^"'ig^J"'] Whitlock, Birds on the Pilbarra Gold-field. I93 



situation of the nest varied from a height of 2 feet to about 8 feet. A 

 favourite position was the fork of a snake-wood bush. Here the Httle 

 circular, but for all that woven, platform is placed, and one can only wonder 

 how the eggs do not fall out during the prevalence of a strong wind. 

 Like that of G. /tumem/is, the female is a close sitter. 



Flock-Pigeon i^Histriophaps histrionicd). — I only met with this species 

 at the big clay-pan on the de Grey plains, where they came to drink 

 morning and evening. They were uncommon, and either came singly or 

 in pairs. They fly low, and I could not follow the return flight with the eye 

 very far. I could not, therefore, form much idea where they were breeding. 

 I secured a pair. The female, however, was in such poor plumage that I 

 did not skin her, and the male I obtained had an old wound on the shoulder 

 of his wing, probably through colliding with the neighbouring" telegraph 

 line. 



Red Plumed-Pigeon i^Lophophaps fermglned). — This curious bird I 

 found most common on the upper Coongan. It favours rocky places, but 

 requires permanent water near at hand. Prior to the breeding season it was 

 in little parties of six or seven. In habits and flight it reminds one 

 irresistibly of the European Grey Partridge. It runs nimbly, and will skulk 

 in the same manner as the latter species, almost allowing itself to be trodden 

 upon before rising. Its call note is a deep, guttural "c66-r-r-r." 



The nests are more often found by accident than design. It will breed 

 anywhere amongst the spinifex, and generally at a little distance from the 

 water. I was only fortunate enough to find one. The locality was a huge 

 flat at the foot of some stony hills, and through which a large tributary of 

 the Coongan was flowing. A little hollow had been scratched in the ground 

 where the spinifex was sparse and stunted ; this had been plentifully lined 

 with short lengths of spinifex, and on this bed the two cream-coloured eggs 

 were laid. These eggs were highly incubated, and the female sat until I 

 almost trod upon her. It is curious to note that the ground where the nest 

 was situated was of an opaline character (geologically travertin). The 

 eggs harmonized perfectly with the colour of the ground, but the ferruginous- 

 coloured parent must have been correspondingly conspicuous. Protection of 

 the eggs whilst the female is away feeding or drinking seems on the face of 

 it to be more aimed at than protection of the sitting" bird. 



Crested Pigeon {Ocyphaps lopkofes), native name Cal-cal-goa. — Only 

 met with on the lower Coongan, though it no doubt occurs on the de Grey 

 too. It was far from common, and I searched in vain amongst the cajaputs 

 for its nest. Like all Pigeons, it comes to drink at regular times. 



Little Quail {Turnix velox). — At the big clay-pan I flushed a quail or 

 two. I think they were of this species, but I could not secure one. 



Black-tailed Native-Hen {Microtribonyxventmlis).—K?,mg\t example 

 seen on the de Grey. 



Wild Turkey {Eupodotis australis) — Generally distributed over the 

 whole district. Most common on the de Grey plains, where I saw numerous 

 tracks of old birds accompanied by their young. In one instance I observed 

 the tracks of a pair of young with those of the female. 



.Stone-Plover (5;/T/2/;///,y^ra//rtr/V/i'.)-- The call notes heard, more often 

 on the great plateau between Port Hedland and the Coongan than in other 

 localities. A steward on board the s.s. SiiltMi had a pair of young ones in 

 captivity. They were caught higher up the coast, near Broome. 



Double-banded Dottrel {Ochthodromns bicinctus). — Specimens 

 obtained at Port Hedland and Condon. They were not in adult plumage. 



Oriental Dottrel {O. veredus). — A few around Condon. I shot a pair 

 and hung them up in a room of the hotel preparatory to skinning them. 

 During lunch a very small species of light-brown ant attacked them and in 



