222 WHITE, Most Exteusive OnntlioIo,/ical Tour j'^isffan" 



rived, and we had lo j^o on without them. r)n Sunday, 21st of 

 May, we left Alice vSprin,i,^s and called for a few minutes at the 

 teleji;ra])h station, situated in the MacDonnell Ranges. Then we 

 made our way through the ranges. Red Gums were seen in the 

 creeks, P.loodwoods in valleys. Amongst the granite rocks Broad- 

 leaved Mulga, Grevillea, Cassia, Eremophila, Kangaroo Grass, 

 White-barked Gums, and Solanums, were found growing, and the 

 banks of one creek were lined Avith Paper-bark Tea-tree {Mela- 

 leuca). In 12 miles, we were out of the range on to Burt's Plain, 

 a vast plain extending for hundreds of miles E. and W. and about 

 60 to 70 across in the direction in which we were travelling. At 

 15 miles from Alice Springs we were in dense Mulga, and came 

 out on the Grassy Plain again. The WHiite-face (Apheloce- 

 pJiala leucopsis) was met with in large numbers, but I was sur- 

 prised not to see the Black-banded White-face (.1. )ii(/rici)icta). 



Crested Bell-l'irds (Oreoica guttural'is) were here numer- 

 ous, and remarkably tame. At 68 miles we were still on the 

 I)Urt Plain, with Mulga (a new species with a very long leaf), 

 Grevillea (in blossom), Bloodvvood (also in flower), Cassia, Kan- 

 garoo Grass, Cotton-bush, patches of Porcupine Grass, Eremo- 

 phila and Bluegum. A large piece of country had been burnt, 

 possibly by the natives. Termite mounds made their ap[)earance 

 as soon as we were out upon the plain. Hooded Robins {Mcl- 

 auodryas cucuUata) were numerous. Several Pipits were seen 

 during the day. The ^'ellow-tailed Thornbills {Geobasilcus cliry- 

 sorrlioa) were in small flocks. I>lack-faced Wood-.*^wallows 

 (.Irlannis cincreus) were met with all through the country 

 passed that day. Whistling Eagles (Haliastur sphoiurits) were 

 also seen. Many Chestnut-eared Finches {Tccniopygia castauotis) 

 were met with. Red-ca[)])ed Robins {Petroica ijoodcnovi) were 

 ob.served during the day. 



At 80 miles broken ranges were seen on either side, and the 

 flats were clothed in cotton bush and grass, with patches of 

 Mulga, EremopJiila, and native ])ines {Calliiris robusta) were 

 seen on the granite ranges. Red-capped Robins were seen here. 

 Black and White Fantails ( Rliipiditra Iciicophrys) were plenti- 

 ful. The Pnown Song-Lark (Cinclorhaiu pints cruralis) was also 

 seen. y\t 90 miles we ])assed through Prouse's Gap at 5.10 p.m. 

 The vegetation changed here, many sub-tropical plants ])utting 

 in an a])i)earancc. \Ve went on four miles to more open countiy, 

 and went into camp. Next morning, Monday. May 22nd, three 

 of us left camp at 7.30 in one car, and went back to the Gaj). I 

 found the vegetation very interesting, and collected many species 

 of i)lants. Numbers of liustards (Enpodotis aiistralis \ rose from 

 the long grass. Morgan Parrots were plentiful in the Red Gums. 

 Black faced Wood Swallows, Red-rumped Kingfishers (Halcyon 

 pyrrliopygiiis), P>lack Fork-tailed Kites (Mih-us tniijratis). 

 Whistling Eagles, Chestnut-cared Finches, a \cry small form of 

 the vSinging Honey-Eater { Mrlif^liai/a 7-ircscciis) . Shell Parrots, 



