747 



dry grass, when the camels were passing through some open 

 mulga country. They rose quickly, alighted on a dead mulga 

 for a few seconds, then flew away swiftly out of sight. The 

 crops of the specimen procured were very distended with small 

 grass seeds. 



Melopsittacus undulatus, Shaw and Nodder 



(Warbling Grass Parrot). 



Near a small rock-hole in Tietkens Creek (the hole only 

 contained a few gallons of water) grew a few fine red-gums 

 (Eucalyptus rostrata) ; in one of these a small party of the 

 ■above parrots were chasing one another in and out the hollow 

 limbs, as if preparing to nest. This was the only occasion on 

 Avhich these birds were seen. 



Order CORACIFORMES. 

 Family PODARGIDAE. 



PoDARGus STRiGOiDES, Latham (Tawny Frogmouth). 



Very few were seen. Examined one very closely while it 

 Avas brooding on a nest, and it did not show any variation to 

 the birds found in the middle-north. 



Aegotheles cristata, White (Owlet Nightjar). 



Only one specimen was taken. Upon comparison it was 

 found to mostly resemble specimens collected at Laura, South 

 Australia. 



Family ALCEDINIDAE. 



'Cyanalcyon pyrrhopygius, Gould (Red-backed Kingfisher). 



Not often met with, and seems to be able to exist without 

 water, for they were met with in the dryest parts of the 

 •country. Their call is a very harsh, discordant one, usually 

 uttered from the top of a dead tree, where they will sit almost 

 motionless for hours. Food seems to consist principally of 

 grasshoppers and such like insects ; small lizards are sometimes 

 teaten . 



Order COCCYGES. 



Family OUCULIDAE. 

 Heteroscenes pallidus, Latham (Pallid Cuckoo). 



Not plentiful. The specimens of females taken show a 

 great deal of rufous colouration on back and wings. From the 

 observations made they confirm my opinion that the female 

 does not make that scale-like call of the male. 



