"Kangaroo Grass," is, in my opinion, a very handsome species when in bloom, the panicles and inflorescence, of a rich brown colour, being very effective for cutting. Amongst the Stipas, or "Spear Grasses," S. elegantissima, whose panicle-branches are covered with long white hairs; S. Tuckeri, which are similarly covered with short brown hairs; and S. semibarbata, whose awns are covered with fine hairs to about the middle, are elegant grasses of an ornamental feathery character. Danthonia semiannularis, pallida, and other species included in penicillata, and also the alpine D. robusta, are all pleasing grasses. Astrebla pectinata and triticoides, "Mitchell Grasses," with rather rigid inflorescence, will lend pleasing variety to a posy of native grasses. Bromus arenarius, sometimes called "Barley Grass," is, especially in some of its looser-panicled forms, of decorative value.

Palms and Cycads.

66

Our list of species of indigenous palms is not a very long one, although some individuals are very abundant in the moist rich-soil brushes of the coast districts. Without question the handsomest is the "Bangalow Palm,” Seaforthia elegans, of which Ptycosperma Cunninghamii is a synonym. It is a tall tree, with large leaves divided into numerous narrow-lanceolate segments. Livistona australis is the common Cabbage Palm," very well known, and worthy of more extensive cultivation. The pretty little "Walkingstick Palm," Kentia (Bacularia) monostachya, of the north coast, from Port Stephens onward, should find a place in every collection. They can all be obtained from the nurserymen. The "Cabbage Palm" is usually sold under the superseded name of Corypha australis.

Cycads are, in this Colony, confined to the genus Macrozamia, of which, according to Mr. C. Moore, we have no less than ten species, not including varieties. The best known species is the common "Burrawang" (M. spiralis), whose fronds are so largely used for decorative purposes. An arboreal species is M. Denisonii (Perowskiana), found on the northern rivers. They are all worth cultivating.

Ferns.

Our ferns are widely cultivated, and many of them are very beautiful. Growers of these plants are frequently fairly familiar with the botany of the subject, and all that I have to suggest in this place is that nurserymen should distinctly indicate, in their lists, the species which are natives of this Colony.

A List of the Insectivorous Birds of New South Wales.

BY ALFRED J. NORTH, C.M.Z.S.,
Ornithologist to the Australian Museum.

In the following list of the insectivorous birds of New South Wales a reference is given to where an accurate figure of each species may be found; also to a more detailed description of its nest or a figure of its egg. The vernacular name of each bird is given, and, by request, as far as possible, its local appellation. Care, however, must be taken in the use of the latter class of nomenclature, for a local name is often more apt to mislead and confuse than to assist one in recognising the particular species on which it is bestowed. This is chiefly due to the same local name being applied to two or more species. For instance, Corcorax melanorhamphus, Xerophila leucopsis, and Myzantha garrula are all locally known in different parts of the Colony by the name of "Squeaker."

A brief description of the nidification of each species is also given to enable those who are unacquainted with the economy of our avi-fauna to recognise the nests and eggs of insectivorous birds beneficial or harmful to the pursuits of man.

Several useful papers on the subject have appeared in the official magazine of the Department of Agriculture. One by the Honorable Dr. James Norton, M.L.C., entitled "Australian Birds; Useful and Noxious," in which sixty-seven species are specially referred to, besides many others in general terms. This paper, the result of many years' observation and practical experience, in addition to containing other valuable information, deals principally with the good and bad qualities of birds so far as they affect the agriculturist and horticulturist, and the particular kind of food each species subsists upon. In the same journal (Appendix F, p. 240), Dr. E. P. Ramsay, F.L.S., F.R.S.E., also contributes a paper on "Birds Useful to Agriculturists, Fruit-growers, and Farmers," and enumerates eighty-nine insectivorous birds usually found in and about the farms, gardens, and orchards of the Colony. The food of many species is given, also a reference number to his "Tabular List of Australian Birds," which shows the further range of each species over the continent. A third paper also appears in the same number, p. 151, by Mr. A. G. Hamilton, of Mount Kembla, entitled, "Birds which are Enemies or Friends of Fruit-growers." In this list the writer divides the 108 insectivorous or partially insectivorous birds enumerated into three groups, giving their distribution east or west of the

NOTE.-Contributions from the Australian Museum, by permission of the Trustees. * Department of Agriculture, N.S.W.; Bull. No. 1, App. G., p. 245 (1890).

Dividing Range, and notes as to their food. A fourth group, consisting entirely of the parrots found in the Colony, is included under the heading of "Birds living on Grain and Fruit, very destructive."

I have adopted a similar plan as regards the insectivorous birds included in this list, dividing the different species into three groups, as follows:1st. Those exclusively insectivorous, and, unless otherwise stated, beneficial.

2nd. Those partially insectivorous; also beneficial.

3rd. Those both insectivorous and frugivorous-more or less harmful. Although I have termed many species migratory, for they make their appearance in New South Wales chiefly during the spring and summer months, with the exception of Chatura caudacuta, Cypselus pacificus, Merops ornatus, Eurystomus pacificus, and Petrochelidon nigricans, they are truly only nomads, and do not leave the Australian continent. It is well known that immense flocks of the three latter species arrive at and take their departure from Cape York every year, but it is not improbable that large numbers remain to winter in Australia.

The normal food of the birds included in the first group consisting entirely of insects of various kinds, no further reference will be made to it.

1.-Birds Exclusively Insectivorous.

1. EGOTHELES NOVE-HOLLANDIÆ, Vig. and Horsf. "Owlet Nightjar." Egotheles nova-hollandiæ, Gould, Birds of Austr., fol. ed., Vol. 11, pl. 1 (1848); North, Nests and Eggs of Austr. Bds., p. 26, pl. xIv, fig. 11 (1889).

A resident and Locturnal species, resorting to the hollow limbs of trees during the daytime, also for the purpose of breeding. Although widely dispersed, it is seldom met with. Eggs pure white, length 1.15 x 0.87 inch.

2. EUROSTOPUS ALBIGULARIS, Vig. and Horsf. "White-throated Nightjar." Eurostopodus albigularis, Gould, Birds of Austr., fol. ed., Vol. II, pl. 7 (1848); North, Nests and Eggs of Austr. Bds., p. 28., pl. x1, fig. 3 (1889).

A nocturnal species, generally met with about dusk, and more especially in the neighbourhood of tanks and waterholes. This bird is possessed of rapid powers of flight, and captures a large number of insects while on the wing. It breeds upon the ground, depositing a single egg, usually upon the side of some gravelly ridge or near a stone or fallen log. The egg is of a cream ground colour, sparingly spotted with black, or blackish-brown markings; length 15 x 11'inch.

Spotted Nightjar."

3. EUROSTOPUS GUTTATUS, Vig. and Horsf. Eurostopodus guttatus, Gould, Birds of Austr., fol. ed., Vol. II, pl. 8 (1818); North, Nests and Eggs of Austr. Bds., p. 27, pl. xi, fig. 2 (1889). The habits of this species are similar to those of the White-throated Nightjar, sleeping or resting upon the ground during the day, and procuring its food while on the wing at dusk or in the twilight. Although widely distributed, both are comparatively rare species. Egg dull greenish-white, sparingly spotted with black; length, 1:38 x 1 inch.