Vol. XVII. 



1917 



1 MxcGiLLiVRAY, Ornifhologtsis in North Queensland. 6q 



with Mr. M'Lennan and most of the heavier luggage, and three 

 with the rest of the party and less baggage. The air was hot and 

 oppressive, and rain threatened, but the incoming tide helped 

 our oarsmen. The varied calls of the land -birds and wonderful 

 vegetation bordering the river were very pleasant to our ears 

 after our three weeks on the sea. Many Whimbrels were flushed 

 along the mangrove portion of the river, and when we came to 

 where it was bordered with tropical scrub many Gerygone nests 

 were noted overhanging the water, from which the birds flushed 

 as we passed by. M'Lennan fired at a pair of Crimson-winged 

 Parrots. We saw the Great Palm Cockatoo, several Eclediis, 

 Brush-Turkeys, Scrub-Fowl, Bee-eaters, and other commoner 

 species, and when we came to a lily-covered backwater, known to 

 us as the Lily Pool — a haunt of the crocodile — we found a flock 

 of Magpie Geese in the trees bordering it, several of which were 

 secured for the pot. As we rearranged our camp and stowed away 

 our baggage our ears were assailed by the notes of the Rifle-Bird, 

 Scrub-Fowl, Manucode, Geoffroyiis, Pittas, and other birds from 

 the adjacent scrubs. Rain fell heavily, and we dug gutters to 

 keep our camp dry, and it was evening by the time we finished. 

 Afterwards mosquitoes got busy, and sandalwood fires were lighted 

 to keep them off whilst we wrote up notes and went over butter- 

 flies and beetles collected by our cook during our absence. 



On the following day we recommenced our searchings of the 

 scrubs and open forest country for specimens. The wet season 

 had commenced, and insect life became more abundant. Many 

 flying termites flocked in the air, and were caught on the wing 

 by several species of birds, such as Myzomela obscura, Myiagra 

 concinna, and Ptilotis gracilis. Mosquitoes were very trouble- 

 some, and made bird-observing in the scrub at any time a very 

 difficult matter. In the evening we heard the voices of numerous 

 frogs, many of which frequented the trees round our camp. The 

 " Chop-chopping " note of Caprimulgus macrurus is a crepuscular 

 one, and is soon followed after dark by the calls of Ninox rufa, 

 Podargiis marmoratiis, the raucous scolding of the Scrub-Fowl, 

 and the occasional voice of the Koel. Before breakfast next 

 morning my boy and I went out at the back of our camp and 

 watched several species busily engaged in finding their morning 

 meal from amongst the branches of the trees or young eucalypts 

 and other undergrowth. Amongst these were, Friar-Birds, Brush 

 and Bronze-Cuckoos, Melithreptiis alhogularis, Myzomela obscura, 

 Ptilotis gracilis, Pinarolestes riifigaster, Geopelia humeralis, and 

 others. The rest of the forenoon we spent in the scrub below 

 the camp until compelled to beat a retreat by the mosquitoes. 

 In the afternoon we crossed the river and had a long walk in scrub 

 and open forest towards the ranges and back. In the evening 

 the old crocodile that frequented the reach below our camp was 

 barking frequently. The night was close and sultry and thunder 

 constant in the ranges at the back, which were overhung by dark 

 and gloomy clouds. Later on again rain started, and continued 



