Vol. XII. 

 1913 



1 White, Field Ornithology in South Aitslralia. 265 



were seldom seen, for they are very shy. We found one of their 

 cup-shaped nests placed in a low bush, close to the ground. It 

 contained two eggs. The ground colour of the shells was pinkish- 

 white, with small spots of dark red, markings predominating on 

 the larger end, almost forming a zone. The nest was composed 

 of grass and leaves and hned with flower-heads. (This lining of 

 flower-heads is characteristic of G. melanops.) The deep cooing 

 of a Bronze-Pigeon (Phaps) was heard, but we did not procure 

 a specimen of the bird, and were not sure of its identity. We met 

 with the Kangaroo Island Striated Tit {Acanthiza whitei, Mathews, 

 Austral Avian Record, vol. i., part 2, p. 44) in fair numbers. 

 These birds kept to the big timber, and travelled about in 

 small parties of from two or three to a dozen. We came 

 upon the shy Kangaroo Island Grass-Wren {Hylacola halmatiirina, 

 Mathews, " Reference-hst," p. i2>i)- They were not nearly so 

 plentiful on the north side of the island as we afterwards found 

 them to be on the south side. The most numerous of all species 

 on the island was the Kangaroo Island Brown Tit {Acanthiza 

 zietzi. North). We found this useful httle bird in all localities, 

 hopping about mostly in the undergrowth, uttering a twittering- 

 like note as it invaded nooks and corners for spiders and insects. 

 Early one morning, mounted on draught horses, we made a start 

 for the celebrated " Tin Hut," which is situated in the centre of 

 the island. Having led our horses up the steep and rocky 

 mountain side, we struck and crossed some yacca country, in 

 places covered thickly with bull-oak. The country was dreary 

 and poor. Few birds were seen or heard. About mid-day we 

 came to Starvation Creek — a fair-sized stream fringed on either 

 bank with bright-green rushes and thick undergrowth. Here the 

 birds were more plentiful : the sharp, piercing notes of the New 

 Holland Honey-eater and Kangaroo Island Cx'escent Honey-eater 

 could be heard all along the creek. The bed of the creek was 

 treacherous, and we followed its course for several miles in search 

 of a crossing. When we halted for a late meal rain set in, and 

 we decided to return to the coast. Just after turning north we came 

 upon a small party of Black Cockatoos {€ alyptorhynchus whitecs). 

 These quaint birds occupied our attention for some little time. 

 When we resumed our journey I di'ew the guide's attention to the 

 fact that he was heading nearly west, instead of north-east. The 

 sky was overcast, and a light rain falling. The guide was sure 

 that he knew the lay of the country, so I let him go his own way. 

 All the afternoon we forced a passage through the thick scrub, 

 which tore our clothing and made travelling anything but 

 pleasant. Towards dark we entered deep gullies and high stony 

 hills, steep, and covered with timber. The guide now admitted 

 that he had made a mistake, and that we would be approaching 

 the coast a long way to the west of where we wished to come out. 

 We were obliged to dismount and lead our horses. It was with 

 the greatest difficulty that the animals followed us down almost 

 perpendicular hillsides, among shifting stones, and scrambled up 



