Vol. XII 

 1912 



1 Wilson, Oologists in the Mallee. 37 



Gregory Mathews has lately applied the specific name of A. striatus howei, 

 was always associated with the foregoing species, and, although considerably 

 larger, was almost as difficult a bird to obtain. Being of an extremely shy 

 nature, and possessed of great running powers, it soon disappears from 

 sight amongst the tussocks. It is, however, very curious, and on hearing a 

 strange noise cautiously mounts some spot of vantage to find out from 

 whence it comes. We obtained several skins, and were also fortunate in 

 finding two nests containing eggs. The nest, although well hidden, is 

 usually visible from the outside of the tussock, but occasionally nests were 

 found in the centre. 



Artamus superciliosus. White-browed Wood-Swallow. — Frequently seen 

 around Ouyen and the Kow Plains district. 



Artamus tenebrosus. Sordid Wood-Swallow.— A large flock, flying very 

 high, of this species was seen at Kow Plains. 



Collyriocichla harmonica. Harmonious Shrike-Thrush. — Was common 

 throughout the country traversed, and one nest containing eggs was found 

 in a discarded Babbler's nest. 



Grallina picata. Magpie-Lark. — This bird is rare in the Mallee parts 

 visited, being only noted on one occasion. 



Gymnorhina tibicen. Black-backed Magpie. — In the open country at 

 Ouyen and Kow Plains many nests of these birds were observed. 



Cracticus destructor. Butcher-Bird. — Many nests of this species in course 

 of construction, and one or two containing eggs, were located. 



Oreoica cristata. Crested Bell-Bird. —These quaint birds were met with 

 frequently in all the country traversed, and their curious caterpillar-decorated 

 nests often seen. Where a nest was placed in a tea-tree bush, there were 

 invariably found the remains of three or four previous nests. One nest 

 found was built in the hollow spout of a stump. The ventriloquial power 

 this bird possesses is indeed wonderful, and often very confusing to the 

 uninitiated. 



Pachycephala meridionalis. Mallee Thickhead.— This Thickhead, which 

 Mr. A. J. North described, frequented a densely scrubbed sand-hill, 

 south of Kow Plains, where it associated with the Red-thi-oated species, 

 P. gilberti. Although possessing the same habits and calls as P.pectoralis, 

 its nest is somewhat difterently constructed, being beautifully decorated 

 with green lichen. The nests found were all placed in thick growths of the 

 parasitical dodder, and were lined with the fine needles of a species of 

 casuarina growing close by. 



Pachycephala ruQventris. Rufous Thickhead. — A few specimens of this 

 species were seen near Kow Plains. 



Pachycephala gilberti. Red-throated Thickhead. — Was met with in most 

 parts of the country visited, but was particularly plentiful south of Kow 

 Plains. Curiously enough, every nest found was built upon the top of a 

 Babbler's old nest. The nests were very deep, and lined with fine rootlets 

 and casuarina needles. 



Aphelocephala leucopsis. Whiteface. — Common throughout the country 

 visited. 



Neositta pileata. Black-capped Tree-runner. — A few birds of this species 

 were sometimes seen around our camp. 



Climacteris picumna. Brown Tree-creeper. — This Tree-creeper, which is 

 slightly larger in the bill than the southern birds, was frequently met with in 

 the open country, and their nests were occasionally found. The eggs (two) of 

 one clutch secured are remarkable on account of their size, being half as 

 large again as those usually met with. 



