120 
THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 
feeding upon the ground, or hopping up the trunks of trees, stumps, 
or fence posts. When disturbed, it flies with a skimming motion of the 
wings to the nearest tree, generally settling near the base, and ascend¬ 
ing the trunk spirally. It has a sharp piercing call, frequently uttered, 
especially when alarmed. It is friendly and will visit homesteads and 
eat any scraps of food left about. 
nest. Composed of fur, hair, and fine feathers. Placed in a hollow 
limb or the trunk of a tree, often in a hole in a fence post or stump, 
and situated at heights up to 30 feet or more from the ground. 
eggs. Two or three, pinkish-white, almost covered with small spots 
and specks of pinkish-red and purplish markings. Breeding-season: 
July to October. 
8 . Rufous Tree-creeper Climacteris rufa Gould 
ru'-/a—L., rufus, red. 
distribution. South-western Australia and the western parts of 
South Australia. 
notes. Usually in pairs, frequenting open forest and scrub-lands. 
Similar in habits to the Brown Tree-creeper, often seeking its food, in¬ 
sects of various kinds, on the ground. Its note is a single piercing call, 
uttered more rapidly and loudly when disturbed. 
nest. Similar to that of the Brown Tree-creeper and placed in the 
same situations. 
eggs. Two or three, pinkish-buff, well spotted, blotched, and speckled 
all over with markings of reddish-brown and dull purple. Breeding- 
season: September to December. 
9. Black Tree-creeper Clhnacteris melanota Gould—9A. Female 
mel'-an-o-ta'— Gk, melas (:melanos ), black; Gk, noton , back. 
distribution. Northern Queensland (Cape York Peninsula). 
notes. Usually in pairs, inhabiting open forest country. Call-note, 
a loud “Spink, spink”, frequently uttered. Similar in habits to the 
Brown Tree-creeper. 
nest. Built in a hollow limb of a tree. The only record to date. 
eggs. Two, pinkish-white, well marked all over, and particularly 
at the larger end, with specks and blotches of pale to rich reddish- 
brown and purplish markings, the latter being chiefly confined to the 
larger end. Breeding-season: October and November. 
10. White-throated Tree-creeper Climacteris leucophcea Latham 
leuc-o-phce'-a— Gk, leucos, white; Gk, phaios, grey. 
distribution. Southern Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, 
and South Australia. 
notes. Usually in pairs, showing a preference for big scrubs and 
brushes. Strictly arboreal in habits, ascending the trunks rapidly in 
search of insects. It has a shrill piping cry, “Pink, pink”, high pitched 
