44 Barnard, Northern Territory Birds. P ?"|", 



caves and under ledges on the cliffs. Eggs were taken in the latter 

 end of December, 191 3- 



Mlcroeca pallida (M. fascinans pallida). — This little bird was common 

 in the forest country, and many nests were seen. A set of four eggs 

 was taken from one nest ; these were evidently laid by one bird, as 

 there was only one pair of birds at the nest. 



Mlcroeca flavigaster {Kempia f. flavigaster). — A few birds were seen 

 along the river, and one nest, containing a single egg, heavily in- 

 cubated, was found. 



Melanodryas picata (M. cucullata suhpicatd). — Met with in forest 

 country, and nearly always in pairs. Their pretty nests were placed 

 securely in the forks of the tea-tree. An unusual set of three eggs 

 was taken from one nest. 



Smicrornis flavescens (5. brevirostris flavescens). — These little birds 

 were plentiful in the brush, where they searched the leaves for 

 insects. Many nests were found during the winter months, A 

 Smicrornis slightl}' larger and brighter in the colouring was obtained 

 on the table-land, and is distinguished by Mr. Mathews as S. b. sub- 

 flavescens ; this bird was not seen off the table-land. 



Gerygone albogularis {G. olivacea flavigasta ?). — Found only along 

 the river and creeks, but nowhere plentiful. They were noted 

 as the foster-parent of the Little Bronze-Cuckoo (Chalcococcyx 

 minutillus') (Lamprococcyx m. minutilhis). 



Poecilodryas cerviniventris (P. superciliosa cerviniventris). — Com- 

 mon along the water-courses and in the brush growing at the foot 

 of the sandstone bluffs. Many nests were found, each containing 

 a pair of eggs or young. 



Rhlpidura albiscapa (?) {R flabellifera buchanani). — These birds were 

 fairly common, and many of their curious tailed nests were found. 



Rhipidura dryas (Howeavis rufifrons dryas). — Only odd birds were 

 seen, in October ; they appeared to be making their way south, and 

 did not remain to breed on the M'Arthur River. 



Rhlpidura motacilloides (Leucocirca tricolor picata). — These well- 

 known birds were common, but, unlike their southern representatives, 

 they do not breed in company with the Grallina ; they prefer the 

 sheltering edges of the sandstone bluffs. They were noted as the 

 foster-parent of Cacomantis variolosus (C. pyrrophanus dumetorum). 



Seisura nana (5. inquieta nea). — Uncommon ; found breeding in 

 the tea-tree country, generally at a good distance from water. 



Mylagra conclnna (M. rubecula concinna). — Uncommon ; seen about 

 tea-tree localities, where they breed. 



Graucalus melanops (Coracina novcshollandice subpallida). — A 

 common bird about the river-fiats, where it breeds in the Qpolibah 

 and bloodwood eucalypts. 



Graucalus hypoleucus {Coracina h. hypoleuca). — Fairly plentiful ; 

 were breeding in December. 



Campepbaga humeralls {Lalage tricolor indistincta). — Common. 

 These birds do not leave the M'Arthur during the winter, but the 

 males assume the sombre plumage of the females and young, and 

 do not regain their black and white coats before October, when they 

 commence to breed. 



