Vol. XII. 



1913 



Hill, Ornithological Notes, Barclay Expedition. 201 



proximity to termites' nests, but a reliable ornithologist informed 

 me that he found several nests near Pine Creek in the grass, and that 

 he had not noticed any partiality on the part of these Finches for 

 termites' nests. 



Measurements of bird collected at Borroloola, 21/11/11 : — 



Total length. Wing. Tarsus. Bill. Tail. 



<S ■ ■ 133 •• 58 .. 15 •• 10.5 .. 54 



Irides red, feet coral pink, bill yellow. 

 Poephila gouldiae (Gouldian Finch). 



On 8th February I noticed a pair building their nest in a hollow 

 branch of a eucalyptus tree about 30 feet from the ground. These 

 were probably new arrivals in the district, and would have been 

 followed by others. However, as I was not in the locality again, I 

 was unable to make further observations. 



Neochmia phaeton (Crimson Finch). 



Generally found in tall grass near the river. The nests are built 

 of bark and broad leaves of grass, lined with feathers and portions of 

 grass-seeds, usually placed in forks or under loose pieces of bark 

 from 8 to 20 feet from the ground. 



Oriolus affinis (Northern Oriole). 



Uncommon. 

 Chlamydodera nuchalis (Great Bower-Bird). 



A fairly common bird in all localities. The bowers are generally 

 built under or near isolated shady trees or bushes, and are made more 

 conspicuous by the piles of bleached land-shells at each end of them. 

 January and February appear to be the nesting months. 



Corvus coronoides (Crow). 

 Fairly numerous. 

 Measurements of bird collected 20/11 /ii : — 



Total length. Wing. Tarsus. Bill. Tail. 



357 •■ 315 •• 61 .. 56 .. 189 

 Irides umber, feet and bill black. 

 Crop contents — seeds and Coleoptera (beetles). 



Sir Edward Pellew Islands. 



North Island differs but little in its geological formation, flora, 

 and avifauna from the sandstone ranges in the vicinity of Borro- 

 loola. An abundant supply of fresh w^ater is to be found in a 

 small marshy flat at the head of Cabbage-tree Cove, and plenty of 

 cover in the mangroves fringing the coast and in the dense Acacia 

 and Grevillea scrub on the higher ground, where one might expect 

 to find birds in evidence ; but, excepting certain species, we saw 

 few during our brief visit. The following species were identified 

 (i8th October) : — Stigmatops ocularis, Glycyphila fasciata, Philemon 

 sordidus, Ptilotis sonora, Micrceca flavivenlris, Eiirystomus pacificus, 

 Geopelia humeralis, Geopelia placida, Coracina robusla, Ptistes 

 erythroplerus, Sticloptera anniilosa, Stictoptera bichenovii, Myiagra 

 concinna, Piezorhynchus nitidus, Megalitrits galactotes, Tnrnix, sp., 

 Citculiis inornatus, Dacelo cervina, Pandion leitcocephalus, Ardea 



