234 AsHBV, Collecting Trip in Lower North of S.A. \ J^-"l" ., 



Barnardius barnardi whitei, Mat. South Australian Mallee-Parrot . 

 — These were met with near Clare, and again near Dawson, on the east 

 side of the Flinders Range. Those handled were of the usual northern 

 form that has recently been designated a sub-species. 



Psephotus varius (multicolor;. Many-coloured Parrot. — These were 

 numerous in the Nackara district. 



Owenavis (Chalcites) osculans, Cxld. Black-eared Cuckoo. — One 

 male was obtained near Nackara, and several were heard in the same 

 locality. At a distance the note reminds one of the warning whistle 

 of the Scrub-Robin. The s(nind carries much further than one 

 would suppose. It is most difficult to judge the distance the bird is 

 away by the whistle. 



Of the genus Sericornis two species were secured — (SericorniS/ 

 Pyrrholaemus brunneus, Gld. (kedthroat), in the blue-bush country 

 near Nackara, and Sericornis maculatus, Cild. (the Spotted Scrub- 

 Wren). One sjjecimcn was t>blaincd near Port Germein, in the dry 

 country, and it is intei-csting to note that it is the pale form, similar 

 to those obtained on Eyre Peninsula, and named sub-specifically 

 S. m. mellori by Mathews. 



The specimens of Geobasileus chrysorrhous (Yellow-rumped Tit- 

 Warbler) that were secured near Port Germein were brighter yellow 

 in the rump than is usual in Adelaide specimens, and were similar 

 to the form from Port Augusta, described by Mathews sub-specifically 

 as G. c. addendus. 



Acanthiza iredalei morgani. Mat Southern Tliin-billed Tit. — We 

 were most interested in meeting with this bird in the blue-bush 

 country near Nackara. It is a locality much further south than I 

 believe it has been recorded from in this State before. 



A considerable number of other species were noted, and a few 

 more species were obtained ; but the foregoing seem of interest 

 as indicating certain definite tendencies of variation in the dry 

 districts, even when they al)ut closely on localities favoured with a 

 heavier rainfall. Also, in some cases the known range of the 

 species has been extended. 



In referring to variant forms it has seeiued best to adopt Mr. 

 Mathews's sub-specific names, but it is an open question as to 

 whether it would not be better, in many of the cases under review, 

 to refer simply to the variant forms as varieties and not attempt 

 to give them sub-specific rank. 



Bird Life as Affected by Drought. 

 By Charles Barnard. 

 Under this heading I would like to mention a few instances that 

 have come under my notice, showing how certain forms of bird-life 

 can be driven away from, or exterminated in, certain districts 

 during times of severe drought, and also showing how birds can 

 become a medium of conveying seeds of plants, or grasses, possibly 

 of a injurious nature, from one district to another, in other ways 

 than by the usually accepted one of eating and evacuating. 



