DUSKY MINAH. 
to tree, its flight is graceful in the extreme. The stomach is small but tolerably 
muscular; and the food, which consists of coleopterous and other insects, 
seeds and berries, is procured both on the ground and among the branches.” 
Mr. Tom Carter has \vritten me : “ The Dusky Minah is a common species 
in the hghtly timbered districts of the south-west. These birds do not seem 
to hke the heavily timbered coastal areas. They are numerous about 
KeUerbeiin, and are to be seen close to Perth. They are gregarious, and 
parties of them constantly hamit certain locahties, aU the year round. They 
are rather late breeders and the nesting season is an extended one, as at 
Broome Hill eggs have been found at various dates between August 21st and 
February 3rd. The nests are somewhat bulky, with foundation of small sticks, 
and finished and lined with grass and fibre. They are placed in small trees 
such as jams and tall wattles from eight to fifteen feet above the ground. 
The clutch of eggs is tlnee or four. At all times the birds are very noisy and 
constantly chattering. Aug. 21, 1902. Two eggs. Oct. 7, 1906. Three 
eggs incubated. Oct. 10, 1908. Two nests each with three fresh eggs. Nov. 2, 
1908. Four fresh eggs. Nov. 2, 1907. Four fresh eggs. Dec. 27, 1906. 
Recently fledged yovmg. Feb. 3, 1907. Three fresh eggs.” 
Wilson described the Victorian Mallee form as a distinct species “ which 
closely resembles M. obscura, of Western Austraha, was fauiy common in 
the neighbourhood of the boring camp, one flock in particular often being seen 
just close to om’ tent doors. Their note and general habits are not imlike 
those of 31. garrula. We were too early to obtain eggs, but a nest being built 
was found when tracking back to Kow Plains from the camp. The female 
is similar to the male, but is shghtly smaller.” 
Chandler later wrote: “ We found this species (the Black-eared Miner) 
very plentiful in the dense saphng mallee south-east of Kow Plains. They 
search for their food on the ground, to a large extent, and after feeding in 
one place for a few minutes, fly through the scrub for 50 or 100 yards before 
setthng again. On a few occasions I watched individuals searching for bisects 
under the bark of mallee saplings. The majority of the bb'ds was still in 
flocks (August).” 
Ashby, from his West AustraHan trip, recently wrote: Myzantha obscura 
Numerous at Moora, but not seen elsewhere. An examination of the skins 
obtained shows decided differences from a skin I collected near Perth in 1901. 
The Perth specimen has a strikingly large beak, and is generally much darker; 
the Moora specimens have a fight rump, almost as fight as in the Yellow- 
throated IVIiner {31. flavigula). Possibly the difference may be due to sex ; 
anyhow, the Moora specimens are nearer to 31. flavigula than to the Perth 
one.” 
VOL. XII. 
49 
