272 WHITLOCK, Trip to Fortescuc Rher [Tst^A^pri" 



hopping about in its branches. A close approach revealed three 

 Hf)\ver- Birds, and ])artly under the wild fig, and partly under 

 a neighbouring bush of another species, whose branches inter- 

 laced those of the fig, was a veritable play-ground, 2,000 feet 

 above sea level. It was occupied, though very bleached in 

 appearance. The platforms of short dried twigs on which the 

 inverted archway was erected measured about five feet in length 

 and two in breadth. The archway, about eighteen inches in 

 length, with an interior space of about five inches ; the walls 

 being nearly three inches in thickness, and composed of slender 

 twigs of uniform size. A lining or decoration of Spinifex 

 flower stems completed the structure. The "playthings" were 

 all accumulated at the north end of the platform. Except for 

 a few Acacia seed-pods in the archway itself, these consisted 

 of small flat stones, the largest a little over an inch in length, 

 and colored either white or slate grey. Other articles were 

 buds of the Moon flower (Capparis nummularia) , the "Ragula" 

 bush of the aborigines. This bush produces a beautiful white 

 flower, with buff stamens, and is much infested with ants. The 

 flowers open during the night and give off a sweet perfume. 

 They soon flag under the influence of the hot sun. A fruit, 

 eaten by the aborigines, follows the flower. The play-ground 

 also contained green pods, almost like those of a garden i)ea. 

 but the seeds were close packed and resembled maize seeds, 

 when in the green stage. After watching the attendant birds 

 for some time, T searched every tree and bush within a radius 

 of half a mile for a nest, old or new, but without success. A 

 final interview with the birds showed that all possessed in well 

 marked degree the brilliant pink nape. T climbed down the 

 cliff again, and returned to my base camp, resolving to return 

 to the ])layground in a week or so. 



T camped again at the spring, 10th and 11th October, and had 

 another search for a nest. Rain had fallen in the ranges in 

 the interim. The Painted Finches had left the spring, and the 

 most numerous birds watering there were the little Ground 

 Doves and Spinifex Pigeons. 



Going to the spring in the half-light of the early morning. I 

 became aware of what looked like a nearly submerged wheel 

 of a motor car. .\ closer in.spection revealed a large rock 

 python, curled uj) in tlic water, and with its head concealed in 

 the rushes. With such an intruder present birds were hardly 

 likely to visit the spring. I put a bullet through the python, 

 and hauled it out by its tail. It measured eleven feet. Speci- 

 men! s have been obtained up to eighteen feet, so this was a 

 small one. After breakfast 1 commenced my watch at the 

 spring, but tbough I waited hours not a P.ower-Rird came near. 

 The rain nad filled some more convenient rock-hole. My 

 .second search for a nest proving vain, I resolved to visit the 



