BARNARD, Birds of Coomooboolaroo 
263 
Vol. XXIV. 
1925 
] 
Rufous Song-Lark (Cinclorhnmphus mathewsi). — Always about, 
but not much in evidence until there is a good crop of grass, when nest¬ 
ing begins and their beautiful song is heard. 
Tawny Grass-bird (M eg alums galactotes ).— Formerly much in 
evidence in some seasons, and cn one occasion found nesting. 
Australian Reed-Warbler (Acrocephalns australis ).—Chiefly seen 
cn n igration, but has been found nesting. 
Fantail-Warbler (Cisticola exilis ).—A summer migrant, formerly 
often seen in long grass, but nowadays not often seen. 
Variegated .Wren (Malurus lamberti ).—Fairly common in the 
scrubs. 
Orange-backed Wren {Malurus melanocophalus ).—Previous to the 
big drought of 1902 this wren was plentiful everywhere there was 
long grass, and one family was always close about, if not in, the 
garden. After the break-up of the drought it was about three years 
before any were seen in the neighbourhood, and now, ever twenty 
years since the drought, they are still very scarce. In 1903 I noticed 
that they were very plentiful in the long grass a little north of Rock¬ 
hampton, less than a hundred miles away. 
White-breasted Wccd-Swallow (Artamus leucorhj/nchus ). — This 
showy species was at one time always to be seen along the lagoon, 
nesting in old nests of the Magpie-Lark, but for some reason none 
have been seen about the homestead for a gobd many years, though 
they are to be seen within a few miles of the place. 
White-brewed Wood-Swallow (Artamus superciliosus ). 
Masked Wood-Swallow (A rtamus personatus ). 
These two species appear together in large flocks, generally about 
October, and, if weather conditions are favourable, commence nesting 
operations at once. They show a preference for freshly burnt coun¬ 
try. On rare occasions the two species have been found inter-breed¬ 
ing. . , . , 
Black-faced Wccd-Swallcw (A rtamus cinercus ).—A common bird 
most of the year. 
Dusky Wood-Swallow (Artamus cijanoplurus). — A common bird, 
but never seen in flocks like some of the other species, except when 
going to roost at night, when several dozen of them may be seen 
clinging in a bunch to the black side of a tall burnt stump or beneath 
the horizontal branch cf an irenbark tree. It is a moot question 
among bushmen whether they all get a footing or hang on to each 
other like a swarm of bees. 
Little Wood-Swallow (Artamus minor ).—This little bird likes a 
dead-timbered ridge, where the small trees have been burnt off and 
blackened, so that it has plenty of colour protection. It nests in a 
burnt-out hole in the side of a tree, or in a spout of a hollow log. 
White-headed Tree-runner (Neositta leucocephala) • Fairly 
numerous; found nesting. 
Brown Tree-creeper (Climacteris picumna ).—Common throughout 
the forest country. Seme years ago, when cyaniding Opossums was 
allowed, I had set a bait of dry oatmeal at the foot of a tree. In the 
morning I tipped the bait over and rubbed it into the dust with my 
foot. Happening to pass the tree again in the afternoon, I found a 
dead Tree-creeper lying where the bait had been. It must have been 
picking up the grains of oatmeal and got a little cyanide. 
White-throated Tree-creeper (Climacteris le,ucophaea ). — Fairly 
common in scrubs and range country, where it has been found nesting. 
Mistletoe-bird (Dicaeum hirundinaceum) .—Common. 
Red-tipped Pardalote (Pardalotub ornatus ).—Keeps to the tops of 
big trees. We never discovered its nesting place. 
Spotted Pardalote (Pardalolus punctatus ). — This species also 
occurs, but we have never found its nest. 
