Vol 

 '9 



\- ^y~] Barnard, Fie/d No/cs from Cape York. 2'] 



Megalurus galactotes. Tawny (h-ass-Bird. — A low observed in 

 damp ]Kuis among reedy grass. 



Sericornis. — Observed in the scrubs, l)iit was not identified ; probably 

 5. niuiinnis. A number of nests found, Ijul no eggs obtained. 



Malurus amabilis. I.o\eh' Wren. — Fairly plentiful, and seen in 

 small flocks in dense scrub. Builds in small bushes close to the 

 ground. One clutch ot three eggs was taken. 



Malurus cruentatus. Red-backed Wren. — Observed in flocks in 

 long grass in forest country. Birds were breeding, but I did not 

 succeed in finding a nest. 



Artamus leucogaster. White-rumped Wood-Swallow. — Found only 

 along the coast, and about mangroves, where they were breeding. 

 One ncsl seen, containing three young birds. 



Collyriocichla superriliosa. — Fairly common in open forest country, 

 where they were found breeding, the nest being placed in a clump 

 of twigs on the top of a dead spout. Two sets of eggs were taken. 

 Measurements — (a) i, 1.22 x 0.90, 2, 1.19 x 0.91 1 ; (^) i, 1.07 x 

 o.So, 2, 1.09 X 0.79, 3, 1.06 X 0.81. Habits similar to C. Jiarinonica, 

 but note not so harmonious. 



Pinarolestes rufiventris. Rusty-breasted Shrike-Thrush. — Confined 

 to the scrubs, in which they are very plentiful, numbers of nests 

 being found in the upright forks of small bushes, from 3 to 7 feet 

 from the ground. Only one nest observed, containing three young. 

 Other nests examined had either two young or two eggs in them. 

 From observations, I am of opinion that this species is responsible 

 for the destruction of the nests and eggs of many of the smaller birds. 



Grallina picata. Pied Grallina. — Plentiful about Melaleuca swamps, 

 and a few old nests observed. 



Cracticus rufescens (quoyi). Black Butcher-Bird. — Found in 

 scrubs. Breeds chiefly in forest country on the edge of the scrub. 

 Fairly numerous A number of clutches of eggs was taken, showing 

 great variety in shape, size, and colouring. The colour varies from 

 pale cream ground with brownish-grey spots through many shades 

 of green. Clutches varying in number from three to four (in one in- 

 stance five). Four . clutches give the following measurements : — 

 Set A— (i) 1.35 x 0.98, (2) 1.35 X 0.98, (3) 1.38 X 0.98 ; set B— (i) 

 1.40 X 0.99, (2) 1.39 X 1. 01, (3) 1.45 X 1. 01, (4) 1.42 X i.oi ; set C— - 

 (i) 1.29 X 0.92, (2) 1.25 X 0.93, (3) 1.22 X 0.89, (4) 1.23 X 0.88 ; set D 

 — (i) 1.22 X 0.90, (2) 1.08 X .86, (3) 1.27 X 0.90, (4) i.t8 X 0.89, (5) 

 1 .28 X 0.92. 



Cracticus mentalis. — This is a New Guinea bird, and now recorded 

 for Australia (Emu, vol. x., p. ^t,/) It inhabits the forests of 

 tall stringybark ti'ees, and is always found in pairs. One pair I 

 located built no fewer than four nests, all of which were deserted 

 on completion. I succeeded in getting only one pair of eggs, late 

 in the season. The habits of these birds closely resemble those of 

 CracHciis destructor, and the note is similar, but very much weaker, 

 and can" only be heard a short distance away. 



Pachycephala peninsulse. Cape York Thickhead. — Several pairs 

 observed on the edges of the scrubs, but were not found building. 



