Emu 



266 Jackson, In the Barron River Valley, N.Q. [ist^j 



the solitary occupant's performance, we noticed that this artist 

 in mimicry had an unusual range of programme. One after 

 another he gave us the notes of the Magpie, Pied Grallina 

 {Grallina picatd), Jardine Caterpillar-eater, the Stalker Fig- 

 Bird, Coachwhip-Bird, and all others which we had heard at the 

 various play-grounds. Quite close to this spot we found a nest 

 only just out of hand's reach which, on examination, proved to 

 be that of the Spotted Cat-Bird, and to contain two eggs. It 

 is distinctly noticeable that these birds seem to fancy the 

 neighbourhood of the Tooth-billed Bower-Bird's bower for a 

 nesting-place ; in fact, they seem to be first cousins. 



Litsea dealbata, the tree from which the leaves are taken 

 which I have frequently referred to as being usually selected by 

 the Tooth-bills for their play-grounds, belongs to the order 

 known in botany as Laiirinece. 



I noticed that the Spotted Cat-Bird utters three distinct kinds 

 of notes, and one of these is a sound only occasionally given 

 and resembling almost a faint sneeze, thus — " Pit-pit-pit;" but the 

 most common cry of the three is very like their native name — 

 " Chigua-ah." The third cry, which is a longer one, I have 

 already referred to. 



In this scrub a great majority of the play-grounds of the 

 Tooth-billed Bower-Bird was in a state of neglect and disorder, 

 yet out of several of those occupied and examined I collected 

 13 different species of scrub leaves, which conclusively proves 

 that these birds do not select one or even two or three classes 

 of leaves for decorative purposes. My first assumption, therefore, 

 in this matter was incorrect. Patient research removes 

 erroneous impressions. I must not forget to state, though, that 

 the leaves of Litsea dealbata figured commonly in each play- 

 ground I visited. In the illustration (Plate XXIII.) of one of 

 these play-grounds, these latter leaves (which are, of course, 

 reversed, and look very white) are well represented. One other 

 point I noticed here was the presence of many broken scrub- 

 snail shells [Helix) close to the play-grounds. Amongst other 

 birds noticed were PiezorJiynchus goiildi, Arses kaupi, and 

 MonarcJia melanopsis. In addition to these a beautiful and 

 uncommon denizen of this lovely scrub was shown to me by Mr. 

 Bevan, who had just shot it. It was one of the opossum tribe, 

 called by the aborigines " Tula " — a pretty name for a pretty 

 creature. It had short ears, which had a bitten-off appearance, 

 with a patch of white behind each ; the fur was long, thick, and 

 soft, and of a yellowish-green, thus resembling the moss-covered 

 bark of the scrub trees upon which it lives. It usually sleeps in 

 clumps of ferns, &c., in the trees, and its food consists of tender 

 scrub-tree leaves and flowers. 



On returning to Atherton I had the pleasure of meeting the 

 venerable Mr. Palmer, who in 1869 discovered the great gold- 



