120 
THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 
feeding upon the ground, or hopping up the trunks of trees, stumps, or 
fence posts. When disturbed, it flies with a skimming motion of the 
wings to the nearest tree, generally settling near the base, and ascending 
the trunk spirally. It has a sharp piercing call, frequently uttered, especi- 
ally when alarmed. It is friendly and will visit homesteads and eat any 
scraps of food left about. 
Nest. — Composed of fur, hair, and fine feathers. Placed in a hollow 
limb or the trunk of a tree, often in a hole in a fence post or stump, and 
situated at heights up to 30 feet or more from the ground. 
Eg 9 s - — Two or three, pinkish-white, almost covered with small spots 
and specks of pinkish-red and purplish markings. Breeding-season: July 
to October. 
8. Rufous Tree-creeper Climacteris rufa Gould 
ru -fa — L., rufus, red. 
Distribution. — South-western Australia and the western parts of 
South Australia. 
Notes. — Usually in pairs, frequenting open forest and scrub-lands. 
Similar in habits to the Brown Tree-creeper, often seeking its food, in- 
sects of various kinds, on the ground. Its note is a single piercing call, 
uttered more rapidly and loudly when disturbed. 
Nest. — Similar to that of the Brown Tree-creeper and placed in the 
same situations. 
Eggs. — Two or three, pinkish-buff, well spotted, blotched, and 
speckled all over with markings of reddish-brown and dull purple. Breed- 
ing-season : September to December. 
9. Black Tree-creeper Climacteris melanota Gould — 9A. Female 
meV-an-o-ta — Gk, melas ( melanos ), black; Gk, noton, back. 
Distribution. — Northern Queensland (Cape York Peninsula). 
Notes. — Usually in pairs, inhabiting open forest country. Call-note, a 
loud “Spink, spink,” frequently uttered. Similar in habits to the Brown 
Tree-creeper. 
Nest. — Built in a hollow limb of a tree. The only record to date. 
Eggs. — Two, pinkish-white, well marked all over, and particularly 
at the larger end, with specks and blotches of pale to rich reddish-brown 
and purplish markings, the latter being chiefly confined to the larger end. 
Breeding-season : October and November. 
10. White- throated Tree-creeper Climacteris leucophcea Latham 
leuc-o-phce'-a — Gk, leucos, white; Gk, phaios, grey. 
Distribution. — Southern Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, 
and South Australia. 
Notes. — Usually in pairs, showing a preference for big scrubs and 
brushes. Strictly arboreal in habits, ascending the trunks rapidly in search 
