Vol. 

 1902 



^'1 MiLLlGAN, Field Observations 071 W. Australian Birds. '] I 



Strepera PLUMBEA (Leaden Crow-Shrike). — As already observed, this is 

 one of the most numerous birds on the coast. He is locally known, and, in 

 fact, everywhere throughout the State, as the " Squeaker." In springtime he 

 seeks the coast to feast upon the land snails, which are abundant on the 

 coastal hills. In the south-west he is regarded as a "weather prophet," and 

 the result of my own observations is that immediately preceding rain he 

 drops his almost ceaseless clamorous call (which gives him his local name), 

 and utters a musical double note at long intervals. On the occasion of my 

 first visit they had not begun to build. On the occasion of my second 

 visit they, in common with the Crows, were committing havoc in the home- 

 stead garden among the Cape gooseberries and figs. His aboriginal name 

 is "Bella." 



COLLYRIOCINCLA RUFIVENTRIS (Bufif-bellied Shrike Thrush). — These 

 were fairly abundant on each visit. On the first visit my faithful retriever, 

 who has assisted me greatly for many years in my bird expeditions, dis- 

 covered a young one, almost fully fledged, on some bare ground at the foot 

 of a red gum. 



Graucalus melanops (Black-faced Cuckoo-Shrike).— I saw many of 

 these on each visit. On the first I observed one bird with food in its bill 

 for its young. 



Petrceca CAMPBELLI (Western Scarlet-breasted Robin). — These were 

 fairly numerous in the forest and scrub countiy. I saw two fully fledged 

 ones in company with the parent birds. 



Pseudogerygone culicivora (Southern Fly-eater).— I saw and heard 

 many of these quaint little whistlers. 



Malurus SPLENDENS (Banded Wren). — I secured several specimens of 

 this lovely bird. On my first visit, in October, they were then only beginning 

 to build. 



Malurus ELEGANS (Red-winged Wren). — On my first visit I secured 

 one specimen (a male) in some " willow " undergrowth in a karri forest. I 

 could not ascertain, however, whether or not they had begun to build. 

 Judging by the note of the male bird I am inclined to think that nesting 

 season was with them only approaching. On the second visit I saw a com- 

 pany of them in the Ngoocardup " stinkwoods." 



Rhipidura PREISSI (Western Fantail). — These charming little birds were 

 very plentiful on the coastal brooks. Although I was convinced the birds 

 vi'ere nesting I was unable to find a nest. These tame creatures, although 

 held in high repute by the " whites," are not so by the aborigines. With 

 the latter ihey are regarded as a bird of ill omen. If upon the morning of 

 the departure of a hunting expedition one of these little fellows put in an 

 appearance at camp the " blacks " at once abandoned the expedition. 



Rhipidura tricolor (Black and White Fantail). — There were many of 

 these about the homestead discharging the very useful duty of freeing the 

 cows of plaguish bush flies. 



Seisura inquieta (Restless Flycatcher). — On my first visit I secured 

 two specimens in the karri trees on Cowaramup Brook. 



Stipiturus malachurus (Emu Wren). — These feathered pigmies were 

 very abundant in the low-growing scrubs and prickly undergrowths on the 

 coast hills. On the occasion of my first visit the birds had finished nesting, 

 for in every instance the young birds (of which I saw a considerable number) 

 were fully fledged. Their weak little notes (not as loud as that of a cricket) 

 always betrayed their whereabouts. I found there was but little difficulty in 

 flushing the birds once, but that after that the task was hopeless, although I 

 could see them running in through the prickly undergrowth like mice. I 

 secured several specimens with the gun, and in one instance I snapped a 

 young one with the hand low down as it flew past me. Again, on my 



