^*^'', ^''^'1 Ramsay, Birds in Upper Clarence River District. 5 



Atrichornis rufescens. Rufous Scrub-Bird. — At Ciunp i Atrich- 

 ornis were seen ;il three ])laccs. They are very local and may 

 be found constantly about the same spot ; but, though they may be 

 easily called out of the undergrowth and seen for a moment or two, 

 it is With great dilftculty that they may be watched for any length 

 of time. I have stood for half an hour searching the ground close 

 to me and following the shrill notes of the bird as it moved slowly 

 about, crossing and re-crossing its tracks, and, although the bird 

 was never more than a few yards away, I w^as not able to detect a 

 single movement among the short undergrowth it was traversing. 

 A pair — or, at least, two birds — were located close to the camp, and 

 could be heard at regular times through the day, as they fed beneath 

 a dense mass of " wild raspberry " bushes. As the ground beneath 

 was fairly clear, tracks were cut through this, and, by lying flat, with 

 chin on the ground and hat pulled over my eyes, I managed 

 to watch them feeding. On one occasion both birds were so close 

 to me that when they had gone I could easily rest my hand where they 

 had passed. They moved by a series of short hops, putting their 

 heads under the loose, dead leaves and forcing themselves along in 

 such a manner that the leaves passed over their backs, so that at 

 times they were completely hidden, and could only be detected by 

 the slight movement of the leaves over them. On this occasion the 

 second bird appeared to be slightly smaller and darker than the 

 first, though neither made any note. 



At another time one bird was calling regularly at some little 

 distance, and after each call there was a distinct squeaking chirp 

 just ahead of where I lay. By " worming " myself quietly along 

 I came within sight of a second adult bird sitting about 18 inches 

 from the ground, and undoubtedly answering the first. It remained 

 so for perhaps ten minutes, and then hopped down and commenced 

 to feed. They may be heard very early in the morning, and are 

 among the last to cease at night, like the Eopsaltria capita (Large- 

 headed Robin}, one of whose notes is very similar. 



Artamus personatus and Artamus superciliosus. ^Masked and White" 

 browed Wood-Swallows. — On 3rd October a large flock of Artami- 

 probably these species, passed over at a great height, flying in a 

 southerly direction. 



Colluricincla harmonica. Grey Shrike-Thrush. — Common in forest 

 country, and only worthy of note insamuch as one pair (as previously 

 mentioned; built near the camp at a height which, after careful 

 calculation, was considered not less than 80 feet. This was not 

 from any fear of the camp, as both birds (in common with other 

 species) were in the habit of coming right up to the tent for the 

 building material with which we supplied them. 



Falcunculus frontatus. Yellow-bellied Shrike-Tit. — One pair noted, 

 and they were building (end of October at the extreme top of a 

 lofty red gum. 



Neositta leucocephala. White-headed Tree-runner.— At Camp 2 a 

 flock of Neosittas was observed, several individuals of which clearly 

 displayed the white head so characteristic of this species. Un- 

 fortunately, the only one secured was a female, but there is little 

 doubt it is a true leucocephala, and that the habitat of the species 

 may be extended into northern New South Wales. [In his "Nests 

 and Eggs" Mr. A. J. North does not show New South Wales as a 



