Vol. XIII. 



1913 



1 CoL.iL, Description of a New Sericornis. yK 



foliaged shrub about 5 feet from the ground, and was built chiefly 

 of fine grass, and lined with downy feathers, representative of 

 several forms of bird-life. The nest resembled somewhat in shape 

 that of Sericornis ciircogiilaris, but was much smaller and more 

 compact, the neck or dome-like structure being woven amongst 

 the foliage and extending vertically above the body of the nest 

 about 12 inches, giving to the whole a banjo shape. Entrance 

 upon the side of the body or lower structure of the nest. 



Birds of Moora (W.A.) and District. 



By C. L. E. Orton and P. T. Sandland, Ms.R.A.O.U. 



A LIST of birds identified within a 30-mile radius of Moora is 

 given herewith. The country in the immediate vicinity of Moora 

 is flat, covered mostly with salmon and white gum (eucalypts) 

 and undergrowth. Further east it becomes more hilly, the timber 

 being then mostly jam, manna (both acacias), and York gum, 

 with occasional belts of salmon gum and white gum, the latter 

 occurring on any ironstone hills. Going west from Moora there 

 is a large belt of sand-plain and gravelly ironstone country. Ten 

 miles out the red gum country begins, and from there on the 

 country is totally different, as well as the timber. Certain birds 

 occur there which are never seen near Moora, and there is also 

 a small " local migration " among some species. 



There is a post-office 22 miles west, Dandaragan by name. The 

 rainfall there is about 27 inches ; at Moora it is i8|^ ; and 30 miles 

 east, at Wongan Hills, about 12 inches. But no records have 

 been kept for any length of time at the last place. From the 

 difference in rainfall it may be judged that the timber would vary 

 considerably, and with it certain forms of bird-life. Also, close 

 to Moora there are several swamps, which last all through the 

 summer after wet winters. Further west the swamps are per- 

 manent. Practically no water has run here during the last two 

 winters, so that we hav'e had to go upwards of 50 miles west when 

 out Duck-shooting. A party went out last January and found 

 Ducks in hundreds ; but the swamps are so thick with tea-tree that 

 it is a difficult matter to find fallen birds. 



Moora is shown only on the more recent maps. It is on the 

 Perth-Geraldton line, 108 miles from Perth, and about 60 miles 

 from the coast in a direct line. The railway line itself was built 

 by an English company on the land-grant system. 



Dromaius novse-hollandise. Emu. ^Becoming rarer each year ; 

 once very plentiful. 



Leipoa ocellata. Mallee-Fowl. — A rare bird, occurring 30 miles 

 east ; more plentiful in the early days. 



Coturnix pectoralis. Stubble-Quail. — Uncommon. 



Turnix velox. Uncommon. 



