1875. ] BIRDS FROM QUEENSLAND. 599 
Seldom more than one adult male is found to every quarter of a 
square mile of scrub ; and so little do they wander about, that. it 
was customary for me to return to the same locality day after day 
until I had shot the bird, being quite sure of hearing him calling if 
he had not been destroyed in the mean time. These old males are 
usually solitary ; but two or more occasionally meet in some favourite 
feeding-tree, when a fight is sure to ensue; for, although closely 
resembling the Climacteris in their actions, they differ in this re- 
spect, that they may occasionally be found feeding on the fruit of 
the native tamarind (Temarindus australis). 
The natives informed me that the Rifle-bird lays its eggs, which 
are white, in the hollow branch of a tree without making any nest 
whatever—which is not improbable. 
150. Pritoruis VICTORLE. 
The great stronghold of this species is the Bernard Islands north- 
east of Cardwell, a short distance from the coast. It is at times 
found on Hinchenbrook Islands, seldom on Gould and Dunk Islands, 
‘but not unfrequently in the dense scrubs clothing the coast-range 
near Cardwell. Once only did I meet with it on the Herbert river. 
Their note and habits closely resemble those of P. paradisea. 
They were in full moult during the time of my visit, February and 
and March, and did not regain their livery until May. 
151. CLiMACTERIS SCANDENS. 
Not scarce in the open forest-land on the banks of the Upper 
Herbert river. 
- 152. CLIMACTERIS LEUCOPH ZA. 
Met with on one or two occasions on the margins of scrubs on the 
Herbert river &c. 
153. OrrHonyx spaLpinai, Ramsay, P. Z.S. 1868, p. 386. 
In habits and actions this fine species closely assimilates to O. spini- 
cauda, but is far more retiring and shy, much more noisy, and may 
be heard more frequently than seen. The young attains the adult 
plumage after the first moult, which takes place about December. 
They breed in September and October; and I believe the young then 
hatched moult in February and March, judging from a very fine 
series of skins I then procured. 
This species has the habit of scratching up the dead leaves, and 
throwing the débris far behind it, after the manner of the ‘“ Scrub- 
hens” (Megapodius tumulus). Its powers of mimicry are very great; 
and, like the Lyre-birds, it seems capable of imitating almost any 
sound. ‘These birds are not only rare, but at all times very difficult 
to obtain, and appear to be confined to the thickly timbered scrubs 
on the steep and rugged sides of the coast-range near Cardwell. 
154. Srrrenya striata, Gould, Suppl. B. Aust. pl. 54. 
I mentioned this species as the young of S. /eucoptera in P. Z.S, 
