Vol. X. 

 igi 1 



1 Hill, Field Notes on Birds of Kimbcvley, N.-W . Aust. 279 



their presence would be two sharp notes and the rustling of dry leaves as the 

 birds crept through the matted grass down to the ground. An attempt to 

 flush the bird from its hiding-place would bring all hope of further observa- 

 tions to an end, but, if absolute stillness were maintained for perhaps fifteen 

 minutes, the rustling would be renewed, and presently the bird would appear 

 for an instant, utter its pleasing notes once more, and again disappear from 

 sight, leaving only the sound of its movements in the grass to warn the 

 watcher of its approach. After a few re-appearances in this manner its 

 curiosity would get the better of its judgment, and it would hop and flutter 

 to a higher position in the grass, survey the intruder for a moment at short 

 range, and then finally disappear. The unattached birds do not remain 

 within such a limited area, and show far less desire to conceal themselves. 

 It struck me as a remarkable fact that these unattached birds were nearly 

 always found in company with one or two Grass-Warblers [Cisiicola cxilis). 

 Neither species confines itself to open grass flats, for I have frequently 

 watched them, both separately and in company, feeding on the ground 

 amongst ferns growing in the densest patches of forest, where the light was 

 so dull that it was not easy to follow their movements. After spending so 

 much time, and suffering not a little from mosquitoes, in this swampy locality, 

 I was disappointed to find that the Grass-Birds {Meo^alurus) had all left the 

 district about 17th November. A few days later the last of the Grass- 

 Warblers {Cisiicola) had gone also. On 13th May the first Mcgalitrus 

 returned with their young, and were followed by the Cisiicola one month 

 later. The latter were numerous near Cape Bougainville and on Hecla 

 Island in November, December, and February. 

 Measurements of birds in mm. : — 



Total length. Wing. Tarsus. Bill. Tail. 



S ... 179 ••• 56 ... 21.5... 13 ... 75 



Malurus cruentatus (Red-backed Wren). 



A common species on the level sandy country. A few late nests were 

 found in November and December in tussock and spinifex grass near creeks 

 and soaks. A nest, from which three eggs were taken on 3/12/09, was built 

 of grass, bark, and spider web, and lined with fine grass and rootlets, 12 

 inches from the ground, in tussock grass. Another nest, from which three 

 eggs were taken on 11/ 12/09, was built of cajaput bark and grass, without 

 lining, 18 inches from the ground, in tussock grass. 



Measurements of birds in mm. : — 



Imm. 



Malurus dulcis (Lavender-flanked Wren). 



A description of the nest and eggs and field notes on this beautiful bird 

 appeared in TIic Eviu^ vol. x., p. 133. 



