<VI.] 



17 J 



White, North Australian Birds. Izj.3 



tent, as we would snon have to shift. About i i a.m. there was 2|- feet 

 water in the tent, so moved to higher ground, about 400 yards away, 

 nearer the ridge. Hundreds of beetles and other insects flooded out, 

 and had taken refuge on grass-stalks, trees, bushes, and ant-hills ; 

 spent a couple of hours collecting specimens. Another 3 inches of 

 rain fell during the day, making total for the 24 hours 6^^ inches. 



24/12/15. — More rain last night, and river rising again, so I did 

 not leave camp. Spent morning catching beetles and other insects. 

 Two trees, about 200 yards from the camp, had been struck by 

 lightning ; pieces of wood several feet long and weighing up to 2 cwt. 

 were hurled in all directions. After lunch I went down the river 

 along the edge of the forest for about 3 miles. Nothing of note. 



25/12/15. — Rain had cleared off, and river normal again. 

 Examined nest of DoUar-Bird noted 22/12/15 ; it contained two 

 small young. Went over to ranges to examine nests of Sandstone 

 Thrushes previously noted. Birds heard, but no new nests. Three 

 pairs of the Ptilotis and two parties of Malurus dulcis were watched 

 for some time ; no result. Some Swifts (Cypselus paciftcus) were 

 seen circling high overhead. Went through forest country and to 

 the Plovers' nest noted with two eggs 21/12/15 ; it contained three 

 eggs. The nest had been covered by about a foot of water during 

 the flood, and appeared to have been deserted. On return a pair of 

 Rhipidura isura was seen feeding a young Cuckoo (C. flabelliformis). 

 Visited the nest of Eidaheornis noted with one egg 19/ 12/ 15 ; now 

 contained five eggs. Got back to camp at dark. 



26/12/15. — Spent the morning near camp. The nest of Little 

 Kingfisher noted 19/12/15 had been under water a couple of days. 

 Birds were hard at work clearing it out again. Three nests of 

 Rhipidura isura previously noted were all deserted. After early 

 lunch, crossed the river to the Plovers' nests noted 22/12/15. ^^^ 

 that contained two eggs was covered with flood debris and the eggs 

 washed away. Another, containing three eggs, had been under 

 water, and the eggs washed a couple of feet away. Went to the 

 sandstone range. A Northern Oriole was seen, and a pair of Cacatua 

 roseicapilla shot. Nest, containing eggs, of Chibia bracteata was 

 found, but I could not reach them without scoop. 



27/12/15. — Went down river to nest of Eulabeornis noted building 

 6/ 1 2/ 1 5 ; it contained three eggs. The birds had added much more 

 material. Crossed river. A fresh nest of Oriolus flavicinctus was 

 found, but the birds had not yet laid. Eulabeornis had built on the 

 old nest, which contained four eggs. Went through the forest to 

 the nest of Chibia noted yesterday ; it contained three eggs. 

 Returned to camp before sunset. Our native friends disappeared. 

 Have been trying to get them to look for nests, but they will not 

 trouble looking for anything they cannot eat. 



28/12/15. — Did not see anything of note. Weather very hot, and 

 mosquitoes bad in the mangroves. 



29/12/15. — Went east of camp through forest for about 3 miles. 

 Bird-life scarce. Watched a couple of pairs of Pachycephala simplex 

 for some time at the edge of the mangroves. These birds should 

 soon be building. The males were calling all day, and they fly up 

 at once when their call is imitated. It is trying work watching 

 them, as the mosquitoes are simply awful. A single Bronze-Cuckoo 

 (C. minutillus) seen. Very hot again. 



