Order Passiformes, Family Zosterojridae, Genus Zoster ops. 87 



with a purplish tint, which is more conspicuous on the back 

 of the tarsi; claws, black. 



No. 380— Male. Length, 8.1 inches. (8/10/86). In their 

 flight these birds somewhat resemble the quail, but do not 

 fly so swiftly; they make a noise very similar to that bird on 

 rising, but fly straighter and to about the same distance, the 

 latter portion being accomplished with outspread wings. On 

 regaining the ground they run quickly, and are very quail-like 

 in their movements. During the heat of the day, when in the 

 shade it is about 105 to 110, these lovely birds may be seen on 

 the bare sandstone rocks in the full enjoyment, apparently, of 

 the sun's powerful rays, and when in such a position are with 

 great difficulty seen, owing to the similarity of the colour of 

 the stone. They appear very easily killed; indeed, some shot 

 at 25 yards with small collecting charges (viz., ^ drachm 

 powder and some dust shot) were quite dead. If wounded 

 they flutter, and the feathers come out in large quantities. 

 They are difficult birds to skin, as both skin and flesh are very 

 tender and difficult to separate. They are good eating. 

 Although there are generally from 6 to 15 in a flock they do 

 not fly together as quails do, but go off in twos or threes, often 

 in quite opposite directions. They make no note, and only 

 once were seen to perch on a dead fallen tree. 



21. Ocyphaps lophotes whitlocki. Western Crested Pigeon. 



Ocijphaps lophotes whitlocki (Mathews), Nov. ZooL, Vol. 

 XVIII., p. 101. 1912, East Murchison, West Australia. 



No. 516— Female. Length, 13.2 inches. (5/11/06). 



No. 517— Male. Length, 13.4 inches. (5/11/86). 



27. Microtriboxyx vextralis territorii. Northern Black- 

 tailed Native Hen. 

 Trioonyx i^entralis territorii (Mathews), Nov. Zool., Vol. 

 XVIII., p. 195. 1912, Alexandra, Northern Territory. 



Order Passeriformes, Family Artamidae, 

 Genus Pseudartamus. 



Pseudartamus cyanopterus — The Wood Swallow. 

 Description. — Head, neck, and breast light fuliginous 

 grey, gradually becoming darker on the back, rump, abdo- 



