BLACK-TAILED TREECREEPER, 
Nest. Placed in the hollow spout or trunk of a tree, and composed of fur, soft bark 
and grasses. 
Breeding-months. September to January. 
This peculiar little group of Treecreepers for which I have proposed the 
genus Whitlocka comprises two distinct species, both of which were described 
by Gould, and of this species he wrote: “ I formerly believed that all the members 
of this genus were confined to the southern portions of Australia, but that such 
is not the case is proved by the circumstance of Mr. Bynoe having killed this 
bird on the northern coast. It exceeds all the other species in size, and also 
differs from them in its colouring, particularly in the lanceolate feathers on 
the throat and in the black colour of the tail. Nothing whatever is known of 
its habits or general economy, but, judging from its structure, it doubtless 
closely assimilates to its congeners in all these particulars.” 
Mr. J. P. Rogers has written me : “ Several of these birds were seen near 
Jegurra Creek, 12 miles from Mungi, but none were seen at Mungi itself. On 
my way down Jegurra and the Fitzroy River occasionally small parties were 
seen. Is not very numerous in West Kimberley, where it is usually found in 
coolibar flats on the Fitzroy and on other large timber in other localities, but 
undoubtedly the favourite spots are the first-mentioned.” 
Stalker’s note from Alexandra reads: “ These birds feed on a species of 
small black ant, catching them on the trees.” 
G. F. Hill has recorded : “I saw these birds only amongst the large timber 
in the dry localities near Napier Broome Bay, where they were rare and 
difficult to approach. Young birds were seen in the middle of October. The 
female is distinguished by a white throat and rufous colour of lower throat, 
where it is black in the male. The crops of all specimens examined contained 
only numerous remains of one species of ant ( Iridomyrmex deteclus Smith). 
The nature of their food, I think, accounts for the peculiar odour possessed 
by these birds.” 
MacgiUivray reported: “Numerous throughout the Gulf country, especially 
on river flats of the Leichhardt, which are clothed in bloodwood, wattle, 
bauhinia, and silver box. A spring breeder. Stomach contents : small beetles, 
ants, and other insects.” 
Barnard, regarding the McArthur River, Northern Territory, added: 
“ These birds were common on the coastal rivers, and were generally in pairs ; 
at odd times three birds w r ere seen together. A number of nests was found.” 
McLennan found it “ Fairly plentiful in forest at King River.” 
In the preparation of my “ Reference List ” I selected as the type locality 
of Climacteris melanura, which was described from the North-west Coast of 
Australia, Derby, and this is still accepted. 
131 
