WEST AUSTRALIAN CRANE. 
spend their time digging up the roots in a dry swamp. They and the Wallaby 
{Macropus agilis) have dug up most of the roots in an ares of 160 acres. 
The large flock broke up into pairs on 15th November, and were scattered 
aU over the plain. 
“ When on my journey from Mungi, inland from Derby, North-west 
Australia, while on the Fitzroy River, many small flocks were seen, some 
pairs and others of six individuals. None were seen at Mungi as the dry 
country was not suited to them. One I wounded trotted fully a mile before 
I drove it into a waterhole and secured it. Near Derby, they were numerous 
and watered at the recently completed artesian bore five miles from the town, 
and fed on the salt marshes. I believe it is increasing in numbers in West 
Kimberley, owing to the blacks being fed and worked on the Stations, and 
also owing to the fact that eagle-hawks and dingoes are destroyed by the 
Station owners.’’ 
“These birds were generally met with in pairs until April, when they 
were seen in large flocks. They were found in the river-bed and on the open 
plains, but seem to prefer the timbered country. Their loud notes often 
betrayed their presence some time before the birds themselves were seen.”* 
The bird figured and described is a male, collected at Derby, North-west 
Australia, by Mr. J. P. Rogers. 
* Keartland, Tram. Roy. Soo. South Amtr., Vol. XXII., p. 188, 1898. 
377 
