Vol. X. 

 1911 



\ Hill, Field Notes on Birds of Kimherley, N.-W. Ausl; 281 



Broome I5ay, where they take the place of C. britniica (Brown Shrike-Thrush) 

 of the open forest country. They are extremely shy, and difficult to approach 

 in this rugged country, as they fly and hop from rock to rock, exposing them- 

 selves only for an instant before concealing themselves in crevices or under 

 overhanging ledges. The notes are very strong and clear, and when uttered 

 amidst such surroundings the two quickly repeated whistles are multiplied 

 by many echoes, producing an effect that is not equalled by any bird in the 

 north-west. I feel sure that this species is a resident one, although I saw- 

 it very occasionally, and never twice in the same locality. 



Grallina picata (Magpie-Lark). 



I saw a few pairs at l''arry Harbour on i6/ii/og. but it was not until 

 30/4/10 that the first pair arrived at the station. During the few weeks 

 following many small parties of six or eight arrived. 



CracticUS PICATUS (Pied Butcher-Bird). 



P'airly numerous. Late clutches of two and three eggs were taken on 

 30,10/09 from nests built about 20 feet from the ground in small eucalypt 

 trees. The nests are built of strong twigs, followed by a layer of wire-like 

 creeper, and lined with grass. Examination of crop contents proved that 

 these birds live almost entirely on caterpillars and locusts. 



Dimensions of nests in inches : — Outside — length, 8 ; breadth, 7 ; depth, 5. 

 Inside— length, 3.2 ; breadth, 3.2 ; depth, 2.2. 



Measurements of birds in mm. : — 



Falcunculus whitei (Yellow Shrike-Tit). 



(Campbell, Emii^ vol. x., p. 167.) 



My first introduction to this species was on 31/12/09, when I saw a pair 

 near the Mission Station. Feeling certain that they were of a new species, 

 I devoted a good deal of time during the next month to watching their 

 movements, but at the outset it was evident that they did not intend nesting, 

 for each time I saw them they were travelling slowly towards the south-east 

 and getting further from my camp, so I decided to shoot them on the first 

 opportunity — which did not occur until 5/3/10, when I secured both birds. 

 I saw no more until 9/6/10, when I noticed another pair in some lightly- 

 timbered country 1 1 miles south-east of Napier Broome Bay. This pair 

 appeared to be nesting, but as our party was returning after a long trip on 

 short rations, a brief search only could be made, which failed to reveal the 

 nest. In their habits they closely resemble F. frontatus^ though they are 

 more difficult to locate on account of their subdued notes. 



Measurements of birds in mm. : — 



Total length. Wing. Tarsus. Hill. Tail. 



S ... 154 ... 78 ... 22 ... 16.5... 62 



$ ... 155 ... 76 ... 20 ... 15 ... 59 



Oreoica CRIS'IATA (Bell-Bird). 



One pair only was seen, 12 miles south-east of Napier Broome Bay. 



Pachycephala melanura (Black-tailed Thickhead). 



Were found in the mangroves only, where they were uncommon. 



