Vol. XXII. 



)923 



WHITK. Most li.vfciisiir OniUhohuncal Tour 225 



midst of a fairly thick Mallee l)elt, a variety with smooth dark 

 jj^reen stem.s. Cirey i Jacks (.bias supcrciliosa) were seen in a 

 waterhole ; Red-backed Kingfishers, Magpie-Larks, and Chestnut- 

 eared Finches, as well as Red-hreasted Iiahblers, were seen. We 

 were now at 'I'ennant's Creek, 1,500 miles from Adelaide. Xe.xt 

 day, May 28th, we were on our way again, and saw a good 

 many natives, including a large hunting party out after game, 

 which was abundant in that country. ATany stony creeks were 

 crossed. The l>lack-faced Wood Swallow was numerous, and 

 Whistling Eagles were seen. Pa])erbark Tea-tree (Melaleuca) 

 was taking a prominent part in the vegetation now. Hooded 

 Robins were numerous. At .^ i).m. we witnessed a great fight for 

 liberty by a P>at, which was chased by a Grey Falcon (Falco 

 hypolcncus). It lasted fifteen minutes, and the Bat wore the 

 Falcon out by allowing the bird to make great rushes with 

 superior speed, but dodging every time, till the Falcon was tired. 



We were in very picturesque wooded country. Reached the 

 renowned Attack Creek at dusk, and went into camp near a fine 

 waterhole. The birds round our camp or those identified while 

 there was still light were: Shell-Parrots, Rose-breasted Cocka- 

 toos or Galahs (Cucatiia roseicapilla ), Mistletoe Bird (Diccciim 

 hiruud'maccum ), Black-faced Wood Swallow, White-faced Heron 

 {Notophoyx novcc-hollaudicc), Barn-Owl (Tyto alba), Boobook 

 Owl {Nhwx boobook), \Vhite-throated Nightjar (Eurostopodw; 

 mystacalis), Cloncurry Honeyeater, Magpie-Lark, Grey Duck, 

 Grey Teal (Tirafjo (jibberifrous), Black and White Fantail, 

 Chestnut-eared Finch and the Diamond Dove (Gcopelia cuneata). 

 During the 29th, we crossed many creeks, which gave us trouble, 

 as also did the anthills, which were very numerous. There was 

 much i:)ai)er-bark tea-tree along the creeks. A very bright-flower- 

 ing Grcvillca, which formed a large shrub, was very conspicuous. 

 Several species of BretuophUa were noted, with pink Hibiscus' and 

 high porcupine bushes. Many vShell Parrots were in flocks. 



At 58i miles from 'Pennant's Creek we came out upon 

 well grassed country at Banka Banka Station, owned by the 

 .\mbrose Brothers, who entertained us at lunch. Later we passed 

 through the open grass country, entered a timber belt, and came 

 out upon tablelands, with white-barked gums. ^^hell-Parrots 

 were very numerous, also Chestnut-eared Finches. Red-browed 

 Pardalotes (Pardalotits rubricatiis) were heard calling in the 

 trees. At 7S miles, we crossed the Tomkenson, and in a large 

 waterhole a Royal Spoonbill (Platolea regia) was seen. Brown 

 Song-Larks were flushed from the grass. At 88 miles, we 

 reached Plelen vSprings at 5.25 p.m. We here noted both vS(]uare- 

 tailed and Forked-tailed Kites. Went into camp at Renner 

 Springs at 6.30 p.m. Xext morning many birds came to this fine 

 spring for water. There were Australian Goshawks (Astiir 

 fasciatns), Galahs, Quarrions, or Cockatoo- Parrots (Lcptolophus 

 Jiollandiciis), Black and White Fantail, I>lack- faced Cuckoo 



