420 



the foot-hills of the MacDonnell Ranges, and all were very 

 wild. An old bird with five young was seen when passing 

 through the MacDonnells. 



Family MEGAPODIID^E. 

 Leipoa ocellata rosing (Eastern Mallee Fowl). 



Although we did not see this bird, there is no doubt they 

 exist in numbers to the west of our track, for we were 

 repeatedly told of the mounds by the blacks, also of their 

 taking the eggs. 



Family COLUMBID^E. 



Stictopeleia cuneata (Eastern Spotted-shouldered Dove). 



Throughout the central regions this pretty little bird was 

 found. When camped in some of the most miserable locali- 

 ties we were cheered by its soft, cooing note. Many immature 

 birds were met with, but the nesting seemed to be over. Great 

 numbers fall victims to the hawks in the desert country. 



Phaps chalcoptera (Bronze-winged Pigeon). 



Although found in many localities, could not be said to 

 be plentiful anywhere. In some localities they came in to 

 water in fair numbers long after dark, tumbled on to the 

 ground more than alighted, then ran in a kind of blind way 

 to the water, to which they must be directed by scent, for it 

 was too dark to see. These birds arrived at the water as late 

 as 9 p.m., and must have flown a long distance from out back. 



Lophophaps plumifera leucogaster (White-bellied 

 Plumed-Pigeon) . 



These lovely little birds were met with very often after 

 leaving Horseshoe Bend. Nearly every waterhole along the 

 Finke had a- small company of them in close proximity during 

 the day time. Morning and evening they were seen hopping 

 down the red-and-brown sandstone cliffs, which they resemble 

 very much in colour; in fact, when they remained motionless 

 they could not be picked out from the stones at very short 

 Tange. They move about within a short distance of water, 

 in parties of from ten to thirty. When flushed they rise with 

 a quick flapping of the wings, like so many members of the 

 same genus; but after proceeding a short way they soar with 

 outstretched wings in a very pleasing manner, and do not 

 go far before alighting again. They move quickly over the 

 rocks and stones, bobbing their heads up and down, which 

 gives the crest a strange waving appearance, the males making 

 a low, cooing sound while moving about. Towards the end of 



