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A DESCRIPTIVE LIST OF BIRDS NATIVE TO VICTORIA, AUSTRALIA.

The purpose of this List of Victorian Birds is to assist teachers in recognising, in the living state, some of the birds of their school district, and so enabling them more fully to interest their pupils in one of the best branches of nature-study.

One of the first difficulties is to know which bird is denoted by a particular name. This is a serious difficulty in Victoria, where the names vary so much from district to district, and where the vernacular names accepted by ornithologists are known to so very few. To assist in overcoming tins initial difficulty, the vernacular (recognised scientific simple) name is placed first, some of the local names are then given, and the scientific name comes last.

Many people were hampered in making a selection for the “ Twelve Best Birds ” discussion in The Argus, not because they did not know twelve good birds, but because they did not recognise the birds bv the names used in the lists sent in. I hus, I have been informed, after passing a company of Babblers near a school, that there were no Babblers in that district. On mentioning the local name, “ Cat Birds,” it was soon evident that a close study of these interesting and valuable birds had been made by the pupils. Again, the White-fronted Heron is an unknown quantity until the usual name “ Blue Crane,” is given; so with Nankeen Kestrel, almost invariably called by schoolboys the ^cc Sparrow-hawk,” although in the vernacular list this name is assigned to a different bird. So it is with the name Curlew. The popular “ Curlew” is well known,especially in Northern districts, by its mournful note, so frequently heard at night, while the “ Curlew ” of the ornithologist is a shore bird migrating to the Arctic to breed. The “ Curlew ” of the schoolboy is the Stone Plover of the scientist. It is hoped that one result of the issue of this list will be to help to secure uniformity of names.

As many common names as possible are given to enable teachers to identify any bird known to the pupils by one °! these names. It is hoped, however, that local names, unless really appropriate, will be used but seldom.

'Teachers are requested to consult the list for the vernacular name of each bird, and to use this instead of the local name. Where there is an appropriate local name, we should be very pleased to receive it, with a view to a possible future revision of the vernacular list.

It is earnestly hoped that no bird will be killed for the purpose of identification, but that teachers will note the approximate size, class oi country the bird lives in, any particular markings on it, and any peculiar habits it possesses. (hen turn to these notes. Run down the size column, and then compare the characters given under Romanes. These characters do not constitute a scientific description, but give, it is hoped, one or tw'o points, sometimes easily seen, which enable one to decide definitely which bird it is. Where there are no very definite markings, it is a difficult matter to say just which bird is being

observed. In fact, scientists, even with the dead bird in hand, cannot always at once sav to what species it belongs. Fortunately, these cases are rare. In most cases, in the field, a ready identification can be made, and frequent observation will enable one to pick out the white eyebrow , the tiny red spot, or the faintly■-streaked chest, &e., which enables the skilled observer to be sure of the identity of our feathered friends. It need hardly be said that a pair of field-glasses is a great aid in the work of observation : and it is to be hoped that the day will come when every school will have a good pair.

In drawing up these notes, valuable aid has been obtained from the various books, &c., which treat of Australian birds. 1 am especially indebted to The Handlist of the Turds of Australasia, by Gregory M. Mathews, F.L.S., F.Z.S., M.B.O.IJ., published recently as a supplement to The Etna. The arrangement, classification, and scientific names have been taken directly from that handlist.

The characters have been drawn up, so far as possible, from the birds themselves. Full use has been made of the valuable collection in the National Museum, Melbourne, and my thanks are especially due to the Director, Professor W. Baldwin Spencer, F.H.S., and the Curator, Mr. J. A. Kershawq F.E.S., for assistance and helpful advice. Free advantage has been taken of the information given in the following books :—

Handbook of the Birds of Australia, Gould.

A Iieg to the Birds of Australia, by Robert Hall, F.L.S., C.M.Z.S.

A Dichotomous Keg to the Birds of Australia, by A. G. Campbell.

Nests and Eggs of Australian Birds, by A. J. Campbell, Col. M.B.O.U.

Nests and Eggs of Birds Found Breeding in Australia and Tasmania. by A. J. North.

Birds of Australia, by Broinowski.

British Museum Catalogue.

Wild Life in Australia, by 1). Le Sourf, C.M.Z.S.

Nature Studies in Australia (new edition) by W. Gillies, M.A., and R. Hall, F.L.S., &c.

The Useful Birds of Southern Australia, by Robert Hall,' F.L.S., C.M.Z.S. ;

and many articles by A. IT. Mattingley, C.M.Z.S., and other*, published in The Emu.

Mr. H. W. Wilson. Nature-study Lecturer, Training College, has rendered me much assistance in reading proofs, &e. The bird lovers of Victoria have kindly read the proofs, made many valuable suggestions, and have, also supplied additional details from personal observation. My thanks are due to D. Le Soiffif, C.M.Z.S., President A.O.U.; G. A. Keartland, President Field Naturalists’ Club ; A. J. Campbell, Col. M.B.O.U. ; C. French, F.L.S., &c., Government Entomologist; Donald Macdonald, the well-known Nature writer; C. L. Barrett (“C.L.B.”), the entertaining lecturer on Bird Life; F. Howe, Hon. Sec. Bird Observers’ Club; W. Gillies, M A.; A. G. Campbell ; C. French, jun.; C. C. and T. Brittlebank ; Mrs. A. 1). Hardy; W. Brook Nichols; A. H. Mattingley, C.M.Z.S., C. F. Cole, and other bird observers.

NOTES.

Reference to columns : —

!. Number of species found in Australia.

2.    Number of species found in Victoria.

3.    Names—Vernacular, local, and scientific.

•1. Total length of bird (including bill and tail) in inches.

c — common ; rc -■ very common ; occ = occasional ; cas — casual; r—-rare ; vr —very rare; u == unlikely that the ordinary observer will see it, because it is so rare or so shy.

5.    Kind of country usually seen in. Timber denotes

the ordinary open timber, and grassy country.

6.    Remarks, m - male ; / — female.

Where names are given in column 3 in brackets, c Hooded (Black and White, Black, Pied) Robin, they should be read as follows :—Hooded Robin, Black and White Robin, Black Robin, Pied Robin. The first is the recognised vernacular name, as accepted by The Australasian Association for the Advancement of Science at the Sydney Congress, 1898.

Japan, Siberia, or Arctic in column 5 denotes that the bird visits one of these countries to breed, following the well-known rule that, where a bird migrate?, it breeds in t lie colder of the two countries it lives in.

Birds recorded from Australasia (Mathews’

Handlist) ..    ..    ..    ..    883    species

Birds recorded from Victoria ..    ..    388    „

Birds recorded from Southern Victoria, but not from Northern Victoria (including 60 sea and shore birds) ..    ..    ..    123    „

Birds recorded from Northern Victoria, but

not from Southern Victoria..... 70    „

Birds recorded from both Southern and Northern Victoria ..    ..    ..    195    „

N.B.—A Tit is about 4" long ; a Red-capped Robin, 5"; a Ground Lark, 6"; a Sordid Wood Swallow, 7"; a Black and White Flycatcher, 8" ; a Shrike Thrush, 9" ; a Noisy Miner, 10" ; a Butcher-bird,11"; a Rosella, 12V ; a Galah, 14"; a Magpie, 15"; a Chough (“Jay ”), 16"; a Crow, 17.5"; and a White Cockatoo, 20".

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Distinguished hy size: small wings; thron toes; runs “ Resembles a greyish domesticated turkey, but is smaller"; beautifully spotted plumage, with dark band decked with white down the breast from neck to tho abdomen. Lavs eggs in a mound Stout birds living in grass. Puzzling to separate Tail very small; mottled and lined ; diilicult to distinguish ; black curved bill; rises with a burr-r-r-r. Male, throat rufous or dull brick-red, black streaks on breast-. F. larger, less distinctly marked with black Thick bill. Distinguished from Stubble Quail by having the under surface finely barred with black Distinguished from Brown Quail by size Smallest quail, l| ozs. Distinguished by size and whito and black bands on throat; slate breast; chestnut abdomen (in.) ; throat whitish, rufous edge; under surface barred black (f.)

Stout birds, living in grass. Have very small tails and yellow legs, and rise with a burr-r-r-r of the wings No hind toe. Chin, throat dirty white. Male, a buff chest. Female, a rufous collar Upper surface rich rufous-brown, irregularly marked with chestnut and black linos. Male, spotted breast. Female, pale shaft streaks on feathers ; no hind too Yellowish-red tint on whole of undersurface; no hind too

Bill very stout. Rufous chest and feathers round eye light reddish-buff; whitish abdomen and upper breast; no hind too

Has hind too. (F.) has a broad white and black spotted band round neck; 0.3"; (m.) no band on nock, general yellowish-brown; hard to flush; head hold up making nock seem long

East of Gippsland Lakes. Eyes rich orange, with pink eyelids. Easily distinguished by large rufous topknot; general colour slaty-grey

Distinguished by a broad band of wavy grey and black lines round neck and upper breast; fawn abdomen ; upper, darker barred. Small slender bird

Distinguished by bright orange patch round t he eye ; grey under ; brown upper i ; many small bright white spots on wings and back

Distinguished by size, rich chestnut plumage, largo metallic green patch on wings, white patch on shoulder, and short tail *

Throat whito; breast vinous; crown white (m.) ; beautiful bronze on wing ; whitish markings on wings.

Breast slaty : throat bright rufous ; crown chestnut (in.), grey (f.) ; no whitish markings on wings; shy

Distinguished by grey head, with black crest, and white tipped tail. Wings whistling noise when flying.

Distinguished by size, and black and whito under sur face, dark back and upper wings

[16th December, 1908.

0.

Swamps, All long toes and fairly long legs : have strange ha 1».t of flLking tail up and down Long legs ; long toes ; colours somewhat like quail ; chestnut patch at back of the neck ; inconspicuous dull slate-coloured breast; short turned-up tail Shy, runs ; orange band on chest; finely-barred black and white chest and abdomen ; white line above eye. Green bill, green legs; eye red; dull indefinite colours ; upper, brown spotted with white ; under, dark-grey; abdomen, barred white ; shy Breast grey; shoulder chestnut; long toes; indefinite;

no green on bill or feet; barred abdomen; shv Stump tail; dark-grey, under; upper, brown; head grey ; pink eyes ; no spots ; whitish throat: shy Upper mandible green, lower reddish; reddish legs ; white marks on thigh; upper, sooty brown; lower, slaty-grey. Occasionally appear in thousands Distinguished by size, and sooty chocolate colour. Base of bill blood-red ; turned-up tail Frontal plate and bill red; under surface uniform blue; under tail coverts white ; flicks tail ; runs rapidly Almost uniform sooty to black plumage; lobed toes ; bluish-grey bill; blacklegs; short tail; dues

DIVING BIRDS.

Tail not visible; lobed toes instead of webs; peculiar fine fur-like plumage ; winter plumage different from summer plumage; white breast, extremely glossy No tail; abdomen, under surface whitish; black head ; long narrow neck ; lobed toes ; narrow bill No tail; large hoary head ; whitish hair-like feathers on head in breeding season* ; whitish eyes Flics little; peculiar dark ring of fine long feathers round neck ; a double black crest; pink eyes ; winter plumage no crest

Handsome yellow crest; wings as paddles only Distinguished by wings (paddles) and size Distinguished by wings (paddles) and size

Sooty-black ; under surface rather paler Upper sootv; dark-grey neck; white abdomen Mud Island. White face; white below; black legs and bill ; upper surface dark ; black patch alo it e\e Abdomen sooty-Uack ; flanks, u, ¡ er tail coverts wl ite

Black above, white below

Sooty brown : tail long and wedge-shaped

Upper dark; under whit'; tad roundel

Sooty, head and back darker, bill and legs blackish

Greyish-brown ; bill horn-colourc I

White; back, wings grey, tube nose; no black on wing

Sooty-bla k ; chin and forehead whitish

Sooty-1 l’jwn ; long pointed wings like those of a wilt

Plumage greyish-sooty

Face, under white; head, neck, upper dark; wings • partly white

Bigger than a goose; yellow bill, tube nose, uniform sooty plumage

White below; black and white spotted above; head and neck black

Under white; upper bluish ; centretal feather • while tips

Under white; upper bluish ; very wide bill .8"

( in .. Under white; upper liluish; darker head: hillwide .,    .. Slaty-grey alx>ve, whit i *h below; Whale (Snow) Bird

ruder wliite ; upper blue-grey; bill smaller

Throat, Hanks, and under wing coverts white and back black

White; slaty-black on wings; span 9A feet Breast, head, back white White; slaty black on back; eyebrow black

White head, chest, and abdomen ; back grey darker above

Head, chest, and abdomen while; dark-grey hack;

black wings ; crest of bill yellow , side of bill black White ; wings grey

Sooty ; bill black ; white ring round eye

The terns" have straight hills; the two parts of equal length; claws short ; three toes webbed, one free; w ings long and pointed ; tail forked Swallow-like bird, skims along rapidly; black cap. white face, grey body

Head and back of nock black in summer (white in winter), under surface pure white ; bill black .Beautiful silvery plumage, crown of head black, bill

scarlet

Yellow bill; black head with long black feathers on upper nock ; under j uro white ; upj or. w ings grey Forehead I w hite, crown black in breeding season Pure white under ; back, rump umber brown Pure white below, pure black above; forehead white Hoad black : light-grey above, white below White; back silvery-grey ; wings grey; tip of wings black and white; legs, bill red W hite ; back black, wings black, tail white with black bar, bill orange; immature birds uniform brownish

Fierce powerful sea-pirates ; claws strong ; bill hooked Rich dark-brown ; bill, legs, and feet bluish-black ; centre tail feathers project ,J inch Dusky coloured ;^rdark chest and speckled under parts ; centre pair of tail feathers project 3 inches. Migrates from the north

All have long legs, and frequent water, shore, swamp, or stream

Throat and abdomen w hite ; chest and rump black ; bill short, straight, and black ; legs and feet orange Bill 3.75". Black; abdomon, rump, upper and under tail coverts pure white ; red eves, bill, and legs

Whole sooty black, bill orange-yellow ; red eyes

Distinguished by pink-red thigh, knee, and upper shank; pure white throat and upper breast; head, back of neck, and band across breast arc black Large yellow wattle on face ; white throat, breast, and abdomen ; head, hind neck, black ; brow n upper distinguished by size ; black breast and head, and pure, white throat and abdomen; brown above; red watt hi No spur : no wattle ; crown, upper, wings light olive mottled with white; face, under white, with brown 8 tripos

Vo wattle on face, uniformly mottled black, brown and white; indistinct plumage

Distinguished by black band on breast and chestnut band on abdomen across an otherwise pure white under-surface; upper, greyish-brown

(j.

Easily recognised by long downcurvod bill

White ; black head and long downeurved bill

Neck white spotted with brown and with straw-

Brown, with few white spots on'throat ; green on w ings; much smaller than other two ibises: deourvod bill

White ; yellow spoon bill and legs Bills straight and sharp-pointed

Pure white, except small indistinct black patch behind eye ; yellow eye : slender neck Pure white : bills and eyes yellowish : legs black Forehead, eyebrow, and throat whitish : almost uniform bluish-grey above; tinged brownish below Head and nook white ; back and wings dark ; white patches on edge of wings

Pure white ; feet and toes totally black ; bill dark (¡enorally dark slate colour : head crested : pure white streak down centre of throat. This bird is often pure white ; greenish bill and legs

Black cap ; chestnut back ; creamy white below ; all mottled in young

Bill, feet, and space round eye yellow; crown and back black ; neck and sides of face chestnut; abdomen lighter

Beautiful mottled plumage of bull* an -1 dark-brow n : yellow eyes; brown stripes on light breast ; pointed yellow bill

Have three toes webbed and hind toe free. The upper beak Rattened and with nail-like tip Dusky plumage; white quills in wing; red eyes and bill

Feet half-wobbed ; head, nock, mantle, w ings.’and tail black ; back, rump, breast, and abdomen white ; smaller than common goose Uniform fawn or brownish slate plumage, with darker

spots on the wing ; cere, lemon, yellow ; about size of common goose

Breast grey, spotted black (m.), spotted w hite (f.);

and

.    . bill

olive-brown, high, and goose-like Black bill; blackish crown; whitish throat; rich chestnut on abdomen and shoulder Whitish throat, up ereivy; lower breast and Hanks chestnut with distinct black bars ; long black and white plumes on side of abdomen ; flesh-coloured foot Head, neck black; narrow white collar ; broad chestnut collar on chest and hack : black back, rump, tail ; wings coverts white ; metallic green patch on wing line above and light patch below it; plumage mottled; bill black, with parallel sides ; wing metallic groon patch

Head and neck metallic green (m.) ; breast chestnut ; weight 1 II). 9 ozs; w hite patch on w ing. Female, finely-mottled head, neck, body ; 1 lb. S ozs. ; Hi" long /cry difficult to distinguish from female chestnutbreasted to il. Grey teal 1 11>. 2 ozs (m.), I lb. 1 oz. (f.)

distinctly barred dark-brown and white below Uniformly freckled with small whitish spots ; abdomen lighter; shovel bill

Homage almost uniformly dark abovo ; whitish on abdomen, under tail coverts, and edge of wings ; tail feathers not stiff; black head, neck; white eye

1.	2.	3.	4.	s.	N.	1 5.	6.
1	1	Blue-billed Duck, Er inmutara australis ..	10	v. r.	v. r.	Lagoons	M Conspicuous light-blue bill; black head and n ck ;
							deep chestnut breast. Female, uniform freckled grey, with green bill: diving duck : feeble flight
1	l	Mu k Üiií-k, Hiziura lobula .. ..	20,		c.	Bays,	Mings very small: pouch under bill ; very long, stilt*
			m.			lagoons	tail feathers; dark grey, much mottled darker: (f.)23
		ORDFR XIV. PRLKANIF()KMFS. *
5		20. Family PifAlacrooor acidar, Cuu-
		MORAXT3, OR SfiAUS.
		Black Cormorant, Black Shag, Piada croctrax	35	c.	r.	Mater,	Upper under surface black ; long slender neck : bill
		carb>				sea	hooked : black throat, with sides whitish
		Little Black (’ormorant, P. sulcirostris ..	25	c.	c.	Lagoons	Black ; round eve blackish
		White-breasted Cormorant, Black and White	30	c.	. .	Coast ..	Under surface pure and glistening white ; upper black
		Sha;", P. (joiddi					eye space blackish ; bill 2 "
		Pied Cormorant, P. hypoliucus .. . .	30	v.c.	c.	(toast,	Like white-breasted cormorant, but eye space yellow ;
						lagoons	bill 2.7 " : may be same as the white-bTasted
1	1	Little Cormorant, P. mclanoltucus .. . . 30. Famh.v Flotidae, Darters.	23	e.	c.	yy	WMiite below; chestnut upper chest ; white side of head : crown, back of neck, and upper, shining black
		Darter (Snake Bird), Vlotus noeai-hollaudite. .	31	r.	r.	Lagoons	Narrow, sharp, straight bill; glossy-black plumage :
							upper wing spotted and streaked ; neck very long and slender. ‘k The head and neck of a snake on the body of a bird.” Often swims with onl / the head o .t of
4	l	31. Family 8ui.ro.«, Gannkts.					water
		(Ian net, Australian Cannot, Solan Coos;-.	32	c.	. .	Sea ..	Body about size of a goose, but legs short; white head
		“ 1» )oby,” Sula serrator					and neck; yellowish-buff ¡a eh cn crown an 1 up pe.* neck ; black patch on wing ; bill pointed. Common in Port Phillip Bay; often seen diving into the sea
2	1	32.    Family Freüatioae, Frio at b Birds. Frigate Bird, .Man-of-War Hawk, F regata a (juila 33.    Family Phakthontidae, Tropic Biros.	40	occ.	• •	Ocean ..
							White crown, chest, abdomen; under tail coverts black; upper surface greenish-black; long hooked bill; very short legs ; very long forked tail ; long wings ; one was shot in Port Phillip Bay
3	0
1	1	34. Family Peleoanidae, Pci.inxs.
		Pelican (Three-decker), Pelccanvs con spied-	00	c.	c.	Water,	Bill 18" long, with large pouch ; white ; tail quills and
		la tus				sea	wing coverts brownish-black
		OKI) F. 11 X V. ACC I PIT KT FOK .M FS.					DIURNAL BIRDS OF PREY. HAWKS, ETC.
20	22	35. Family Falcónidas, Harriers, Cos-					Femaleoften larger than the male. Often difficult to
		HAWKS, ETC., ETC.					distinguish the cli '.erent kinds
2	2	Spotted (Jardino) Harrier, Circus ass i mil is ..	22	occ.	occ.	Timber,	Grey above, brownish below, with many round
		Harrier, Gould (Allied) Harrier, (Swamp				swamps	white spots ; white and grey barred tail ; legs long
			20	o.	c.	Swamps	Nests on the ground ; legs long and yellow; under
		Hawk), (J. go nidi					surface chestnut; upper, rich dark-brown ; no bars on tail : yellow skin (cere) at base of beak
5	3	Groy Goshawk, A slur claras [cinéreas) ..	16.5	v. r.	r.	Timber	Upper ashy-grey ; breast white ; tail ashy-grey
		White Goshawk, .4. novos-hollandim ..	16	c.	c.	y y	Pure white (in adult) ; eyes yellow ; legs, feet yellow
		Goshawk, Australian Goshawk, Chicken	20	c.	c.	yy	Nearly black upper surface ; head blackish ; under
		Hawk, A. fasciatus .. .. ..	f.				surface finely barred brown and white ; tail barred brown and white below ; tail 8.5" ; male 15"
1	1	Sparrow Hawk, Collared Sparrow Hawk,	12	r	r.	yy	Bold, dashing ; head brownish ; upper surface sooty-
		Ft ip it >ir c irrhocepha lu s	m.				brown ; under surface brown with very fine white bars ; tail 7.5" ; like a small Goshawk. Female, 14"
0	4	Wedgo-tailed Fagle, Fagle, Faglehawk,	38	c.	c.	yy	Golden Fagle 32' : general <’a -k plumage, with rufous
		UrociHus awl ax					upper neck ; tail black and wedge-shaped
		Little Eaglo, Eutolma>:tus morphno-ides ..	21.5	• •	r.	**	Feathered legs ; head and back blackish ; rufous beneath : shaft of each breast feather with a blackish streak ; tail square ; feet and bill lead colour
		White-bellied Sea F igle, //aliarlas lencojaster	30	v. r.	. .	Near	Head, nock, and under white; wings dark-grey ;
						coast	base of tail blackish-brown, ah >yo tip white
		Whistling Fagle, ! ltd instar sphenurus ..	24	c.	c.	Timber	Under surface sandy with dark shafts to feathers ;
					.	and	upper surface mottled brown and white ; tail uniform
						swamps*'	ashy-grey; head and neck sandy with brownish streaks ; tail rounded
•1	4	Kite, AM ed Kite, MUvas affinis .. ..	20	occ.	occ.	Timber	Tail slightly forked ; blackish above, rufous below ; head and und'r brownish feathers with fine central black stripe ; tail barred brown and white beneath
		Square tailed Kite, Laph tictiuia ¡sura ..	It)	r.	r.	Timber,	Tail square when expanded ; plumage blackish-brown
						plains	above, reddish-orange below; crown of head, round
							eye, and upper throat whitish; rump whitish; feathers on upper neck conspicuously brown and
							black