Vol.^xvi.j Whitk, North Australian Birds. 1 25 



Chlamydera nuchalis, Dacelo cervina, Alcyone pulchra, Halcyon 

 macleayi, H. sanctus, Ceniropus phasianus, Entomyza alhipennis, 

 Ptilotis unicolor, Trichoglossus rubritorques, Ptilosclera versicolor, 

 Ptistes coccineopterus, and Platycercus browni. 



22/9/15. — Caprimulgus macrurus and* Burhinus grallarius heard 

 calling through the night. The boat was high and dry at daybreak. 

 The river is just a mere trickle here, the water being very brackish 

 and weedy. It is not possible to go further, as big trees lie across 

 the river. Natives came along shortly after daybreak ; they told 

 me that the fresh water was a long way. The country about here 

 is similar to our last anchorage ; no suitable place to form a camp. 

 Made a start back when enough water to float boat. We had only 

 gone a couple of miles when the boat became fast on a log, and, as 

 the tide was falling, we could not get her off. Went ashore on the 

 right bank and inland for a couple of miles ; no change in the country. 

 Returned to the boat ; the tide had fallen about 7 feet, and the boat 

 slid off the log; fortunately, no damage was done. 



23/9/15. — Made a start at 9.30 a.m. Got fast on a bank about 

 4 p.m., but, as the tide was coming in, we got off a little later. I 

 went ashore on the left bank and inland for a couple of miles, through 

 mangroves and open salt-pans. Eupodotis australis was seen on one 

 of the salt-pans and a single Hieracidea orientalis noted ; no other 

 forms of bird life to be seen. Made a start at 9 p.m. and pulled till 

 I a.m., then anchored. 



24/9/15. — Made an early start, and pulled for a couple of hours, 

 then got sufficient breeze to hoist sail. Got fast on a bank again 

 about 4 p.m., but, with the rising tide, were soon got off. Kept on 

 till the mouth of river was reached about midnight. 



25/9/15- — Saw a couple of natives on the beach ; went ashore to 

 ask them about fresh water. Thev pointed to a spot half a mile 

 along the coast. Took one of the natives on board, sailed down 

 opposite the place. Got ashore and examined the spring ; it was 

 about 50 yards away from the mangroves. Cleaned it out, waited 

 for it to fill, and then replenished the tank. Got under way and 

 headed for the King River. Anchored at sunset at Cape Braith- 

 waite. 



King River. 



26/9/15. — Made an early start with a light north-east breeze. A 

 few small Terns {Sterna gracilis) seen about the cape. Natives seen 

 on the beach past Hall's Point. Reached the mouth of King River 

 2.30 p.m. ; proceeded up-stream and anchored at sunset about 

 10 miles from the mouth. Both banks of river thickly clothed with 

 mangroves. A few birds noted were Haliaetus leucogaster, Tadorna 

 rufitergum, Numenius cyanopus, N. variegatus, Herodias timoriensis , 

 N atop hoy X novis-hollandice, Cacatua sanguinea, Calyptorhynchus 

 macrorhynchus (a scattered flock of 24 birds flying westward a little 

 before sunset), and Myristicivora spilorrhoa (two large flocks also 

 flying westward a little before sunset), and Stigmatops ocularis and 

 Eulabeornis castaneiventer , heard calling in the mangroves. 



27/9/1 5. — An early start, and made a couple of miles further. There 

 is an open space in the mangroves on the left bank, where some high 



