112 Mr. G. M. Mathews on the 



85. Platycercus venustus venustus. Smutty Parrot. 

 Psittacus venustus Kuhl^ Nov. Act. Phys. Acad. Leop.- 



Carol. vol. s. 18.20, p. 52 : Arnhem Land. 



These Parrots are very numerous, and can be seen in small 

 flocks or in pairs, and are . scattered through the forest- 

 country. They are very tame. They were rare on the 

 north side. In February they were seen feeding in the 

 mangroves, but they usually obtain their nourishment from 

 grass seeds on the ground. They are non-migratory. 



86. Podargus strigoides melvillensls. INIelville - Island 

 Frogmouth. 



Vodargus strigoides nielvillensis Mathews, Austral Av. 

 Pvec. vol. i. 1912, p. 37 : Melville Island. 



Fairly numerous, except on the north side of the Island. 

 In November they had half-grown young. Their moaning 

 call was heard nearly every night. If shot in the early 

 morning, their stomachs were found stuffed full of food, but 

 in the evening contained only a few wing-cases of beetles. 



87. ^gotheles cristata leucogaster. White-bellied Owlet 

 Nightjar. 



JEgotheles leucogaster Gould, Proc. Zool. Soc. 18i4, 

 p. 106 : . Port Essington. 



This species is occasionally heard during the daytime on 

 dull rainy days. The day call is loud and harsh. At night 

 the call is squeaky. It is more numerous on the north 

 side. When lodged in the big trees during the day it is 

 hard to flush. In the north-west Mr. Rogers usually found 

 them in small hollow trees, and could easily dislodge them 

 by tapping the outside of the tree. 



88. Eurystomus orientalis bravi. Western Roller. 

 Eurystomus orientalis bravi Mathews, Nov. Zool. vol. xviii. 



1912, p. 285 : Parry's Creek, North-west Australia. 



The first one was seen on the 16th of October and 

 another on the 10th of November. These were the only 

 two observed. 



