R<)\'ii/ .1 iislraldsiaii Oi'i!i//inloo'is/s' Union. 



133 



the sand-plain roiiniiy IkIwccu Dongara and Watlieroo. Since then 

 the dcnseness ot tlie biisli lias been greatly reduced by the ccjnstant 

 tires. My intcn-nianl an old man of exceptional observing powers 

 — was confident that tires are the real cause of the disappearance of 

 this and other birds. This view endorses my own observations. I 

 was not aware of tlie " Ciround-Parrot " having been before recorded 

 as inhabiting tliese northerly sand-plains, and it should still be 

 searched for in such tlistricts that have been missed by fires. 



Podargus brachypterus. Short-winged Frogmouth. — We were inter- 

 ested in watching a family of these birds in an old Magpie-Lark's 

 nest. With the field-glass we watched the two young ones almost 

 ready to leave the nest and the old bird sitting stiff and upright on 

 llu- bough alongside, resembling a broken-off branch jutting from 

 tlie bough on which the nest was situated. 



Halcyon sanctus. Sacred Kingfisher. — Observed at Watheroo and 

 Dongara. Mr. Mellor identified the Red-backed Kingfisher as well 

 at (Icraldton. 



Merops ornatus. Australian Bee-eater. — Numerous around 

 Watlieroo. Specimens show some difference in shade from South 

 .'Xustralian skins. About Ellenbrook these birds were known, not 

 inappropriately, as " Gold-miners.'' 



Cuculus pallidus. Pallid Cuckoo. — Calling between the Observatory 

 and tlie Watlieroo station. 



Chalcococcyx basalis. Narrow-billed Bronze-Cuckoo. — Calling in 

 the same locality as the previous species. 



Hirundo neoxena. Welcome Swallow. — Watheroo and Dongara. 



Cheramoeca leucosternum. White-backed Swallow. — Noticed at 

 (icraldton ; one was perched on a fence by the roadside. 



Hylochelidon nigricans. Tree-Martin. — Numerous in all localities 

 visited. 



Micrceca assimilis. Allied Brown Flycatcher. — Noted at Moora, 

 and probably found at the other localities visited. 



Petroica campbelli. Western Scarlet-breasted Robin. — Common at 

 Claremont. .\ comparison of specimens collected in South Aus- 

 tralia with those obtained at Claremont, Mundaring, and EUensbrook 

 reveals no difference in the si/.e of the frontal spot and little divergence 

 in colour ; the whole series must be referred to P. miilticolov . 



Petroica goodenovii. Red-capped Robin. — Noted at Moora and 

 Dongara. 



Melanodryas bicolor. Hooded Robin. — Saw a few on the sand- 

 ]ilains at Watheroo ; although small, they do not otherwise differ 

 Ironi the South .Vustralian form. In comparing my series I note a 

 large form obtained in the New England country, on the Queensland 

 border, which has white tips to the tail featlaers. Have other 

 members of the Union collected in that locality ? If so, it will be 

 interesting to know whether theirs have this featur(\ 



Gerygone culicivora. Southern Fly-eater. — This delightful lit lie 

 songster is numerous at Claremont, and I noted it at one of the 

 northern localities. 



Eopsaltria griseogulari?. (irey-brcasted Shrike- K(.)bin. — Noted at 

 Claremont. 



