Voi.^xiii.-j Chandler, Bird-Life of Kotv Plains. 41 



sub-species by Mr. A. W. Milligan (vide Emu, vol. xii., p. 167) — 

 was only obsei^ved on these occasions. 



Acanthiza pyrrhopygia. Red-rumped Tit-Warbler. — This rare bird 

 was occasionally seen. It frequents the low mallee, and moves rapidly 

 from branch to branch when feeding. On account of the lateness 

 of the season, the species had not started nesting operations by the 

 middle of October. We heard a bird imitating the calls of the Fan- 

 tailed and Bronze Cuckoos in a low tone. 



Acanthiza uropygialis. Chestnut-rumped Tit-Warbler. — In the 

 Murray pine forests we frequently met with this species. The birds 

 were observed in small flocks in September, but had split up into 

 pairs by October. Three nests, ready for eggs, were found about 

 the middle of October. In each case the nest was placed in a hollow 

 stump or tree. 



Acanthiza chrysorrhoa. Yellow-tailed Tit-Warbler. — Fairly plenti- 

 ful in the district. 



Pyrrholaemus brunneus. Red throat. — ^A rare species. Has a 

 pleasing song. 



Malurus melanotus. Black-backed Wren-Warbler. — Plentiful among 

 the turpentine-bushes. Most of the male Maluri noted during the 

 trip did not regain their nuptial plumage until October. None of 

 the Wren-Warblers had started to nest. 



Malurus cyanotus. White-winged Wren-Warbler. — A pair of these 

 birds was seen in the salt-bush, the male in immature plumage. This 

 species has a very distinctive note.- 



Malurus assimilis. Purple-backed Wren-Warbler. — This elegant 

 bird was often seen in companv with M. melanotus, and the two 

 species appeared to be on friendly terms. 



Amytornis striata. Striated Grass-Wren. — I spent a considerable 

 amount of time in the porcupine-grass (Triodia) tracts, systematically 

 searching for the nest of the Grass-Wren, but it was not until within 

 a few days of leaving the district that I found two nests containing 

 eggs and a nest in course of construction. The nests were well 

 hidden in the heart of porcupine grass, and could be seen only by 

 looking closely into the clump. I saw an Amytornis one day 

 apparently of a uniform brown colour. Although I visited this 

 locality frequently, I did not see the bird again. 



Artamus superciliosus. White-browed Wood-Swallow. — A large 

 flock of Wood-Swallows passed over the camp on 9th September, 

 flying in an easterly direction They stopped for a few minutes in 

 a flowering mallee, and were busy extracting the nectar from the 

 flowers. The flock was composed of A superciliosus and A . personatus 

 A week or two later a flock of these birds settled near camp to nest. 

 Within a few days nests were to be seen on top of every available 

 stump 



Artamus personatus. Masked Wood-Swallow. — See note to previous 

 species. 



Artamus sordidus. Wood-Swallow. — A stationary species Speci- 

 mens were observed when we arrived at Kow Plains. 



Colluricincia harmonica. Grey Shrike-Thrush — One of the first 

 things to attract our attention was the marked difference in the notes 

 of this bird when compared with the notes of the species around 



