171 



the vicinity of Johanna Springs flocks of several thousands were 

 seen going to some favorite feeding-place soon after sunrise. On 

 three occasions I saw a beautiful yellow bird flying in the flock. 

 These abormal birds were as richly coloured as a Norwich canary. 



No. 29. Geopsittacus occidentalis (Western Ground 

 Parrakeet). 

 Although the feathers of these birds were often found in the 

 nests of various small birds or amongst the spinifex, where they 

 had no doubt fallen victims to the hung:ry dingoes, I only saw 

 one bird, which was disturbed by Mr. Wells' camel in passing 

 through some spinifex on a stony rise on which scattered mulga 

 trees were rather too numerous. Mr. Chas. F. Wells pointed 

 out the spot where it had settled ; but after a short search, it 

 was flushed some distance away, showing that it had travelled 

 fully fifty yards. Owing to the erratic flight of the bird throus;h 

 the scrub, I was unable to shoot it. I afterw^ards ascertained 

 from the natives that these Parrakeets lay four eggs in a loosely- 

 made cup nest under the shade of the spinifex. They are 

 nocturnal in their habits, feeding and drinking at night, and 

 hide during the day beneath the shelter of the tussocks, from 

 which they only emerge when disturbed, and then they fly off 

 like a quail, giving a short sharp note several times as they go. 



No. 30. CucuLUS PALLiDUS (Pallid Cuckoo). 

 These well-known birds were found throughout the trip, and 

 were seen from Mullawa in June to the Fitzroy River in March. 



No. 31. Cacomantis flabelliformis (Fantailed Cockatoo). 



Several of these birds were noted on the Fitzroy River, and in 

 the vicinity of the telegraph office, during February. 



No. 32. Lamprococcyx basalis (Narrow-billed Bronze Cuckoo). 

 These birds were frequently seen, and several shot during the 

 early stage of our journey. At the Fitzroy River, Mr. Wells took 

 an egg of this Cuckoo from the nest of Malurus crnentatiis. 



No. 33. Dacelo gigas (Great Brown Kingfisher). 

 Whilst camped at Mullawa, I heard the well-known notes of 

 these birds, and found a few of them always near our quarters. 

 They were also noted between Fremantle and Perth, but were 

 not found north of Cue. 



No. 34. u^gothetes nov^ hollandiae (Owlet Nightjar). 

 Throughout the course of our journey I frequently saw these 

 birds fly about our camp at night. As the caravan passed 

 through the forests the unusual noise disturbed the Nightjars 



