In Order XII. Australia has representatives of the Ibises, Spoonbills, Storks, Herons, Egrets, Night Herons, and Bitterns, so well known in every part of the world.
Amongst the world's birds, few are better known than the Ibis. This bird was so highly prized by the ancient Egyptians as to be considered sacred, and they thought enough of it to embalm it. As Egypt depended on the overflow of the Nile for food supply,and as this overflow was heralded by the arrival of the migratory Ibis from the South, it was natural for the Egyptians to connect the rise of the river with this bird, and thus look for its approach. Again, the Ibis is an insect destroyer, and, as Egypt was subject to plagues of grasshoppers, it undoubtedly rendered as valuable service there as it does here. This is another reason that has been assigned for the esteem in which this valuable bird was held. However, it is now almost unknown in Egypt.
In Australia we have three Ibises. One, the Sacred Ibis, or White Ibis, is practically identical with the Sacred Ibis of Egypt. Our second Ibis is the even more valuable Straw-necked Ibis, which extends its labors to plains and pastures, while the Sacred Ibis is rarely seen except on swampy lands. The Straw-necked Ibis is restricted to Australia. It seems to be increasing in numbers, for I have seen small and large flocks in many parts of the Eastern States recently. It has an insatiable appetite for grasshoppers and other insects. This bird is a valuable asset to Australia, and yet thoughtless farmers used to shoot it. Mr. Le Souëf and Dr. C. Ryan came upon a flock of Ibises breeding in Riverina. They estimated the flock to contain 240,000 birds. They found that each bird shot contained on the average 2000 young grasshoppers. Think of it; 480,000,000 grasshoppers a day! Where are those birds now, when needed to stem a locust plague? We have to pay the price of our folly in destroying valuable birds. A third Ibis is identical with the little Glossy Ibis of Europe.
The six Spoonbills are found throughout the world except in New Zealand and the northern parts of North America. They used to breed in England before man's selfishness and stupidity destroyed them and their nesting-places. They breed at present in the Murray swamps.
The Australian Stork—the Jabiru—does not come to the Southern parts of Australia, but breeds on the Queensland coast. It is a quaint-shaped, though beautifully-colored, bird. Its large, awkward-looking bill has a slight curve upwards.
Now come those beautiful birds, the Egrets. Man's cupidity and selfishness, and woman's desire for ornament, seem to have doomed these birds to total extermination, for the plume trade, which is responsible for some of the "most abominable cruelty practised in the animal world," is a war of extermination. Egrets are shy, and are approachable only in the breeding season. At that time they are, in obedience to parental instincts, brave in defence of their young. It is just then that the plume-hunters visit the rookeries and shoot the parents, leaving the helpless, almost fully-fledged, young to die in the nest, so high overhead. And all for what? Could anyone who has seen the devastated nests, with the famished bodies of the fledglings rotting in the sun, ever take pleasure in Egret plumes decking the head of a sister or wife? Women of refinement and tender heart will refuse to wear the proceeds of human cruelty. Those engaged in the trade resort to the mean trick of calling theplumes "Osprey plumes." Now, the Osprey is a Fish-Hawk, and so possibly of little use to the land-dweller, but these plumes grow on the back and neck of a valuable insect destroyer. The extent of this trade is appalling. At one plume sale, held in London on 4th August, 1909, the breeding plumes of 24,000 birds were offered for sale. Think of it! The slow starvation of 40,000 nestlings, the death of 64,000 birds, to provide the plumes for one day's sale. No, ladies, if you consider you are in need of ornament, wear ostrich plumes and pheasants' feathers, for these do not involve the death of a bird, but rather the reverse, for the greater the demand for these feathers, the more birds will be bred; but spare the Egret.
The Reef Heron is found on beaches from the Bay of Bengal to New Zealand. It has given scientists much trouble, for it has a pure-white form and a dark slaty-gray form. We found and photographed the nests on Mast Head and Heron Islands. This was a prize, for no photograph of a Reef Heron's nest had been published previously. As soon as the falling tide exposed the reef round the island, Reef Herons, Gulls, Plovers, Dottrels, and Terns, went out to have their next meal.
The "Blue Crane" of the country dwellers is the "White-fronted Heron" of the bird-lover. "Fronted" in a bird name refers only to the forehead. Herons are valuable birds to the grazier, farmer, and irrigationist, for, in addition to insects and snails, they eat yabbies (fresh-water crayfish), which bore into the banks and bed of irrigation channels, and so cause much loss of water by soakage.
Distinguished from these birds mainly by its nocturnal habit is the interesting Nankeen Night Heron, our one representative of a practically cosmopolitan genus. Our one Night Heron hides on a leafy bough asleep during the daytime. About dusk he sets off to a swamp.
The Australian Bittern, also our one representative of a cosmopolitan genus, skulks in a bed of reeds. Hence it is seldom seen. Its loud, dismal, booming note probably assisted in the formation of the Bunyip legends of the blacks. I saw more Bitterns in a recent trip down the Brisbane than I ever saw before.
At breeding time these birds assemble in very large companies, and their nesting-places are called heronries or rookeries. The chief rookeries here are in the Riverina, where the great annual overflow of that fine river, the Murray, converts the country into a great series of lakes and swamps. Here water animals live in large numbers, and thousands of birds take advantage of this abundant food supply to nest there in the enormous redgums.
Each bird is the close relative of a similar bird in Europe, so that what is read concerning Herons and Egrets there, applies equally to our members of this widely-distributed family. Eating grasshoppers and other insects in great numbers, they are friends of the farmer and grazier. Destroying yabbies and other burrowing water animals, they are valuable allies of the irrigationist, and it is decidedly bad policy to shoot one.
ORDER XII.—ARDEIFORMES.F. 50. IBIDIDAE (3), IBISES, 27 sp.—4(2)A., 6(2)O., 3(0)P., 10(8)E., 4(0)Nc., 11(7)Nl.15112 Australian White Ibis(Black-necked), Sickle-Bill,Ibis molucca, Mol., N.G., A. =vt. Sacred Ibis of Egypt.Nom. flocks, r.lagoons30White; head, upper-neck bare black; back of head and neck barred rose-pink; black bill arched; f., smaller. Insects.11113 Straw-necked Ibis, Dryweather (Letter) Bird, Farmer's Friend,Carphibis spinicollis, A. T.Nom. flocks, c.grassy28"This beautiful ibis;" head, fore-neck naked black; black bill arched; pointed, straw-colored plumes on neck; breast, upper greenish-purple barred black; abdomen, flanks, tail white; f., smaller. Insects.13114 Glossy Ibis, Black Curlew (e),Plegadis falcinellus, A., T., N.Z., almost cos. exc. S. Am., Arctic, and Pac. Is.[~114Egatheus falcinellus.]Nom. flocks, v.r.swampy25Head, neck, breast, back, under rich reddish-chestnut; lower-back, tail dark bronze-green; winter; head, neck streaked white; f., sim. Insects, worms.F. 51. PLATALEIDAE (2), SPOONBILLS, 6 sp.—2(2)A., 2(0)O., 2(0)P., 2(1)E., 1(0)Nc., 1(0)Nl.14115 Black-billed Spoonbill(Royal),Platalea regia, A., N.Z.Nom. r.marshy29White; bill, legs, feet black; f., sim. Shellfish, frogs.
F. 50. IBIDIDAE (3), IBISES, 27 sp.—4(2)A., 6(2)O., 3(0)P., 10(8)E., 4(0)Nc., 11(7)Nl.
15
112 Australian White Ibis(Black-necked), Sickle-Bill,Ibis molucca, Mol., N.G., A. =vt. Sacred Ibis of Egypt.
Nom. flocks, r.lagoons30
White; head, upper-neck bare black; back of head and neck barred rose-pink; black bill arched; f., smaller. Insects.
11
113 Straw-necked Ibis, Dryweather (Letter) Bird, Farmer's Friend,Carphibis spinicollis, A. T.
Nom. flocks, c.grassy28
"This beautiful ibis;" head, fore-neck naked black; black bill arched; pointed, straw-colored plumes on neck; breast, upper greenish-purple barred black; abdomen, flanks, tail white; f., smaller. Insects.
13
114 Glossy Ibis, Black Curlew (e),Plegadis falcinellus, A., T., N.Z., almost cos. exc. S. Am., Arctic, and Pac. Is.[~114Egatheus falcinellus.]
Nom. flocks, v.r.swampy25
Head, neck, breast, back, under rich reddish-chestnut; lower-back, tail dark bronze-green; winter; head, neck streaked white; f., sim. Insects, worms.
F. 51. PLATALEIDAE (2), SPOONBILLS, 6 sp.—2(2)A., 2(0)O., 2(0)P., 2(1)E., 1(0)Nc., 1(0)Nl.
14
115 Black-billed Spoonbill(Royal),Platalea regia, A., N.Z.
Nom. r.marshy29
White; bill, legs, feet black; f., sim. Shellfish, frogs.
128, 129, 131, 133, 134, 135, 136, 137, 139 - click to enlarge
152, 155, 157, 158, 165, 167, 170, 172, 173 - click to enlarge
116, 117, 118, 121, 122 - click to enlarge
11116 Yellow-billed Spoonbill,Platibis flavipes, A.Nom. r.swamps28White; bill, legs, feet yellow; f., sim. Shellfish, frogs,F. 52. CICONIIDAE (1), STORK (JABIRU), 19 sp.—2(0)A., 10(6)O., 4(1)P., 8(4)E., 2(0)Nc., 3(1)Nl.F. 53.Scopidae, Hammer-Head, 1 sp. E.F. 54.Balaenicipitidae, Shoe-bird, Shoebill, Whaleheaded Stork, 1 sp. E. (Upper White Nile).F. 55. ARDEIDAE (16), HERONS, 107 sp.—32(16)A., 27(4)O., 21(1)P., 25(14)E., 17(4)Nc., 33(20)Nl.13117 Plumed Egret,Mesophoyx plumifera, Cel., Mol., N.G., A.[~117Egretta plumifera.]Nom. v.r.swamps24White; bill yellow; feet, lower legs black, above "knee" yellow; f., sim. Insects.13118 Australian White Egret(Great), White Crane (e),Herodias timoriensis, Jap., China, Philippines to A., T., N.Z.[~118E. timoriensis.]Nom. v.r.lagoons30"This noble species;" white; bill beautiful orange; legs above "knee" and line down centre of inner shin dull yellow; rest of shin, feet black; naked space about eye greenish-yellow; f., sim. Fish, frogs, insects.24119*White-fronted Heron, Blue-Crane (e), Matuku,Notophoyx novae-hollandiae, Cel., Mol., N.G., A., T., N.Z.Nom. v.c.about water24Face, throat white; upper, wings dark-gray; under gray tinged rufous; f., sim. Insects, crabs, yabbies.120 White-necked Heron(Pacific), White-necked Crane (e),N. pacifica, A., T.Stat. r.swamps30Head, neck, breast, shoulder white; under, wings, tail upper blackish; f., smaller. Frogs, insects.
11
116 Yellow-billed Spoonbill,Platibis flavipes, A.
Nom. r.swamps28
White; bill, legs, feet yellow; f., sim. Shellfish, frogs,
F. 52. CICONIIDAE (1), STORK (JABIRU), 19 sp.—2(0)A., 10(6)O., 4(1)P., 8(4)E., 2(0)Nc., 3(1)Nl.
F. 53.Scopidae, Hammer-Head, 1 sp. E.
F. 54.Balaenicipitidae, Shoe-bird, Shoebill, Whaleheaded Stork, 1 sp. E. (Upper White Nile).
F. 55. ARDEIDAE (16), HERONS, 107 sp.—32(16)A., 27(4)O., 21(1)P., 25(14)E., 17(4)Nc., 33(20)Nl.
13
117 Plumed Egret,Mesophoyx plumifera, Cel., Mol., N.G., A.[~117Egretta plumifera.]
Nom. v.r.swamps24
White; bill yellow; feet, lower legs black, above "knee" yellow; f., sim. Insects.
13
118 Australian White Egret(Great), White Crane (e),Herodias timoriensis, Jap., China, Philippines to A., T., N.Z.[~118E. timoriensis.]
Nom. v.r.lagoons30
"This noble species;" white; bill beautiful orange; legs above "knee" and line down centre of inner shin dull yellow; rest of shin, feet black; naked space about eye greenish-yellow; f., sim. Fish, frogs, insects.
24
119*White-fronted Heron, Blue-Crane (e), Matuku,Notophoyx novae-hollandiae, Cel., Mol., N.G., A., T., N.Z.
Nom. v.c.about water24
Face, throat white; upper, wings dark-gray; under gray tinged rufous; f., sim. Insects, crabs, yabbies.
120 White-necked Heron(Pacific), White-necked Crane (e),N. pacifica, A., T.
Stat. r.swamps30
Head, neck, breast, shoulder white; under, wings, tail upper blackish; f., smaller. Frogs, insects.
119, 120, 123, 124, 125 - click to enlarge
12121 Lesser Egret(Little, Spotless),Garzetta nigripes, Malay to N.G., A.[~121E. nigripes.]Nom. r.swamps22White; 2 long plumes from nape; feet, legs totally black; bill black; f., sim. Frogs, insects.11122 Reef Heron(White, Blue, Sacred),Demiegretta sacra, Jap., Ind. to A., T., N.Z.[~122Demigretta sacra.]Stat. r.coast23Dark slaty-gray; bill yellowish-green; some birds are white; f., sim. Crabs, shellfish.18123*Nankeen Night Heron, Nankeen Crane (e),Nycticorax caledonicus, Cel., N.G., A., T., N.Z. =vt. Eur. Night Heron. Frogs, insects, yabbies.Mig. c.swamps19Nocturnal; crown, nape black; long white plumes from nape; upper rich chestnut; abdomen white; neck, chest reddish-chestnut; f., sim.; young mottled brown, buff.210124 Minute Bittern, Kaoriki,Ardetta pusilla, A., N.Z., =vt. Eur. Little Bittern.[~124Ixobrychus pusillus.]Stat. v.r.swamps10Crown, back, tail greenish-black; under pale-buff; hind-neck, shoulder deep-chestnut; bill, feet yellow; dark line from chin to lower breast; f., smaller; upper brown streaked chestnut; tail black; under white streaked brown. Water-animals.15125*Australian Bittern(Black-backed), Boomer, Bull-Bird. Matuku-Lurepo,Botaurus poeciloptilus, A. T., N. Cal., N.Z. =vt. Eur. Bittern.Stat. r.reeds24Head, hind-neck, back dark-brown; wings brown marked buff; throat, under creamy-buff streaked dark-brown; bill yellow; f., smaller. Fish, frogs, yabbies, insects.F. 56.Palamedeidae, Screamers, Unicorn-Bird, 3 sp. Nl.F. 57.Phoenicopteridae, Flamingoes, 6 sp.—2(0)O., 1(0)P., 2(0)E., 1(0)Nc., 4(3)Nl.
12
121 Lesser Egret(Little, Spotless),Garzetta nigripes, Malay to N.G., A.[~121E. nigripes.]
Nom. r.swamps22
White; 2 long plumes from nape; feet, legs totally black; bill black; f., sim. Frogs, insects.
11
122 Reef Heron(White, Blue, Sacred),Demiegretta sacra, Jap., Ind. to A., T., N.Z.[~122Demigretta sacra.]
Stat. r.coast23
Dark slaty-gray; bill yellowish-green; some birds are white; f., sim. Crabs, shellfish.
18
123*Nankeen Night Heron, Nankeen Crane (e),Nycticorax caledonicus, Cel., N.G., A., T., N.Z. =vt. Eur. Night Heron. Frogs, insects, yabbies.
Mig. c.swamps19
Nocturnal; crown, nape black; long white plumes from nape; upper rich chestnut; abdomen white; neck, chest reddish-chestnut; f., sim.; young mottled brown, buff.
210
124 Minute Bittern, Kaoriki,Ardetta pusilla, A., N.Z., =vt. Eur. Little Bittern.[~124Ixobrychus pusillus.]
Stat. v.r.swamps10
Crown, back, tail greenish-black; under pale-buff; hind-neck, shoulder deep-chestnut; bill, feet yellow; dark line from chin to lower breast; f., smaller; upper brown streaked chestnut; tail black; under white streaked brown. Water-animals.
15
125*Australian Bittern(Black-backed), Boomer, Bull-Bird. Matuku-Lurepo,Botaurus poeciloptilus, A. T., N. Cal., N.Z. =vt. Eur. Bittern.
Stat. r.reeds24
Head, hind-neck, back dark-brown; wings brown marked buff; throat, under creamy-buff streaked dark-brown; bill yellow; f., smaller. Fish, frogs, yabbies, insects.
F. 56.Palamedeidae, Screamers, Unicorn-Bird, 3 sp. Nl.
F. 57.Phoenicopteridae, Flamingoes, 6 sp.—2(0)O., 1(0)P., 2(0)E., 1(0)Nc., 4(3)Nl.
Swans, Geese, and Ducks, the Swimming Birds grouped in Order XIII., are all classified in one family, though there are many sub-families.
At the head of the Australian birds is the Black Swan—thatrara aviswhich, possibly, has done more to advertize Australia than any other Australian animal or plant. A "black" swan was an "impossibility," so this bird was one of the strongest factors in establishing Australia's reputation as a land of paradoxes and contradictions.
The Black Swan is well known outside Australia, as it is common in every park and garden in Europe. Gould feared that it would be exterminated here, but fortunately Australians are now learning to appreciate their own land, and there is no danger of such a calamity.
Eight species of Swans are known to occur all over the world with the exception of New Zealand and Africa.
In the next sub-family there is but one bird—the Semipalmated Goose of Australia. This bird, better known as the Magpie Goose, has its feet but half-webbed, hence its specific name,semipalmata.It is getting rare, though I heard of six near Colac recently.
Again, the only living representative of the next sub-family is the Cape Barren Goose, which is common in city gardens in Adelaide. It is also becoming rare. It is found only in Tasmania, the Bass Strait Islands, and Southern Australia. We visited its nesting place near Flinders Island. It is a very pugnacious bird, so it is difficult to keep with other birds.
After the Goose sub-family comes the group which includes our "Wood Duck," or, as it is called, the Maned Goose, for its bill is goose-like. It is a common bird in Australia. Two allied genera are found in South America and North-east Africa respectively.
In the next sub-family come the domestic Ducks and most of the wild Ducks of Australia. This group is often referred to as the "Freshwater or River Ducks."
First come two kinds of Whistling Ducks—so called on account of their whistling note uttered while flying. These are rare Ducks, one of which is found as far as India; the other is occasionally seen in New Zealand, as well as in Australia. The Sheldrake, or Shieldrake (Mountain Duck) is the largest Australian Duck, and one of the most handsome of the sub-family. It is nowhere very plentiful, though one or more pairs appear in most suitable localities. As it is unfit for the table, it should be spared as an ornament to the landscape.
The Black Duck is very similar to the common wild Duck (Mallard) of England. Our Black Duck does not change color withthe season, nor is the male different in color from the female.
The Australian Teal is closely similar to the Teal of Europe. It is a grass feeder, and is a good table bird. The female is very different from the male. It is impossible to distinguish the male Gray Teal from the female Teal when in the free state. Mr. Keartland (ex-President of the Field Naturalist Club, and ornithologist to the Horn and Calvert exploring expeditions) has shown that there is a big difference in weight. The male of the smaller Gray Teal is not brightly colored like the male Chestnut-breasted Teal.
The remarkable Shoveller comes next. It is closely similar to the English Shoveller. Strange that this name was first used for the Spoonbill. The Shovellers are found the world over. The males are very brightly colored in the nesting season.
Unlike most other birds, Swans and Ducks lose the whole of their wing feathers at once when moulting, so that for a short time they cannot fly. As a protection, the gaudy ones acquire a quiet, inconspicuous coloration for a time, so that the male is said to get an "eclipse plumage." Many other birds get a bright dress for the breeding season only, but the male Duck wears his brightdress for the whole year, except in the moulting period. It is then "eclipsed," with the corresponding advantage that he is protected from his many enemies at a time when he is most helpless.
The remarkable Pink-eared Duck has no close relative. It has a small pink spot between the eye and ear, and so is called pink-eyed or pink-eared. It is found only in Australia. The female is similar in color to the male. The name Wigeon, or Widgeon, sometimes applied to this Duck, properly belongs to another of the fresh-water Ducks which is not found in Australia. Hence, this name should not be used for our bird.
Another peculiar Australian Duck is the Freckled Duck. It is a very rare bird. One taken on the ornithologists' excursion to Eyre Peninsula was considered a prize. So far as is known, it does not change color with the season, nor has the male or female the usual bright metallic patch seen on the wing of a Duck.
The "Salt-water Ducks" form the next sub-family. These Ducks, though, are not always true to name, for they are not confined to the salt water. The Victorian representative is the well-known White-eyed Duck, or Hardhead. This Duck was common on the Botanic Gardens Lake, Melbourne, until it was emptied some time ago. Thus, our one "Salt-water Duck" was often seen on fresh water. In the same sub-family come the Eider-Ducksof Iceland and the Logger-head, Racehorse, or Steamer Duck, of Magellan Straits, which is said to lose the power of flight on reaching maturity after the first moult. Thus the life-history tells us that this bird is a degenerate form, and not a primitive flightless form, for it has evidently descended from flying ancestors. It uses its wings to row itself along at great speed.
The ninth sub-family of this group of swimming birds contains two native Ducks. The Blue-billed Duck, the first of these, is "especially adapted for immersion and for obtaining its food from the bottom of the water rather than on its surface." It was thought by Gould to be confined to the coastal lagoons of Western Australia, but it has since been recorded from inland in Victoria, and four specimens have been taken in Tasmania. It remains under the water for a considerable time, and, if hunted,flaps along the surface with its short wings, but hesitates to exercise its "feeble grebe-like flight."
Some writers declare that the large Musk Duck is the most remarkable of the many remarkable birds of Australia. It is the only known species of the genus, and is "singularly different from every other member of the Duck family," as Gould points out. Gould further says that "this extraordinary bird reminds one of the Cormorants. Like many other of these antipodean forms, it must be regarded as an anomaly." The male has a lengthened, stiff, and leather-like appendage under the bill. The female is without this pouch, and is but half the size of the male. A pair is often to be seen on a sheltered bay or on an inland dam, and yet this bird has very feeble powers of flight. It is difficult to cause one to take to flight. Mr. A. J. Campbell summed up an instructive discussion on this point in the columns ofThe Australasianby concluding that Musk Ducks can fly, though they do so almost entirely at night.
126, 127, 128, 129, 130 - click to enlarge
ORDER XIII.—ANSERIFORMES.F. 58. ANATIDAE (21), SWANS, GEESE, 206 sp.—39(30)A., 50(9)O., 68(10)P., 41(21)E., 56(11)Nc., 70(39)Nl.11126 Black Swan,Chenopsis atrata, A., T.[~126Chenopis atrata.]Stat. c.lakes40Black; white on wing; very long neck; f., sim. Plants.11127 Pied Goose(Magpie, Black and White, Semipalmated),Anseranas semipalmata, A., T.Stat. v.r.water32Head, neck, wings, lower-back, tail, thighs black; rest white; feet half-webbed; f., sim. Grass.11128*Cape Barren Goose,Cereopsis novae-hollandiae, V., S.A., W.A., T., Bass St. Is.Stat. v.r.grass,coast3Brownish-gray; dark spots on wing; bill black; naked skin round bill lemon-yellow; legs pinkish; toes, webs, streak up front of leg black; pugnacious; f., sim. Grass.11129*Maned Goose, Wood-Duck (e),Chenonetta jubata, A., T.Stat. c.water20Crown deep-brown; tail, lower-back black; metallic green on wing; breast gray spotted black; hind-neck short black plumes; white patch on wing; bill olive-brown, high, goose-like; f., smaller; duller; breast spotted white. Grass, snails, insects.29130 Whistling Duck(Tree),Dendrocygna arcuata, Ind., Malay to Cel., Mol., N.G., A., Oceania.Stat. r.water17Crown, upper brownish-black marked lighter; chin whitish; breast deep-buff, spotted black; abdomen chestnut; under base tail white; whistles when flying; f., sim. Water-plants, fish.
F. 58. ANATIDAE (21), SWANS, GEESE, 206 sp.—39(30)A., 50(9)O., 68(10)P., 41(21)E., 56(11)Nc., 70(39)Nl.
11
126 Black Swan,Chenopsis atrata, A., T.[~126Chenopis atrata.]
Stat. c.lakes40
Black; white on wing; very long neck; f., sim. Plants.
11
127 Pied Goose(Magpie, Black and White, Semipalmated),Anseranas semipalmata, A., T.
Stat. v.r.water32
Head, neck, wings, lower-back, tail, thighs black; rest white; feet half-webbed; f., sim. Grass.
11
128*Cape Barren Goose,Cereopsis novae-hollandiae, V., S.A., W.A., T., Bass St. Is.
Stat. v.r.grass,coast3
Brownish-gray; dark spots on wing; bill black; naked skin round bill lemon-yellow; legs pinkish; toes, webs, streak up front of leg black; pugnacious; f., sim. Grass.
11
129*Maned Goose, Wood-Duck (e),Chenonetta jubata, A., T.
Stat. c.water20
Crown deep-brown; tail, lower-back black; metallic green on wing; breast gray spotted black; hind-neck short black plumes; white patch on wing; bill olive-brown, high, goose-like; f., smaller; duller; breast spotted white. Grass, snails, insects.
29
130 Whistling Duck(Tree),Dendrocygna arcuata, Ind., Malay to Cel., Mol., N.G., A., Oceania.
Stat. r.water17
Crown, upper brownish-black marked lighter; chin whitish; breast deep-buff, spotted black; abdomen chestnut; under base tail white; whistles when flying; f., sim. Water-plants, fish.
131, 132, 133, 134, 135 - click to enlarge
131*Plumed Whistling Duck(Eyton Tree),D. eytoni, A., T., N.Z.Stat. r.lagoons16Upper grayish-brown; rump, tail blackish-brown; lower-breast, flanks chestnut barred black; white, black plumes on flanks; under base tail white; whistles when flying; f., sim. Water-plants, fish.25132 Australian Sheldrake, Chestnut-colored Shieldrake, Mountain Duck,Casarca tadornoides, N.S.W., V., T., S.A., W.A., N.W.A. =vt. Eur. Sheldrake.[~132Tadorna tadornoides.]Stat. r.lagoons27Head, neck shining-green; chest, upper-back pale rust-red; white band between green and rust-red; upper, under blackish; tail black; white, green, chestnut on wing; f., smaller, duller. Small fish, shellfish.116133*Black Duck(Australian Wild, Gray, Brown), Parera,Anas superciliosa, =vt. Eur. Mallard. Sunda Is. to N.G., A., T., N.Z.Stat. v.c.water24Head dark-brown; line above eye, line below eye, throat light-buff; upper, under brown marked lighter; glossy-green patch on wing; bill bluish lead-color; f., sim. Grass, insects, pond-snails.315134*Australian Teal(Chestnut-breasted, Black, Mountain), Tete,Nettium castaneum, Java, Cel., A., T., N.Z. =vt. Eur. Teal.[~134Nettion castaneum.]Stat. c.lagoons18.5Head, neck dark bronze-green; upper rich brown; under chestnut; flanks spotted black; white, green patch on expanded wing; quills black; 1 lb. 9 oz.; f., head, neck brown and buffy-white; breast gray, spotted black; 1 lb. 8 oz. Grass.135*Gray Teal, Wood-Teal,N. gibberifrons, Sunda Is., Cel., N.G., A., T., N.Z.Stat. c.lagoons16Like female of 134, but smaller; neck white; 1 lb. 2 oz.; f., smaller; 1 lb. 1 oz.
131*Plumed Whistling Duck(Eyton Tree),D. eytoni, A., T., N.Z.
Stat. r.lagoons16
Upper grayish-brown; rump, tail blackish-brown; lower-breast, flanks chestnut barred black; white, black plumes on flanks; under base tail white; whistles when flying; f., sim. Water-plants, fish.
25
132 Australian Sheldrake, Chestnut-colored Shieldrake, Mountain Duck,Casarca tadornoides, N.S.W., V., T., S.A., W.A., N.W.A. =vt. Eur. Sheldrake.[~132Tadorna tadornoides.]
Stat. r.lagoons27
Head, neck shining-green; chest, upper-back pale rust-red; white band between green and rust-red; upper, under blackish; tail black; white, green, chestnut on wing; f., smaller, duller. Small fish, shellfish.
116
133*Black Duck(Australian Wild, Gray, Brown), Parera,Anas superciliosa, =vt. Eur. Mallard. Sunda Is. to N.G., A., T., N.Z.
Stat. v.c.water24
Head dark-brown; line above eye, line below eye, throat light-buff; upper, under brown marked lighter; glossy-green patch on wing; bill bluish lead-color; f., sim. Grass, insects, pond-snails.
315
134*Australian Teal(Chestnut-breasted, Black, Mountain), Tete,Nettium castaneum, Java, Cel., A., T., N.Z. =vt. Eur. Teal.[~134Nettion castaneum.]
Stat. c.lagoons18.5
Head, neck dark bronze-green; upper rich brown; under chestnut; flanks spotted black; white, green patch on expanded wing; quills black; 1 lb. 9 oz.; f., head, neck brown and buffy-white; breast gray, spotted black; 1 lb. 8 oz. Grass.
135*Gray Teal, Wood-Teal,N. gibberifrons, Sunda Is., Cel., N.G., A., T., N.Z.
Stat. c.lagoons16
Like female of 134, but smaller; neck white; 1 lb. 2 oz.; f., smaller; 1 lb. 1 oz.
136, 137, 138, 139, 140, 141 - click to enlarge
24136*Australian Shoveller, Bluewing, Spoonbill-Duck, Stinker, Kuruwhengi,Spatula rhynchotis, A., T., N.Z., =vt. Eur. Shoveller.Nom. v.r.freshwater21.5Crown brownish-black; white line before eye, side of neck; head, neck gray tinged green; under chestnut-brown mottled black; flanks chestnut banded black; back-feathers blackish edged grayish; blue, white, green on wing; throat black; quills dark-brown; under-wing white; f., duller; head, neck buff marked brown; under mottled brown, buff. Water-plants, shellfish, insects.11137*Pink-eared Duck(Pink-eyed, Zebra), Widgeon (e),Malacorhynchus membranaceus, A., T.Nom. v.r.fresh water17Under barred brown, white; face, chin white; black round eye; behind eye a spot of rose-pink; back, wings brown; upper base tail whitish; tail dark-brown slightly tipped white; f., smaller. Water-animals.11138 Freckled Duck(Monkey),Stictonetta naevosa, V., S.A., W.A., T., N.S.W.v.r.water17Dark-brown freckled whitish, under lighter. Small fish, pond-snails.18139*White-eyed Duck(Purple-headed, White-winged), Hardhead, Brownhead, Barwing, Karakahia,Aythya australis, N.G., A., T., N.Z., =vt. Canvas-back of N. Am.[~139Nyroca australis.]c.lagoons,bays20Chestnut-brown; white patch on wing; upper abdomen whitish; under tail white; eye white; f., smaller, duller. Pond-snails, insects.17140 Blue-billed Duck(Spiny-tailed, Stiff-tailed, Diving),Erismatura australis, N.S.W., V., S.A., W.A., T.[~140Oxyura australis.]v.r.reedbeds16Head, neck black; chest, back, flanks chestnut; tail blackish; bill light-blue; f., bill olive-green; freckled gray-brown; under lighter. Insects, pond-snails, fish.11141 Musk Duck(Must), Mould Goose (e),Biziura lobata, S.Q., N.S.W., V., S.A., W.A., T.Stat. c.lagoons,bays26Blackish freckled buffy-white; wings small; long stiff tail-feathers; bill, lobe beneath chin greenish-black; dives; f., half-size; duller; no lobe. Frogs, shellfish, shrimps.
24
136*Australian Shoveller, Bluewing, Spoonbill-Duck, Stinker, Kuruwhengi,Spatula rhynchotis, A., T., N.Z., =vt. Eur. Shoveller.
Nom. v.r.freshwater21.5
Crown brownish-black; white line before eye, side of neck; head, neck gray tinged green; under chestnut-brown mottled black; flanks chestnut banded black; back-feathers blackish edged grayish; blue, white, green on wing; throat black; quills dark-brown; under-wing white; f., duller; head, neck buff marked brown; under mottled brown, buff. Water-plants, shellfish, insects.
11
137*Pink-eared Duck(Pink-eyed, Zebra), Widgeon (e),Malacorhynchus membranaceus, A., T.
Nom. v.r.fresh water17
Under barred brown, white; face, chin white; black round eye; behind eye a spot of rose-pink; back, wings brown; upper base tail whitish; tail dark-brown slightly tipped white; f., smaller. Water-animals.
11
138 Freckled Duck(Monkey),Stictonetta naevosa, V., S.A., W.A., T., N.S.W.
v.r.water17
Dark-brown freckled whitish, under lighter. Small fish, pond-snails.
18
139*White-eyed Duck(Purple-headed, White-winged), Hardhead, Brownhead, Barwing, Karakahia,Aythya australis, N.G., A., T., N.Z., =vt. Canvas-back of N. Am.[~139Nyroca australis.]
c.lagoons,bays20
Chestnut-brown; white patch on wing; upper abdomen whitish; under tail white; eye white; f., smaller, duller. Pond-snails, insects.
17
140 Blue-billed Duck(Spiny-tailed, Stiff-tailed, Diving),Erismatura australis, N.S.W., V., S.A., W.A., T.[~140Oxyura australis.]
v.r.reedbeds16
Head, neck black; chest, back, flanks chestnut; tail blackish; bill light-blue; f., bill olive-green; freckled gray-brown; under lighter. Insects, pond-snails, fish.
11
141 Musk Duck(Must), Mould Goose (e),Biziura lobata, S.Q., N.S.W., V., S.A., W.A., T.
Stat. c.lagoons,bays26
Blackish freckled buffy-white; wings small; long stiff tail-feathers; bill, lobe beneath chin greenish-black; dives; f., half-size; duller; no lobe. Frogs, shellfish, shrimps.
There are six families of birds included in Order XIV.—the Totally-webbed Swimmers. All four toes are joined by a web. Ducks have three toes only joined by the web, the hind toebeing free. Representatives of the six families are found in Australia. These birds are fisherspar excellence.
In the first family come the well-known Cormorants or Shags, birds found in almost every country in the world. Forty-two species are known, of which five occur in Australia.
The large Black Cormorant is the common Black Cormorant of Britain. It has a very extensive range over North America, Greenland, Europe, Africa, Asia, and Australia.
The little Black Cormorant is found in Australia, from the Moluccas to Borneo, and in New Zealand. Indeed, New Zealand is the stronghold of Cormorants, as it possesses many species.
The White-breasted and Pied Cormorants are so closely similar that possibly they will yet prove to be one species. Each is glistening white below, and jet black above. The bill is said to be longer in the Pied Cormorant, and the patch of naked skin near the eye is yellow, whereas, in the White-breasted Cormorant,this patch is said to be blackish or purplish. The Little Cormorant is also black and white. Its throat and upper chest are yellow.
Mr. Mattingley, C.M.Z.S., and others claim that the Cormorant, by feeding its young on yabbies, which, they say, prey on fish eggs, saves many more fish in the young stage than it ever eats in the adult stage, and hence it is really "a friend" of the anglers and fish. One thing is certain—fish were formerly much more abundant, and so were Cormorants. Anglers, collect evidence, and balance good with evil. Cormorants have a long, narrow bill, with a strongly-hooked tip. They are such expert fishers that in China they are much used to catch fish. Some will probably be surprised to learn that this custom formerly held in England, for the "Master of the Cormorants" was once one of the officers of the Royal household.
Some Cormorants nest in company in the Murray swamps, while others retire to a rocky island, such as Storehouse Island, east of Flinders Island, to breed.
These birds are expert swimmers and divers, so that one of the common names for them is "Diver," but the true Divers, as already pointed out, are Northern Hemisphere birds, and are placed in Family 25.
The Darter, or Snake Bird, is practically identical with the Water-Turkey of the United States. Sometimes, when alarmed, it submerges its body, leaving the head and neck exposed. It swims rapidly in this position. Four of these birds are known, and they are spread over America, Africa, Madagascar, Southern Asia, New Guinea, Australia, and New Zealand. The Darter was frequently seen on a recent trip to Enoggera Reservoir, the storage basin for Brisbane. The long, stiletto-like bill is used to impale its prey, while the flexible neck assists the spearing operation.
The next family contains the famous "Boobies" of sailors—the stupid Gannets, or Solan Geese, that were too stupid to escape from danger. Gould says our Gannet out-boobies the Booby, for he landed on a flat rock and secured five specimens by hand before the rest shuffled over the edge of the cliff and took flight. The Australian bird can scarcely be distinguished from its British cousin. It is common in Australian seas, where it can be seen diving for fish or flying swiftly round looking for prey. There is a large Gannet rookery on Cat Island, east of Flinders Island, where probably 4000 pairs of these fine birds nest each year. This was visited by a party of ornithologists in theManawatuin 1908.
The famous Frigate-Bird we read of in the old school readers was twice taken in Port Phillip Bay. It is the best of flyers, as it can "breakfast on the Senegal (Africa), and dine on the Amazon." The two Frigate-Birds are common in Australian tropical seas. As already mentioned we met the Frigate Bird onMast Head Island. Its wings are long, the forked tail also is long, but the legs and feet are very small. It is a creature of the air, and gets its living by compelling hard-working sea-birds to disgorge their prey.
The last bird in this varied Order is the Pelican. Our Australian Pelican is one of the largest of its tribe. Its enormous pouch distinguishes it at once. The ten Pelicans are practically world-wide in their distribution. On the trip of theManawatulast year round the islands of Bass Strait, we visited the Pelicans' nesting-place on Penguin Island. This bird is practically identical with the "Pelican of the wilderness" mentioned in Holy Writ. The Pelican enjoys a reputation for maternal care of her offspring; indeed, she was said to feed the young with her own blood. This was probably due to the fact that one species of Pelican has a blood-red tip to the bill. Young Pelicans have not the long bill or the pouch. Thus this bird illustrates the truth of the statement that each animal in its development climbs its own ancestral tree, or, to say it in another form, each animal in its development recapitulates the life-history of the race. The Pelican has evidently descended from birds that possessed a short bill.
142, 143, 144, 145, 146 - click to enlarge
ORDER XIV.—PELICANIFORMES.F. 59. PHALACROCORACIDAE (5), CORMORANTS, 42 sp.—16(14)A., 6(2)O., 7(3)P., 6(5)E., 10(4)Nc., 9(6)Nl.542142 Cormorant(Black), Black Shag,Phalacrocorax carbo., A., T., N.Z., cos. exc. S. Am.[~142-146Genus, Carbo.]c.lagoons,sea35Glossy blackish-green; side of neck, face buffy white; white on thighs; f., sim. Fish.143 Little Black Cormorant, Shag,P. sulcirostris, Borneo to N.G., A., T., N.Z.[~142-146Genus, Carbo.]c.lagoons,rivers25Glossy greenish-black, about eye and side of neck lighter; f., sim. Fish, frogs.144 White-breasted Cormorant, Black and White Shag, Diver (e),P. gouldi, Louisiade Is., A., T.[~142-146Genus, Carbo.]Stat. c.shores,rivers30Upper greenish-black, under glistening-white; naked skin about eye purple; hooked bill 2in.; f., sim. Fish.145 Pied Cormorant, Black and White Shag, Diver (e),P. hypoleucus, S.Q., N.S.W., V., S.A., W.A., N.W.A.[~142-146Genus, Carbo.]Stat. v.c.bays30Like 144, but bare space in front of eye orange, bill 2.7in.; f., sim. Fish.146 Little Cormorant, Frilled Shag,P. melanoleucus, Sunda Is., Mol., N.G., A., T., N.Z.[~142-146Genus, Carbo.]Stat. pairs, r.inlets,rivers23Upper black; under white; upper breast chestnut; f., sim. Fish, water-insects.
F. 59. PHALACROCORACIDAE (5), CORMORANTS, 42 sp.—16(14)A., 6(2)O., 7(3)P., 6(5)E., 10(4)Nc., 9(6)Nl.
542
142 Cormorant(Black), Black Shag,Phalacrocorax carbo., A., T., N.Z., cos. exc. S. Am.[~142-146Genus, Carbo.]
c.lagoons,sea35
Glossy blackish-green; side of neck, face buffy white; white on thighs; f., sim. Fish.
143 Little Black Cormorant, Shag,P. sulcirostris, Borneo to N.G., A., T., N.Z.[~142-146Genus, Carbo.]
c.lagoons,rivers25
Glossy greenish-black, about eye and side of neck lighter; f., sim. Fish, frogs.
144 White-breasted Cormorant, Black and White Shag, Diver (e),P. gouldi, Louisiade Is., A., T.[~142-146Genus, Carbo.]
Stat. c.shores,rivers30
Upper greenish-black, under glistening-white; naked skin about eye purple; hooked bill 2in.; f., sim. Fish.
145 Pied Cormorant, Black and White Shag, Diver (e),P. hypoleucus, S.Q., N.S.W., V., S.A., W.A., N.W.A.[~142-146Genus, Carbo.]
Stat. v.c.bays30
Like 144, but bare space in front of eye orange, bill 2.7in.; f., sim. Fish.
146 Little Cormorant, Frilled Shag,P. melanoleucus, Sunda Is., Mol., N.G., A., T., N.Z.[~142-146Genus, Carbo.]
Stat. pairs, r.inlets,rivers23
Upper black; under white; upper breast chestnut; f., sim. Fish, water-insects.
147 148, 148A, 149, 150 - click to enlarge
F. 60. PLOTIDAE (1), DARTERS, Water-Turkey, 4 sp.—2(1)A., 1(0)O., 2(0)P., 1(0)E., 1(0)Nc., 1(0)Nl.14147 Australian Darter, Snake-bird, Diver (e), Shag (e),Plotus (Anhinga) novae-hollandiae, N.G., A., N.Z.r.lagoons,bays36Head, long thin neck, upper, under greenish-black; white patch side of neck; wings spotted whitish; bill straight, sharp; tail long; f., light-brown neck, breast. Fish.F. 61. SULIDAE (4), GANNETS, Booby, Solan Goose, 11 sp.—4(1)A., 3(0)O., 1(0)P., 3(1)E., 6(l)Nc., 5(2)Nl.411148 Australian Gannet, Takupu,Sula serrator, A., T., N.Z.Stat. c.bays32White; wing-quills black; head, hind-neck buff; f., sim.; young brown spotted. Fish.F. 62. FREGATIDAE (2), FRIGATE BIRDS, Man-o'-war-bird, 2 sp.—2(0)A., 2(0)O., 1(0)P., 2(0)E., 1(0)Nc., 2(0)Nl. (Tropical Seas).22149 Frigate-Bird, Man-o'-war-Bird,Fregata aquila.Stat. r.ocean40Brownish-black; about eyes, pouch on throat deep red; variable in size, color; bill long, hooked; tail forked; wings very long; legs very short; f., browner; breast, flanks whitish. Stolen fish, young turtles.F. 63. PHAËTHONTIDAE(2), TROPIC BIRDS, Boatswain-Bird, Straw-Tails, 7 sp.—4(1)A., 4(1)O., 4(0)E., 3(0)Nc., 4(0)Nl.F. 64. PELECANIDAE (1), PELICANS, 10 sp.—1(1)A., 4(1)O., 3(0)P., 3(1)E., 3(0)Nc., 4(1)Nl.110150 Australian Pelican,Pelecanus conspicillatus, N.G., A., T., N.Z. =vt. cos. bird.c.lagoons,bays60White; wings, tail black; bill pink, pouch yellowish; f., sim. Fish, insects.F. 65.Cathartidae, Condor, Turkey (American, New World) Vultures, 9 sp.—3(1)Nc., 8(6)Nl. The largest of flying birds.
F. 60. PLOTIDAE (1), DARTERS, Water-Turkey, 4 sp.—2(1)A., 1(0)O., 2(0)P., 1(0)E., 1(0)Nc., 1(0)Nl.
14
147 Australian Darter, Snake-bird, Diver (e), Shag (e),Plotus (Anhinga) novae-hollandiae, N.G., A., N.Z.
r.lagoons,bays36
Head, long thin neck, upper, under greenish-black; white patch side of neck; wings spotted whitish; bill straight, sharp; tail long; f., light-brown neck, breast. Fish.
F. 61. SULIDAE (4), GANNETS, Booby, Solan Goose, 11 sp.—4(1)A., 3(0)O., 1(0)P., 3(1)E., 6(l)Nc., 5(2)Nl.
411
148 Australian Gannet, Takupu,Sula serrator, A., T., N.Z.
Stat. c.bays32
White; wing-quills black; head, hind-neck buff; f., sim.; young brown spotted. Fish.
F. 62. FREGATIDAE (2), FRIGATE BIRDS, Man-o'-war-bird, 2 sp.—2(0)A., 2(0)O., 1(0)P., 2(0)E., 1(0)Nc., 2(0)Nl. (Tropical Seas).
22
149 Frigate-Bird, Man-o'-war-Bird,Fregata aquila.
Stat. r.ocean40
Brownish-black; about eyes, pouch on throat deep red; variable in size, color; bill long, hooked; tail forked; wings very long; legs very short; f., browner; breast, flanks whitish. Stolen fish, young turtles.
F. 63. PHAËTHONTIDAE(2), TROPIC BIRDS, Boatswain-Bird, Straw-Tails, 7 sp.—4(1)A., 4(1)O., 4(0)E., 3(0)Nc., 4(0)Nl.
F. 64. PELECANIDAE (1), PELICANS, 10 sp.—1(1)A., 4(1)O., 3(0)P., 3(1)E., 3(0)Nc., 4(1)Nl.
110
150 Australian Pelican,Pelecanus conspicillatus, N.G., A., T., N.Z. =vt. cos. bird.
c.lagoons,bays60
White; wings, tail black; bill pink, pouch yellowish; f., sim. Fish, insects.
F. 65.Cathartidae, Condor, Turkey (American, New World) Vultures, 9 sp.—3(1)Nc., 8(6)Nl. The largest of flying birds.
The well-known Birds of Prey, so keen of eye, so rapid of flight, so fearless in courage, and so matchless in fight, have spread over almost the whole known world. The Eagles of one land are,therefore, much like the Eagles of another. The Harriers of England are practically identical with the Harriers of Australia and New Zealand, and, in fact, of almost any other land. The Falcon, so famous in mediæval times, is practically identical with the Falcon of Australia and Tasmania. The Australian Fish Hawk is the universal Fish Hawk or Osprey, for there is probably but one Osprey, having an almost world-wide range. The naming of these birds, though, has been a stumbling-block to us. To Australians they are all Hawks—even our gigantic and glorious Eagle has been reduced to the ignominious level of an "Eaglehawk," though our male Eagle is the largest male Eagle known, outrivalling, as it does, both the Bald Eagle of America and the Golden Eagle of Europe. A source of confusion, too, has arisen from the introduction of so many of our popular names from America, Thus, the Gum-tree (Eucalypt) is not a Gum, the 'Possum is notthe carnivorous Opossum of America, the Goanna is not the equivalent of the vegetarian American Iguana; the "Wild Cat" is not a Cat, nor is the "Native Bear" a Bear, nor even remotely related to one, nor is the Kestrel a Sparrowhawk. It is an American error in popular naming, which has given us the Kestrel as the equivalent of the American Sparrowhawk, while the Sparrowhawk of the ornithologist is the equivalent of the Sparrowhawk of Britain.
In one respect, we are unfortunate in this new land. No mass of association and tradition has yet had time to crystallize about our native animals and plants. Our poets have not been able to sing of our birds for want of names and knowledge. Little has been done beyond the giving and frequent altering of scientific names, and the misapplication of names of animals and plants living in other lands to often totally different animals and plants here, so that confusion has reigned supreme. However, in bird matters, at least, we are on a better footing, for the bird-lovers have provided a common, and in most cases an appropriate, name for each bird.
The American Bobolink and Chickadee are famous birds, chiefly on account of an appropriate name; so is the British Cuckoo, while its even more noisy, more common, and practically identical Australian cousin is still unknown, or rather was until recently. The introduction of Bird Day has already produced gratifying results. We need good descriptive names for our varied and beautiful birds—more children's and poets' names, and less of the deadly formal "Yellow-vented Parrakeet," "Blue-bellied Lorikeet," and "Warty-faced Honeyeater" for some of the most glorious of the world's birds.
The old OrderRaptores—birds of prey—included Hawks and Eagles, and Owls. These are now placed in two orders as "Diurnal Birds of Prey"—Hawks, and "Nocturnal Birds of Prey"—Owls. They all seize prey with the very well-developed talons, and not with the bill. Hence they were calledRaptores—seizing birds. They use these talons when flying, and do not catch prey in scrub, or very close to the ground, unless in a clear space.
The two Harriers are typically Ground Hawks. The name is said to be derived from the habit these birds are said to possess ofharryingbirds. They are generally called "Swamp Hawks," and may frequently be seen flying low over bushes, to beat birds out.
The Goshawks—i.e., Goosehawks—possibly received their name by confusion, as possibly a Falcon to hunt Geese was kept in olden days, but probably it was not this bird. Three of these birds are rare. The White Goshawk is a fine bird, and is confined to Australia and Tasmania. The Australian Goshawk is said to be the only troublesome Hawk to the poultry farmer, and he bears a bad name generally. The Lesser Goshawk is a casual visitor in the Eastern States.
The Sparrowhawk of the ornithologist is much feared by small birds. He lurks in ambush, suddenly flashes out upon his prey, and is away with it instantly. The male is one of the smallest of Hawks. It is an almost universal rule in this order of birds that the females are larger, often much larger, than the males, and that there are several changes of plumage before the adult plumage is finally donned, so it is often a matter of difficulty to determine exactly the name of one of these birds.
Eagles are found the world over except in New Zealand. Our Eagle has the honor of being, as already stated, the largest Eagle in the world. It is also of undoubted courage, as its specific name,audax(bold) would lead one to suppose. It is, further, Gould says, of a "far more pleasing and elegant contour" than the Golden Eagle, the "pride and pest of the parish." Whoever heard of an Australian who was proud of his Eagle, though it is something to be proud of? Let our noble bird appear near a house, and there is a rush for a gun. On Eyre Peninsula we found the Eagles fed their young on rabbits, a serious pest in Australia.
The equivalent of our Sea Eagle is the White-headed or Bald Eagle of America, the female of which is the same length as themale of our Eagle, 38 inches. Many of these glorious Sea Eagles were floating, with their peculiar butterfly-like flight, over the Brisbane River, and added much to our enjoyment of a recent bird excursion there. We found one nest on each island in the Capricorn Group. On Mast Head Island the nest was in a tree about 60 feet high. On tiny Erskine Island, where there were no big trees, it was built on the ground, though it had been added to until it is now over 6 feet high. The fully-feathered dark-brown young bird sat on the edge of the nest, and formed a good photographic subject. Eagles were ruthlessly slaughtered in the British Isles. There is a shadow of an excuse there, perhaps, with their game preserves, where rabbits and birds are bred for sporting purposes. These reasons do not exist here. But it is pleasing to find on record that, even there, "Lord Breadalbane, who died in 1862, thought that the spectacle of a soaring Eagle was a fitting adjunct to the grandeur of the Argyllshire mountain scenery, and a good equivalent for the occasional loss of a lamb."
Though the Sea Eagle lives mainly on fish and refuse cast up by the sea, it is pitiful to read that, though this interesting, picturesque, and valuable bird was once common, not one is left on the mainland of Scotland. Could blind, unreasoning slaughter do more? Why kill a harmless bird? But it is not only harmless; it is of distinct value in its sphere in Nature. Hawks altogether are misunderstood and misjudged. It is doubtful if it pays a farmer, aye, even a poultry farmer, to shoot Hawks. They might steal a few chickens, but they do not live on them. They live mainly on rabbits, mice, rats, and insects.
The Whistling Eagle whistles while flying about in the fine large flight-houses of the Adelaide Zoological Gardens. One fine specimen accompanied the Federal trawlerEndeavourdown Gladstone Harbor, but not far from shore, for it returned when we headed for the open ocean and the fairyland of the Great Barrier Reef.
Kites used to be excessively common about many English towns, where they acted as scavengers. The introduction of the shot-gun has exterminated them. They are world-wide in distribution, so what you read about European Kites will fit Australian Kites. They are, perhaps, the most graceful of flyers, gliding, soaring, hovering, and performing all sorts of aërial evolutions. The toy kites of our childhood were suggested by the flight of these once common birds. Now, alas! they are very rarely seen. Being mainly insectivorous, they are invaluable birds, and we can ill spare them in this country, where insect life is so abnormally prolific.
The Black-breasted Buzzard is the third largest of our Diurnal Birds of Prey. It is a rare visitor in Southern Australia, but in seasons of drought it comes down from Central Australia.
The Falcon, which our ancestors trained for hawking, is almost identical with our Falcon, while our Little Falcon is, for its size, the "boldest and swiftest of all birds of prey," for it has been observed to decapitate a flying Duck with a blow of the edge of its wing.In Brisbane we had the pleasure of spending an interesting afternoon with Mr. J. Bell, who formerly practised falconry with trained Australian Falcons.
The Kestrel of Australia is almost identical with the Kestrel of Europe. You must have noticed with interest its habit of hovering. One incident of the 1909 Ornithologists' Congress will show that, even in the midst of a crowded city like Adelaide, it is possible for scientific work in ornithology to be done. While the Director of Education, Mr. A. Williams, Mr. Le Souëf (ex-Pres., A.O.U.), Mr. A. J. Campbell (Pres., A.O.U.), Mr. Robert Hall (Vice-Pres., A.O.U.), and myself were walking from the Education Office to Grote Street School, a Kestrel was seen on the grass in a small square. The members of the party were astonished to see the Kestrel rise carrying a bird, possibly a Sparrow, in its talons. Now, the interest of this observation is that most of our ornithologists were prepared to state that the Kestrel is entirely insectivorous, and never touches small birds. However, an observation in the heart of Adelaide is of value in this matter of scientific interest. This bird, unfortunately, is generallycalled the Sparrowhawk, a name which belongs to a much bolder Australian bird of prey (No. 157), which does eat small birds.
Kestrels are very fond of mice, and would, if allowed, spend time protecting the farmer's haystacks, but if a Kestrel comes near the farmhouse the gun is at once produced, and so the farmer loses the services of one of his best friends.
Jeffries and other Nature-lovers have written on the marvellous powers of hovering possessed by these birds. In fact, the Kestrel is frequently called the Windhover. In Australia Kestrels frequently nest in a hollow tree, but do not lay the usual white egg.
The Osprey is another example of bad naming. The word is said to be a corruption of Ossifrage, the "bone-breaker." As it feeds on fish, it has no big bones to break. It is spread from "Alaska to Brazil, Lapland to Natal, Japan to Tasmania, and even out to the Pacific Isles," and it may be the same bird throughout, though Dr. Sharpe has allowed three species in the "Handlist of Birds." "The A.O.U. Check-list of North American Birds, 1910," however, recognizes the North American bird as a sub-species only, so it is possible the Australian bird will be also listed as a sub-species when the Royal Australasian Ornithologists' Union adopts its check-list in Sydney this year. Thesebirds eat living fish, which they catch by plunging into the sea. Occasionally they drive their talons into too big a fish, and, not being able to withdraw them, are drowned.
Flinders, in his journal, wrote about the enormous nests he met on rocky points, and considered they were built by a great "Dinornis."
The Osprey and the White-bellied Sea Eagle, however, build on rocky points if no trees are available, and add to the nest each year. It is interesting to read in the Western Australian Year Book article on birds that the Government has placed an Osprey's nest in the cave district, "under the protection of the Cave Warden." A pleasing interest is growing in Australian nature in its many forms.