106 WiiriT., Tnp to Cape York Pcuinsida. FisfocT 



[For further particulars of this species, see Emu, ante, pi. 1 

 (coloured) and descriptions of nest and eggs, with photo-blocks, pis. 

 ii.-iv., and pp. 1-2.] 



'•Turnix maculosa (T. m. tttclatiota). Red-backed Quail. — Observed 

 a bird, evidently breeding; suitable nesting country hereabouts. 



Turnix castanota (?). Chestnut-backed Quail. — Flushed covey of 

 five birds, but am net sure of the species. 



Ptilinopus .superbus. Purple-crowned Pigeon. — A bird was 

 flushed from its frail nest 10 feet from the ground; the nest con- 

 tained one fresh egg; another nest was seen 7 feet from the ground 

 with cne young bird in a eucalypt sapling; parent very quiet. 



Megaloprepia magnifica {M. m. assimilis) Allied Purple-breasted 

 Pigeon. — Heard calling in the scrubs. 



Myri.sticivora bicolor. Nutmeg (Torres Strait) Pigeon. — A nest 

 seen 20 feet from ground; climb up and take one egg with 7 ft. rod 

 and scoop; another nest 30 ft. up. 



*Macropygia phasianella (M. p. robitisoni). Northern Pheasant- 

 Pigeon. — A nest found 12 feet from the ground in the top of a fan 

 palm; cne egg heavily incubated. The nest is a bulky sti-ucture of 

 twigs and bunches of Casuarina leaves; it measures 6 inches diameter 

 by 8 inches deep; odd twigs stick out a few inches beyond the bulk; 

 there is a slight depression for the egg. The irides are exceptionally 

 beautiful, there being "an outer circle of deep crimson and an inner 

 circle of blue." 



Chalccphaps chrysochlora. Green-winged Pigeon. — Heai'd calling. 



Gecpelia humeralis. Bar-shouldered Dove. — Frequently noted. A 

 nest containing two small young was seen in a Pandanus palm. An- 

 other nest was en the leaves of a Pandanus 3 feet from the ground; 

 two eggs; still another in a small bush 2 feet from the ground, a 

 coarse structure of twigs lined with fine rootlets; it was 12 inches 

 diameter by 3i inches deep; egg depression 3 in., I inch deep. 



Gecpelia placida. Peaceful Dove. — Saw a bird building 12 feet 

 from the ground in a swamp paperbark (Melaleuca). 



*(ieophaps scripta (G. s. peninsula). Northern Squatter-Pigeon. — 

 An excellent bird for the pot; often flushed in burnt areas; found a 

 nest containing two fresh eggs in a patch of short, dry grass on 

 bank of creek; also found two young almost fully fledged in a patch 

 of dry grass; they flew off" in opposite directions, one landing on 

 burnt country took a long time to find. Took a photo of them in 

 the nest. 



2/11/21. — Numbers of Sduatters perched up in ironbarks. Young 

 not long hatched; eyes not open, body covered with dirty white down. 



[For description of bird, its nest and eggs (with photo.), see Emu, 

 xxi.. pp. 1(53, 167, and pi. 3!).] 



Kallina tricolor. Red-necked Rail. — Heard calling after dark. 



*.\niaurr,rnis moluccanus. Brown Rail. — 15/1/22. — Heard calling 

 as they flew over southward at night. The call is a sharp, short, 

 grating "Tchek," uttered at intervals of about a second. By a creek 

 a bird was flushed ^rom its nest in long grass and bushes; four eggs. 

 Stalks and blades of grass were bent over and matted to form base 

 and sides of nest, which was well lined with blades of dry grass. 

 Measurements, 8 in. diameter by 4 in. deep; egg chamber, 4 in. by 

 2 J in. 8/1/22. — A native brought in a fine set of five eggs. Later, 

 I found a nest with six eggs, 2 feet from ground. The bird had com- 

 pletely screened the nest by breaking and bending the grass blades 

 above" and around. 26/2/22.--Black Moor-hens heard calling near 

 camp; they seem fairly plentiful, ("atch a glimpse of one occasion- 

 ally close by. 



