THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 
pandanus, fine rootlets and paper-bark, and lined Avith soft paper-bark ( f 
a species of tea-tree). I find the young just now (22/8/00) to be ° 
common, but there are no nests as far as I can trace.” 
Hm wrote from North-west Australia: “ This beautiful bird is resident 
and fairly plentiful about all the creeks and springs from Napier Broome B 
to the Drysdale River. The nests are generally built in pandanus palms or 
m the forks of large cajaput trees, at from 10 to 50 feet from the ground. Th 
materials used in nest-building are partly decayed leaves of a coarse swamn 
grass or cajaput bark on the outside, with feathers or grass as lining. Both 
sexes assist in building their large and roughly constructed nests. Flower 
buds and seeds of many smaU plants, honey from the floAvers of GreAuUea and 
grass-seeds form the chief articles of diet. Green-tree ants ((EcoLlh 
smaragdina) destroy many eggs and young of this species.” ^ 
Bemey has AAO-itten from the Richmond district. North Queensland. 
“ 1902 is the only year I have seen them. I used to come across ImTeet. 
on the dry mudbanks along the river from Jmie to November sometimes 
ten or a dozen together. Their caU is a subdued ‘ Peet, peet, peet,’ uttered 
Hill noted from Borroloola, Northern Territory: “ Generally found in tall 
^ass near the river. The nests are built of bark and broad leaves of grass 
bned with feathers, and portions of grass-seeds; usually placed in forks or 
under loose pieces of bark from 8 to 20 feet from the ground.” 
MacgilHvray wrote: “ Noted throughout the Gulf country, being more 
numerous along the Leichhardt and Gregory than in the vicinity of Cloncurrr 
Along those rivers it was found frequenting the cane grass and pandanus and 
maiy nests were found. They were bulky structures, composed of grass and 
Imed Avith feathers. Stomach contents seeds.” 
Barnard, from the Mac Arthur River, Northern Territory, noted- 
“ Frequents the cane-grass and pandanus palms groAving in marshy localities’ 
The butts of the pandanus leaves often formed a nesting site. At other times 
a holloAv spout or jutting piece of bark Avas chosen.” 
H. L. White has recorded McLeiman’s notes from the Northern Territory: 
King River—Small flocks ahvays seen along river flat and in long grass and 
pandam about sprmgs. 17/11/15 : SmaU flock seen catchmg flying termites. 
oper River, 21/2/16 : Birds seen along river amongst the pandani and Aones. 
Crop, termites and seeds ; gizzard, seeds and sand.” 
CampbeU and Barnard, deahng with the birds of Rockingham Bay district, 
North Queensland, Avrote : “ The choice coloured Crimson Finches, although 
not numerous, were often seen, and Avere budding at ‘ Fringford,’ a farm 
on the Upper Murray.” 
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