jaS White, North Australian Birds. [isJh'jan. 



were missing. Sent Mohr up river to see if he could find tracks of 

 the raiders, while I went down the river. Called at the natives' 

 camp, but, of course, none was at home. Went down the river 

 about 7 miles and inland about 4 miles, and did not see any sign of 

 the niggers. 



15/1/16. — Went across the river and along the edge of the salt- 

 pans. Mohr took tally of the stores, and found that the niggers 

 had got away with a good deal of stuff, there being barely a month's 

 supply left. Shall leave here in a few days, as it will be necessary 

 to go to the Roper River Station for stores. 



16/1/16. — Nothing exceptional, save the linding of nest of Pseudo- 

 gerygone magnirostris 5 feet above the water, containing lour eggs, 

 two of which were Bronze-Cuckoos'. 



17/1/16.- — All day in camp. 



1 8/1/ 16. — Spent the day in the dinghy examining the other branch 

 of the river and five small creeks running into it. Found several 

 nests of Dupetor gouldi, some with each four eggs. All were built 

 on horizontal forks of mangroves overhanging creeks, from 12 to 

 20 feet above the water. A nest of Butorides stagnatilis with four 

 eggs also found. A nest of Eulabeornis, 3 feet above the water, on 

 the roots of a mangrove, contained three much incubated eggs. 

 While examining the nest, one of the parent birds returned, and on 

 seeing me spread its wings, ruffled its feathers, and with neck out- 

 stretched and bill opened ran up the root of a mangrove to within 

 2 feet of me, then turned and ran away. Many nests of Pseudo- 

 gerygone magnirostris and Geopelia humeraiis were observed building. 



19/1/16. — Spent day cleaning out and fumigating cutter, and 

 placing specimens on board. 



20/1/16. — Went up the river and several of the small creeks in 

 dinghy for general observation. Found Dupetor gouldi, Butorides 

 stagnatilis, Geopelia humeraiis, Zosterops lutea, Ptilotis unicolor, 

 Piezorhynchus nitidus, Rhipidura isura, and Oriolus flavicinctus , all 

 nesting. 



21 and 22/1/16. — Out for general exploration and finishing 

 observations. Visited nest of Glyciphila fasciata previously found : 

 something had torn the side out of it. Wonder what creature destroys 

 so many nests. 



23/1/16.— Dismantled camp and stowed everything on board the 

 cutter ready to start with to morrow morning's tide. Had general 

 examination round. Nest of Pseudogerygone magnirostris contained 

 two eggs, together with two of Bronze-Cuckoo. Dug out burrow o* 

 Alcyone pulchra, which contained maximum set of six eggs. 



24/1/16. — Went down the river, in the dinghy, to small creek near 

 the sandstone range, leaving Mohr and New to bring the cutter along 

 as soon as the tide turned. Went ashore for the last time into the 

 scrub amongst the bluffs. Pitta iris was watched for a while. The 

 pretty bird hopped about over the ground, turning over the dead 

 leaves, then picked up a leaf and flew to a rock. Its mate appeared 

 the same instant, also carrying a leaf. On examining the spot, found 

 a nest half built on a ledge near the top of the rock. Returned to 

 the dinghy and reached mouth of creek just as the cutter was 

 passing. Got on board and proceeded down the river. Reached 

 the mouth before sunset and anchored for the night. 



