158 Excursion to N .S^V . National Park. \ ^T^ ., 



-' List April 



place quite dark and damp — an ideal spot for the land-leech and 

 snails. Here the Lyre-Bird {Meniira superba) was observed in 

 its natural state, but. with its characteristic shyness, would disappear 

 into the rocky ravines, not far distant, on the slightest noise. In 

 these sylvan retreats the Regent-Bird (Sericiiliis melimis) also makes 

 its abode, while Fruit-Pigeons feed on the berries and palm seeds. 

 The loud, harsh call of the Pied Crow-Shrike {Strcpcra graculina) 

 could be heard, as the parent bird called its young, M'hich were 

 just on the wing, to a safer locality on the rocky hillside. There, 

 too, the White-shafted Fantail {Rhipidura albiscapa) and the Black- 

 faced Flycatcher [Monarcha melanopsis) flitted beneath the cool 

 shade of the scrub trees, and several species of the Tit family {Acan- 

 thizcE) hopped from twig to twig in search of their insect food, 

 while on the ground more than one variety of the Scrub-Wrens 

 [Sericornes) made their way through the tangled undergrowth, 

 picking uj) their food at the roots of the shrubs and in the stunted 

 grass. 



A pleasing and somewhat peculiar note to be heard was that of 

 the Coachwhip-Bird {Psophodes crepitans), whose liquid call 

 resembles the swish and loud crack of a whip, and might easily 

 startle a stranger in the wilds, far away in the bush, and convince 

 him that a human being was near at hand. But we could not stay 

 in the locality for any length of time, as the return journey to our 

 headquarters before dark was imperative, owing to the rough 

 nature of the track at this end of the Park, which is not yet pro- 

 parly formed. 



Audley was our general quarters within the Park, and being in 

 a good central position, every point of the compass could be reached 

 within a comparatively short time. 



Excursions on foot were frequently made to explore the different 

 situations, as it is surprising how local some species of birds are. 

 The flowering of certain trees would attract honey-eating birds, 

 and also insectivorous species, as insects would also be there, so 

 that it would be easy to miss some if a vigilant and constant eye 

 were not kept on all sides. The call of the " Crow " here seemed 

 extremely mournful and humanlike, and as a pair were rearing 

 their family not far distant from our abode, we were able to note 

 them often, and came to the conclusion from observation that 

 they were the Raven [Corone aitstralis). In the rocky sides of the 

 gullies the Rock- Warbler {Origma rubricata) was often seen, hopping 

 over the huge boulders in its usual restless manner, while on the 

 heath ground the solitary call of the Tawny-frcnted Honey-eatei 

 {Glycyphila fidvifrons) could be heard, as it perched on a dry 

 twig. Along the river the Satin Bower-Bird {Ptilonorhynchiis 

 violacciis) was making its well-known call, which resembles in the 

 morning the words " Too hot, too hot, too hot," and in the evening 

 " Water, water, water," and its call is a. sure sign that water is near 

 at hand, lip the rivers, too, the Kingfishers dart to and fro. the 

 Blue Kingfisher {Alcvonc aziirca) catching one's e\e like a vi\id 

 flash of brightness as it s^x^eds arrow-like over the surface of the 



