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Show 1877.] NORTH-EASTERN Q U E E N S L A N D . 343 is admirably adapted for its habits, abounding in extensive swamps and lagoons. I have also met with, I believe, the same species in New Zealand. They are still found to be not rare within a few miles of Sydney ; but the Illawarra district is the great stronghold of this species. 237- BUTOROIDES FLAVICOLLIS. Butoroides flavicollis, Gould, Handbk. B. Austr. ii. p. 315. The yellow-necked Mangrove-Bittern is plentiful in situations suitable to its habits all over Queensland. I found this species more common there than in New South Wales. In the extensive mangrove swamps and mud flats at the mouth of the Herbert river it is one of the most common birds. 238. ARDETTA PUSILLA. Ardetta pusilla, Gould, Handbk. B. Austr. ii. p. 319. I am happy to report that this beautiful little species is still plentiful in the neighbourhood of Cleveland Bay and also in the Herbert-river district; from both places have I received specimens. The species was once tolerably numerous near Sydney ; and there are still specimens in the Dobroyde collection which were shot at Botany Bay and near Newtown. I observe no difference in plumage or size in the Northern Queensland specimens and those shot near Sydney. 239. PORPHYRIO MELANOTUS. Porphyrio melanotus, Gould, Handbk. B. Austr. ii. p. 321. Common all over the country, in similar situations to those frequented by it in New South Wales. The "Red-bill" prefers the swamps and extensive lagoons; but where such places are not met with readily, it takes to the banks and margins of the rivers. This species is easily domesticated, and, even in the wild state, when not disturbed, becomes very tame, entering the gardens and farm-yards and feeding with the poultry, to the young of which they prove very destructive. In certain parts of the country, where they are numerous, they do considerable damage to the crops, especially to the young maize. They are also very fond of the Indian corn when ripe: perching on the side of the stems, they detach the " cobs," which they hold steady on the ground with one foot while they pick off and eat the grains. I have seen them eating pieces of cooked and raw meat, holding them in the same way. The nest is a rough structure of rushes and water-weeds & c , placed among the reeds and sedges near the water, or built among reeds in the lagoons, at a considerable distance from the edge, just above water-mark. The eggs are from three to five in number, of a light brown or yellowish stone-colour, varying considerably in tint and in the shape of the markings, but usually spotted and blotched with umber, dark blackish brown, and slaty grey. The young are of a uniform blackish slate-colour on leaving the nest. |