^°''J^g'^'] Macgillivray, Ornilhologisls in Moyfh Queensland. ig^ 



two newly-hatched young at 5 feet from the ground. A nest found 

 30 feet up also contained two eggs. This nest was composed of fine 

 strips of bark and fibres, was lined with fine fibres, and had several 

 pendent pieces of white paper-bark attached to the outside. These 

 birds feed upon insects, especially small beetles, and seeds. The 

 call is a harsh, grating " Cheet-cheet-cheet," repeated rapidly. 



Kempiella kempi. — This Flycatcher first came under my notice 

 on the 22nd November in some scrub at our top camp. Another 

 pair frequented the edge of the scrub not far from our main camp. 

 We watched a pair high in the scrub for an hour, trying to locate a nest, 

 during which time we were unmercifully harassed by hordes of 

 mosquitoes and March-flies ; we had finally to retreat. 



This bird has the ways of a Flycatcher, making short flights from 

 branchlet to branchlet, and occasionally into the air to capture a 

 passing insect, all the time uttering a subdued piping call which 

 resembles " Zzt, zzt, zzt," given out in a low tone, and repeatedly. 

 The yellow of its gape is plainly seen when calling with open mouth. 

 We watched other pairs after this, but the nest still remains to be 

 found. 



Eopsaltria inornata {Maitingleya griseiceps inornata). — This inter- 

 esting bird is also a denizen of the tropical scrub, and is fairly often 

 seen. We failed, however, to find its nest, and this is not to be 

 wondered at when its usual haunts are taken into consideration ; 

 these are the smaller branches and leafage of the largest trees in the 

 scrub, which often support an entangled mass of climbing plants. 

 The height from the ground, the dull light, and the density of the 

 foliage make it a difficult matter to follow a bird's movements. It 

 seems to feed mostly by picking insects from off the leaves, and finds 

 its living at a much higher level than Kempiella. The usual note is 

 a loud, clear whistle of from five to ten notes, and, as a call, two short 

 ones. The stomachs of specimens obtained contained mostly small 

 beetles. Mr. M'Lennan, after we left, found a young bird that had 

 evidently dropped from the nest ; the bird was in a tangle of lawyer 

 vines, but no nest could be located. 



Pachycephala falcata {Leimnornis rufiventris pallidus). — We noted 

 this bird (the Northern Whistler) on several occasions, feeding in the 

 gums and other trees in the open forest, often quite near our camp. 



Pachycephala robusta (P. pectoralis robusta). — This northern form 

 of the Yellow-breasted Whistler is found on all the islands along the 

 coast on which there is any scrub, but is never seen on the mainland. 

 On Haggerstone Island we noted quite a number of these birds, and 

 secured specimens. Dissection indicated that they were not then 

 breeding. They probably nest in early spring, as several old nests 

 were seen in the scrub. I have, however, a set of eggs in my collec- 

 tion taken on Darnley Island on 30th December. 



Rhipidura phasiana {Rhipiduva flabellifera phasiana). — The Pheasant 

 Fantail was several times noted, and specimens obtained, on the 

 Archer River by Mr. M'Lennan. 



Rhipidura intermedia {Howeavis mfifrons kempi). — The Allied 

 Fantail was occasionally met with in the scrub. One nest was found 

 in a patch of scrub near our top camp, finished, and the bird in attend- 

 ance, but was afterwards found to be abandoned. It was at about 

 15 feet from the ground, on a small horizontal twig of a small scrub 



14 



