428 



^Egotheles ( ?) (Owlet Nightjar). 



We procured a very reddish species of this bird, and owing 

 to the lack of material for comparison, have been unable to 

 make sure of its identity, but have forwarded specimen to Mr. 

 G. M. Mathews, of England, for his opinion. 



Family ALCEDINIDJE. 

 Cyanalcyon pyrrhopygius (Red-beaked Kingfisher). 



These were found all over the country, sometimes a long 

 way from water ; their strange, harsh cry has a wonderful ring 

 when heard in that desolate country. The head is darker and 

 showing much more green in comparison with the birds found 

 south, the rump is also richer in colour. Many nests were seen 

 containing eggs and young, and always placed in a hole made 

 in bank of creek. 



Family MEROPID^. 

 Cosm^rops ornatus (Australian Bee-eater). 



This is a common bird over the vast interior. We met 

 with it everywhere, and during the latter part of our journey 

 came upon them in great numbers. Having collected together 

 for breeding, they were very busy making their tunnels in the 

 sides of the sandhills, but had not up to then (October) laid 

 any eggs. 



Family CAPRIMULGID^E. 

 Eurostopodus ( ?) (Nightjar). 



A bird of this family was heard calling many times at 

 night, but a specimen could not be obtained for identification. 



Family HIRUNDINID^E. 

 Hirundo neoxena (Welcome Swallow). 



Met with in many places not only round the habitation 

 of man, but in the deep rocky valleys of the ranges, where their 

 nests were attached to the rocks in shallow caverns. 



Cheramceca leucosternum stonei (Eastern Black-and-white 



Swallow). 

 These are found all over the central regions. They were 

 nesting in many places ; from fresh eggs to fully-fledged young 

 were found during August, September, and October. 



Lagenoplastes ariel (Fairy Martin). 



Numbers of these birds were seen in the ranges where they 

 built their retort-shaped nests on the sides of the cliffs and in 

 the caves. 



