Vol. VIII. 



1909 



] Whitlock, Birds on the Pilbnrra Goldfield. 181 



As the two specimens I shot do not agree in ioto with Gould's description, 

 I send them for inspection. 



Megalurus — Last April, at sunset, at Port Hedland, I could hear a 

 Megalurtis nX.X.&x'va'g its plaintive notes in the mangroves opposite the jetty. 

 The notes were similar to those of M. gtaminacs. 



Carter Desert-Bird {Eremiomis carieri). — This species was confined 

 to the spinifex of the upper Coongan, and was by no means common. I 

 spent a lot of time over it, and then did not get a nest, though I actually 

 saw in several instances the parent birds carry building material into a 

 clump of spinifex, and, after a short interval, come out of the same clump 

 with the beak empty. I think, had I remained a little longer in the district, 

 I should have been successful, as the species is evidently a late breeder. 

 But 1 was anxious to reach the main de Grey, which had been pictured to 

 me as a sort of ornithological " land of promise," but there the species was 

 quite absent. 



Red-breasted Babbler {Pomatorhinus rubecitlus), native name 

 Ca-cac-co. — These vivacious and noisy birds haunt the cajaput thickets of 

 both the de Grey and Coongan, and their bulky nests are conspicuous 

 objects in such localities. Often five or more nests will be seen in the same 

 tree. The trouble is which to climb to. I found the best way to solve 

 the difficulty was by patient watching — not such a pleasant matter in a 

 country swarming with tormenting bush-flies. I only obtained two clutches 

 of eggs. 



Brown Song-Lark {Cinclorhamphus cmralis). — Very rare on the 

 extensive plains of the lower de Grey and near Condon. Not observed 

 elsewhere. 



Rufous Song-Lark (C 7-ufescens). — A pair or two in one particular 

 stretch of the upper Coongan and a neighbouring tributary. 



Tri-COLOURED Chat {Ephthianura tricolor). — I found one small colony 

 of these lovely birds on a large tributary of the upper Coongan. The first 

 brood was on the wing, and I think the parents were about to produce a 

 second. 



It is probable, from what I was told by my friend the kangaroo-hunter, 

 that either E. aiirifrons or E. crocea occurs in the samphire flats about 

 5 miles out of Port Hedland. 



Varied-backed Magpie {Gyninorkina dorsa/is, Campbell). — I must 

 confess to my not being up to date in my knowledge of the distinctions 

 separating the Magpies of the eastern States from our local birds. For all 

 that, I am well acquainted with the general appearance and habits of the 

 latter. Judge of my surprise when I shot an unmistakable example of the 

 White-backed Magpie. It is perhaps worthy of remark that this specimen 

 was procured on a huge spinifex flat quite clear of the ranges. It was the 

 only one I saw. 



Long-billed Magpie {Gymnorhina lonprostris). — This was the Magpie 

 of the Coongan. It was seldom I found it far from the ranges, though it 

 also occurs too on the de Grey. I found one nest containing young, and 

 saw other young birds in captivity in the latter locality. 



This species and Cracticus picatus are the birds to herald daybreak. At 

 the first signs of dawn their rich, flute-like notes may be heard from the 

 summit of some steep hill or other point of vantage in these rugged ranges. 

 Indeed, I have several times heard both species break into song on moon- 

 light nights. It can hardly be called a common bird, but where it occurs it 

 is not likely to be overlooked. It is significant that I did not find a single 

 nest near the main river. All were in the secluded gullies of the ranges, or 

 in stunted gums growing but a short distance from the foot thereof. 



