ASHBY — Birds of Bungonda. 143 



Of Honey-eaters eight species were noted, but others not 

 jotted down on ones list were certainly there. The mosit 

 interesting were (Gissomela nigra ashbyi, Mat.), 'Black Honey- 

 eateir; this diminutive little bird was noted in all places 

 visited, attention being called to it by its low mournful 

 whistle. One nest with two* eggSi was found, placed in the 

 fork of a dead mallee about three feet from the ground. At- 

 tention was called to the Striped Honey-eater (PleetorJiyncha 

 lanceolata neglecta, Mat.), by its loud call; specimens obtained 

 are darker in the markings than those obtained from the 

 North of Adelaide; it is not unlikely that birds from this dis- 

 trict are similar to the Victorian race. 



The only Minah in the district visited was the Yellow- 

 throated Minah (Mysantlia flavigula, Gld.). These were nest- 

 ing, and clutches of eggs were found. 



A score iof miles North-West of Pungonda, on the River 

 Murray, Mr. Parsons found the Southern Black-headed Minah 

 quite common, and further to the South-West I myself found 

 in the smaller mallee this genus represented by the Black- 

 eared Minah (Myzantha flavigula melanotis, Wilson), the form 

 obtained apparently is similar to the race found throughout 

 what is spoken of as the North and Lower North of South 

 Australia. The Owlet Nightjar (Aegotheles cristata, White), 

 was numerous and nesting, several clutches of eggs obtained, 

 i Of Pardalotes the Yellow-rumped and South Australian 

 (striatus) were both common. 



The Southern Brown Song Larks (Cinclorliamphus cruralis 

 cmtatoris. Gld.), were on the salt bush flats and in a little 

 grassy depression in tall mallee there were several pairs of the 

 Eastern Rufous Song Lark making the shallow valley echo 

 with their pleasing song. 



Rose-breasted Cockatoos (Eolophus roseicapillus, Vie.), and 

 the Pink Cockatoo (Lophocroa leadbeateri, Vig.), were scattered 

 in small flocks or in twos and threes throughout the district. 

 They were mostly seen feeding on the ground on wide grassy 

 flats. 



The district was remarkable for the numer of species of 

 Parrots represented, and also for the number of individuals 

 observed (Barnardhts hamardi, V. & H.), Mallee Parrot, was 

 everywhere, but the Many Coloured (grass) Parrot was almost 

 as numerous, and exceptionally brightly coloured; they were 

 remarkably tame; one allowed me to watch it for several 

 minutes while it preened its plumage, almost within arm's 

 length. The other parrots noted were the Blue Bonnet 

 (Northiello mnth<rrlwa , Bon.), Shell Parrot (Melopsittarvft 



