266 WHIT LOCK, Tnr to foricscuc River [TstA^pTii' 



Western Fly-eater {Gcryyoiic culicifora). It was, however, 

 distinctly rare, as was the Mistletoe-Iiird (Diccruiii hirundina- 

 ceum). Mistletoe was growing plentifully on the Cajuputs and 

 other trees by the river and in the ranges. 



Honey-eaters were not well represented as regards species. 

 The Carter Honey-eater ( Mrlipluit/a carterl) was, of course, 

 found in the River Ciums near water, and in searching a big 

 gorge in the ranges for a spring, I came across a small party 

 there. I did not find this spring, but from the presence of 

 these Honeyeaters I think it was not far away. In November 

 this species was feeding amongst the flower heads of bushes 

 growing in the river. The Grey-headed Honeyeater (.1/. kcart- 

 landi) was in scattered ])airs in the ranges, and in the tributary 

 creeks to the river. I missed the familiar call-note "chee-toyt, 

 chee-toyt," which seems to be uttered only when pairs are 

 breeding. The Brown Honeyeater (Stif/niatops Uidistincta) 

 was the commonest of the true Honeyeaters. Sj^ecimens varied 

 much in size, and the song differed considerably from that 

 uttered by this species in the south-west. Two species of Par- 

 dalotes were present; I'lz., the Pallid {Pardalotus pallidiis) and 

 the Red-ti|)ped (P. oniatiis), the latter rather rare. The 

 Pallid Pardalote attempted to nest. I dug one out, and found 

 only two incubated eggs. Other pairs started tunnels, and 

 then abandoned them when half finished. The same thing hap- 

 pened with the Kainbow-Bird (M crops oruafiis), which was 

 common by the river. The White-shouldered Cateri)illar-eater 

 (Coinpcpliufia tricolor) appeared in small ])arties in August. It 

 was not till November that I saw individuals in full plumage. 

 Three species of Wood-Swallows were present : The P>Iack- 

 faced {Artanius cincrcus), the Little (./. iiiiiior). and the Grey- 

 breasted (J. Iiyf^olciicits). It is the first time I have met the 

 latter away from the coast. The Little Wood-Swallow occurred 

 on migration by the ri\er in July. In the ranges I observed 

 ])airs hawking about the rocky gorges. Occasionally one or 

 other of a pair would lly into some inaccessible cavity in the 

 cliffs, but whether or not they were really nesting, I cannot say. 

 The \\'estern Fantail (Rhipidiira flahcUijcra f>ricssi) was very 

 rare on the ri\er, but its congener, the black and white species. 

 {R. IcHCOplirys ). was common e\erywherc. and a few pairs 

 bred. 



Amongst the Pinches, the Chestnut-eared ( 'J'iioiiof^xi/ia 

 castanofis ) , was abundant near the river, and near sheep- 

 troughs. It was not breeding, which was a wonder. The 

 beautiful Painted Finch {linihlcma f'icta) and the delicate Red- 

 faced Firetail (Bathilda nificauda) were present in very .small 

 numbers near the river, but in the ranges, near water, the 

 Painted Finch was rather more jdentiful. Near Mill Stream 

 .Spring a family party of Golden-backed Honeyeaters {Mcli- 



