l66 Macgillivray, Notes uii Some N. Queensland Biyds. P F"V' 



-*-^^ ' '^ L'st Jan. 



the nest is usually placed in close proximity to that of a large hornet 

 which builds a comb nest. Nests were found from September until 

 March, and to obtain them it is usually necessary to row round the 

 coast and up the channels in the mangrove swamps This bird is a 

 common foster-parent of the Cuckoo (C. russata). 



The nests are usually constructed of fine, soft rootlets, and lined 

 with feathers. " Crossed a small creek in mangroves and found a 

 nest of G. magnirostris containing one egg of the owner and one of 

 Cuckoo. Had to wade out into the creek a few yards to get the nest. 

 When I was putting the eggs into my bag a crocodile a few yards 

 down the creek emitted a roar." 



Gerygone personata. Black-throated Fly-eater. — Also met with at 

 Cape York, where it frequents the tropical scrub, and is rarely 

 seen in the mangroves. Usually found feeding in company with 

 Piezorhynchus albiventris, M achcerirhynchus flaviventer, Arses lorealis, 

 M alums amabilis, Sericornis minirmis, and Rhipidura dry as. The 

 nest is usually placed near the papery nest of a small yellow hornet 

 or wasp, sometimes near that of the large hornet, and occasionally 

 away from any hornet's nest. 



The young birds have four peculiar head-plumes, which they have 

 the power of erecting and quivering vigorously. When one looks 

 into a nest these head-plumes are put into motion by the birds, 

 and remind one of a number of caterpillars waving eibout. The 

 gape of- the young is a rich yellow colour. 



The Cuckoo Chalcococcyx russata also makes use of this species 

 as a foster-pai"ent. 



Nests were found from September to May, and, as usual with this 

 genus, contained two eggs. 



This note was made from observations taken in a dry season. 

 During the peist season, 191 2-1 3, three-egg clutches were more often 

 found. 



Heteromyias cinereifrons. Ashy-fronted llobin. — -Only noted at 

 Atherton, in November, 1909, when it was nesting. 



Poecilodryas cerviniventris, Buff-sided Shrike-Robin. — First met with 

 when the Gregory Ri\-cr was reached. This, then, is its eastern limit. 

 It usually feeds on the ground, in the short grass, and when disturbed 

 makes for the pandanus growing along the river-banks, where it is 

 usually to be found at other times, and in which it doubtless nests. 

 The call of this bird is a piping whistle i-epeated four times 

 very loudly ; it is something like the call-note of a Platycerciis. 

 Irides brown, bill black, legs brownish-black. 



Poecilodryas superciliosa. White-browed Shrike-Robin. — Only one 

 bird seen, and secured for identification It proved to be an immature 

 female, and was obtained at the Jardine River. " A sprightly httle 

 bird. When on a limb, erects its tail and droops its wings after the 

 manner of the Fantails. Feeds on small beetles and other insects. 

 Irides dark brown, bill black, legs fleshy-brown." 



Poecilodryas pulverulentus. White-tailed vShrike- Robin — Observed 

 first at Cape York. It is a denizen of the mangroves, and is locally 

 known as the Mangrove Robin — an excellent and distinctive ver- 

 nacular name for it. It may be seen in fair numbers by am'one who 

 has the hardihood to search amongst the mangroves and the patience 

 to watch and wait for it when its call is heard. This, a short, Ioav 

 whistle, is frequently heard in the breeding season, and if 



