282 McCILI'. lairds of Lake Frame District. [Tst^Apdi* 



they are rarely seen in spring or summer; not known to bi-eed in 

 district; I have no recoi'd of the White-tailed Fantail (/?. /. albicauda) 

 bt'injr seen in district. 



Rhipidura leucophrys. Black and White Fantail. — Very common, 

 and breeds freely; clutch, 3 or 4 eggs. 



Seisura inquieta. Restless Flycatcher. — Not often seen, probably 

 a visitor; no nesting record; noted making "grinding noise" when 

 perched on wire fences and stumps. 



Ftercpodocys maxima. Ground Cuckoo-Shrike. — Rarely seen, visi- 

 tors during May to September; does net appear to breed in district. 



Graucalus novae-hollandiae. Cuckoo-Shrike. — Common; known as 

 "Summer Bird"; some birds remain in the district, but most appear 

 about August and leave in October. The movements are. however, 

 regulated by season; have known them to be in numbers throughout 

 the year. Bi'eed in November and December when season favourable. 

 The usual small flat cup nest of pieces of twigs and bark matted to- 

 gether and on to a fork of tree usually placed from 12 feet and 

 upwards above the ground. Nest resembles surroundings, and is 

 hard to locate unless bird seen on nest. It is a close sitter, and when 

 disturbed will quickly return to the nest. Young birds have dark 

 grey faces wiien leaving the nest; clutch. 2 to 3 eggs, varying much 

 in size and colour. Nest measures nearly 5 inches in diameter over 

 all; fifig. cavity, 3« inches diameter by from h to % inches in depth. 

 The top rim of the nest is about level with the two limbs fomiing 

 the fork. 



Campephaga tricolor. Caterpillar-eater. — In some good seasons, 

 flocks of these birds arrive about end of October, and commence nest- 

 ing shortly afterwards. Every year a few put in an appearance about 

 this time, but rarely breed, as they stay but a few weeks. In De- 

 cember, 1920, a great number nested in creeks. They nest in com- 

 munities, sometimes as many as five nests being seen on a small 

 tree. The nest is the well-known frail, cup-shaped structure built 

 usually in fork, but occasionally on bare limb. It is easily detected, 

 as the male bird sits close by most of the time. The nest measures 

 about 2!,' inches diameter over all, egg-cavity 2 inches diameter by 

 from I to S inches in depth. The inside of the nest is lined with 

 fine grass and rootlets. The male appears to construct the nest, as 

 I have never seen female assist. Both birds feed the young, which 

 have the female plumage from nest. 



Cinclcsoma castanotum. Chostnut-back^ed Ground-Bird. — Not often 

 seen. It prefers wooded foothills. It has not been seen breeding in 

 district. 



Cinclosoma cinnamoneum. Cinnamon Ground-Bird. — Common. This 

 district is about the southern range of this species; breeds freely. 

 The nest is typical of the family, and is placed in a depression in 

 ground near a fallen bough, small bush and sometimes right in centre 

 of a small saltbush. The depression is lined with small twigs and 

 pieces of bark. Grass seed and flower pods are used internally. 

 The nest measures 4 inches in diameter over all, sometimes much 

 larger; egg-cavity 3 inches diameter by li inch depth. These meas- 

 urements arc of a typical nest, but there is considerable variation in 

 over-all measurements and depth; clutch, 2 eggs, but 3 are some- 

 times found in good season; breeds usually in August, but regulated 

 entirely by season. Eggs have been found in February. March, July, 

 August, November, and December. Probably the bird breeds at any 

 suitable time of the year. It has a peculiar squeal-like whistling 

 note. The bird, when" closely flushed, frequently pretends injury. It 

 spends most of its time on the ground, but is sometimes seen perched 

 on a small shrub a few feet from the ground. 



