Vol. XV 11 1 



igig 



] Cleland, Birds of the Pilliga Scrub, N.S.W. 283 



672. Myzantha garrula (.1/. m. melanocephala). Noisy Miner, and 

 674. Myzantha flavigula {M. f. flavigiila). Yellow-throated Miner, 

 ^liners were numerous throughout the whole trip, being often the 

 only bird met with in the long dry stretches betwen creeks. Two 

 hundred and eighty were counted, giving an estimated minimum 

 population of 18,480. A reference to our recent work on " The Food 

 of Australian Birds " (Dept. of Agric, N.S.W. , Science Bulletin 

 No. 15, p. 85) will show how varied is the insect food of these birds. 

 Over 18,000 (and this is probably a very conservative estimate) of 

 fairly capacious empty stomachs to be filled daily with insect food, 

 obtained mostly from the timber-trees of the Pilliga Scrub, must 

 mean much in protecting these from injurious insects. During the 

 course of the year these stomachs have to be replenished over 

 6-| million times, allowing for their being filled only once a day ! 

 Unfortunatel}-, beyond counting the Miners as they were seen, a 

 careful scrutiny of them was not made at the time to see if they were 

 all M. flavigula or whether both species were present. 



679. Acanthogenys rufigularis {Acanthogenys r. ncfogularis). Spiny- 

 cheeked Honev-eater. — Several birds were recognized at Merebene, 

 and at Old Cubbo Station in the few trees planted round the well. 



680. Entomyza cyanotis (Entomyzon c. cyanotis). Blue-faced 

 Honey-eater. — Several birds came to drink when we poured water 

 from the well into the trough at Lucky Flat, and a few others were 

 diagnosed, but it is probable that many more escaped recognition. 



684. Tropidorhynchus corniculatus {T . c. corniculatus). Leather- 

 head. — Twenty-eight were counted, mostly distributed throughout 

 the journey. The estimated population (1,848) is probably much too 

 low, as it is certain that a number more of these birds were seen, but 

 not close enough for identification. 



687. Anthus australis {A. a. anstralis). Australian Pipit.— Seven 

 were counted, all between Baradine and Merebene, where the country 

 was cleared and grassy. 



692. Stagonopleura guttata (5. g. guttata). Spotted-sided Finch. — 

 A flock of 5 were in the fields round Old Cubbo Station — a little oasis 

 in the midst of the scrub. 



jyi. Corvus coronoides (C. c. coronoides). Crow. — We thus 

 designate all the Crows seen, 33 in number, met with mostly through- 

 out the journey. Estimated minimum population, 2,178. 



741. Cracticus nigrogularis (C. n. nigrogiilaris). Black- throated 

 Butcher-Bird. — Three birds were recognized. 



745. Cracticus destructor {Bulestes t. torqiiatus). Collared Butcher- 

 Bird. — Two of these were seen. In addition, three individuals were 

 heard, but not seen, and the species to which they belong was not 

 determined. A few others were also heard, but a note not made 

 of them. 



747. Gymnorhina tibicen (G. /. tibicen). Black-backed ^Magpie. — 

 Twenty-two individuals seen on the trip, distributed over the area. 

 Estimated minimum jiopulation, 1,45^- 



750. Gymnorhina leuconota (G. hypoleuca intermedia). White- 

 backed Alagpie. — Two birds seen in the middle of the Scrub seemed 

 to have white backs. The view of them was not very distinct, and 

 I may have been mistaken.- 



