74 MiLLlGAN, Field Observations on IV. Australiaji Birds, [i^oct. 



traversed. I met with only one pair. They appear to peter out as you 

 travel southward. 



Meliornis longirostris (Long-billed Honey-eater).— This is one of the 

 most common birds on the south-west coast — not only in the brook thickets 

 but also in the stinkwoods, and in fact all along the coast they were in great 

 numbers. Their vivacious, restless movements, combined with their 

 pugnacity towards other birds, and their querulous voices, impart much hfe 

 to the landscape. I saw one nest which contained two chocolate-haired 

 young ones. I saw very many full-fledged young ones when pushing 

 through the thickets. 



Meliornis mystacalis (Moustached Honey-eater).— These were 

 numerous, but principally in the thorny dryandras on the limestone hills. 

 Their peculiar, weird notes always betrayed their whereabouts. 



ACANTHOCH^RA LUNULATA (Little Wattle-Bird). — These noisy birds 

 were very plentiful in the sheltered pockets in the sea-hills. 



Pardalotus ornatus (Red-tipped Pardalote). — Not many of these birds 

 were observed, and those that were appeared to confine themselves to the 

 "red gum" country. I observed a pair passing in and out of a small hole 

 of a red gum tree, in which they evidently were nesting. 



Pardalotus punctatus (Spotted Pardalote). —As already observed, 

 these birds, in common with the Melitiireptus chloropsis^ shared honours in 

 point of numbers in the karri forests. Locally they are called the " Head- 

 ache " bird, owing to the almost ceaseless repetition of their monotonous 

 call. 



HiRUNDO NEOXENA (Swallow). — These birds were numerous in the 

 vicinity of the caves and limestone cliffs. I was directed to one cave, known 

 as the " Dingo Cave," situated in the midst of one of the dense " stinkwood " 

 areas. For some considerable time I searched without success, and was 

 about to desist from further search when I observed the Swallows from time 

 to time making for the one destination. By following them I had not any 

 difficulty then or thereafter in finding the cave. In this particular cave I 

 discovered many of their nests, some containing eggs and some containing 

 young. 



Anthus australis (Pipit). — In the homestead paddock at Ellensbrook 

 there were several pairs. They were also fairly abundant on the sea hills. 

 The manager of the farm showed me on my first visit a nest containing two 

 eggs. 



ZON.EGINTHUS oculatus (Red-eared Finch). — I saw a great number of 

 these charming little Finches, as also their bottle-shaped nests. These latter, 

 however, were old ones. They were just beginning to build on my first 

 visit. Many of the birds could be seen carrying the stems of long dry grass 

 whilst flying. They appear to be a very local bird, for I only saw them at 

 Ngoocardup Brook, and then within an area of 20 acres. Their call is a 

 peculiar series of notes, uttered softly, and resembling "kwinkee wee wee 

 wee " 



Cacomantis flabelliformis (Fan-tailed Cuckoo). — These birds were 

 fairly numerous in the karri forests, but confined to thenx On my first visit 

 I secured two specimens. On my second visit two young birds were shot. 

 The under-surface of the plumage was in colour between chocolate and 

 chestnut, and faintly blotched with a darker shade. 



Chalcococcyx plagosus (Bronze Cuckoo.) — These also were numerous 

 in the karri forests. 



Glossopsittacus porphyrocephalus (Purple-crowned Lorikeet).— I 

 observed several of these birds on my first visit at Cowaramup Brook. 

 Evidently the locality has been a favourite nesting-place for these lorikeets, 

 as the word " Cowaramup " signifies, in the language of the south-west 



