^°'i' 2^'^'] AsHRV, Birds of Mount Compass District, S.A. 30I 



in a swamp three-quarters of a mile away : so, accompanied by 

 dogs, we set out on a hunt in that locality. 



We were successful in shooting two males, and one or two 

 females were seen by members of the party. These King Quails, 

 Excalfactoria atistralis (Gould), were very difficult to flush, rising 

 almost at one's feet, flying swiftly a short distance and dropping 

 almost like a stone into the swamp. We were astonished at the 

 silence of their fliglit — not making the whirr so typical of Quails. 

 The coloration of this miniature Quail, especially the under side, 

 with the black diamond, edged with white, on the cliin and 

 throat, rich chestnut al^domen on a dark lead-coloured ground 

 colour, is simply superb. We were both delighted to get our 

 first authentic S.A. specimens, as well as the satisfaction of prov- 

 ing our identification on our previous visit correct.* 



We noted four species of Acanthizce in tlie locality, and the 

 Crescent Honey-cater, wliich does not occur at ]-51ackwood, was 

 liere in great numl)crs. 



I had brought several skins of rare Inrds to see if the local 

 people knew them — amongst them the Ground-Parrot, Pezoportts 

 ierrestris (Shaw), which was recognized as having been in the 

 district, but our informant said he had not seen it for many 

 years. In face of the fact that we were told that the Emu-Wren 

 had become exceedingly rare, whereas they are very numerous 

 in suitable spots, I think it not unlikely that the Ground-Parrot 

 is still resident there, in these wide expanses of swamps. Now 

 this interesting locality is brought comparatively within easy 

 reach by motor-car we shall hope to study its avifauna more 

 closely, and expect to re-discover some others of our rare birds 

 that have disappeared from other localities. 



We saw several small flocks of Euphema elegans ((iould), the 

 Grass-Parrot, and had met with it in numbers on the occasions 

 of our brief earlier visits to the locality. They are evidently 

 resident in the district throughout most of the year, and liad 

 nested quite close to the main road this season. 



Another bird that is extremely local in South Australia is the 

 Fire-tailed Finch, Zonceginthus helliis (Latham) ; several were seen 

 and one specimen obtained, also what were evidently two nests 

 were examined by Mr. M'Gilp. It is curious how this species 

 clings to particular spots. The small creek, with its fringe of 

 tall bushes, where we saw it this time, was the identical spot 

 where I had collected it a year or so ago, and the people at 

 ]\Iount Compass referred us to the same spot to find them. 



Description of the Mount Compass Emu-Wren and Comparison 

 with other Forms. — On my return from the December visit I noted 

 at once the striking difference between the Mount Compass birds 

 and the Victorian, and called my friend Capt. White's attention 



* In the R. A. O.U •' Check-list" South Australia is incUulcd in the range 

 of the King Quail.— Eds. 



