132 On the Birds of Melville Island. 



165. Dicruropsis bracteatus baileyi. Northern Spangled 

 Drongo. 



Dicj'uropsis bracteatus baileyi Mathews, Nov. Zool. 

 vol. xviii. 1913, p. 437 : Alligator River, Northern Territory. 



The nest was cup-shaped and placed in the fork of a 

 tree, and constructed o£ fine tendrils with no lining ; 

 many cocoons were plastered on the outside. Outside 

 measurements 6 inches by 3 deep, inside 3^ by 1:^^ deep. 



Eggs. Clutch three ; whitish, with irregular-shaped spots 

 of reddish and lavender, sparsely distributed over the 

 surface, but more thickly at the larger end. Axis 30 mm., 

 diameter 20 mm. Taken October 22, 1913. 



These birds are fairly numerous in all localities, but seem 

 to prefer the open forest. They go about in pairs or small 

 parties, and feed chiefly on dragon-flies which they catch 

 very skilfully, always from below. The nests are placed in a 

 fork of a thin horizontal branch about 30 feet from the 

 ground, and were found during October and November. 

 One, taken on the 24th of November, had three young 

 almost fledged. 



166. Eogersornis niichalis melvillensis. Melville-Island 

 Bower -Bird. 



Chlamydera nuchalis melvillensis Mathews, Austral Av. 

 Bee. vol. i. 1912, p. 52 : Melville Island. 



This species is numerous on the creeks and on the outer 

 edges of the mangroves. Several bowers were found in the 

 last-named locality, just above high-water mark. They are 

 not so common on the north side. 



167. Corvns cecilse cecilae. Northern Crow. 



Corvus coronoides cecilce Mathews, Nov. Zool. vol. xviii. 

 1912, p. 442 : Napier Broome Bay, North-west Australia. 

 Not easily obtained. 



