1921 



■] S. A. WHITE, Ctvitral Australian Expedition. 93 



mulga scrub, but not nearly so numerous as on former visits to this 

 country. They feed a lot on the seed of the niulga (Acacia anura). 



40. Melopsittacus undulatu-s. Wavblmj? Grass Parrot. — These 

 lovely little birds were often seen in large flocks both in South Aus- 

 tralia and the Northern Territory. 



41. Podargus strigoide.s. Tawny Frogmouth. — An odd bird or two 

 seen in the mulga; not numerous. 



42. Halcyon pyrrhopygius. Red-backed Kingfisher. — These birds 

 were very numerous, and their quaint call could be heard in several 

 places at the one time. It is the only Kingfisher found in this 

 country. 



43. Merops ornatus. Rainbow Bird. — This bird, so wrongly called 

 the Bee-eater, was often seen along our route ; its beautiful plumage 

 and elegant flight attracted much attention. 



44. Cuculus pallidus. Pallid Cuckoo. — These birds were very nume- 

 rous all through the country; their strange, scale-like call was heard 

 all day long, and they were often seen being mobbed by small birds. 

 It was not uncommon to hear the birds call at night. 



45. Chalcites basalis. Narrow-billed Bronze Cuckoo.- — Only one 

 specimen came under observation, but there is little doubt that the 

 birds are widely distributed, but are silent at times. 



46. Hirundo neoxena. Welcome Swallow. — Many birds were seen 

 round stations. 



47. Lagenoplastes ariel. Fairy Martin. — Found throughout the 

 country; their strange retort-shaped nests were seen attached to the 

 sides of cliff's and overhanging rocks. 



48. Petroica goodenovii. Red-capped Robin. — This beautiful little 

 bird is distributed all over the Central country, and is found along 

 the watercourses as well as out in the sombre mulga scrubs. Often 

 one would not be aware of its presence were it not for the flash of 

 colour as the bird darts to the ground to pick up an insect. 



49. Melanodryas cucullata. Hooded Robin. — These birds were not 

 numerous; a pair or two were seen in the mulga scrub. 



50. Smicrornis brevirostris mathewsi. Central Australian Tree-Tit. 

 — The writer described this little bird after the 1914 expedition. It 

 was found to be quite numerous all along the gum creeks. 



51. Oreoica gutturalis. Bell Bird. — A common bird all through 

 this country, and their wondei'ful ventriloquial note was often heard. 



52. Pachycephala rufiventris maudeae. Central Australian Rufous- 

 breasted Thickhead. — The writer described this bird as new to science 

 after the 1914 expedition. It is a very consistent variety all through 

 the centre of the continent. We did not find it numerous upon this 

 visit. 



53. Leucocirca tricolor. Black-and-White Fantail.— This wonderful 

 little bird is found everywhere, and is as confident as in a country 

 town. 



54. Pteropodocys maxima. Ground Cuckoo- Shrike. — Veiy plen- 

 tiful all along our route, and parties of ten or twelve could often be 

 seen hopping about on the ground in search of grubs. 



55. Graucalus novae-hollandiae. Black-faced Cuckoo-Shrike. — A fair 

 number seen, but not nearly so numerous as the preceding species. 



56. Campephaga tricolor. White-shouldered Caterpillar-eatei'. — 

 These birds were numerous,and had nested but a short time before. 



57. Cinclosoma cinnamomeum. Cinnamon Ground-Bird. — An oc- 

 casional pair was seen, but they were not numerous. 



58. Pomatostomus superciliosus. White-browed Babbler. — During 

 the first part of the journey they were numerous, but after we got 

 well into the Territory they were seldom seen. 



59. Pomatostomus rubeculus. Red-breasted Babbler. — This bird 



