PDF version available here: Vol. 13 No. 4

Journal of the
NSW FIELD ORNITHOLOGISTS CLUB
June, 1979
Volume 13, No. 4

ISSN 0311-8150

Registered for Posting as a Periodical Category BTHE N.S.W. FIELD ORNITHOLOGISTS CLUB
OFFICE BEARERS
PATRON A. R. McGill
PRESIDENT J. Francis
SECRETARY J.M. Pegler
TREASURER G. Dibley
RECORDS OFFICER T. Lindsey
FIELD DAY ORGANISER M. Dibley
CONSERVATION OFFICER D. Larkins
EDITOR OF AUSTRALIAN BIRDS A. K. Morris
EDITOR OF NEWSLETTER L. Smith
COMMITTEE J. Strudwick
J. Dixon
E. Hoskin
The object of the Club is to promote the study and conservation of Australian birds and the
habitats they occupy.
Annual subscription rates of the Club (due 1st July each year) are:
Single Member (within Co. of Cumberland) $8.00
Single Member (Country and overseas) $7.00
Family Member $9.00
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All members receive a quarterly newsletter and a copy of the quarterly journal “Australian
Birds”. The price of the journal is $2.00 plus postage per issue to non-memhers. Club badges
are available to club members at $1.30 or $1.50 if posted. The Club holds a meeting and a
field excursion each month.
All correspondence should be addressed to the Hon. Secretary at:
90 Picnic Point Road, Picnic Point. 2213
All memucrship fees should be sent to the Hon. Treasurer at:
18 Russell Street, Oatley. 2223
Manuscripts should be sent to the Editor at:
P.O. Box 39, Coonabarabran. 2857MOS
June, 1979
Volume 13, No. 4
CONFIRMED OCCURRENCE OF THE NORTHERN SHOVELER
IN AUSTRALIA
R. MOFFAT
During a recent conversation, a Cobar resident informed me that he possessed
a mounted specimen of the Northern Shoveler Anas clypeata, in which I showed
an interest. He was able to provide further information to the effect that:- A party
of duck shooters shot on a billabong adjacent to the Darling River, and down-
stream from Louth in March 1975. The flood waters were receding and there was
an abundance of submerged vegetation.
Flying with five shovelers was a bird thought to be a partial albino Blue -winged
Shoveler Anas rhynchotis, the breast being snowy white. This bird became the
prime target and was subsequently taken. When fresh it was noted that the bird
had yellow irides, orange legs and feet, a black bill and a brilliant glossy green
head. The specimen has now been lodged in the Australian Museum, specimen.
No. 0.47404.
The mounted bird was examined closely and after consulting reference
material, agreed on the identification as an adult male Northern Shoveler in
breeding pI lumage. The head and upper neck were dark grey and although faded.
showed some green irridescence. The breast was white extending to form a ring
around the lower neck. The belly was rich chestnut brown, being paler toward
the flank which was white. The flight feathers were brown with an irridescent green
speculum. The upper wing coverts were mid -blue, whilst the back feathers were
brown with paler edges.
When Gould (in Campbell 1974) visited New South Wales during the wet year
of 1839 “all the depressed parts of the land were filled with water, and the lagoons
here, there, and everywhere, were tenanted by hundreds of ducks of various
species, and every now and then one, two, or more beautifully plumaged Shovelers
were seen amongst them; but I did not succeed in shooting one of them, and must
have left the matter in doubt as to the particular species if the late Mr. Coxen, of
Yarrundi, had not the skin of a splendid old male in his possession, which he had
himself shot, and which, after careful examination, I found to be identical with the
Spatula clypeata of Britain and the European Continent. Misfortune, I regret to
say, attended Mr. Coxen’s specimen, for a day or two afterwards a rat or some
other kind of vermin entered the room in which it was kept, ate off its bill and legs,
and so otherwise mutilated the skin as to render it useless. The debris would still
have been saved had I not hoped and felt assured of obtaining other examples with58 AUSTRALIAN BIRDS (13) 4
Mounted specimen of Male Northern Shoveler shot at Louth, 1976.
Photo: A. K. Morris.
my gun; this hope, however, was never realised. To this subject, therefore,
recommend the attention of those in Australia, who will doubtless meet with the
bird some day when the country is subject to partial inundation”.
Over 130 years passed before Gould’s expectations were realised, and
although he did not mention the area of New South Wales in which he saw the
“beautifully plumaged Shovelers” it is interesting to note that the year in which
the Louth specimen was obtained followed two years of exceptionally high rain-
fall causing extensive flooding in central Australia.
The only other Australasian record relates to a drake Northern Shoveler that
was taken in New Zealand on 6 May 1968 near Pokeno, Lower Waikato (Howard,
1969) in full breeding plumage, now Auckland War Memorial Museum No. A.V.

1224. The Northern Shoveler is known to trNavel further south on its migrations than
      other northern ducks and is not deterred by the ‘heat barrier” of the Tropics.
      Vagrants have been recorded in South Africa (Roberts 1966), Australia and New
      Zealand.
      The male Northern Shoveler in eclipse plumage resembles the female which,
      is very similar to the female Blue -winged Shoveler (Frith 1967). Had the Louth
      specimen not been in breeding plumage it would not have been readily distin-
      guished from the latter. It could be considered then, that Northern Shoveler
      females, and males in eclipse plumage, may visit Australia more frequently than
      records indicate. Perhaps closer examinations of shovelers may reveal more male
      Northern Shovelers in partial breeding plumage, particularly if any green gloss is
      remaining on the head and neck, or white feathers in the breast.
      Note that in the accompanying photograph, the preparator has placed the
      wings outside the chestnut flank feathers, but in normal posture, the flank feathersJune, 1979 59
      cover the wing and the blue upper wing coverts are therefore not noticeable except
      in flight.
      would like to thank Doug Osborne of Cobar for allowing access to his
      I
      specimen and for providing information. G. Holmes of Armidale provided the New
      Zealand reference.
      REFERENCES
      Frith, H. J. 1967. Waterfowl in Australia. Sydney: Angus and Robertson.
      Gould, J. 1974. In Campbell, A. J. Nests and Eggs of Australian Birds, Melbourne:
      Wren Edition.
      Howard, P. J. 1969. A New Zealand record of the Northern Shoveler. Notornis 15,
      253.
      Roberts, A. 1966. Birds of South Africa. Cape Town: Trustees of the South Africa
      Bird Book Fund. Revised Edition.
      R. Moffat. P.O. Box 453, Cobar, N.S.W. 2835.
      THE BIRDS OF FOREST AND WOODLAND NEAR MORUYA N.S.W.
      S. MARCHANT
      For four years (1975-78) have recorded the birds in two areas, each of ten
      I
      hectares, at Maulbrooks Road, 4.5 km north-west of Moruya. It is worth present-
      ing a summary of results partly as a reference for the future and partly as a
      record of the avian community in forested areas in these parts. It must be stressed
      that the record applies only to woodland and forest; in cleared and semi -cleared
      land only a few hundred metres from where I worked the association of species
      is very different and many birds that record as accidental are common breeding
      I
      residents.
      Maulbrooks Road runs almost due north -south along a ridge 100 m asl. My
      own property (OP hereafter), a rectangle of about 200 x 450 m, runs down the
      western slope and just crosses a short stretch of the stream in the valley at
      about 30 m asl. In dry weather the stream stops flowing. An area of State Forest
      (SF hereafter, 250 x 400 m) was also studied; from almost opposite OP, it ran
      down the eastern slope of the ridge, covering a system of gullies draining into
      Dooga Creek. Both areas have been gridded with paths at intervals of 50 m.
      SF is a fairly uniform stand of Spotted Gums Eucalyptus maculata and Grey
      Ironbarks E. paniculata, 30-40 m tall, with some Blackbutts E. pilularis and other
      gums; there is a patchy understorey of acacia and casuarina about 8-10 m tall,
      much Burrawang Macrozamia communis in central areas, thickets of low acacia
      (2-4 m) on ridges in the north-eastern part and some vine -tangled shrubberies
      here and there along the gullies, which are dry except after heavy rain. It has
      not been logged or apparently burnt for many years.
      The upper half of OP is somewhat similar, though E. maculata and paniculata
      are not dominant, E. pilularis is more common as is the Yellow Stringybark E.
      muellerana. There are several large Rough -barked Apples Angophora floribunda.
      Understorey of acacia and casuarina with much Macrozamia is similar to that of
      SF. This part, particularly near the road, was logged for pitprops some years
      ago but evidence of the activity is now slight. The lower half of OP, however,
      was probably cleared or partly cleared in the past when the area was part of a
      large property and, though some large A. floribunda remain and a sparse stand
      of Forest Red Gums E. tereticornis and Manna Gums E. viminalis occurs towards
      the stream and a rather uniform stand of unidentified gums across the stream,
      the character of this lower half is a regrowth of acacia to 10 m tall and tangled60 AUSTRALIAN BIRDS (13) 4
      thickets of old and young Kunzea ambigua to about 5 m high; a low-lying swampy
      area of about one hectare on the northern side has a dense thicket of Melaleuca
      tea -tree.
      My house is in the south-eastern corner of OP and some clearing has been
      done round it. A strip along the southern boundary of OP was also cleared for
      electricity supply, which reduced the woodland of OP to about 8 hectares; this
      has now gradually regrown with acacias, sapling gums and Kunzea. A small dam
      was made at the bottom of the clearing in September 1975. Apart from noting
      birds and nests in this clearing, paid little attention to it and have not included
      I
      it or nests found in it when assessing numbers of birds breeding in OP. Though
      some species, e.g. Dusky Woodswallow, Jacky Winter, occurred only in the
      clearing, it had little or no ‘edge effect’ and do not think that it led to the
      I
      breeding of more pairs of birds or to the occurrence of more species than would
      have been in OP if this part of the bush had not been cleared.
      I kept daily records of all birds seen or heard, as far as possible with
      estimates of their numbers and was unable to do so only during short (4-5 days)
      periods of heavy rain, three or four occasions of 3-5 days each year when visited
      I
      Melbourne, a few other days when visited Canberra and from 5 June to 15
      I
      August 1978 when I was overseas. Roughly, in the first seven months of the year
      my custom was to walk the grid of OP or SF every day slowly between about
      08:30 and 11:00 hours. From late July to early January was out almost all day
      I
      from dawn to 18:00 hours except for meals. At times also mistnetted the areas,
      I
      to colour -band as many birds of easily studied species as could, using bands
      I
      supplied by the Australian Bird Banding Scheme.
      Instead of giving results in a straightforward systematic list of all species, it
      has seemed more informative to divide the species into various categories
      according to status.
      -A
      RESIDENT SPECIES
      Nearly all species that were known to breed in at least one year in OP or
      SF or very close by and that occurred throughout the rest of the year are regarded
      as breeding residents. Numbers of pairs breeding in each area are given
      (combined if the territory of a pair apparently covered parts of both blocks). A
      minus sign before a single pair indicates that the territory was thought to be
      larger than the block, without implying how much larger; before other numbers,
      that the territory of one or more pairs extended outside the block. This seems
      better than expressing incomplete territories as 1/2s or using vague terms like
      ‘rare’ and ‘common’ to suggest abundance.
      Wonga Pigeon Leucosarcia melanoleuca
      OP 1-2 pr; SF 1-2 pr. Each year from January or early February until March
      or early April these birds fell silent, perhaps when moulting after the end of
      breeding; yet, in this period birds were often seen in the larger numbers than at
      other times of year.
      Gang Gang Cockatoo Callocephalon fimbriatum
      SF 1-2 pr. After breeding, from about mid -January to June or July, flocks of
      10-30 passed through occasionally or came to feed at fruiting gum trees but pairs
      or smaller parties were regularly about at the same time.
      Australian King Parrot Alisterus scapularis
      SF 1-2 pr. King Parrots came to roost in the forest and did some feeding
      there but probably they fed mostly far away in more open places and even in
      Moruya. In consequence they were usually seen as pairs and small parties (< 6)
      outside the breeding season, flying past, but, except in 1977, flocks of 12-50 birds
      were fairly often seen from as early as 11 January to 6 August, specially coming
      to inkweed when in fruit.June, 1979 61
      Crimson Rosella Platycercus elegans
      SF ± 6 pr. Though Crimson Rosellas fed much on low shrubs like Leuco-
      pogon juniperinus, they seemed usually to move out of the woods in early
      morning and return in the evening, like the King Parrots but in pairs or small
      groups (< 5) and not noted in large flocks. Seen coming to roost in the leafy ends
      of branches of tall E. pilularis even in high winds when the whole tree was in
      violent motion.
      Southern Boobook Ninox novaeseelandiae OP and SF -1 pr.
      Tawny Frogmouth Podargus strigoides
      OP and SF -1 pr, perhaps none in 1975 and 1978 but, even when known to
      be roosting in the one or two trees for several weeks in 1976 and 1977 calling
      was seldom heard. Roosting birds did not sit in the rigid cryptic pose but assumed
      it gradually as approached; normally they sat in a rounded hunched attitude,
      I
      resembling small footballs.
      Laughing Kookaburra Dacelo novaeguineae OP -1 group; SF -1 group.
      Superb Lyrebird Menura novaehollandiae
      Three singing males occurred within 500 m of my house: females were
      hardly ever seen except at nests and all birds apparently avoided OP, which had
      no display mounds and where birds were seen only three or four times.
      Rose Robin Petroica rosea
      occuO r P th r1 o up gr; h oS uF t 1 t hp er . yE ean ro u bg uh t r rae rc eo r id ns Ji an ne uv ae ryry am ndo n Fth e bto ru am rya k we hi et ns u pre e rhth aa pt s b ti hrd es y
      are moulting and quiet. Both known nests failed and the pairs disappeared almost
      immediately after the failure.
      Eastern Yellow Robin Eopsaltria australis
      OP -T 6 pr; SF 6-8 pr. Nests with young have been known to be attended by
      up to five birds; the population, then, is higher than the simple total of pairs.
      Grey Shrike -thrush Collurincincla harmonica OP -2 pr; SF 2 pr.
      Eastern Whipbird Psophodes olivaceus OP -1 pr; SF 0-1 pr.
      Spotted Quail -thrush Cinclosoma punctatus
      One pair occupied the ridge between OP and SF, entering both and ranging
      for at least 200 m north and south.
      Superb Fairy -wren Malurus cyaneus
      OP 1-6 groups; SF 1-3 groups. Population in both areas decreased steadily
      from 1975 for no apparent reason.
      Variegated Fairy -wren Malurus lamberti OP 1-2 groups; SF 1-2 groups.
      White-browed Scrubwren Sericornis frontalis OP -3 pr; SF 3 pr.
      Brown Gerygone Gerygone mouki
      SF 1-3 pr. Seen only once or twice in OP and rarely noted from January to
      June, when probably overlooked.
      Brown Thornbill Acanthiza pusilla OP -8 or 9 pr; SF -10 or 11 pr.
      Striated Thornbill Acanthiza lineata
      OP 4-5 pr; SF 6+ pr. Difficult to assess population because nests in treetops
      were hard to find.
      Varied (Orange -winged) Sittella Daphnoenositta chrysoptera OP 1 group; SF -1
      o Wr h2 i teg -r to hu rp os a. t ed Treecreeper Climacteris leucophaea OP -3 pr; SF -4 pr.
      Red-browed Treecreeper Climacteris erythrops SF 1 pr.
      -2
      Lewin’s Honeyeater Meliphaga lewinii OP 1 pr; SF pr.
      Yellow -faced Honeyeater Lichenostomus chrysops
      OP 8 pr; SF ± 6 pr. Large numbers (00’s) passed north in April, May and62 AUSTRALIAN BIRDS (13) 4
      even June, but return passage was not noticed because breeding birds became
      conspicuous from August onwards, and because at that season large numbers
      often frequented flowering trees. From late January to March birds became either
      very unobtrusive or scarce, and possibly, judged from the fact that banded birds
      that had bred, were rarely seen between January and August, the breeding
      population departed at the beginning of the year and was replaced by other birds
      during autumn and winter.
      Yellow -tufted Honeyeater Lichenostomus melanops
      OP. A colony of up to 24 birds occupied an area along the stream from April
      1976, decreasing in numbers each year afterwards. At maximum, four or five
      groups nested.
      White-naped Honeyeater Melithreptus lunatus
      OP 2-3 pr; SF ? pr. Numbers hard to assess because the birds are so active
      in the treetops and nest high. Certainly more common in SF than in OP. Move-
      ments and fluctuations of numbers similar to those of L. chrysops.
      Eastern Spinebill Acanthorhynchus tenuirostris OP 3 pr; SF ? 3 pr.
      Spotted Pardalote Pardalotus punctatus
      OP 4-5 pr; SF 5 pr. Recorded in all months but very seldom from early or
      mid -January to early July; birds are either silent or scarce in the first six months
      of the year.
      Red-browed Firetail Emblema temporalis
      OP 6-8 pr; SF 8 pr. In flocks (< 50) from mid -February to about the begin-
      ning of August.
      Satin Bowerbird Ptilonorhynchus vio/aceus
      One main bower owned by a dominant male in OP and another in SF.
      One to three females, at least, have nested near each and presumably mated
      with the males at the different bowers. Parties form from about March but soon
      seemed to move out of the woods; except for males regularly visiting their bowers,
      birds were not frequent until the following August.
      Pied Currawong Strepera graculina
      SF -1 pr. From February to July flocks (< 35) occasionally appeared or flew
      over but, except when breeding, birds seemed no-t to forage much in the woods.
      RESIDENT SPECIES B
      All species that foraged in OP or SF throughout the year or probably did so
      and that certainly or probably bred in woodland in the district are included. The
      Maned Duck is placed here because it was the one species that bred in OP but
      would not have done so if the dam had not been made.
      White-faced Heron Ardea novaehollandiae
      Single birds appeared on stream and dam rather rarely from December to
      April and most commonly from May to November; probably bred downstream.
      Maned Duck Chenonetta jubata
      First seen on dam in mid -July 1976, 91/2 months after it was full. One to three
      pairs came intermittently in August and September each year thereafter with
      definite breeding (flightless young) in 1978.
      Brown Goshawk Accipiter fasciatus
      A pair bred in gums along the stream in open country 500 m west of OP.
      Noted in OP, seldom in SF, mostly during breeding (Sept -Jan). Display flights
      noted in October and November. No records May to August.
      Collared Sparrowhawk Accipiter cirrhocephalus
      Noted seldom (20 times in all) but in all months except February and April.
      Display flight seen in October.
      Glossy Black -Cockatoo Calyptorhynchus lathami
      Irregular bui doubtless resident in the district. A record of occurrences (1-3June, 1979 63
      birds each time) is worth giving to show the irregularity; 1975, 3 January, 9, 13
      February, 20, 23 April, 19 May, 21, 22 October; 1976, 29, 30 October, 2-9 Novem-
      ber; 1977, 19, 30 March, 3 April, 6-13, 28 July, 6-10 September, 23-29 October,
      1, 2, 10 December; 1978, 1-6 December.
      Yellow -tailed Black -Cockatoo Calyptorhynchus funereus
      Fairly regular in pairs or small parties (< 15) but more often in last six
      (average 12 times per month) than in first six (average 4 times per month) months
      of year.
      Jacky Winter Microeca leucophaea
      One or two pairs nested in rather open dry forest south of OP, certainly in
      two, probably in all four years. Regularly frequented clearing in OP from mid –
      March to early August.
      Large -billed Scrubwren Sericornis magnirostris
      Though noted only in SF and there seldom (about 4 times), probably resident
      in denser bush along Dooga Creek east of SF.
      Buff-rumped Thornbill Acanthiza reguloides
      OnP group at least bred on dry, more open hill -top east of OP and was seen
      fairly often round house, but only once elsewhere in OP.
      Yellow Thornbill Acanthiza nana
      Pairs or small groups (6) regular until April 1977 in lower part of OP and in
      valley to the west, often in acacias, only one record since, 16 May 1978, but
      probably overlooked.
      White -winged Chough Corcorax melanorhamphus
      Though there were two old nests in SF on the ridge by the road, recorded
      only as parties of four to seventeen, more commonly from November to April
      (average 12 times per month) than from May to October (average 41/2 times per
      month).
      Grey Butcherbird Cracticus torquatus
      Regularly heard in more open country west and south-west of OP and from
      time to time one or two birds foraged in OP and SF. In 1978 a pair was established
      in SF and north thereof where they probably bred.
      Australian Magpie Gymnorhina tibicen
      One or two pairs bred in cleared and semi -cleared land west and south-west
      of OP and after breeding 2-4 birds often came up clearing to the house. During
      autumn and winter up to six birds came to roost in SF or nearby.
      Australian Raven Corvus coronoides
      In 1975 a pair nested upstream from OP and probably did so each year.
      Birds apparently foraged and brought building material from open country well
      west and south-west of OP, rarely foraging in the forest but coming to the house
      for scraps. Fledged young were brought to cleared parts of OP. Flocks of 10-20
      occasional in non -breeding season, passing through.
      PARTIAL MIGRANTS
      All species in this category bred in this area, but judged by the difference
      of records for first and last six months of the year, were less numerous in the
      non -breeding season. For convenience, dates of occurrence, calling, etc., are
      given in groups of four, indicating in chronological order events in 1975, 1976,
      1977 and 1978.
      Fan -tailed Cuckoo Cuculus pyrrhophanus
      Bred in OP and SF but numbers hard to estimate because, whenever closely
      investigated during the breeding season, birds seemed to be in groups of up to
      six; in all, there could have been 10-12 birds in and round the two areas. At the
      end of breeding, birds fell silent between 30 December and 6 February, though
      immatures fairly often and adults very ocoesionally were seen. There was a64 AUSTRALIAN BIRDS (13) 4
      recrudescence of calling between 26 February and 7 April according to the season,
      but not in 1977, when calling was little and intermittent from 6 February to 30
      June. No calling recorded; 18 June to 4 August; 8 May to 21 August, 30 June to
      22 August; 29 May to 15 August (but I was away from 5 June to 8 August). If
      birds are quite absent during winter, they are not away for more than about three
      months.
      Black -faced Cuckoo Shrike Coracina novaehollandiae
      -2
      SF pr. Attempts were made to build in OP and nesting occurred nearby
      to south and south-west. In 1975, fairly regular records of one or two birds
      throughout winter but in other years no records; 3 June to 18 July; 12 April to 15
      September (except once on 13 June); 27 March to 10 September.
      Grey Fantail Rhipidura fuliginosa
      -5 -8
      OP pr. SF pr. The population decreased some time during January –
      April and increased rather regularly each year between 5 and 20 September.
      From May to August rarely more than one or two individuals could be found.
      Noisy Friarbird Philemon corniculatus
      -2
      SF pr. Occurrence outside the breeding was irregular and seldom from:
      15 March to 20 May; 11 January to 12 September; 5 February to 25 August; but
      in 1977-78 birds were scarce from 23 December to 17 February, then becoming
      plentiful right through winter when E. maculata blossomed profusely. Small
      northward movement noted: 3, 22 January; 19 February; 3 March; nil; 18, 20
      January, 7, 20 February, 17, 28 March.
      New Holland Honeyeater Phylidonyris novaehollandiae
      OP 1 pr. Apart from one pair, which nested regularly in late July and early
      August onwards and probably remained all year at least four other pairs nested
      during 1977 when E. tereticornis flowered heavily in October -November. Each
      year Melaleuca hypericifolia flowered well in parts of OP near the stream between
      late November and early January; then many New Holland Honeyeaters came
      into the area; 28 November into December; 12 December to 17 January; 20
      November to early December; 22 November to 30 December. Seldom seen in SF.
      Olive -backed Oriole Oriolus sagittatus
      SF 1-2 pr. After breeding, between 30 December and 25 February birds fell
      silent or disappeared and were rarely recorded till between 19 March and 16 May
      but in 1977 none at all from 30 May to 24 August. In other years some were
      about throughout winter and the population might not have been much less than
      during breeding. The period of silence and rarity may coincide with the annual
      moult.
      SUMMER BREEDING MIGRANTS
      All clear-cut migrants that came to the area to breed were classed as
      summer breeding migrants. Abundance and dates of first and last records are
      given in the conventions already used but, if a fifth date is given in brackets, it
      refers to supplementary records in 1979 before the time of writing.
      Brush Cuckoo Cuculus variolosus
      SF -1 group. Like C. pyrrhophanus, numbers are hard to assess but perhaps
      4-5 birds in and round SF, rarely in OP. Last and first records: 25, 6, 27, 7, (31)
      January; 19, 8, 15, 13 October.
      Shining Bronze -Cuckoo Chrysococcyx lucidus
      OP -1 group; SF -1 group but, because the birds were so often in trios,
      assessment was hard. Last and first records: ?, 2, 11 January, 26, (30) December;
      22 July, 19, 26 August, 5 September. There were a few records in February, March,
      April, and July so that some birds may remain through winter and the species
      might better be regarded as a partial migrant.
      White -throated Nightjar Caprimulgus mystaca/is
      1 -?2 pr. on ridge north of OP and SF. First located 31 October 1977 andJune, 1979 65
      recorded till 9 March. One bird seen 27 September 1978; calling fairly regularly
      from 14 October to at least 11 March 1979.
      Sacred Kingfisher Halcyon sancta
      OP -1 pr; SF -2 or 3 pr. Last and first records: 16 March, 8, 15, 19 February,
      (10 March); 7, 11, 2, 5 October.
      Dollarbird Eurystomus orientalis
      -2
      SF pr. Last and first records: 31 January, 3 February, 14 March, 22
      February, (10 March); 20, 24, 20, 30 October for locally breeding birds; recorded
      elsewhere in district somewhat earlier.
      Cicadabird Coracina tenuirostris
      OP -1 pair; SF -1 pr. Last and first records: 25 February (doubtful), 24, 16
      March, 21 January, (10 March); 18, 20, 10, 10 October. In 1977-78 the birds
      probably did not attempt to breed and left exceptionally early.
      Rufous Whistler Pachycephala rufiventris
      -4 -5
      OP pr; SF or 6 pr. Last and first records: 22 April, 29 March, 7, 6
      April; 11, 2, 18, 28 September. In 1975, 1976 and 1977 a banded male occupied
      the same territory.
      Black -faced Monarch Monarcha melanopsis
      SF 1 pr. Last and first records: ?, 8, 12 March, 6 February: ?, 2, 2 October,
      30 September.
      Leaden Flycatcher Myiagra rubecula
      -2
      SF pr. Last and first records: 26 February, 28 March, April, 23 March;
      1
      10, 20, 17, 6 October. All first nests have been within about 10 metres of nests of
      Noisy Friarbirds.
      Rufous Fantail Rhipidura rufifrons
      OP 1 pr; SF 1 pr; but not every year in each. Last and first records: 4 April,
      21, 21 March, 7 April; 28, 13, 28, 4 October. Rufous Fantails are really more
      passage migrants than summer breeding migrants in OP and SF: for perhaps a
      month after first sighting and for about the same time before the last they were
      rather frequent but breeding pairs seemed not to settle till late November and, if
      breeding did not occur in the blocks, birds were rare during summer.
      White -throated Gerygone Gerygone olivaceus
      Old nests have been seen outside OP and SF in the more open parts of the
      woodland and birds were heard or seen each year, first between 28 September
      and 21 October, last as late as 22 March.
      Mistletoebird Dicaeum hirundinaceum
      Breeding proved only in 1978-79, OP -2 pr; SF ? 1 pr, but may have been
      overlooked and status uncertain. Fairly regular occurrence between: 6 November
      and 4 February; 24 November and 15 February; 4 December and 25 March; from
      30 November; but there were eight records of single males in April and May in
      different years, none from May to November.
      Si Ivereye Zosterops lateralis
      OP 2-4 pr, SF 2-5 pr, but status obscured by birds of passage. Birds arrived
      each year; 14, 13, 6 September, 17 August, after virtual absence since June, and
      were then recorded regularly till: 26 April, 27 May, 19 February, 28 March. Strong
      northward passage was noted in April and May in different amounts from year
      to year and southward in September -October similarly. Except in 1976, birds were
      scarce or absent from March -April to September.
      WINTER VISITORS (BREEDING)
      The few species that come to the areas only during winter and do not breed
      are classed here, though White’s Thrush seems quite anomalous.
      White’s Thrush Zoothera dauma
      OP 1 pr; SF 2 pr. Best regarded as a visitor from autumn to spring, breeding66
      AUSTRALIAN BIRDS (13) 4
      in late winter (July -August). First records: 10 April, 9, 23, 28, (13) March. Last
      records: 6, 30, 30 August, 19 October (all soon after nests had failed). Apart from
      three sightings in November, 1975, 1976, and 1977 and one in December, 1976,
      there have been no records till March. The birds are unobtrusive but they often
      s si hn og u lf do r h a5 v- e1 0 mm isi sn eu dte s th ein m th foe r h 4a -5lf mho ou nr th sb e if fo r te h eyd a hw an d a on cd c uI rred do . not believe that I
      Red Wattlebird Anthochaera carunculata.
      Probably winter visitors usually as single birds or a few but pronounced
      passage in flocks of up to 150 was noticed in the autumn and spring of 1975,
      1976, and 1977. A summary of occurrence (average number of days recorded
      for month) for all years combined is: December to March, 1.5, April to May, 10.5,
      often in substantial (150) numbers; June and July, 8, mostly of 2-3 birds; August
      to November, 17, in substantial numbers. In 1978 the flowering E. maculata
      attracted large numbers and held them in the area from about 6 May to 7 October,
      by which time they had begun to dwindle and only 2-3 birds remained till about
      20 November.
      White -eared Honeyeater Lichenostomus leucotis
      About six birds occurred in and near OP each year (some the same indi-
      viduals for at least two years) as follows: 9 April to 18 September; 14 April to 23
      August; 15 April to 29 September; 6 April to 18 September. About the same
      number also frequented SF.
      Fuscous Honeyeaters Lichenostomus tuscus
      Recorded in June and July 1975, August, 1976, 30 July to 22 September, 1977
      and 4 May to 30 September 1978 and not otherwise. Usually in SF or near stream
      in OP; probably overlooked in 1975 and 1976. Long visit in 1978 coincided with
      heavy flowering of E. maculata.
      IRREGULAR OR DOUBTFUL STATUS
      Species that occurred from lime to time throughout the year without any
      obvious pattern, others that bred unexpectedly once or twice and others for
      which records are too few to enable a good assessment of status to be made
      are placed here.
      Musk Lorikeet Glossopsitta concinna
      Parties (4-100+) were not unusual flying through the forest or coming to
      flowering gums, most often in November and December (records on 57 days
      compared with 32 in all other months) but no clear pattern. More numerous in
      1978 when E. maculata flowered (April -October) but apparently not attracted in
      large numbers.
      Little Lorikeet Glossopsitta pusilla
      Occurrence similar to that of G. concinna but less numerous; apparently
      more common in November (average days recorded 1975-77, 10), in all other
      months average less than 2. More numerous from May to October in 1978 (E.
      maculata flowering) than in other years but not greatly so.
      Common Koel Eudynamys sco/opacea
      Heard a few times from November 1975 to January 1976; records on 7 days
      in December 1976; 1-29 November 1977; 22-26 November 1978. Visits seem
      curiously late for breeding, but Koels did not come into OP or SF but were heard
      in distance in valley to west.
      Channel -billed Cuckoo Scythrops novaehol/andiae
      Regular occurrence for a few days: 9 October, 6, 10 December; 1, 27
      October, 17-28 November, 9 December; 9-13 October, 1-4 November; 24 Novem-
      ber -21 December. Was told that birds appear annually at Ficus trees in Moruya
      in October or November. Visits could be in time to parasitize late nests of
      currawongs, as suspected in 1978 when a pair frequented SF for much longer
      than in other years.June, 1979 67
      Masked Owl Tyto novaehollandiae
      One record at hole in SF, 20 October 1977. Never heard at night but could
      breed locally.
      Australian Owlet -Nightjar Aegotheles cristatus
      SF pr, 1977, but data inadequate to assess status, although presumably
      1
      resident.
      White- bellied Cuckoo -Shrike Coracina papuensis
      Records of 1-2 birds spread fairly evenly in all months but no sign of breeding.
      Scarlet Robin Petroica multicolor
      One pair wintered near the house 11 March to 17 August 1975 and 24 February
      to 25 August 1976; later records only of female on 8, 12 September 1977 and 28
      August 1978.
      Brown -headed Honeyeater Melithreptus brevirostris
      OP group 1975. Otherwise data inadequate to assess status, though
      1
      recorded intermittently in all years and probably breeds regularly.
      Crescent Honeyeater Phylidonyris pyrrhoptera
      OP 2 pr; SF 2 pr; only in 1978 during flowering of E. maculate, when species
      was recorded from 19 May to 10 October with three late records of single birds
      in December. Otherwise, only two birds, 12 May 1975.
      White-cheeked Honeyeater Phylidonyris nigra
      One or two birds in OP from 25 September to 29 November 1977 at the time
      of flowering of E. tereticornis and the influx of breeding P. novaehollandiae. The
      White-cheeked might have nested also.
      Scarlet Honeyeater Myzomela sanguinolenta
      OP pr 1977; possibly bred 1975 in OP and 1978 in SF. Recorded: 13 August
      1
      to 14 October; 10 October; 25 September to 7 November; 15 April, 16 August to
      24 December.
      Striated Pardalote Pardalotus striatus Data inadequate; recorded intermittently,
      mostly in SF, always in treetops.
      ACCIDENTALS
      For completeness, it is worth listing those species that are really irrelevant
      to the avifauna of the areas studied. Many of them, e.g. raptors, parrots, were
      seen only flying over (asterisked); others passed quickly through the woods and
      few were recorded more than 10 times a year. However, many are of course
      common breeding birds in other habitats close by in the district.
      Hoary -headed Grebe Poliocephalus poliocephalus
      One on dam 23 April to 22 May 1978.
      Little Pied Cormorant Phalacrocorax melanoleucos
      Great Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo
      Apart from single birds occasionally, an astonishing 70 were on the darn on
      30 October 1977 during a period when several large flocks (300) flew over north-
      wards.
      Pacific Heron Ardea pacificus
      *Black Swan Cygnus atratus
      Pacific Black Duck Anas superciliosa
      *Black Kite Milvus migrans
      22 September, 4, 7, November, 15 December 1976; 25 September, 16, 23
      November 1977; 11 September 1978.
      *Square -tailed Kite Lophoictinia isura
      Six records from 17 September to 2 December 1978.
      *Whistling Kite Haliastur sphenurus
      *Grey (White) Goshawk Accipiter novaehollandiae68
      AUSTRALIAN BIRDS (13) 4
      White -bellied Sea -Eagle Haliaeetus leucogaster
      One flew low through trees of SF on 30 June 1976.
      *Wedge-tailed Eagle Aquila audax
      *Australian Hobby Falco longipennis
      Painted Button -quail Turnix varia
      Topknot pigeon Lopholaimus antarcticus
      Five flew north through trees on 31 December 1976. In 1975 and 1978 similar
      small parties, probably of this species, have been seen in the distance.
      Brown Cuckoo -Dove Macropygia amboinensis
      Single birds in OP on 10 and 28 September 1978.
      Peaceful Dove Geopelia placida
      Brush Bronzewing Phaps elegans
      *Galah Cacatua roseicapilla
      *Sulphur -crested Cockatoo Cacatua galerita
      In winter 1975 large flocks (100+) flew north up the valley west of OP rather
      regularly at about 07:30-08:00 hours. Otherwise only single birds occasionally
      except four inspecting holes in trees on 20 October 1978.
      Eastern Rosella Platycercus eximius
      Pallid Cuckoo Cuculus pallidus
      Horsfield’s Bronze -Cuckoo Chrysococcyx basalis
      *White-tailed Needletail Hirundapus caudacutus
      Last and first records; 5 April, 16 March, 2 April, 23 January (probably over-
      looked later); 28 October, 2, 3 November, 30 October.
      *Welcome Swallow Hirundo neoxena
      Tree Martin Cecropis nigricans
      Olive Whistler Pachycephala olivacea
      One, 29 September, 1977.
      Restless Flycatcher Myiagra inquieta
      Willie Wagtail Rhipidura leucophrys
      Regent Honeyeater Xanthomyza phrygia
      European Goldfinch Carduelis carduelis
      Diamond Firetail Emblema guttata
      One, 21 January 1976.
      *Common Starling Sturnus vulgaris
      Australian Magpie -lark Grallina cyanoleuca
      Dusky Woodswallow Artamus cyanopterus
      Grey Currawong Strepera versicolor
      S. MARCHANT, P.O. Box 123, Moruya, N.S.W. 2537.
      THE WHITE-RUMPED SWIFTLET IN NEW SOUTH WALES
      ELLA K. PRATT
      The White-rumped Swiftlet Collacalia spodiopygia was first mentioned in the
      literature as occurring in New South Wales in a bird list published by the Clarence
      Valley Field Naturalist’s Club in 1961. The list covered the period 1951-61 and the
      comments about the White-rumped Swiftlet (called Grey Swiftlet in the text) were
      “Rare, may be observed over open spaces on coast ranges”. There are however,
      many inaccuracies in the text as a whole. Later J. D. MacDonald (1973 Birds of
      Australia) gave the range of the White-rumped Swiftlet to include north-eastern
      N.S.W. It is understood that MacDonald’s reference is to a bird that recorded
      at Reserve Creek, near Murwillumbah, N.S.W., details of which are givI en below.June, 1979 69
      The bird was recorded at Reserve Creek on the 20 September 1969 and
      remained in the area until 31 October 1969. It was recorded almost daily from
      25 September to 7 October, then there was a gap of nine days before it was
      sighted again on 16 October. After that, the bird was not observed again until
      31 October, the last date of sighting.
      The following notes on the White-rumped Swiftlet are taken from my field
      notes:-
      “20 September 1969. Just on dusk a group of Welcome Swallows were
      feeding overhead, suddenly there was a loud cry of `wheet, wheet, wheet, eet-eet’
      and one small bird dived from the group. Its shape, flight, and every movement
      immediately suggested the small “Grey Swiftlet” of the northern areas, however,
      failing light prevented any further observations.
      25 September 1969. No more was seen of this mystery bird until today, when
      one of my brothers saw it flying under the awning of a building, he said it was look-
      ing into a Welcome Swallow’s nest (it wasn’t welcome!). During the afternoon was
      I
      able to clos -ely observe the small v -isi tor and identify it positively as a White-

rumped Swiftlet. The field markings are, an all dark grey bird, darker on the

upper parts off-white rump patch medium forked tail (not always noticeable

in flight), wide gape and prominent eyes flight, like that of the Forked -tailed

Swift [Apus pacificus], darts to and fro with a few quick wing beats, then a small
glide smaller and slimmer build than a Welcome Swallow, could have a trifle
longer wing -span than the Welcome Swallows. Call note, fairly loud, sounds like,
wheet-wheet-wheet-eet-eet-et only seems to call early morning and late afternoon.
26 September 1969. The White-rumped Swiftlet was about this morning-it
flew under the awning and took several flying looks into the Swallow’s nest.
During the afternoon it went into the tractor shed-it made a clicking, buzzing
sound while inside the shed. It remained feeding about up to 5.50 p.m.
27 Sepember 1969. Swiftlet about again today, it seems to feed about the
dairy during the early morning, then moves further afield. It returns about 1.00
p.m., the Swallows chase it, and it chases them-last seen at 5.55 p.m.
28 September 1969. White-rumped Swiftlet was heard calling at 5.25 a.m. It
came into the dairy while we were milking, and again just after we had finished.
All the time it was inside it made its little ‘click, click’ noise. At such close
quarters it is possible to see that its throat and upper front area is a greyish
brown.
29 September 1969. Mr and Mrs Milton Trudgeon came out just after 4.00
p.m. to see the Swiftlet-it gave them good views of it-they were pleased as it
was a new bird for them. As the Swiftlet’s behaviour didn’t seem to vary from
the above notes, I only noted the dates when it was seen after the 29th Sept. ’69.”
Prior to the first sighting of the Swiftlet here, there was several days of very
strong north to north-west winds, it could have been blown south, and when it
couldn’t find any of its own species it attached itself to the Welcome Swallows
Hirundo neoxena. Its habit of following the Swallows would explain the reason
for it entering the farm buildings. It left the area soon after the arrival of the
Spine -tailed Swifts Hirundapus caudacutus.
The White-rumped Swiftlet was no stranger to me as I had made a close
study of it during field trips in North Queensland, some years previously.
ELLA K. PRATT, Reserve Creek, Murwillumbah, N.S.W. 2484.70 AUSTRALIAN BIRDS (13) 4
COMMENTS ON SOME CRITICISMS OF THE INTERIM LIST OF
AUSTRALIAN SONGBIRDS
SHANE PARKER
In an article criticizing Schodde’s Interim List of Australian Songbirds, Noske
(Aust. Birds 13, 27-35) acknowledges me as having given him many helpful com-
ments. Certainly I responded to his request that I comment upon an early draft of
his article, and although I disagreed with a good deal of what he had written, I
suppoNted his attempts to have his criticisms published, simply because he had
the right to be heard. did not, however, see the final version of his article until
it appeared in print. Having assumed that he would have taken my remarks into
account where they bore directly upon his initial arguments, was astonished to
find that this was not the case. Noske’s opinion of the Interim List is that it is
tendentious and unscientific. Let us see, by shedding a little light on Noske’s
methods of criticism, what the strength of his own position is in this regard.
In his published article, Noske asks what evidence exists to suggest that
Chthonicola, Hylacola, Calamanthus and Pyrrholaemus are scrubwrens. In my
reply (in litt. 13 February 1978) to his request for comments, apprised him of one
such line of evidence, the markings and coloration of the eggs. wrote: “You
should examine these eggs yourself; the references you cite are rather misleading.
It is the patterning that is the same in each-a very fine speckling not known to me
in any other group (and curated the egg collection at the BMNH for several years).
Heavy speckling produces the darkest eggs, e.g. Chthonicola, Hylacola, Pyrrholae-
mus, and this speckling is discernible even in the ‘white’ eggs of Origma and
Oreoscopus gutturalis.” Had Noske acted upon my suggestion that he examine
these eggs, he would have seen for himself. But he wholly ignored my comments,
and implied in the published version of his article that among the eggs of these
species there were important differences that Schodde ignored.
Noske writes “The Black and Banded Honeyeaters differ from the Pied in at
least three characters .. . They both have a sweet, chattering or tinkling song . . .
By contrast, the Pied’s call is usually described as a piercing and plaintive whistle.”
In my letter to Noske wrote: “I have encountered the Black Honeyeater six times,
and have never heard it give the sweet chattering or tinkling song referred to. On
two occasions, however, I have heard it emit a high piercing seep, repeated every
4-5 seconds, and similar in quality to the notes of [the Pied Honeyeater]”. Yet in
Noske’s article, my observations on the calls of the Black, which partly contra-
dict Noske’s remarks, are ignored.
Noske also queried Schodde’s statement that the Pied, Black and Banded
Honeyeater laid similar eggs. replied to this: “Clearly there is a case to answer
I
here. The eggs of Certhionyx variegatus are quite unlike those of any other honey-
eater; in fact, even on a world basis they are unusual. The eggs of nigra and
pectoralis are similar to each other, and different from those of Myzomela obscura
and M. sanguinolenta” (they in fact resemble eggs of Rhipidura). Ironically, had
Noske examined the eggs in question, instead of merely comparing the published
opinions of others, he would have found some support for his criticisms. But again
he failed to examine the material at issue, a curious lapse for one who accuses
others of unscientific procedures.
Noske complained that in lumping Peneoenanthe with Eopsaltria, Schodde
had ignored certain comments of Keast’s, to the effect that the Mangrove Robin
was very distinct and without close relatives. replied to Noske that Keast’s
I
remarks on the distinctiveness of the Mangrove Robin were misleading. Whether
my opinion was sound or not, at this juncture it behove Noske to examine theJune, 1979 71
relevant material to determine the facts for himself. A museum loan could have
been easily arranged. Instead, in his published criticism Noske merely repeated
Keast’s views without further comment, nowhere indicating that they had been
questioned.
Noske accuses Schodde of using the arguments of others only where he saw
fit. Yet above we have seen how Noske himself has ignored certain matters that
weakened or disposed of his own criticisms, after these matters had been brought
directly to his attention.
should like to take this opportunity to draw attention to two remarkable
I
lapses in McGill’s review of the Interim List (Aust. Bird Bander 14, 80-82). In this
review, McGill wrote: “Veteran ornithologist, A. H. Chisholm, believes that John
Gould was probably as sound a judge as anyone of what defines a species.
Despite more than 100 years since his day, as well as a general impact on
systematic nomenclature, scant regard for Gould’s ability is implied when the
four species of sittella he named as new have been ‘swallowed up’ in this Interim
List . . . ” It should indeed be emphasized that there has been quite a lot of
progress in systematics since the middle of the last century, and that Gould and his
contemporaries were working with the morphospecies concept, at a time when the
subspecies concept did not exist. If McGill complains that scant regard has been
paid to Gould’s abilities because the latter’s sittella ‘species’ have been sunk in the
Interim List, what are we to make of the fact that McGill himself, in his book
Australian Warblers, treated as synonyms, explicitly or implicitly, several warblers
and wrens that Gould had described as species, including Malurus cyanotus, M.
leuconotus, Cincloramphus cantillans, Sericornis parvulus, Sericornis osculans
and Acanthiza diemenensis? Moreover, Gould described six species of sittella,
not four, the other two being melanocephala and tenuirostris. What, then, are we
to make of the fact that McGill, in his review of the sittellas (Emu 48, 33-52)*
accorded specific status to neither of these taxa?
McGill noted that 65 passerine “species” of the 1926 Checklist became
geographical races in the Interim List, and 21 further Australian endemics became
forms of extralimital species. (I make these figures 63 and 28, but this is of little
importance). McGill was evidently trying to stress the lumping proclivities of the
contributors to the Interim List. He somehow forgot to point out that 13 “species”
in the first category (20%) and 8 “species” in the second category (28%) had
previously been sunk by the former Checklist Amendment Committee. This lapse
becomes even more extraordinary when one realises that McGill himself was a
member of this committee.
*See also Ernst Mayr’s review of McGill’s conclusions in Emu 49, 282-291.
Mayr himself concluded of the sittellas: “It seems inevitable in these circum-
stances that all forms will have to be treated as members of a single species.”
Does this mean that Mayr too had “scant regard for Gould’s ability”?
SHANE PARKER, 26 Viaduct Road, Eden Hills, S.A. 5050.72
AUSTRALIAN BIRDS (13) 4
THE SPREAD OF THE CATTLE EGRET IN NEW SOUTH WALES
ALAN MORRIS
ABSTRACT
Since 1954 when the first pair of Cattle Egrets Ardeola ibis was found breed-
ing at Gillett’s Ridge, near Ulmarra N.S.W., the numbers of breeding pairs have
increased to 2300 by 1978/79. The birds were nesting by this time in five colonies
containing from 17-1000 breeding pairs.
DISTRIBUTION
In November, 1954 a pair of Cattle Egrets was found nesting in a mixed
colony of egrets at Gillett’s Ridge, 8 km south of Ulmarra in the Clarence Valley on
the North Coast of New South Wales. By 1959 the colony had expanded to ten
pair and in the winter of 1960 the first observations of birds away from the Clarence
Valley was made at Richmond on the Hawkesbury River and at Ourimbah near
Tuggerah Lakes in pasture and dairying districts (Hewitt 1961).
Gradually the birds spread southwards along the coast, frequenting the main
dairying districts of the State, being found in pastures and wetlands on the flood
plains of the major coastal river systems. Soon a pattern was discerned whereby
the egrets would commence to assume the buff breeding plumes in late October
and by November they had migrated northwards to the Gillett’s Ridge colony. The
birds returned again in May to the coastal habitats. At present between 300-500
egrets appear to frequent each of the major coastal valleys, viz. Macleay, Manning,
Hunter, Hawkesbury, Shoalhaven etc., with lesser numbers elsewhere.
Cattle Egrets were first recorded in Victoria in 1949 (Wheeler 1967) and now
they occur in similar numbers as outlined above, particularly in East Gippsland
and Central Regions. Similarly, they were first recorded in South Australia in 1964
(Condon 1969) and are now recorded in substantial numbers between May –
November. Presumably it is these birds from South Australia and Victoria returning
to the Clarence Valley colonies that have been seen as passage migrants during
October -November, in inland New South Wales at localities such as Mudgee,
Gilgandra, Baradine, Wagga, Uralla etc. since 1972. Inland observations become
more prevalent each year and with more regularity at given locations. Regular
observations have been made of a small population of birds in the A.C.T. around
the foreshores of Lake Burley Griffin since 1976.
BREEDING COLONIES
During the breeding season of 1971-72, the Gillett’s Ridge colony had reached
750 pairs and the birds were nesting in all available trees and not just in the
melaleuca clump located in the middle of a small swamp which had been the
traditional nesting site for egrets. By this time the Great Egret Egretta alba,
Plumed Egret E. intermdia and Little Egret E. garzetta had declined in numbers
in the colony due no doubt more to the loss of wetlands caused through Flood
Mitigation Drainage Programmes, than through the increased numbers of Cattle
Egrets.
Later in this season, a small colony of 35 pairs was found at Lawrence, 17 km
north-east of Ulmarra, nesting in paperbarks in February, 1972. Whilst another five
p fra oi mrs rn :4e ils lete ffd
‘.
min ea
t
es mall swamp at Carr’s Creek, 4 km north of Grafton, and 22 kmJune, 1979 73
In the season 1972-73, 750-1000 pairs nested at Gillett’s Ridge whilst 130 pairs
nested at Carr’s Creek but in the following season the whole colony deserted
Gillett’s Ridge and became established at Carr’s Creek returning there every year
since, about 1000 pairs in all. The Lawrence site was only used on the one
occasion. As it has been reported by E. Wheeler (pers. comm.) that many of the
trees are dying at Carr’s Creek colony due to the effect of the birds’ excreta, a
move away from the site can be expected.
The second colony for N.S.W. became established at Campbell Island, on the
Murray River, the border between N.S.W. and Victoria where four pairs nested in
Red Gums Eucalyptus camaldulensis in a mixed egret colony, during December

1974. The birds have not nested there since.
      In 1976 a new colony became established at South Murwillumbah in the
      Tweed Valley where some 60 plus nests were recorded in March 1976. By
      December 1977 this colony held between 700-800 pairs and a similar number in
      the following season.
      In January, 1977 another new colony was located nesting in melaleucas 2 km
      SW of Macksville on the Nambucca River, some 117 km south of the Carr’s Creek
      colony. This site was subsequently used again the following two seasons by similar
      numbers of egrets.
      Following heavy flooding in the Macquarie Marshes in north-west N.S.W. in
      July 1978, all four species of egrets were to be seen in large numbers by November.
      During the previous two years Cattle Egrets had passed through on pasage in
      October- November in small numbers, presumably en route to the Clarence Valley.
      No doubt the frenzied nesting behaviour of the numerous other waterbirds present
      (viz Great Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo, Little Black Cormorant P. sulcirostris,
      Little Pied Cormorant P. melanoleucos, Darter Anhinga melanogaster, Pacific
      Heron Ardea pacifica, White-faced Heron A. novaehollandiae, Rufous Night Heron
      Nycticorax caledonicus, Great Egret, Plumed Egret and Little Egret) induced the
      Cattle Egrets to stay on and breed so that by late November, 17 plus nests were
      found in a mixed egret rookery located some 32 km NW of Quambone and up to
      60 plus Cattle Egrets were observed in the area.
      In January 1979 another small colony of 25 plus nests was found in Broad –
      leafed Paperbarks Melaleuca quinquinerva on the swamp within Seaham Swamp
      Nature Reserve some 20 km NE of Maitland in the Hunter Valley. Thus from 10
      nesting pairs in 1959, in twenty years the number of nesting pairs in New South
      Wales has risen to about 2300 pairs, truly a remarkable achievement.
      THE FUTURE
      At the present rate it might be expected that other nesting colonies may soon
      be located in the Hawkesbury and Shoalhaven Valleys. An interesting feature of the
      Murwillumbah and Macksville colonies was that both Large White and Plumed
      Egrets were nesting with the Cattle Egrets, localities where these two species have
      not been recorded breeding before.
      A banding project commenced by J. Willows at the north coast colonies in
      1977 has produced some interesting results, with one recovery of a nestling from
      the Murwillumbah colony seven months later at Stratford, Victoria, 1250 km SSW
      (Anon 1978) and another from the Carr’s Creek colony, a recovery three months
      later at Granton, Tasmania (Anon, 1978) 1550 km SSW away from the breeding74 AUSTRALIAN BIRDS (13) 4
      colonies. Even more interesting is that during 1977 a minimum of 293 Cattle Egrets
      were recorded in New Zealand between June and September following their first
      being recorded there in 1963 (Heather 1978). Following the usual pattern, most of
      the birds had departed by mid -November, and it is assumed that they are migrating
      to and from the Australian breeding colonies. For a bird to establish a trans –
      Tasman migratory pattern in a little over 10 years is somewhat remarkable. It is
      intriguing to think that banding may yet prove that the New Zealand birds are from
      N.S.W. However, if the pattern that develops in New Zealand is similar to that
      occurring in this State, then a breeding colony may soon become established in
      that country.
      As yet there appears to be no evidence that Cattle Egrets are displacing other
      egret species from traditional nesting localities. Most egrets in N.S.W. demon-
      strate an opportunistic behaviour, nesting after major floods in the wetlands. The
      only permanent site used on an annual basis was at Gillett’s Ridge. As their usual
      practice is to choose a new site, it is unlikely that competition with the Cattle
      Egret for nest sites will occur. Studies in the United States (McCrimmond 1978)
      have shown that Cattle Egrets tend to lay later than other species of egrets and
      herons and that direct competition for nest sites did not occur amongst the smaller
      egrets.
      It can be expected that the Cattle Egret population will continue to increase
      as there appears to be large areas of suitable habitat not occupied. In particular,
      suitable areas such as the irrigation districts of the Riverina Region and the
      Macquarie Valley would appear to offer ideal opportunities for the continued
      expansion of the population.
      The assistance of J. Willows and E. Wheeler in compiling these notes and J.
      Chappell for typing the manuscript, is greatly appreciated.
      REFERENCES
      Anon. 1978. Recovery Round -up. Corella 2, 77.
      Anon. 1978. Recovery Round- up. Corella 2, 92.
      Condon, H. T. 1969. Handlist of the Birds of South Australia. Adelaide: S.A.O.A.
      Heather, B. D. 1978. The Cattle Egret in New Zealand in 1977. Notornis 25, 218.
      Hewitt, J. M. 1961. The Cattle Egret near Sydney. Emu 61, 137.
      McCrimmond, D. A. 1978. Nest site characteristics of five heron species on the
      North Carolina coast. Auk 95, 267-280.
      Wheeler, R. W. 1967. A Handlist of the Birds of Victoria. Melbourne: V.O.R.G.
      Alan K. Morris, P.O. Box 39, Coonabarabran, N.S.W. 2857June, 1979 75
      FIRST RECORD OF RED -NECKED PHALAROPE IN NEW SOUTH WALES
      GLENN HOLMES
      Australian occurrences of phalaropes Phalaropus spp. are presumably
      accidental, for the three species breed in the Northern Hemisphere and migrate
      south, mainly to tropical regions. At their wintering places the Red -necked
      Phalarope P. lobatus and Grey Phalarope P. fulicarius typically inhabit pelagic
      waters; Wilson’s Phalarope P. tricolor mainly occurs in Central and South
      America (Thomson 1964). First Australian records of each species were in Vic-
      toria: lobatus in December 1962 (Smith 1963); tricolor in February 1966 (Smith
      1968); fulicarius in February 1976 (Smith 1976). It -seems reasonable to conclude
      from these and subsequent observations that occurrences follow a similar pattern
      in New South Wales. However, there is a lack of records which apparently results
      from less intensive observing, and in particular, from the paucity of suitable
      habitat near major centres of population. The following account describes the
      observation of a Red -necked Phalarope on the Great Dividing Range in northern
      New South Wales.
      located the phalarope at Mother of Ducks Lagoon, near Guyra, at 1300 m
      I
      altitude on the New England Tableland. Open water occupies approximately
      3.5 km2 when the lagoon is full, but at the time of observation it was reduced
      to less than one third of this extent, with a maximum depth of 40-50 cm. I first
      observed the bird from 10.20 to 11.15 (EST) on 29 January 1979. returned from
      I
      15.50 to 16.45, accompanied by Harry Bell, Hugh Ford, Richard Noske and Sue
      Noske. During this period of observation Richard Noske and obtained several
      I
      photographs.
      The phalarope was swimming throughout most of both observation periods,
      but when approached closely it flew round the lagoon close to the surface of
      the water. Its tameness was emphasised by the tendency to return to the area
      from which it was flushed. Generally it remained near Black -winged Stilts
      Himantopus himantopus, which occurred in scattered groups of three to ten
      birds. Since phalaropes eat floating organisms it is conceivable that food dis-
      turbed by the stilts was being utilised. However, foraging was only observed
      occasionally. This consisted of pecking at the surface, sometimes involving
      rapid gyrations through an arc of 70-80 degrees, or fluttering along the surface
      for 30-50 cm.
      observed the phalarope again on another visit from 15.50 to 17.15 on 3
      I
      February. All aspects of its behaviour, including association with stilts, were
      similar to those noted previously. The phalarope was not located during a further
      visit on 5 March. Open water was then reduced to about 2 ha and most waterbirds
      had dispersed.
      The phalarope was readily identified as lobatus. Its plumage superficially
      resembled that of the Sanderling Calidris alba and it was of similar size, but
      proportionately longer necked. The forehead, anterior crown, superciliary stripe,
      sides of neck and underparts were white. The posterior crown, nape, hind -neck
      and a patch about the eye and ear coverts were dark grey -brown. The back was
      dark grey -brown streaked whitish, with two parallel whitish or buff stripes along
      each side. There was a prominent white wing -bar and the tail was dark, with
      white basally at the sides. The bill was black, thin and almost imperceptibly
      decurved toward the tip; it was approximately as long as the head, measured
      from lores to nape. The legs were not observed closely but appeared dark, -with
      prominent toes. A soft call given in flight, “chuck” or “check”, was uttered singly
      or several times in succession.76 AUSTRALIAN BIRDS (13) 4
      confirmed the identification by examining two specimens in the Australian
      NatioI nal Wildlife Collection, Canberra. These were ideal for comparison as both
      were collected in January, one from West Irian in 1972 and the other at Darwin
      in 1974. They revealed that portions of the plumage which appear white in the
      field, except on the abdomen and under tail coverts, are faintly suffused with grey.
      REFERENCES’
      Smith, F. T. H., 1963. “An Australian Sight Record of the Red -necked Phalarope
      (Phalaropus lobatus)”, Aust. Bird Watcher 2, 1-4.
      Smith, F. T. H., 1968. “An Australian Sight Record of Wilson’s Phalarope”, Aust.
      Bird Watcher 3, 91-99, 144.
      Smith, F. T. H., 1976. “An Australian Record of the Grey Phalarope”, Aust. Bird
      Watcher 6, 292-299.
      Thomson, A. L., 1964. Ed. A New Dictionary of Birds. London: B.O.U.
      GLENN HOLMES, “Girrakool” via Armidale, N.S.W. 2350.
      40111.1pesimak.,
      Red- necked Phalarope at Mother of Ducks Lagoon, January 1979.
      Photo: R. Noske.
      TAXONOMIC STATUS OF SOME QUAIL -THRUSHES
      JULIAN FORD
      Noske (1978), in his criticism of Schodde (1975), disapproves of my lumping
      of the Chestnut -breasted Quail -Thrush Cinclosoma castaneothorax and Cinnamon
      Quail -Thrush C. cinnamomeum and tries to demonstrate that (Ford 1974a, 1976)
      I
      have been inconsistent in applying the biological criterion of species status and
      contradictory in explaining the nature of their inter -action. Unfortunately, Noske
      has consistently quoted me out of context and apparently has not comprehended
      my discussions, as now proceed to demonstrate.
      I
      My reasons for combining cinnamomeum and castaneothorax (Ford 1974a,
      1976) were: they have the same pattern of coloration and are basically similar
      phenotypically (Ford 1970); their ecological adaptations appear to be fairly similar
      because they both like arid environments with stony terrain overtopped with, atJune, 1979 77
      least, some tall shrubs; the only area of contact sampled (the Beal Range)
      produced males of only intermediate plumage; and their songs are extremely
      similar. Contrary to Noske, sampling was anything but intensive as, indeed,
      indicated by the meagre number of specimens collected over a vast area
      comprising south-western Queensland and north-western New South Wales (Fig. 2
      and data in Ford 1974a). Of course these taxa have “many differences in
      morphology and ecology”; but, more compellingly, these differences are minor
      compared with their many important and significant similarities (Ford 1976). As
      regards the specimen of cinnamomeum collected a little west and the two
      specimens of castaneothorax collected a little east of the area inhabited by
      intermediates, Noske overlooks that indicated that these specimens are
      I
      respectively darker and paler than their counterparts from the centre of their
      ranges (Ford 1974a). What did not say then but do so now is that west of
      I
      Windorah, including the area where the intergrades and the two specimens of
      castaneothorax were collected, field -observers consistently identify all quail –
      thrushes as cinnamomeum (A.C. Cameron pers. comm.)! Whether the brightly –
      backed castaneothorax are also called intergrades may be construed as a
      matter of terminology.
      Because the specimens from the Beal Range are intermediate in size and
      coloration, as well as geographically intermediate, between cinnamomeum and
      castaneothorax (Ford 1974a), think that it is perfectly reasonable to presume
      I
      that they are hybrids or intergrades. Yet Noske apparently dismisses these as
      hybrids and, therefore, as evidence for conspecificity of the taxa. On the basis
      of probability, if all specimens collected in a contact area are intermediate, it
      can be confidently assumed that intermediate individuals comprise a large
      proportion, if not the bulk, of the population in that contact zone. Quail -thrushes
      are very difficult birds to collect and the series that collected in Queensland in
      I
      December 1971 to January 1972 required diligent and sustained searching for
      many hours and many kilometres on foot. On this visit merely had time to
      I
      demonstrate geographical contact and hybridization between these taxa and
      insufficient time to sample intensively and thoroughly in the zone of contact.
      Incidentally, what this controversy also stresses is the importance of having
      adequate and long series of specimens from hybrid zones.
      The interaction between the Chestnut Quail -Thrush C. castanotum and
      Western Quail -Thrush C. cinnamomeum marginatum is quite different from that
      between cinnamomeum and castaneothorax. For, castanotum and marginatum
      are not basically similar morphologically (their ventral colorations are strikingly
      different), in areas of contact they favour quite different substrates and vegetation
      formations, their calls are dissimilar, and extensive collecting in areas of contact,
      as at Neale Junction, Yalgoo and Menzies, revealed few hybrid examples (Ford
      1974a). On this evidence is based the logical conclusion that these forms inter-
      breed only occasionally (Ford 1976). Thus, in areas of contact between castanotum
      and marginatum most specimens are phenotypically pure and few are hybrids
      whereas in the only area sampled where cinnamomeum and castaneothorax meet,
      all the male specimens are clearly intermediate and females are probably inter-
      mediate. Differences between females of cinnamomeum and castaneothorax are
      not great (Ford 1970, 1974a) and consequently identification of exact inter-
      mediates on morphological criteria is less definitive than for males (Ford 1974a).
      Noske does not seem to realize that clinal variation may be primary or
      secondary. An example of the latter occurs when two taxa come into contact
      and fuse completely (Ford 1974b). Presumably, therefore, he equates clinal
      variation as being entirely due to ecotypic causes, i.e. due to local selection in
      a primary continuum of populations. Clinal variation is an inclusive term for78 AUSTRALIAN BIRDS (13) 4
      geographical variation in which a character or character complex changes from
      one extreme to another. These extremes can be either slight or marked and the
      clinal gradient can be either gradual or steep as well as either constant or
      variable. Clinal variation is caused by the exchange of genes between contiguous
      interbreeding local populations and the tendency for local adaptation to impede
      the flow of such genes. In cinnamomeum and castaneothorax, clinal changes have
      possibly resulted from both ecotypy and the flow of genes across the zone
      occupied by intermediates, i.e. both primary and secondary intergradation may
      be operating to produce darkening in cinnamomeum and paling in castaneothorax
      where they abut. If castaneothorax from the western parts and drier parts of its
      range is paler than from the eastern and wetter parts of its range because
      cinnamomeum genes have intruded into its gene pool and such paling has
      occurred over a long, wide front (Ford 1974a), then introgression is obviously
      extensive. Unfortunately, Noske fails to relate the conclusions in Ford (1976) with
      the data in Ford (1974a) where some considerable effort is taken to disentangle
      the “conflicting evidence” on the relative contributions of primary and secondary
      intergradation to clinal variation in these taxa.
      It is a fact that I remarked that “introgression is impeded because each
      parental gene -pool confers better adaptations to its particular environment”
      (Ford 1976) but Noske ignores that this is qualified by my statement that “there
      may be considerable flow of genes across the hybrid zone except for genes that
      are disadvantageous in one habitat or the other” (Ford 1974a). These two
      remarks are not incompatible because a hybrid zone acts like a semi -permeable
      membrane, allowing some genes to introgress but not others (Sibley 1961). This
      phenomenon also operates along primary clines: some genes flow freely; others,
      such as those associated with local adaptation, do not because selection operates
      against genes that lower, and for those that increase, fitness of the local
      population.
      To be more precise in my rebuttal of Noske, he quotes me as saying that
      paling in populations of castaneothorax contiguous with cinnamomeum is due
      to “intrusion of cinnamomeum genes” when in fact remarked “possibly because
      I
      of intrusion of cinnamomeum genes” (Ford 1976). The former remark is definite;
      the latter is tempered. Noske quotes me as saying “there are many differences in
      morphology and ecology” between castaneothorax and cinnamomeum but com-
      pletely ignores my remarks “phenotypically castaneothorax and cinnamomeum
      are similar” and “their ecological adaptations may be fairly similar” (Ford 1974a).
      Noske also claims that Ford (1978) appears, primarily on personal preference,
      to dispute Parker’s decision to combine Malurus dulcis and M. amabilis with M.
      lamberti. This was not so: I clearly indicated that certain specimens (collected
      by the British Museum’s Harold Hall Australian Expeditions) showed only possible
      indications of intermediacy, and moreover Harrison (1972), who discussed these
      specimens, did not combine the taxa because he considered that convergence
      could equally explain certain similarities between contiguous forms. In May 1978
      I collected a very long series of specimens in the contact zone between M.
      lamberti assimilis and M. dulcis rogersi in south-western Kimberley and north-
      western Northern Territory; the specimens exhibit every conceivable stage of
      intermediacy between these forms and constitute strong evidence for con –
      specificity.
      Quite obviously therefore, Noske has selectively taken phrases out of their
      proper context, distorted my interpretation of the data and failed to understand
      the significance of certain facts. Without discussing at length his other criticisms
      of Schodde (1975), I have the clear impression that he has been consistently
      unfair. Thus, in the case of the Pardalotus striatus complex he avoids mentioningJune, 1979 79
      Salomonsen’s (1961) discovery of considerable hybridization between melanoce-
      phalus and substriatus and Cooper’s (1961) evidence for widespread and free
      interbreeding between ornatus and substriatus. If Palmer (1946) is correct that
      differences between the latter two perhaps involve a single gene locus or allelic
      pair with dominance, obviously hybrid phenotypes would be like those of the
      parental forms despite some genotypes being intermediate. The naive would
      consider such a hybrid interaction as “a zone of overlap and hybridization”.
      Additionally, think that Schodde (1975) was well aware of the significance of
      occasional inI terbreeding between species (e.g. Artamus superciliosus and A.
      personatus) and of frequent interbreeding at or in secondary zones of contact, yet
      Noske endeavours to discredit him in this regard.
      It is important that reviewers criticize facts and speculations fairly and
      objectively. Noske fails to do this. Whether he has been deliberate or unwitting
      is unimportant.
      The opportunity is here taken to comment on McGill’s (1976) review of
      Schodde (1975). Here, McGill states that Australian taxonomic work in recent
      years appears to be a “witch-hunt” for possible indications of hybridism, by
      which he presumably means that there has been an endeavour to ascertain how
      various pairs of taxa interact at their zones of secondary contact. Does he
      advocate the cessation of such work? Does he believe that Australian ornithology
      be denied critical new knowledge on the exten.t of evolutionary divergence
      between such pairs? Is he suggesting that studies on hybridization are unim-
      portant? Certainly his suggestion that more attention ought to be focussed on
      plumage sequences from the juvenile to adult is commendable but his remark
      that such studies are more commendable than investigations of phenomena at
      zones of secondary contact is a value -judgement which rightly should be
      rejected.
      REFERENCES
      Cooper, R. P. 1961. Field notes on the nesting of the red -tipped pardalotes.
      Emu 60, 1-6.
      Ford, J. 1970. Distribution of quail -thrushes in the Northern Territory and their
      taxonomic relations. Emu 70, 135-139.
      Ford, J. 1974a. Taxonomic significance of some hybrid and aberrant -plumaged
      quail -thrushes. Emu 74, 80-90.
      Ford, J. 1974b. Concepts of subspecies and hybrid zones, and their application
      in Australian ornithology. Emu 74, 113-123.
      Ford, J. 1976. Systematics and speciation in the quail -thrushes of Australia and
      New Guinea. Proc XVI Int. Orn. Congr.: 542-566.
      Ford, J. 1978. Geographical isolation and morphological and habitat differentiation
      between birds of the Kimberley and Northern Territory. Emu 78, 25-35.
      Harrison, C. J. 0. 1972. A re-examination of the chestnut -shouldered wren com-
      plex of Australia. Bull. Br. Mus. Nat. Hist. (Zool.) 21, 313-328.
      McGill, A. R. 1976. Review. Aust. Bird. Bander 14, 80-82.
      Noske, R. 1978. Comments on some of the scientific names used in the Interim
      List of Australian Songbirds. Aust. Birds 13, 27-35.
      Palmer, C. B. 1946. Speciation in the pardalotes. W. Aust. Bird Notes (4): 11-12.
      Schodde, R. 1975. Interim List of Australian Songbirds: Passerines. Melbourne:
      RAOU.
      Sibley, C. G. 1961. Hybridization and isolating mechanisms. In Vertebrate
      Speciation: 69-88. Ed. W. F. Blair. Austin: Univ. of Texas Press.
      Salomonsen, F. 1961. Notes on flowerpeckers (Ayes, Dicaeidae): the superspecies
      Pardalotus striatus. Am. Mus. Novit. (2068): 1-31.
      JULIAN FORD, Western Australian Institute of Technology, Bentley, W.A. 6102.80 – AUSTRALIAN BIRDS (13) 4
      OBITUARY D. F. GRAY
      Desmonde Frederick Gray, known to all his friends as Jim, died after a long
      illness on 27 February 1979, aged 59 years. He is survived by his widow Shirley,
      and his daughter Sue Ellen. My association with Jim goes back to 1950 when we
      were working together at Cardiff Locomotive Workshops of the New South Wales
      Government Railways. Here was introduced to Jim by a friend, Hubert Bear,
      I
      who lived near him at Blackalls’ Park, Lake Macquarie. Hubert was an authority
      on the Wattagan Forests, north-west of Wyong, and knowing that each of us was
      interested in birds, he brought us together. After the introduction I loaned Jim
      many of my bird books and so began a long friendship which ended with his
      death. Already a member of the R.A.O.U. since 1929, I was able to introduce Jim
      to that organisation in 1955.
      Jim had a boat and was interested in Moon Island off Swansea, and the
      seabirds that nested there. We made many trips to the Island, particularly after
      Jim became a licensed bird bander about 1962. Here he began to band Silver
      Gulls Larus novaehollandiae and Crested Terns Sterna bergii, the former for the
      Australian -wide study initiated by the C.S.I.R.O. Division of Wildlife Research. It
      was at Moon Island that the first record of the breeding of the Kelp Gull L. domini-
      canus was found in Australia; a nest with three eggs (A. J. Gwynne and D. F. Gray
      1959 Emu 59, 141-2). We found that a pair nested each year until 1966 when two
      nests were found; 16 eggs were located between 1958-1970, although only nine
      chicks survived to be banded by Jim.
      Jim was a foundation member of the Bird Banders’ Association founded in
      1962, maintaining his membership to his death. He published two articles in the
      Australian Bird Bander (now Core11a), one on the movement of a Kelp Gull he
      banded (1967 Aust. Bird Bander 5, 18) and the other was the report for the Seabird
      Island Series on Moon Island (1974 Aust. Bird Bander 12, 36-37). The report
      revealed that 1575 runners and 7 adult Crested Terns, and 2592 runners and 132
      adult Silver Gulls were banded on the Island, many by Jim. We did many of the
      trips to Moon Island together and he was a great companion. I was able to help
      him with his banding and knew just how thorough he was with his records and
      observations. His knowledge of birds was also shared with many local Newcastle
      and Central Coast groups and he was a popular speaker with them.
      His association with the N.S.W. Field Ornithologists’ Club commenced in
      1966 when the Club was first formed as the Gould League of Bird -watchers. Jim
      was an early contributor to the journal “Birds”, writing notes on the longevity
      records of Silver Gulls (1967 Birds 1 (4), 2) and Crested Terns (1968 Birds 2, 35)
      that he had banded himself. He took part in Club excursions to the Central Coast
      and Newcastle areas. Because of his love and knowledge of the Wattagan
      Mountains he was able to lead Club excursions to this area and the trips were
      greatly appreciated by the members. His love for the Wattagans was shared by
      his wife Shirley and they had many great times there.
      Jim’s love for birds has not been in vain, for in 1960 Moon Island was
      gazetted as a Nature Reserve, partly through his efforts. He was well known to
      the field staff of the then Fauna Protection Panel (now incorporated into the
      National Parks and Wildlife Service) and assisted them with surveys and manage-
      ment of the Reserve. Nature Reserves are lasting and this Reserve will always
      remind us of Jim.
      On 27 February 1979 the Christian church lost a faithful member and orni-
      thology a keen observer, and we are all the poorer for his passing.
      A. J. GWY NNE, 52 Wallerah Road, New Lambton 2305.CONTENTS
      Moffat, R. Confirmed occurrence of the Northern Shoveler in
      Australia 57
      Marchant, S. The Birds of forest and woodland near Moruya, N.S.W 59
      Pratt, E. The White-rumped Swiftlet in New South Wales 68
      Parker, S. Comments on some criticism of the Interim List of
      Australian Songbirds 70
      Morris, A. The spread of the Cattle Egret in New South Wales 72
      Holmes, G. First record of Red -necked Phalarope in New South
      Wales 75
      Ford, J. – Taxonomic Status of some Quail -thrushes 76
      Obituary J. F. Gray 80
      Registered for Posting as a Periodical -Category B
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