24 Barnard, Field Notes from Cape York. [ist'^^luiv 



creeks. Several fresh burrows were dug out, but were only just ready 

 for eggs. The length of the burrow is generally about lo inches. 



Alcyone pusilla. Little Kingfisher. — Observed by me on a former 

 occasion (1896) at the mouth of freshwater creeks adjoining the man- 

 groves, but not noted on this occasion. 



Syma flavirostris. Yellow-billed Kingfisher. — Generally observed in 

 pairs in the thick scrubs. One set of four eggs was taken from a 

 burrow in a white ants' (termites') nest on the side of a tree, 10 feet 

 from the ground; date, 7th January, 191 1. The clutch measures — 

 (a) 0.99 X 0.85, {b) 1.03 X 0.86, (c) 1.02 X 0.83, {d) 1.03 x 0.83. 



Dacelo cervina. Fawn-breasted Kingfisher. — Plentiful in open 

 forest country. Found breeding in hollow spouts of trees. A 

 number of nests found, containing both eggs and young. Eggs 

 varied from two to three for a sitting. 



Halcyon barnardi (Campbell). Barnard Kingfisher. — A King- 

 fisher, closely resembling Halcyon macleayi, was obtained by me, 

 and, on the skin being forwarded to Mr. A. J. Campbell, was said 

 by him to be new. A nest containing five eggs (a description of 

 which appeared in Bulletin No. 2 of The Emu, dated 21st February, 

 191 1), was found in a white ants' (termites') nest in a bloodwood 

 {Eucalyptus), about 20 feet from the ground. Several pairs of these 

 birds were seen. Their habits resemble those of H. macleayi. The 

 five eggs taken measure — (a) 0.90 x 0.84, (6) 0.90 x 0.83, (c) 0.92 x 

 0.80, (d) 0.92 X 0.80, (e) 0.90 X 0.82. 



Halcyon sordidus. Mangrove- Kingfisher. — This bird was observed 

 by me in 1896 frequenting the mangroves. Mr. W. M'Lennan, who 

 is collecting skins, obtained a specimen from the locahty in which 

 I formerly observed the species. 



Tanysiptera sylvla. Silver-tailed Kingfisher. — First observed on 

 23rd November, 1910, and a few days afterwards plentiful in 

 the scrubs, but did not commence to burrow into the nests of the 

 white ants (termites) until the end of December. These Kingfishers 

 are migratory, but it is not known where they go. The first set of 

 eggs was taken on 12th January, 191 1, and a few days later large 

 numbers could have been secured. The birds bred in the termites' 

 nests, both on the ground and in the trees. Upwards of 50 nests have 

 been examined by me, and the maximum number of eggs in a clutch 

 was three. During the period of incubation the long white tail 

 feathers of the brooding bird become much worn, or are broken off. 



Merops ornatus. Bee-eater. — Observed in numbers, migrating 

 south, early in October. They do not remain to breed at Cape York. 

 Caprimulgus macrurus. Large-tailed Nightjar. — A few were 

 flushed from the ground in thick scrub in the daytime, and their 

 peculiar " chop " note was frequently heard at night. I did not 

 succeed in taking the eggs, but saw a pair obtained by some boys 

 at Cape York during my sojourn there. 



Chaetura caudacuta. Spine-tailed Swift. — Observed in large flocks 

 during the whole period of my visit. 



Cuculus saturatus. Oriental Cuckoo. — Fairly plentiful in forest 

 country. Very shy, and not easily obtained. 



Cacomantis castaneiventris. Chestnut-breasted Cuckoo. — Very 

 rare ; only one specimen observed. 



