437 



Myzantha flavigula (Yellow-throated Minah). 

 A common bird all along the watercourses. Wherever 

 water and gums were found, this bird was there, and in many 

 places quite numerous. We did not see any sign of nesting. 



Acanthagenys rufogularis cygnus (Southern Spiny-cheeked 



Honey-eater). 

 These birds were fairly plentiful in many localities. We 

 saw numbers in the country round Chambers Pillar. This 

 was no doubt owing to the native fuchsia (Correa speciosa) 

 growing in abundance in this locality. 



Family MOTACILLID^E. 



Anthus australis, sub-sp. ( ?) (Australian Pipit). 



This familiar bird was observed all over the central 



region ; not, however, in any number — an odd pair here and 



there. All specimens collected tend to the light-reddish 



colourations, as would be expected from the desert country. 



Family PLOCEID^E. 

 T^niopygia castanotis (Chestnut-eared Finch). 

 These seem to be the most plentiful birds in the region. 

 They congregate in thousands, morning and evening, round 

 the waters of the interior. Their incessant chattering becomes 

 quite irritating to the ear. Bushes near the water, and also 

 the ground, are quite white from the droppings of these birds. 

 They build in- the low bushes, and it is not uncommon to see 

 a dozen or more nests in one bush. They seem the stock food 

 of many birds of prey, yet their numbers are legion. 



Emblema picta (Painted Finch). 



We met with this beautiful little bird in great numbers 

 in the deep ravines near Hermannsburg, also near the Glen 

 of Palms. They were nesting, although the greater part of 

 the birds were in immature plumage. The nest is easily iden- 

 tified from that of T. castanotis by its shape and the material 

 used. The dry grass used in the construction is all one kind 

 and of one colour, and is not used by any other bird that we 

 found nesting. The eggs vary from three to five, and are 

 quite white. The birds are very shy, and it took a great deal 

 of patience to procure specimens. 



Family PTILONORHYNCHID^. 

 Chlamydera maculata macdonnelli (MacDonnell Yellow- 

 spotted Bower Bird). 

 These birds were exceptionally shy, and it was only by 

 greatest patience specimens were secured. They inhabit the 

 deep clefts and ravines in the MacDonnell Ranges, especially 



