SPINIFEX BIRD. 
Whitlock later renewed the search and has written very full accounts, 
from which I take the following : “In the Upper Coongan district this species 
cannot be called rare ; it is very local, and shows a decided preference for 
haunts where observation is difficult. Before the breeding-season actually 
commences pairs may be met with in the small gullies at the foot of the ranges ; 
but I think at nesting time they retire to the open flats adjacent to the larger 
creeks, where the Spinifex ( Triodia ) grows to a large size, and where the big 
clumps are very numerous and close together. When observing the Desert- 
Bird, I always think that 4 Spinifex-Bird ’ would have been a more appro- 
priate trivial name. Our north-west coast at its worst can hardly be regarded 
as a 4 desert,’ considering its numerous rivers and creeks, the majority of which 
are well-timbered with eucalypts and other trees of respectable dimensions. 
On my last trip I found the best place for observing the Desert-Bird was a 
large flat of fairly rich alluvial soil not far from a large creek. The Spinifex 
here was growing in great profusion and size, many clumps measuring as 
much as 10 feet in diameter with occasional larger ones ; others of from 5 to 
8 feet in width were innumerable. Small bushes were frequent, with occasional 
trees, the latter, as a rule, not giving much shade. Within a distance of a 
mile and a half I had five pairs of Desert-Birds under constant observation. 
To find these birds one must learn the call-note, and learn it, too, so well as 
to be able, when heard at a distance, to distinguish it from the call of the 
Common Pipit ( Anthus australis) and also from distant calls of the Wood- 
Swallows ( Artamus ) and accidental notes of other species. After listening 
at close quarters to a male perched on a small bush, I cannot render the sound 
better than by the French words 4 J e suis, d vous ’ (pronounced Je swee, ah voo). 
More often than otherwise only the first syllables are uttered, then the call 
closely resembles that of the Pipit. One, as a rule, rarely sees the female, 
but her presence may be ascertained by carefully listening. Almost simul- 
taneously with the liquid notes of the male, she adds two or three rather 
grating sounds, somewhat resembling two stones being rubbed together. 
The sound is difficult to render on paper, but the syllables 4 Thrip-thrip ’ will 
give some idea of its character.” 
Visiting Barrow Island Whitlock was successful in finding the eggs and, 
as usual, has written up a delightful detailed account, but I can only give a 
few extracts relating to the habits : 44 However, near my camp I became 
aware of another pair inhabiting a large patch of mingled Triodia and Spinifex 
longifolius , which, I felt sure, had not recently nested. The male in this 
instance called regularly at daybreak, and also during the day, and again in 
the evening till after sunset. . . . Having located a male, watch him, and 
listen in an unobtrusive way for the presence of his mate. The male always 
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