^°''ig^i8^''] Whitlock, Notes on North-Westevn Birds. i6q 



pairs under observation. In the Upper Coongan district this 

 species cannot be called rare ; it is very local, and shows a decided 

 preference for haunts where observation is difficult. 



Before the breeding season actually commences pairs may be 

 met with in the small gullies at the foot of the ranges ; but I think 

 at nesting time they retire to the open flats adjacent to the larger 

 creeks, where the spinifex (Triodia) grows to a large size, and 

 where the big clumps are very numerous and close together. 

 When observing the Desert-Bird, I always think that " Spinif ex- 

 Bird " would have been a more appropriate trivial name. Our 

 North-West coast at its worst can hardly be regarded as a 

 " desert," considering its numerous rivers and creeks, the majority 

 of which are well timbered with eucalypts and other trees of 

 respectable dimensions. On my last trip I found the best place 

 for observing the Desert-Bircl was a large flat of fairly rich 

 alluvial soil not far from a large creek. The spinifex here was 

 growing in great profusion and size, many clumps measuring as 

 much as lo feet in diameter, with occasional larger ones ; others 

 of from 5 to 8 feet' in width were innumerable. Small bushes 

 were frequent, with occasional trees, the latter, as a rule, not 

 giving much shade. Within a distance of a mile and a half I had 

 five pairs of Desert-Birds under constant observation. 



To find these birds one must learn the call-note, and learn it, 

 too, so well as to be able, when heard at a distance, to distinguish 

 it from the call of the common Pipit [Anthits australis) and also 

 from distant calls of the Wood-Swallows (Artamus) and accidental 

 notes of other species. After listening at close quarters to a male 

 perched on a small bush, I cannot render the sound better than by 

 the French words " Je snis, a vous " (pronounced Je swee, ah 

 voo). More often than otherwise only the first syllables are 

 uttered ; then the call closely resembles that of the Pipit. One, 

 as a rule, rarely sees the female, but her presence may be ascer- 

 tained by carefully listening. Almost simultaneously with the 

 liquid notes of the male, she adds two or three rather grating 

 sounds, somewhat resembling two stones being rubbed together. 

 The sound is difficult to render on paper, but the syllables 

 " Thrip-thrip " will give some idea of its character. 



I put in much time watching these birds, hoping to get a clue 

 to the time of building and character of nest and eggs ; but, despite 

 eventually finding two nests, I failed to get eggs. 



From experience gained in igo8 I was inclined to look upon 

 the species as rather a late breeder ; but no doubt the character 

 of the season — or, what amounts to the same thing, the early or 

 late incidence of the rains — will have great influence on the 

 nesting period. It was not until the first week in October that 

 I got a clue to the nest. I felt pretty certain it would be found 

 in the densest and largest clumps of spinifex. All I had to guide 

 me was the affinity of the species to Megaliirus, with which the 

 Desert-Bird has much in common. On going my rounds one 

 morning I observed a pair which appeared anxious and uneasy 



