422 



Family PODICIPID^. 



Tachybaptus ruficollis nov^e-hollandi.e (Black-throated 



Grebe). 



This grebe was found on nearly all the large waterholes 

 on our line of march, and at one or two waterholes a great 

 number of immature birds were seen, showing that they must 

 have nested there a few months previous to our visit. 



Family CHARADRIID^E. 



Elseya melanops (Black-fronted Dotterel). 



An occasional bird cr two was often seen running on the 

 sand near the waterholes of the interior. 



Family GLAREOLID^. 



Stiltia Isabella (Australian Pratincole). 



One specimen only was met with running along the damp 

 sand at the edge of a large waterhole in the Finke River. 



Family BURHINID^E. 



Burhinus magnirostris (Eastern Stone Plover). 



We heard the call of this bird one night near the 

 Macumba Creek, but did net meet with it in the day time,, 

 and did not hear it after entering the Northern Territory. 



Family OTIDID^. 



Austrotis australis (Australian Bustard). 



These fine birds were met with in numbers south of 



Oodnadatta along the railway line. Only one or two were 



seen on our course north. Tracks of this bird were noted on 



many occasions in the sand. 



Family PSOPHIID^E. 

 Mathewsia rubicunda (Australian Crane). 



Although their tracks were often seen in the soft sand, 

 only once did we see this bird. Natives in many places, 

 assured us that they were plentiful at times after rain. 



Family PLEGADID^E. 



Platibis flavipes (Yellow-billed Spoonbill). 



Quite a number came under our notice when descending 

 the Lindsay Creek. They were following the waterholes, as 

 they dried up, in search of small fish, molluscs, and Crustacea. 

 When disturbed they flew up into the high dead gums, where 

 they perched for several hours at a time. 



