116 WHITE, Trip to Cape York Pcmnsula. TisfocT 



not long: hatched, eyes open, head and body covered with long mouse- 

 grey down. Saw another nest placed in a clump of mistletoe, and 

 two in Pandanus palms — situations I would not have thought of look- 

 ing in. These all had single eggs. I found a bird trying to build in 

 the slippery three-pronged fork of Pandanus; a few twigs were in 

 position, but enough material to make two nests had fallen to the 

 ground. In another instance, a nest was prettily situated in a Coral 

 tree. During November several two-egg sets were observed, notably 

 in bc.\ sapling, Pandanus, ironbark, paperbark, and quinine trees. In 

 the Pandanus tree there were no less than three old nests apparently 

 of the same bird and two old nests in another tree 50 yards away. 



Ptilori.s magnifica. Magnificent Rifle-Bird; Phonygammus kerau- 

 drenii, Manucode. — Both noted in the scrubs. 



*Corvus cecila?. Australian Crow. — Saw a nest in a tall mountain 

 ash; birds frequently investigated the camp for what they could 

 thieve. Blackboy, when watering the horses, saw a Crow chasing a 

 small animal about a tree, and rescued it; proved to be a young ring- 

 tailed opossum. These birds go out to feed in the mangroves. 



*Strepera graculina. Pied Bell-Magpie. — Numerous. Noticed a bird 

 chase a Friar-Bird away from a big wattle (Acacia), which contained 

 a large nest. Though it stayed in the vicinity, it did not visit the 

 nest. This is the first easy nest of this bird I have seen; most of 

 them are at the top of tall paperbarks 60 feet or more from the 

 ground. They usually provide a good exercise climb. I observed sets 

 of two, three and four eggs. 



[Description of nest taken at Coen. — Large open structure, composed 

 of dead sticks and twigs of the Tea-tree (Melaleuca), lined with long 

 thin plant stems and rootlets. Dimensions in inches: — Across overall, 

 14; depth overall, 5; e^g. cavity across, 6i; egg cavity deep, 2. — 

 H.L.W.] 



Cracticus quoyi. Black Butcher-Bird. — Noted in the scinibs. 



*Cracticus nigrogularis {C. n. picatus). Pied Butcher-Bird. — Several 

 nests found with three and four eggs. At one the birds savagely 

 attacked me, repeatedly striking me on the head. [For photo, of 

 nest and bird, see Emu, xxi., pi. 40.] 



*Cracticus mentalis. Black-backed Butcher-Bird. — Numerous. 

 Watched a bird breaking twigs off a paperbark for building; it tried 

 about fifteen before it got one to its liking, which it carried to the 

 nest. A pair near the camp made very slow progress with their nest. 

 I picked up 34 twigs, which had dropped in course of ccnstiiiction to 

 the ground beneath. Found a nest in a cabbage gum containing four 

 eggs. One of the birds attacked me. Another nest provided a good 

 subject for the camera. The bird did not leave till I got within a 

 couple of feet, but soon returned and settled on the eggs. Snap it. 

 It then sat facing me en a twig a few inches over the nest. Secure 

 another snap and the eggs, three. These birds feed largely on river 

 wattle seeds as well as small birds. Saw a bird with a female 

 Malui-us in its bill. 



*Gymnorhina (ibicen ( G. /. terrarcgina) Little Black-backed Magpie. 

 — These birds are every bit as wild as those on Groote Eylandt. Have 

 spent two hours following a party to try and get a specimen, but could 

 not get within a hundrefl yards of them. Saw two nests about 40 feet 

 from the ground, in one of which I observed three eggs. 



[Description of nest taken at Coen. — The usual large open struc- 

 ture, composed of sticks, and neatly lined with grass, roots, and a 

 few thin vines. This northern species does not use fur or hair in 

 the lining of the nest. Dimensions in inches: — Across overall. 14; 

 depth overall, hh\ egg cavity across, hi; egg cavity deep, 3i. — 

 H.L.W.] 



