173 



visited the same locality frequently during the month I spent 

 there, I only saw them once. On one or two mornings they were 

 noted in the desert. 



No. 40. Pardalotus ornatus (Striated Diamond-bird). 

 This bird was seen and shot near the Fitzroy River in January, 

 but was in bad feather owing to heavy moult. It was observed 

 amongst the top branches of a stunted gum-tree. 



No. 41. Gymnorhina tibicen (Piping Crow Shrike). 

 Three of these birds were seen near Lake Way on July 1 2, and 

 a few days later others were noted. Although I made diligent 

 search and inquiries, I could find no trace of them so far north as 

 the Fitzroy River. 



No. 42. Gymnorhina leuconota (White-backed Crow Shrike). 

 Whilst in the train between Fremantle and Perth Mr. Jones 

 drew my attention to these birds on several occasions as they 

 perched on the trees near the railway line, or flew off on the 

 approach of the train. No trace could be found of their presence 

 further north. 



No. 43. Cracticus robustus (Black-throated Crow Shrike). 



The merry carols of these birds were frequently heard along 

 the creeks before reaching Mount Bates, and specimens obtained. 

 They appeared to watch for, and secure, their prey whilst the 

 victim was drinking. One bird was shot whilst in the act of 

 killing a Chestnut-eared Finch on the margin of a pool in creek. 

 They were not seen further north. 



No. 44. Pachycephala rufiventris (Rufous-breasted Thick- 

 head). 

 These birds were numerous in the scrub along the course of the 

 Fitzroy River, but were not noted elsewhere. 



'ft 



No. 45. Sphenostoma cristata (Crested Wedgebill). 

 This bird appears to have a very wide range in West 

 Australia. Along the Cue road its notes were frequently heard, 

 and birds were plentiful near Lake Way. At our camel depdt 

 on Creek during August I obtained a number of 



specimens, and on several occasions killed the pair at one shot. 

 In three cases, males in immature plumage, with horn-colored 

 bills, were found mated to adult females ; whilst at other times 

 the sexes could not be distinguished without dissection. The 

 Wedgebill delights in open country in which low bushes of dense 

 foliage exist. Their nests are usually placed in the latter, about 

 3 feet or less from the ground, and are built of fine twigs, cup- 



