294 
CHURCH, Birds of Burketown, N. Old [ T 
Cacatua, sp. White Cockatoo.*—One large flock of these noisv 
birds stayed until the first rain among the mangroves on the river- 
bank. They left for Squires Island, where they usually breed, early 
in December. 
Cacatua sanguinea. Little Corella. — A small flock visited the 
town after the flood in January. A specimen was brought to me by 
one of the children. I was very unfortunate in not seeing any Parrots 
during my stay in the town. I am, however, hoping to see some of the 
Grass-Parrots on my trip through to the Northern Territory. 
Podargus strigoides. Tawny Frogmouth.—Flushed one specimen 
during a trip down the river. Apparently these birds are rare in the 
district. 
Halcyon pyrrhopygius. Red-backed Kingfisher. — I saw one bird 
almost at the mouth of the river; but, though I searched for a long 
time, I could not find any trace of a mate or sign of a nest. 
Halcyon sanctus. Sacred Kingfisher.—Several pairs are recorded 
in my diary; the lagoon, the bore drain and the river, each had its 
pair. Their bright plumage and lightning flight, afforded me much 
enjoyment. 
Merops ornatus. Rainbow-bird. — I have two notes of this lovely 
bird; I may add, my favourite among Australian birds. I have spent 
many hours in sheer rapture watching its graceful flight. When it 
alights for a brief moment I find each time a new tone or another 
unsuspected graceful line in its plumage. It is very aptly named 
Rainbow-bird. 
Scythrops nova?-holfandue. Channel-bill Cuckoo. — I was greatly 
pleased to see this peculiar bird. I had heard much when I first 
arrived here of the wonderful “hornbill” that camped annually on the 
river-bank. My first encounter was about 3 miles up stream from 
the town. I was having my lunch under a small coolibar tree, when 
I was very much startled to hear a weird shriek proceeding from the 
river bank. Jumping up, I forced my way through the mangroves. As 
I reached the water’s edge, another shriek almost unnerved me. In 
another moment, however, my fears were set at rest. A hustle in 
the branches above, a slight “whirr,” and a fine specimen sailed sagely 
across the river. I did not see the “mate” of my tormentor (I be¬ 
lieve he shrieked merely to frighten me), but I judged him to be a 
male. He stayed for nearly a fortnight. Apparently he well-earned 
his name of “Storm-bird.” His arrival was just two days prior to 
the heavy rains which flooded the district. I saw him once more 
when the flood waters had gone down. 
Cherameeca leucesternum. White-backed Swallow. — Several in¬ 
habited the “bore” drain, but left early in January. 
Hylochelidon arid. Fairy Martin. — These very pretty birds lived 
in the sandy banks of the river, about six miles up stream. I saw 
several of their peculiar nests. The narrow stem, puzzled me for 
some time, but I am of the opinion that it is a mild form of “camou¬ 
flage.” There is no doubt that it does, to a great extent, deceive one 
as to real position of the eggs. 
Microeca fascinans. Jacky Winter. — Very common about the town 
and along the bore drain, river banks and lagoon. 
Microeca brunneicauda. Brown-tailed Flycatcher. — A cat caught 
one of these birds one day, and a close examination revealed the 
brown tail feathers. I do not think the species is common in the dis¬ 
trict. 
Rhipidura leucophrys. Black and White-Fantail. — Several speci¬ 
mens stayed about the town. I could not find any nest. 
Seisura inquieta. Restless Flycatcher. — I observed a pair of these 
on the edge of the lagoon. Their quick flight and sudden hover made 
them amusing to watch. 
* The writer identified this Cockatoo as the Corella, Licmetis tcnui- 
rostris, but we think this must have been a mistake.—Editor. 
