128 White, Field Onri'hology in South Australia. [,sf"oct 



tobacco plant {Nicotiana glauca), and among the yellow flowers 

 observed a number of Plumed Honey-eaters {Piiloiis plumula).* 

 Their flight was swift but irregular — a series of spasmodic darts. 



At the entrance to one of the gorges we met with a party of 

 Adelaide Parrakeets (Platycercus adelaidce-)A They were among 

 the large gums on the banks of the creek, and the stomachs of 

 specimens secured contained great quantities of gum seeds. This 

 was a furthest north record, I considered, for the species, and the 

 plumage of the birds appeared to be many shades lighter than 

 that of specimens observed in the Mount Lofty Ranges. Their 

 notes and habits, as far as we could see, were identical with those 

 of birds found further south. They did not appear to be at all 

 plentiful. On the other hand, we met with great numbers of 

 the Barnard Parrakeet {Bar nar dins harnardi).^ We first saw them 

 on the foothills of the range, along the creeks, where they emptied 

 out upon the plain — just an odd pair or two ; but on our ad- 

 vancing into the range they became more and more plentiful. 

 We often surprised a small party feeding upon the ground. They 

 would rise with much fuss, but, up to the time of alarming them, 

 there was no intimation of their presence. Where the introduced 

 tobacco plant [Nicotiana glauca) flourished, its seeds seemed to 

 form their chief food. Amidst the thick bush that grew on the 

 sides of the hills the Rufous-breasted Thickhead {Pachvcephala 

 rufiventris) was fairly plentiful. The White-throated Thickhead 

 (P. gutturalis) § was also seen occasionally. One bird, which I 

 thought, from a distance, had an unusually broad pectoral band, 

 led me a great chase, moving from one locality to another. At 

 last it flew to the far side of a deep ravine, where it was safe. 



About two or three miles from our camp was a steep, round- 

 topped hill, its crown and part of the western side covered in 

 spinifex. Lower down a small shrub (salt-bush) grew thickly, and 

 among this were two very interesting birds. One was the Red- 

 throat {Sericornis brunnea). It was very shy. and once lost 

 in the low bush hard to see again. When not alarmed or 

 suspicious of danger their movements were quick, but elegant. 

 They passed over open spaces between the bushes very much 

 after the manner of Blue Wrens, often carrying their tails 

 erect. The male would often mount to the top of a bush and 

 pour forth a short but pleasing song. At the breaking of a twig 

 or the sight of an enemy they were off in a flash, passing along 

 the ground like mice from bush to bush. But, despite this 

 timidity, their curiosity was at times stronger, and they could 

 invariably be called out of hiding by our imitating the feeble call 

 of a wounded bird. They seemed to be fairly plentiful on the 

 sides of the ranges, about 400 to 500 feet, but we did not meet 

 with them out on the salt and blue-bush plains. The other bird 



* P. ethelce, Mathews' " Reference-List," p. 410. 



] P. sub-adelaidce, Mathews' "Reference-List," p. 270. 



I P. whitei, Mathews' "Reference-List," p. 273. 



§ ? P. meridioualis, North. — Eds. 



