^°''i9^7^^] Whitk, Norih Australian Birds. I37 



noted Poephila gouldics, Dicanim hirundinaceum, Megalurus galactotes, 

 and five Antigone australasiana. A great number of Waders were also 

 seen about the salt-pans, including ALgialiiis melanops and a single 

 Erythrogonys cinctus. The water in the salt-pans and billabongs was 

 a moving mass of mosquito larvae. Track of a large crocodile was 

 seen crossing from the channel that fills the salt-pans to a billabong 

 at the foot of the ridge. Returned to camp, shooting Malurus 

 cruentatus and Rhipidura tricolor on the way. In the afternoon 

 noticed all the birds were busy catching flying termites. At the 

 other spring down the river a number of Finches (Neochmia phaeton) 

 were also catching flying termites on the wing. 



18/11/15. — Went to the spring up river again. Some Munia 

 arrived about 10 a.m. ; shot two, but lost one in the long grass. A 

 pair of Poephila gouldi was seen. Another flock of Munia (apparently 

 castaneithorax) flew into the bushes near. Brought down one, which 

 proved to be M. xanthoprymna. Got a shot at more castaneithorax {'>') ; 

 brought down seven birds, one of which was M . xanthoprymna. Had 

 brought the skinning outfit with me, so I set to work at once. 

 Finished six specimens and returned to camp. A few Poephila 

 per sonata, P. acuticanda, and Neochmia phaeton kept coming in to 

 water whilst I was at work. Did not see any more of M. xantho- 

 prymna. Returned to camp about 3.30 p.m. and finished the rest 

 of birds. Heavy thunderstorm to southward, but it did not reach 

 the camp. Mosquitoes very troublesome again. 



19/11/15. — Went up river for a couple of miles through forest. Put 

 in two hours nesting. A Red Buzzard was near the spring. Some 

 Finches (Neochmia phaeton and Munia castaneithorax) were feeding 

 amongst the grass. A small Turnix was flushed. Went down round 

 the salt-pans and billabongs, but did not see anything of note. 

 Returned to camp ; reached there about mid-day. Shot a speci- 

 men of Poephila per sonata on the way. Had some lunch and skinned 

 the birds. In the afternoon worked the forest country down river. 

 Birds scarce, but secured Gerygone albigularis, Malurus cruentatus, 

 and Rhipidura isura. Mosquitoes very bad. 



20/1 1/15. — Went down river about i -J miles in dinghy. Landed on 

 the left bank and got into the sandstone range. A party of Malurus 

 dulcis (male and three females) was watched for some time. Plenty 

 of water now in rock-holes since the rain, but bird -life as scarce as 

 ever. Collyriocichla ivoodwardi seen on a high pinnacle of rock, 

 uttering its rich and varied song. Another bird flew from under a 

 ledge below ; it appeared to come from a nest. There was a deep 

 ravine intervening, and I could not get across. Deposited lunch and 

 water-bag under a shady ledge and hunted round till mid-day. A 

 pair of Ptilotis was watched for some time without result. Crossed 

 the range and worked along the other side for some distance. A 

 Koel noted. Hunted through the scrubby ravines where I had 

 previously shot a Chalcophaps, but no birds of any kind were seen, 

 so headed for camp. Examined the place where Collyriocichla wood- 

 war di was seen earlier in the day. Two fresh nests were found in 

 holes in the rock under high, overhanging ledges, and the birds heard 

 calling a short distance away. Reached camp a little after svmset. 

 Exceedingly hot to-day. Mosquitoes very bad on the river. 



21/11/15. — Explored the sandstone range again. Worked through 

 about a mile before any Collyriocichla woodwardi were heard. Found 



