CAYLEY’S BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 
Coloured plates by NEVILLE W. CAYLEY 
Text by A. S. Le SOUEF, assisted by CHAS. BARRETT, C.M.Z.S. 
With contributions by many Australian Ornithologists ; 
To be published in parts by ANGUS & ROBERTSON LTD., Sydney 
The nomenclature adopted by the R.A.O.U. (“Official Check List of the Birds 
of Australia’) will be followed, including any changes that may be made by the 
present Check List Committee prior to the publication of the part dealing with the 
species concerned. 
~ 
FORM FOR RECORDING FIELD NOTES 
(Numbers as per R.A.O.U. Check List 1913) 
Torrrent rr ttuttlisa 2s Name... Mega podius... CUMULUS. .rcmmnesnnauomninenmnnnne 
NOTE :—All replies to the following questions to be based solely on personal observation. 
When this form has been filled in, it should be posted to Mr. NEVILLE W. CAYLEY, 
C/o Messrs. Angus & Robertson Ltd., 89 Castlereagh Street, Sydney, N.S.W. 
1. Vernacular or popular. names, stating localities where used :— 
serub-hen, Cape York Peninsula, 
2. Notes on habits, etc.; type of country favoured by species; state whether 
rare or abundant :— 
N.Queensland. 
Cape York Peninsula, Fairly numerous in the tropical 
scrubs throughout the whole of the peninsula; often met 
with in the mangroves and occasionally seen in the for- 
est country. Old nesting mounds have been noted on many 
of the small scrub-clad islands, within the area of the 
Great Barrier Reef from Cape Melville northward, but no 
birds were seen. On some of the big islands old mounds 
were often noted, and a few birds seen., Of late years 
the Natives of these islands, have become possessed of 
Firearms, and the birds fall an easy prey to them; and, 
during the laying season numbers of the eggs: are taken 
by them for food, 
N,@erritory. 
Noted during 1915-16,, on Bickerton and Woodah Islands, 
Fort Bradshaw. Liverpool and King Rivers. Not numerous, . 
owing to the scarcity of suitable scrub country, During 
1221,., a few birds were noted on Groote Eylandt. 
Usually seen in pairs; occasionally, three or four have 
been seen together, They are very shy, and, on seeing 
or hearing any foreign movement or sound, run rapidly 
away, If suddenly disturbed they fly up into a tree,and 
if disturbed again, fly away off, over the top of the 
scrub. Heard calling frequently during the night, and 
occasionally, during the day. After sunset I have often 
Seen them flying up into the trees to roost,yet, judging 
by their Calls, they appear to be largely nocturnal in 
their habits, 
