoria","Melbourne"],"content":"The Bull and Mouth Hotel was located at 283-91 Bourke Street, on the south side, between Swanston Street and Union Lane (on the Western side of Swanston Street, towards Elizabeth Street). It was built in about 1850 by Matt Cantlon, replacing the Eagle Inn, one of the oldest drinking houses of the city. The Eagle had been built in 1840, and according to Garryowen, a chronicler of early Melbourne, it did not have the highest reputation.
\nThe Bull and Mouth was one of the most popular hotels during the Goldrush decade of the 1850s. When he visited the city in 1853, English traveller and writer William Kelly described it as: \".the great popular central tap of the day, in what may be called Mid-Bourke-street, the nucleus of the vast subsequent cab and omnibus innovation, and then a favourite rallying point, from its contiguity to the Post Office, the close neighbourhood of rifle-galleries, bowling-saloons, and billiard-tables. The bar was really a sight for a stranger, with its close packed crowd in front, skirted by outsiders, who were served over the hats of the inner ranks. Effervescing drinks frequently boiling over in the transit, and nobblers overturning in trayfuls on the brandy-proof heads of the indifferent multitude. Whenever a man fell or retired, the gap was filled up like magic by a fresh customer, so that the demand never flagged, the tide never ebbed, the fusillade never intermitted: \"Nobblers for five!\" - \"Six ales!\" - \"Rounds of Old Toms!\" - \"Whiskies neat!\" \"Nobblers,\" \"Toms,\" \"Ales\" with only an ever-varying transposition in precedency, continued without ceasing, at the uniform rate of one shilling, all day long. Then there were sliding panels at the back communicating with the eating rooms, where crescents of empty trays were always waiting for repletion, and large pigeon-holes, too, at the side, opening into the hall, beset with shouldering groups.The upper apartments were as fully occupied as those below, if I might judge from the torrents of waiters of both sexes rushing down or sidling up in obedience to the law of demand and supply, the stair steps positively dripping alcohol, and the dropsical oakum mat at the bottom squirting juices under every tread. The low atmosphere was one of spirituous essences, as dense as a Scotch mist, which I verily believe would inebriate a person of weak constitutional powers, and over it rolled, in murky curls, a thick fog of vile tobacco-smoke that would poison a rookery. C------m [Kelly's guide through Melbourne at that time] assured me that they often received as much as 500 [pounds] per day - two thirds profit - and that the good will of the concern, with only a two years lease to run, would fetch 12,000 [pounds].\" (Kelly, 1977, pp. 83-84)
\nThis bustling centre of Melbourne's early social scene was captured in a range of sketches of the city, including one by the famous artist Thomas Gill (1854), and another by Samuel Calvert in 1865, which clearly shows the exterior of the hotel. Whereas the plaster Bull's head that Museum Victoria received from Whelan the Wrecker was clearly made to be displayed indoors, the hotel had a very literal 'bull and mouth' sign outdoors, of a bull above a grinning mouth.
\nMichael Cannon described the Bull and Mouth as the only one of the businesses in its section of Bourke Street to have \"survived the retail shakeout of the gold rush,\" (Cannon, 1993, p. 324) while all the businesses around it were replaced. It went on to survive until about 1930, when the site became part of Woolworths' central Melbourne store.
\nThis text is derived in part from research materials gathered by Patricia Draper, Intern at Museum Victoria, 1997.
\nReferences:
Annear, Robyn (2005). A City Lost and Found: Whelan the Wrecker's Melbourne, Black Inc., Melbourne.
Cannon, Michael (1993). Melbourne after the Gold Rush, Lochhaven Books, Main Ridge.
Draper, Patricia, (1997). 'Research Notes', Unpublished Mss., Museum Victoria Collection.
Kelly, William (1977). Life in Victoria or Victoria in 1853 and Victoria in 1858 (originally published 1859), Lowden Publishing, Kilmore, pp.83-84.