434 



Aphelocephala leucopsis, sub-sp. ( ?) (Murchison 



Whiteface). 



Distributed very generally over the central regions. We 

 collected specimens soon after leaving the head of the line and 

 up to the MacDonnell Ranges. They were often found in 

 company with A. nigricincta. I quite agree with others that 

 A . leucopsis is not found in the central regions; evidently 

 this bird was mistaken by the Horn Expedition for it. 



Aphelocephala nigricincta (Black-banded Whiteface). 



This species was discovered by the Horn Expedition and 

 described by North (ibis 1895). It was not until we were 

 approaching the Northern Territory boundary that we met 

 with these birds. Up to that time A . leucopsis, sub-sp. ( ?), was 

 met with, and after passing Charlotte Waters the both species 

 occurred. A. nigricincta was found nesting in the low bushes. 

 Their habits do not differ from other members of the genus. 

 Their note is a much weaker one, and can be identified from 

 the other species at once. They spend much of their time on 

 the ground, making a twittering call when hopping about in 

 a sprightly manner in companies of eight or ten, sometimes 

 more. 



Sphenostoma cristatum (Wedgebill). 



This may be Mathew's northern subspecies S. cristatum 

 tanami. Strange to say, we only met with this bird in one 

 place. On the Finke River a pair were calling amongst some 

 dead acacias and were very shy ; their movements are very 

 quick, and they keep low down in the undergrowth. 



Family SETTID^. 



Neositta pileata tenuirostris (Slender-billed Tree-runner). 



Met with in many places, both out on the level country 

 and in the ranges. Once we came upon a small party in the 

 sandhill country. Their habits and call appear the same as 

 those found farther south. 



Family CERTHIID^E. 

 Climacteris erythrops superciliosa (White-browed 



Tree-creeper). 



We were not surprised to meet with this bird, it being the 

 type locality. They were nowhere plentiful, and seemed to 

 have a preference for the mulga country. Skins collected by 

 us at Lake Gairdner, South Australia (see "Emu," vol. xiii., 

 p. 31), show little or no variation. Notes given in the "Emu" 

 can be applied to these birds in the central regions. 



