Vol. XXII. 

 1922 



] WHITE. Trip to Ca/^c York Peninsula. 99 



I)lace(l in middle of clianihcr. Teniiitariuin .t ft. () in. high, 

 5 ft. in length, IS in. thick at ba.se, ta])ering to a tine edge at 

 top; thickness at nest 7 in. 



The nesting sites appear to be rather frequently taken pos- 

 session of by P. atropyujialis. Eggs of the Parrot are laid on 

 soft broken up termitariuni material, and number from 4 to 6, 

 pure white, almost round, and with little gloss. 



Clutch 1, measuring in millimetres: — 



A— .83 X .70 B— .83 x .70 C— .81 x .72 



Clutch 2 (Tvpe).— A— .83 x .72,; B— .84 x .74; C— .84 x .68; 

 D— .82 X .72. ' 



One clutch taken was the ])roduce of birds in iinmature 

 plumage, which presented such variation from adults that Mr. 

 McLennan at first thought he had a new species. The variation 

 probably accounts for stories circulated as to two species of 

 anthill Parrots being found in the Coen district, but a person 

 of Mr. AIcLennan's wide experience and ornithological know- 

 ledge is not likely to have overlooked a second species during 

 nine months' residence in the locality. 



A Collecting Trip to Cape York Peninsula 



By H. L. W HITE, C.F.A.O.U., R.A.O.U., "Belltrees," Scone, 

 New' South Wales. 



Introduction 



Mr. W^illiam McLennan, who, on my behalf, had previously 

 conducted several successful expeditions in Northern Australia, 

 in search of ornithological novelties, agreed to make another 

 trip into the centre of Cape York Peninsula. My original in- 

 tention being that he should work north from Coen, but as things 

 turned out there was so much of interest in the locality (Coen), 

 that the whole period of engagement (nine months) was spent 

 there. 



The Queensland Government has always been extremely 

 liberal to me in the matter of permits, and again my thanks are 

 due for its consent to a further collection of specimens for 

 scientific purposes. I am indebted also to Sergeant McGreehan, 

 in charge of the police, and Mr. D. Anderson, State school 

 teacher at Coen, for assistance and kindness to my collector. 



McLennan left Cooktown in the small ketch "Elam" on the 

 27th August, 1921, arriving at Port Stewart, 175 miles distant, 

 on the evening of the 30th. Coen is not easy of access, but 

 may be reached (1) by boat to Port Stewart, thence per vehicle 

 45 miles; or (2) by rail from Cooktown to Laura, thence on 

 horseback for 170 miles; the last-named is the mail route (per 

 pack hor.se, Coen to Laura), the trip being made once per fort- 

 night, except during the w^et season, when long delays occur. 



