Vol. XII. 

 1913 



1 Hill, Ornithological Notes, Barclay Expedition. 253 



Eupodotis australis (Bustard). 



Arrived a few days after the first flight of locusts (Locusta danica) 

 in December, and remained until the end of January. 



Ibis molucca (White Ibis). 



Fairly numerous. In the dry season they are generally found in 

 the mangroves, where they find abundance of food in the form of 

 small crabs and shell-fish. 



Carphibis spinicollis (Straw-necked Ibis). 



Several large flocks were seen on ist October. 



Platalea regia (Black-billed Spoonbill). 



Numerous near the river and swamps. These and other birds are 

 said to go to some swamps south-east of the M'Arthur River for the 

 nesting season. 



Platibis flavipes (Yellow-billed Spoonbill). 



Somewhat scarce. 



Xenorhynchus asiaticus (Black-necked Stork, or Jabiru). 



These very handsome birds were occasionally seen on the saline 

 plains and banks of the lower M'Arthur River. Young birds, about 

 three-parts grown, were seen in October. On i8th February a native 

 brought me two eggs from the same locality. 



Measurements of eggs : — (a) 89 x 61, (6) 89 x 61. 



Ardea sumatrana (Great-billed Heron). 



These solitary birds inhabit the densest mangrove .scrub and 

 sheltered inlets on the lower river and islands. 



Mesophoyx plumifera (Plumed Egret). 



Numerous. 

 Herodias timoriensis (White Egret). 



Numerous. 



Notophoyx novae-hollandiaB (White-fronted Heron). 



Fairly numerous. Eggs, in advanced state of incubation, were 

 taken on 30th December from a nest placed in the topmost branches 

 of a dead eucalyptus tree. 



Notophoyx pacifica (White-necked Heron). 



Uncommon. 



Notophoyx aruensis (Allied Egret). 



One pair visited a small lagoon near our camp regularly for a few 

 weeks in January. The natives say that these birds are rarely seen. 



Butorides stagnatilis (Thick-billed Bittern). 



Not uncommon in the mangroves. 



Anseranas semipalmata (Pied Goose). 



The first arrivals appeared near our camp on 20th January, and 

 remained about the submerged grass country until we left the 

 district. Large flocks were seen flying south-east towards the latter 

 part of the month. According to the natives, looped tracheae are 

 frequently seen in these Geese. I examined about 10 specimens, 

 only one of which (an old male) showed this form of trachea. In 



