Vol. lll.l Carter, Birds Occurring in the Region of N.W. Cape. Q I 



camp to move on to water, our horses having had none since the previous 

 noon, when we saw two black and white birds attacking a Crow very 

 savagely. My boy said they were Magpie-Larks, but I felt sure that could 

 not be, as the nearest water was eight miles away. Approaching the 

 scene of the fight, we observed a bulky nest in one of the trees, and sat 

 down to await the return of the owners. It was not long before first one, 

 then another came back, and I shot them both. The nest contained four 

 eggs, was deep in structure, and placed about 15 feet from the ground. 



(47.) OREOICA CRISTATA (Bell-Bird, Pan-pan-pannella, Bokkun, Bokkun- 

 b'okkun). — This well-known bird was to be found all over. On the clear, 

 still winter mornings their songs, heard on all sides, were a distinct nuisance 

 when one wanted to locate the horse bells, in order to make an early start 

 for the day's journey. The eggs, two or three in clutch, are laid from June 

 to September, according to the season. On nth June, 1901, a nest was 

 found containing two eggs, one very small and addled. There were several 

 hairy caterpillars inside the nest. The male bird was sitting, and as soon 

 as he left the nest commenced his song at a short distance. The natives 

 dislike the song of this bird, having some supersititon attributing ill-luck 

 to it, as in the case of the Wedgebill. 



(48.) Eopsaltria GEORGIANA (gularis) (Grey-breasted Shrike-Robin). — 

 Only one specimen of this species was noted, and it was shot in a dense patch 

 of mangroves near the North- West Cape, 23rd February, 1902. 



(49.) E. pulverulenta (White-tailed Shrike-Robin). — Rather curiously, 

 the only bird noted was shot on the same day as the preceding species, 

 and within ten yards of the same spot, in mangroves, It was hopping about 

 on the mud, at times uttering a clear whistling note. 



(50.) PACHYCEPHALA MELANURA (Black-tailed Thickhead). — Only one 

 specimen of this bird was seen, and shot, in the same patch of mangroves 

 as the two preceding species, on 14th June, 1902. So far this is a south 

 and west record for this and the preceding bird, as far as I know. 



(51.) SlTTELLA PILEATA (Black-capped Tree-runner). — This bird occurred 

 sparingly in the mallee, inland. A fledgling, in exceedingly interesting 

 striped plumage, was shot 25th July, 1900. 



(52.) ZOSTEROPS LUTEA (Yellow White-eye). — A common winter visitor, 

 small flocks being frequently seen in the coastal hill thickets. In February, 

 1900, a male bird was shot in mangroves near the North-West Cape, 

 which, from dissection, was apparently breeding. 



(53.) Z. GOULDI (Green-backed White-eye). — The Green-backed White-eye 

 was only seen once or twice at Point Cloates, but in the dense cover about 

 the bed of the Gascoyne River it was very abundant, and did much harm 

 to the fruit in the gardens near the township. 



(54.) MYZOMELA NIGRA (Black Honey-eater). — This charming little bird 

 was not uncommon on the coast in good seasons, more especially in winter. 

 It was seldom observed inland. 



(55.) Melithreptus l.etior (Golden-backed Honey-eater). — This beau- 

 tiful species was only seen in thickets on the west shore of the Exmouth 

 Gulf, where two specimens, both males, were shot on 18th June, 1902, and 

 a few others observed. The song somewhat resembled that of the Red- 

 capped Robin, having a grating sound. The birds were apparently breed- 

 ing, and very wary, causing some difficulty in procuring specimens. 



(56.) GLYCYPHILA ALBIFRONS (White-fronted Honey-eater). — This ex- 

 tremely shy bird occurred occasionally in great numbers both on the coast 



