178 Hill, Birds of Ararat District. [,sf April 



Grey Crdw-Shrikk (S/re/'ern cimcicaudata). 



Chough {Corcorax inelanorJtnmplms). — The nests, which are built of 

 mud and Hned with bark, are added to year after year until they fall from 

 the branches on which they are built. From two to eight eggs are laid, 

 though I think that in some cases more than one female lays in a nest. 



Black-faced Cuckoo-Shrike [Graucalus melanops). 



Little Cuckoo-Shrike {G. mcntalis). — One specimen only was seen. 



White-shoulderkd Caterpillar-Eater {Lalage tricolor). — A late 

 spring arrival, which leaves the district after nesting. 



Brown Flycatcher {Microeca fascinans). 



Scarlet-breasted Robin {Pe/ra'ca le_sgii).—A common bird in scrubby 

 country, and noted as a foster-parent of the Narrow-billed Bronze Cuckoo 

 {Chalcococcyx basalis). 



Flame-breasted Robin {Petraxa pha:nicea).—A few birds arrive in the 

 winter, but do not remain long. 



Red-capped Robin {P. goodenozni). — A rare bird here, generally seen 

 amongst the wattles. 



Hooded Robin {P. bicolor). 



Short-billed Tree-Tit {Sniicromis brcvirosiris). — These birds are 

 readily recognised by their loud, cheerful note. The nests are built in the 

 tops of the low gum scrub, and are most difficult to find. 



Blue Wren {Malunis cyaneus). — Noted as the foster-parent of Narrow- 

 billed Bronze-Cuckoo {Chalcococcyx basalis) and Black-eared Cuckoo {Meso- 

 caliiis palliolaiiis).* 



White-shafted Fantail {Rhipidura albiscapa). 



Rufous Fantail {^R. rufifrons). — One specimen was seen. 



Black-and-white Fantail (/?. tricolor). — A specimen with uniform 

 black plumage was seen many times, and appeared to be unmated. 



Leaden-coloured Flycatcher {Myiagi'a rubectda). —I have only one 

 record of this bird being seen here. 



Restless Flycatcher {Sisura inquieta). — Fairly numerous six or seven 

 years ago, but now very scarce. 



Reed-Warbler {AcroccpJialus at/strait's). — A few birds nested in the 

 reeds along the Wimmera River. 



Ground-Thrush {Geocichla lumdaia). — Found only by the tea-tree 

 creeks at the foot of Mt. Mistake. The nests are sometimes built 3 or 4 feet 

 from the ground in very slender tea-trees, but more often in the forks of gum 

 trees at greater heights. Bark is used almost entirely in the construction of 

 the nests, moss being rarely used, owing, no doubt, to the fact that there is 

 very little of this material to be found in the locality. 



Little Field-Lark {Chtho?ifcola sag^itiafa). — Noted as a foster-parent 

 of the Black-eared Cuckoo {Mesocalius palliolahis). 



Little Tit {Acanthisa nana). 



Brown 'Yyx {A. pusilla). — A foster-parent of the Narrow billed Bronze- 

 Cuckoo (Chalcococcyx basalis). 



Striated Tit [A. lineata). 



Yellow-rumped Tit {A. chrysorrhoa). — \\\'iX.-^ViC&'i were recorded of 

 these Tits building their nests in the lower portion of occupied Eagles' nests. 



Buff-rumped Tit {A. reguloides). 



* See " Annotations," p. 197. —Eds. 



