Notes on the bush-hen breeding in New South Wales

The Bush-hen Gallinula olivacea was first recorded in New South Wales at Grafton where it was found breeding in 1864 (Boles 1976). It was not subsequently recorded in the State until the 1960's, but since then has been found at a number of locations in the Tweed, Brunswick and Richmond River Valleys, extending south to Evans Head (Morris et a/. 1981). It is listed as Rare and Vulnerable on Schedule 12 (Endangered Fauna, revised December 1992) of the New South Wales National Parks and Wildlife Act (1974). The only recently published record of the Bush-hen breeding in the State is from Ballina (Gosper 1986). Although a cryptic species, we consider that the Bush-hen is unlikely to be overlooked in an area because of its regular loud calling in spring and summer. There were no records of the Bush-hen south of 24 degrees S during the period 1900-1964 when it was rediscovered near Brisbane (Morgan and Morgan 1968). It has been suggested that this species was absent from these areas during this period and returned to them when conditions were more favourable (Blakers et al. 1984).