aS Barnard, Norihern Territory Birds. [^^^ 



Emu 



July 



Pachycephala melanura (P. pectoralis violetce). — Were found in the 

 brush and mangroves along the river banks ; they did not appear to 

 be common. 



Pachycephala pallida (Lewinornis rufiventris pallidus). — This bird 

 was plentiful in all localities, and, after the rains, bred freely. 

 Several nests contained the unusual number of four eggs. 



Neositta leucoptera (N . pileata subleucoptera). — Seen in small flocks 

 both on the table-land and on the M'Arthur. Nests were found in 

 coolibah and stringybark trees. Two or three eggs formed a clutch. 



Cllmacteris melanura {Whitlocka m. alexandrce). — These birds were 

 common on the coastal rivers, and were generally in pairs ; at odd 

 times three birds were seen together. A number of nests was found. 

 A hollow spout formed the nesting site, and two eggs formed a clutch. 



Plcseum hirundinaceum {AustrodiccBum h. tormenti). — A common 

 bird in most localities about the M'Arthur. It was very often seen 

 feeding in the mistletoe, which is very plentiful in that locality. 

 Several nests suspended from twigs at the top of tall stringybark 

 saplings were found. 



Pardalotus uropygialis (P. melanocephalus uropygialis).— Common 

 birds in the sandy country, where they were busy drilling holes in 

 sandy banks during the winter months. 



Melithreptus laetior (M. gularis Icsiior). — This handsome Honey- 

 eater was frequently seen in the tall stringybark timber, and its cheerful 

 ringing notes were often heard. A sharp look-out was kept for nests, 

 but without success. 



Melithreptus albogularis (M. lunatus albogularis). — Common in the 

 flowering mistletoes and Grevilleas. 



Myzomela pectoralis {Cissomela p. pectoralis).— These birds were 

 often seen in the flowering trees, and their tiny nests were found in 

 a patch of narrow-leaved tea- tree. 



Myzomela obscura {Melomyza o. obscura). — These little birds were 

 uncommon, and were only seen about the flowering tea- tree. 



Glyciphila fasciata (Ramsayornis f. fasciatus). — A very common 

 bird. The bulky nests, composed of strips of melaleuca bark, were 

 frequently seen hanging from the end of a bough, very often over 

 water. On some occasions, however, they were seen a considerable 

 distance from water. The eggs of the Brush-Cuckoo (Cacomantis 

 vnriolosus) (C. pyrrophanus dumetorum) were often found in their 

 nests. 



Entomophila picta (E. p. borealis). — A Honey-eater closely re- 

 sembling the southern Painted Honey-eater was found at M'Arthur 

 Station, on the M'Arthur River. It was feeding on the flowers of 

 the bauhinia trees which grew on the black-soil fiats. From skins 

 forwarded to Mr. H. L. White, of Belltrees, it was found to be new, 

 and the nam.e of Entomophila picta borealis was suggested by that 

 gentleman. The birds were found at M'Arthur Station, and were 

 not seen elsewhere. 



Conopophila rufogularis (C. r. queenslandica). — Very common birds. 

 They bred freely when the rains fell at the end of 191 3 and the 

 beginning of 19 14. They were very pugnacious during the breeding 

 season, and often attacked each other very savagely. They wei-e 



