Vol. IV. 



1 Lavvson, Glance at the Birds of the Moore River {\V .A~) 



arrival, and in the interim I turned my attention to the avifauna 

 of the Moore River, the east branch of which flows immediately 

 past Mogumber. 



On the return of the expedition to the latter place, about a 

 month later, I was again detained, for a fortnight or thereabouts, 

 and I took advantage of the opportunity to carry my investiga- 

 tions to a point some 20 miles further down the river. 



As our track to the Wongan Hills practically followed the 

 eastern branch to its sources, some few miles beyond the settle- 

 ment of New Norcia, I had thus an opportunity of exploring 

 about 40 miles of the course of the stream, a distance comprising 

 about two-thirds of its total length. 



Roughly speaking, the Moore flows in a tortuous course from 

 north-east to south-west, x^bout four miles west of Mogumber 

 it receives the north branch, which flows from the direction its 

 name implies. Some 1 2 miles from its mouth it is joined by 

 the Gin-Gin Brook. These are the only tributaries of any im- 

 portance. During the rainy season some of the lower reaches 

 of the river expand into small lakes. The upper portions of the 

 Moore call for little comment. The volume of the stream is at 

 all times very moderate, and its valley of no great width. 

 Generally speaking, it is well timbered, and, where not cultivated 

 and cleared, well clothed with scrub and herbaceous plants. 

 Westward of Mogumber, however, in the lower portions, the 

 valley deepens and contracts, and the flow is much augmented, 

 and permanent, until some 20 miles away the valley becomes 

 a veritable gorge, with cliffs exceeding 150 feet in height. For 

 the most part the surrounding country is a succession of sand 

 plains ; but at intervals oases of stunted banksia, casuarina, and 

 other trees are encountered. At some few localities, the soil is 

 richer, and the valley expands into small alluvial flats. Here 

 several species of eucalyptus are found, and grow to a large size. 

 In the spring of the year the whole district is clothed with a 

 brilliant and vatied flora. 



HiERACIDEA BERIGORA (Striped Brown Hawk). — Not infrequent. More 

 often observed flying over the sand plains than anywhere else. 



Cerchneis CENCHROIDES (Kestrel). — Far from common. According to 

 my observations this is a rock-loving rather than a forest species. 



AcCIPITER CIRRHOCEPHALUS (Sparrow-Hawk). — Frequently seen. A pair 

 had a nest close to Mogumber railway station, but I could not find the 

 exact locality. 



NiNOX BOOBOOK (Boobook Owl). — The familiar call often heard at night 

 near Mogumber. * 



CORVUS CORONOIDES (Crow). — Pairs and family parties pretty frequent. 



Grallina PICATA (Magpie-Lark). — Distinctly rare ; and only seen on 

 the upper portions of the river, near to and beyond New Norcia. 



* The " familiar call " cannot ahvays be attributed to the Boobook Owl, because 

 other Owls emit similar sounds. See Dr. E. A. D'Ombrain's paper in this 

 issue. — Eds. 



