749 



Smicrornis brevirostris mathewsi, subsp. nov, 

 (Central Australian Tree-Tit). 



Differs from S. hrevirostris in being much lighter on the 

 back, and the yellow of the breast and abdomen being much 

 brighter, the ear-coverts being of a much darker buff and 

 larger. Differs from S. h. flavescens in having a much deeper 

 yellow breast, much larger ear-coverts of a darker buff, and 

 colouration of the back much darker. Most resembles S. h. 

 melvillensis, but differs in having a rich yellow breast and 

 abdomen, while the Melville Island bird is almost white under- 

 neath. 



Type. — A female collected at Wantapella Swamp by 

 S. A. White on August 18, 1914, and now in the Wetunga 

 Collection. The sexes are alike. 



Range. — From Oodnadatta north to the MacDonnell 

 Ranges and west to the Musgrave and Everard Ranges. Only 

 met with on or near the water-courses ; have never seen it far 

 from the red-gum trees. It spends most of its time hunting 

 amongst the foliage of this tree, and utters a very loud call 

 for so small a bird. Builds a suspended dome-shaped nest, 

 constructed chiefly of cobwebs and small dry leaves, with a 

 little dry grass and leaves, interwoven with a few soft particles 

 of bark, and lined with feathers. Shows no variation with 

 specimens procured north of Oodnadatta the previous year. 



Ethelornis culicivorus musgravi,(3) Mathews 



(Musgrave Fly-eater) . 



Not having sufficient material for comparison, the speci- 

 mens were forwarded to Mr. G. M. Mathews, of England, and 

 he has described this bird as above. It was only found in one 

 locality, amongst the thick mulga at the foot of the Musgrave 

 Ranges. Like many other members of the genus, it possesses 

 a beautiful low, sweet note, but for which it would hardly be 

 discovered. The colouration of its plumage is of the same 

 dull hue as the bird's surroundings. 



Lewinornis rufiventris maudeae, (4) subsp. nov. 



(Central Australian Rufous-breasted Thickhead). 



Crown of the head and all the upper-surface bluish-grey, 

 becoming much lighter on the rump and upper tail-coverts; 

 feathers of the head, back, and mantle having a faint dark 

 line down the centre; ear-coverts and lores, also band around 

 the chest (the latter extending upwards on either side of the 



(3) Austral Avine Record, vol. ii., No. 7, p. 130. 



(4) Named after Mrs. H. L. White, "Belltrees," New South 

 Wales. 



