THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 
I later added more of Rogers’ notes from Parry’s Creek, N.W.A.: 
“ Very common ; often seen in great numbers at a water-hole and on flowering 
trees. Feeds largely on insects, which are often taken on the wing, in the 
same manner as the Microeca. Bathes while on the wing ; it usually chooses 
a spot where a bush hangs over the water. The birds fly out a few yards 
from the bush, flutter their wings in the water, and then fly back and preen 
their feathers, repeating this many times.” 
Hill wrote from the Kimberley district, N.W.A. : “ The first arrivals 
appeared on 26th March, and were followed by many other's up to 27th April, 
after which they gradually decreased in numbers, until none remained after 
24th May. This species is largely insectivorous, even when honey is 
abundant.” 
From Borroloola, Northern Territory, Hill later added : “ Very plentiful 
in the early part of October. Tw r o eggs were taken on 2nd February from 
a nest built about 35 feet from the ground in a white gum. The bulk of the 
nest w r as built of fine pieces of bark, closely woven together. Tire outside 
was covered with spider web and the inside lined with rootlets obtained from 
a nest of Rhipidura tricolor .” 
Macgillivray has written : “ Very common in the Gulf country, frequenting 
the tea-tree, and building in the prickly acacia bushes at a few feet from the 
ground. Also very common on the box flats at the Sedan camp. . . . Many 
nests were found here, in various stages of construction or containing eggs 
or young birds during February and March. One pair was noted feeding 
a young pallid Cuckoo. The female alone engages in the task of nest building, 
the male accompanying her to and from the nest. Stomach contents, 
honey and small insects. A few' w'ere noted on the Archer River.” 
Barnard wTote from the McArthur River, Northern Territory: “ Very 
common birds. They bred freely when the rains fell at the end of 1913 and 
the beginning of 1914. They w r ere very pugnacious during the breeding 
season and often attacked each other very savagely.” 
McLennan’s notes on his lung River trip read : “ Mornington Island, 
25/7/15. A few noted. King River, 4/10/15. Two noted coming to water 
at small w'ater-hole. 31/10/15. A bird shot at the same place. 16/11/15. 
Three birds seen at spring up river from camp. Stomach, small insects.” 
As long ago as 1S75 Ramsay recorded this species from North Queensland, 
and in 1886 he added : “I have received this species and also E. albogidaris, 
from the Norman River, Port Essington, Port Darwin, and West Australia 
in general.” 
No subspecies w r ere however distinguished until 1912, when I named 
Certhionyx rufogularis queenslandicus. 
394 
