256 Hill, Ornithological Notes, Bayclay Expedition. [i.sf'A'ril 



Dacelo leachi (Leach Kingfisher). 



Uncommon. Found in the open iorest with H. pyrvhopygius and 

 Dacelo cervina. 



Dacelo cervina (Fawn-breasted Kingfisher). 



Uncommon. 

 Halcyon pyrrhopygius (Red-backed Kingfisher). 



Uncommon. Found in the open forest country. 

 Halcyon macleayi (Forest Kingfisher). 



A very uncommon species ; seen at Mingara Lagoon. 

 Eurostopus argus (Spotted Nightjar"). 



Fairly numerous on the scrub-covered, stony ridges. A single egg 

 is laid on the stony ground ; no nest is formed. I frequently heard 

 the peculiar calls of these birds on the overland trip, but I did not 

 see any birds until we reached the M'Arthur River district. The 

 food consists principally of night-flying Coleopteva. 



Measurements of an egg taken 29/12/1T : — 33.5 x 23.5. 



Cuculus inornatus (Pallid Cuckoo). 



A few birds were seen near Borroloola on 28th January. 



Eudynamis cyanocephala (Koel). 



On 2nd February I took an egg of this species from a nest of 

 Coracina robusta containing two eggs. Measurements of egg : — 

 34.5 X 22.0. 



Scythrops novse-hollandiae (Channelbill). 



Very uncommon ; seen in December, January, and February. The 

 fruit of the wild fig is eaten readily by Scythrops, Chlamydodera 

 nuchalis, Eudynamis , and Tropidorhynchus argenticeps. 



Centropus phasianus (Spur-footed Cuckoo). 



A common species in the coarse grass near the river and creeks. 

 Two sets of eggs, each containing three, were taken on 29th December 

 and 23rd February, and a set of four eggs on 25th January. All 

 three were open nests, built of leafy eucalyptus twigs, lined with 

 detached eucalyptus leaves, and situated in large tussocks of grass, 

 about 18 inches from the ground Their food consists of grass 

 seeds and insects (principally Coleoptera). Several specimens 

 examined were free from external parasites. 



Pitta iris (Rainbow Pitta). 



On 24th January a native brought in an egg that appeared to be 

 referable to this species. On 30th January the same boy brought 

 in two sets (two fresh eggs in each) of the same kind, telling me at 

 the same time that he found the eggs in grass nests, built on the 

 ground near tussocks of grass. Beyond learning that the eggs were 

 laid bv " Chookie-chookies," I could get no further information from 

 him. 

 Micrceca assimilis (?) (Lesser Brown Flycatcher). 



Uncommon. Several nests containing young birds were found 

 in September. 

 Gerygone albigularis fWhite-throated Fly-eater). 



Very uncommon. 



