VoKXiii.-j Chandler, Bird-Life of Koiv Plains. 43 



Neositta pileata. Black-capped Tree runner. — Found in the pine 

 forests. Small flocks of from six to a dozen birds were sometimes 

 seen. 



Climacteris scandens. Brown Tree-creeper. — Abundant. The Tree- 

 creepers "^pend much time hopping on the ground. 



Zosterops dorsalis. White-eye.— On one occasion a small flock of 

 these birds was observed feasting on the nectar from the mallee 

 blossoms. 



Pardalotus striatus. Red tipped Pardalote. — A very common 

 species. Dozens of nests were found in hollow trees, but it was too 

 early for eggs. Both se.KCS assist in constructing the nest. 



Pardalotus xanthopygius, Yellow-rumped Pardalote. — Over a 

 dozen nesting-tunnels of this species were opened out, but, with two 

 exceptions, it was too earlv for eggs. The bird is similar to P. 

 punctatus in its habits and calls. 



Melithreptus leucogenys. Western Brown-headed Honey-eater. — 

 Common. One nest, ready for eggs, was found in a mallee sapling 

 on 8th October. A week later the nest was pulled about and the eggs 

 were Iving broken on the ground. 



Plectorhyncha lanceolata. Striped Honey-eater. — A common 

 species. These shy birds frequented the pine forests to a large 

 extent, and their nests were found suspended at the ends of pine 

 branches. They made a great din in the morning, and their noisy 

 notes were often heard through the day. 



Glyciphila fulvifrons. Tawny-crowned Honey-eater. — These birds 

 were seen in hundreds, and their sweet notes were heard on all sides 

 While searching for nests of the Amytornis, dozens of old nests of 

 this species were found in the porcupine grass, and a few new nests. 



Glyciphila albifrons. White-fronted Honey-eater. — Very common. 

 The favourite situation for the nest of this songster is among the 

 dead growth at the foot of a clump of dwarf mallee. Nests were also 

 found in the porcupine grass and in turpentine-bushes. 



Ptilotis sonora. Singing Honey-eater. — Occasionally seen on the 

 plains. One call of this bird resembles a note of P. leucoUs. 



Ptilotis novae-norciae. Western White-eared Honey-eater. — A 

 common bird in the district I mistook it for P. lencotis, but Mr. 

 A. J. Campbell places it as the Western form. T could trace no 

 difference in the notes of this bird, and the nest is similar in every 

 respect to that of P. leucotis. The eggs appear to be smaller. They 

 are pugnacious birds, and savagely drive any intruding bird from 

 the vicinity of the nest. 



Ptilotis cratitia. Purple-gaped Honey-eater. — The favourite haunt 

 of this species is among a species of dwarf acacia. All the nests which 

 we found were situated in this acacia. P. cratitia is a noisy bird. It 

 constantly utters a chattering call. About 200 yards from camp the 

 birds were exceedingly numerous in the blossoming mallee. 



Ptilotis ornata Yellow-plumed Honey-eater. — -This is the common 

 Honey -eater of the Mallee. The birds are to be seen literally in 

 thousands. Dozens of nests were found, in most cases situated in 

 the mallee leaves. 



Ptilotis penicillata. White-plumed Honey-eater — A few days 

 before we left the district I saw a species of Ptilotis building a nest 



