V °\ 9 X i ,V - ] CHURCH, Birds of Burketown, N. Qld. 295 
Pteropodocys maxima. Ground Cuckoo-Shrike.—Had a fleeting 
sight of one during a visit to the lagoon. The banded abdomen and 
elevation of the tail after' flight led me to believe the bird belonged 
to this species. 
Graucalus novae-hollandiae. Black-faced Cuckoo-Shrike.—Fairly 
common. Considered a useful bird by the pastoralists; observed 
several at the lagoon and along the river banks. 
Artamus leucorhynchus. White-breasted Wood-Swallow.—Saw a 
small flock one day while visiting the ruins of the old meat works; 
they remained in the vicinity only a few days. 
Artamus hypoleucus. Grey-breasted Wood-Swallow.—Several of 
these fine birds were in company with the previous species. 
Grallina cyanoleuca. Magpie Lark.—These were common about the 
town and river-banks. 
Plectorhyncha lanceolata. Striped Honey-eater.—Am very doubt¬ 
ful about this species. I observed what I took to be one among the 
stunted coolibars on the edge of the lagoon, but it was highly probable 
I was mistaken. 
Malurus melanocephalus. Orange-backed Wren.—Noted a pair of 
these gorgeous birds among the long grass on the bore drain. Un¬ 
doubtedly, the male is a very noble bird, quite bold and full of restless 
activity. I was able to approach them closely. I was unfortunate in 
being unable to locate their nest, but many (fays’ watching failed to 
reveal their secret. 
Anthus australis. Australian Pipit.—Quite common; seen in com¬ 
pany with the following species. 
Mirafra horsfieldi. Bush Lark.—Delightful bird, lovely songster, 
and quite common. One day, while riding to the lagoon, I noticed a 
specimen very much lighter in colour—almost a very light buff—• 
back, wings, head light buff, under almost white, legs, bill dark brown, 
eye black, note similar to bush-lark, also same soaring flight. 
Cinclorhamphus cruralis.—Brown Song-Lark.—Noted two of these 
during my rides over the plains. They were very tame, and I was able 
to approach them quite closely. Perhaps the fact that I was on horse¬ 
back accounts for this. 
Corvus cecilae. Australian Crow.—A few of these birds were noted 
flying over the plains, but they were by no means common. 
The Red-faced Fig Parrot. —On page 26 of The Emu, Vol. 
XXIV., I find an interesting account of an interesting 
bird. It is the so-called “Fig Parrot,” known to me 
under the name of Cyclepsitta coxeni. In or about 
1870, I sent a young friend, the late Mr. Pettard, of 
Launceston, on a collecting trip to the Richmond River, N.S.W. 
Pettard, who was a good all-round collector, sent me, among 
many other birds, six specimens of C. coxeni, several of the 
Rufous Bristle-bird ( Sphemira broadbenti) , and the Albert Lyre¬ 
bird ( Memira albcrti). At this time my dear old friend, the 
late Count de Castelnau, then French Consul-General for 
Australia, had a keen interest in birds, in addition to his entomo¬ 
logical favourites. I let the Count have four of the coxeni, two 
Sphemira, and two alberti; the others were secured by Pro¬ 
fessor McCoy for the National Museum, Melbourne. When 
Pettard was at the Richmond River, he made his headquarters 
at Lismore—then, I believe, in its natural beauty. I may add 
that when the Count died, his collections went to the Museum 
of the Jardin des Plantes, Paris. — C. French, sen. (late Govern¬ 
ment Entomologist, Victoria). 
