138 Roval Australasian Ornithologists' Union. [i.pTu 



part, the vegetation consisted of low acacias of various species, 

 a few sandal-woods and jam-woods, all of small size, with here and 

 there a currajong. However, the country was most interesting 

 to the naturahst and ornithologist. I made as much of the time 

 as possible. Bird-Ufe was fairly plentiful both along the river- 

 bed and out in the low scrub country which skirts it for miles on 

 either side. 



I wish here to record my heartiest thanks to those mentioned 

 and others who so generously assisted me. 



Dromaius novae-hoUandiae. Emu. — Emus came in to the river to 

 drink ; tracks were numerous, but the birds were seldom seen. Once 

 a somewhat dark specimen ran some distance before the cart and 

 then made off across country. 



^.gialitis nigrifrons. Black-fronted Dottrel. — Seen along the bed 

 of the Mui'chison. 



Eupodotis australis, Australian Bustard. — Several seen in the 

 more open country. 



Notophoyx novae-hollandiae. White-fronted Heron. — .\ lew seen 

 along the pools of the ]\birchison. 



Anas superciliosa. Black Duck. — Pairs noted here and there in 

 the jiools ; they were very timid. 



Nettium gibberifrons. Grey Teal. — In small lots on the narrow 

 strips of water. 



Cerchneis cenchroides. Xankeen Kestrel. — Several seen. One pair 

 had young just out of a hollow limb of a small tree on the river bank. 

 The old birds were feeding the young and warning and taking them 

 on the wing to escape the intruder. They were of an exceptionally 

 rustv-red colour, and may ha\e been ]\iilligan's sub-species (C. c. 

 iiuicoloy \ 



Calyptorhynchus banksi stellatus. Red-tailed Cockatoo. — A few 

 hne Black Cockatoos were flying over in the evening, but were wild 

 and wary. 



Cacatua roseicapilla. Rose-breasted Cockatoo. — A lew were noted. 



Barnardius zonarius connectens. Yellow-banded Parrot. — This 

 form of the common " Port Lincoln Parrot " was seen along the 

 Murchison. The birds were noisy and quarrelsome. Several young 

 ones were flying with the old ones. They have the back and rump 

 of a uniform green, and the yellow abdominal band not so bright as 

 in the Port Lincoln Parrot. 



Halcyon pyrrhopygius. Red-backed Kingfisher. — Several seen 

 were uttering their usual plaintive notes. 



Merops ornatus. Bee-eater. — In pairs in all situations. 



Hirundo neoxena. Welcome Swallow. — Few about. 



Cheramoeca leucosternum. White-backed Swallow. — A few seen, 

 and their nesting burrows noted on sand-banks. 



Smicrornis flavescens, .Yellow-tinted Tree-Tit. — Few, in the small 

 trees. 



Oreoica cristata. Crested Bell-Bird. — Seen in the acacia scrub ; 

 their well-known notes of " Reep, reep, reephook " were heard. 



