TREE-TIT. 
exclusively to the topmost branches of the trees, it is not easily procured, its 
diminutive size preventing its being seen.” 
Captain S. A. White also notes : “In Central Australia only met with 
on or near the watercourses : have never seen it far from the red gum trees. 
It spends most of its time hunting amongst the foliage of this tree.” 
Mr. Tom Carter has written me : “ Short-billed Tree-Tits were not 
uncommon about Broome Hill and were also observed at Kellerberin. They 
go about in small parties, sometimes in company with some Acanthiza 
chrysorrhoa , feeding mostly in undergrowth, suckers, etc., and are very quiet. 
Fledged young shot Nov. 6th, 1910.” 
Mr. J. P. Rogers’s notes read : “A few were seen at Marngle Creek. At 
Mungi this bird was fairly numerous and had been breeding recently. On 
July 4th, 1911, these birds were usually feeding in Eucalyptus trees, but were 
occasionally found in wattle, scrub, etc. These birds are fairly numerous along 
the Fitzroy River and are often found in numbers in patches of young coolibar 
saplings (eucalyptus). At Cooper’s Camp, Melville Island, Nov. 15th, 1911, 
a few of these were seen occasionally, usually in tall timber and in parties of 
up to a dozen birds, but were not nearly so plentiful as in West Kimberley, 
North-west Australia. On Jan. 14th, 1912, ten miles S.E. of Snake Bay, a 
few were also seen but not even so numerous as at Cooper’s Camp.” 
At the Macarthur River, Northern Territory, Barnard found : “ These 
little birds were plentiful in the brush, where they searched the leaves for 
insects. Many nests were found during the winter months. A Smicrornis 
slightly larger and brighter in the colouring was obtained on the table-land, 
and is distinguished by Mr. Mathews as S. b. subflavescens ; this bird was not 
seen off the table-land.” 
MacgiUivrav wrote : “ Common in the Gulf country, where it frequents 
the box flats, finding a living in the leaves of low box-trees. Nests were found 
in February, March, and April, commonly placed at the end of a drooping 
branch. The birds usually went about in small flocks of five to six. On the 
Leichhardt, where conditions were so favourable to bird life, these birds were 
especially numerous.” 
Whitlock, recording S. brevirostris from the Pilbarra Goldfield, West 
Australia, wrote : “ Rare, and extremely local. This was one of the 
surprises of the trip. I quite expected to meet with S. flcivescens. There 
was, however, no mistake. I am too well acquainted with the familiar 
call of “ Winnie-wieldt ” to be deceived. I had an interview at very close 
quarters too. Both parents were feeding a fully fledged young one.” 
Mr. T. P. Austin’s notes read : “ The Short-billed Tree-Tit is very 
numerous in this district (Cobbora, New South Wales) in favourable situations ; 
VOL. VIII. 
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