THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 
visitant to the mid-west, generally arriving in June. An egg of this species 
was found in a nest of Epthianura tricolor at Point Cloates on March 4th, 1898, 
and one in a nest of Calamanthus rubiginosus on June 1st, 1897. These two 
species appear to be favorite ‘ hosts,’ as other eggs were occasionally found in 
them, deposited by these Cuckoos. If rains occur in the summer months, some 
of these birds are to be seen. They seem to feed mostly in low bushes, or else on 
the ground. They appeared seldom to visit Broome Hill and w'ere only observed 
there by me on two or three occasions. One was procured on October 
14th, 1911.” 
Mr. J. P. Rogers’ notes made in North-west Australia are as follows : 
“ Parry Creek, Wyndham, Oct. 31, 1908 : First seen to-day, also heard 
other whistling. Nov. 2, 1908 : Two were seen to-day ; they were in the 
scrub on the bank of the creek. Nov. 3 : Many birds of this species 
feeding on hairy caterpillars which infest the ‘ fish poison ’ bushes at one 
spot on the creek. Nov. 5 to 6 : Still very numerous at the same spot. 
Nov. 14 : Are in great numbers, but only at the one spot. Have never 
seen so many Cuckoos in one place before. They only extend about half a 
mile along the creek : in this place the caterpillars are stripping the bushes. 
Nov. 17 : None remain : all went about 14th to 15th. Nov. 25 : Several 
seen or heard at Goose HiU Lagoons. March 21, 1909 : StiU fairly numerous, 
but all gone before April 30. At Mamgle Creek very few of these birds were 
seen and they were very wild : I often heard the call, but could not see the bird. 
None were seen at Mungi.” 
Hall comments upon birds procured by J. P. Rogers at Derby, North-west 
Australia {Emu, Vol. I., p. 110, 1902) : “ There is a great difference between 
the adult males a and b ; {a) 23rd July, 1901 : Whole under-surface almost 
white, with narrow bars ; fore-head lead colour ; crown and nape bronzy ; 
subterminal dark band on tail. (6) 6th Sept., 1901 : Whole under-surface 
flushed with rufous, with broad bars, and disappearing upon the throat : fore- 
head, crown and hind-neck uniform dull ruddy brown.” Such differences 
suggest confusion of species in these small Cuckoos. 
Macgillivray {Emu, Vol. XIII., p. 163, 1914) recorded : “ Erom Sedan Mr. 
McLennan sent a clutch of eggs of Malurus assimilis containing an egg of the 
Narrow-billed Bronze Cuckoo. I had previously to his visit obtained a skin 
from the Cloncurry district.” 
H. L. White {Emu, Vol. XIV., p. 150-2, 1915) gives the following long list of 
foster-parents : “ Stictopeleia cuneata, Microeca fascinans, Petroica multicolor, 
Littlera chrysoptera, Whiteornis goodenovii, Smicrornis brevirostris, Gerygone 
olivacea, Wilsonavis fusca, W. Icevigaster, Rhipidura flabellifera, Howeavis rufifrons, 
Leucocirca tricolor, Seisura inquieta, Myiagra nitida, Hylacola cauta, Calamanthus 
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