^'''i923^""l McC^.IIJ'. /^Inis of Lake Frame Plstrlet. 283 



Hylacola (sp. ?). Ground Wren. — A pair of Hylacola was seen, 

 but not handled, probably it was H.cauta. It must be very rare in 

 this district. 



Pomatostomus superciliosu.s. White-browed Babbler. — Very com- 

 mon; breeds freely. Larp:e quantities of wool are used in nest con- 

 struction. The bird nests in low bushes such as tea-tree; clutch, 3 

 to 4 eg:gs; breeds to suit season at almost any period of year. 



Pcmatostomu.s ruficeps. Chestnut-crowned Babbler. — Not as com- 

 mon as preceding- species; breeds freely, but prefers to nest at some 

 height from ground in eucalypt when available; clutch, 3 to 4 eggs. 

 The eggs cannot be distinguished from those of the White-browed 

 Babbler as a rule, but one type common with P. ruficeps is not known 

 with the White-browed. This type of eggs has spots intermingled 

 with the u.'-aial hair-like markings. This species is noisier than the 

 White-browed, but its note is mere pleasing. 



Calamanthus campestris. Field-Wren. — The desert form, (C c. 

 isabelliuus) , is common in suitable localities, tablelands and saltbush- 

 clad flats; not found in timbered parts; breeds freely; a very pleasing 

 song given only during nesting period. The nest is a straggling- 

 domed structure of dried grass, snugly lined with fur and feathers, 

 and placed low down in saltbush, bluebush or samphire, sometimes 

 resting on the ground. Nest measures A\ inches in diameter by 5 

 inches in depth over all. Entrance, irregular, about 1 to \h inch 

 diameter; clutch, 2 to 4 eggs, according to season; about earliest to 

 breed after summer rainfall, eggs being found in November to April. 

 Little nesting appears to take place from April to November, but oc- 

 casional nests are found during this period if rainfall occurs late in 

 the year. The bird deserts nest, eggs or young, once it is touched or 

 even if the bush is opened up to inspect the nest. It is a very shy 

 bird, and rarely seen when not breeding. Its mouse-like habits take 

 it from bush to bush and out of sight. The nest is hard to find unless 

 the bird is flushed. Young birds have adult plumage from the nest, 

 but the crown is very slightly rufous. 



Cinclorhamphus cruralis. Song-Lark. — Very common in good 

 seasons. Breeds freely according to season; usual nest and comple- 

 ment of 3 to 4 eggs. 



Epthianura albifrons. White-fronted Chat (Tintac).— Occasional 

 visitors in very good seasons; not known to breed; remains a short 

 period only. 



Epthianura tricolor. Crimson Chat. — Very numerous in good sea- 

 sens. Immature males and females are the first to appear after the 

 first good summer rains; full plumaged males come on later; breed 

 freely. Pi-efer company; builds typical nest; 3 to 4 eggs in clutch. 

 Male does a great deal of the incubation; female apparently does 

 most of the feeding of young. They usually arrive in November, and 

 are generally absent by July. Young birds have adult female 

 plumage of dull colour; male bird sits close to nest and pretends in- 

 jury when flushed; breeds from December to May. 



Epthianura aurifrons. Orange Chat. — Very common, especially in 

 good seasons; breeds in great numbers; clutch, 2 to 4 according to 

 conditions of season. Male bird takes his place on nest about day- 

 light and sits till about 10 a.m.; female then takes his place. Both 

 birds pretend injury. Nest typical, and generally set low down m 

 shrubs like saltbush. Nestlings take female plumage from nest. 



Ashbyia lovensis. Desert Chat. — Always present in fair numbers, 

 but largely increasing in good year; breeds freely; clutch, 2 to 4 ac- 

 cording to season. Writer has written up notes on this bii'd m 

 Emu, vol. xix., part i. From further observations it is noticeable 

 that this bird prefers to nest in company in suitable localities, nests 

 often found within a hundred yards of each other. If a nest is robbed 



