^°';^^^^' 'J White , North A ustralia n Birds . 1 2 g 



In making back to the dinghy, got bushed in the mangroves for a 

 couple of hours. Myzomela erythrocephala, Stigmatops ocularis, 

 Microeca flaviventris, Piezorhynchus nitidus, and Poecilodryas pulveru- 

 lenius noted in the mangroves. Returned to camp about 3 p.m. 

 and skinned birds. 



5/10/15. — Proceeded up river. A pair of Xenorhynclnts asialictts, 

 a couple of Herodias iitnoriensis, a single Ibis moliicca, a Platalea 

 regia, two Glottis nebularius , and two Tadorna rufitergum were seen 

 at the billabongs. Went inland, to the east, for about 3 miles, 

 through a good forest country. Myzomela pectoralis fairly numerous 

 Lalage triolor noted and Coracina hypoleucus shot. Struck towards 

 the river again and across some low hematite ridges. Very poor 

 country. Followed the ridge round to the camp. Calyptorhynchus 

 macrorhynchus, Cacatua galerita, and C. sanguinea seen in some big 

 paper-barks at a fresh-water billabong. A flock of Neochmia phaeton 

 ■ was amongst some pandanus. Reached camp pretty late in the 

 afternoon and skinned birds. Ardea sumatrana calUng on the river 

 after dark. 



6/10/15. — A few Cacatua roseicapilla seen flying past the camp 

 at sunrise. Spent the morning hunting through the mangroves for 

 i^ miles down the river. Myzomela erythrocephala, M. obscura 

 Piezorhynchus nitidus, Poecilodryas pulverulentus, Stigmatops ocularis 

 Pseudogerygone magnirostris, Micrceca flaviventris, Pachycephala simplex] 

 and Cracticus quoyi were seen, but no nests found. Had a good 

 hunt through the patch of scrub at the spring. Pinarolestes , Chalco- 

 phaps, Pseudogerygone magnirostris , Ptilotis unicolor, Cacatua galerita, 

 C. sanguinea, Chibia bracteata, Megalurus galactotes, Eurystomus 

 pacificus, and Dacelo cervina were seen. Got back to the camp and 

 skinned birds. Sent New to the spring to secure a specimen of the 

 Black Butcher-Bird which could be heard calling. He returned in 

 about an hour's time with a Drongo. A small Ninox was heard 

 calling. I imitated the call, but could not bring the bird up. 

 Mgotheles also heard calling. 



7/10/1 5. — Went up other branch of river in dinghy. Found Micrceca 

 flaviventris building in the fork of a dead mangrove ; nest 8 feet above 

 high-water mark. Another bird found building in a similar position 

 further on. Went up a small creek about 400 yards. Flushed Pseudo- 

 gerygone magnirostris from its nest, which was 4 feet above the water 

 in an overhanging mangrove. Clutch, three eggs. A mile further 

 up the river another Micrceca flaviventris flushed from its nest, 6 feet 

 above the water, in fork of dead mangrove ; secured the egg with 

 egg-scoop. Further along the river yet another Microeca was flushed 

 from its nest 4 feet above the water in a dead mangrove ; the nest 

 contained one egg. The parent bird made a great fuss, fluttering 

 round within a couple of feet of my head. Both Alcyone pusilla and 

 A. pulchra were seen and shot. Returned on the other side of the 

 river and found several more Micrceca nests. In trying to get the 

 egg from one with the scoop the bird returned, and sat on the nest, 

 and would not budge. If I pushed her off with the scoop she 

 returned again. She eventually flew off and dragged the nest and 

 egg clear of the scoop. The egg fell in the dinghy, and was broken. 

 Got back to camp about 3 p.m. Stictoptera annulosa observed 

 building near camp ; nest 6 feet from the ground in a small bush. 

 After dark Geese heard flying past to the westward and Sirix heard 

 caUing. The weather has been very hot lately. 



