VoKXii.i Wu-so-s, Oologists in the Mallee. 33 



Plains homestead, containing the unusually small clutch of two eggs, both 

 of which were hatched before we started for home. 



Petrochelidon nigricans. Tree-Martin.— Wherever the large mallee gums 

 grew, there these birds were numerous. Many nesting-hollows were 

 examined, but in all cases we were too early for eggs. In one instance, the 

 entrance to the nesting-hollow, proving too large and draughty, had been 

 plastered up to respectable dimensions with mud. 



Microeca assimilis.* Lesser Brown Flycatcher. — This species was common 

 in all parts that we visited, and a few specimens were obtained for 

 identification. In habits they are similar to the common M. fasdnafis, and 

 we were unable to distinguish between the notes of these two species. A 

 diligent but unsuccessful search was made for their nests. They did not 

 appear to have started building. 



Petroeca goodenovii. Red-capped Robin. — This little gem was often met 

 with in the black wattle country between Kow Plains homestead and the 

 boring camp. 



Petroeca bicolor. Hooded Robin. — In the more open country these Robins 

 were always noticed, and seemed to be tamer than those usually met with in 

 more southern districts. One nest placed in a myall tree contained a 

 beautiful clutch of fresh eggs, one egg being blue and the other dark green. 



Smicrornis brevirostris. Short-billed Tree-Tit.— Was one of the commonest 

 species met with, but, although so common, we rarely found their nests. 



Rhipidura albiscapa. White-shafted Fantail. — Was found to be a very rare 

 bird in this country, and only a few pairs of them were seen, none of which 

 had started nesting. 



Rhipidura tricolor. Black-and-white Fantail. — This common Fantail was 

 particularly abundant around the Kow Plains homestead, and was seen in 

 most places visited. 



Sisura inquieta. Restless Flycatcher. — Several of these birds were seen 

 near Ouyen, and a clutch of three eggs was taken. They were also 

 numerous near the Kow Plains homestead. 



Coracina robusta. Black-faced Cuckoo-Shrike. — Occasionally seen at Kow 

 Plains and at Ouyen. 



Cinclosoma castanonotum. Chestnut-backed Ground-Bird. — This species 

 was met with in all parts of the Mallee, but we found it very hard to locate 

 their nests. 



Drymaoedus brunneipygius. Scrub-Robin.— One of the objects of our trip 

 was to obtain eggs of this scarce species, and we were fortunate in taking 

 two clutches. Sometimes we found these birds in the open mallee timber, 

 and at other times in dense thickets of acacia and turpentine-bush. We 

 usually found that each pair was isolated from its nearest neighbours, and 

 always had to approach with great caution to observe them. When, 

 however, the nest was approached they would run all around us, but always 

 took good care to keep away from their nests. They were very local, and 

 sometimes we found three or four of the previous season's nests within short 

 range of the new one. The nest was usually placed upon the ground at the 

 base of a tree, or near a fallen log, but occasionally it was found built 

 several inches off the ground on a heap of debris. One old nest seen was 

 built on the top of the trunk of a fallen Murray pine. The nest is easily 

 distinguished from that of other ground birds by the thick twigs arranged 

 around the outside. The interiors of the nests examined were lined with fine 

 twigs and rootlets, upon which the single ^g-g was laid. The principal note 



* This is a new record for Victoria. Has tlie bird been critically compared with 

 the Western form ? — Eds. 



