453 



Order CORACIIFORMES. 



Family PODARGIDAE. 



Podargus strigoides, Latham (Tawny Frogmouth). 



One bird of very light colouration and small dimensions 

 was taken. 



Total length. Expanse of wings. 



September 26 J 381 mm. 736 mm. 



Aegotheles cristata, White G-) (Owlet Nightjar). 



These birds were met with in many places during the 



expedition, being often flushed from the hollow limbs in the 



box trees. From specimens which came under observation it 



would lead one to suppose that there are two forms inhabiting 



the Cooper Creek region. One answering well to our coastal 



form, with dark markings; the other, in which the markings 



have almost disappeared, and the whole plumage of a very 



rufous colouration. 



Total length. Expanse of wings. 



October 3 ... 9 216 mm. 406 mm. 



October 4 ... 9 206 mm. 406 mm. 



October 6 ... tf 216 mm. 394 mm. 



Family ALCEDINIDAE. 



Cyanalcyon pyrrhopygius, Gould (Red-backed Kingfisher). 



This is a real desert bird, and is often found very far 

 from waiter. Its call is a strange one, loud and harsh, once 

 heard can never be mistaken. Like other members of the 

 genus it is fond of perching on the top of a dead tree or 

 branch, from which it watches for grasshoppers and other 

 insects. It will capture food upon the wing as well as 

 upon the ground. The birds which came under notice from 

 this district showed little if any variation from specimens 

 taken in more central parts of Australia. The first specimen 

 to come under observation was taken on September 18: — 







Total length. 



Expanse of wings. 



September 18 



(?) 



235 mm. 



361 mm. 



October 3 ... 



9 



219 mm. 



361 mm. 



October 4 



9 



216 mm. 



266 mm. 



(1) Dr. Shaw made the zoological determinations published in 

 •'White's Journal, Voy. N.S. Wales, 1790."— E. R. W. 



