185 



the brood had receatly been hatched, were passed, and the chicks 

 themselves noted during July. The nests were usually found in 

 the open spinifex flats between the sandhills. Although no 

 adult specimens were secured, the birds were often seen, and 

 feathers obtained in places where the Emu had fallen a victim to 

 either the natives or dingoes. 



No. 90. Chariotis australis (Australian Bustard). 



During the early and latter parts of our journey these birds 

 were seen in great numbers, but they avoid nauoli of the desert. 

 Near the Fitzroy River Mr. Ferris found afresh egg on the 11th 

 November, and several young birds were seen a few weeks later. 

 On two occasions female birds with their single chicks were 

 noticed walking to water, and on attempting to approach them 

 we found the young ones suddenly disappear. In each case they 

 had forced themselves into the hole formed by a horse's hoof in 

 the dry mud. Near Mount Campbell I counted eighteen 

 bustards all in view at once. Whilst travelling near the 

 Nerrima Creek, on 1st April, I bagged a brace of bustards, 

 which were in capital condition, and must have weighed nearly 

 20 lb. each. One bird furnisiied four meals for three men and a 

 dog, whilst the five natives in camp made two meals oiBP the other. 

 These birds were in heavy moult ; but the fact that the grass- 

 hoppers had been very plentiful no doubt accounted for their 

 condition. 



No. 91. (Edicnemus grallarius (Southern Stone Plover). 

 Several of these birds were seen on the stony ground near our 

 camel depot during the month of August. They were extremely 

 shy, and difficult to approach. Although these birds are 

 nocturnal in their habits, they commenced to run before I was 

 within 150 yards of them, and defied all attempts to capture or 

 shoot them. As we approached the Fitzroy River, before day- 

 break of 6th November, the weird notes of the Southern Stone 

 Plover were amongst the delightful music that greeted our ears, 

 as it is well known that although this bird spends the day in the 

 forest or open plain, it always resorts to water at night. 



No. 92. LoBivANELLUS RULES (Masked Plover). 

 Near the Fitzroy River many of these birds were seen, but 

 when the rains fell they scattered to the numerous swamps which 

 were then formed. Their habits are precisely similar to those of 

 L. lobatus. Unfortunately the birds all disappeared before I had 

 the opportunity of preserving specimens. I am indebted to 

 Mr. Jas. Livingstone for a pair of eggs of this bird, which he 

 obtained near the river. They were taken from a slight hollow 

 in the ground, and were of a dull olive-yellow, heavily blotched 

 with brownish-black markings. 



