421 



our expedition in October females were dissected with fully- 

 developed eggs in the oviduct, but no nests were found. 



Ocyphaps lophotes (Crested Pigeon). 



A common bird throughout the country traversed. 

 Wherever there was water these birds were sure to be found. 

 Each morning and evening they could be seen making for 

 the water, perhaps fifty birds together. They would rise, two 

 or three at a time, with the loud clapping of the wings like 

 the domestic pigeon. They fly low down for a few hundred 

 yards, alight on the ground, or low branches of trees or 

 shrubs, then on to the ground, along which they will run 

 for a few yards, then on the wing again, and this goes on till 

 the water is reached. We have seen a dozen or more running 

 down a steep incline single file to drink. We did not see any 

 sign of nesting during the time we were amongst them. The 

 birds from the central regions are certainly smaller, but the 

 colourations and markings are about the same as the birds 

 found south. 



Family RALLID/E. 



Microtribonyx ventealis whitei (Eastern Black-tailed 



Native Hen). 

 Two or three birds were seen at the hot mound-springs 

 of Dalhousie. They were feeding on the bank near the 

 water, and when we alarmed them they gave a harsh warning 

 call, bobbing their tails up and down, took to the water at a 

 narrow neck, and gracefully swam to the other side, and soon 

 disappeared amidst a mass of salinacious plants. 



Porphyrio melanotus (Eastern Bald Coot). 



A few birds were seen in the high reeds ( Arundo 

 jphragmites) which grew upon the low ground near the 

 springs, and over which the overflow spreads from the large 

 hot spring at Dalhousie. Unfortunately no specimen could 

 be procured, owing to the boggy nature of the ground, and 

 we could not induce the natives to enter the reeds — they 

 seemed to have some superstition about this place. Obser- 

 vations made with field-glasses point to these birds being 

 identical with our southern species. 



Fulica atra tasmanica (Eastern Coot). 



A party of these birds was on the large hot spring at 

 Dalhousie; they did not attempt to take to wing, but relied 

 on their diving powers to keep out of harm's way. Also met 

 ■with on Boggy Waterhole, Finke River. 



