^''Igjl,^-] Howe, In the Mallee-. 23 1 



no means common ; a nest containing three eggs was noticed, with 

 the female sitting. 



46. Black-faced Cuckoo-Shrike {Covacina robusta). — A few only 

 noticed. 



47. Chestnut-backed Grouxd-Bird (Cindosoma castanonotum). — 

 This bird is fairly well distributed all through the Mallee, and no fewer 

 than six nests, each containing a pair of young ones, were seen. On 

 one occasion we made a youngster squeak, and immediately the old 

 birds appeared. Fanning the tail and drooping the wings they ran 

 rapidly around us, the chestnut saddle on the back giving them a very 

 beautiful appearance. They are fond of frequenting the edges of the 

 tracks, and were often flushed as we drove home in the evenings. 



48. Scrub-Robin {Drymacedus bninneipygius). — This species was 

 always heard as we passed through the scrub, and was very plentiful 

 in close proximity to the bores. Only old nests were found, and 

 nearly every pair of birds we watched had a young one. These birds 

 are very timorous, and keep well out of sight. The young, too, have 

 a habit of "planting" when approached. A few skins were made. 

 The female differs from the male in being about an inch shorter. 



49. Rufous-rumped Ground-Wren {Hylacola cauta). — -Very numer- 

 ous, especially where the mallee fringes the porcupine grass. When the 

 days were cool their sweet warbling song was heard on every hand. 

 H. cauta is also partial to the scrubs along the roads and traverses, 

 and two nests were found on a survey line, placed on the ground under 

 dead bushes. One nest contained three young, whose plumage was 

 identical with that of the parents, but the gape was of a creamy 

 colour. 



50. White-browed B.\bbler {Poniatostomus siiperciliosus) .—Planii- 

 ful everywhere. 



51. Brown Song-Lark (Cinclorhampliiis cruralis). — A solitary bird 

 seen. 



52. Rufous Song-Lark (C. rufescens). — Very plentiful. 



53. White-fronted Chat {Ephtliianura albifrons). — Fairly numerous 

 in the salt-bush, also at Tailem Bend. 



54. Reed- Warbler (J croce/5/m/Ms australis). — Along the reed-beds of 

 the Murray at Tailem Bend hundreds of these silver- voiced songsters 

 had found secure shelter. 



55. Little Tit {Acanthiza nana). — A specimen was obtained at 

 Tailem Bend. 



56. Red-rumped Tit (A. pyrrhopygia). — Single birds noticed at 

 Tailem Bend. 



57. Chestnut-rumped Tit {A. uropygialis). — Very plentiful all 

 through the mallee. 



58. Yellow-rumped Tit {A. chrysorrhoa). — A few pairs noticed 

 nesting. 



59. Red-throat {Sericornis brunnea). — Seen on the open plains 

 where the wattle and turpentine grew. A nest of this beautiful 

 songster was found being built. 



60. Bl.\ck-backed Wren (Malurus melanonotus). — This variety of 

 Maluvus keeps to the more open country, and is very fond of the 



