RUFOUS SONG-LARK. 
on the ground in thick grass. In August and September 1911 these birds 
were quite numerous in the thick scrub about the banks and islands of the 
Gascoyne River near Carnarvon, which was unusual, but the reason was doubt- 
less on account of the severe drought then prevailing. The clutch of eggs is 
four. Inland from Point Cloates nests were found on Aug. 2, 1899, and June 1, 
1900, each containing four eggs; Sept. 8, 1911, fledged young seen on 
Minilya River ; Sept. 30, 1913, several pairs noted, breeding near Carnarvon. 
On only one occasion I thought I saw and heard a pair at Broome Hill, South- 
west Australia.” 
Berney wrote: “A solitary male, obtained on 24th February, 1904, 
is my only experience of this species in North Queensland.” 
Cleland observed regarding the birds of the Pilliga Scrub, New South 
Wales : “ This species was first met with just after leaving Top Well, on 
Coghill Creek. A bird was flushed in lightly timbered country and flew into 
a small bush. After hopping about in this it was secured. Another bird was 
met with near the edge of a field at Old Cubbo Station. It also was hopping 
about in bushes, and then flew on to a post. No note was uttered in either 
case. These habits were unlike those of C. cruralis, and the type of country 
frequented by the two birds was not the kind one would expect to find 
Cinclorhamphus in. At the time I did not recognise the species, and it was 
only on my return that I referred them to C. rufescens, and this identification 
was confirmed for me by Mr. Basset Hull. The two birds varied a good deal 
in size. Bird 1 : Iris dark brown ; bill light brown, paler below ; pharynx 
greyish-black ; legs flesh-brown. Bird 2 : Iris light clay-brown ; bill brown, 
paler below ; pharynx smoky-brown ; legs light brown. No entozoa in either.” 
Soderberg wrote : “ This Lark was not uncommon round Mowla Downs. 
Its loud but not melodious singing was for the most part heard while the bird 
flew from one treetop to another, but it also sang when sitting.” \\ 
Hail recorded J. P. Rogers’ note from the Derby district : “ Cinclor- 
hamphus rufescens appeals to me as being a very rare bird. The only one 
seen rose from the ground and alighted a few yards away in some spinifex. 
Then, when I turned it out, it flew a few yards further into a small tree and 
hid among the leaves.” 
This species was commonly known as Cinclorhamphus rufescens until 1912 
when I noted the specific name was preoccupied, and as Iredale had previously 
separated the West Australian form under the name Cincloramphus rufescens 
mathewsi as being darker, with a shorter bill and longer wing, that subspecific 
name became the species one. In my “ Reference List ” 1912 I made the 
necessary correction but retained the species in the genus Cincloramphus , 
a notably incorrect location. The forms I admitted were : 
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