8o Carter, Exploration of the North-West Cape. [istOct 



ruficapilla), Little Stints {Limonites nificollis), and a great flock of 

 Teal, the handsome Nettion castaneiim. After some stalking I 

 succeeded in shooting three, but retrieving them was troublesome 

 work, as between the rocks and stumps one is liable to sink in 

 unknown depths of mud. The native resolutely refused to 

 attempt it. We decided to have ducks for dinner, and I handed 

 to the native what I took to be a female to pluck, while I first 

 skinned what seemed to be a handsome drake. However, his 

 bird proved to be a young male, without a vestige of any glossy- 

 green head or neck, while my bird, which could not be dis- 

 tinguished from an almost full-plumaged male, proved to be a 

 female. The glossy-green head and neck and rich red-brown 

 breast were not pronounced. On some flat rocks left bare by 

 the tide a party of Waders was feeding. Not being sure of 

 their species a charge of No. 6 shot proved them to be Grey- 

 rumped Sandpipers {Heteractitis brevipes) by securing three. 

 After dinner we forced our way into a very dense patch of 

 mangroves, but for some time all we could see were Yellow 

 White-eyes {Zostet'ops luted) flitting above us and Western 

 Fantails {Rhipidura preissi) hovering within arm's length to feed 

 on the countless mosquitos that accompanied us, when my 

 attention was attracted by a loud, clear song quite new to me. 

 Keeping still, the bird came close to us, and was secured without 

 being much mutilated, as is so often the case in shooting speci- 

 mens in mangrove growth. It is what I take to be undoubtedly 

 the Black-tailed Thickhead {Pachycephala vielanura), and is a 

 south and west record so far. We spent some time here, but 

 failed to see more specimens. Two more Ospreys' nests were 

 inspected, both empty, and what seemed to be a new nest of the 

 White-headed Sea Eagle — at least, one of these birds came from 

 it. It also was empty. Nankeen Herons were constantly 

 roused out of their afternoon siesta, but nothing more of import- 

 ance seen. Not a sign of any Shrike-Robins, as shot here last 

 February. Next day we decided to attempt to double the 

 North- West Cape, and accordingly proceeded slowly through 

 the dense spinifex and rat holes. We camped close to the beach, 

 near Vlaming Head, where a heavy surf breaks ceaselessly on 

 the beach. Wild dogs' tracks were numerous, and we thought- 

 fully provided any comers with some supper. Just as I was 

 dozing off my dog (tied under buggy) barked furiously. I 

 looked up cautiously and saw a big dingo inspecting the camp 

 from about lO yards distance. I reached for the rifle, but he 

 was off instantly. However, next morning he or another was 

 dead close to the camp and several baits gone. As we 

 approached Vlaming Head the going got a little better. Flocks 

 of Pied Honey-eaters were constantly passing us, flying against 

 the strong north-east wind, two or three Wedge-tailed Eagles 

 were seen soaring over the range, and once a Black-cheeked 

 Falcon whizzed past us. At Vlaming Head the high range ends 



