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THE

SOUTH AUSTRALIAN

|} ORNITHOLOGIST,

A Magazine of Ornithology.

JANUARY, 1914. 927 jaculad dostig to

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EDITORIAL COMMITTEE:

Messrs. F. R. Z1IETZ
(President)
A. M. MORGAN,

rey S. A AVHEDE, a

2 | RP CROMPTON, ‘ =
Eo ay nm
| 3 Price, 2/= ana =

THE

south Australian

ORNITHOLOGIST.

a aman

Editorial Commiuttee :
Messrs. F. R. ZiETz (President)
A. M. MorGAan
S. A. WHITE
R. CROMPTON

Seema ee eg re I IO TE GI Ee Se” NEN ee ee eee

ies
Sea

CONTENTS.

History of Ornithology in South Australia (R. Crompton) - -
The Avifauna of Melville Island, Northern Territory (Zietz)

Order Passeriformes, Family Muscicapidae. Rhipidura Tricolor
—The Black and White Fantail - : < :

Halcyon macleayii ceruleus subsp. n. The Northern Forest
Kingfisher (Ashby) - : - : - : 2 : s

A note on Diceum hirundinaceum and the Loranthus seed
(Morgan) - - - - : - - - - - -

Current Observations :—
.

Fantailed Cuckoo Breeding near Adelaide (Mellor) -
Black-tailed Native Hen, etc. (Laffer) : - : -

Observation of Laughing Jackass—Dacelo gigas (C. L. Crompton)

ie gig (so ae

South Australian Ornithologist.

Wor. 1.| JANUARY, 1914. [Part l.

History of Ornithology in South Australia.

By R. CRoMPTON.

Before the year 1855, there were a few ornithologists and col-
lectors of birds in this colony. These men knew our birds,
studied their habits, noticed strangers, and some of them col-
lected skins. But in that year an Act was passed incorporat-
ing the South Australian Institute and Museum. Mr. F. G.
Waterhouse, C.M.Z.S., H.M.R.S., F.L.S., was appointed cura-
tor. Mr. Waterhouse did much good work in collecting type
specimens of birds. Mr. Samuel White was another en-
thusiast; he found among other birds Artamus melanops,
and Malurus callainus in the interior, and in many ways assis-
ted Mr. John Gould in his book on Australian birds.

In 1861, Mr. Waterhouse accompanied John McDouall Stuart
and his party on his memorable exploration trip across the
continent, as naturalist, collecting much valuable material.
On his return however, space at the old Institute soon be-
came totally inadequate, and the specimens had to be packed
away in the cellar where they got into a very bad state.

In 1882, Mr. Waterhouse retired and most of his birds were
ordered to be burned by his successor, as they were said to be
ruined by insufficient attention. On December 18th, 1884, the
Public Library and Museum was opened and Mr. A. H. C.
Zietz, F.L.S8., C.M.Z.8., who had been appointed preparator
about six months previously, enthusiastically set to work to
gather together another reference collection. As the cabinets
gradually became filled several ornithologists, notably Dr. A.
M. Morgan. Captain S. A. White, who follows in his father’s

6 /ROMPTON—History of Ornithology in South Australia.

footsteps, Messrs. J. W. Mellor, Edwin Ashby, and M. Symonds
Clark began using the growing museum collection, they dis-
cussed ornithological matters with Mr. Zietz, and from time
to time gave to, and exchanged specimens with him. About
the year 1898, Mr. Zietz proposed the formation of a bird club
in Adelaide and with this idea in view, spoke to several of his
friends. The scheme was cordially supported and a meeting
was held to consider the advisability of forming an association.
It was at first suggested to form a branch of the Royal Society,
but on second consideration this was thought to be inadvisable,
as this science was of no interest to most of its members, and
to be of any use the members must be trained systematic orni-
thologists.

The inaugural meeting was held at Dr. A. M. Morgan’s resi-
dence, 27 Angas Street, Adelaide, on March 17th, 1899. Those
present were Dr. Morgan, Messrs. A. H. C. Zietz, J. W. Mellor,
F. R. Zietz, E. Ashby, M.S. Clark. Dr. Morgan was voted to
the chair. It was resolved that a Society to be called the
South Australian Ornithological Association be formed. It
was also resolved that Dr. Morgan and Messrs. Zietz and Mel-
lor act as a committee to frame and draft rules for this associa
tion.

The meeting was then adjourned till March 27th, when Dr.
Morgan was elected the first President and Mr. J. W. Mellor,
was elected Hon. Secretary and Treasurer, which office he con-
tinued to hold for 14 years with the exception of one year when

he occupied the presidential chair.

The following rules were then adopted.

1. That this Association be called the “South Australian Orni-
thological Association.”

. The objects of this Association shall be the study, and re-
cording of the habits, and economy, and identification
and protection of Australian birds.

3. This Association shall be controlled by a Committee, called
the Committee of Management, which shall consist of
the President, Vice-President, and Secretary of the
Association. .

4. This Association shall meet on the first Friday of each alter-
nate month.

5. The Committee of Management may arrange other meetings

or excursions, due notice of which must be given to the
members.

is)

°? CROMPTON—History of Ornithology in South Australia. 7

6. The election of officers shall take place at the annual gene-
ral meeting to be held in March of each year.

*All nominations shall be in the hands of the Secretary
at least ten days previous to such meeting, or adjourned
meeting.

7. New members may be proposed and seconded by two
members of the Association at any meeting and must be
balloted for at the next evening meeting; one black bali
in five to exclude.

8. The entrance fee shall be five shillings and the annual sub-
scription two shillings and sixpence.

*The entrance fee shall be five shillings and the annual
subscription fifteen shillings to begin from March, 1914.

9. A record book shall be kept in charge of the Secretary, to
which all members shall at convenient times have ac-
cess, and in which they may record any ornithological
observations of interest they may make.

10. The business at general meetings shall be the election of
officers and new members, the reading of papers, and the
exhibition of specimens, and general discussion of orni-
thological matters.

11. At general meetings three shall form a quorum, at com-
mittee meetings two shall form a quorum.

12. These rules may not be altered, added to, or rescinded, ex-
cept on a written motion presented and signed by two
members at an evening meeting, and confirmed on the
next subsequent evening meeting by a two-thirds ma-
jority of those present.

* Subsequent additions to rules.

Some of the more important work done during the fourteen
years’ life of the South Australian Ornithological Association
may not be without interest.

This Association has since its inception stood :—Firstly, for
the protection of our native birds, a most important work, as
many of them are insectivorous, making their principal if not
their only food of pests, which, if not checked would seriously
injure if not ruin our forests and greatly diminish our crops.
Others are seed eaters and consume enormous quantities of the
seeds of thistles and other weeds, thus preventing their spread-
ing so rapidly. Others again are scavengers, eating dead ani.
mals, thereby arresting the spread of disease among our stock.
Again others are the enemies of snakes, snails, etc., and lastlv

8 CROMPTON—History of Ornithology in South Australra.

the cormorants feed on the enemies of our fish although fisher-
men do not all recognize it.

We have watched the close season for our game birds, made
suggestions for its improvement, encouraged and assisted the
police in prosecutions against offenders taking or destroying
these birds while breeding. We have noticed the export of
cage birds, which is a large business. It is obvious that were it
not for an enthusiastic body of men constantly watching over
these matters, it would be very few years before there would
be no game birds for our sportsmen and no finches or parrots
available for export. This Association has also been a formid-
able enemy to the plume hunters, men who would shoot the
egret on her nest, exterminate our robins, wrens, and bee
eaters for the decoration of women’s hats, and when they find
that public opinion is against them, roused by the work of bird
protection associations, would try and dispose of their spoils
as artificial.

Secondly the study of our avifauna. Much information has
been gained regarding the habits, food, ete., of our birds, which
without systematic endeavour would have been impossible, e.g.
it was recorded by Mr. J. W. Mellor that under a tree at the
Reedbeds, frequented by a pair of the delicate owl strir delica-
tula, were to be found large numbers of the quids ejected by
these birds, on examination of which he had found them to con-
tain a great number of sparrow, and mouse heads, also the re-
mains of several rats. In all over 200 of these quids were ex-
amined and not one contained the remains of any native bird.

The first work of note the association engaged in was the pro-
tection of the birds on our forest reserves. These reserves
were really waste land leased for grazing purposes, and no par-
ticular care was taken of the timber thereon. Anyone could
come along, get a permit from the lessee, who was called care-
taker, and for a nominal fee, cut any timber that suited his
purpose. The birds were not protected, and as a rule these
reserves formed happy hunting grounds for anybody who had
a gun.

The forest reserves are now under the control of the conser:
vator of forests. many hundred thousand trees have been
planted, timber is cut systematically under the management of
a permanent caretaker, and they have all been gazetted bird
sanctuaries under The Birds Protection Act of 1900.

Then closely followed the Birds Protection Act of 1900. The
members were not only largely instrumental in getting the

CROMPTON—History of Ornithology in South Australia. 9

comprehensive list of birds put into the first schedule, but had
to fight and fight hard for the inclusion of almost every species.
The second schedule was still more difficult, quite a number of
these birds are apt to damage crops at times when their
natural food is scarce and members of Parliament representing
country interests, saw only the harm they did, and could only
be apprised of the good they do, by a body of ornithologists.
Finally the section relating to bird sanctuaries was considered
by a certain section of the House to be a copy of the British
Game Laws which they hoped would never be introduced into
Australia. However. the early members of the Association,
much to their credit, got it passed.

At the meeting of this Association on September 11th, 1899,
Mr. A. J. Campbell. F.1..S., was present as a visitor. <A con-
ference was held with this gentleman regarding the formation
of an Australasian Ornithological Union to hold annual meet-
ings in the capitals of the various colonies.

The idea was warmly supported, but the members thought it
advisable that the local Associations should still continue
their work, thereby keeping up local interest; and that these
societies should appoint delegates to attend the inter-colonial
congresses. Mr. Campbell thanked the South Australian As-
sociation for its suggestion, and congratulated South Australia
on having such a society, more especially as it was the first of
its kind in Australia.

The following year a representative of this Association went
to Melbourne to attend the preliminary meeting, to consider
the formation of this proposed inter-colonial union. At this
meeting the “Australasian Ornithologists’ Union,” since re-
christened “The Royal Australasian Ornithologists’ Union,”
by Royal command, was formed and a committee appointed to
draw up rules, to be presented to the various colonies for
approval.

At the annual meeting of the R.A.O.U. at Hobart in 1906, M:
J. W. Mellor and Captain S. A. White advocated the introduc
tion of the lyre bird into Tasmania and the mallee fowl inte
Kangaroo Island, as they felt that ere long the foxes would
have depleted these beautiful birds, nearly if not quite, to ex-
tinction. It seemed to them that these birds were admirably
suited to these localities; where they would be free from the
ravages of this rapidly increasing pest. This suggestion was
taken up by the South Australian Association as far as Kan-
garoo Island is concerned. The introduction of the lyre bird

10 CROMPTON—History of Ornithology in South Australia.

into Tasmania unfortunately, so far, has been neglected. The
first thing to be done was to get the lighthouse reserve at Cape
Borda gazetted a bird sanctuary. This was successfully ac-
complished. (It has since been considerably enlarged). Then
the more difficult task of securing the birds, taking them to the
spot, and liberating them had to be faced. At the instigation
of members several gentlemen willingly gave subscriptions,
the society voted most of its surplus funds for the purpose and
the Government gave £10. It was ascertained that Mr. Bell-
chambers of the Humbug Scrub, north-east of Adelaide, had
been successful in trapping the mallee fowl during breeding
season, a permit was secured to allow him to obtain some, and
in the spring of 1910 he was able to trap six birds. ‘These were
bought by the Association and forwarded to Mr. Mellor, who
kept them at the Reedbeds till the Marine Board was sending
a steamer to the lighthouse at Cape Borda with stores, when
the President kindly consented to allow them to be taken down
free of charge, under the care of Mr. J. W. Mellor and liber-
ated. The lighthouse keepers also interested themselves in
the work, and gave every possible assistance. The following
year Mr. Mellor heard that some farmers, Messrs. Perry Bros.
of the Cleve Ranges, Eyre’s Peninsula, had some mallee fowl
so tame, that they regularly came to feed with their poultry;
he immediately wrote to them asking if he might catch some to
be liberated on Kangaroo Island, and joyfully received the re-
ply that he might do so. He accordingly journeyed to the spot
and succeeded in netting seven birds. These were brought to
Adelaide, housed for a month at his home at the Reedbeds, and
safely liberated near Cape Borda by him personally through
the courtesy of the President of the Marine Board. It is very
difficult to find out how these birds are taking to their new
home, but fairly recently their tracks were observed about
seven miles from where they were set free. In April 1910, Mr.
A. G. Edquist, a member of the Association, and head of the
nature study in State schools brought forward a scheme for
training the children with a view to make them observant bird
lovers. A league was formed called “The Gould League for
the Protection of Birds,” school clubs were formed (these clubs
were optional among the scholars); and the Association gave a
silver challenge cup for competition in essays on bird life. The
cup to be held by the winning school for the ensuing twelve
months. This league is doing incalculable good as the desire
to kill birds and rob their nests is gradually becoming elim-
inated. This movement has already become an important fac-

% ZIETZ—Avifauna of Melville Island, Northern Territory. 11

tor for bird protection and as time goes on will become more
so. There are now in the State 346 school clubs, with about
11,000 members.

In conclusion it may be interesting to ae a list of the sanc-
tuaries gazetted under the Birds Protection Act of 1900, al-
though it may be incomplete.

These I think are all owing to recommendations from this
Association.

All forest reserves, the principal of which are Wirrabara,
Kuitpo, Narracoorte, Warunda, etc., Explosives magazine re-
serve, Dangerous Reef, Page’s Islands off Kangaroo Island, Is.
lands in the upper Coorong, Islands in Coffins, Mount Dutton,
and Kellidie Bays, Cape Borda reserve, Waterfall Gully, Lake
Bonney, Kensington Gardens.

The Avifauna of Melville Island, Northern
Territory.

By F. R. Zierz.

The following is a list with short descriptions of nine new sub-
species of birds known to occur on Melville Island. This list
has been compiled from those recorded by Mr. Gregory M.
Mathews in “The Austral Avian Record,” which were collected
for him by Mr. J. P. Rogers. Mr. Mathews records 67 sub-
species, to which I am now able to add 30, making a total of
97. These additional ones are in the South Australian
Museum collection and were recently collected by Mr. W. D.
Dodd, who was engaged to collect natural history specimens
in Western Australia, the Northern Territory, and Queensland.
Mr. Dodd did exceedingly well in regard to birds for the short
time that he spent on the island, as he had to attend to other
_ branches of zoology besides ornithology. He landed on the is-
land on the 7th of July and left again on the 30th August and
collected altogether 85 species, the eggs of about 20, and seve-
ral nests. After leaving Melville Island, Mr. Dodd visited
Bathurst Island, where he also obtained several birds,
which have not yet come to hand. He has now commenced to
.collect on the mainland. Specimens from the latter locality
will be very welcome as they will prove valuable for compari-

12 ZIBTZ—Avifauna of Melville Island, Northern Territory.

son with insular forms. It will be noticed in this paper that
several birds have been queried; this is due to not yet having
their mainland representatives or sufficient material for com
parison. In some instances no difference could be found, but
others again showed a decidedly constant darker shade in plu-
mage, and others were either larger or smaller than their main-
land representatives. Those species prefixed by an asterisk
had not been previously recorded, and those prefixed by an “O”
were not contained in Mr. Dodd’s collection.

All measurements are given in millimeters.

5a. Megapodius duperreyi melvillensis—Melville Island

Serub-Fowl.

a. Corturnia australis melvillensis—Melville Island

Brown Quail.

_ Turnixe castanota melvillensis—Melville Island . Chest-

nut-backed Quail.

. Plilinopus regina melvillensis—Melville Island Rose-

crowned Pigeon.

. Myristicivora bicolor melvillensis—Melville Island

Nutmeg Pigeon.

. Geopelia humeralis apsleyi—Melville Island Barred-

shouldered Dove.

. Geopelia placida melvillensis—Melville Island Ground

Dove.

. Chalcophaps chrysochlora melvillensis subsp. n.—Melville

Island Green Pigeon.
Crown of head and nape paler and wings longer than
specimens from the Northern Territory, Cape York.
and Richmond River, New South Wales, length of
wing 161, Northern Territory 150 and 151, Cape
York 147, Richmond River 158.

Phaps chalcoptera riordani—Melville Island Bronze-
winged Pigeon.

. Geophaps smithii cicitlaec—Melville Island Naked-eyed

Partridge Pigeon.

. EHvlabeornis castaneoventris melvilu—Melville Island

Rail.

Hypsibates leucocephalus subsp.?. (immature)—White.
headed Stilt.

. Drediparra gallinacea melvillensis—Northern Jacana.
Stiltia isabella subsp.? (immature)—Australian Pratin-

cole.

a ee

ZLETZ—Avifauna of Melville Island, Northern Territory. 13

*246

O24 72.
42820.

o2sTa.

peel

0315a.

Reyeye
d3dda.

ew as
*Ouloa.

0369a.

Burhinus magnirostris subsp.?—Stone Plover.

(No Northern Territory specimens for comparison).

E'sacus magnirostris melvillensis—Allied Long-billed

Stone-plorer.

Butorides javanica subsp.?—Mangrove Bittern.

(No Northern Territory specimen for comparison).

Ardeiralla flavicollis melvillensis—Melville Island Bit.

tern.

Anseranas semipalmata—Pied Goose.
Carbo melanoleucus melvillensis—Northern Little Cor:

morant.

Astur clarus robustus subsp. n.—The Greater Nor

thern Grey Goshawk.

Thisa much stronger-built bird than Astur
radiatus from North Queensland, it has a stouter
bill, longer and stouter legs and claws. The whole
of the upper surface greyish brown, under surface
white with greyish-brown markings; the throat is
streaked; upper breast heavily blotched, lower
breast sides of body and abdomen heavily barred,
some of these bars washed with rufous; thighs with
narrow and fainter cross-bars, undertailcoverts
white, secondaries and tail feathers with faint -
blackish cross-bars. Iris and feet yellow, sex
female, wing 288, tarsus 81. A female of A. radia-
tus {hitacre from North Queensland measures wing
266 tarsus 74.

Astur fasciatus didimus—Melville Island Goshawk.
Haliastur sphenurus territeri.?—Northern Whistling

Eagle.

Differs from South Australian and Victorian speci-
mens in being much smaller and darker in the whole
of the plumage. Sex, male, wing 377. Males from
South Australia 402 and 416, Victoria 428.

Falco longipennis apsleyi—-Northern Little Falcon.

aila. Tracidea berrigora melvillensis—Northern Brown

Hawk.

0375a. Pandion haliaeties melvillensis—N orthern White.

headed Osprey.

381la. Ninox boobook melvillensis—Red Boobook Owl.
394a. Trichoglossus rubritorquis melvillensis—Northern Red.

collared Lorikeet.

*407a. Trichoglossus versicolour mellori.?—Varied Lorikeet.

(No Northern Territory specimens for comparison).

} i

4A ZIETZ—Avifauna of Melville Island, Northern Territory.

428a.
433a.

*45 1a.

0468a.
24a.
*540b.

548a.
553a.

*556.

560a.
*564a.
569a.

*581a.

Much darker green throughout the whole of the
plumage, the red of the crown of the head is not so
vivid, and also a smaller bird in comparison to
specimens from the Fitzroy River, N.W. Australia.
Wing 114, N.W.A. specimens av. 125.

. Calyptorhynchus banksii macrorhynchus?—Great-billed

Cockatoo.
These birds have a much stronger bill than speci-
mens from N.W. Australia and may prove to be
identical with the above.
(No Northern Territory specimens for comparison).

Cacatoes galerita melvillensis —Northern White Cocka
too. .

Cacatoes sanguinea apsleyi—Melville Island Bare-eyed
Cockatoo.

Aprosmictus erythropterus melvillensis subsp. n.—Mel.
ville Island Red-winged Parrot.
Much darker green and longer in the wing than
specimens from the Northern Territory; crown of
head and nape strongly washed with blue. Wing
185, N.T. specimens 175 and 180.

Platycercus venustus melvillensis—Melville Island
Smutty Parrot.

Podargus strigoides melvillensis—Melville Island Frog
mouth.

Alcyone pusilla ramsayi?—Northern Little Kingfisher
(No Northern Territory specimens for comparison).

Dacelo leachi nana—Dwarf Fawn-breasted Kingfisher.

Halcyon macleayii publa—Melville Island Forest King-
fisher.

Halcyon sanctus subsp.? (immature)—Sacred King-
fisher.

Halcyon sordidus melvillensis—Northern Mangrove
Kingfisher.

Merops ornatus subsp.?—Bee-eater.
(No Northern Territory specimens for comparison).

Caprimulgus macrurus subsp.?—Large-tailed Nightjar.
(No Northern Territory specimens for comparison).

Cuculus pyrrophamus dumetorum?—Fan-tailed Cuckoo.
(No Northern Territory specimens for comparison).

*591. Chrysococcyxr minutillus melvillensis” subsp. n—Mel-

ville Island Bronze Cuckoo.
Differs from C. minutillus in having the crown of
head dark green, also the darker colouration of the

ZIETZ—Avifauna of Melville Island, Northern Territory. 15

*600a.

§53a.
664a.
673b.
680a.

*687a.

*697a.

whole of the upper surface and tail, the latter show-
ing very little rufous, and the black subterminal
band being visible on the central tailfeathers.
Wing 96.

Centropus phasianus macrourus?—Northern Coueal.
Two males, wing 230 and 241, male from Bellinger
District, New South Wales, wing 210.

. Microeca flavigaster melvillensis—Melville Island

Lemon-breasted Flycatcher.

. Petroica cucullata melvillensis subsp. n.—Melville Is -

land Hooded Robin.
Differs from P. cucullata subpicata in its smaller
size and in having its black markings as rich as
those of Victorian and South Australian specimens
of P. cucullata vigorsi. Wing 85, av., wing of P.c.
subpicata 97.

Smicrornis brevirostris melvillensis—Melville Island
Yellow-tinted Tree-Tit.

Gerygone magnirostris melvillensis
Large-billed Fly-eater.

Gerygone chloronta apsleyi-—Melville Island Green.
backed Fly-eater.

Melville Island

Pachycephala lewcwra greda—Melville Island White. ©

tailed Shrike-Robin.

Pachycephala gutturalis longirostris subsp. n.—Long.
billed Thickhead.
Tail black at base, slightly tipped with grey, wing
83, bill 17, specimen from Barron River, Queens-
land, has wing 88, bill 13.

Pachycephala rufiventris minor subsp. n.—Lesser Ru.
fous—breasted Thickhead.
Similar in colouration of upper and lower surface to
that of P.r. inornata from South Australia, but has
less black on sides of head; tailfeathers black at
their base instead of grey. Wing 89, wing of P.r.
inornata 99.

704a. Pachycephala grisola riordani—Melville Island Brown

Thickhead.

*727 Rhipidura rufifrons dryas—Wood Fantail.

Apparently no difference between the insular and
mainland specimens.

729a. Rhipidura setosa melvillensis—Melville Island Fantail.
736a. Myiagra rubecula melvillensis—Melville Island Blue

Flycatcher.

16 ZIETZ—Avifauna of Melville Island, Northern Territory.

739a. Myiagra latifrons cooperi—Melville Island Broad-billed
Flycatcher.

748a. Monarcha alecto melvillensis—Melville Island Shining
Flycatcher.

761a. Coracina novae-hollandiae didimus—Melville Island
Cuckoo-Shrike.

763a. Coracina hypoleuca apsleyi—White-billed Cuckoo-
Shrike.

0769a. Coracina tenuirostris melvillensis—Melville Island
Caterpillar-catcher.

*774a. Lalage leucomela gouldi—Banded Caterpillar-eater.
Apparently no difference between the insular and
mainland specimens.

810a. Pomatorhinus temporalis bamba—Melville Island Red.
breasted Babbler.

o855a. Acrocephalus australis melvillensis—Northern Reed-
wren.

858a. Cisticola exilis melvillensis—Allied Grass-Warbler.

865a. Megalurus alisteri melvillensis—Melville Island Grass
ried.
967a. Malurus melanocephalus melvillensis—Melville Island
Red-backed Wren.
991a. Artamus leucorhynchus melvillensis—Melville Island
White-rumped Wood Swallow.
Ng *1011la. Colluricincla brunnea melvillensis subsp. n.—Melville
Island Red-bellied Shrike Thrush.
Upper and lower surface darker and bill thinner
than in specimens from N.W. Australia. Wing 125.
+ *1015a. Colluricincla parvula melvillensis subsp. n.—Melville
Island Little Shrike-Thrush.
Upper surface much darker and bill longer than
mainland specimens. Wing 95-101, bill 22-23, main
land specimen, wing 93, bill 20.
1031a. Cracticus quoyi subsp.?—Allied Butcher Bird.
(No Northern Territory mainland specimens for
comparison).

*1037. Oracticus nigrogularis picatus—Vied Butcher Bird.
Apparently no difference between insular and main-
land specimens.

1073b. Neositta pileata melvillensis-—Melville Island White.
winged Tree-runner.

*1111 Dicaewm hirundinaceum subsp.?2—Mistletoe Bird.
Only one female collected.

ZIETZ—Avifauna of Melville Island, Northern Territory. 17

1151a.
1141a.
1162a.
1169a.
_1185b.
1200a.

1218a.

1258.

1265a.
01293a.
1312a.
1315a.
1316b.

13234.

01331.
01339.
01357.

*1387

*1389

*1398

Pardalotus melanocephalus melvillensis—Melville Is.
land Orange-rumped Pardalote.

Melithreptus lunulatus gradus—Melville Island
White-naped Honey-eater.

Myzomela erythrocephala —melvillensis—Melville — Is-
land Red-headed Honey-eater.

Myzomelu obscura apsleyi—Melville Island Dusky
Honey-eater.

Gliciphila fasciata apsleyi—Melville Island White
breasted Honey-eater.

Stigmatops indistincta melvillensis—Melville Island
Least Honey-eater.

Ptilotis sonora cooperi—Melyille Island Singing
Honey-eater.

Ptilotis flavescens melvillensis—Melville Island Yel
low-tinted Honey-eater.

Ptilotis unicolor brenda—Melville Island White-gaped
Honey-eater.

Myzantha flavigula melvillensis—Melville Island Yel-
low Minah. .

Entomyzon cyanotis apsleyi—Melville Island White-
quilled Honey-eater.

Philemon argenticeps melvillensis—Melville Island
Friar-Bird.

Philemon buceroides gordoni—Melville Island Hel.
meted Friar-Bird.

Philemon orientalis breda—Melville Island Little
Friar-Bird.

Anthus australis rogersi—Melville Island Pipit.

Mirafra javanica melvillensis—Northern Bush Lark.

Mania castaneothoraxr apsleyi—Melville Island Dark:
breasted Finch.

Oriolus_sagittatus affinis?—Oriole.

(No Northern Territory mainland specimens for
comparison).

Oriolus flavocinctus flavocinctus?—Yellow Oriole.

‘(No Northern Territory mainland specimens for
comparison).

Dicrurus bracteatus subsp.2—Spangled Drongo.
According to Mathews in “Novitates Zoologicae”
Vol. 18, p. 437 D. bracteatus baileyi of the Northern
Territory differs from D.b. bracteatus in its larger
wing—161. Only one Northern Territory specimen

1& Order Passeriformes, Family Muscicapidae.

at present in the South Australian Museum collee-
tion, wing 144, three specimens from the Clarence
River N.S.W., 157, 158 and 170, one from the Tweed
River N.S.W., 161; one male from Melville 152.
More material required for comparison.

1414a. Chlamydera nuchalis melvillensis—Melville Island
Bower-Bird.

*1423 Corvus coronoides subsp.?—Crow.

(No Northern Territory mainland specimens for
comparison).

[It is the intention of this paper to accurately and com-
pletely describe one South Australian bird in every issue.
beginning with the commoner. |

ce) <

Order Passeriformes, Family Muscicapidae.
Rhipidura tricolor—The Black and White Fantail.

Adult.—All the upper surface black, over each eve a conspicu:
ous line of white narrowing to a point posteriorly. Chin,
throat, and upper part of breast black, the feathers of the chin
and throat minutely tipped with white, the rest of the under
surface white. \Wing—Lesser upper coverts black, median and
greater coverts brownish black the five outermost tipped with
dull white, spurian wing dull black, primaries and secondaries
blackish brown, the outer webb of each feather darker than the
inner, the last two secondaries black. Under wing coverts
black, the outermost tipped with white. Thighs, black with
an indistinct edging of white at the knee. Tail, black, the
feathers showing indistinct transverse barring in certain
lights. Bill iris and feet black.

Total length 210 m.m., culmen 11. 5 m.m., Wing 96 am m., Tail
106 m.m., Tarsus 25 m.m.

The sexes are alike in colour. Young birds have the white
stippling under the jaw more marked than in adults. The
white line over the eye varies much, in some specimens it is al-
most absent.

The black and white flycatcher or fantail is more generally
known as the wagtail or shepherds companion. It is distri-

Order Passeriformes, Family Muscicaprdae. 19

buted throughout Australia and is found upon some of the
neighbouring islands. They are still common even in the city
of Adelaide, nearly every garden of any size having its resi-
dent pair of birds which drive away all others of their own
species, even their own young are chased away as soon as
they are able to look after themselves, for this reason there is
seldom more than one pair in each garden. They are familiar
birds and if not interfered with soon become tame enough to
come into verandahs and even rooms. They spend much of
their time upon the ground and may often be seen on lawns and
grassy places making short runs with wings half spread, light-
ning-like twists and turns and short leaps into the air as they
capture some insect on the wing. They are forever on the
move, the long tail now shut now open like a fan and wagged
from side to side or revolved as though upon a pivot, never
moved up and down as with the true wagtails. <A favourite
haunt is near the head of feeding horses, cattle, and sheep, to
catch the harvest of flying insects disturbed by the browsing
animals.

They are pugnacious birds; they will attack cats, dogs,
hawks, or anything which meet with their disapproval. <A
pair has been known to line their nest with the fur stolen from
a live cat, and Mr. C. F. Rischbieth has a pair in his garden at
tlenelg, which have the house cats in complete subjection,
Directly a cat appears on the iawn the wagtails attack and
drive him off again, the birds will even light on the cat’s back.
On one occasion at Seaton golf links a pair kept a nankeen
kestrel on a tree afraid to move for a quarter of an hour or
more, they kept hovering over him and directly he opened his
wings they darted furiously at his head. Occasionally a cat
secures one, but not often.

Their song is not unpleasant but monotonous, it has been
compared to the words “Sweet pretty creature,” and also to
“Willie split his breeches.” On moonlight nights they sing all
night and if near a bedroom window they become an intoler-
able nuisance. The alarm note is a harsh chatter.

Nest building begins in September and goes on until the énd
of December and sometimes later. The nest is usually placed
within a few feet of the ground but is sometimes as much as 30
feet up.. It is built on a horizontal limb or fork, dead wood for
preference, when near a creek it is usually placed on a branch
overhanging water. When semi-domesticated they will build
in almost any situation such as the rafters of a shed or veran-

20 ASH BY—The Northern Forest Kingfisher.

dah, the bight of a loop of rope (specimen in the Adelaide
Museum), or the leaves of a prickly pear. A pair have been
known to build on a beam over the stampers of a quartz crush-
ing mill.

The nest is cup-shaped and built of strips of bark and dried
grasses bound together with cobweb; it is lined with fine
grasses and sometimes a little sheep’s wool, rabbit fur, or
horse hair. When the young are hatched the old birds will
attack anything or anybody that comes near their nest. They
are at first careful to carry off all droppings and let them fall
at some distance from the nest but as the young grow older
they become less particular and the nest and vicinity become
much fouled. When flushed from the nest the parent bird
runs or flutters along the ground as though on broken legs.
Two and occasionally three broods are reared in a season,
sometimes the same nest is repaired and used for all the
broods and sometimes a new one is built. Sometimes it is re-
built, on an adjacent branch of material from the old nest.
There is a specimen in the Adelaide Museum of four

“successive nests built on top of each other. Three or four eggs
are laid for a setting; the eges are of a creamy white ground
colour, with a zone of black, dark brown, and purplish brown
spots at the larger end, the purplish spots look as if beneath
the surface of the shell. The zone is sometimes about the
middle of the egg and sometimes at the smaller end. They are
sometimes hosts to the pallid cuckoo and narrow-billed bronze
cuckoo. The average measurements of 18 eggs is 19.5 m.m. x
14.3 m.m., largest egg, 21 m.m. x 15 m.m., smallest egg, 18 m.m.
x 14 m.m.

Halcyon macleayli cceruleus subsp. n,—The
Northern Forest Kingfisher.

By Epwin Asupy, R.A.O.U.

The specimen described hereunder was obtained at Anson
Bay, Northern Territory, in 1911, by my friend Mr. C. EH. May,
a gentleman to whom our State museum and myself have been
indebted for many interesting ornithological specimens.

In the South Australian Museum is an immature specimen
of the same species collected by Mr. May at Port Keats in the
Northern Territory.

MORGAN—Diceum hirundinaceum and the Loranthus seed. 21

This immature specimen shows the same distinctive colour-
ation as is present in the adult form except that it is speckled
with pale rufous spots in the manner that is common to imma-
ture forms of other species belonging to the genus Halcyon.

DESCRIPTION.

Head, primaries and tail as in Halcyon macleayii (J. and S.)
Greater, median and lesser wing coverts and mantle, brilliant
azure to shot blue. Upper and lower back brilliant shot blue.
Rump and uppertail coverts are an intense brilliant blue.
Some of the deeper shades of blue in the wing coverts of Pitta
iris gid most nearly approach this shade of blue of any bird I
am familiar with. Total length, 7.8 inches; culmen, 1.6 inches;
tarsus, .5 inch; wing, 3.6 inches; bill, more slender than in Z.
macleayii; feet black.

Remarks.—This subspecies is easily distinguished from its
congener H. macleayit by its much more intense and brilliant
blue colouration, the green shades of the latter are entirely
absent and the white collar of the hind-neck is more marked in
the species under review. The specimen being a formalined
one is unsexed though no doubt it is a male.

Further investigation may show this bird to be identical
with Halcyon macleayti distinguendus’—Matthews.

Novitates Zoologicae, Vol. 18, p. 288, 1911 eds.

A Note on Diczeum hirundinaceum and the
Loranthus seed.

By A. M. Morcan.

I have on two occasions witnessed a Dicaeum deposit the
seed of the Loranthus. The first occasion was near Black Hill
in October, 1900. I was watching a male Dicaeum when I sud-
denly noticed that something was adhering to the feathers of
the vent. The bird flew to a neighbouring branch (which hap.
pened to be that of a mistletoe) applied the object to it, and
then fluttering away left it adherent to the branch. I examined
the object and found it to be a Loranthus seed with its sticky
covering undigested. The second occasion was at Blackwood
on October 7, 1908. Iwas watching a female Dicaewm building
a nest-in a wattle tree, the male took no part in the nest build-

22 ME LLOR—Current Observations.

ing but kept guard in a small dead tree nearby and fiercely at-
tacked and chased away any other birds coming near the nest.
Among others a new Holland Honey-eater and a Lunulated
Honey-eater, birds both much larger than itself. At one time
the male sat on a branch within 6 feet of me, I then saw a seed
passed and transferred to the branch exactly as on the first
occasion. Later on examining the small dead tree, on which
the bird was perched most of the time, I found hundreds of
seeds sticking to the branches, sometimes three or four in a—
row, they evidently having been passed together. I examined
the first seed on several later dates, and although it germin-
ated it did not take root, probably because it was upon old
bark and the seed requires young and succulent bark to get a
footing.

Loranthus seed will germinate anywhere. I have twice
found it germinating upon bare granite in the Gawler Ranges
and once upon the dead branch of a myall, on each of these oc-
casions the seeds were mixed with droppings. The green
shoot which springs from the seed is the radicle, this grows
upwards, develops an expanded sucker like end, and then turns
downwards and applies itself to the substance upon which it is
deposited if this should be tender young bark. I presume that
rootlets penetrate the bark of the host if it be succulent
enough. but I have not myself observed this. From these ob-
servations I conclude that the seed is not regurgitated but is
passed in the usual manner, and that the sticky covering is in-
digestable and serves not only to retain the seed upon the
branch but also makes the seed adhere to the feathers of the
birds vent and thus gives it a good chance of being deposited
in a favourable situation and not dropped haphazard as would
otherwise be the case.

Current Observations.

Fantailed Cuckoo Breeding near Adelaide.

By J. W. MELLOoR.

The fantailed cuckoo (Cacomantis flabelliformis) of Gould and
(Cuculus rubricalus) of Mathews is a well-known visitor to the
Adelaide plains and the surrounding hills during the winter
months, but generally departs as the warmer weather of. spring

CROMPTON —Observation of Laughing Jackass. 23

approaches, and some doubt existed amongst ornithologists as
to whether it bred here or not. but all doubts have been dis-
pelled this season when I was successful in finding the egg of
this bird in the nest of Acanthiza pusilla, it being discovered at
Mount Lofty, S.A., on the 10th October, 1913, there being three
eggs of the tit, which was sitting on the nest; this was built
in'a prickly furze bush, about 3 feet from the ground, being
domed, and roughly constructed of grass and shreaded bark
from the stringy bark, gums, roughly woyen., and little pieces
of moss stuck outside, lined with a few sinall feathers, and a
little animal’s fur, being partly suspended. Measuring outside
4 inches wide, by 7 inches deep, and inside 2 inches wide, by 23
inches deep, the entrance was somewhat large for the size of
the little bird, being 14 inches in diameter, and may have been
enlarged by the cuckoo in depositing the egg.

Frou H. E. Larrer, RosewortHy AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE.

The Black-tailed native hen is making its appearance here
once again after an interval of several years, and quite a num-
ber of them are to be seen in small flocks.

In September I obtained a specimen of the Marsh Tern, a
bird most unusual in these parts. Also about the same time
I obtained a Brush Wattle Bird (Annelobia chrysoptera) the
only one of its kind I have ever noted here.

The Bee Eater (Merops ornatus) is now appearing and may be
found on the sandy pine ridges.

There are several pairs of the Rufous-breasted thickhead in
one portion of the pine scrub raising their young broods and
making the bush ring with their beautiful notes. Another un.
usual bird for this district I noted several times recently and
that was a Bronze Wing Pigeon.

Observation of Laughing Jackass (Dacelo gigas),
By C. L. Crompton.

On Monday ist September, my sister and I were sitting in
the front verandah at Stonyfell, in the early afternoon, our at.
tention was attracted to a large leafless tree close by, by a tap;
tapping, which we at once saw was made by a laughing jackass

24 CROMPTON—Observation of Laughing Jackuss.

breaking the head of a snake against one of the branches
nearest to us, not more than 30 or 40 feet away. We were
much excited and at first did not move lest he should fly away.
After watching him some minutes my sister went in doors to
call the other members of the household—all four came and
enjoyed the wonderful sight of the jackass quietly and steadily
breaking every bone in the snake beginning at the head. He
snapped his beak right along to the tail moving the creature
from left to right and then from right to left back to the head
again. This he did three times, sitting quite still apparently,
so intent that he neither saw nor cared if we were watching
tim. The first time the snake passed through the beak we
could hear the crushing of bones, and the snake was in con-
tracted curves. and each time as it was passed between the bill
it hung in a straighter line till finally it hung like a piece of
tape, we thought between eighteen inches and two feet long.
This done he dextrously turned the head into his beak and
swallowed rapidly, till about six inches of the tail was left
aanging down on the right side of the beak, he having his
back turned towards us. For some minutes he sat quite still.
then a few vigorous chuckles and it was swallowed, he care.
fully wiping his bill against the branch of the tree to right and
left. We laughed and talked and after a minute or two more,
he fiew to a tree about 35 or 40 yards away looking very heavy
and slow in his flight. There he settled to comfortably enjoy
his very hearty meal. :

Afterwards we learned that the gardener saw the bird pick
up his prize in the vineyard where they were ploughing. He
took it to bea large frog, so it must have been coiled up.
This contradicts the theory that the laughing jackass kills its
prey by dropping it on the ground from a height.

4 abt
——

Piers
aia
ct

. Thomas & Co.,

Printe:

SOUTH AUSTRALIAN

ORNITHOLOGIST,

vowren wre

A Magazine of Ornithology.

APRIL, 1914.

EDITORIAL COMMITTEE:
Messrs, F. R. :Z1ETZ
(President),
A. M.. MORGAN.
S. A. WHITE,-
R. CROMPTON.

Price, 2/=

Corrections for Vol. I., No. 1.

Tage 12, 10th line, read millimeters instead of millemeters.
Page 13, 15th line, read clarus instead of radiatus

Page 13, 25th line, read clarus clarus instead of radiatus
radiatus

Page 15, 5th line, read phasianinus instead of phasianus
Page 17, 3rd line, read lwnatus instead of lunulatus

THE

South Australian

ORNITHOLOGIST.

Editorial Committee :
Messrs. F. R. ZrETz (President)
aA. M. MorGAN
SS) A WerrEe -

R. CROMPTON

CONTENTS.

Order Picariae, Sub-order Haleyones, Family Alcedinidae, Genus
Dacelo, Species Dacelo Gigas - 5 5 - 4 : a

Melithreptus gularis loftyi—Southern Black-chinned Honey Eater.
S. A. White - - : 5 : £ 2 3

Field Notes on Three Species of Malurus (Blue Wrens). A. M
Morgan - - - - : - : 2 : e

Note on the Southern Black-headed Minah (Myzantha melano-
cephala whitei). F. R. Zietz - - = - 2

Additions to “A List of the Birds of Australia.” Gregory M.
Mathews, F.R.S.E. - - = E : a e

Some Birds Occurring at the Reedbeds, on the Adelaide Plains, this
Summer. 8. A. White - = 2 - z es 5 x

Note on Platycercus (haematogaster), Gould. Gregory M.
Mathews, F.R.S.E - - : 3 i Z a a

Melville Island Birds. F. R. Zietz - : - : Z : :
Notes from Roseworthy. H. E. Laffer - - z : 2 2

Note “ = 2 E 2 : g ae é 3 ‘

PAGE

oo)

ae fs yee

south Australian Qrnithologist.

Wo. 7 'r.| AP Roy 1904. [PART 2.

Order Picariae, Sub-order Halcyones, Family
Alcedinidae, Genus Dacelo, Species Dacelo gigas.

THE LAUGHING JACKASS.
Upper SURFACE. j

Forehead — Light brown, each feather barred with dark
brown.

Crown.—Dark brown, barred and tipped with black in the
centre, dull white at the sides, feathers elongated to form an
erectile crest.

Occiput.—Dull white, stippled with black.

Hind Neck.—A line of dull white feathers, largely tipped
with dull black.

Lores.—Dull white, line of feathers under the eye and over
its upper two-thirds dull black.

Ear Coverts.—Dull black.

Lower Neck and Upper Back.—Dull white, forming a broad
collar.

Back.—Between the shoulders dull black; lower back
greyish white, finely barred with black.

Upper Tail Coverts—Bright brown barred with black, with
a faint wash of metallic blue in old birds.

UNDER SURFACE.
Chin and Neck.—W hite.
Breast and Abdomen.—White, faintly barred with black.
Flanks—White, finely barred with black.
i ag Tail Coverts—White, the bases faintly barred with
ack.

}

6 Order Picariae, Family Alcedinidae, Speetes Dacelo gigas.

Wing.—Bases of first seven primaries white, the white
more extensive on the inner webs, extremities black, the outer
webs washed with metallic blue. Secondaries, dull brown,
slightly tipped with white, the inner webs broadly edged
with white, outer webs washed with metallic blue.

Lesser Coverts—Dull brown.

Median and Greater Coverts—Dark brown, largely tipped
with light metallic blue.

Tail.—Two central feathers reddish brown, strongly barred
with black, and slightly tipped with white. The other
feathers the same, except that the white tips become progres-
sively larger to the outermost.

Bill—Upper mandible black, lower yellowish white.

Legs and Fect—Brown.

Tris.— Brown.

The female resembles the male.

M&EASUREMENTS.—

Total Length.—450 m.m.

Wing. 202 m.m.

Tail.—156 w.m.

Culmen.—t4 m.m.

Tarsus.—21 m.m.

Young birds resemble the parents, except that in them the
cross barring of the breast feathers is more marked. The
white at the sides of the head and back of neck is brownish.

Distribution.—South Australia, as far north as Port
Augusta, Victoria, New South Wales, and Southern Queens-
land. They are not found in Tasmania, Kangaroo Island, or
Western Australia.

Although a very common bird in the big timber country, it
is seldom found on scrub or pine lands, and never far away
from the big gumtrees. They seem to prefer hilly country.
They are very local birds, one pair living all their lives on
quite a small area. This is well illustrated at the Reedbeds,
near Adelaide, where these birds were once exterminated,
and years afterwards Messrs. William White and J. W. Mel-
lor reintroduced a few pairs, where they have taken up their
abode in the old red gumtrees along the river and are slowly
increasing in numbers. Capt. White estimates that there are
now about twenty birds.

Order Picuriae, Family Alcedinidae. Species Dacelo giyas. 7

They live in small companies or probably in families,
separating during the day to feed, and congregating justafter
sunset to roost. As they meet they render their part song,
which has been compared to a loud, hoarse, coarse laugh, but
which to the settler is a merry good-night; one bird beginning,
followed by another, and then they all join in the chorus.
This is continued till it is quite dark, or even later. The
jackass is also the first bird to awake in the morning, its
merry note pealing out before one recognizes that ithe dawn
is breaking. It is usually about a quarter of an hour before
the next bird awakes.

Food.—Beetles, spiders, grubs, mice, lizards, small birds, es-
pecially the young taken from the nest and the fresh water
crayfish or yabbies (Astacopsis bicarinatus), for which
it dives, catching them in water up to two feet in
depth. Capt. White mentions that he has seen a
jackass, after an hour’s hard work, beat a full-grown
rat to pulp and swallow it. It has been noted that he
does not eat his food except!on the ground or on a large flat
horizontal branch of a tree. This bird will sit motionless on
the low branch of a tree for hours watching intently.
Suddenly he will fly to the ground, give two or three vigorous
pecks at the eround, shaking his head after each, to detach
the earth from his bill, then throwing his body back on his
tail he will extract a large ¢ arthworm, with which he will re-
turn to his branch, pound it to pulp, and swallow it.

They swallow their pounded food whole, ejecting the indi-
gestible portions (bones, hair, &c.) in quids.

If unmolested they become very tame, and if food be placed
out for them they readily learn to come for it. They ean
easily be taught to come regularly, almost at the same time
each day.

Flight—Very straight, not undulating, long, even, slow-
Wing movement. On alighting they throw the head back a
little and elevate the tail, and usually utter a few gurgles.
The tail is kept slowly moving up and down like a pump
handle for a few minutes after settling. It is not jerked like
that of a rail, but moves with slow, regular beats.

Nesting Place—A hollow spout in a gumtree, usually high
up. Sometimes they hollow out a hole for themselves in a
rotten tree. They make no nest, but lay on the wood dust
in the bottom of the hollow. The eggs are two or three in

$8 WHITH—Southern Black-chinned Honey Hater.

number, almost round, and white in colour, becoming creamy
white as incubation proceeds. They are laid in September,
October, and November. Before the eggs are hatched these
birds are very shy, quietly leaving the nest on _ the
approach of danger. When their young are hatched they be-
come fierce and plucky, attacking any intruder, whether it be
bird, beast, or man.

When the young are taken from the nest they are easily
reared and tamed. <A pair owned by Dr. Morgan for two-
years were never seen to drink, although they liked to bathe
in the summer. When angry, or on defence against the cat,
they elevate the feathers on the scalp, like a crest, and open
the beak widely. This tame pair used to catch sparrows by
pretending to sleep near the watering place and pouncing on
their prey when they came to drink.

They are totally protected under the Birds Protection Act
of 1900,.as they kill large numbers of young snakes, cater-
pillars, and grubs. The only harm they have ever been
known to do is taking young birds.

Melithreptus gularis loftyi—~Southern Black-chinned
Honey Eater.

By S. A. WHITE.

This large melithreptus is a resident at the Reedbeds, where
it breeds. Although they as a rule only call in the nesting
season or about the time the early rains fall, still they are to
be met with silently hunting amongst the gum tops at almost
any time of the year. The call is a very loud one, and
very distinctive of the species. It is a very pleasing one to
me, because it is associated with my early childhood. When
quite a child I remember my father telling me “to listen to the
call of the melithreptus.” The call is invariably made when
upon the wing. As a rule these birds fly high and become
very active, and calling loudly after rain. A small party
of five or six will congregate in the top of a high gum, then
fly high in the air, fluttering their wings and warbling
together. At times they are almost all touching one another,
some of them, presumably the males, calling loudly all the
time. The nest is very difficult to find. It is generally

MORGAN—Three Species of Malurus (Blue Wreis). e.

situated in the overhanging topmost branches of a very high
gum, and strange to say the hair used in the construction of
the nest is always white. I have repeatedly watched these
birds procuring the material for their nests. They will fly
on to a cow and cling to the belly or the sides (always on to
a white patch) and pull vigorously at the coat till a bill full
of white hair is secured, then they fly away with great speed,
making it almost impossible to tell in which direction their
nest is situated. Last nesting season a bird came into the
stockyard two or three times within an hour and took hair
from a black cow which had a white streak right under the
belly, and to this white line the bird hung back downwards
while it plucked out the white hairs. During the last nest-
ing season these birds for the first time to my knowledge had
the audacity to procure their nesting material from a partly
white cat. They persecuted the cat so severely that it often
eried out with rage, and may be pain.

They seem of a gregarious habit, and very often a party of
eight or ten are seen moving from one treetop to another.*

Field Notes on Three Species of Malurus

(Blue Wrens).
BY A. M. Morean.

Malurus lamberti assimilis (Blue-breasted Wren)—This.
bird inhabits the drier parts of the State. It is fairly com-
mon in the Murray scrub, on both sides of the Flinders Range,
and on Yorke’s Peninsula. A nearly allied sub-species in-
habits the Gawler Ranges.

Dry water courses and scrubby sandhills are its favourite
homes. They are never to be seen on the open plains. They
are rather shy, and consequently not easy to observe. The
song is a kind of trill-like ‘“chicity, chicity, chicity, &c.,” ut-
tered very rapidly seven or eight times. 30th sexes sing,
the notes being alike. f:

When the male is courting his mate he erects the feathers.
of the head, puffs out the breast feathers, half spreads the

_ .*After writing the above Dr. Morgan reminded me of a strange trait in this\
birds’ character which I had often noticed but had forgotten, namely, the habit of ¢ling- \
ing on to the stems of gumtrees and pulling off the bark in search of insects after the. |
Manner of Climutceris (Tree creepers).—S. A. W. v

10 OE Ne tee pers of ee ous Weens)

wings, and depresses the tail. At these times the song is a
subdued churring noise.

Both sexes assist in building the nest, but the female does
most of the work, the share of the male being confined to
bringing a,piece of material now and then.

The nest is built either on or close to the ground
between the stems of some thick bush or in the

pmall twigs of a fallen’ shrub. Externally ~ Giga
composed of old dried grass stems, and the lining
is rabbit fur, with a few horsehairs. A nest found

at Kallioota, Lake Torrens, measured—height, 6 inches; egg
cavity, 1} inches deep, hole of entrance 2 inches x 1} inches.
The hole of entrance is placed near the top, and the eggs or
setting bird can just be seen without enlarging it. Three
nests found building eh Kallioota were all deserted, and the
material carried away, although none of them was touched
or even closely Sed I found in all five nests at Kal-
Hioota between August 2nd and August 21,1912. The eges
are two to four in number. Their food consists largely of
ants, though they will eat any kind of small insect.

Malurus cyanotus (White-winged Wren)—This is a bird of
the saltbush plains. I believe they are to be found in all
parts of South Australia where these plains exist. Samphire
or blue bush flats are also favourite haunts. The male can
often be seen perched on the summit of a bush uttering his
song and then diving down again out of sight. The female
is more retiring. The song which is uttered by both sexes
is like a very miniature spring rattle.

The nest is placed in a salt or blue bush six to eight inches
from the ground, and occasionally in the thin twigs of a fallen
shrub at the edge o# the plaim. It is made of fresh
dried grasses and thin saltbush twigs and lined with
rabbits’ fur and an occasional feather. ‘In one I found a
feather of the narrow billed bronze cuckoo. The nest is com-
pletely domed, and the hole of entrance;near the top is small
and round, so that the setting bird or eggs are completely
hidden.

The eggs are three or fourin number. In one nest I found
an egg of the narrow ‘billed bronze cuckoo, together with.
three of the host. I found eight nests at Kallioota between
August 10 and August 25, 1912. Injone case the male was
not in full plumage, having no blue feathers and only

YIRETZ—The Southern Black-headed Minah. . ll

a few white ones upon the wings. They are not at all shy
about their nests. Two I found building and put my finger
into, subsequently had eggs laid in'them. Their food con-
sists of ants and other small insects.

Malurus melanotus callainus (Twrquoise Wzen)—This
bird likes the serub-covered sandhills or thick, low

scrub of any kind. They rarely wander on to the
plains. The brilliant male is a very conspicuous ob-

ject, and not at all shy. The male when courting the female
ruffs ont the feathers of the head and breast and spreads the
wings in the same way as WV. lamberti assimilis and utters the
same kind of churring note. The ordinary song of both sexes
is like ‘‘chic, chic, chic, chicity, chicity, chicity,” uttered very
rapidly from the top of a small bush or dry branch of a shrub.
They spend much of their time on the ground hunting for
ants and other small insects.

The female does most of the nest building, the male occa-
sionally contributing a piece of material. I found five nests
at Kallioota between August 15 and August 25,1912. They
were all built upon the ground in the end twigs of fallen
bushes. <All these nests were largely built of sheep’s woot
mingled with a few pieces of dry grass and herbage. The
lining was of rabbits’ fur. The nest is only semi-domed. The
eggs or sitting bird are plainly visible without disturbing the

nest. Two nests which I found building were not deserted.
A nest found building on August 15 contained three slightly
incubated eggs on August 28, so I should think it took about
ten Gays in the making. One nest contained an egg of the
narrow billed bronze cuckoo, together with two of the host.
The eges are three or four in number. In all the nests of
these three species which I found, the female was sitting.

Note on the Southern Black-headed Minah
(Myzantha melanocephala whitei).

By F. R. Zimrz.

These birds are usually found in the hilty districts, aud
rarely met with on the Adelaide Plains. A flock of about a
dozen visits our garden, which is in the suburb of Kingswood,
a little over a mile as the crow flies from the foot of the Mount
Lofty Ranges. They make their appearance in the winter

12 MATHEWS—Additions to “ List of Birds of Australia.”

and remain with us till about the end of October, when they
evidently leave for the hills to breed. As the summer ap-
proaches they become very pugnacious amongst themselves.
You will often see five or six chasing one another from tree
to tree whilst they utter their familiar cry. Noisy fights often
take place, when several of them will ball together and fall
to the ground. They will then rise one after the other and
continue their pursuit. Their natural food consists of honey
and insects, but to my surprise I found them to visit a refuse
heap in an adjoining yard, where they greedily devoured
soaked bread, boiled potatoes, and other table scraps.

Additions to “A List of the Birds of Australia.”

By Grecory M. Marurws, F.R.S.E.
1 MoE I bie

Tyto galei, sp. n.

Upper surface freckled with dark brown and white, darker
en the mantle. Tail white, crossed by five or six dark-brown
bands, which become almost obsolete towards the outer pair.
Primaries freckled and banded with dark brown, the inner-
most web white. Under surface of body and wings white,
with a few indistinct specks of brown. The sty feathers of
the disc white, tipped with brown. Face white, and spot in
front of eye brown.

Total length measured in the flesh 13? inches. Type, a
male collected on the Pascoe River, North Queensland, 16th
July, 1913.

Named in honour ot Capt. Gale.

Macgillivrayornis, ven. n.

Bill equal to the head in length. First primary half the
length of second, which is two-thirds the length of the third:
fourth, fifth, and sixth equal and longest.

Type Macgilivrayornis claudi (see below).

Named in honour of Dr. W. Macgillivray, of Broken Hill.
New/South Wales.

Macgillivrayornis claudi, sp. n.

General colour above greenish, including the wing ‘coverts-
Primaries brown, edged with green. ‘Tail blackish brown.

WHITE—Birds occurring at the Reedbeds, Adelaide Plains. is

Throat grey, remainder of under surface yellow. Under
wing coverts lighter yellow. Narrow ring of feathers round
eye whitish.

Total length (measurement taken in the desi) 416 m.m.:
wing 55: culmen 14: tarsus 18: middle toe and claw 12 m.m.
Type collected on the Claudie River, North Queensland.

Be 301:

Aegintha temporalis macgillivrayi, subsp. n.

Black-tailed Red-browed Finch.

Differs from A. ¢. temporalis in having a black tail and under
tail coverts and the yellow upper surface more pronounced.
Bill crimson, lower basal half of lower mandible brown, legs
pale straw. Wing 47 mm.

Type from Claudie River, North Queensland, 17th January,

1914.

P. 304.
Neochmia phaeton albiventer, subsp. n.
White-bellied Crimson 'Finch.
Differs from NV. p. phaeton in having a white belly and a grey
head.

Type from Claudie River, North Queensland, 19th January,
1914.

Some Birds @ceuriie at the Reedbeds, on the
Adelaide Plains, this Summer.

By S.:°A. WHITE.

For the first time in my recollection five White-browed
Babblers (Morganornis [pomatorhinus] superciliosus) put in
their appearance at “Wetunga” in January. Their harsh
ery is heard every day, and they spend much time amongst
the fruit trees, where they are ‘doing much (good in search-
ing out the codlin moth grubs.

Every year we have the Brush Wattle Bird Guha
chrysoptera intermedia) with us, and very often they nest and
remain ‘with us through the year. It is not uncommon for
these birds to rear two broods, and in one instance they
_ brought out the third batch.

ete

14. WHITE—Birds occurring at the Reedbeds, Adelaide Plains.

In company with the above we have the Red Wattle Bird
(Anthochaera carunculata tregellasi) with us this season. Their
strange note is often ‘heard in the pear trees, where they cer-
tainly eat a little fruit, but nothing to warrant their destruc-
tion.

During the month of January attention was called by their
strange gurgling note of the Spring-checked Honey Eater
(Acanthagenys rufogularis cygnus). These birds come down
upon the plains some summers but not regularly, and I have
never known them to nest here.

The Southern White-bearded Honey Eater (J/eliornis novae-
hollandiae subassimilis) is plentiful at times in’ the garden,
where they occasionally build their nests, then for two or
three seasons they will almost ldisappear. It is during the
dry seasons that these birds are most numerous on the plains.
The meliornis are much persecuted by Ptilotis pinicillata. In
the summer evenings they are very fond of hawking for in-
sects when many'of their aerial movements are very neat and
graceful.

The \graceful little Spinebill (Acanthorhynchus tenuirostris
loftyi) visits the plains nearly every summer. One or two re-
qain in the gardens for a few'months, then return to the
ranges. They spend the day visiting one flowering plant after
another, thrusting their slender bills into each blossom in
search of nectar and insects. They become very quiet and
trustful after a time. I have never known these birds to nest
here.

Wood Swallow (Artamus cyanopterus)—These birds (which
we have known up to lately in Gould’s works as A. sordidius)
visit the Adelaide Plains nearly every year in the late autumn.
A pair (presumably the same) have remained in the well-
timbered grounds near the house all through the year, and
have nested for three years running. Two seasons they
brought out a second clutch, and the nest has been placed al-
most in the same spot each year. They have become very

quiet and trustful, and will often fly down for insects from

their nesting place right to the pathway and in:front of our

feet and pick up crickets and other insects. It is not at alk

uncommon ‘to see them perched upon the chimney tops or
towers. They are often seen hanging to the water taps.

catching the drips. Their first broods were three in num-
ber and second two birds were hatched. The young re--

¥,

MATHEWS—Note on Platycercus. 15.

mained all the summer and up to the following spring with. ©
the parent birds, but when the nesting season approached they
were missed. More than likely the parent birds drove then.
off prior to their preparing for nesting themselves.

Note on Platycercus (haematogaster), Gould.
By Grecory M. Marnerws, F.R.S.E.

The recent acquisition of the second part of “The Birds of
Australia and the Adjacent Islands” drew my attention to the:
inaccurate determination of Platycerus haematogaster (Gould).
On the seventh plate this species is figured and there des-
cribed. The bird has no red on the wing coverts and has the-
under tail coverts yellow. In the letterpress Gould states
that he had only seen three specimens, two being collected
by Major Mitchell on the Darling River. These he diagnosed.
as males, and his own bird, on account of its duller coloration,.
he considered a female. He states also’that Major Mitchell.
has presented his specimens to the Linnean Society of London
and the British Museum. He also mentions that Major
Mitchell has given birds to the Australian Museum at Sydney,
New South Wales. These, of course, Gould had not seen,
and are only referred to as confirmatory evidence. In
Mitchell’s “Three Expeditions into the Interior of Australia,
Vol. J., P. 236." we find the following account:—‘June 20th,
1835. On the low hills which we crossed a new species of
parrot was shot, having scarlet feathers on the breast, the
head and wings being tinged with a’beautiful blue, the back,
&c., being of a dark brownish green. <A footnote reads:
‘This bird has since been named by Mr. Gould Platycercus:
haematogaster.”’” At this date Mitchell was at a place about
31.18 S. by 144.15 E.

Through the negligence of this figure and description it is.
obvious that name has been misapplied.

In the Proc. Zool. Soc. (Lond.) 1837, P. 89, Gould des-
cribed Platycercus haematogaster, and there included some re-
marks which seem applicable to the bird commonly called
P. haematogaster, but he noted “lateribus tectricibus inferioribus-
pallide flavis.” When Stone drew up his “List of ¥
Australian Birds,’ described by John Gould &e. (Austral.

16 MATHEW —Note on Platycercus.

Ay.-Rec. Vol. I. pp. 129-180, 1913). On P. 149 he wrote,
“Platycercus haematogaster, Gould Proc. Zool. Soc. (Lond.),
1837, P. 89, 1838.

“22907 (254). New South Wales—T ype.

“Gould’s original description applies as well to the red-
vented form as to the yellow, and by figuring the former he
fixed the name definitely upon it, notwithstanding his later
remarks in the handbook. All the specimens are the red-
vented bird.”

The figure Stone alluded to is the one in “The Birds of Aus-
tralia,” Vol. V., pl. 33, 1845, where a bird is given with red on
the wing and red under tail coverts. Accepting this figure as
depicting Platycercus haematogaster Gould, Bonaparte
(Comptes Rendus Sci (Paris), Vol. XXX., P. 133, 1850)
separated the bird with the under tail coverts yellow, under
the name «anthorrhoa. This erroneous identification has
been accepted up to the present time, but it must now be
corrected. I have therefore given to the red-vented bird the
name — . ;

NoRTHIELLA HAEMATOGASTER ZANDA
in the Austral Av. Rec., Vol. II., P. 75, 1913, and
NoORTHIELLA HAEMATOGASTER HAEMATOGASTER
must be used for the yellow-vented form, of which P.
xanthorrhoa Bonaparte becomes an absolute synonym.

Stone recorded that no yellow-vented bird was included
by Gould in the Philadelphia collection. It may be that the
bird Gould considered a female was the one from which the
partial description of the red?vented bird was made up. The
specimens Gould records as being presented to the Linnean
Society of London and the British Museum are the basis of
the original plate, and I have searched for these. The
former has apparently fallen into decay, as when the Linnean
Society’s birds passed into the British Museum many not re-
garded as types were rejected. The other bird, however, is
still preserved in the British Museum, and was catalogued
by Salvadori as a specimen of P. xsanthorrhoa. This must
now be regarded as type of Platycercus haematogaster Gould,
and it agrees very well with Gould’s figure.

It should be noted that the Proc. Zool. Soc. (Lond.) 1837, P.
89, was not published until February 13th, 1838, while the
second part of “The Birds of Australia and the Adjacent

ZIHETZ—Melville Island Birds. 17

Islands bears the date February, 1838. In the latter place
Gould refers to'the former description, but as he gave the
pagination wrong (P. 88, not 89) he probably wrote from
paged proof. In any case the figure and details of his speci-
mens given by Gould settle the matter in an uncontradictable

manner.

Regarding the distribution of these forms I have not suffi-
cient data to delimit their ranges. My specimens show that
03 deg. S. by 147 deg. E. is the furthest south attained by the
red-vented bird, but specimens must be continually collected
to fix such ranges. Flight observations are quite valueless.

At this time I would note that the Type of Euphema
bourkit Gould Birds Austr., Vol. V.. pl. 48, 1841, is in the
Australian Museum, Sydney, and not at Philadelphia, as re-
corded by Stone (C.c. P. 150). This is noted in the letterpress
accompanying the plate.

Melville Island Birds.
By F. R. Zirrz.

In the recent issue of “The Ibis” (tenth series, Vol. II., Ne.
1, January, 1914, pp. 91-132) Mr. Gregory M. Mathews has pub-
lished a list of the birds of Melville Island, Northern Terri.
tory of South Australia. In this list are included those re-
corded by me in the previous number of this publication, with
the exception of two species, viz., Astur clarus robustus and
Stiltia isabella. As Mr. Mathews includes the Bathurst Island
birds in this list I am able to add Astur radiatus rufotibia
(Campbell), the type of which came from Napier, Broome Bay,
north-west Australia. This bird was collected by Mr. W. D.
Dodd, collector for the South Australian Museum, on Bathurst
Island. It is a male, and agrees fairly well in colour and
markings with Campbell’s description,* with the exception of
being more rufous on the abdomen, and smaller. The follow-
ing are the measurements of the type specimen, which is a
female, converted from inches into millimeters so as to conm-
pare with those of the Bathurst Island specimen.

*Emu. Vol. X., p. 249, 1911.

18 LAFFER—Notes from Roseworthy.

Adult Female, Adult Male,
Napier, Broome Bay. Bathurst Island,
Rita eM OLD dake Wet fee tine Leo 458 dry skin.
VV ANNE 5 yi daie iatieiells Ong ora Gs nets aed. eA, 336
PDA sat? sini: Aphis ie ue AeOd 218
DAES As. GhatoctRMener Chee Reece 76 76
CaMMEN ish Leute ee bey ae 38 33
Middle toe, with claw .... .. 84 76

This brings the total number of the Melville Island birds up
to 170.

Notes from Roseworthy.

H. E. LAFrFrer.

Albino Starling (Sturnus vulgaris) —This specimen was shot
during December, and is a true albino type. It associated
with the anormal type with no apparent interference from
them. This skin is the probably first authentic specimen of
its kind recorded in South Australia, and is now in the
reference collection of the South Australian Museum.

Late Nesting of Black and White Fantail—On February 2nd
I noticed a young bird of this species (Rhipidura tricolor)
which had apparently but very recently left the nest. This
appears much later than the usual breeding time for the bird.

Peaceful Dove (Geopelia tranquilla)—A _ solitary bird has
been about my garden for some days.

Parakeets. — Numbers of Purple Crowned Parakeets
(Glossopsitta porphyrocephala), together with ‘small numbers
of G. concinna, have been of late devouring honey from the
Eucalypts.

Quail—In the two previous years, which were particularly
dry, it was almost impossible to find a quail in these parts
after the end of the close season, December 21st. This year
not only was there a fair number here at the end of the close
season, but I have seen specimens within the past few days,
that is, the latter end of February. Knowing somewhat of
the habits of this bird and its dependence upon surface water,

Note. 19

might not this fact indicate that the coming season is to be
a more favourable one as regards rainfall? Not only in this
immediate locality but in other parts of the lower north coun-
try I know that quail are still about and show no inclination
to migrate. There is a total absence of the small or button
quail \(Turnix velox), which in some seasons far exceeds the
large species (Coturnix pectoralis) in numbers.

Note.

On the occasion of Mr. G. M. Mathews’ visit to South Aus-
tralia the S.A. Ornithological Association conferred an Hon.
Membership upon him, this being the first Hon. Membership
made by the oldest ornithological body in Australia. Mr.
Mathews attended the monthly meeting of the Association on
Friday evening, February 27, and on Friday, March 6 a
Special meeting was called to bid farewell to the distinguished
ornithologist, also to discuss some most important notes in
reference to Australian Teal, Genus Virago.

During Mr. G. M. Mathews’ recent visit to South Australia
he most kindly handed over for publication in this Journal the
notes on Platycercus, which appear in this issue, also a number
of valuable notes made by Capt. T. H. Bowyer-Bower in the
Northern Territory in the early eighties, and in conjunction
with these, notes by Mr. Mathews on bird skins collected be-
tween Cairns and Herberton in 1884-5 by the above brilliant
young ornithologist, who died at Palmerston, N.T., at the
early age of 24 years in December, 1886. The above notes
will appear from time to time in this Journal.

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THE

“South Australian

ORNITHOLOGIST.

Ps
Editorial Con
Messrs. F. R. Z1etz (President)

aA. M. MorGANn

CONTENTS.
PAGE
Annual Meeting of the S.A. Ornithological Association - - Mae
A Sketch of the Life of Samuel White —Ornithologist, Soldier,
Sailor, and Explorer. By his son, S. A. White - - - 6
Order Passeriformes, Family Meliphagidae, Genus Ptilotula - 8
Field Notes on Virago Castanea (Eastern Teal), and Virago
Gibberifrons (Grey Tea.). S. A. White, M.B.O.U. - 3 1
Birds in a North Adelaide Garden. A. M. Morgan - - = 13
Current, Observations :—
By E. Ashby, R.A.O.U. - - : - - - - 15
By A. M. Morgan - - - - - - - - 15
A Now Rare Bird. M. Symonds Clark - - - - - 16
Swift Lorikeet in South Australia - - - - - - =a eli
Gang Gang Cockatoo - - - : - : : : : Shey
The White-fronted Robin (Littlera chrysoptera phcenicea) ; the
Flower-pecker or Mistletoe Bird (Austrodiceaum hirnndi-
naceum. F. R. Zietz - - - - - = é Swe y/
Note on New Birds. G. M. Mathews, F.R.S.E - - = 1s

Correspondence - : - 2 2 @ 2 5 : z Se

2 Poe ee

South Australian Ornithologist.

Vor. 1} JUL, 1904: [ParT 3.

Annual Meeting.

The annual meeting of the S.A. Ornithological Association
was held at the Royal Society’s Room, North Terrace, Adelaide,
on March 27, 1914.

This Association has again to record a most successful
year’s work. Nine new members have been elected during
the year.

Rule VII. has been added to, empowering the Society to
elect an honorary member, and Mr. Gregory M. Mathews has
been elected to fill this position.

Several new sub-species have been discovered by members.
A new Geobasileus was collected about 20 miles north of Ade-
laide by Capt. S. A. White, and called by Mathews Geobasileus
hedleyi rosine, the allied Buff-rumped Tit. The same observer
also collected what is probably a new night jar in the interior.
He also proved that the scarlet under surface of the tail of
Calyptorhynchus banksi stellatus belongs only to the male, while
the barred tail belongs only to the female, not to the young of
both sexes.

The following office bearers were elected for the ensuing
year :-—

Mr. J. W. Mellor, President.

Mr. J. W. Hosking, Vice-President.

Mr. R. Crompton, Secretary.

Dr. A. M. Morgan, Capt. S. A. White, Mr. F. R. Zietz, and
Mr. R. Crompton, Editorial Committee for the S.A.
Ornithologist.

6 WHITE—A Sketch of the Life of Samuel White.

A Sketch of the Life of Samuel White—
Ornithologist, Soldier, Sailor, and Explorer.

By uts son, S. A. WuHire.

I—THE ORNITHOLOGIST.

Samuel White came to South Australia with his
brother William when they were small boys in 1842; their
father, John White, having arrived in the Colony some few
years before them in the Tam O’Shanter in 1836, and taken up
country at the Reedbeds. At that time much of the property
was covered in a dense mass of reeds and flags, outside of
which was a fringe of high dense rushes and luxuriant grasses.
This, combined with belts along the river of fine timber, red
gum (Hucalyptus rostrata) and sandhillsnotfar off, covered with
_ pines and banksia, and out beyond that open plains and marsh
land, made a rich and diversified collecting ground, which has
to-day practically passed away owing to the advance of civili-
zation. The young Whites must have been naturally fond of
nature, and ornithology began to work its charm over the elder
brother’s (Samuel) mind. Amidst this rich piece of country
in its virgin state he had a great field for his abilities and
tastes. Labour in those days was at a premium; in fact it
could not be had, and the brothers, Samuel and William, were
often sent to watch the cattle. This was a difficult job, for
thecountry wascovered with high rushes and reeds, and it was
necessary for the watchers to climb into a tree or sit upon a
stump to get a good view of the country around. During (what
would be to some) long hours of watching the two boys be-
came expert bird observers, and knew the habits of the birds
by heart, for they were being taught from Nature’s book. Now
an employe of their father’s had a great turn for natural his-
tory. His chief employment was that of a blacksmith; he
could skin and stuff birds, and as can be imagined, the two lads
were willing pupils. Whenever a chance offered they were
round the blacksmith’s shop. About this time the father be-
gan to notice the liking for nature developing in the two
brothers, and he put a strong check on it, as he considered
they wasted too much of their time, so the lads had
to carry on their collecting and bird observing on the quiet.
They had come into possession of a muzzle loading pistol, and
this enabled them to procure more specimens, but the firearm

‘<
WHITH—A Sketch of the Life of Samuel White. 7

and the specimens had to be hidden far away from the house
in a large hollow tree, a hiding place known only to themselves,
The surviving brother, William, told me, that one day he was
working by himself and had hung his coat on an old stump
of a tree. and that a little Brown Flycatcher (MWicroeca fas-
cinans), after his way, came making a great fuss at the un-
usual object of a coat, and soon this noise attracted a Flame-
breasted Robin (Litilera chrysoptera phoenicea). William took
up a stone or stick and knocked it over. The perpetrator
of the deed, who is close on eighty years now, says he can re-
member as if it were yesterday how overcome by emotion he
was at handling the first robin of the species, and said that
day seemed as if it would never end, when he could take it to
his brother, Samuel, that he might stuff it. At last this was
accomplished, and the beautiful robin was added to their grow-
ing collection. This last addition had such a fascination for
them that they could not help but look at it several times in
the day. It may be this that roused the father’s suspicions,
and he at last detected the first museum in the hollow tree, and
complete destruction followed. This was a sad blow, and on
top of this their friend the blacksmith moved two or three
miles nearer town. The lads were never daunted. The great
love of so glorious a natural science had developed a brain
power that could not be baulked, and on Sundays they slipped
away, and cut across country to their old friend, who possessed
a light gun, and after procuring a bird or two they would
fetch them home, and skin them. The boys were «tow-
ing up now, and their father having taken up country in the
South-East, and stocked it with cattle and horses, the sons
were kept busy at home or at station life. Samuel White be-
came a very fine horseman: in fact all he undertook he mas-
tered. During their station life the brothers had little time
to indulge in their hobby. Still they managed to add here and
there a specimen, and they were always observant, and the
love of nature was gaining a greater and greater hold upon
them. Birds that were seen every day of the week in those
times are now wiped out for ever. Take for instance one bird,
the Swamp Parrot (Pezoporus terrestris). These early
ornithologists have seen the black boys dismount two or three
times in a day while driving cattle to devour this bird’s eggs—
a bird which is for ever gone in South Australia.

(To be continued.)

3 Order Passeriformes, Family Meliphagidae, Genus Ptilotula.

Order Passeriformes, Family Meliphagidae,
Genus Ptilotula.

Ptilotula penicillata whitei (Mathews)—Southern White-
plumed Honey-Eater.

Ptilotula penicillata whiteiForehead yellowish green,
becoming darker towards the crown, and fading into brownish
grey on the back. Lores and ear coverts, light greenish yellow.
Ear coverts bordered posteriorly by a narrow line of black,
behind which is a conspicuous line of white silky feathers.
Back, brownish grey. Upper tail coverts, grey, tinged with
green.

Chin, throat, and breast, grey, each feather tipped with

yellowish green. Abdomen, grey. Thighs and flanks, grey.
Under tail coverts, very light yellow.
_ Wing—Primaries and secondaries, outer webbs bright
yellow green, inner webbs black on the upper surface; under
surface, grey. The lower portion of the outer webbs of the
second to sixth primaries, white.

Wing coverts—Outer webbs, yellow green; inner webbs,
black.

Tail—Upper surface, two central feathers dull green; late-

ral feathers, outer webbs yellow green; inner webbs black,
the tips narrowly edged with white. Under surface, grey.

Bill, black. Legs and feet, dark brown. Iris, black.
Average measurements :—

’ Total length .. .. 15.25 ¢.m.
Wings. tiie) ie oe ee Sala ne ms:
DAT ok POA ef ee mas
TAarSUsyh htc: eed 1.95 ¢c.m.
Culmenitici. e4 1.15 ¢.m.

An exceptionally large and very darkly coloured bird in
the Adelaide Museum measures :—

Total length .. .. 17.50 c.m.
Wine 229 ee . 9a ee 9 Ones
AWE We Nine ae st tonto a3 8.90 ¢.m.
MATSUS 20 ies oe 200 Came
Culmen .. .. .. 1.30 ¢.m.

The sexes are alike, and the young resemble the parents
in colour.

Order Passeriformes, Family Meliphagidae, Genus Ptilotula. 9

This bird. familiarly known as the greenie, is very common
in the gardens, park lands, and suburbs of Adelaide, and is
represented by closely allied sub-species throughout the whole
of South Australia. It is a bold, familiar bird, and a keen
fighter, being well able to hold its own against the sparrow
and other introduced birds. They are quarrelsome with each
other, and persecute the other honey-eaters. If they discover
an owl sleeping in a thick clump of leaves, ora night jar asleep
on a horizontal limb, they gather round it chattering and
darting upon it till they succeed in driving it away. . When a
hawk or any other large bird comes in sight they gather to-
gether, continuously uttering the warning note, fly after it,
attacking it under the wings, and whichever way the bird
turns they in turn fly at him from behind.

They are a great nuisance to the sportsman, following
him in numbers, continuously giving forth the alarm all,
which game, animals and birds alike, seem to understand.

Song.—A loud, clear, rather melodious whistle, conside-
rably varied, like the words “Cheep a cheep,” or sometimes,
“Cheep a cheep a cheep.” Flight fast, and most irregular, sel-
dom fiving more than a few yards in the same direction, hav-
ing a quick, short wing movement.

They are not often noticed on the wing unless in pursuit
of an enemy, when they appear by the dozen as if by magie.
The gum trees afford them excellent protection, the grey and
green matching their own colouring perfectly. They have a
habit of flying nearly vertically upwards, singing all the while,
and then half closing the wings glide to the top of a neigh-
bouring tree.

Sometimes they collect a dozen or more on a small branch,
some hanging head downwards, twittering in a low tone as if
in conversation, then in a moment they will disperse, flying to
different trees.

They are very fond of bathing if opportunity offers, often
washing several times in a day. In hot weather they drink
very frequently, and seem to feel intense heat greatly. After
a few hot days they may be seen collected about any surface
water, panting and looking nearly worn out.

Food is most varied. The honey from flowers, which they
brush out with their brush tongues. If the flower is too deep
for them to reach the honey they split the corolla at the base.

10 Order Passeriformes, Family Meliphagidae, Genus Ptilotula.

They also take the insects often to be found there. They also
catch flying insects, being almost as expert as a fly-catcher at
hawking flying ants and small moths.

At times they attack all soft fruits, probably because the
supply of honey is short, and on looking for insects in bird-
picked fruit, find that it is sweet and to their taste. They
will also eat bread crumbs, but are not known to eat seeds at
all. They also remove the loose bark from the gum trees in
search of insects, collect them from the leaves and branches,
and sometimes on the ground. , They are seldom, if ever
found in scrub country, always keeping in their natural haunt
—the big gums (Hucalyptus rostrata).

Nest.—A small, neat, strong, delicate looking, cup-shaped
structure, made of strong wiry grasses and horse hair woven
together with cobwebs. If built near a house it may contain
bits of string or darning wool. It is lined with fine grasses,
and sometimes thistle down, but no fur or feathers. It is
suspended by the rim to the terminal branches of a tree in a
thick clump of leaves varying in height from 3 ft. to 50 or 50
ft. from the ground. They are usually built in a gum tree,
but not always, one being found at Stonyfell in the top of a
small dog rose about 3 ft. from the ground. A favourite nest-
ing place in the neighbourhood of Blackwood is in a wattle
(Acacia pycnantha). The building takes a long time: one ob-
served from the beginning at Blackwood was finished in five
weeks, and another at Kallioota was still unfinished at the end
of three weeks, although apparently half finished when found.
Another pair at Kallioota began three nests, pulling each one
down in turn, and beginning in another place, and finally left
the locality without finishing any. They are erratic breeders,
being both early and late, as a rule rearing two broods in «@
vear. It is not unusual to see young birds at any season of the
year except early winter.

Eggs.—Ground colour, warm pink, sparingly spotted with
dark red or red brown, the spots being more numerous towards
the larger end, in some eggs forming an indistinct ring. The
shell is fine grained, but not glossy.

Two or three broods are reared in the year. There are
usually three eggs in the first clutch, and two or only one in the
later ones. The eggs of the later clutches usually have a
lighter ground colour, sometimes quite white.

Field Notes on Virago Castanea and Virago Gibberifrons. LL

Incubation lasts 10 days, and the young leave the nest
about 12 days later, but are fed by the parents for a long time
‘after leaving.

Average measurement of 15 eggs, 2.05 cm. x 1.5 ¢.m.
Largest egg, 2.30 cm. x 1.55 cm. Smallest egg, 1.90 cm. x
145 €.m.

Ptilotula penicillata whitei comes under the second schedule
of the Bird Protection Act of 1900, being Peg ered from
July 1 to December 20.

Field Notes on Virago Castanea (Eastern Teal),
and Virago Gibberifrons (Grey Teal).

By 8. A. Waitt, M.B.O.U.

A discussion arose lately about these birds, and I was
surprised to hear that some were still under the impression
that they were but one species, and that the grey birds were
the same as the Chestnut, only out of plumage, or immature.
Furthermore I have been requested to express my opinion on
the subject through the pages of this journal. I may state
that there is not a shadow of doubt in my mind about their
being two distinct species, and good ones at that. My re-
marks are those of a field ornithologist. I leave the osteology
of these birds to more able minds. Firstly, the Eastern Teal,
Mountain Teal, or Chestnut-breasted Teal, whatever you like
to call it in the vernacular, known to science as Virago cas-
tanee (Mareca castanea, Eyton Monograph Anat. p. 119, 1838,
N.S.W.), and described by John Gould as Anas punctata, Birds
of Australia, Vol. VII., pt. I1., 1845, is a heavier bird than the
prey species, and not nearly so common. One could safely say,
as far as South Australian waters are concerned, that for every
one of the Chestnut species one would see a hundred or more
of the grey birds. It is true a few birds may be seen mixed
up with the vast flocks of Grey Teal, but this I have always
put down to the fact of their having been driven off from their
kind and their haunts by sportsmen and other factors, and for
the time have attached themselves to the ranks of their grey
cousins. This I think I can prove later on.

V. castanea is a beautiful bird in full plumage, especially
the male bird. The bronzy green head and neck shining in

12 Field Notes on Virago Castanea and Virago Gibberifrons.

the bright sunlight with great brilliance. The female always
shows the rufous tinge more or less on the breast. These birds
do not move about in large flocks in South Australia; about a
dozen is as many as I have seen in one locality. If they can
get it they prefer a stony or gravelly beach to the soft muddy
swamps. I have seen them swimming in deep water off a rocky
shore, but have never seen them diving for their food, although
I have an idea they do so. They have a great liking for rest-
ing on boulders and rocks, thus, I think, the origin of the
name “Mountain Teal.” About‘16 years ago, during a big
drought in the interior, thousands of ducks visited the Reed-
beds, and amongst them was a fair sprinkling of the teal under
notice. This is the only time I have known them to visit the
swamps here. They seem to prefer the large open waters, and
frequent the rocky shores if there be such. There is no doubt
John Gould took these two species to be one, for he speaks
of having met them in great numbers, Handbook, Birds of Aus-
tralia, Vol. I1., p. 365. He goes on to say that it is very rare
that a male is killed in the nuptial dress, and he is induced to
believe that it is not assumed until the bird is two or three
years old. One can understand Gould must have been very
puzzled seeing so few of the Chestnut coloured birds in com-
parison to the Grey birds.

Virago gibberifrons nests in great numbers in the in-
terior during wet seasons; many hundreds nesting together
amongst the salt bush and Polygonum swamps, but I
have never heard of the Chestnut species nesting
with them. Only a few nests of the latter have
ever come under my notice, and they were placed in hol-
low limbs of trees. I have seen many nests of Grey Teal in
trees, and here at the Reedbeds they once nested nearly every
year, but never once did I see V. castanea nesting. In Feb-
ruary, 1912, my wife and I made a trip to Lakes Alexandrina
and Albert, and spent some little time on the waters there
making very many useful observations. We were very for-
tunate in having the services of Mr. Fred Ayres, a man who
has passed the better part of his life shooting game for the
market, and he has a wonderful store of knowledge pertain-
ing to the habits of the wild fowl. I was very pleased to find
that my observations were confirmed in reference to these
teal. While we were on the lakes and amongst the swamps
along their shores we saw vast flocks of V. gibberifrons, but not
ene V. castanea, and when I mentioned this to our guide he at

ee ®

MORGAN—Birds in a North Adelaide Garden. 13

once said, “If you want Mountain Teal we must steam over to
the rocky shores at the other side of the lake.” And I found
this to be correct. Seeing that these birds have distinct habits
and that both have been found breeding, the Grey Teal in vast
numbers without a single Chestnut bird amongst them, surely
this alone must dispel any doubt upon the subject.

Birds in a North Adelaide Garden.:
By A. M. Morean.

The following birds have visited my garden in Stanley
Street, North Adelaide, during the past two and a half years:

Ducorpsius gymnopsis (Bare-eyed Cockatoo)—Evidently
an escaped cage bird. It stayed a day or two, destroyed a
rose bush, and was banished.

Dacelo gigas (Laughing Jackass)—A bird found sitting
on the back rail of a chair in the nursery, having made an en-
trance down the chimney.

Pseudartamus cyanopterus (Dusky Wood-Swallow)—
Often seen flying over; occasionally perch for a while.

Petroica multicolor frontalis (Scarlet-breasted Robin)—
. Comes early in the winter and leaves in early spring.

Leucocircea tricolor (The Black-and-white Fantail or Wag-
tail)—Frequent visitors throughout the year.

Rhipideira flabellifera whitei (White Shafted Fantail)—
An occasional bird seen towards the end of summer; does not
stay long. .

Hirundo neoxena (Welcome Swallow)—Always a few
hawking for insects over the garden. They do not all leave in
the winter.

Hylochelidon nigricans caleyi (Tree Martin)—Always
present. There is nesting place under the roof of
my neighbour’s house, and opposite my dressing room window.
This is occupied by several pairs of birds, and they may be
seen going in and out at all times of the year.

Pachycephiala rufiventris inornatus (Red-breasted Thick-
head)—On two occasions a female of this species has visited
the garden in the winter.

14 ee in a North Adelaide Garden.

Malurus cyaneus leggei (Blue Wren)—Two pairs are con-
stant residents, and breed annually. Each pair has its own
end of the garden, and when the males meet they fight
vigorously. One male has daily battles with his reflection in
the dining room window.

Austrodiceaum hirundinaceum (Swallow Diceaum)—
Sometimes a single bird settles for a time in a pomegranate
tree.

Zosterops lateralis westernensis (The Silver Eye)—
Always present in numbers. They eat fruit in the season, and
at other times small insects, especialy rose aphis. Bred once
_ in a quince tree.

Ptilotula penincillata whitei (White-plumed Honey-eater
or greenie)—Always a bird or two present.

Meliornis novea-hollandiae subassimilis (White-bearded
Honey-eater)—Generally present. They come in numbers
when the Mina lobata is in flower.

Acanthorhyncus tenuirostris loftyi (Spinebill)—Come in
fair numbers towards the end of summer, and leave in the
early autumn. They are very fond of the red salvia flowers.

Grallina cyanolenea (the Magpie Lark)—Many in the
neighbourhood. One alighted in a plum tree.

ACCLIMATISED BIRDS.

Passerdomesticus (the House Sparrow)—Always present
in numbers. They eat large numbers of caterpillars, aphis,
and other insects, and on the whole do more good than harm.

Carduelis elegans (the Goldfinch)—Always present; very
fond of sunflower and cosmos,seed. They breed in the fruit
trees.

Sturnus vulgaris (the Starling)—Always present. They
feed on worms, caterpillars and insects in the winter; mostly
fruit in the summer.

Merula merula (Blackbird)—Always present. They
breed in a trellised vine. They are an unmitigated nuisance
in the garden from their habit of scratching newly planted
ground.

The names are taken from G. M. Mathews’s List of Birds

of Australia, except that trinomials are not used for dominant
species.

ASH BY—Current Observations. 15

Current Observations.
By EH. Asupy, R.A.O.U.

During a short visit to Port Willunga at the end of April
a voung Mutton Bird (Neonectris tenwirostris brevicandus) was
driven ashore by the storm and caught alive. It was ina
most emaciated condition, and continually making a pitiful
peeping cry. <A small tuft of down was showing at the base
of the neck either side. There was nothing in the stomach.

On the 30th April a large well-nourished specimen of the
same species was washed up dead. Under the skin over most
of the surface was a layer of fat fully half an inch thick. The
whole of the abdominal organs were immersed in fat; every
possible space being closely packed with fat. There was a
little slimy green material in the stomach.

On the 29th April we found a Blue Petrel (Halobacna
caerulea) lying on the jetty. Evidently it had only been dead a
few hours, as the muscles were still stiff; the wings were spread
out, and it had evidently settled on the jetty in a dying condi-
tion some time during the night or early morning, as we found
it quite early. I could find no cause of death other than its
extremely impoverished condition. There was no fat, in fact
hardly aay flesh at all on the bones; the stomach was empty.

During the month of April and the first two weeks of May
Lorikeets have been very numerous around Blackwood. Glos-
sopsittw concinna and G. porphyrocephala were in ‘great num-
bers, and small flocks of G. pusilla and Trichoglossus nove. hol-
landie.

No doubt the heavy blooming of the Peppermints (Hucalyp-
tus odorata) is the chief reason, and this may also account
for their not having damaged the fruit in the Wittunga or-
chard this year.

The Adelaide Rosella (Platycercus elegans adelaide) has
been rather numerous here; as a rule they are rarely seen this
western side of the Coromandel Valley.

During April the Narrow-billed Bronze Cuckoo (Neocha-
letics basilis mellori) and the Fan-tailed Cuckoo (Cacomantis
rudricatus) were both heard and seen several times at “Wit-
tunga.”

By A. M. Moraay.

Zanthomiza phrygia (the warty-faced Honey-eater)—Is
present in large numbers about Blackwood just now.

16 CLARK—A Now Rare Bird.

A Now Rare Bird.

By M. Symonps Cnrark.

{Reprinted from the proceedings of the Field Naturalists’ Sec-
tions of Royal Society, 1889.)

The Swift Lorikeet (Lathamus discolor tregellasi) visits South
Australia at rather rare intervals. I have one which I shot near
Burnside in 1862, in which year they were rather numerous.
It was then about seven years since I had observed them. Sub-
sequently I have several times seen them in the neighbourhood,
the last time noted by me being in 1882, when they were plenti-
ful about the gum trees: one flock that I saw—a particularly
large one—containing perhaps nearly 100 birds. The name of
Swift Lorikeet, anyone who has observed a flock dash past
within a few yards of him will agree, is very appropriate.

Though not the most brilliant in colour, it is one of the most —

beautiful of the Lorikeets. They are very common in Tas-
mania. . When I was at Hobart in 1878 the curator of the
Museum there, told me that they came in great numbers when
the blue gum trees were in blossom. One of these trees grew
near the building, which had windows directly opposite one
another, and the Lorikeets would sometimes dash against the
clear glass and disable themselves. I have never seen this
bird tamed here, though I saw some living specimens in the
London Zoological Gardens in 1865. In the same year I went
to Gould’s place of business to inquire about the “Handbook”
which I heard had just been published. In the office were
hung a number of the original drawings of his birds and mam-
mals, and among them I saw the representation of this
Species. Gould had not seen the bird in South Australia, nor
was he aware that it visited our colony. . The Swift Lorikeet,
unlike most of the honey-eating parrots, has a smooth tongue.
The upper surface is dark green, the under part pale green;
top of head dark blue; forehead, cheeks, and throat, pink;
shoulders maroon-red, passing into rich scarlet under wings;
the tail» which is pointed, has a chocolate hue on the upper
aide. Total length 9} inches, the tail being 5 inches.

ZIETZ—Current Observations. We

Swift Lorikeet in South Australia.

It is not generally known that the Swift Lorikeet (Latha-
mus discolor tregellasi) was once a fairly regular visitor to South.
Australia, but such was the case. Mr. William White, of
the Reedbeds, states that he saw them in 1863 on the Adelaide
Plains at the Reedbeds, and on other occasions he also saw
them at Aldinga. They were never common, usually coming
here in the early spring ; they always kept to the
eucalypts that were in flower, from which they gathered their
nectar food. Mr. White has a specimen in his collection that
he shot at the Reedbeds in the early days.

Gang Gang Cockatoo.

The Gang Gang Cockatoo (Callocephalon galeatum) now
foand in Victoria, in the early days extended its habitation
to South Australia, and Mr. William White, of the Reedbeds,
has a specimen that he shot in the ranges at Mosquito Plains,
near Kalangadoo, in the south-east of South Australia, in 1858.
Mr. White states that he occasionally saw these birds in the-
district while he was on the Tatiara’ Station, but they were at
no time plentiful, and never stayed to nest.

The White-fronted Robin and the Flower-pecker.
Byb. R. Ziprz:

The White-fronted Robin (Littlera chrysoptera pheenicea):
—-These handsome birds are regular visitors to this State
during the wet season, making their appearance in April, and
departing in July. Last year three males paid daily visits to
our garden, but this year only one has been noticed. He was
first seen during the latter part of March, which is rather
earlier than previous records. They have never been found
breeding in this State, and apparently come here so as to avoid
the severe winter of Tasmania and South Gippsland.

=
CO

MATHEW S—Current Observations.

The Flower-pecker or Mistletoe Bird (Austrodiceaum
hirundinaceum)—We kept a male of this species in captivity for
about three months. Its food during that period, with the ex-
ception of three of four days, when it was given berries of the
mistletoe, consisted of the berries of the introduced Pepper
Tree (Schinus molle) of South America. When a bunch of
fresh berries was placed in the cage it picked one berry, peeled
off the outer red skin by means of the sharp cutting edges of
the basal part of the bill, and swallowed the seed. These seeds
are surrounded by a sweet sticky substance from which nutri-
ment is derived, and which evidently takes the place of the
glutinous coating of the Mistletoe seed. When passing the
Pepper Tree seeds they often adhered to the feathers of the
vent, and to free itself of these the bird assumed a jerky
motion; if not successful in thus removing them it rubbed
them off on the perch. One morning we found it dead.
Although it always appeared in the best of health it was in
rather poor condition. (The Pepper Tree berries did not seem
to have supplied sufficient nutriment.)

From G. MM; Mathews, F,R:S:E:

The new birds described in the last issue of this journal,
and the two parrots already described, go to show that Dr.
MacGillivray and Mr. McLennan have done a lot to add new
forms to the List of Australian Birds. Too much praise can-
not be given to Dr. MacGillivray for his courtesy in allowing
me to describe these birds, and to Mr. McLennan for the energy
he displayed in collecting them.

The locality from which they came is an exceedingly diffi-
cult one to work in, and it is only those who have been.in simi-
lar country who can appreciate the works of the above men.
Lloyd’s Bay and its surroundings have turned out an excellent
collecting ground, and we must feel grateful to the men who
have worked it so well.

Correspondence. 19

Correspondence.

To vue EprrorraL Commirter, The S.A. Ornithologist.

Sirs,

The following letter was written and sent to the Editors
of The Emu by me to be published in the April number of
that journal.

I did not receive any official answer to it, but a letter from
a visiting ornithologist, stating the Council wished him to in-
form me that the Council did not intend publishing the letter.
Later I received a letter from a member of the Council stating
the correspondence on this subject was closed. Now, I
cannot see any reason why the correspondence should
be closed, unless it is that too much daylight is being
let into the unprogressive state of ornithology as expounded
by The Emu. I am taking these steps solely for the en-
lightenment of the young school of ornithology in Australia,
that they may move along with our leaders, the scientific and
progressive thinkers of the old world, for should they stand
still like some conservative ornithologists seem determined to
do, then in a short time they will have a mighty lot to pick up.
As a renowned American ornithologist has written to me:—
“Were there a gathering of American ornithologists to take
place anywhere, and a discussion of a certain genus were to
come up, it would be quite out of question for a binomialist in
the group to make himself understood, at any rate he could
not comfortably keep up with the conversation.”

If all Australian ornithologists would study Mr. G. M.
Mathews’s “A List of the Birds of Australia, 1913,” it will be
seen that the author has dealt with the R.A.O.U. Check-list in
a most masterly fashion.

T am, etc.,

S. A. WHITE.

To tHe Hpitors, The Himu.
Sirs,

Under “Further on the R.A.O.U. Check-list,” in the last
issue of The Emu Mr. Milligan says in his letter that he did
not intend to pursue the correspondence further. Perhaps
that would have been the wisest course, because every time

20 Correspondence.

Mr. Ogilvie Grant’s name is brought forward as rejecting tri-
nomials, and every time it is stated that the American orni-
thologists are not in favour of trinomials, it must make those
oversea ornithologists smile, when the ornithological world
knows that they are of one accord in the support of trinomials.

Re Mr. Milligan’s statement at the presentation of the
Check-list, that the system would fall by its own weight (that
is by using trinomials) and that leading British ornithologists.
were not using trinomials, it matters not who he was quoting,
or who put the information into his hands at the last moment: -
it is enough that Mr. Milligan made good use of his brief, and
laid great stress on the lines quoted to impress his audience
with the necessity of accepting a list in binomials.

The quotation from The Auk, Vol. XXIX., pp. 51-5,
written by Mr. Joseph Grimnell of California, seems to be mis-
understood completely, as the works of that gentleman will
plainly show.

I would like to refer to “Letters of Appreciation” in the-
last “Emu.” The only one which carries weight, being that
of Mr. Tom Carter. Iam much surprised at the letter, and
cannot believe now that Mr. Carter would take such a step
backwards. Why not quote the last Jbis, tenth series,
Vol. II., No. 1, p. 148. When speaking of the R.A.O.U. Check-
list it says this is supposed to be based on the work of Gould,
and on the catalogue of the birds in the British Museum, and
its adoption could only lead to the most hopeless confusion.

The Auk, Vol. XXX., pp. 445-7, after a most scath-
ing review of the R.A.O.U. Check-list, concludes with, “We
regret exceedingly that we cannot endorse this Check-list for
general use: aside from all questions of nomenclature, it would
serve a valuable purpose as a conservative list of Australian
species and sub-species, but here it fails in so much as the lack
of synomy makes it difficult or impossible to ascertain with ~
which forms the many recently discovered races have been
united.

If the reviews of the leading scientific journals of the
world were published it would give Australian ornithologists.
a chance to weigh them with “Letters of Appreciation.”

Since seeing Dr. Leach’s letter in the last “Emu” I have
been wondering if sume of us are not looking at Australian

Correspondenec. il

ornithology from two vastly different standpoints, because, if
the R.A.O.U. Check-list was intended for 50,000 members of
the Gould League of Bird Lovers, who are mostly children, and
know as much about the list as the majority who attended the
session when it was adopted (if this be the case, and it is not
to be accepted as scientific), then it will answer the purpose.

Oversea ornithologists have killed the R.A.O.U. Check-
list in one blow. South Australia has turned it down to a
man, and many in the other States are doing likewise, so what
use for more on the subject.

I am, etc.,

S. A. WHITE.

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Vol. I. Part 4.

| SOUTH AUSTRALIAN

ORNITHOLOGIST,

A Magazine of Ornithology.

OCTOBER, 1914.

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EDITORIAL COMMITTEE

Mgssrs. F. R. ZIETZ
(President)

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Price, 2/- :

THE

z South Australian

ORNITHOLOGIST.

Editorial Conimittee -
Messrs. F. R. ZiEvTz (President }
A. M. MorGAN

S. A. WHITE

R. CROMPTON

CONTENTS.

A Sketch of the Life of Samuel White—Ornithologist, Soldier,
Sailor, and Explorer. By his son, S. A. White - : -

Order Passeriformes, Family Laniidae, Genus Gymnorhina a)
The Birds of Iallioota. A. M, Morgan - - - - :

Re-appearance in ‘South Australia of the Swift Lorikeet
(Lathamus discolor tregallasi, Mathews). Edwin Ashby 21

Notes on some Birds observed at Roseworthy College, and not
usual to the Locality. H. E. Laffer

A Long-lost Bird.. S, A. White, M.B.O.U. - - -

Deseription of some interesting Birds from the Northern
Territory. Edwin Ashby - - - : : s B

Current) Observations :—
‘‘ Wittunga,” Blackwood (Edwin Ashby) - 2 -

Birds observed in our Garden at Kingswood (F. R.
Zietz) - - - - - - - - -

Blue-billed Ducks (Oxyura australis) and Freckled

Ducks (Stictonetta nevosa)—F. R. Zietz - =

Correspondence :—

M. Symonds Clark - . E 2 2 y :

PAGE

ee) es

South Australian Ornithologist.

Vou. I] OCTOBER, 1914. [Part 4.

A Sketch of the Life of Samuel White—
Ornithologist, Soldier, Sailor, and Explorer.

By Huis son, S. A. WHite.

[1Il.—THE ORNITHOLOGIST. |

In December, 1860, John White, the father, met his death
through an accident with horses, and this was the turning
point in Samuel White’s life, for he was then free to gratify
his longing to put the whole of his time into the pursuit of
ornithology and the collecting of other natural history speci-
mens. In 1861 we find that in company with his brother Wil-
liam he made many short trips to such places as the Black
Swamp in the south, and Wirrabara Forest in the north, and
they were on a big collecting trip up the Murray River in the
early part of 1863. During these trips valuable notes and ob-
servations were made, and many specimens collected. In the
winter of 1863 Samuel White prepared for his first big expedi-
tion, and a great undertaking it must have been in those days.

Three horses attached to a -dray, with ten months’ stores,
constituted the outfit. The enterprising ornithologist,

accompanied by his man, named Cottrell, set out from
Adelaide to penetrate the vast interior, which was
then unknown. By August 23rd, 1863, we know he was at St.
a Becket’s Pool, lat., 28° 30’, for it was here he collected the
type specimen of Artamus melanops. Pushing on past Lake
Hope, and away to the north of Lake Eyre, taking his position
each day and marking it down on a blank map, beset by priva-
tions and hardships beyond description, and attacked by hos-

6 WHITE—A Sketch of the Life of Samuel White.

tile natives, but never daunted he and his companion
were shaping their course for the centre of the con-
tinent. One disaster after another befel them, and
when north of Lake Eyre the last horse died. That
indomitable spirit of the explorer was forced back. The dray,
with nearly all the valuable specimens, had to be abandoned
in the desert, and the two men set out on the homeward jour-
ney on foot. The fearful privations and hardships this jour-
ney entailed would fill a book of fiction if told in detail, but it
must suffice to say that Samuel White and his faithful ser-
vant reached his home at the Reedbeds after months of tramp-
ing. This intrepid ornithologist must have had a great con-
stitution, for we know that he was on the Murray River again
in 1865, this time accompanied by his brother William, when
a good many specimens were collected, both birds and insects,
the brother taking a keen interest in the study of insect life.
In 1867 Samuel White made preparations to go further afield,
and entertained the idea of proceeding high up on the Queens-
land coast and penetrating to the Gulf of Carpentaria, and
from there down to South Australia. With this object in
view, and accompanied by his brother William, he set out in
a small boat bound for Svdney. There they changed into a
still smaller one called the ‘“‘Saxone,” and during their pro-
gress up the coast to Brisbane they encountered one of those
violent storms that often visit those latitudes, and were
nearly wrecked. Reaching Brisbane at last they transhipped
into another boat called the “Black Prince,” a very small and
leaky boat she was, not fit to go to sea, for large holes in her
hull were stopped up by sacking dipped in tar and nailed over
with pieces of packing cases. In this state she sailed up inside
the Great Barrier Reef, and when a blow came on the captain-
had to seek shelter under one of the numerous islands till it
had passed. After a very anxious time they landed at Cleve-
land Bay, where Townsville is now situated, but then there
were only two habitations and three or four white men, one
being a blacksmith who was induced to put together a pair
of strong wheels, on which was constructed a body. While
this was being done the White brothers were camped on the
bank of a reedy creek, and had commenced their work amongst
nature. The strange birds to be found in that part of Queens-
land interesting them much... At this time the brother, Wil-
liam, became ill with scurvy owing to privations and want of
proper food, and it affected his feet so badly that, being

Order Passeriformes, Family Laniidae, Genus (a nuior hind. ve
. ») 7 ry,

unable to stand, he had to keep his bed for days.
It was found that where they had formed their camp was the
track used by many snakes on their way to the creek to water,
and on many occasions the reptiles passed over the prostrate
- form of the invalid. Once when the elder brother was away
a shake instead of passing through the boughs (on which the
sufferer’s bed was made) to the water, remained under the
bed. William watched for some time, and at last saw the
snake under him, and reaching for a gun (which was always
left near him for his protection) shot the snake. ~ Hearing
the report his brother, Samuel, was soon on the scene want-
ing to know the trouble, and when the invalid explained his
brother lectured him for wasting such a priceless commodity
as ammunition. His brother having almost regained his
health Samuel White purchased a roan mare to draw the
rough cart, and he set out in August, 1868, to find his way to
the Gulf of Carpentaria through a thick mass of tropical
jungle and broken ranges, with his only guide, a map, which
proved to be worse than useless.

(To be continwed.)

Order Passeriformes, Family Lantidae,
Genus Gymnorhina.

Giymnorhina hypoleuca leuconota—The White-backed Magpie.
Upper Surface—Head, black; back, white; upper tail
coverts, white.
Under Surface—From chin to vent, black; vent, white;
under tail coverts, white; thighs, black, with more or less
white upon the inner sides.

Wing—Spurious wing—outer feather, black; inner
feathers, black, with a white base to the outer webbs; pri-
maries, black; secondaries, black; scapularies, black. Major
primary coverts—Outer webbs, black; inner webbs, white, tips,
black. Secondary coverts, white, the outer ones tipped with
black; rest of the wing coverts, white.

Tail—Outer webbs of two outer feathers, black; inner
webbs, white; bases of the other feathers, white; the terminal
third of all, black; quills, black.

8 Order Pusseriforines, Family Lantidae, Genus Gymnorhina.

Bill—Bluish white at base, black at tip.
Legs and Feet—Black.
Iris—Reddish brown.

The female resembles the male except that the back is
light grey, and the average length of the bill is less.

The young have the back dark mottled grey, and the
feather of the under surface and thighs margined with brown
The bill is black, and the irides dull black.

Measurements :—
Total length .. .. 37.00 cm.
Wit fy a oe Geo canner
Maa ee gy a Se ans (ie ena
TRAESUISS Chet iiics ccc onee 5.65 c.m.
1 Bri aieg Mean ae pes a g 5.60 ¢.m.

In old birds the notch near the point of the upper man-
dible becomes deeper, and the tip has a tendency to hook over
the lower mandible.

Distribution—AlIl the southern portions of South Aus-
traha- and Victoria wherever there is a cleared or open
country. They never frequent thick scrub. Up to about 150
miles north of Adelaide it is the only species, but at about this
point a few individuals of G. tibicen intermissa begin to appear.
At Port Augusta the two species are found in about equal
numbers. At Mount Gunson, on the west side of Lake Tor-
rens, only the black-backed birds occur, and at Kallioota, on
the east side of the lake, there are only white backs. In the
Gawler Ranges white backs are the only species.

Food—AII their food is taken on the ground. It consists
of insects. spiders, worms, seeds, frogs, mice, small reptiles,
young birds, soft fruit, and any small birds it can catch. It may
often be seen in hot pursuit of small birds, but rarely, if ever,
‘atches one. In captivity they will eat cooked or raw meat,
bread, almond kernels, grass, and other plants. They are also
fond of fat or butter. At daybreak they fly from their roost-
ing trees to a neighbouring field, where they turn over flat
stones. pieces of bark or dung, in search of insects. They seem
to detect the whereabouts of worms by their sense of hearing
when they dig into the ground with their sharp beaks, and
draw the worm out whole. It is always placed on the ground
and inspected before being eaten. They remain in the field
fairly late in search of nocturnal insects which come from their
i

Order Passeriformes, Family Laniidue, (rewus Gyinnorhina. 9

hiding places with the dusk. Lizards, mice, and large beetles
are always hammered on the eround or on a stone before being
swallowed. When searching for food on the ground they
always walk unless they are in a hurry, when they hop. They
alse give two or three short hops before rising in flight.

Flight—The flight is rather slow, but straight and power-
ful, with a strong, even, fairly fast wing movement, the swish
of the wings can be heard for a considerable distance. When
alighting on the ground they sail 20 or 30 yards close to the
ground, usually taking a sharp turn as they settle. When
alighting on a tree they fly along three or four feet below the
proposed perch, sailing upward till they practically stop before
settling.

Nest—This is usually placed in a fork near the top of a
tree (40 to 60 feet from the ground), but in treeless country
they will build in bushes. A nest at St. Kilda was only about
three feet from the ground in the top of a boxthorn bush. The
nest is built outwardly of small dry twigs, and is lined with
strips of bark and grasses, with a final lining of wool, cow hair,
fur, or other soft material; near homesteads scraps of fencing
wire are often used in the foundation. About the end of May
the old birds drive off the last season’s young birds, and repair
to the vicinity of last year’s nests, each pair having a httle
territory of its own, which it never leaves, and drives all others
from. The first pairs begin building about the end of June,
and by the beginning of August they are all building. The
eggs are three to five in number, the usual clutch being four,
they vary very much in colour and disposition of marking. A
common type has a ground colour of light bluish green, spotted
and streaked with bright red brown, but some clutches are
found to be light brown, spotted with darker brown; others
again have a pale blue ground, spotted with black, almost like
an Enelish thrush’s egg; some again are streaked all over with
tine hairlike lines, but the eggs of any individual bird do not
vary from year to year. Average measurement of 26 eggs:—
4.07 cm. x 2.90 c.m.

Largest egg, 4.35 em. x 3.05 ¢.m.

Smallest egg, 3.70 ¢.m. x 2.70 e.m.

Incubation occupies about three weeks, and the young
leave the nest about three weeks later, returning to it for a
week or so to sleep, the mother sitting on them, after which
they perch on the sides of the nest for a week or two before

10 Ue PESOS: Has Lhaskes Gems Gh ynoaniia

taking to roosting on the branches. If the pair are success-
ful in rearing the first brood they do not rear a second, but if
the young are taken they lay again in the same nest, or if the
old nest is destroyed they build another near by, often in the
Same spot.

The young remain with the parents, being fed by them
for several months, during which time they continue to make
the baby cry; after this they live together, forming a small
company, till April or May, when they are driven off by the old
birds about to make preparation for the following nesting.
As soon as the young birds are driven away they flock; some
pick up mates and breed, but most of them remain in the flock,
not breeding till the second year.

A tame pair in the Children’s Hospital garden built a nest
on a garden seat in August, 1911. The nest was built of pep-
per tree twigs, a piece of wire clothes line, several pieces of fine
iron wire, and some string; it was lined with hair and wooly
material, apparently from carpet sweepings. The first egg was
laid on September 1, the second on September 3, the third on
September 4. The female began to sit as soon as the first egg
was laid, and did practically all the brooding; she was fed on
the nest by the male. The first egg was hatched on Septem-
ber 21, and the other two upon the two following days, both
birds fed the young and cleaned the nest by swallowing the
droppings. In a quite wild state they do not defend the nest
from men, but attack tiercely any other birds which come near
the nesting tree, even wedge-tailed, and whistling eagles are
driven off. When nesting near settlements they attack any-
one who comes near them, and have been known to inflict
serious scalp wounds.

When the intruder has been driven off they fly to a tree
and pour forth a song to proclaim their victory.

Song—A gurgling flute-like note, which is decidedly musi-
eal. In the early spring they often begin shortly after mid-
mght, continuing at intervals till morning; they also sing in
the evening, but not frequently during the day. They also
make a loud challenge or alarm call.

Magpies are very playful. Two may often be seen lying
on the ground on their sides, wrestling with their claws, but
if one of them gets hurt the game develops into a fight, each
trying to grasp the other across the bill with his claws, while
he punishes with his powerful beak, accompanied by the loud
challenge cry.

MORGAN—The Birds of Kallioota. li

Magpies are very commonly pinioned, and keptin captivity
in gardens, making very useful, though mischievous, pets.
They seldorf get really tame and often become very vicious,
and will always attack a stranger. When planting bulbs or
seedlings the tame magpie is always carefully watching pro-
ceedings, and as soon as the back is turned they are all speedily
uprooted.

They get very expert at catching in their beaks worms,
small stones. or grubs when thrown to them. If taken young
they can be taught to whistle and talk, but the enunciation is
never very distinct. In recent years they have greatly in-
creased in numbers, owing to more land being cleared for the
plough, and to their being totally protected. Several pairs
have nested in the Park Lands surrounding Adelaide.

The Birds of Kallioota.
By A. M. MoraGan.

Kallioota is a cattle depot belonging to the estate of the
late Mr. W. T. Mortlock. By the courtesy of Mr. R. Smith,
the general manager, my wife and myself were enabled to
spend the month of August, 1912, in observing the birds
there. The station is upon the alluvial plain situated between
the Flinders Range and the south end of Lake Torrens. It is
crossed from east to west by the Willochra Creek, a dry or
salt watercourse in the summer, but at the time of our visit a
flowing stream of fresh water. The plain is crossed at inter-
vals by sandhills running roughly east and west; between the
sandhills are saltbush and samphire flats. Along the creek
and neighbouring flats, which are subject to floods, are many
fine old red gums; elsewhere the sandhills are covered with
wattle bush, myall, bullock bush, mulga (all species of acacia),
and here and there pines and black oaks. 1912 was a splendid
Season, grass, annual saltbush, and wild spinach were growing
luxuriantly, and the sandhills and flats were covered with
flowers, mostly white and yellow everlastings. We were hos-
pitably entertained at the head station by the manager and
assistant manager, Messrs. Gilbert Smith and J. M. Merry-
field, who did everything in their power to assist us in our pur-
suits.

12 MORGAN—The Birds of Kallioota.

The birds observed were :—

1. Dromiceius novw hollandiw (Emu). Fairly common in
sandhill and scrubby country. One nest was found on August
17th. It was made of small dry sticks with which some of
the emus’ own feathers were mixed; it was situated within a
ring formed by fallen trees. The eggs were seven in number,
and varied in weight from 1} lb. to 1 ib. They were slightly
incubated. The sitting bird was judged to be the male; the
mate was feeding in the vicinity.

2. Geopelia placida tranquila (Peaceful Dove). <A single
pair seen feeding on the ground.

3. Ocyphaps lophotes (Crested Bronzewing). Common, At
the beginning of August they were in small flocks four to
seven in number. About the middle of the month they began
to separate into pairs. Four nests were found between
August 25th and August 31st. The nests were all in thick
bushes from seven feet to 3 feet 6 inches from the ground.
They were very loosely constructed of a few small twigs,
through which the eggs could be seen. They each contained
two eggs.

4. Microtribonyx ventralis whitei (Eastern Black-tailed
Native Hen). A single bird seen swimming in the creek. Not
nesting.

5. Poliocephalus poliocephalus (Hoary-headed Grebe). <A
few birds seen on dams. Not nesting.

6. Lobibyx nove hollandie (Spur-winged Plover). A single
pair seen. They behaved as though breeding, but the eggs
were not found.

7. Gonifer tricolor (Black-breasted Plover). Fairly common
on flats; probably breeding, but no eggs found.

8. Elseya melanops (Black-fronted Dottrel). A few pairs
were running in the mud banks in the creek. Not yet breed-
ing,

9. Burhinus magnirostris (Stone Plover). Heard at night;
not seen.

10. Notophoyx nove hollandie (White-fronted - Heron).
Several pairs seen. A nest found in September by Mr.
Merryfield in a large gum tree containing young birds.

11. Anas superciliosi rogersi (Black Duck). Small numbers
on dams and waterholes; not nesting.

LEG AN ole le a Lanne

2. Virago giberrifrons (Grey Teal). Same as last species.

13. Spatula rhynchotis (Australian Shoveller). Same as
above.

14. Malacorhynchus membranaceus (Pink- eared Duck). Same
as above. :

15. Mesocarbo ater (Little Black Cormorant). A few soli-
tary birds seen flying up and down the creek. :

16. Circus assimilis (Spotted Harrier). Fairly common.
Generally hawking over the sandhills, sometimes in pairs,
more often singly. A nest was found by Mr. Merryfield in a

tall gum tree after our departure. It contained three white
eggs
Circus approximaus gouldi (Swamp Hawk). A single

individual seen on a saltbush plain.

18. Uroetus audax (Wedge-tailed Eagle). Fairly common.
A nest found by a-musterer on August 21st contained two
half-grown young birds.

19. Haliastur sphenurus (Whistling Eagle). Common
everywhere; many nests seen, mostly in inaccessible gums; five
nests examined varied in height from 60 to 30 eee from the

eyound; each nest contained two fresh or slightly incubated
CLES. The principal food of these birds is rabbits, skeletons
of which and casts of their fur were found about every nest.

20. Milvus korschun affinis (Allied Kite). One or a pair
were constantly hovering about the station house; not nesting.

21. Falco hypoleucus (Grey Falcon). A single bird seen
in the pine scrub. Mr. Merryfield obtained a clutch of two
eggs from a nest in a red gum after our departure.

22. Rhynchodon perigrinus macropus (Black-cheeked Fal-
con). <A single bird seen.

23. Hieracidea berigora (Striped Brown Hawk). Common.
All the birds seen were the light coloured form, except one,
which, from its tameness, I took to be a young bird. Several
birds were seen to leave nests, but no eggs were found. Mr.
Merryfield found eggs in September.

24. Oerchneis cenchroides (Nankeen Kestrel). . Common.
3irds were seen to leave two hollows, but the birds had not
laid by the end of August. Mr. Merryfield found severai
clutches later, both in hollow gums and in old crows’ nests.

14 MORGAN—The Birds of Kallioota.

25. Spiloglauc boobook marmorata (Boobook Owl). Only
one bird seen; often heard at night.

26. Tyto alba delicatula (Delicate Owl). Heard at night;
not seen.

27. Ducorpsius gymnopis (Bare-eyed Cockatoo). Common
in the Eucalypti, where they were nesting. Nests all inac-
cessible.

* 28. Holophus roseicapillus (Galah). Common. Nesting

in the tall gums along the creek; three nests examined on Sep-
teinber Ist. All contained young birds.
29. Leptolophus auricomis (Cockatoo Parrot). The Hrs

bird arrived on August 26th, and they soon became numerous.
On September ist they were busy cleaning out hollows, but
had not yet laid.

30. Barnardius barnardi (Ring-neck Parrot). Very nume-
reus in gums about the creek; not seen elsewhere. They bred
freely in the hollow gums; all the clutches seen were five in
number except one of four slightly incubated eggs. They
were very tame, and fed close up to the house. Their princi-
pal food was the seeds of the “prickly Jack.” On September
ist many of the nests contained young, and some pairs were
still cleaning out hollows.

31. Northelia haematogaster xanthorrhoa (Yellow-vented
Parrot). Commnion in the scrub, not seen in the gum country.
Many nests, mostly in hollow pines, all contained young birds
except one, which contained nine eggs. eight of them incubat-
ing and one infertile. All the nests were in the trunks of the
trees, and the entrance within reach of the hand.

32. Psephotus varius rosinw (Many-coloured Parrot). Not
common; a few pairs only were seen in the gum country. One
clutch of five eggs was taken from a spout of a dead gum tree
about 20 feet from the ground.

33. Pordargus strigoides rossi (Mallee Frogmouth). A single
bird seen sitting upon two slightly incubated eggs on August
50th. The nest was in a black oak about 20 feet from the
sround.

34. Aegotheles cristata (Owlet Night Jar). Two birds were
seen, each sitting upon three slightly incubated eggs. The first
bird had to be taken from the nest by the hand: the second
flew off as we approached the tree. In each case the nest was
roughly built of Acacia leaves, and in the second case with a
few pieces of grass added.

GY)

MORGAN—The Birds of Kallioota. 3)

35. Cyanalcyon pyrrhopygius (Red-backed Kingfisher). The
first bird arrived on August 28th, and began calling close to
the house. The note is a mournful “chow” repeated about 24
times a minute. <A few more arrived each day and were call-
ing in the gum trees about the creek. Mr. Merryfield found a
nest in the bank of the creek after we had left.

36. Heteroscenes pallidus (Pallid Cuckoo). First bird seen
on August 13th, and they soon became numerous. No eggs
found.

37. Neochalcites basalis (Narrow-billed Bronze Cuckoo).
Common. Three eggs found, one each in nest of Hallornis
cyanotus, Ephthianura albifrons, and Malurus melanotus cal-
lainus. The Cuckoo’s egg was upon the side of the Ephthianura
nest, and not with the other eggs. The egg found in the
nest of M. callainus was not blown for 24 hours after taking;
it proved to be unblowable, the embryo was still alive, though
those in the Walurus eggs were quite dead. The zygodactylate
foot of the young Cuckoo easily distinguished it from any
other bird. This may be used as a means of identifying
Cuckoo’s eggs when they closely resemble those of their hosts.

38. Hylochelidon nigricans caleyi (Tree Swallow). Not com-
mon. A few pairs nesting in hollow gums near the creek.

39. Hiruwndo neoxena (Welcome Swallow). Common. Nest-
ing in sheds and down wells ;

40. Lagenoplastes ariel (Bottle Swallow). <A colony of
about 40 nests building on an overhanging bank of the creek.
Mr. R. Smith informed me that these birds always build close
to water in a dry season because the mud dries before they
can get to the nests. For the same reason on bright days they
build only in the morning and evening.

41. Cherameca leucosternum stonei (Eastern Black-and-
White Swallow). Common. Many old nests in the bank of
the creek. Two were dug out on August 28th; one contained
two fresh eggs, and the other three fresh eggs. No full
clutches were taken. The first hole was one foot deep, and the
second 13 feet deep. In each case the nesting chamber took
a turn to the right. The nests were made of dry grass and
narrow gum leaves.

42. Whiteornis goodenovi (Red-capped Robin). The only
Robin seen. They were very common, and were nesting
freely. Thirteen nests were examined; 11 contained three
eggs or three young birds each, one contained two nearly fresh

16 MORGAN—The Birds of Kallioota.

eggs. and one two half-grown young. The nest is built low
down in the fork of a bush. It is made of dried grasses deco-
rated outwardly with bits of lichen, and lined with rabbit fur,
cow hair, and old coocoons. One nest measured, outside dia-
meter, three inches; inside diameter, 14 inches; depth, 14
inches. The male keeps away from the nest while the female
is sitting unless danger threatens, when he shows as much
anxiety as the female. The female does all the nest build-
ing, all the sitting, and probably all the feeding of the young.
The note of the male is a mixture of creak and croaks; the
creak seems continuous with two croaks interpolated. The
note of the female is a faint “chet.” The male of one nesting
pair had only a faint blush of red on the breast and none on
the forehead when the nest started, but by the time the eggs
were laid he had become sensibly redder without moulting.

43. Smicrornis brevirostris viridescens. <A flock of four
seen in a gum creek at the foot of the ranges.

44, Rhipidura flabellifera whitei (White-shafted Fantail).
Saw only one flock of these birds. It occurred to me when
too late to secure a specimen that they may have been A. f.
albicauda, but they looked through the field. glasses like the
common species.

45. Leucocirea tricolor (Wagtail). Several pairs and single
birds seen. They had not nested by September Ist.

46. Coracina nove hollandie melanops (Black-faced Grau-
calus). Several small flocks seen up to seven in number; not
nesting.

47. Lalage tricolor (White-shouldered Caterpillar Bird).
Appeared on August 26th, and soon became numerous. . They
kept to the more thickly wooded country. Had not nested
by September 1st.

48. Morganornis superciliosus (White-browed Babbler).
Very common, nesting everywhere. Some pairs were feeding
young on August 4th, and some were still building nests on
September Ist. <A pair built a nest in a low prickly shrub
about 10 feet from the front door, and in spite of being tumbled
over in the dark and having a basin of water thrown over
them they hatehed out three voung, and were feeding them
on September Ist. The young were fed upon caterpillars. All
clutches examined were either three or four in number, mostly
three.

MORGAN—The Birds of Kallioota. IL

49. Calamanthus campestris (Field Wren). | Only a single
pair seen. A bird shot for identification proved to be a young
male. They were very shy.

50. Cinclorhamphus cruralis (Brown Song-lark). Very
Common, nesting freely on the grass and saltbush flats. The
first nest was found on August 24th. The nests were built
in natural depressions in the ground. They were outwardly
built of annual saltbush twigs, and were lined with green
grass. The female does all the nest building and sitting. The
male was not seen near a nest. Clutch, three or four.

51. Ptenedus mathewsi vigorsi (Rufous Song-lark). Very
common, kept to the thinly timbered country. A nest found
by Mr. G. Smith on August 24th contained four fresh eggs.

52. Ephthianura albifrons (White-fronted Tin-tac). Very
common both in saltbush and thinly timbered country. Breed-
ing freely. The nests were made of thin saltbush twigs or
grass, and lined with horsehair. One nest measured 1} inches
in diameter and 13 inches deep. Clutch, three or four, mostly
four.

53. Parephthianura tricolor (Red-fronted Tin-tac). Only
two pairs seen in the saltbush. <A nest found on August 30th
contained three hard-set eggs. The nest was built in a salt-
bush, about six inches from the ground, of withered flower
stems, lined with horsehair and a few pieces of rabbit fur.
The opening measured 2} inches x 2 inches, and was 11 inches
deep.

54. Aurephthianura aurifrons (Orange-tinted Tin-tac). Com-
mon in the saltbush, not seen elsewhere. All nests found were
in saltbush from six to eight inches from the ground. Nest
like that of H#. albifrons. Clutch, three. These birds bob the
tail up and down like a pipit while walking.

55. Acanthiza uropygialis augusta (Chestnut-rumped. Tit).
Common in the scrub country. Seventeen nests were found,
all built in hollows from a few inches to five feet from the
ground. In each case the entrance of the nest was built up
flush with the opening of the hollow; if the opening be too
large it is filled up with nesting material. Both birds assist
in the building. Clutch, three or four, mostly four.

56. Geobasileus chrysorrhous addendus (Yellew-rumped Tit
—Tomtit). Not common; several nests seen all built under
hawks’ or crows’ nests. One examined on August 30th was
built under a crow’s nest containing five half-grown young.

18 MORGAN—The Birds of Kallioota.

The clutch was three slightly incubated eggs. There was no
top story to this nest.

57. Malurus melanotus callainus (Turquoise Wren). Com.
mon in sandhill country. Five nests were found, one of which

. ° e
contained an egg of the Narrow-billed Cuckoo.

58. Hallornis cyanotis (White-winged Wren). Very com-
mon in the saltbush. Eight nests were found either in salt
or blue bushes. Clutch, three or four.

59. Leggeornis lamberti assimilis (Purple -backed Wren).
Fairly common on sandhills and thick scrubby country. Al
nests found were built on the ground, in thick bushes, or tops
of fallen trees. Clutch, two, three, or four.

60. Austrartamus melanops (Black-faced Wood Swallow).
On August 4th these birds were in small flocks of five to eight,
but towards the end of the month they had separated into
pairs, and had commenced building. A great many nests were
found, the first on August 23rd, and daily afterwards. A
favourite site was the centre of a mistletoe, but nests were
also found in hollow stumps and in the tops of low shrubs.
The nest is built of fine twigs and lined with fine rootlets and
grasses. Only one egg was seen on August 30th.

61. Colluricincla rufiventris white: (Buff-bellied Shrike-
thrush). A few pairs seen along the creek and in the timber;
not nesting.

62. Grallina cyanoleuca (Murray Magpie). Common along
the creek. Breeding in the big gums overhanging the stream.

63. Gymnorhina hypoleuca leuconota. Common in the gum
country where they were nesting.

64. Bulestes torquatus ethele (Butcher Bird). Not common.
Only two pairs seen, but others were heard. <A nest was
found on August 30th in a black oak about 25 feet from the
ground. It contained four slightly incubated eggs. The
male betrayed the situation of this nest by flying out and
fiercely attacking a Pordargus which we had driven from its
nest.

65. Lewinornis rufiventris inornatus (Rufous-breasted Thick-
head). A solitary male collected.

66. Gilbertornis rufogularis gilberti (Red-throated Thick-
head). <A solitary female collected.

67. Oreoica cristata clelandi (Crested Bell-bird). Not com-
mon. More often heard than seen. One nest found contain-

MORGAN—The Birds of Katlioota. 19

ing two fresh eggs. The nest was. as usual, ornamented with
live caterpillars.

68. Aphelocephala leucopsis (White Face). The commonest
bird in the district. They were breeding everywhere. Three
pairs were building under the ridge capping of the house, and
two pairs in the thatch of a shed. Other breeding places were
thorn bushes, old babblers’ nests, and between a gatepost and
the hanging style of the gate; but the great majority of the
nests were in hollow trees. The nests are made of dried
grasses and herbage, and are lined with feathers and rabbits’
fur. One nest was lined entirely with emu feathers. Clutches,
three or four. I watched one pair feeding their young; they
brought only green caterpillars at the rate of one each every
five minutes.

69. Sphenostoma cristatum pallidum (Pale Wedgebill).

I was surprised to find this bird so far south. I
believe Leigh’s Creek is the previously recorded south-
ern limit. They were in pairs, and fairly numerous

where there were clumps of thorn bush (a_ prickly
shrub like African boxthorn, very difficult and painful to
penetrate). The male sits out on a dry twig in the open
and utters his song, which is like ‘chip cheer chiroo,” the first
two notes subdued and andible for about 40 or 50 yards, the
final note very loud and shrill, and audible for a quarter of a
mile or more. The female answers from the bushes with an
occasional “chirrup.” When the eggs are all laid the male
becomes much more silent, only uttering his note occasionally.
They are very local. A pair near the house never strayed
more than 200 yards from the clump of thorn bushes where
they eventually nested. The first nest was found by Mr.
Merryfield in an “old man” saltbush. It contained three fresh
eggs. One nest was built in the knob of a mistletoe about nine
feet from the ground, and three other nests were in thorn
bushes, all within reach of the hand. Clutch, two or three.
The nest is built of fine dry twigs and smoothly lined with
fine dried grasses. The opening measures five inches in dia-
meter, and is 1+ inches deep.

70. Neositta pileata tenuirostris (Slender-billed Tree “Run-
ner). A flock of four birds seen; not nesting.

71. Climacteris erythrops superciliosa (White-browed Tree
Creeper). Not common; only four pairs seen. An uncom-
pleted nest was found on August 9th at the bottom of a hollow
‘branch.

20 MORGAN—The Birds of Kallioota.

72. Austrodiceum hirundinaceum (Mistletoe Bird). A few
pairs and solitary birds seen.

73. Pardalotinus striatus subaffinis (Striped Diamond Bird).
Common in gum country; not seen elsewhere. Most of the
nests were placed in very small holes in thick limbs of gum
trees. <A pair was found digging out a hole in the bank of
the creek on August 11th; three slightly incubated eggs were
taken from it on August 22nd. The tunnel was 18 inches
long and the nest chamber five inches in diameter. The cup-
shaped nest completely filled the chamber; the nest
measured 53 inches x 2} inches in diameter x 14 inches deep.
It was built of dry grasses and a few shreds of bark. The bird
was captured on the nest, identified and released.

74. Pardalotus punctatus canthopygus (Yellow-rumped Dia-
mond Bird). Heard in gums, but no specimen secured.

75. Glyciphila albifrons incerta (White-fronted Honey-
eater). Very common at the beginning of August, when they
were feeding on the flowers of the thorn bush. About the
middle of the month they all left without nesting.

76. Meliphaga sonora (Singing Honey-eater). Very com-
mon in scrub and thorn bush; not seen in gum trees. Nests
were found in thorn bush, in myall, and in mistletoe. One nest
found building was constructed entirely of green convolvulus
runners.

77. Ptilotula penicillata rosine (White-plumed Honey-
eater—Greenie). Common in the gums. An albino specimen
was secured.

78. Coleia carunculata tregellasi (Wattle Bird). <A single
pair seen at foot of the ranges.

79. Acanthagenys rufogularis cygnus (Spiny-cheeked Honey-
eater). Fairly common in scrub country; no nests found.

80. Anthus australis adelaidensis (Pipit—Ground Lark).
Very common; nests found daily. Clutch, three or four,
usually three.

81. Teniopygia castanotis (Zebra Finch). <A few small
flocks seen; not breeding, but were using old nests as roosting
places.

82. Corvus coronoides perplezus (Raven). Very common;
many nests found. Clutch, three to five.

a
((
4

ASH BY—Re-appearance in South Australia of Swift Lorikeet. 21

83. Phaps chalcoptera (Bronze-wing Pigeon). Uncommon.
A nest was found in a myall at the foot of the ranges contain-
ing two fresh eggs.

(After our departure Mr. Merryfield identified two other
birds.)

84. Cosmerops ornatus (The Bee-eater). Found breeding —
in the side of a sandhill.

85. Campbellornis personatus munna (Masked Wood-Swal-
low). <A nest found on top of a dog-proof fence.

The scientific names are from Mr. G. M. Mathews’ latest
list of Australian birds for the sake of convenience, although
the writer does not agree with many of his subspecific and
generic separations.

Re-appearance in South Australia of the Swift
Lorikeet (Lathamus discolor tregellasi, Mathews).

By EpwINn ASHBY.

The following are a few notes on the appearance of Latha-
mus discolor this year in our neighbourhood. The occurrence
is particularly interesting in view of the fact recorded by Mr.
M. S. Clark that the last recorded occurrence near Adelaide
was in 1882.

Karly in June my son, A. Kk. Ashby, told me that there
were some strange grass parakeets about, but it was on June
25rd, 1914, when two birds flew swiftly over my head, showing
the bright scarlet under the wings so characteristic of this
species. I sent a memo, of the occurrence to the meeting of
the S.A. Ornithological Association held on July 31st.

Since first noting this bird on the aforementioned date
sinall flocks have passed over my property morning and even-
ing daily.

They feed soon after sunrise, and also in the latter part
of the afternoon, roosting in the thick leafy tops of the Pepper- .
wnint (Hucalyptus odorata) quite near my house.

They have a variety of notes, none of them resembling the '
harsh squeaks of the Lorikeets.. The most common note is
a shrill whistle, reminding one of the note of Climacteris scan-
dens when heard at some distance.

220 ASH BY—Re-appearance in South Australia of Swift Lorikeet.

When feeding in the Peppermints they sometimes utter a
warbling note.

While I have not myself seen them feeding on the flowers
of the Blue Gum (Hucalyptus leucozlyon), the only Eucalypt now
in flower in our district, from all the specimens examined by
me, large amounts of honey exuded from their beaks and nos-
trils immediately on being shot.

The crops and stomachs contained a variety of food, much
triturated, including insects and seeds, and parts of the ovaries
of the Peppermints. As far as I could ascertain their
favourite food before sundown is the unripe seed vessels of
Eucalyptus odorata. In an afternoon I have counted several
score near my house, so we may conclude that there are many
thousands of this interesting visitor scattered throughout our
hill country.

The following are the measurements of the two finest
specimens, male and female, that I examined :—

Male :—
Total length .. .. 10.6” od FEB (Oni 00,
He i ee eevee nse a 5” a2 ene
NNT ORS eo Ne ORAL ooh: CAR Se 12.5 ¢.m.
ACAMES Sekar ats! Bye 3 Hert 1.75) em:
Cwlmen 6.2)... 0.6” 1d em
Female :—
Mona lenetine vo. eZ Zo.) same
enigma ee Mat: ay 1235) 2 G.Ie
NAITO RRS tk; tara On” Ray Cain,
Qrulimreaeeys Lok eee 0.5” 125) come

While in most of the females the two centre tail feathers
were nearly one inch shorter in a fully adult specimen the
measurements of the female were identical with the male.

Adult Male:—Forehead deep red, lores yellow, fore-
vart of crown deep blue, changing to rich green at back of
crown; nape, back of neck, back and upper tail coverts being
uniformly of the same rich green.

The lower portions of cheek, chin, and throat bright red,
inargined more or less definitely with yellow, this line joining
the vellow of the lores.

Kar coverts—Upper portion of cheeks-and side of neck,
bluish green.

?
\

ASH BY—Re-appearance in South Australia of Swift Loriheet. 23

Underside—From red of throat, down to vent, yellowish
green. the base of many feathers being almost a pure yellow.

In most of the more brightly coloured specimens there
are some scattered bright red feathers. In one specimen
before me the brilliant red of the underside of the wings is
continued almost across the breast in a broad streak. Also
iuany of the inside feathers of the leg and those of the abdo-
men are fringed with pink, giving the impression of narrow
pink bars.

\ing—Primaries, outer webb deep blue, narrowly mar-
gined with yellow; inside webb dull black; fourth to ninth pri-
maries have a white spot in centre of inner webb, which is also
breadly margined with yellowish white.

Secondaries—Narrow marginal line of yellow, then broad
band of rich green. centre and inner webb black. The inner
webb of the four inner secondaries is bright rose red. (This
appears to be a constant feature.)

Greater Wing Coverts—Rich green, changing to rich
blue in the outer ones.

Median Wing Coverts—Rich green, bases black.

Lesser Wing Coverts—Bright blue, with black centres.
Spurious Wing—Deep blue.

Scapularies—Green.

Shoulders—Deep maroon red.

Under Wing Coverts—Crimson, mottled with blue and
green at the margine.

Tail Coverts—Upper are in some cases tipped with blue,
and other with rich green. Under tail coverts, pink, margined
with yellow.

Yail—Two centre feathers one inch longer than the next.
This was so in the case of the best male and best female skin
under examination, but in the majority of females the four
centre tail feathers were much of a length, and the general
cokouration more subdued. Two centre feathers for three-
quarters of their length, and the outer webb of all other tail
feathers for half their length, dull maroon. Inner webb, duil
bluish black. Terminal portion of tail feathers, deep dullish
blue.

24 LAFFER—Notes ou some Birds observed ut loseworthy College.
Flank—Splashed with bright red.
Feet and Legs—Greyish flesh colour.
The bare skin round the nostrils is larger than is the case
with most of the lorikeets, and is the same colour as the legs.
Beak—Upper mandible, greyish white; lower, cream and
white.

Notes on some Birds observed at
Roseworthy College, and not usual to the locality.

By H. E. LAFFER,
Curator of the Roseworthy College Museum.

Ducks.—From time to time’ representatives of this order
alight during the course of their migrations upon one or other
of the open dams or tanks, and within the past fourteen years
I have secured quite a number, amongst which the following
species were represented :—

Black Duck (Anas superciliosa rogersi).

Grey Teal (Virago gibberifrons).

Shoveller (Spatula rhyncotis rhyncotis).

Pink-eared Duck (Walachorhyncus membranaceous assimilis).

Wood Duck (Chenonetta jubata).

On one occasion, 1916. when, owing to excessive rainfall, a low
lying piece of land was submerged, the Black Duck nested in
the neighbourhood, and two young birds were secured before
they could fly.

The Bald Coot (Porphyrio melanotus)—I have recorded
once, in October, 1913, when a. very nice skin was ob-
tained. Grebes also are not usual in this class of country,
where the only water is in isolated dams. The only ones
noticed were in March of the present year, when specimens of
hoth the Black-throated (Tachybaptus ruficollis novae hollandiae)
and the Hoary-headed (Poliocephalus poliocephalus) were shot
within a week of each other.

Occasionally the Black-tailed Native Hen (MWicrotribony.r
ventralis white’) puts in an appearance, and in. 1913 nested. 1
failed to find the nest, but the voung were seen following the
mother bird. A few seasons ago these birds were very plenti-
ful for a few weeks.

2
ie

LAF FE R—Notes on some Birds observed at Raseworth y College. 25

In 1912 I noticed one of the small Crakes (apparently
Porzsana plumbea immaculata), but failed to secure a specimen.

[More likely to have been Zapornia pusilla palustris.—Eds. ]

A solitary Marsh Tern (Hydrochelidon leucopareia fluviatilis)
was shot in’ September, 1913; a complete stranger to this in-
land locality, very poor in condition.

Of other birds usually inhabiting the neighbourhood of
water may be mentioned the Sharp-tailed Stint (Limnocinclus
accuminatus), one specimen, September, 1912; and the Black-
banded Dotterel (Hlseya melanops), which has appeared on
scveral occasions. [A common bird inland.—Eds. ]

In September, 1912, a pair of Reed Warblers came and
nested in some rushes bordering a dam. Unfortunately the
nest was accidentally destroyed, and the birds went away
without making another.

March, 1912, was the first time I recorded the Butcher
sird (Bulestes torquatus ethelae). At that time two specimens
were secured. Since that time two more odd ones have been
seen. the last one during the past two months.

The Kingfishers have been represented, once by the Laugh-
ing Jack (Dacelo gigas) in the early part of this year, and
by one of the smaller blue ones in 1913. Neither of these
birds were destroyed.

The first skins of the Striped Honey-eater (Plectorhyncha
lancestata neglecta) recorded from the lower north I obtained
during June, 1912. Later on another specimen was secured,
and at the present time there are two which have taken up per-
manent residence here, and which I hope will nest this season.
They come right up to the house and their cheerful song makes
a most welcome note.

Other two Honey-eaters secured were the White-fronted
(Gliciphila albifrons), October, 1912, and the Regent (Zan-
thomiza phrygia tregellasi), March, 1914, both of which were
solitary specimens, and had not previously been recorded.

Only twice have I seen the Brush Wattle Bird (Anthochaera
chrysoptera intermedia), in September, 1913, and July, 1914.
' Roseworthy College,
August 28,,1914.

26 WAITE—A_ Long - Lost Bird.

A Long-Lost Bird.

By S. A. Wurrs, M.B.O.U.

The rediscovery of John Gould’s Xerophila pectoralis must
come to Australian ornithologists as a subject of great inte-
rest, one specimen only having been seen up to this, and from
which the great ornithologist described the species in 1871
(Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., series 14, vol. VIII.). The bird is
known now as Aphelocephala pectoralis (Mathews’ “A List of
the Birds of Australia,” p. 246). Several South Australian
ornithologists, including myself, have hunted for years after
this bird, but could never find a trace of it, and I know of late
a very strong feeling has been in my mind as to the possibility
of this species ever existing. On June 29th, 1914, my assistant
and taxidermist (Mr. J. P. Rogers) brought in a couple of small
birds, and I at once recognised them as the lost bird. Within
a few hours I met with a small party myself and secured
several specimens. I found this bird to extend over the country
for 100 miles west of Oodnadatta, and seemed to be entirely
confined to the tableland country covered with gibber stones,
with small clumps of low bushes and a few mulga (Acacia
aneura) growing in the watercourses. A. pectoralis was found
nearly always in the company of A. nigricineta and another
species which was very numerous and resembled both A.
leucopsis and A. p. castaneiventris. Their habits seem to be
identical with other members of the genus, but their call is
distinctive, in being a low plaintive note, and they are not
nearly so bold as the more common species, and on being
alarmed they flew straight away out of gun shot. <A few
points of rain fell in February over this country, and these
birds must have bred, because fully fledged young were col-
lected with the parent birds, but unfortunately I did not meet
with any nests containing eggs.

Description of some Interesting Birds from
the Northern Territory.

By Epwin ASHBY.
Amongst a small collection of birds recently collected by
Mr. C. E. May at the Union Bore, near Pine Creek, Northern
Territory, the following show differences from their nearest
allies that are worth noting.

ASH BY—Description of some birds from Northern Territory. 2%

Karua (lalage) leucomela. The three specimens (two male
and one female) in the collection have the abdomen and under-
tail coverts white instead of buff, as in Karua leucomela rufi-
ventris (Gray); also the barring is much less pronounced than
is the case in specimens of the latter species from Anson Bay
in the Northern Territory.

If this inland race be considered worthy of subspecific
rank I suggest the name of Aarua leucomela mayi n.s. (The Pine
Creek Caterpillar-eater).

Dulciornis alisteri. The specimens sent by Mr. May of
this species are paler, and the crown of the head less darkly
striated, and ground colour rufous, not chestnut as in the Mel-
ville Island bird. It is evidently a race distinct from the island
form, from which I suggest it should a distinguished under
the name of Dulciornis alistert mayi n.s. (The Northern Terri-
tory Grass Bird).

Pardalotus melanocephalus Met enen (Mathews). In the
specimen sent me by Mr. May the rump is yellow, and not
orange as in the Melville Island race, but as some of the speci-
mens from that island in the Adelaide Museum collection show
some divergence from the typical orange form I hardly think
this race deserves subspecific rank.

Neositta pileata leucoptera (Qld.). There are two specimens
of this interesting little bird, one of each sex. Jam unable to
separate them from the north-western form, Neositta pileata
napert (Mathews).

Lewinornis (Pachycephala) rufiventris minor (Zietz). I
received two specimens, one male and one female. I concur
with Mr. Zietz that it is a good sub-species. The black tail,
black ear coverts, and dark rufous breast and abdomen seem
to make it a distinct race from either falcata (Gould) or colletts
(Mathews).

CURRENT OBSERVATIONS.

“Wittunga,” Blackwood.

From Epwin ASHBY.
Throughout the month of July the Yellow-rumped Tits
(Geobasileus chrysorrhous perksi) were busy building in the
creepers round my house.

—+

ZLB TVZ—Current Observations.

bo
7D

July 25th—The Yellow Wings (Jeliornis nove hollandie
subassimilis) tlew out of nest in the garden fully tledged.

August 5th.—Found nest in the orchard of Hphthianura
albifrons with one egg of Ephthianura, and one egg of Neochal-
cites basilis mellori. The nest was on the ground, and the cock
Ephthianura was sitting closely.

Karly in August the Pallid Cuckoo (Heteroscenes patlidus)
was whistling freely.

August 11th—Found nest of Warty-faced Honey-eater
(Zanthomiza phrygia tregellasi) just completed, situated in the
fork of a Peppermint (#. odorata) about 10 feet from the
ground. The outside of nest composed of bark and grass
stems; the inside well lined with soft vegetable fibre and ¢ot-
ton. On the 17th (six days later) there were two eggs slightly
incubated.

August 21st—Grey Shrike-Thrush (Colluricincla harmo-
nica victoriv) fledged and left the nest.

Warty-faced Honey-eaters are exceedingly numerous in
our district this vear, much more so than is usual.

August .—On this date we examined a Southern Little
Wattle Bird (Anthochera chrysoptera intermedia) nest. This
was built in a loquat in my garden. Although the bird had
been sitting for several days there was only one egg. On
the 23rd August the chick was a fair size, covered with black
down. Is the laying of only one egg due to the exceptionally
dry season, or is one a full clutch in many cases? TI have
found usually two eges to form a clutch of this species.

[Clutch of one egg not uncommon.—KEds. |

Birds observed in our Garden at Kingswood.

From F. R. Zinrz.

During the past week a small flock of Waxbills or Red
eye-browed Finches (Aegintha temporalis loftyi) paid us several
visits. In the early days of this State these birds were plenti-
ful on the Adelaide plains, but since the land has been cleared
and built upon they have retreated to the moist gullies of the
Mount Lofty Ranges, where they seek shelter in the braken
fern and dense shrubs. Their appearance is probably due to
the dryness of the season. The Southern Black-headed Minahs
(Myzantha melanocephala whitei) are again in evidence, and fre-

ZIBTVZ—Current Observations. 29

quently visit the almond blossoms in search of nectar. The
White-backed Magpies (Gymnorhina hypoleuca leuconota) are
pairing. During the winter they congregate in large flocks;
26 were seen on about a quarter of an acre of newly ploughed ©
ground in our neighbourhood. Small companies of Silver-
eyes (Zosterops lateralis westernensis) are often seen busy
amongst the shrubs in search of caterpillars and aphides.
Although they damage soft fruit they do a great deal of good
in destroying insect pests, especially when rearing their
broods. Their nests are often built amongst the lower
branches of the almond trees. They also eat the berries of
the Pepper tree (Shinus molle), the seeds of which are often
found adhering to the water taps where these birds come to
drink.

_ A pair of Blue Wrens (Malurus cyaneus leggei) have built
their nest in the Kaffir Apple hedge about 3 feet 6 inches from
the ground. It took them about a week to build, and they have
now commenced to line it with feathers.

Flame-breasted or White-fronted Robins (Litilera chrysop-
tera phoenicea) have not been seen since the 9th August; they
have evidently left us for their breeding grounds.

Blue-Billed Ducks (Oxyura australis)
and Freckled Ducks (Stictonetta nzevosa).

By F. R. Zirrz.

In June and July of 1896 a number of Blue-billed Ducks

(Oxzyura australis) and Freckled Ducks (Stictonetta navosa)
were sold at the Adelaide Fish and Game Market. Since that
time these birds have not been included in consignments of
game received in Adelaide. The former, which are excellent
table birds. often became entangled in the fishermen’s nets.
They have been found breeding on the lower Murray on several
occasions. The Freckled Ducks had assumed their nuptial
plumage; the males are handsome birds and can readily be
distinguished from the females by the elongated feathers of
the crown of the head which can be erected in the shape of a
pointed crest, and the crimson colour at the base of the upper
mandible. Over twenty of these birds were sold at one sale.

30 M. SYMONDS CULARK — Correspondence.

CORRESPONDENCE.

The Cockatoo Parakeet (Leptolophus auricomis,
Mathews ; Calopsitta novzea hollandiz, Gould). »

To The Editorial Committee of the S.A. Ornithologist.

Gentlemen,

A false idea has been spread abroad regarding this well-
known bird, namely that it is unable to raise and lower its
crest. A statement to this effect appears in the Rev. W. T.
Green’s ‘‘Parrots in Captivity,” Vol. 1, Page 33. Richard
Lydekker, F.R.S., in “The Royal Natural History,” Vol. IV.,
Page 110, remarks upon ‘the feathers of the crest which can-
not be depressed,” and even Dr. Leach in his admirable work,
“An Australian Bird Book,” on Page 94 refers to “its immoy-
able crest.” In the illustrations the bird’s crest is depicted
in the first of these books erect, in the second, partially raised,
and in the third, flat down on the head. I think I may cén-
cede that when perching the bird generally carries its crest
erect, but I feel certain that when feeding quietly on the
ground the crest is always depressed.

Menon) ce.
M. Symonps CriarKk.
Knightsbridge, August 26th, 1914.

To The Editorial Committee of the S.A. Ornithologist.

Gentlemen,

As this magazine is the organ of the S.A. Orni-
thological Association its value would, I think, be
much enhanced by the publication of the reports of
the monthly meetings instead of giving merely the
very meagre notice of the Annual Meeting. We are told
that a most successful year is recorded. Why not give par-
ticulars of the successes? Of the several sub-species dis-
covered, excepting in two instances (in which only one bird is

M. SYMONDS CLARK — Correspondence. Bll

named), we have no clue to the order, family, genus, or species.
Regarding Calyptorhynchus banksi stellata, how did Capt. White
prove what is stated regarding the colouration of the under
surface of the tail? What were the colours in the female and
young male?

I desire also to suggest that when a new name for an old
species is used it should be followed by the name given by
Gould, and that reasons for the alteration should be given.
Most of your readers, I imagine, do-not possess a copy of Mat-
hews’ newest list. What is the name of the book, and where
is it obtainable? As Gould himself named Ptilotis penicillata,
which he said was rarely met with in New South Wales, but
was very abundant in South Australia, it would seem probable
that it was named from South Australian specimens. If so
should not its third name be penicillata instead of whitei under
the new system? Mr. A. Zietz found a bird almost exactly
like it, but much smaller, at Lake Callabonna. Surely this
Northern White-plumed Honey-eater is not the one which is
entitled to the double penicillata.
Jam, ete;

M. SymMonps CLARK.
Knightsbridge, August 26th, 1914.

[Mr. Clark’s suggestion that an extract of all the minutes
should be published will be carried out.—Eds. }

W.K. Thomas Co.,

‘ ‘Grenfell St., Adelaide.

SOUTH AUSTRALIAN

ORNITHOLOGIST,

_A Magazine of Ornithology.

JANUARY, 1915.

EDITORIAL COMMITTEE :
MEssrs. F. R. Z1ETZ,
A. M. MORGAN
S. A. WHITE,
R. CROMPTON.

Price, 2/=

THE

| South Australian

ORNITHOLOGIST.

Lditorial Committee :

Messrs. F. R. ZIETZ
A. M. MorGAN
S. A. WHITE

R. CROMPTON

CUNTENTS.

PAGE
Notes on some of the Birds observed on Mount Dandenong, Victoria,
October, 1914. Edwin Ashby - - - = - crag te 5
Heteroscenes pallidus (pallid Cuckoo).—The great Dissimilarity
between Sexes. S. A. Whtie, M.B.O.U. - : - - 7
TOMER Ce te etch RM Gp acea ay ia ol AO
Birds found Nesting at Blackwood on October 25th last. A. M.
Morgan - - - - - = - - - - = Q
Description of the Eggs of Eyramytis Goyderi Gld., previously
undescribed. Edwin Ashby - - Se are ee SHE)
“Order Passeriformes, Family Sylvudae, Genus Malurus - camel e
Maluri fonnd in Central Australia. S. A. White, M.B.O.U. sR
Birds of the Cairns District, Queensland (No. 1). Gregory M.
Mathews, F.R.S.E., F.L.S., M.B.O.U. > : - > IE

A Sketch of the Life of Samuel White—Ornithologist, Soldier,
Sailor, and Explorer. By his son, S. A. White - - - 20

DA oe ke

South Australian Ornithologist.

wor, [T.] LAINTUASROVe Peloio: [Panny 1

Notes on some of the Birds observed on Mount
Dandenong, Victoria, October, 1914.

The Lyre bird was seen several times. There were evi-
dences of their scratchings in all the gullies visited. Although
the season was too far advanced to hear them calling, on most
mornings about 7 a.m. one could be heard in a gully near the
house where we stayed, going over a series of warbling or
gurgling notes, uttered apparently while feeding amongst the
fern. It could hardly be called a song although the notes
reminded one somewhat of the Blackbird. As we drove up
through the township of Mount Dandenong a Lyre bird was
calling in a series of loud, rather unpleasing notes re-
peated monotonously without variation. This particular bird
has, we were informed, been in continuous occupation of this
particular gully that runs right into the centre of the town-
ship. My informant said that in the calling season this bird
imitated the varied sounds of the township. Perhaps the
most interesting bird met with was the Victorian Pilot bird
(Pycnoptilus floccosus sandlandi, Mat.). I should judge that
several pairs frequent most of the gullies. Their full, rich
song was most striking, being a run of about seven to ten
notes, the closing notes of the song having some faint resem-
blance to the swish of the stock whip, which is developed so
remarkably in the song of Psophodes.

The Pycnoptilus have a strong vein of curiostiy. On seve-
ral occasions on hearing the note of the male I sat down under
thick growths of hazel, musk, and other bushes where one
could see some distance amongst the stems. It was not long

6 ASHBY—Birds observed on Mount Dandenong, Victoria.

before the cock bird, followed a few yards behind by the hen,
ran out from under a log and continued to travel in a semi-
circle round me about 15 yards distant in a series of short
runs and rapid jerky movements: every few moments it
would utter its short song. Although so near it was mostly
dhidden by some branch or fallen trunk. While the tail is
erected at an angle it was not carried erect as in Malurus.

I did not hear the hen bird utter any note, but simply fol-
low the cock at a distance of a few yards. I did not see them
on any occasion rise into the bushes, but on several occasions
watched them run over fallen tree trunks.

The Victorian Coach Whip bird (Psophodes olivacens scrym-
geouri, Mat.) were very numerous in the high fern and low
scrub that covered the wider portion of the valley. They
‘were very tame. We had several opportunities of hearing the
hen finish the song of the cock: on one occasion the hen was
‘on the opposite side of the cart track to the cock.

Although I met with Climacteris erythrops (the red-brown
Tree Creeper) at this spot on the occasion of my visit three
years ago I was unable to identify it on this occasion. Its
near neighbour Climacteris. leucophaea (white-throated Tree
Creeper) was very numerous, owing to the lofty nature of the
trees upon which they search for their food it was impossible
to distinguish between the two species at the height above
the ground at which they were usually seen. Unless there
is some marked distinction in the notes of the two species it
is quite possible that C. Erythrops is not uncommon but diff-
cult to locate.

A flock of gang gang cockatoos was heard in the tops of

the lofty gums. Platycercus elegans and _ Platyceréus
exrimius were both fairly common. The bronze, pallid, and

fantailed cuckoos were numerous, the latter in great numbers
uttering its full breeding notes that are rarely heard in South
Australia.

The Victorian scrub wren (Sericornis longirostris) was in
numbers, running about the fern like mice. One was in the
usual position of hunting for insects on a small tree, some 2()
ft. from the ground. The song of the male is very pleasing,
but rather weak in volume. The green rumped Shrike robin
(Hopsaltria australis viridior) was nesting, one nest with young
was decorated with long strips of bark, but no lichen. Per-
haps the bird that lent most charm to the gullies was the Vic-

WHITH—Heteroscenes pallidus—Pallid Cuckoo. 7

torian Thickhead, Pachycephala pectoralis youngi. There were
many pairs in each gully. The cock birds, resplendent in
their gold and black and white plumage, would pour out their
rich and varied notes to listeners only a few feet away. I
think we have no bird whose notes more closely resemble those
of the nightingale. The more retiring Timixos (Pachycephala
olivacea tregellasi), Allied Olive Thickhead, were seen several
times.

The Mountain Thrush (Oreocincla lunulata dendyi) were to
be seen in the early morning and evening feeding on the damp
moss-covered logs in the bottom of the gullies. The Victorian
Grey Shrike-Thrush (Colluricincla harmonica victoriae) had
adopted the note of the Australian Oriole (Mimeta sagittata),
and added the same to its repertory. I was misled on several
occasions by this note. The Oriole is fairly common in the
more open forest country at the foot of the mountain, but I did
not note it near the summit.

One pair of the charming ‘little Rose-breasted robin
{Belchera rosea Gld.) were met with far up the gully in the thick
low scrub, and a deserted nest in the fork of a sapling about 8
ft. from the ground. But strange to say that a breeding
male in female plumage was shot out of the top of one of
the high gums, where it had been feeding out of gunshot for
some time.

EDWIN ASHBY.

Heteroscenes pallidus—Pallid Cuckoo.
THE GREAT DISSIMILARITY BETWEEN SEXES.

By S. A. Warte, M.B.O.U.

In all ornithological works which have come under my
notice the plumage of the Pallid Cuckoo is stated to
be the same in both sexes. For many years I have
had grave doubts about this. After several years of
close. observation in districts where this bird is very
common, and after handling over thirty birds in the flesh I can
positively say that there is a vast difference between the sexes
in adult plumage. Mr. G. M. Mathews put this question to
me in 1911 just before we left for Eyre’s Peninsula in that
year, and I promised to try and prove my suppositions as to

8 WHITE—Heteroscenes pallidus—Pallid Cuckoo.

coloration and call notes of each sex. We were lucky to meet
with great numbers of these birds on their annual migration
south on this trip, also the following year in the Gawler
Ranges. Brief notes of these two trips have appeared in
The Emu, Vols. XII., p. 2.; XHI., p. 16. I have supplied Mr:
Mathews with my field notes on this bird, but seeing it will be
some time before these notes appear in print it may be as well
that I give a short account of my observations.

In August and September, 1911, while working over an ex-
tended piece of country on Eyre’s Peninsula, the pallid cuckoo
was met with in numbers coming from the north. They
were calling all day long in their monotonous series of notes
like the running of the scale, in fact, when there was the
slightest moonlight or bright starlight their call was often
heard in the silent watches. Each day specimens were col-
lected, and on being dissected were found to be males. Not
one female bird was procured during the trip. When passing
through the Gawler Ranges in August and September of 1912
we again came upon these birds Ayamellliice south in great num-
bers. The first five specimens taken were all females, and
there seemed to be more of that sex than males. A great deal
of time was put into observations on this bird. There were
no young birds, and every female handled had well-developed
ovaries, in many cases within a few hours of being laid. Every
one of these females had the rusty brown and grey mottled
plumage. All males were in their full plumage, and there
was little or no variation in their colouration, the white spot-
at the back of the head varied in size in some specimens. One
female on being shot deposited an egg upon the ground, and
many others contained eges nearly as fully advanced.

The males were calling loudly in their long-drawn call,
but the females only uttered a short harsh cry repeated once
or twice, and this while on the wing at times.

The adult male has all the under surface gay under tail
coverts nearly white, slightly barred with brown. Upper sur-
face greyish brown, the primaries and tail feathers much
darker. Inner webs of primaries barred with white. Tail
feathers barred with white, two centre ones only showing
white on the edges. On the back of the head a very con-
spicuous white spot. Upper tail coverts elongated, forming
plum-like feathers, most pronounced at breeding time.
Female.—Under surface brownish grey, becoming lighter on
the abdomen. All upper surface dark brown, mottled

MORGAN—Birds found Nesting at Blackwood. 9

with light rufous. Markings of upper side of primaries and
tail feathers buff instead of white. Upper tail coverts deli-
cate plum-like feathers, but not so pronounced as in the male.

Note.

It was intended that reports of the proceedings of the
Association should appear in this issue, but owing to the ill-
ness of the Hon. Secretary they will not appear until the next
number.

Birds Found Nesting at Blackwood on October
25th last.

By A. M. MorGAN.

Pseudartamus cyanopterus—Dusky wood swallow.—Bird
sitting.

Campbellornis personatus munna—Masked wood swallow.—
Many nests building or with two eggs.

Campbellornis superciliosus—W hite-browed wood swallow.
—Many nests building or with two eggs.

Pardalotus punctatus—Spotted Diamond bird.—Nest with
four fresh eggs.

Pardalotus — punctatus ranthopygus — Yellow-rumped
Diamond bird.—A pair seen digging out a tunnel on flat
ground. Another tunnel was found which probably belonged
to this bird, but it could not be identified with certainty.
These birds are readily distinguishable by their notes. That
of P. punctatus is a double note, rather high pitched, like “pew-
ter.” That of P.P. ranthopygus is also a double note, the first
high pitched. followed after an interval of a second by a low-
pitched note, not audible for more than 20 or 30 yards.

Phaps chalcoptera—Bronzewing pigeon.—Bird sitting.

Seisura inquieta—Restless flycatcher—Nest, with bird
sitting.

10 ASHBY—Description of Hygs of Eyraumytis Goyderi Gld.

Grallina cyanoleuca—Murray Magpie.—Bird sitting in nest
overhanging River Sturt.

Neochalcites basalis mellori—Narrow-billed Bronze Cuckoo.
—A fresh egg found built into the lining of a Malurus nest.

Hirundo neorena—Welcome swallow.—Two nests built on
overhanging cliff.

Lagenoplastes ariel—Bottle swallow.—-numerous nests un-
der a stone bridge and on cliffs of River Sturt.

Ptilotula penicillata whitei—Greenie.—Two nests, one with
young, one building.

Melithreptus gularis loftyi—Black-chinned Honey-eater.—
Two nests, one building, one with bird sitting.

Description of the Eggs of Eyramytis Goyderi Gld
previously undescribed. j
By Epwin ASHBY.
Eyramytis goyderi Gld., Syn. Amytornis goyderi.
The Lake Eyre grass wren. ;

The nest, containing two eggs, with the parent birds was
obtained at Douglas Creek, near William Creek, Central Aus-
tralia, in January, 1913, by my friend, Mr. J. R. B. Love, to
whom I am indebted for this opportunity of describing this
hitherto undescribed egg.

Mr. Love was able to secure the parent birds. One is in
my collection, and the other in the Adelaide Museum. The
egg is in the collection of Mr. Love. Nest was placed in a blue-
bush close to the ground, domed, side entrance, and was
formed of blue-bush twigs and grasses. There were two eggs,
one broken, the other being the specimen now described. The
egg is thick oval in form, shell, close grained, smooth and
slightly lustrous, pinkish cream ground colour, thickly
sprinkled with small irregular-shaped spots and blotches of
orange brown, interspersed with blotches of a pale purplish
brown, which become confluent at the larger end, forming a
well-defined zone or cap. Length 21 mm. x 15 mm.

In comparing this egg with an egg of Cinclorhamphus
eruralis cantatornis Gld. I find the ground colour in A. Goyderi

Order Passeriformes, Family Sylvudae, Genus Malurus. 11

is amuch richer and deeper cream than in C. cruralis. The
bright orange-brown blotches correspond very closely in shade
in both eggs. though much more thickly distributed in the
Hyramytis under review.

Note.—Mr. Love informs me that the parent bird crouched
in the blue-bush, allowing him to approach and almost close
the hand over it, when it flitted to the next bush. This species
was seen at intervals from Douglas Creek to Barrow Creek.

Order Passeriformes, Family Sylvudae, Genus
? Malurus.

Malurus cyaneus leggei—Southern Blue Wren.

Adult Male—Crown of head, feathers on ,side of lower
mandible extending below the eye, cheeks, ear coverts, and a
broad crescent-shaped patch on upper back cerulean blue; a
broad line from lores passing above the eye velvety black, join-
ing the broad collar of the neck, which is similarly coloured.
Back, rump, and upper tail coverts velvety black. Under
Surface——Throat and upper portion of breast blue black,
narrowly margined below by a velvety black band, remainder
of breast, abdomen and under tail coverts greyish white. In
some individuals the greyish white feathers of the breast are
washed with blue. Flanks greyish buff, washed with light
blue; thighs greyish brown. Wings.—Primaries brown, outer
webs of secondaries and upper wing coverts washed with blue.
Tail—Blue, darker above than below, indistinctly narrowly
barred with dark blue and tipped with white. Bill.—Black,
legs and feet brown. Immature males resemble females in
plumage.

There is still some doubt regarding the seasonal changes
of plumage in the male blue wren. It is certain that fully
plumaged males are to be seen in plenty at all seasons of the
year. and it is also known that captive birds have changed to
the brown plumage in winter, to resume their ‘full plumage
again before the spring; on the other hand individual males
have been watched throughout the year and observed not to
change at all. The probabilities are that all males do not
change every year. It is also probable that all birds do not

12 Order Passeriformes, Family Sylvudae, Genus Malurus.

change at the same time, and the period in winter plumage be-
ing short the moult, as it were, overlaps. Old males in winter
plumage are distinguishable from the females by the black bill
and the absence of the brown feathers about the lores and
eves,

Adult Female.—The whole of the upper surface, wings
and tail brown, under surface greyish white; rufous feathers
encircling the eve. Bill and legs reddish brown.

Total length, 4. 85 inches. Wing, 2.05; tail, 2.45; tarsus,
9; bill, .49.

Distribution.—All the southern coastal parts of South
Australia, as far west as Warrow, but nowhere extending far
inland and never found in salt bush country. Favourite
situations are well-wooded gullies, with thick undergrowth.
They are also common on the Adelaide Plains and coastal
sandhills, where there is good cover for them. Most gardens
of any size in the city and suburbs have a resident pair or two.
They are very local. each family having its own particular run,
from which they drive away all intruders of their own species.

Habits.—Early in spring they are to be found in small
flocks, generally consisting of a full-plumaged male and four
to seven females and young males. From this fact they have
gained an undeserved reputation for polygamy. The males
are pugnacious and fight one another whenever they meet.
They will even fight their own reflections in a mirror or win-
dow. They will sometimes band together for mutual protec-
tion. On one occasion three newly-fledged young were dis-
turbed from some bracken, and at once three fully plumaged
males appeared, and each went to the assistance of a fledgling.
At mating time the male shdws much excitement, puffing
out the ear coverts, erecting the feathers of the crown and the
back and shoulders, with the wings half spread and the tail
depressed, displaying all his beauties for the captivation of the
female, who for her part does not appear to be much im-
pressed.

Food.—This consists of ants, aphides, small moths and in-
sects. When semi-domesticated they will eat bread and cake
crumbs. The greater part of the food is taken on the ground
or in the branches of the undergrowth. Occasionally a flying
insect is taken on the wing. The tail is carried erect and
vibrated up and down and from side to side when moving
slowly. When chasing an escaping insect it is carried horizon-

WHITH—Maluri found in Central Australia. 13

tally. They move on the ground by a series of long hops, and
when pressed can get up an extraordinary pace.

Nest.—This is built near or even upon the ground in some
thick bush or long grass, but if no suitable bush be handy they
may build at a height of 5 or 6 feet. The nest is made exter
nally of dried grasses and lined with fur or feathers. The
opening is large and near the top, the back of the nest being
brought over to form a hood. The female sits on the nest
with the tail carried over her back. The male does.not sit,
but assists in building the nest and feeding the young. He
also feeds the female whilst sitting. They are favourite hosts
of the narrow billed bronze cuckoo. The eggs are usually
three, rarely four in number. The ground colour of blown
eggs is white; the spots are bright brick red, sometimes large
and scanty, sometimes small and plentiful. Most eggs show
a more or less distinct ring of spots at the thick end. The
breeding season lasts from September to January, and during
this time two and sometimes three broods are reared.

Average measurement of 10 eggs, 1.71 cm. x 1.29 cm.
Largest egg, 1.75 cm. x 1.35 em.
Smallest egg, 1.70 cm. x 1.25 em.

Song.—A melodious trill uttered from the top of a small
bush or tuft of grass. Both sexes sing, but the male more
than the female. At pairing time the note of the male is quite
different from the usual one. being then a sort of running note
difficult to describe.

Maluri Found in Central Australia.
By 8. .A. Waits, M.B.O.U.

In.the Report on the work of the Horn Scientific Expedi-
tion to Central Australia three species} of Malurus are re-
corded, 7.e.—

Malurus melanotus—Black backed Superb Warbler.

Matlurus tambertiLambert’s Superb Warbler.

Maturus leucopterus.—W hite-winged Superb Warbler.

This list came out in September, 1896.

In 1911 the Barcley Expedition passed through the central
regions, and Mr. G. F. Hill published his list in The

14, WHITH—Maluri found in Central Australia.

Emu, Vol. 12, p. 238, and here we find that Mr. Hill’s observa-
tions only allowed him to make sure of two species of Malurus
between Oodnadatta to some distance north |of the Macdonnell
Ranges, namely, Malurus assimilis, purple-backed Wren
Warbler; Malurus cyanotus, white-winged Wren Warbler.

After thoroughly working the region under notice I feel
perfectly sure that M. melanotus, M. lamberti, or M. assimilis
do not occur there, and from a ‘large series of specimens col-
lected the following species are those to be found in the centre
of our continent :—

Malurus melanotus callainus—Turquoise Wren.—This is
one of, if not the most, beautiful of the family. On approach-
ing the Macdonnell Ranges this little gem is met with amongst
the mulga scrub, a locality for which it shows a strong pre-
ference to any other, and not once did I see it frequent salt-
bush country. It flew high, often over the top of the mulga
scrub, and would remain amongst the tops of the trees for
hours at a time, but frequently like other members of the
enu, captured much of its food on or close to the ground.
This bird has a very distinct colouration from M. melanotus.
This and many distinctive traits in its character in my mind
entitles it to specific rank. M. melanotus, which is confinedl
to the low mallee belts along the River Murray, is seldom if
ever seen far from undergrowth, and when alarmed will skulk
away amongst the thickest cover near the ground, while M.m.
callainus has a peculiar distribution. Occurring on the west
side. at the head of Spencer Gulf (where my father procured
the type specimens). across through the Gawler Ranges, then
along the south side of Lake Torrens, where Dr. Morgan
studied it very closely at the time of nidification, and now
we find it along the foothills of the Macdonnell Ranges. On
being alarmed it flew up on to the top of the highest mulga
tree, passing from one tree to another till the bird was lost
sight of.

Leggeornis lamberti morgani—-Morgan’s Wren.—Strange to
say, this bird is closely associated with the preceding species,
and Mr. Keartland tells us in the proceedings of the Horn Ex-
pedition that he procured at one shot a specimen of each,
Malurus melanotus and Malurus lamberti, which birds without
fhe slightest doubt refer to W.m. callainus and M.l. morgani.
I procured my type specimen from the Gawler Ranges, where
Mm. callainus was fairly plentiful, and throughout the central
region they are found associated with one another. Leggeornis

MATHEW S— 18 of the Cairns District, Queensland. 15

lamberti assimilis is a distinct Sub. sp., and although found in
the Flinders Ranges does not occur where the above two
species are found.

Hallornis cyanotus—White-winged Wren.—This is a com-
mon bird throughout the central region, and is a true saltbush
lover, seldom, if ever, seen in scrub or timber country.
Very often it is the only bird to be found out upon the vast low
saltbush plains. The male when, in full nuptial dress, is very
shy, and extremely clever in keeping out of sight, especially
considering his very striking plumage. His whereabouts is
often betrayed by the strange plaintive note of his more
sombre-coloured companions. The white-winged wren enjoys
a great range of country, extending from twenty miles north
of “Adelaide to a considerable distance north of the Macdonnell
Ranges.

Birds of the Cairns District, Queensland.
No. I.
By Gregory M. Marurws, F.R.S.E., F.L.S8S., M.B.O.U.

The following birds were collected by the late Captain
Bowyer Bower between Cairns and Herberton in 1884-5. The
numbers on the left hand are those pages of my “List of the
Birds of Australia, 1913.”

Captain Thomas Henry Bowyer-Bower was born at
Brighton, England. His father was Captain Bowyer-Bower,
of the 73rd Regiment. He died at Palmerston, Northern
Territory, on the 22nd December, 1886, at the very early age ot
24 years. This young naturalist made two scientific visits to
Australia. On the first he went to Cairns, Queensland, and
collected the birds in the list to follow. On the next occa-
sion he went via Queensland, Thursday Island, and Palmer-
ston, to Derby in North-West Australia, where he collected
the birds that will be dealt with later on.

3. CASUARIUS CASUARIUS JOHNSONII. Australian Cassowary.
No. 149—Male.—Barron River, July 10, 1884.
- No. 150—Male.—Barron River, July 16, 1884.
No. 151—Male,—Gordan’s Camp, Cairns, October 21, 1884.

16 MATHEWS—Birds of the Cairns District, Queensland.

On 23rd June, 1884, we started at 5.45 a.m. to hunt for
Cassowaries, but saw none, though we could clearly see where
they had been that morning.

On 19th August, 1884, two small Cassowaries, about the
size of a Bantam, were caught. The old bird was seen with
five chicks. The birds caught had the bill yellow; forehead
and top of head to over the eyes hard and of a bluish horn-
colour, becoming tinged with green on the edge and of a pink
colour at the top; irides light slate, pupils black. .The general
colour of the birds was dirty white; head light rufous; upper
surface striped, a broad brownish-black band down the centre
of the back about an inch wide; three stripes on each side, the
lowest one of which runs down the thighs. These stripes are
about half an inch wide; the under surface dirty white, tinged
with rufous and unmarked; the legs and toes light yellow, the
claws white. The caruncles on the throat were clearly de-
veloped.

On Saturday, the 18th of October, two eggs were obtained,
but on the 28th of August egg shells were found, out of which

the young had just emerged. No nest was made. These
birds are by no means rare, but very shy. The breeding

season is from June to October.

5. MEGAPODIUS DUPERREYI ASSIMILIS. Eastern Scrub-Fowl.
Nos. 148—Female—167.—Gordan’s Camp, Cairns, October
12, 1884.
Length, 17 inches. Bill, dark brown; legs and feet
greenish yellow, tinted with orange.
These birds are very numerous in some places.

6. ALECTURA LATHAMI ROBINSONI. Allied Brush-Turkey.
No. 146—Female.—Barron River, July 19, 1884.
No. 147—Male.—Gordan’s Camp, Cairns, October 12, 1884.
Length 27 inches. Head livid red, with a ring round the

lower part of the neck light orange; feet dusky yellow, tinted
with green.

Rather plentiful, but difficult to obtain without a good
dog. On June 23 a nest was observed and the eges were taken
by the blacks.

12. PTILINOPUS REGINA REGINA. Red-crowned Fruit-Pigeon.
No. 143—-Male.—Cairns, June 17, 1884.
Length 9.25 inches. Not common.

MATHEWS—Birds of the Oairns District, Queensland. 17

12. LAMPROTRERON SUPERBA. Purple-crowned Pigeon.

Plentiful, but difficult to get, for while they are all round
one the thickness of the leaves prevents one from seeing them.
A. nest of Jiacropygia was found and the bird shot off it. <A
few days afterwards this beautiful little Pigeon had taken pos-
session of the old nest and laid one egg.

13. MYRISTICIVORA BICOLOR SPILORRHOA. Nutmeg-Pigeon.
No. 144—Female.—Gordan’s Camp, Cairns, October 13,
1884. . ;
Length 15.75 inches. Bill yellowish white at the tip, be-
coming horn-blue at the base; feet of the latter colour, but
more vivid.
Very numerous at certain seasons, when their favourite
trees are white with them. The young are very. good eating.

15. MACROPYGIA PHASIANELLA ROBINSONI. Northern Pheasant-
Pigeon. (

‘A common and stupid bird. Fourteen birds were shot
out of a flock of eighteen, without their flying more than fifty
yards between their two favourite trees. One, shot on June
§,. 1884, measures 15.75 inches. In June they were in bad
plumage, but very fat. They looked splendid as they flew
through the dense scrub. The specimen saved had no secon-
daries and could hardly fly. On the 19th of December a nest
with one egg was found, and a few days later the young one
was hatched. At two days old it was covered with down of
a tan-colour.

15. CHRYSAUCHENA HUMERALIS HUMERALIS. Eastern Barred-
shouldered Dove.
One was killed on June 15, 1884, at Cairns.

16. GEOPELIA PLACIDA PLACIDA. Northern Ground-Dove.
No. 145—Male.—Cairns, June 2, 1884.

Length 8.5 inches. Numerous and always very tame.
Sometimes they will enter the tent for food.

28. PORPHYRIO MELANOTUS NEOMELANOTUS. Northern Bald
Coot.
No. 159—Female.—Scrubby Creek, January 17, 1885.
Length 18.75 inches. Ivides brownish red; legs and feet
pink, except the joints and under parts of the toes, which are

18 MATHEWS—Birds of the Cairns District, Queensland.

of a lilac-grey; bill and frontal plate bright red. Quite com-
mon in the swamps round Scrubby Creek.

299. FULICA ATRA TASMANICA. Eastern Coot.

Common on the lagoons. Two were shot on February 2,
1885, near Cairns; they were excellent eating.

54. HM@MATOPUS OSTRALEGUS LONGIROSTRIS. Eastern Pied
Oyster-catcher.
No. 152—Male.—Gordan’s Camp, July 2, 1884. Common.

73. IREDIPARRA GALLINACEA NOV HOLLANDIZ. Eastern Comb-
crested Jacana.
No. 160—Male.—Scrubby Creek, January 18, 1885. Com:
mon.

74. STILTIA ISABELLA. Australian Pratincole. June 15,
1884.
81. EGRETTA GARZETTA IMMACULATA. Lesser Egret.
No. 157—Female.—Barron River, August 2, 1884.
Irides light greenish yellow, base of bill and space round the
eye yellow; legs and feet black. Common.
82. NoToPpHOYX NOVEHOLLANDI&. #White-fronted Heron.
No. 156—Male.—Barron River, August 10, 1884.

82. Myoua pacirica. White-necked Heron.
No. 153—Male.—Cairns, August 28, 1884.
No. 154—Female, 155.—Cairns, August 7, 1884.

83. NyYcTICORAX CALEDONICUS AUSTRALASIM. Night-Heron.
No. 158. Barron River, August 4, 1884.
Common. Length 24.75 inches.

91. ANAS SUPERCILIOSA ROGERSI. Black Duck.
No. 161. Peterson’s Pocket, December 12, 1884.
Common. Length 23.5 inches.

93. Nyroca AUSTRALIS. White-eyed Duck.
No. 162. Cairns. The only specimen obtained.

MATHEWS—Birds of the Cairns District, Queensland 19

97. MicrocaRBo MELANOLEUCOS. Little Cormorant.
Nos. 163-164. Barron River. August 25, 1884.
Length 23.5 inches. Common.
101. PELECANUS CONSPICILLATUS CONSPICILLATUS. Eastern
Pelican.
Common.
103. AsTuR cLaRUS CooKTOWNI. Northern Grey Goshawik.
No. 7—Male.—Barron River, September 4, 1884.
Length 16.75 inches. Irides brown, eyelid yellow; cere
yellow, orange on top; legs and feet yellow.

102. ASTUR NOVZHOLLANDIZ ALBoIDES. Northern White Gos-

hawk.
No. 8—Female.—Dry ,Creek, October 14, 1884.
Length 18.5 inches. Irides dull orange, cere bright

yellow; feet the same, but not so vivid.

104. ACCIPITER CIRROCEPHALUS CIRROCEPHALUS. Collared
Sparrow-Hawk.

No. 9—Male.—Gordan’s Camp, October 15, 1884.

Length 12.25 inches. Irides yellow; legs yellow.

The specimen obtained had caught a small bird close to
the camp. It flew in the scrub; some time afterwards it again
appeared, and went into a tree and was easily shot. Seen
about Cairns and Herberton.

105. EUROAETUS AUDAX AUDAX. Wedge-tailed Eagle.

Observed on two occasions on the tablelands over the
Cairns-Herberton Range, which is about 2,000 feet above sea-
level.

107. CuNcuMA LEUCOGASTER. White-bellied Sea-Eagle.

No. 1—Male (immature).—Peterson’s Pocket, December 2,
1884.

Length 31.5 inches, from tip to tip of wing 6 feet 8
inches.

Frequently seen round Cairns and on the Barron River.
The one obtained was'sitting on a tree about fifty yards from
the camp and its sharp cry called attention to it.

20 WHITH—A Sketch of the Life of Samuel White.

107. HALIASTUR INDUS LEUCOSTERNUS.: White-headed Sea-
Eagle.
No. 2—Male.—Cairns, June 23, 1884.

Length 18 inches, 46 inches from tip to tip of wing. Irides
clear brown; cere yellow, bill bluish horn-colour, becoming
yellowish white at the tip.

[To be continued. }

A Sketch of the Life of Samuel White—
Ornithologist, Soldier, Sailor, and Explorer.

By His Son, S. A. WHITE.

[I1I—THE ORNITHOLOGIST. ]

Leaving Mount Mylor, near which Samuel White and his
brother had camped, they passed out through Thornton’s Gap,
and followed a creek going north. This creek was dry and
sandy, but during heavy rain it had overflowed and filled clay
pans some little way back, and these supplied water for the
brothers and their horse. The bird life was of the greatest
interest, and new species came to their hands every day. Not
only birds, but seeds, plants, land shells, insects, and many
other specimens were collected. Great difficulties were ex-
perienced in many places in getting their light cart over the
country, and in some localities they were days making little
headway. Crossing over the tableland country they struck
the Burdekin River, and followed it for a long distance in a
northerly direction. Holding to his original plan of making
the Gulf of Carpentaria Samuel White and his brother left the
Burdekin and pushing further and further into a dry country
they found that water was scarcer than ever, and had almost
given up hope of finding the precious fluid when they came
upon a hole: containing about two gallons. Unfortunately a
dead kangaroo, in an advanced stage of decomposition, lay in
it. The water was boiled and half given to the horse and the
remainder was strained and boiled several times, the scum be
ing taken off at each boiling.

WHITE—A Shetch of the Infe of Samuel White. 2

Ses aR AN

Soon after this it became only too apparent that these two
naturalists would have to turn back, and from all accounts
this they most reluctantly did, making up their minds to con-
tinue down the coastal belt. Records show that they saw
one of Leichardt’s marks—a large L cut deeply into a tree.
The only maps available at this time were worse than useless.
Watercourses were shown as having their sources in ranges
marked on the maps, but the explorers found these markings
to be incorrect in many cases, as no rivers were flowing any-
where near the ranges indicated. To turn back for the better
watered country was easy enough, but to get there was quite
a different matter. The few waters met with were drying up
behind the travellers, and they had to hasten on—a difficult
performance in such a rough country. One evening, after
many privations and hardships, the two brothers tied up their
horse to prevent it from straying and lay down, feeling sure
that their end had come, for all that day the elder brother,
Samuel, had searched the country around the camp for
water, and although there were many likely spots none was
found. Weary and sad he had more fallen than laid himself
down, and neither brother spoke to the other. The stars came
out one by one, and the pall of night spread itself over the
land, and we can surmise that the thoughts of these two men
did not widely differ from those of other explorers who have
found themselves in the same difficulties. All at once a bird
call sounded clear upon the night air. Samuel White raised
himself upon one elbow and listened intently. He recognised
the call instantly as that of the Satin Bower Bird
(Ptilonorhynchus violaceus), and he also knew that this bird
would not be far from water. Again the call was heard, a
rush of wings followed, and the bird was plainly seen passing
overhead. The ornithologist, by the aid of a star, marked the
direction in which the bird had flown, and then with parched
throat and swollen tongue he crawled out in the direction the
bird had gone. After a painful search the water was found,
and then the tale is told of how the brothers struggled in their
weak state to keep their horse from drinking too much—a mis.
take which they made themselves, and which brought on
dysentry. They were very ill, and had the natives come upon
them in this weak state they would have been easy victims.
Although ammunition was of priceless value to them they
were forced to discharge a gun at intervals during the nights
on which they knew that natives were following them. I do

22 WHITE—A Sketch of the Life of Samuel White.

not think that it would be out of place here to allude to the
saving of life by the knowledge of birds’ habits. We know
that this is by no means a solitary case. Only a short time
ago Dr. Wm. MacGillivray, of Broken Hill, was telling me
how his father’s life, and that of a companion, was saved al-
most in the same way as the above, but in this case it was the
flight of pigeons which attracted the attention of the early
pioneer in Central Australia after he and his companion had
given up all hope of finding water. There is no doubt many
more would be added to the list of saved if they had only the
knowledge of the habits of birds. The Satin Bower Bird had
led Samuel White to a waterhole in a river, for which he had
heen searching for weeks, and he discovered it was many miles
to the south of the position marked on the map. They followed
the river as well as the nature of the ground would permit.
Often belts of jungle could only be penetrated by cutting a
passage for horse and cart, and the contour of the country
often lead them miles out of their course. Bird life was more
numerous here because many large waterholes had not dried
up, but they crossed many small creeks coming down from the
ranges which were quite dry. After some time it was found
that this river was taking a turn into the hills, and that it
would be necessary for them to cross it, so they searched for
a crossing, but a good one could not be found. The side on
which the brothers were was low and covered in a dense
jungle to the very edge of the water, while the opposite bank
was high and steep. Cutting a track through the sub-tropical
jungle to the river they forded the horse and cart across the
stream. But difficulties began on the other side. When half-
way up the cart capsized, and with the horse rolled down the
steep bank, where it was stopped by a fallen tree lying right
across its course, and between this tree and the bank the mare
became firmly wedged on her back, kicking and struggling
frantically. The tree, being about two feet in diameter,
dead and hard, it took the greater part of a day to cut it
through with a blunt tomahawk before the mare could be re-
leased, and she was so numbed when she rolled into the water
that the travellers despaired of saving her, but she eventually -
recovered. The boxes, which contained specimens, stores,
ammunition, guns, etc., broke open and their contents were
thrown into the water. The cart had to be taken to pieces
and hauled back to the place from whence it had fallen, and
there put together, and while doing this one wheel fell back

WHITE—A Sketch of the Life of Samuel White. 23

and the tire struck Samuel White’s head, cutting a fearful
yvash and stunning him for a time, but directly he came to him-
self his indomitable spirit—which was ever shown .through
his life—again asserted itself, for his brother relates that al-
though the blood streamed down the side of his face and
saturated his clothes, his first remark was that he would
sooner die than be beaten. It was late that night before they
camped on comparatively level ground.

[To be continued. |

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Grenfell St., Adelaide.

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SOUTH AUSTRALIAN
ORNITHOLOGIST,
A. Magazine of Ornithology.

APRIL, 1915.

EDITORIAL. COMMITTEE :

R. CROMPTON, R.A.O.U. #
A. M. MORGAN, M.B., Cu.B-

: S. A. WHITE, M.B.0.U.
Peto F. R. ZIETZ, R.A.O.U. eS
) ay ae Cut IM

Price, 2/=

Wave

South Australian

ORNITHOLOGIST.

ERRATA.
Vol II., part 1, page 8, line 34—
“gay” should read “grey.”

Editorial Committee -

R. Crompton, R.A.O.U.
SME MOR GAN. IMEB. (CrB.
VAS Wire, MiB OLUL
Se A gadis, WORN ON Ole

>
id

re Lod
CONTENTS.
PAGE

Birds of the Cairns District, Queensland (No. 2). Gregory M.

Mathews, F.R.S.E, F.L.S., M.B.0.U. - - - - 29
Order Passiformes, Family Motacillidae, Genus Anthus - 5. ext
Birds observed at Stonyfell, South Australia. R. Crompton - 36

{

The South Australian Ornithological Association — - - - - 43
Another New Bird for Australia S A. White, M.B.0.U. - = als

A Sketch of the Life of Samuel White—Ornithologist, Soldier,
Sailor, and Explorer. By his son, 8S. A. White - - - 46

OT Ee yeas

South Australian Ornithologist.

Norns, LL. | INIEIVITE, | Alls. [PART 2.

Birds of the Cairns District, Queensland.

From Notes and Skins made by the late Capt. T. H.
Bowyer-Bower.

No. 2.
By Grecory M. Matuews, F.R.S.E., F.L.8., M.B.O.U.

108. Hatiastur SPHENURUS. Whistling Eagle.

No. 165.

Common. As many as thirty have been seen rising from
a flat, surrounded by mangrove, which was covered by water
at high tide.
108. MILVUS KORSCHUN AFFINIS. Allied Kite.

No. 10—Female.—Scrubby Creek, January 1, 1885.

Length 21 inches. Irides brown; bill horn-colour; cere
and feet yellow.

Common at certain seasons. They were coming about in
January. Seen flying about the streets of Herberton.
110. Baza supcristaTa. Crested Hawk.

No. 11—Barron River, September 18, 1884.

Seen flying in pairs. Not common.
110. Fatco LONGIPENNIS LONGIPENNIS. Little Falcon.

No. 4—Male.—Barron River, August 20; 1884.

Shot from a dead tree, where it had apparently settled for
the night.
112. ImRACIDEA BERIGORA BERIGORA. Striped Brown Hawk.

No. 5. ? Barron River, August, 1884.

No. 6—Male.—Cairns. June 30, 1884.

Irides brown, cere bluish horn-colour.

Common both on the sea-coast and inland.

30 MATHHWS—Sirds of the Cairns District, Queenslund.

—

113. PANDION HALIAETUS cRISTATUS. White-headed Osprey.

Fairly common on the Barron River. The above one was
shot on the wing shortly before sunset.

115. SPILOGLAUX BOWERI. Brown Owl.
; Nos. 12 and 183—Male.—Peterson’s Pocket, December 19,
1884.
Length 12 inches. Irides grey.
Common; as many as six have been put up together in the
dense scrub, apparently one family.

118. MbGASTRIX TENEBRICOSA MULTIPUNCTATA. Northern
Sooty Owl.
No. 166—Female.—Barron River, August 5, 1884.
The female was shot in a deep dry creek.

119. TRICHOGLOSSUS NOVMHHOLLANDIA SEPTENTRIONALIS.
Northern Blue-bellied Lorikeet.
Nos. 116-121—Males and Females.—Cairns, June, 1884.
Length, male, 12.5, female, 11.5 inches.
Irides red, surrounded by white; bill red; legs brownish.
Common.

119. EUTELIPSITTA CHLOROLEPIDOTA NEGLECTA. Northern
Scaly-breasted Lorikeet.

Nos. 122-126. Cairns, June 30, 1884.

Length 9.75 inches. Irides whitish brown, surrounded
by pink near the pupil. Bills red; legs whitish brown.

A specimen shot near Sydney has “irides light reddish
yellow, with a very narrow ring of dark red next the pupil.
Bill scarlet; cere and naked space round the eye greenish
white; tarsi and feet light ash-grey. May 4, 1882.”

Common and nesting in holes in the trees.

121. Guossopsirra pusiLLA. Little Lorikeet.
No. 128—Male.—Scrubby Creek, January 12, 1884.
Irides brown. Not common.

121. OPopsITTA DIOPHTHALMA LEADBEATERI. Blue-faced
Lorikeet:
Nos. 131, Female; 132, Male; 133, Female-—Barron River,
September 30, 1884. :
Length 6 inches. Irides brown; legs greenish tint.
Appears plentiful, but is often overlooked, as it makes no
noise when feeding and creeps about like a mouse. The only
indication of its presence is the quantity of seeds that keep
dropping all the time it is feeding, but even under the very

MATHEW S—Birds of the Cairne District, Queensland. 31

tree it is in one can see and hear nothing of it, except by care-
fully watching. It only makes a noise as it leaves or arrives
at a tree.

122. CALYPTORHYNCHUS BANKSII NORTHI. Northern Bank-
sian Cockatoo.
Common, but difficult to obtain. If one is wounded the
others will fly about, and four or five may then be shot. They
are good eating.

144. EURYSTOMUS ORIENTALIS PACIFICUS. Dollar-Bird.

Nos. 38 and 39. Peterson’s Pocket, December 27, 1884.
Bill and feet red.

No. 40. Immature. Scrubby Creek, January 14, 1884.
Length 10.25 inches. Irides brown. Common.

145. AucyoNr azuREA MIxTA. Northern Purple Kingfisher.
No. 50. Barron River, August 26, 1884.
Length 7.5 inches. Irides brown; bill black; legs red.
Common, but difficult to obtain.

147. DacELO GIGAS MINOR. Northern Brown Kingfisher.
Nos. 41, Female; 42, Male; 43, Female.—Cairns, June 21
and 27, 1884.
Length, male, 18 inches; female, 18.12 inches. Irides
brown. Common; nest about forty feet up, in a hole.

147. DaceLo LeacHI KEMPI. Northern Blue-winged King-
fisher.
A rare and wild bird. The laugh is entirely different
from Dacelo gigas, and while flying it utters a kind of barking
note.

148. CYANALCYON MACLEAYI BARNARDI. Northern Forest-King-
fisher.
Nos. 47 and 48—Female.—Cairns, June 13 and 30, 1884.
No. 49—Male.—Barron River, August 26, 1884.
Length 8.25 and 7.75 inches. Irides brown. Common.
Nest placed in a hole in a white ants’ nest about thirty-
five feet from the ground.

149. SAUROPATIS SANCTUS CONFUSUS. Little Sacred King-
fisher.
Nos. 44, Male; 45, Female.—Peterson’s Pocket, December
18 and 27, 1884.
Length, male, 8.5 inches; female, 8.75 inches. Irides
brown. Common in the Herberton Range.

32 MATHEW S—Birds of the Cairns District, (Queensland.

150. Uratcyon sytvia. White-tailed Kingfisher.
Appears about Cairns only at certain seasons. They
arrive about January.
150. CoSMAEROPS ORNATUS ORNATUS. Eastern Bee-eater.
No. 37. Cairns, June 15, 1884. Common.

152. CaAPRIMULGUS MACRURUS yoRKI. Large-tailed Nightjar.

No. 14. Barron River, August 13, 1884.

Common. It has a most peculiar note, which it gives out
just before leaving, and for a short time after it has come out
of the dense scrubs in which it seems to pass the day. The
mote resembles a distinct hammering noise; it is continued all
through the moonlight nights.

153. CHMTURA CAUDACUTA caUDACUTA. Spine-tailed Swift.
Nos. 35 and 36. Barron River, August 5, 1884.,
Common, but difficult to obtain. Generally seen hawking

about at a great height.

155. CACOMANTIS RUBRICATUS ATHERTONI. Northern Fan-
tailed Cuckoo.
No. 140. Immature. Scrubby Creek, January 17, 1885.

159. EUDYNAMYS ORIENTALIS FLINDERSII. Northern Koel.
No. 141. Gordan’s Camp, October 17, 1884.
Irides red; feet bluish. Not common, only a pair seen.

159. ScyTHROPS NOVEZHOLLANDI® NOVHHOLLANDIA. Channel
Bill.

No. 113—Male.—Gordan’s Camp, October 7, 1884.

Length 26 inches. Irides red; bare space round the eye
and extending to the nostrils deep pink; feet a lighter shade.
‘Common, but difficult to obtain. Generally seen in small
parties flying very high. They continually utter their harsh
notes during the night.

159. PoLOPHILUS PHASIANINUS PHASIANINUS. Coucal.

No. 114—Female.—Cairns, June 28, 1884. Length 26.75
inches.

No. 115. McGregor’s Camp, October 12, 1884. Length
24 inches.

Irides dark red; bill and feet lead-blue, the latter the
lighter. Common and easily shot; a great difference in size
is noticeable. :
161. CoLOBURIS VERSICOLOR INTERMEDIA. Intermediate Noisy

Pitta.

Nos. 68, Female; 69.—Barron River, August 7 and Sep-

tember 3, 1884.

MATHEWS—Birds of the Cairns District, Queensland. 33

‘Length 8.25 and 8.5 inches. Irides brown; bill black;
feet and legs flesh-colour. Common.

187. MyIAGRA RUBECULA yorRKI. Northern Leader eae
No. 56—Male.—Cairns, June 27, 1884.
Length 6.5 inches. Common.

189. MACHMRIRHYNCHUS FLAVIVENTER SECUNDUS. Cairns
Yellow-breasted Flycatcher.

No. 57. Barron River, August 22, 1884.

Very tame, and has a peculiar note, a pretty little warb-
ling and very characteristic song, by which one is able to
follow it. Generally sits on a hanging vine between two trees,
from which it catches flies, always returning to the same ‘spot.
Trides brown.

190. OrPHRYZONE Kauri. Pied Flycatcher.
No. 55: , August 22, 1884.

Irides brown; eye yellow [?] Plentiful.

191. PrezoRHYNCHUS ALECTO WARDELLI. Long-billed Shining
Flycatcher.

To the Editorial Committee of the South Australian
Ornithologist.
Gentlemen,

In Part IV., p. 31, I notice a letter from Mr. M. Symonds
Clark re Ptilotis penicillata.

Looking up the original reference I find that Gould does
not mention South Australia at all, but says Habitat Aus-
tralia: locality, interior of New South Wales.

I suppose from this that Mr. Clark did not look up the
matter before going into print.

Re Leptolophus. 1am glad to find that Mr. Clark is con-
vinced that this bird is able to elevate and lower its crest.

I am, eic.,
Greeory M. MatTHews.
Langley Mount. fee
Watford.
Herts, 15th November, 1914.

34 Order Pussiformes, be Motucillidae, Genus Anthus.

Order Passiformes, Family Motacillidae, Genus
Anthus.

Anthus australis adelaidensis—The Southern Pipit, or Ground
Lark.

Description.—Crown of head, neck, and back brown,
each feather margined with reddish brown, wings and
two central tail feathers blackish brown, margined with
light brown, outside tail feather on either side white, -
inner webs marked with dark brown, shafts almost
white, the next tail feather on either side white,
inner webs marked with -brown, shafts black. The -re
maining tail feathers almost black, and in some instances
slightly tipped with white. Under surface buffish white,
feathers on the sides of the neck, breast, and flanks having a
dark blackish brown stripe down the centre, throat white, line
‘over the eye buffish white, ear-coverts reddish brown. Iris
dark brown, bill dark brown, lower mandible flesh colour, feet
and legs flesh colour. Birds from the same locality very much
in coloration. There is little or no difference between male
and female.

Total length of skin, 147 m.m.; wing, 82 m.m.; tail, 62 m.m.:
tarsus, 24 m.m.; bill, 13 m.m.

Distribution.—The whole of South Australia. It is
represented throughout the whole of Australia, Tasmania, and
the adjoining islands by closely allied subspecies. This
bird prefers open grass land, although at times it is
fairly plentiful in open forest country, but is never found in
thick scrub. When scrub land is cleared for agriculture it is
wonderful how soon the pipit appears, and in a few years it
becomes one of the commonest birds.

Habits.—It spends practically the whole of its life upon
the ground, though it may occasionally be seen perched upon
a fence, or still more rarely upon a tree. It moves on the
eround in a series of short, quick runs, bobbing the tail up and
down two or three times each time it stops. If disturbed it
hops upon a stone or other slight eminence to reconnoitre, and
if further disturbed flies forty or fifty yards, then runs a few
yards, stops, and runs again. If followed it will do this for
perhaps half a mile, then rising to some height it will circle
round and fly back to where it was first flushed. In common
with other ground birds it feigns a broken wing if suddenly
flushed from the nest,

Order Passiformes, Family Motucillidae, Genus Anthus. 30

Food.—Chietly insects, which it catches upon the ground.
It occasionally takes moths upon the wing, caterpillars living
_in the grass, and larvae and chrysales, which it finds hidden
in the base of tussocks, also grass seeds to a small extent.

Flight.—Quick and slightly undulating; usually low.
Now and then it may rise toa hundred feet. or so, but it
does not fly far unless pursued by a hawk or magpie, when it
rises almost perpendicularly, keeping above its enemy, till it
‘is often almost out of sight. So quickly does it rise that it is
seldom, if ever, caught.

Song.—The song is not loud, but a very pleasing, high-
pitched, trilling warble, uttered during its undulating flight.
At this time it rises to a considerable altitude. When the
song is finished it seems to almost fall straight down to its
mate on the ground. It occasionally sings while perched upon
a fence post. It only sings for a few weeks at mating time.
The song and its habit of singing during its flight are very like
a true lark. It also has an alarm call, which is a short
chirrup, often repeated twice, uttered from its reconnoitring
stone, or on leaving the ground when disturbed.

Nest.—This is placed in a depression in the ground, either
made by the bird or in the footprint of a horse or cow, made
when the ground is soft. It has been found in an empty jam
tin, also in one instance in a broken bottle. It is often placed
near a tussock of grass or small shrub, but sometimes quite in
the open. The nest itself is a strong, well made, deep cup.
about 7 c.m. internal diameter, composed outwardly of coarse
grasses, finer grasses being used towards the lining, which is
made of fine grasses, rootlets, and horsehair. Feathers and
down are never used. The breeding season is extended. Fresh _
eggs may be found any time between the end of June and the
beginning of January. The clutch is usually three, sometimes
four, and two or three broods are reared each season.

Eggs.—Ground colour, greyish white, in some eggs with a
faint tinge of bluish green. They are uniformly covered
with small irregular spots and streaks of brown, sometimes
so thickly as to completely hide the ground colour.

Average measurement of ten eggs, 2.20 c.m. x 1.64 ¢.m.

Largest egg, 2,35 c.m. x 1.75 c.m.
Smallest egg, 2.10 ¢.m. x 1.60 ¢.m.

36 CROMPTON—Birds observed «at Sonnet South uel

Birds Observed at Stonyfell, S.A.

By R. Crompton.

The following list of birds has been made up during the
last 35 years by my brothers and myself.

Stonyfell is situated at the foot of the escarpment of the
Mount Lofty Range, five miles directly east of Adelaide.
Within a mile and a halt there is a variety of country. The
quartzite hilltops, covered with stringy bark scrub, intersected
by deep gullies, with thick undergrowth and permanent water.
The shale hill sides, clothed with peppermint gums
and black wattle (acacia), interspersed with grass slopes,
spreading out on to the plains. Also patches of red gum and
poor land, covered with stunted red and blue gum, wattle
kangaroo hedge bush and low bushes. There are also
several hundred acres of vineyard, olives, orchard, and
garden, and a few surface dams, which make temporary rest-
ing places for various waterfowl. Owing to successive bush
fires the scrub is gradually disappearing. The poor land is
also being cleared for cultivation with the aid of chemical
manures, and the ever-approaching suburbs are causing many
species to disappear, consequently many of the following birds
may never occur again in this district. The names are taken
from “A List of the Birds of Australia.” by G. M. Mathews,
except that binominals are used for dominant species.

(1) Coturnix pectoralis—Kastern stubble quail.—Fairly
-ommon in the early summer, formerly much commoner. <A
?ew used to nest; no nests found for many years.

(2) Synoicus ypsilophorus sordidus—Southern brown quail.
—A few came in spring years ago; found one nest about 1885.
This bird has long since disappeared.

(3) Ortygodes varius—Eastern painted quail.—Fairly com-
mon in the scrub on the hilltops.

(4) Austroturnix velor—Eastern painted quail.—Only visits
us in the early summer; never common. Used to nest about
here. ;

(5) Pedionomus torquatus—Plain wanderer.—Came in
countless numbers one season in the early eighties. They were
so tired and hungry that they could be killed with a stick.
Some were taken by throwing a crab net over them. After a
few days most of them moved on, but a few stayed for the rest

CROMPTON—Birds observed ut Stonyfell, South Australia. 37

of the summer. These soon became very wild. This bird
bas never been seen since, no nests were found.

(6) Geopelia placida tranquilla—Kastern ground dove.
A recent arrival in this district, now fairly common. Has
nested here for several years lately.

(7) Phaps chalcoptera—Bronze-winged pigeon.—This once
common bird was completely exterminated by the early
settlers, but since it has been totally protected, an occasional
solitary bird visits us.

(8) Hypotaenidia phillippensis australis—Kastern — buft-
banded rail—Formerly visited us every winter and nested,
leaving in the early summer. This bird has been absent the
last few years, probably owing to the clearing of its cover.

(9) Neonectris tenuirostris — brevicaudus — Short-tailed
petrel—A_ single bird caught on the ground, from which it
could not rise; apparently blown in by a gale about 1894.

(10) Bruchigavia novehollandiec ethelew—Southern — silver
‘ontl—aA single bird settled here about 1889.

(11) Lobibyx noveehollandia—Spur-winged plover. Oc-
casionally a few rest here for a day or two; last seen AOS:

(12) Zonifer tricolor—Black-breasted plover.—Same as the
last species, but come oftener; last seen November, 1914.

(13) Burhinus magnirostris—Eastern — stone plover——
Usually a few present, more common than formerly; nested
last year.

(14) Herodias alba symatophora—W hite egret.—A_ single
bird shot on a dam about 35 years ago.

(15) Notophoyx novehollandie—W hite-fronted heron.—
A single bird seen very occasionally.

(16) Nycticorax caledonicus australasie — Australian
night heron.—<A single bird has visited us on two occasions.

(17) Botaurus poiciloptilus—East Australian — bittern.
—A single bird, January, 1915.

(18) Chenopis atrata—Eastern black swan.—Flocks of
these birds fairly often fly over, especially at night; never
known to settle.

(19) Cercopsis novehollandie—Cape Barren goose.—A
single bird came here many years ago and stayed a day or two.

(20) Casarca tadornoides—Mountain duck.—A single bird
settled here many years ago.

38 CROMPTON—Dirds observed at Stonyfell, South Australia,

(21) Anas superciliosa rogersi—Black duck.—Used to come
occasionally; none seen for a long time.

22) Virago castanea—Eastern teal (grey teal)—Used to
settle here occasionally; none for about 20 years.

(23) Phalacrocoraxz carbo—Black cormorant.—A _ single
bird about 20 years ago.

(24) Mesocarbo ater—Little black cormorant.—Fairly com-
mon in 1893-1894; only a very few since.

(25) Hypoleucus fuscescens, or Hypoleucus varius hypoleuwcus—
White-breasted cormorant.—Two birds only; last seen about
1894.

(26) Microcarbo melanoleucus—Little cormorant.—A very
occasional bird; none seen for many years.

(27) Circus assimilis—Spotted harrier.—Formerly an
occasional pair; not seen for many years.

(28) Uroaetus audar—Wedge-tailed eagle—Still fairly
common, formerly very much commoner.

(29) Milvus korschun affinis—Allied kite-—Occasionally
seen years ago; not noted for a long time.

(30) Falco longipennis—Little falcon.—Occasionally met
with. .

(31) Falco hypoleucus—Grey falcon.—Not seen for many
years.

(32) Teracidea berigora—Striped brown hawk.—Common.

(33) Cerchneis cenchroides—Nankeen kestrel Quite com-
mon.

34) Spiloglaux boobook—Boobook owl.—Quite —com-
mon; may be heard any moonlight night; much more
numerous than formerly.

(35) Tyto alba delicatula—Masked owl.—Always a few
present.

(36) Trichoglossus novehollandiv—Blue-bellied lorikeet.—
Came in vast numbers in the autumn of 1878, then not seen
for about thirty years. Af w pairs seen at times during the
last few years. Considerable numbers with us just at
present, no doubt owing to the dry season.

(37) Glossopsitta concinna—Musk lorikeet—A migrat-
ing bird; very common at times.

(38) Glossopsitta porphyrocephala—Purple crowned lori-
keet.—Also extremely common when the gum trees are in
flower.

CROMPTON—Birds observed at Stonyfell, South Australia. 39

(89) Glossopsitia pusilla—Little lorikeet.—Rarer than the
last species, although they come along with them, in fair
numbers to eat the gum tree honey.

(40) Calyptorhynchus funereus—Black cockatoo.—This bird
has almost disappeared. Years ago they were fairly plenti-
ful in the stringy bark ranges.

(41) Cacatoes galerita—White cockatoo.—At one time
small flocks were seen occasionally. ‘None seen for many
years, except a flock of about 150 rested here for about two
days in February, 1906. :

(42) Platycercus elegans adelaidae—Adelaide rosella.—
Always a few present; more plentiful of recent years.

(43) Psephotes haematonotus—Red-backed — parrot.—This |
bird used to be fairly plentiful, but disappeared in the early
eighties; none seen since.

(44) Neonanoides chrysogaster—Orange-bellied parrot—A
rare bird many vears ago; none now.

(45) Lathamus discolor tregellasi—Victorian swift lorikeet.
—F'air numbers came one season years ago. Three birds seen
in 1914, prebably this bird, but no specimens taken.

(46) Melopsittacus undulatus—Betcherrigah or shell parrot.
—A few may be found on the grass land when the seed is ripen-
ing; unusually numerous the last three years.

(47) Podargus strigoides—Tawny frogmouth.—Fairly com-
mon.

(48) Aegotheles cristata—Owlet nightjar—May be seen
hawking moths on still moonlight nights; probably fairly com-
n100.

(49) Alcyone azurea victoriae—Blue kingfisher.—Was never
common. Not seen for many years.

(50) Dacelo gigas—Brown kingfisher or laughing jackass.—
Always present, although not in great numbers. Occasional-
ly nests are found.

(51) Sauropatis sancta—Wastern sacred kingfisher.—A1-
ways a few present.

(52) Cyanalcyan pyrrhopygius — Red-backed _ kingfisher.
—A single bird observed about thirty years ago.

(53) Hetroscenes pallidus—Pallid cuckoo.—Fairly com-
mon in the spring. Breeds here.

(54) Cacomantis rubricatus—Fantailed cuckoo.—Fairly
common.

40 CROMPTON—Birds observed at Stonyfell, South Australia.

(55) Neochalcites basalis mellori—Narrow-billed bronze
cuckoo.—Quite common.

(56) Lamprococcyx plagosus—Bronze cuckoo.—Not so plen-
tiful as the foregoing species.

(57) Hirundo neoxena—W elcome swallow.—Very common.

(58) Hylochelidon nigricans cayleyi—Tree martin.—A com-
mon bird; nests in the air bricks,

(59) Lagenoplastes ariel—Fairy martin.—Fairly common;
does not nest in this immediate vicinity.

(60) AMicroeca fascinans—Brown fiycatcher.—Not very
plentiful; have never found its nest.

(61) Petroeca multicolor frontalis — Southern — scarlet-
breasted robin—A common bird, may be seen at all times of
the year. Nests here.

(62) Littlera chrysoptera phoenicea—W hite-fronted robin.—
Single birds. Visit us very occasionally in winter.

(63) Whiteornis goodenovii—Southern red-capped robin.
—Usually not at all common; very plentiful just now.

(64) Melanodryas cucullata vigorsi—Southern hooded robin.
—Only an occasional bird.

(65) Pachycephala pectoralis fuliginosa—South Australian
vellow-breasted thickhead. Not at all common.

(66) Lewinornis rufiventris inornatus—Southern rufous-
breasted thickhead.—Quite common; nests freely. This bird
has increased very much in the last ten years or so.

(67) Rhipidura flabelifera whitei—South Australian fantail.
—Fairly common, although never found nesting.

(68) Leucocirca tricolor—-Black-and-white fantail.—Always
very Common.

(69) Seisura inquieta — Restless flycatcher. — Fairly.
common, much commoner of recent years. Never found nest-
Ing.

(70) Coracina novehollandie melanops—Black-faced cuckoo
shrike.-—Always a few present, Sometimes in great num-
bers. Occasional nests found.

(71) Morganornis superciliosus—W hite-browed babbler.—
A small company seen occasionally; more frequent visi-
tors of recent years.

CROMPTON—Dirds observed at Stonyfell, South Australia. 41

((2) Cinclorhamphus cruralis cantatoris—Southern brown
song lark.—Rare; used to be more plentiful when more
hay was grown in this district.

(73) Oreocincla lunulata dendyi—Victorian ground thrush.
—Inhabits the scrub on the top of the ranges.

(74) Ephthianura albifrons—White-fronted chat.—Very
common j;nests every year.

(75) Conopoderas australis—Southern reed warbler.—A
single bird in a crop of sorghum in 1909.

(76) Geobasileus chrysorrhous—Y ellow-rumped tit—Always
a very common bird; nests very freely.

((7) Geobasileus requloides australis—Southern buft-rumped
tit.—A rare bird.

(8) Malurus cyaneus leggii—Southern blue wren.—
Very tame and common; always several nests in the garden.

(79) Campbellornis personatus munna—Masked wood
swallow.—Common at times, absent for long periods. This
bird was unusually plentiful in October-November of 1914.

(80)) Campbellornis superciliosus — White-browed wood
swallow.—Comes and goes with C. personatus.

(81) Pseudartamus cyanopterus — Wood swallow. — A
common bird. Comes in great numbers in stormy weather,
evidently for the protection of the thick trees. Occasional
nests found.

(82) Colluricincla harmonica victoriae — Victorian grey
shrike thrush.—A very common, although shy, bird; seems to
be increasing.

(83) Grallina cyanoleuca— Magpie lark.— Fairly com-
mon; very common of late years; nests.

(84) Gymnorhina hypoleuca lewconoto — White-backed
magpie.—Always very common; much more plentiful and
tamer of recent years.

(85) Falcunculus frontatus flavigulus—Green-bellied shrike
tit—Fairly numerous.

(86) Climacteris lewcophaea grisescens—Southern white-
throated tree creeper.—Not very plentiful.

(87) Zosterops lateralis westernensis-—Southern white eye.
—Very common.

(88) Austrodicaeum hirundinaceum—Misteltoe bird.—Quite
common.

42, CROMPTON—Birds observed at Stonyfell, South Australia.

(89) Pardalotus punctatus xanthopygius—Yellow-rumped |
pardalote.—Fairly common.

(90) Pardalotinus striatus snbaffinis—South Australian
pardalote.—Very plentiful.

(91) Melithreptus lunatus adelaidensis—Southern white-
naped honey eater.—Quite common.

(92) Melithreptus gularis loftyi—Southern black-chinned
honey eater.—Plentiful.

(93) Acanthorhynchus tenuirostris loftyiMountain spine
bill— Quite plentiful.

(94) Zanthomisa phrygia tregellasi—Southern regent
honey eater (warty faced honey eater).—A few birds seen oc-
casionally.

(95) Ptilotula penicillata whitei—Southern * white-plumed
honey eater.—Very common.

(96) Melinornis novehollandie subassimilis—South Aus-
tralian white-bearded honey eater.—A very common bird.

(97) Phylidonyris pyrrhoptera indistincta—Southern crescent
honey eater.—Fairly common in the thick scrub in the bottoms
of the deep gullies. Comes into more open country in winter.

(98) Myzantha melanocephala whitei—Southern white-
headed miner.—First few pairs arrived in 1902. These have
increased and spread till now there are thousands.

(99) Paraptilotis chrysops samueli— Dark yellow-faced
honey eater.—Always fairly plentiful.

(100) Anthochaera chrysoptera intermedia—Southern red
wattle bird—Always common in the ranges. In the early
autumn they come down to the plains to feed, always return-
ing in flocks to the hills to reost. When going down in the
morning they fly straight down, but on returning in the even-
ing they follow one another from tree to tree, always taking
exactly the same route.

(101) Dyottornis. paradoxus—Brush wattle bird.—Al-
ways a few present; commoner just at present than for many
years.

(102) Anthus australis adelaidensis—Southern — pipit.—

Extremely plentiful.

(103) Stagonopleura guttata philordi—Southern spotted-_
sided finch.—A single pair seen occasionally.

The South Australian Ornithological Association. 43

(104) Taenopygia castanotis—Chestnut-eared finch.—Small
flocks seen only very occasionally; nested last year.

(105) Aegintha temporalis loftyitMountain red-browed
finch.—Fairly common, especially in winter.

(106) Corvus coronoides—Australian raven.—These birds
birds used to come in immense flocks, especially in summer,
moving on in a day or two. A straggler or two usually re-
mained behind and became very mischievous until they were
shot. They are rarely seen now, and only in small companies.

(107) Strepera melanoptera—Black-winged crow-shrike.—
—Now rare; a disappearing bird. A single bird seen 1914.

Introduced birds—

Starling.

Blackbird.

Goldfinch.

House sparrow.

Greenfinch.

the South Australian Ornithological Association.

October 30th, 1914. Museum specimens of the following
birds were exhibited for discussion :—

Euryostomus orientalis pacificus—The Australian roller——
Sometimes called the dollar bird on account of the light-blue
patch on the wing, about as big as a crown, which is very
noticeable when the bird is flying. This bird is very fond of
living in the dead ringed forest, nesting in the hollows of the
dead trees. It is entirely insectiverous.

Alcyone azurea—The blue kingfisher. from New South
Wales, and Aleyone azurea victoriae, the Victorian blue king-
fisher, were identical. Alcyone azurea mixta, the northern
purple kingfisher from Queensland, was darker on the breast
than the Victorian bird.

Micralcyone pusilla—The little kingfisher from North
Queensland, and a specimen from the Northern Territory,
apparently micralcyone pusilla ramsayi, could not be separated.

Syma torotoro—The yellow-billed kingfisher from New
Guinea, has a black crown.

4+ The South Australian Ornithological Association.

Syma torotoro flavirostris—From North Queensland, has a
rufous crown. This was considered a good subspecies.

Dacelo gigas—The brown kingfisher, or laughing jackass,
is the only member of the genus that laughs. No subspecies
shown.

Dacelo leachi cervina—The fawn-breasted kingfisher. It
was noticed that the male has a blue tail, while the female has
a rufous tail.

Dacelo leachi nana—No Melville Island bird shown.

Dacelo leachi occidentais—The western fawn-breasted
kingfisher from Derby was smaller than the dominant species,
otherwise no essential difference was noticed.

A bird from Derby, in the north-west of Western Aus-
tralia, presumed to be Dacelo cliftoni, is also smaller than the
Dacelo leachi cervina. It also has a larger bill, and is very pale
in colour.

Cyanalcyon macleayi—The forest kingfisher, from New
South Wales. It was noticed that the male has a white
collar; the female has not.

Cyanalcyon macleayi distinguendus—The western forest
kingfisher, from the Northern Territory, and COyanalcyon
macleayi publa, the Melville Island forest kingfisher, could not
be separated.

Sauropatis sancta—The sacred kingfisher—Two sub-
species available, westralasiana and ramsayi. These could
only be distinguished from the dominant species by their
labels.

Sauropatis sordida—The mangrove kingfisher.—Is a larger
bird than S. sancta; also it is duller in colour and has more
white.

Sauropatis sordida melvillensis—Seemed to be the same as
the dominant species.

November 27th, 1914. The birds exhibited were all

foreign, being kingfishers and bee eaters from the Soudan,
North America, India, and the East Indian Archipelago.

December 18th, 1914. An interesting account of the do-
ings of the fourteenth annual congress of. the Royal Aus-
tralasian Ornithologists’ Union, and the camp at Mallacoota
Inlet, by the President (Mr. J. W. Mellor). The birds met
with have been published in “The Emu,” vol. XIV., part 3.

WHITE—Another New Bird for Australia, ADS

January 25th, 1915. A good series of the pallid cuckoo,
Hetroscenes pallidus, from the Museum was shown, bearing out
Captain White’s contention that the grey bird is the male, not
the adult of both sexes, and the spotted bird is the female, not
the young, vide “South Australian Ornithologist,’ vol. II.,
part 1.

Cacomantis pyrrophanus variolosus—The eastern square-
tailed or brush cuckoo.—Two males were grey, while the only
female available was rufous. This would seem to bear out
the same theory that the male is grey and the female rufous.
The rufous bird until now has been thought to be the young.

February 26th, 1915. Mr. Ashby exhibited a specimen of
Rallus pectoralis, the slate-breasted rail, taken in Coromandel
Valley. Although Mr. Mathews gives this bird as inhabiting
South Australia members had rarely come across it near Ade-
laide. The same member also showed a specimen of the pink-
breasted robin, Hrythrodryas rodinogaster inexpecta, from
Mount Dandenong, Victoria. Although fully developed and
apparently breeding, it had only the faintest tinge of pink on
the breast. It was observed feeding in the tops of the
highest gum trees, some two hundred feet from the ground.
Hitherto members have always expected to find robins in un-
dergrowth or low scrub. <A series of Neochalcites basalis, the
narrow-billed bronze cuckoo, from the Museum was shown,
and although there was considerable diversity of the amount
of colouration it did not seem to characterise either locality
or sex. <A series of Lamprococcyx plagosus, the bronze cuckoo,
from the Museum was exhibited, also from Capt. White’s col-
lection. The amount of rufous on the tail varied considerably,
but the members could not see any justification for separating
them into three subspecies. Members also thought that the
separation of Veochalcites and Lamprococcyx into two genera
was not correct, with the exception of Capt. White, who con-
sidered that we ought to have Mr. Mathews’ reason for so do-
ing before criticising his work.

Another New Bird for Australia.
By S. A. Wurtr, M.B.O.U.
Acanthiza marianae sj. n.—Everard Range Tit :—
All upper surface (with the exception of tail coverts),
bluish grey; feathers of the forehead tipped with white, those

46 WHITE—A Sketch of the Life of Samuel White.

of the crown having a distinct streak of black down the centre;
winys dark brown, each feather edged with greyish white, tail
brownish black, basal half dull reddish brown, each feather
broadly tipped with buffish white; upper tail coverts reddish
brown; throat and breast greyish white; flanks buff, abdomen
and under tail coverts white; ear coverts grey, tipped with
white; eyebrow and ring round eye white; iris dark red; bill
and feet black. Sexes alike.

Measurements of dry skin:—Total length, 98 m.m.; bill,
9 m.m.; wing, 51 m.m.; tarsus, 19 m.m.; tail, 42 m.m.

Type:—A male collected between Moorelyanna Native
Well and the Everard Ranges in the North-west of South Aus-
tralia on August Ist, 1914.

The bird which is most closely allied to this species is
Acanthiza uropygialis condor, but this new species differs in
having a stouter bill of quite a different shape; the iris is of a
yery dark shade of red, while A. uropygialis condor is white,
the bluish grey of the upper surface is of quite a different
shade to any other Acanthiza in Australia.

Jiabitat:—Dense mulga scrubs in the vicinity of the Everard
Ranges, North-west of South Australia.

{ name this bird in honour of Mrs. G. M. Mathews, of Eng-

land.

A Sketch of the Life of Samuel White—
Ornithologist, Soldier, Sailor, and Explorer.

By His Son, 8S. A. WHITE.

IV.—THE ORNITHOLOGIST.

So the brothers battled on beset by all kinds of obstacles
and privations, some days making good progress, others
little or none, hacking their way for days through thick jungle,
scrub and creepers, levering stones and logs out of the way to
allow the horse and cart to pass. All this time collecting
was going on, and most interesting and rare specimens were
added to the collection. The thorny scrub and lawyer vines
tore the clothing from their bodies and at last the supply of
shirts gave out, so' Samuel White and his brother were forced
to make shift with shirts made from 50-ib. flour bags. <A hole

WHITHE—A Sketch of the Liye of Samuel White. 4,7

was cut in the botton through which the head was passed, a
hole at each side was made to which sleeves of the same
material were attached. Before reaching Brisbane, the horse
and cart and many other things were disposed of and the
brothers went into Brisbane to ship home the valuable collec-
tions. After a short rest, they set out once more westward.
This time they had to depend on what they could carry for they
intended making along the rough ranges which extended
down through the country they wished to explore some little
distance from the coast and it was impossible to take any
kind of conveyance. Setting out one day from Brisbane the
naturalists made their way into the ranges and soon found
themselves in very rough country. They were the first white
men to climb Mt. Lindsay. Before reaching the top, they had
to pass up several bare faces of rock by means of the creeping
plants that hung down. ‘The top of the mountain is called the
tea-pot on account of its shape resembling the bowl and spout
of that well-known utensil. Under the mass of rock which
resembled the spout a beautiful lake was discovered upon
which there were many water-fowl including pelicans. Where
the overflow found its way down the mountain side a deep
channel was cut, round the opening of this channel or cavern
a mass of most beautiful sub-tropical vegetation grew, beauti-
ful flowering creepers and gigantic masses of fern, while
further in ferns of more delicate and exquisite shape clung to
the damp rocks. Outside some fine Castanospermum trees shed
their crimson blossoms over all. The vegetation round the
entrance was so thick and rank that the interior was shrouded
in semi-darkness. The travellers hanging to the vines and
ereepers pushed their way into this huge slit in the face of
the mountain and to their surprise they saw many white spots
floating about in the darkness. These spots were in pairs
like eyes and the mystery was not cleared up till one of the ob-
jects was captured and it was found to be a beautiful dark blue
butterfly with a large white spot on each wing, the insect was
such a dark shade of blue that it was not discernable in the
dim light, only the white spots as they hovered round. After
‘securing a number of these insects, which must be lovers of
darkness, because they would not allow the naturalists to drive
them out into the light, the brothers continued on their way.
Having to ford rivers, which came in their way, which in some
instances were in flood, crossing was not made without
mueh risk to life. Many valuable notes were made
each Cay, as well as collecting. but the latter was much re-

48 WHITKH—A Sketch of the Life of Sumuel White.

stricted, as a small collection only could be carried to points
where it could be forwarded. When they got down
into New South Wales, the Hawkesbury River gave the tra-
vellers much trouble, because this fine river throws out in-
numerable arms into a very rough country, so they had to climb
one rocky ridge after another to be confronted by one of these
arms. It was here that the King Parrot was met with in
numbers, and the brothers spent some time in observing
these birds in their natural habitat. Having crossed
the Hawkesbury river at last, they pushed on to Sydney, and
camped afew miles from the town; a very rare moth was cap-
tured at this camp. (In 1880 I accompanied my father when he
tried to locate this camping place, but found it a densely popu-
lated centre.) Having sent on their collections and having
had a rest for a week, the naturalists once more set out
on foot—this time Melbourne was the objective. Travelling
some distance inland they soon lost the sub-tropical jungles
and the animal and insect life changed with the country,
their collecting soon dwindled down to a few specimens each
day. From a pastoral point of view, the country was excellent,
with great stretches of open timber beautifully grassed,
and in some cases open downs. Although the natura-.
lists admired the wonderful timber and beautiful country, they
missed the prolific collecting ground amidst the sub-tropical
belt, still they found much to interest them in bird life, on this
journey between the capitals of New South Wales and Vic-
toria, the overlapping of species alone was a most interesting
subject. In due course Melbourne was reached and the bro-
thers decided to take boat home, and they reached Adelaide
some ten or eleven months from the time they had set out. The
same journey in these times of rapid transpcrt would be-
thought little or nothing of, but in those days it required some
pluck to face it. as well as being a good bushman and able toa
put up with much privation to bring the journey to a snecess--
ful termination.
[To be continued. |

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THE

SOUTH AUSTRALIAN

ORNITHOLOGIST,

A Magazine of Ornithology.

JULY, 1915.

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EDITORIAL COMMITTEE :
R. CROMPTON, R.A.O.U.

A. M. MORGAN, M.B., CH.B.
S. A. WHITE, M.B.0O.U,

F. R. Z1IETZ, R.A.0.U.:

Price, 2/=

THE

South Australian

ORNITHOLOGIST.

eae

Editorial Committee :

R. Crompron, R.A.O.U.
aA. M. Morcan, M.B., Cu.B.
S. A. WHITE, M.BO.U.
BRO Zierz, RAO...

The South Australian Ornithological Association - — -

Birds of the Cairns District, Queensland (No. 3).

CONTENTS.

Mathews, F.R.S.E., F.L.S., M.B.O.U. - -

Order Passiformes, Family Zosteropidae, Genus Zosterops

Gregory M.

Birds noted by Members in the City of Adelaide and the Park-

lands

Further Notes on Birds collected near Pine Creek, Northern
Territory. Edwin Ashby, M.B.O.U.— - - -

Grebes as Feather-eaters.

EF. R. Zietz

Correspondence. M. Symonds Clark

Notes on Polophilus Phasianinus Melanurus. Gld. (North-Western
Coueal). Edwin Ashby, M.B.O.U. - - -

Corrections

A Sketch of the Life of Samuel White—Ornithologist, Soldier,

Sailor, and Explorer.

By his son, S. A. White -

S29) a Ae

South Australian Ornithologist.

Vou. IL] JULY, 1915. [Part 3.
——E——————————————————————

The South Australian Ornithological
Association.

The Sixteenth Annual Meeting of the Society was held at
the Royal Society’s Room, North Terrace, Adelaide, on Friday,
March 26th, 1915. Mr. J. W. Mellor presided.

ANNUAL REPORT.

The Association has another year of useful work to record.
Six new members have been elected, and one has resigned dur-
ing the year.

The Agsociation’s lease of certain islands in the Coorong
—so that the birds breeding on them may be totally protected
—has been extended indefinitely. This is the only place in
South Australia where the pelican is known to breed.

The swift lorikeet (Lathamus discolor tregellasi) was present
at Blackwood for some weeks in June and July last. This is
the first time this bird has been noted in South Australia since
1882.

Regular monthly meetings have been held, the principal
work of which has been examining all available specimens and
discussing Mr. Mathews’ classification. In several cases the
members think that his genera are far too much split up, e.g.,
there are four genera of Podargidae, where it is thought that
two would have been quite sufficient. Mr. Mathews’ sub-
species, the members think, are not always justified, e.g., there
are 10 sub-species of Podargus strigoides, where three would
seem to be amply sufficient. A series of four specimens taken
at Alice Springs do not seem to be any of Mr. Mathews’s birds.

5A The South Australian Ornithological Association. —

If this should prove to be a good sub-species it would make
four. Some of the members think that they should not be split
up atall. All that can be said is that it is a very variable bird.

A pleasant evening was spent at ‘““Weetunga,” Fulham, on
September 25th last, at the invitation of Capt. White, to see
the specimens he had collected in the Musgrave and Everard
Ranges. One of the most interesting of which was Gould’s
Xeruphila pectoralis, called by Mathews Aphelocephala pecto-
.ralis. This bird was described by Gould, and has never been
seen since. Now Mr. Mathews says it is the immature of A.
nigricincta. Although found together with this bird Capt.
White still holds that it is a good species.

A parrot, apparently a good sub-species, was noticed. It
seems to be a link between Barnardius zonarius and B. zonarius
occidentalis. This bird is identical with specimens taken by
Capt. White north of Oodnadatta the previous year.

Spiloglaux boobook had:a whitish patch on the forehead
which does not seem to conform to any of Mathews’s sub-
species.

Neostrepera versicolor was rather different from any of
Mathews’s sub-species.

Capt. White had noticed that Meliphaga sonora (the sing-

. ing honey-eater) had a different note from the bird about Ade-
laide.

Several crows (Corvus coronoides) were collected, some of

_ which had white down and white eyes while others had sooty
down and hazel eyes.

Several specimens of Ashbya lovensis were also collected.

The following officers were elected for the ensuing year :—
President—Mr. J. W. Hosking.
Vice-President—Dr. A. M. Morgan.
Secretary and Treasurer—Mr. R. Crompton.

Editoral Committee for the South Australian Orni-
thologist—Dr. A. M. Morgan, Capt. S. A. White,
Mr. F. R. Zietz, Mr. R. Crompton.

The South Australian Ornithological Association. dD

April 30th, 1915. The following unusual birds have been
recorded on the Adelaide Plains during the month:—

Pachycephala pectoralis fuliginosa—South Australian yel-
low-breasted thickhead. .

Rhipidura flabellifera whitei—South Australian fantail,
both at the Reedbeds by Mr. J. W. Mellor.

Also the first appearance for this season of Littlera chrysop-
tera phoenicea—White-fronted robin (Flame-breasted robin),
April 21st, at Kingswood and at the Reedbeds.

Capt. White drew attention to a list of English birds in
the “Ibis,” showing that eighty-two English genera are repre-
sented in Australia.

Mr. Mellor drew attention to Mr. Mathews’s splitting of
genera, and asked if the members thought he was right in
making a genus on external appearance only. Dr. Morgan
thought it was a chance for an individual worker, who has the
opportunity, to upset some of them, but it was no use the Asso-
ciation trying to do it by resolution.

Mr. Zietz reported that a resident of the Lakes district
had recently described Podiceps cristatus christiani (Australian
tippet grebe) as the feather-eater. An article on this subject
appears in this issue.

Mr. E. Ashby, M.B.O.U., exhibited a collection of speci-
mens taken by Mr. C. E. May at Pine Creek, Northern Terri-
tory. This is dealt with in a separate article.

May 28th, 1915—Specimens of the swallow family (Hirun-
dinidae) from the Museum and Capt. White’s collections were
tabled for discussion.

Hirundo rustica (European swallow)—Two specimens
collected near Colesberg, South Africa, by Capt. White.
This is a much larger bird than any Australian
species. It has also a more pronounced forked tail.
Members thought that our welcome swallow (Hirundo neoxena)
had been rightly kept in the same genus, but considered that
many genera had been made on more slender differences.

Hypurolepis javanica frontalis (Eastern swallow)—Only one
specimen to hand. Compared with the welcome swallow it
was smaller, had a slightly less forked tail, and was richer in
colour. . It was considered to be a good species.

56 MATHEWS— Birds of the Cairns District, Queensland.

Cheramoeca leucosternum stonei (Eastern black-and-white
swallow)—This bird nests in a burrow about three feet long;
if available seaweed is always used for the nest. The tunnel
is often enlarged up to nine inches or more at the inner end.
Dr. Morgan considers this is made by the birds to shelter in,
several birds often roosting in the same burrow.

Hylochelidon nigricans (Tree martin)—A long series ayail-
able from all parts of Australia. These could not be split up
into valid sub-species, except that a single specimen from the
Northern Territory, apparently H. nigricans rogersi, seemed
possibly to be justified. A specimen from North-west of Wes-
tern Australia was identical with an Adelaide bird.

Birds of the Cairns District, Queensland.

From Notes and Skins made by the late Capt. T. H.
Bowyer-Bower.

No. 3.
[By Grecory M. Maruews, F.R.S.E., F.L.S., M.B.O.U.]

No. 54—Male.—Cairns, June 23, 1884.
Irides bright red. Rare. Length 7.12 inches.
191. SyMPOSIACHRUS TRIVIRGATUS MEDIUS. Intermediate Spec-
tacled Flycatcher.
No. 59—Male.—Peterson’s Pocket, December 27, 1884.

Common.
192. MoNARCHA MELANOPSIS MELANOPSIS. Black-faced Fly-
catcher.

No. 58—Male.—Peterson’s Pocket, December 27, 1884.

Length 7.25 inches. Irides brown. Common.

193. CoRACINA NOVMHHOLLANDIA CONNECTENS. Queensland
Black-faced Cuckoo Shrike.
No. 21—Female.—Barron River, August 22, 1884. ;
No. 22—Male (immature).—Scrubby Creek, January 12,
1885.
Length 13 inches. Irides brown. Common.

MATHEWS—Birds of the Cairns District, Queensland. 57

194. CORACINA HYPOLEUCA STALKERI. Grey-banded Cuckoo-
Shrike.
No. 24—Male.—Cairns, June 9, 1884.
Length 10.38 inches. Irides brown. Common.

194. PARAGRAUCALUS LINEATA LINEATA. Barred Cuckoo-Shrike.

No. 23. Cairns, June 9, 1884.
Length 11 inches. Irides light yellow. Common, but
more so on elevated ground than in the valleys.

196. KarRvA LEUCOMELA LEUCOMELA. Pied Caterpillar-eater.
No. 25—Male.—Cairns, June 23, 1884.
Length 8.08 inches. Irides brown.

197. MacrorTHONYX SPALDINGI. Black-headed Log-runner.

One female. Plentiful over the Cairns-Herberton Range,
but with such rapidity does it pass over the ground, amongst
the thick underwood, that it is not easy to obtain.

201. PSOPHODES OLIVACEUS LATERALIS. Northern Coach-whip
Bird.
No. 60. Immature. Cairns.
Common, but not easy to obtain.

210. CisTICcOLA PXILIS MIxTA. Little Grass-Warbler.
No. 66—Male—Scrubby Creek, January 14, 1885.
Length 4.25 inches. Irides brown. When met with is
fairly numerous, but not often observed.
227. LEGGEORNIS AMABILIS BARRONI. Allied Lovely Wren.
No. 65—Male.—Cairns, June 19, 1884.
Length 4.87 inches. Irides brown. Not common.

228. RYANIA MBLANOCEPHALA PYRRHONOTA. Eastern Red-
backed Wren.
Nos. 61-64—Male.—Barron River, August 25, 1884; and
Peterson’s Pocket, December 19, 1884.
Length 4.5—4.62 inches. Irides brown. Common.

234. ARTAMUS LEUCORHYNCHUS LEUCOPYGIALIS. White-rumped
Wood Swallow.
No. 52—Male. No. 53—-Male.—Cairns, June 30, 1884.

a8 MATHEWS—Birds of the Cairns District, Queensland.

Leneth 7.25 inches. Irides brown; bill bluish-slate, tip
dark brown; feet black. Common and easy to get.
936. PspupARTAMUS CYANOoPTERUS. Wood Swallow.

No. 51—Male.—Cairns.
Length 7.25 inches. e
237. COLLURICINCLA HARMONICA’ PALLESCENS. Grey-backed
Shrike-Thrush.

Nos. 28 (Female), 29 and 30.—Scrubby Creek, January 12
and 14, 1885.

Length 9.75 inches.
940. CALEYA MEGARHYNCHA GOULDI. Little Rufous-breasted
Shrike-Thrush.
No. 26—Male.—Cairns, June 25, 1884.
No. 27. Barron River, July 6, 1884.
Length 7.87 inches. Common.

942. MELLORIA QUOYI RUFESCENS. Rufous Butcher Bird.

Nos. 15-20. Barron River and Gordan’s Camp, August and
October, 1884.

Length 14.25 inches. In the black phase: irides brown;
feet black. In the rufous phase: irides brown; feet bluish.
The bills are the same colour in both phases.

245. FALCUNCULUS FRONTATUS HERBERTONI. Pale Shrike-Tit.

No. 31—Male.—Scrubby Creek, January 14, 1885.

Leneth 6.62 inches. Irides brown. Not common.

2945. OREOICA CRISTATA CRISTATA. Crested Bell-Bird.

A wounded bird ran about very quickly. It has a most
peculiar note—it sounds in two different places at once, and as
distinct as if uttered by two birds.

249. NEOSITTELLA STRIATA ROTHSCHILDI. Allied Striated Tree-
runner.
No. 112. Cairns. Common.
258. ZOSTHROPS LATERALIS CORNWALLI. Queensland White-
Eye. 2
No. 107. Cairns, June 9, 1884.
Length 4.5 inches. Common,

MATHEWS—Birds of the Cairns District, Queensland. 59

954. AUSTRODICZUM HIRUNDINACEUM HIRUNDINACEUM. Mistle-
toe Bird.

No. 104—-Male.—Cairns, August 19, 1884.
Irides dark brown.

258. CRYTOSTOMUS FRENATA AUSTRALIS. Cairns Sun-Bird.

No. 105—Male.—Cairns, 1884.

A bird shot on Thursday Island in 1886 seemed to have
more of the blue colour in ‘the throat than those obtained at
Cairns. .

A nest was suspended to the cord of a window in a church
at Cairns.

263. MyzoMELA SANGUINEOLENTA STEPHENSI. Northern San-
guineous Honey-eater.

Nos. 102—Male, 103—-Male.—Scrubby Creek, January 14

& 9, 1884.
Length 4.5 inches: Irides brown. Common.

265. MELOMYZA OBSCURA HARTERTI. Dark Honey-eater.
No. 91. Cairns, January 14, 1885.
271. PrILoTINA ANALOGA NOTATA. Yellow-spotted Honey-
eater.
No. 98—Male.—Barron River, September 3, 1884.
Length 7.75 inches. Irides brown; legs light slate-blue.
272. MIcROPTILOTIS GRACILIS IMITATRIX. Cairns Little Yellow-
spotted Honey-eater.
Nos. 96—Female, 97.—Cairns, June 21 & 7, 1884.

275. MELIPHAGA FRENATA. Bridled Honey-eater.
No. 99—Female.—Peterson’s Pocket, December 27, 1884.
Length 8.75 inches. Irides blue-grey; billedark brown,
becoming fine yellow at the base; legs and feet blue.
Nos. 100 & 101—Male.—Barron River, July 21, 1884.

275. CALOPTILOTIS MACLEAYANA. Yellow-streaked Honey-
eater.
Nos. 92—Male, & 93—-Male.—Barron River, September 2
& 3, 1884.

Length 8 inches. Irides brown; legs slate.

60 MATHEWS—Birds of the Cairns District, (Queensland.

28(). PriLoTULA FLAVESCENS SUBGERMANA. Queensland Grey-
tinted Honey-eater.

Nos. 94—Male, 95—Female.—Scrubby Creek, January 9,
1885.

Length—Male, 6.5 inches; Female, 6.25 inches.
285. MELIORNIS NIGRA HERBERTONI. Northern White-cheeked
Honey-eater.
No. 89—Female.—Peterson’s Pocket, December 18, 1884.
No. 90—Male.—Scrubby Creek, January 14, 1885.
Length—Female, 6.5 inches. Common on the tablelands
about 2,500 feet above sea-level.

292. NEOPHILEMON BUCEROIDES BUCEROIDES. Helmeted Friar-
bird.
Nos. 134-136—Male and Female.—Cairns, June 11 & 21,
1884.
No. 137—Male.—Barron River, August 10, 1884.
Length—Male, 13.7 inches; Female, 13.12 inches.
292. TROPIDORHYNCHUS CORNICULATUS BLLIOTI. Northern-Eriar-
bird.
No. 138. Cairns, June 30, 1884.
No. 139. Barron River, August 3, 1884.
300. LoncHURA CASTANEOTHORAX CASTANEOTHORAX. Chestnut-
breasted Finch.
No. 67—Male.—Barron River, August 25, 1884.
Leneth 4.5 inches. IJrides brown.

305. MIMETA SAGITTATUS SUBAFFINIS. Queensland Oriole.
No. 80—Female.—Barron River, September 4, 1884.
Length 11.25 inches. Bill reddish brown.

306. Mimpra SLarocnrem KINGI. Eastern Yellow Oriole.
No. 81—Male.—Gordan’s Camp, October 7, 1884.

Length 12.62 inches. Irides red; bill reddish brown; legs
lead-colour.

306. SPHHCOTHHRES MAXILLARIS VIEILLOTI. Northern Fig-
Bird.
No. 82—Male.—Cairns, June 20, 1884.

MATHEWS—Birds of the Cairns District, (dneensland. 61

Length 11.75 inches. Irides brown, space round the eye
red.
307. SPHECOTHERES FLAVIVENTRIS AUDONI. Allied Yellow-
bellied Fig-Bird.
Nos. 83 & 85—Female.—Cairns, June 11 & 25, 1884.
No. 84-_Female.—Peterson’s Pocket, December 29, 1884.
Length 11.12 inches. Irides brown, space round eye
bluish.
307. DICRUROPSIS BRACTEATUS BRACTEATUS. Spangled Drongeo.
Nos. 32 & 34. Cairns, June 17 & 9, 1884.
No. 33. Gordan’s Camp, October 19, 1884.
Length 12.5 inches to 11.87 inches.

308. MrTALLOPSAR METALLICUS PURPURASCENS. Shining Star-
ling.
Nos. 86-88. Barron River, August and September, 1884.
Length 9.5 inches. Irides red. Common; their peculiar
long nests were very plentiful.
309. SCENOPORTES DENTIROSTRIS. Tooth-billed Bower-Bird.
Nos. 75-77—Male & Female.—Peterson’s Pocket and Bar-
ron River, December and August, 1884.
Length 11.62 inches. Irides brown, nearly black; legs
blue lead-colour.
310. TiLURG:DUS MELANOTUS MAcULOSUS. Spotted Cat-Bird.
Nos. 70 & 71—Male.—Barron'River, August 22, 1884.
No. 72—Male.—Dry Creek, October 14, 1884.
-No. 73—Male.—Barron River, July 16, 1884.
No. 74. Gordan’s Camp, October 19, 1884.
Length 12.75 inches. Irides brown; bill yellowish white;
legs blue.
312. PTILORIS PARADISEA VICcTORIa. Lesser Rifle-Bird.
No. 108—Male.—Gordan’s Camp, October 8, 1884.
No. 1098—Female.—Barron River, July 21, 1884.
No. 111—Female.—Barron River, August 20, 1884. .
Length 10.12—10.75 inches. Irides brown; legs black.

62 Order Passiformes, Fumily Zosteropidae, Genus Zosterops.

A young bird was seen feeding quite close, about three
yards off. It took off the bark from a palm-tree and devoured
the insects. Frequently it could be seen hanging head down-
wards and climbing about in all positions.

315. StrEPHRA GRACULINA ROBINSONI. Northern Pied Crow-
Shrike.

Common and generally to be seen round the gardens
where there is Indian corn growing. One bird was picked
up covered with sticky seeds one and a half inches long and
of an elongated shape; they had stuck the feathers together in
such a way that the bird was unable to fly.

Order Passiformes, Family Zosteropidae,
Genus Zosterops.

Zosterops lateralis westernensis—Southern White Eye (Silver
Eye).

Description.—Forehead, crown, sides of head and neck
bright olive-green, eyes surrounded by a ring of silvery-white
feathers, a black line below the eye and extending from the
anterior margin of the eve to the gape, back ashy-grey, rump
and upper tail coverts bright olive green. Tail feathers brown,
their outer webs narrowly margined with olive green, throat
greyish white, washed with yellowish green, breast pale ashy
grey, abdomen greyish white, under tail coverts greyish white,
washed with yellow, sides of body and flanks olive brown.
Primaries and secondaries dark brown, all except the first pri-
mary margined with bright olive green on their outer webs,
inner web of primaries and secondaries margined with buffy
white, in the former this does not extend to the apical fourth
of the feather. Upper wing coverts brown, washed with olive
green. Iris brown, bill, legs and feet slaty brown. The female
is similar to the male.

Total length, 116 m.m.; wing, 58 m.m.; tail, 47 m.m.; tar-
sus, 58 m.m.; bill, 10 m.m.

Distribution—All the southern parts of South Australia
and Victoria, extending north about as far as Port Augusta.

Order Passiformes, Family Zosteropidae, Genus Zosterops. 63

It is not a constant inhabitant of the dry northern country,
but is probably only an occasional visitor there. In the
southern country it moves about to some extent, following the
food supply. The Kangaroo Island bird does not differ in any
respect. ;

Habits.—It spends most of its time in low trees and
bushy undergrowth, congregating into small flocks in the
autumn and winter, and separating into pairs for the breeding
season. It apparently appreciates civilization, being much
commoner in orchards and gardens than in unsettled country.
They are most fearless little birds; shooting, scarecrows, and
every other means the gardener can devise, do not frighten
them in the least.

Food.—All soft fruits, especially figs, grapes, apricots,
and olives. The full extent of the damage done by these birds
is not so much the quantity eaten as the habit they have of
pecking small holes in the most forward portion of the ripen-
ing fruit. They are also very destructive amongst strawberry
and raspberry crops. Mistletoe berries and pepper tree berries
(Shinus molle) are also eaten. ‘This accounts for seedlings of
the latter tree coming up in places frequented by this bird,
especially near water taps and other damp places where they
drink. Insects are captured on the wing, the bird returning
to its perch with the prize. In winter the principal food is
aphides, the blight of fruit trees and flowers: in this respect
they do much good. At this time they also work for insects
on the ground.

Flight Quick and jerky. They do not fly more than a few
yards except when migrating, when they travel long distances
without settling. Some years ago they migrated to New Zea-
land and settled there. In that country they are thought much
of as insect destroyers.

Song.—The White Eye has several distinctive notes.
When in search of food it utters a long-drawn plaintive call
of three notes. The same call is uttered in flight, but is then
shorter. The alarm call is a shrill short note, but is not loud.
The true, or love, song is a beautiful sustained trilling warble
with a considerable range of notes, but so low-pitched as to be
inaudible at a short distance. They usually sing while resting
in a thick bush in the heat of the day. It is quite pretty to
see a pair of White Eyes sitting side by side on a twig, the male

64 Birds noted by Members in Adelaide and its Parklands.

singing his best, and frequently Jooking at his mate to see if
it is being appreciated.

Nest.—This is a delicate and neatly constructed cup, com-
posed of carefully woven grass and hair: when near houses
string, cotton, wool, or small pieces of rag may be used. The
nest is never lined with feathers or down. It is suspended by
the rim in a thick bunch of leaves in a low tree or bush. They
select a variety of trees, hakea, boxthorn, kangaroo acacia,
fruit trees, and hedges being the most favoured. It is usually
from three to twelve feet from the ground, but occasionally as
high as thirty feet. Sometimes two or three pairs will build
in the same tree.

The breeding season lasts from July to December, two or
three broods being reared.

Eggs are two or three in number, being a uniform light
blue.

Average measurement of 7 eggs, 1.73 x 1.21 c.m.

Largest egg, 1.75 x 1.25 ¢.m.

Smallest egg, 1.70 x 1.20 ¢.m.

The White Eve is included in the Third Schedule of The
Birds’ Protection Act of 1900, i.e., totally unprotected. This
is on account of its fruit-eating proclivities.

Birds noted by Members in the City of
Adelaide and the Parklands.

The Parklands are public reserves approximately a third
of a mile wide completely surrounding the City.

They are used as a racecourse, cricket ground, also for
football, tennis, bowls, golf, botanical and zoological gardens,
plantations, and public grazing. The River Torrens running
through them is dammed, making a lake about a mile and a
half long, which is used for boating and swimming. On the
North Parklands, between the City and the River, are several
public buildings, including Parliament House, Government
House, Public Library, Art Gallery, Musuem, and University.

Birds noted by Members in Adelaide and its Parklands. 609

All birds on these reserves are totally protected. The
names are taken from List of the Birds of Australia, by G. M.
Mathews.

The birds marked * are rare visitors.

1. Geopelia placida tranquilla—Kastern ground dove
(Peaceful dove).

2. Hypotaenidia phillipensis australis—Eastern buff-banded
rail (Landrail).

3. Zapornia pusilla palustris—Hastern little crake.

*4. Microtribonyx ventralis whitei—Eastern black-tailed
native hen.

5. Gallinula tenebrosa—Black moorhen.

6. Porphyrio melanotus—Eastern bald coot.

7. Fulica atra tasmanica—Hastern coot.

*8. Tachybaptus ruficollis novaehollandiae—Black-throated
erebe (Dabchick).

*9. Poliocephalus poliocephalus—Hoary-headed grebe.

10. Bruchigavia novaehollandiae ethelae—Southern silver

11. Lobiby.r novaehollandiae—Spur-winged plover.

12. Hlseya melanops—Black-fronted dottrel.

*13. Stiltia isabella—Australian pratincole (came in 1884).
14. Burhinus magnirostris—EKastern stone plover (Curlew).
15. Notophoyx novachollandiae—W hite-fronted heron (Blue

crane). ;

16. Chenopis airata—Eastern black swan.

17. Anas superciliosa rogersi—Black duck.

18. Virago y bberifrons—Grey teal.

19. Nyre-a australis—W hite-eyed duck (Punkaree, hard-
head).

20. Biziura lobata—Musk duck.

*21. Phalacrocorar carbo—Black cormorant.

22. Mesocarbo ater—Little black cormorant.
*25. Hypoleucus varius hypoleuwcus—Eastern pied cormorant.

*24. Anhinga novaehollandiae—Darter. A single bird stayed
several days.

66 Birds noted by Members in Adelaide and its Parklands.

*25. Hlanus axcillaris—Black-shouldered kite. (Seen once
only. Three birds.)

*26. Urospiza fasciata—A ustralian voshawk.

27. Falco longipennis—Little falcon.

*28. Teracidia berigora—Striped brown hawk.

29. Cerchneis cenchroides—Nankeen kestrel.

30. Spiloglaux boobook marmorata—Marbled owl (Boobook
owl).

31. Glossopsitta concinna—Musk lorikeet.

32. Glossopsitta porphyriocephala—Purple-cruwned lorikeet.

30. Glossopsitta pusilla—Little lorikeet.

*38a. Psephotus haematonotus—Red-backed parrot (Grass
parrot).

34. Aleyone azurea victoriae-—Victorian blue kingfisher.

35. Dacelo gigas tregellasi—Brown Kingfisher (Laughing
jackass).

26. Sauropatis sancta—EKastern sacred kingfisher.

3¢. Heteroscenes pallidus—Pallid cuckoo.

*38. Cacomantis rubricatus—Fan-tailed cuckoo.

39. Neochalcites basalis mellori—Narrow-billed bronze
Gickoo.

*40. Lamprococcyx lucidus—Broad-billed bronze cuckoo.

41. Hirundo neorena—Welcome swallow.

42. Hylochelidon nigricans caleyi—Tree martin.

43. Petroica multicolor frontalis—Southern scarlet-breasted
robin. (A winter visitor.)

44, Littlera chrysoptera phoenicia—White-fronted robin.
(Flame-breasted robin.) Comes in winter.

*45. Whiteornis goodenovii—Southern red-capped robin.

46. Lewinornis rufiventris inornatus—Southern rufous
breasted thickhead. Comes in winter.

"47. Rhipidura flabellifera whitei—South Australian fantail.
(White-shafted fantail.)

48. Leucocirca tricolor—Black-and-white fantail. (Wagtail
or Shepherd’s companion.)

49. Seisura inquieta—Restless fi deatenee

Birds noted by Members in aclecutie ad ies Ee crnlandss Or

50. Coracina robusta mentalis—Southern cuckooo-shrike.
(Black-faced cuckoo-shrike.)

“51. Lalage tiricolor—W hite-shouldered caterpillar-eater.

52. Hpthianura albijrons—W hite-fronted chat (Tin-tac).

53. Conopoderas australis—Southern reed-warbler.

d+. Poodytes gramineus dubius—Southern grass bird.

d4. Geobasileus chrysorrhous perksi—Southern — yellow-
rumped tit (Tom-tit).

a). Malurus cyaneus leggei—Southern blue wren.

*56. Campbellornis personatus munna—Masked wood swallow.

*oT. Campbellornis supercilliosus—W hite-browed wood swal-

58. Pseudartamus cyanopterus— Wood swallow.
59. Colluricincla harmonica victoriae—Victorian grey shrike-
thrush.

60. Grallina CUS Olu Maleie lark. (Murray magpie or
Mudlark.)

61. Gymnorhina hypoleuca leuconota—White-backed magpie.

62. Falcunculus frontatus flavigulus—Green-bellied shrike-
tit. (Crested shrike-tit.) :

*€3. Neoclima picumna australis—Southern brown _ tree-
creeper.

G4. Zosterops lateralis westernensis—Southern white-eye.

65. Austrodicaeum hirundinaceum—Mistletoe bird. (Flower-
pecker.)

66. Pardalotinus striatus subaffinis—South Australian par-
dalote.

G7. Melithreptus lunatus adelaidensis—Southern white-naped
honey-eater (Black cap).

68. Melithreptus gularis loftyi—Southern black-chinned
heney-eater (Black-throated black-cap).

69. Acaithorhynchus tenuirostris loftyi—Mountain spine-bill
(Spine-billed honey-eater). A summer visitor.

10. Ptilotula penicillata whitei—Southern white-plumed
honey-eater (Greenie).

71. Meliornis novaehollandiae subassimilis—Southern white-
bearded honey-eater.

68 ASH BY—Notes on Birds collected near Pine Creek, \.T.

72. Myzantha melanocephala whitei—Southern black-headed
minah. <A recent arrival.
73. Coleia carunculata tregellasi—Victorian yellow wattle
bird. Comes in autumn.
74. Anthochaera carunculata — intermedia—Southern red
wattle bird (Brush wattle bird).
*75. Acanthagenys rufogularis cygnus—Southern — spiny-
cheeked honey-eater.
76. Anthus australis adelaidensis—Southern pipit (Ground
lark).
Introduced birds:—
Domestic pigeon.
Starling.
Blackbird.
House sparrow.
yoldfinch.
Greenfinch.

Further Notes on Birds collected near Pine
Creek, Northern Territory.

[By Epwin Asupy, M.B.O.U., “Wittunga,” Blackwood. ]

I have received a second parcel of birds collected by Mr.
C. E. May.

Cracticus nigrogularis picatus, Gld.—Pied butcher bird.—
Two specimens were received of this species, and although very
little difference is evident between the two sexes the beak of
the male is a little longer and the build of the bird is more
robust. The black in the female is not as deep a black as in the
other sex, and the mantle is grey instead of white. This sub-
species is smaller than the South Queensland bird.

Seisura mquieta nana, Gld.—tLittle restless flycatcher.—
One specimen only, the beak is much shorter than that of the
southern form, being 125 m.m. against the latter’s 175 m.m.
The northern bird is shorter in length and more slender, and the
sheen on the crown is greenish instead of purple, with a strong

ASHBY—Notes on Birds collected near Pine Creek, N.T. 69

greenish metallic sheen on the mantle, whereas the mantle of
the southern form is dead black or greyish black.

Micro-philemon orientalis sordidus, Gld.—Little friar bird.—
The first batch of skins from Pine Creek contained two speci-
mens of this species, one in the immature plumage showing the
golden yellow collar and yellow throat. The other shows none
of these features. In the second batch of skins was a single
specimen collected months later which is a larger bird. On
comparison with specimens from, North-western Australia I
find it identical with that sub-species Micro-philemon orientalis
occidentalis, Ram. (Western yellow-throated friar bird). Ap-
parently the two sub-species overlap at certain seasons of the
year at Pine Creek, or it may be that they are inseparable, and
Ramsay’s sub-species may have to be dropped.

Meliphaga sonora cooperi, Mat—Northern singing honey-
eater.—The four specimens received are identical with the
specimens in the Adelaide Museum received from Melville
Island. The bird is smaller and more slender and the bill
narrower than the allied sub-species from S.A. or W.A., also
the colouration of the crown and back is paler—a grey-brown
rather than a brown.

Cissomela pectoralis, Gld—Banded honey-eater.—I received
in all eight specimens of this interesting little honey-eater. The
series is a very interesting one. While in the adult specimens
there is not the slightest indication of yellow ear coverts some
of the immature ones have them bright yellow. In some the
whole of the back and part of the head and wings is cinnamon
coloured, others have the mantle only of that colour sprinkled
with well defined black dashes. Again others have only a few
cinnamon blotches in the normal black ground colour of the
back, another has none of these cinnamon markings—the
crown of the head, nape, back wings, and tail being uniformly
black except a narrow edge of white margins on the tips of the
wing feathers, the underside pure white with black pectoral
band. The black pectoral band is present in all the specimens.

Stigmatops indistincta media, Mat——Wyndham least honey-
eater.—I received one specimen of this species from Pine Creek.
It differs from specimens received from the coast (Stigmatops
indistincta melvillensis, Mat.) in being much paler both on the
upper and under sides, the breast, instead of being of the
dark-brown of the coastal species, is as pale as the abdomen.

70 LHITZ

Grebes as Ieather-eaters.

Grebes as Feather-eaters.
[By F. R. Zirrz. |

Contribution from the S.A. Museum.

In domestic poultry feather-eating is considered due to a
craving for flesh food and is common during the moulting
season when the new feathers are coming, some birds being
plucked almost naked. When once this habit is acquired they
will eat every small feather they can find.

In the case of grebes, feathers seem to constitute a portion
of their regular diet. The first case which came under my
notice was an Australian Tippet Grebe (Podiceps cristatus chris-
tiani) which was sent to the Museum as a “feather-eater” by
Mr. F. Stacey of Wellington West, S.A. Upon examining the
stomach I found it to contain a ball of grebe feathers, portions
of quills of feathers partly digested, remains of water weeds,
and what appeared to be frog’s spawn.

On writing to Mr. Stacey for further particulars as to
whether the birds plucked the feathers out of themselves or
other individuals, or whether they picked them up during the
moulting season, I received the following information from
him.:—*T have been fishing on the River Murray and Lake
Alexandrina for over twenty-one years; the habits and food of
birds have always been of much interest tome. I have known
for many years that grebes eat feathers, and have examined
many of their stomachs. They spend most of their time under
the water in the quiet backwaters, where feathers float on the
surface till they become thoroughly saturated and sink. I feel
quite safe in saying that the feathers are not eaten until they
have been submerged long enough to be in the first stage of
decomposition. These birds eat not only feathers of their own
kind, but I have found their stomachs to contain those of the
Zebra or Pink-eared Duck (Malacorhynchus membranaceus), the
Freckled Duck (Stictonetta naevosa), and the Teal (Virago sp.).

Although the grebes eat a great many feathers and spend
the greater part of their life under water, they are always fat;
domestic cats will eat them in preference to other birds.
The Dabchick or Hoary-headed Grebe (Poliocephalus polio-
cephalus) also eats feathers, but not to the same extent as the
former species.” In regard to the Hoary-headed Grebe I might

CLARK —Correspondence. eiial

mention that out of three specimens lately receivd at the
Museum, two of them had feathers in their stomachs, whilst
the third specimen contained only remains of insects.

Sechbohm* states in reference to the Great-crested Grebe
(Podiceps cristatus):—“Its food is entirely procured in the water,
and consists of water beetles and other acquatic insects, small
fish, small frogs, and mollusks. The seeds and slender shoots
of acquatic plants are also found in its stomach, but instead
of small stones and gravel, numbers of its own feathers plucked
from the ventral region are mixed with its food. It is not
known that this curious habit, which is more or less common —
to all the grebes, is intended to assist digestion, but it has been
remarked by many ornithologists in widely different localities
—Naumann (father and son), Meves (father and son), Yarrell,
Thompson, Macgillivray, ete.”

*Seehbohm’s ‘‘ British Birds,” Vol. IIL, p. 456.

Correspo idence.

TO THE EDITORIAL COMMITTEE OF THE S.A.
ORNITHOLOGIST.
Gentlemen,

In Part II., Vol. 2, on page 33 is a letter from Mr. Gregory
M. Mathews, which might be deemed to imply that I had made
statements regarding Ptilotis penicillata without taking the
trouble ‘to verify them. Gould’s Handbook to the Birds of
Australia contained the information as to the naming of the
bird, and as to its-being rarely met with in New South Wales,
but being very abundant in South Australia, and I merely sug-
gested the probability of its having been named from ‘South
Australian specimens. The original reference which Mr.
Mathews has seen was not available to me. It would seem
strange that Gould, who had examined specimens from both
N.S.W. and S.A., should not have observed differences such as
would warrant Mr. Mathews in making a sub-species of those
found in Adelaide.

Re Leptolophus, Mr. Mathews is glad that I am convinced
that this bird is able to elevate and lower its crest. The word

72 ARETE > UGS on ded CORO Melanurus.

“convince” is hardly appropriate as I have never doubted the
fact, which I certainly have known since Christmas, 1856, when
I first had a tame bird of the species. During periods agegre-
gating more than 30) years I have kept living specimens, and I
have a pair at the present time, which would quickly convince
a doubting observer of the fact referred to.

I amy enc?

M. Symonps Cuarx.
Eden Hills, S.A.

24th May, 1915.

Notes on Polophilus Phasianinus Melanurus,
Gld. (North-Western Coucal).

[By Epwrin Asuey, “Wittunga,” Blackwood. ]

In comparing a skin collected by Mr. C. E. May at Port
Keats in 1906 with the Adelaide Museum specimens I find that
it differs from the Northern Coucal Polophilus phasianinus mac-
rourus, Gld., in that the whole of the plumage is black with the
exception of the wings, which are normal. In comparing the
specimen which is under review, which is a male, with one of
P. p. melanurus from North-western Australia, I find that it dif-
fers, in that the barring of the tail is almost absent, there are
no white tips to the tail feathers, the under tail coverts are
quite black, and not speckled as in the North-western specimen.
We must either extend the range of that species as far as Port
Keats in the Northern Territory, or designate this variety
under the name of Keatst.

Corrections.

In the October number of the S.A. Ornithologist the three
specimens of caterpillar-eater referred to as a sub-species of
Lalaga leucomela should have been referred to as Lalaga tri-
color, probably they are identical with Mr. Mathew’s Lalaga tri-
color indistincta (the pale-rumped caterpillar-eater). I have now

WHITH—A Sketch of the Life of Samuel White. 73

received four more specimens from my correspondent: in none
of them, does the rump appear to be paler than in specimens
collected near Adelaide. The freckled marking on the breast
is present in all the specimens, including all the males, whereas
there are no indications of it in the adult males from South
Australia. I conclude that the presence of this marking in
the Pine Creek specimens is due to immaturity.

EpwIin ASHBY,
“Wittunga,” Blackwood.

Vol, 2, part 2, page 42:—

Line 26—Anthochaera chrysoptera intermedia (Southern
red wattle bird) should be Coleia carwnculata tregellasv.

Line 33—Dyottornis paradorus should be Anthochaera

chrysoptera intermedia (Southern red wattle bird), Brush wattle
bird.

A Sketch of the Life of Samuel White—
Ornithologist, Soldier, Sailor, and Explorer.

[By Hrs Son, 8. A. Warre.]
V.—THE ORNITHOLOGIST.

Additional notes having come to hand I find that I have
omitted one or two important facts. Soon after Samuel
White’s return with his brother, William, from the Murray
River in 1865 he must have embarked on another expedition,
this time taking a man servant, Cottrell by name, two horses,
and acart. On the latter was packed a light flat-bottom boat
to enable the ornithologist to cross any estuaries or arms of
the Gulfs. He seems to have shaped a course along the Gulf
of St. Vincent, and passed round its head, then followed the
coastline of Spencer’s Gulf till a spot was reached some little
distance north of Port Germein and south of Port Augusta.
Here he undertook the hazardous course of crossing the Gulf,
using a blanket as a makeshift sail for his little boat. Cottrell

dee WHITH—A Sketch of the Life of Samuel White.

remained with the horses and cart. All went well with
Samuel while on the trip over. By sailing and pulling he
reached the western coastline of Spencer’s Gulf. Pulling his
boat out of reach of the tide he formed his camp, and soon set
out to explore for birds in a new country. The feelings and
expectations of this early ornithologist can only be understood
by those who have set foot in an unexplored country. There
is no doubt many interesting specimens were collected, but his
great find was a new blue wren (Malurus callainus, Gould),
called by the describer in the vernacular “Turquoise Superb
Warbler.” I cannot do better than repeat what the great orni-
thologist, John Gould, tells us about this bird in his folio work
supplement to “The Birds of Australia,” Part IV., under the
heading, Malurus callainus, Gould (Turquoise Superb Warbler)
—‘For the knowledge of the existence of this lovely species
I am indebted to S. White, Esq., of the Reedbeds, Adelaide,
who informs me that he was under the impression it was a new
bird the moment he saw the first example that came under his
notice. He was, therefore, induced to shoot and skin eight or
ten others of both sexes, all of which, with the exception of
two males, he had the misfortune to lose in crossing Spencer’s
Gulf. They were procured in the “Salt Bush Scrub” about 300
or 400 miles north-west of Adelaide. Upon measuring these
Mr. White found that the extent of their wings from tip to tip
varied from 53 to 6 inches, the specimen sent me being one of
the smaller examples. Their habits were very similar to those
of the other members of the genus, and were not characterized
by any peculiarity. The males, as is usual when adorned with
their nuptial dress, were very shy, and those secured by Mr.
White were obtained by a kind of ruse (placing his hat on the
ground and hiding himself in the bush until curiosity prompted
the birds to examine the unusual object). That this gentle-
man may again visit the home of the species and obtain the
female is my ardent wish; he should bear in mind that, the
locality being maiden ground, in all probability other unknown
species of birds will be found, the discovery of which will
amply reward him for the trouble of research, and I have no
doubt he will do so, for I have reason to believe that no one of
my many correspondents in Australia is more keenly alive to
the interests which attach to our favourite branch of science—
ornithology.”

So Gould touched lightly upon an accident which was
nearly a tragedy, and the means of cutting off the life of one

WHITH—A Sketch of the Life of Samuel White. 75

of Australia’s greatest ornithologists. I say lightly, but that
may be due to my father, for more than likely he made but
passing comments to his friend Gould of this accident, which
was ever his wont when speaking of his many dangerous ex-
periences. .

So far as I know the incident alluded to happened in this
way. Having dragged his boat down to the water he put his
specimens, guns, and camp equipment on board, and, pushing
off, set sail for the eastern side of the Gulf. He seldom spoke
of this experience in after life, but those to whom he told the
tale say the breeze freshened towards the afternoon, and a
sudden squall struck the boat when a considerable distance off
the eastern shore, the improvised sail did not clear when he let
it go, and the boat capsized, all the heavy articles going to the
bottom. Strange to say a small box which contained the two
Valurus and three other skins floated close by, and it was
secured. The ornithologist stuck to the boat for some time in
the hope of righting her. He found this impossible, and the
wind and the tide taking the boat, which was awash, further
out, he divested himself of all clothing possible, secured the
precious little box with the specimens, and taking one of the
floor boards from the boat he made for the shore. A fearful
battle for life took place, and after swimming and floating for
many hours in the water Samuel White had just enough
strength left to drag himself on to the dry sand where he lay
unconscious for a long time. With the assistance and atten-
tion of his man he soon recovered and returned to his home
at the Reedbeds by another route. The new Malurus was for-
warded to John Gould in London. The chief object, I believe, -
of this trip was to discover how far north Hpthianura tricolor
and E£. aurifrons could be found. An odd bird or two visited
the Adelaide Plains in those days—always coming from and
returning to the North—and this early ornithologist was
anxious to discover their home and how far north and north-
west their habitat extended.

In Part IV. of this series I stated that the Queensland
trip took eight months, but from information now to hand I
find Samuel White and his brother William were away from
home the greater part of two years.

In April, 1869, Samuel White married, thus securing a
loving companion who shared the hardships and pleasures of
many an ornithological expedition by land and sea.

76 WHITE—A Sketch of the Life of Samuel White.

On the 14th of July, 1869, they both sailed for England in
the “Fire Queen,” and after a voyage of five months landed
safely in the Old Country. Their sojourn in England proved
avery happy one. A great deal of time was spent with John
Gould, who gave a little dinner on one occasion in honour of
the Australian ornithologist, and at this gathering many Old
World bird men met my father. I have been told days and
nights were spent discussing ornithological subjects, and a
great and lasting friendship sprang up between the great
author of “The Birds of Australia” and the greatest field orni-
thologist Australia has ever possessed. As a son I may be
biased, but it has always been my contention that in spite of
the great regard that John Gould had for my father the great
author never made use of his opportunities to enlighten the
scientific world with regard to the great work my father accom-
plished in ornithological field work. A few scant references
were the extent of acknowledgement of only a few of the many
new birds discovered by Samuel White.

SP t ee teat aT cn Bae

SOUTH AUSTRALIAN

ORNITHOLOGIST,

aiR ala tah Bt eas hind or Sane ie Came a try
> s : t

A Magazine of Ornithology.

oF nants
Sey
Cony

Ist OCTOBER, 1915.

EDITORIAL COMMITTEE:

R> CROMPTON, R.A.O.U.

A. M. MORGAN, M.B., Cw.B-
S. A. WHITE, M.B.O.U..

F. R. ZIETZ, R.A.O.U.

ea slice a ae a Ss aa

Price, 2/=

se SEs
ae 2 $e =

South Australian

ORNITHOLOGIST.

Editorial Committee :

R. Crompton, R.A.O.U.

A. M. Morcan, M.B., Cu.B-
S. A. WHITE, M.BO.U.
ROR Zin iz, ReALO TU:

CONTENTS.

PAGE

The South Australian Ornithological Association — - - - - 81
Birds of the North and North-West of Australia (No. 4).

Gregory M. Mathews, F.R.S.E., F.L.S., M.B.O.U. = - $3

Order Passeriformes, Family Artamidae, Genus Pseudartamus - 87
On some Pellets or Casts of a Screech Owl. S. A. White,

M.B.0.U., R.A.O.U. - - - - - - - - 90
Field Notes in the Blue Mountains. Edwin Ashby, M.B.O.U.,

R.A.O.U. - - - - - - - - - - - 95

A Sketch of the Life of Samuel White—Ornithologist, Soldier,
Sailor, and Explorer. By his son, S. A. White - - - 98

— THE —

South Australian Ornithologist.

Vor. II.) Ist OCTOBER, 1915. [PART 4.

The South Australian Ornithological
Association.

Three monthly meetings (which were well attended) have
taken place since the last issue of this Journal. The extracts
of the meetings are as follows:—

June 25th 1915.

The Hon. Secretary (Mr. Robert Crompton) tendered his
resignation due to his enlistment in the Expeditionary Forces.
The Chairman spoke of the good work done by Mr. Crompton.
It was the unanimous opinion that the Hon. Secretary’s resig-
nation be held over until such time as he returns to the State
to continue the work.

Mr. Arthur M. Lea exhibited a wonderful and interesting
collection of pellets or casts from the “Screech Owl” (Tyto alba
delicatula). These pellets or casts were taken at the Reed-beds
by Capt. S. A. White and presented to the Museum.

Mr. Ashby exhibited some interesting specimens of the
“Pilot Bird” (Pycnoptilus floccosus) from the Blue Mountains,
and P. f. sandlandi from Victoria. <A fine series of robins was
shown from the Museum, Mr. Ashby’s, and Capt. White’s
collections. The “Flame-breasted Robin” (genus Littlera) was
found to differ somewhat*in New South Wales, the birds from
that State being of a decided orange colouration. The
“Scarlet-breasted Robins,” genus Petroica were found to differ
in the East, South, and Western parts of Australia; the bird

82 The South Australian Ornithological Association.

— sw SSSSsSSSSSSSsS—SsFsFsFsFssSSSsS——SsSs

found in Tasmania resembles the Kangaroo Island form.
Specimens of the following species were examined, Hry-
throdryas rodinogaster, Belchera rosea, Whiteornis goodenovii,
Melanodryas cucullata, and Amaurodryas vitiata. |

July 30th.

Capt. S. A. White stated, he had taken action in reporting
the destruction of swans on Lakes Albert and Alexandrina by
half-castes and others, the members present supported him in
his prompt action.

A paper was read on “Some Pellets and Casts of the
Screech Owl” (Tyto alba delicatula), by Capt. S. A. White. The
paper is published in the present number. Mr. A. M. Lea,
F.E.S., Museum Entomologist, exhibited another collection of
pellets or casts from the Screech Owl; this collection was pre-
sented to the Museum by Mr. J. W. Mellor. It was
pointed out that there was a great difference in the contents
of the pellets, in comparison with those collected two miles to
the west.

The genus Smicrornis came under discussion. A number
of skins from the Museum, also from Mr. Ashby’s and Capt.
White’s collections were shown. It was noted that Smicrornis
brevirostris viridescens, extended as far north as Leigh Creek,
while S. 6. flavescens, or a bird which closely resembles it, is
found all through the country between the Macdonnell Ranges
and Oodnadatta; specimens have been taken at the latter
place.

August 27th.

Correspondence was read from the Commissioner of
Crown Lands re protecting swans, and the appointment of a
custodian for the islands in the Coorong. Mr. Frank Hall, of
Tea-tree Gully was elected a member. Mr. Bellechambers of
Humbug Scrub, read some notes on nature and gave some
interesting habits of the Mallee Fowl, which birds he has had
under observation for some time.

Smicrornis (Tree-tits) and Gerygone (Fly-eaters) were dis-
cussed. <A good number of skins of these birds were exhibited
from the Museum and Mr. Ashby’s collections.

Dr. Morgan reported having made the following obser-
vations in the Mount Lofty Ranges during the previous week.
“Southern Hooded Robin” (Melanodryas cucullata vigorsi) nest-

MATHEWS—Birds of North and North-West Australia. 8%

ing. “Yellow-rumped pardalote” (Pardalotus punctatus
szanthopygus) constructing their nesting tunnel in a bank.
“Harmonious Shrike-Thrush” (Colluriocincla harmonica vic-
toriae), nesting on the side of a rock, in same situation as last
year’s nest, also the restless flycatcher (Seisura inquieta) busily
building their nest. Mr. J. W. Mellor stated that a pair of
shrike thrushes had built a nest on a window:sill of an out-
house at the Reed-beds. Capt. White said he had seen fully
fledged young of this bird during the second week of the
present month, he also stated that the Spotted-sided Finch
(Stagonopleura guttata philordi) and the Red-browed Finch
(Aegintha temporalis loftyi) were both nesting at the Reed-beds
within a few yards of each other. The same member drew
attention to the last number of the “Ibis” tenth series, Vol.
Ill., No. 3, which-contains some fine plates, also the Austral
Avian Record, Vol. III., No. 2, containing a reproduction of
Thos. Watling’s painting of the “pallid euckoo” painted in
the year 1790, when Latham described it as a pale pigeon
(Columba pallida). Mr. Mathews concludes his explanation
with:—“The plate here given is a faithful copy in the minutest
detail of the painting made by Thomas Watling about the
year 1790. It must when criticising, therefore, be remembered
{hat 125 years have elapsed since it was made, and allowance
given for draftsmanship. When this is done I am sure all
Australian Ornithologists will agree with me that it is a good
figure of the cuckoo in immature plumage, and that Latham’s:
name, as confirmed by Gould, is tenable.”

Birds of the
North and North-West of Australia.

FROM NOTES AND SKINS MADE BY THE LATE CAPT.
T. H. BOWYER-BOWER.

By Grecory M. Maruews, F.R.S.E., F.L.S8., M.B.O.U.
No. 4.

The following birds were collected by the late Bowyer-
Bower in 1886. Most of them were shot near Derby, but a
few were obtained at Thursday Island, off North Queensland,

84 MATHEWS—Birds of North and North-West Australia.

and others at Palmerston, in the Northern Territory. These
will be noted in the body of the work.

The notes have been worked up from the carefully kept
notebook of the collector. The exceedingly accurate descrip-
tions of the soft parts, marks Bowyer-Bower as a very keen
observer. These were noted as soon as the specimen was
killed, as on some occasions he notes “the bird had been dead
some time before I saw it, so cannot be sure of the colour of
the soft parts.”

This young and ardent field naturalist was the means of
first recording many birds from the North-west of Australia.
His Pisobia damascensis is the only one to date recorded as
killed in Australia.

Most of this collection that reached England is in either
the British Museum or my own. Over 600 skins of 150 species
and sub-species were collected.

cf. Ramsay, Proc. Linn. Soc., N.S.W., ser. ii., vol. I., p.
1,096, 1887, and vol. II., p. 165, 1887, where it will be seen that
certain birds are recorded from Derby, but in this list that
follows their real locality is given. Thus Halcyon macleayt
is from Palmerston, Colluriocincla rufogaster is from Thursday
Island, as is also Ptilotis notata.

7. SYNOICUS YPSILOPHORUS ROGERSI. Dark brown Quail.

Coturnix australis rogersi (Mathews), Nov. Zool., Vol.
XVIII., p. 179, 1912. Parry’s Creek, North-west Australia.

Nos. 109, Male; 279, Male; 329, Male—June and Septem-
ber, 1886.

Length, 7.2 to 7.8 inches. Irides, dull red; bill, dark
brown at the point, bluish at the base; legs and feet, yellow.

16. CHRYSAUCH@NA HUMERALIS INEXPECTATA. Western Barred-
shouldered Dove.

Geopelia humeralis inexpectata (Mathews), Nov. Zool., Vol.
XVIII., p. 186, 1912. Parry’s Creek, North-west Australia.

No. 222—Male. Length, 12.6 inches. (27/8/86).

No. 236. Length, 12.8 inchees. (29/8/86). Irides,
straw yellow; orbital space, rose pink; bill, very pale bluish
white; feet and legs, blood-red; nails, horn colour.

16. GEOPELIA PLACIDA PLACIDA. Northern Ground Dove.

MATHEWS—Birds of North and North-West Australia. 85

Geopelia placida (Gould), Proc. Zool. Soc. (Lond.), 1844, p.
55. Port Essington.

No. 85. Length, 7.3 inches. (2/6/86). Irides, grey; orbi-
tal space, grey; bill, brown; legs and feet, flesh colour.

No. 235—Female. Length, 8.3 inches. (29/8/86). Irides,
bluish white; orbital space, pale green; bill, “light brown,
becoming blue over the nostrils; feet and legs, flesh colour;
scales, purple.

No. 455—Male. Length, 8.4 inches. (27/10/86). Irides,
pale greenish white; orbital space and soft parts on bill,
beautiful pale greenish white, tinged with blue on the lores,
and slate colour showing chiefly on the soft parts of the bill;
feet and legs, fleshy white, with purple scales.

No. 462—Male. Length, 8.4 inches. (28/10/86).

17. STICTOPELEIA CUNEATA MUNGI. Western Spotted-shouldered
Dove.

Geopelia cuneata mungi (Mathews), Nov. Zool., Vol. XVIIL.,
p. 187, 1912. Mungi, North-west Australia.

No. 238—Male. Length, 8.2 inches. (13/7/86).

No. 457—Female. Length, 7.9 inches. (27/10/86). Ivrides,
red; eyelids, brown; orbital space, red; bill, dark brown, with
its soft parts of a leaden colour; legs and feet, white.

18. PHAPS CHALCOPTERA CONSOBRINA. Northern Bronze-
winged Pigeon.

Phaps chalcoptera consobrina (Mathews), Nov. Zool., Vol.
XVIII., p. 188, 1912. Parry’s Creek, North-west Australia.

No. 318==312—Male. Length, 14.1 inches. (13/9/86).

No. 233—Female. Length, 13.3 inches. (12/7/86). Ivides,
brown; bill, dark brown; legs and feet, red.

A nest containing two young, about a fertnight old, was
found on 13/10/86. The nest (which is a very slight struc-
ture and exceedingly small for the bird, is composed of twigs,
and put together very roughly, like the majority of nests of
the Colwmbidae) was placed in a smal!i tree about 9 feet from
the ground. On going near the tree the old bird left very
quietly (and not with the noise always made with the wings
as these birds take flight), and, flying to the ground about 10
vards from the tree, appeared to have a broken leg or wing.
Suspecting these actions the bird was nevertheless followed

86 MATHEWS—Birds of North and N orth-West Australia.

for some 25 yards, when it flew up and went away. quite
strong.

19. HISTRIOPHAPS HISTRIONICA ALISTERI. Northern Flock
Pigeon.

Phaps histrionica alisteri (Mathews), Nov. Zool., Vol.
XVIII., p. 189. 1912, Parry’s Creek, North-west Australia.

No. 117. Length, 11.9 inches. (12/6/86). Irides and
naked skin round the eye, black; bill, black; feet and legs,
lilac, tinged on the back of the tarsus and soles of the feet
with pink.

No. 123—Male., Length, 11.8 inches. (12/6/86).

No. 124—Male. Length, 11.9 inches. (14/6/86).

No. 157—Male. Length, 11.6 inches. (20/6/86).

No. 185—Male. Length, 11.9 inches. (26/6/86).

Nos. 198, 199—Female. Length, 115 inches. (27/6/86).

20. LOPHOPHAPS FERRUGINEA MUNGI. Pale Red-plumed Pigeon.
Lophophaps ferruginea mungi (Mathews), Nov. Zool., Vol.

XVIII., p. 190. 1912, Mungi, North-west Australia.
No. 383—Male. Length, 8.7 inches. (9/10/86).
No. 384—Female. Length, 7.7 inches. (9/10/86).
No. 385. Length, 7.9 inches. (10/10/86).

No. 394—Male. Length, 8.1 inches. (12/10/86).

No. 395—Male. Length, 7.8 inches. (12/10/86).

No. 396—Female. Length, 7.7. inches. (12/10/86).
No. 397—Female. Length 7.9 inches. (12/10/86).
No. 405—Female. Length, 8.1 inches. (14/9/86).
No. 464—Male. Length, 8.1 inches. (28/10/86).
No. 470—Male. Length, 7.9 inches. (28/10/86).
No. 472—Female. Length, 8.1 inches. (29/10/86).
No. 475—Female. Length, 8 inches. (29/10/86).

No. 474—Male. Length, 7.8 inches. (29/10/86).

No. 379—Male. Length, 8.7 inches. (8/10/86). Irides,
bright orange, of a redder and more fiery tint next the pupil;
eyelid and naked skin round the eye, bright coral red; bill
and soft skin round nostrils, black; feet and legs, deep lead,

Order Passiformes, Family Zosteropidae, Genus Zosterops. 87

with a purplish tint, which is more conspicuous on the back
of the tarsi; claws, black.

No. 380—Male. Length, 8.1 inches. (8/10/86). In their
flight these birds somewhat resemble the quail, but do not
fly.so swiftly; they make a noise very similar to that bird on
rising, but fly straighter and to about the same distance, the
latter portion being accomplished with outspread wings. On
regaining the ground they run quickly, and are very quail- -like
in their movements. During the heat of the day, when in the
shade it is about 105 to 110, these lovely birds may be seen on
the bare sandstone rocks in the full enjoyment, apparently, of
the sun’s powerful rays, and when in such a position are with
great difficulty seen, owing to the similarity, of the colour of
the stone. They appear very easily killed; indeed, some shot
at 25 yards with small collecting charges (viz., 4 drachm
powder and some dust shot) were quite dead. If wounded
they flutter, and the feathers come out in large quantities.
They are difficult birds to skin, as both skin and flesh are very
tender and difficult to separate. They are good eating.
Although there are generally from 6 to 15 in a flock they do
not fly together as quails do, but go off in twos or threes, often
in quite opposite directions. They make no note, and only
once were seen to perch on a dead fallen tree.

21. OcyPHAPS LOPHOTES WHITLOCKI. Western Crested Pigeon.
Ocyphaps lophotes whitlocki (Mathews), Nov. Zool., Vol.
XVIII, p. 191. 1912, East Murchison, West Australia.
No. 516—Female. Length, 13.2 inches. (5/11/06).
No. 517—Male. Length, 13.4 inches. (5/11/86).
. MIcROTRIBONYX VENTRALIS TERRITORII. Northern Black-
tailed Native Hen.
Tribonyx ventralis territoriti (Mathews), Nov. Zool., Vol.
XVIII, p. 195. 1912, Alexandra, Northern Territory.

bo
~l

Order Passeriformes, Family Artamidae,
Genus Pseudartamus.

Pseudartamus cyanopterus—The Wood Swallow.

Description.—Head, neck, and breast light fuliginous
grey, gradually becoming darker on the back, rump, abdo-

88 Order Passiformes, Family Artamidae, Genus Pseudartamus.

men, and flanks; upper and under tail coverts almost black;
lores and feathers at the base of the lower mandible dusky;
outer surface of wings dark slaty blue; outer web of second,
third and fourth primaries white; under wing coverts white;
under surface of primaries and secondaries ashy grey; tail
black, broadly tipped with white; the two central tail feathers
and the outer webs of the two outer tail feathers entirely
black; bill light slaty blue, tipped with black; legs and feet
lead colour; iris brown. There is little or no difference
between the male and female. Young.—Brownish grey above
and below, each feather with a broad whitish shaft streak;
primaries and secondaries narrowly edged with greyish buff.

Total length of skin, 170 m.m.; wing, 130 m.m.; tail, 80
m.m.; tarsus, 20 m.m.; bill, 16 m.m.

Distribution.—All the southern parts of this State. It
does not extend into the dry interior, its place being there
taken by Austrartamus melanops. It is also found in Victoria,
New South Wales, Southern Queensland, and Tasmania.

Habits.—It is a resident bird in South Australia, though,
perhaps, not so plentiful in winter as in spring and summer:
possibly there is a partial migration or they may wander in
search of better food supplies.. Odd pairs have been known
to stay in the same locality for several years. They lke open
forest country rather than thick scrub. Most of their time is
spent upon the wing, looking for insects, or perched in com-
panies upon a bare tree limb, fence, or telegraph wire, from
whence they sally forth to catch any passing insects, return-
ing to the perch with their capture. When perched in this
way they have a habit of lifting one wing, partially opening
it as though to stretch it and closing it again: this is repeated
many times. After nesting time they congregate in parties
of from 10 to 40 in number, and occasionally in much larger
flocks. They do not nest in companies: each pair keeps to
its own beat, and drives away all intruders of the same species.
At this time they will attack any birds or animals, large or
small, which come near the nest, and will even attack man,
Swooping swiftly down up him with harsh cries, and snapping
the bill. In the non-breeding season they roost in companies,
having the peculiar habit of clinging together in a bunch like
a swarm of bees. Favourite roosting places are the thickish
branch of a tree with rough bark. such as a peppermint, a
thick bunch of gum leaves, or the butt of a mistletoe. The

Order Passeriformes, Family Artamidae, Genus Pseudartamus. 89

first birds arrive at dusk, and get a firm foothold upon the
roosting place, and the others cling on to them as they arrive.
The same roosting place is used night after night. They
sometimes gather in the same way in the day time, particu-
larly on cold, misty, or drizzly days.

Food.—This is mostly taken upon the wing, much after
the manner of swallows, but they also search the bark of trees
for insects, clinging to it with the feet, and using the out-
spread tail as a support. Occasionally they take their food
upon the ground. It is not uncommon to see them searching
the flowers of eucalypti, hakea, and other flowering shrubs, but
whether for the nectar or for insects is not known. With this
possible exception the food consists entirely of insects of all
classes. They are especially fond of bees, and for that
reason are not beloved by the apiarist.

Flight—Graceful and gliding; very like that of swallows.

Song.—While hawking for insects or sitting upon a perch
they utter a single, rather harsh and plaintive note frequently
repeated. In the spring they have a continuous twittering
song, soft and musical, but so low pitched as not to be heard
at any great distance. When singing they have a habit of
wagging the partly outspread tail from side to side.

Nest.—Favourite nesting places are the top of a broken
off limb, between a piece of loose bark and the hole of a tree,
in a thick fork of a peppermint, or in the butt of a mistletoe.
The nest may be any height from the ground, from a few feet
to 40 feet or more, but is usually not more than 10 or 12 feet
up. Jt is rather a frail looking structure, but is really
strongly, though lightly, constructed. The materials are fine
twigs and dried grasses for the framework, and rootlets and
finer grasses for the lining. No soft material, such as fur or
feathers, is used. Two, sometimes three, broods are reared
in the season; the young birds of the first clutch being driven
away as soon os they are able to look after themselves. The
same nest ig sometimes used twice, but usually it is too dilapi-
dated, and is pulled to pieces to make way for a new one in
the same place. The breeding season lasts from August to
December. The usual clutch is three eggs, but sometimes
four, and semetimes only two are laid.

Eges—The ground colour varies from white, through
ereamy white, to light brown. They are spotted, mostly in a

90 WHITE—On some Pellets or Casts of a Screech Owl.

ring about the larger end, with dark brown, black, and dull
purple, the latter being semi-submerged.

Average measurement of 18 eggs, 2.33 em. x 1.73 ¢.m. |
Largest egg, 2.50 c.m. x 1.80 ¢.m.
Smallest egg, 2.25 «m. x 1.70 ¢.m.

On some Pellets or Casts of a
Screech Owl (Tyto alba delicatula, Gould).

By S. A. Waitt, M.B.O.U., R.A.O.U.

In a pine tree at the Reedbeds, near Adelaide, a screech
owl has been in the habit of resting during the daytime, from »
the last week in December, 1914, or possibly the first week in
January, of the present year.

In June a number of pellets were noticed under the tree,
and some of these were exhibited at a meeting of the Royal
Society of South Australia. Later more pellets were-gathered,
and it was thought that a paper dealing with these would be
of interest.

The screech owl (Tyto alba or Flammea flammea, “B.O.U.
List, 1915”) is widely distributed, being found in all the conti-
nents, and is known under many names, such as “Masked,”
“Delicate,” “Barn,” “White,” and “Screech” Owl,” and in New
South Wales sometimes as the “Night-hawk.” In England it
is commonly known as the “Barn Owl” (Stri« flammea, but now
as Flammea flammea). Many varieties or sub-species have been
named; our common sub-species as Stria delicatula, Gould; but
Mathews now refers to it as Tyto alba delicatula, and it will be
known in the near future as Flammea f. delicatula.

In common with other owls this species lives largely on
mice, rats, young rabbits, small birds, and night-flying insects;
bats and frogs are also eaten. The food is not passed through
the intestines as with most other birds, but after the nourish-
ment has been extracted from it, the waste parts are ejected
from the mouth as pellets, and from these the nature of the
food of the bird may be easily found out.

The screech owl lives a solitary life, except during the nest-

ing season. On mating a suitable hollow is found, and in this
the young are reared; these not coming into the open until}

WHITE—On some Pellets or Casts of a Screech Out. 91

they are practically able to take care of themselves; but on
the ground beneath the nesting hollow the pellets are always
numerous, although it is probable that these are from the old
birds only.

It is seldom to be seen away from watercourses, or at
least from permanent waterholes. Sudden cold seems to be
very injurious to it, as after every cold snap a few dead birds
may be picked up.

Whilst rabbit shooting by moonlight this owl has often
been observed flying low down over rabbit warrens, and to
suddenly clutch at some object with its claws: from examina-
tion of the pellets this object must often have been a young
rabbit; matured rabbits do not appear to be attacked. It has
also been observed alighting to capture crickets and other in-
sects.

Tt was once very common at the Reedbeds, but, like other
native birds, of late years has become scarce. <A few are, how-
ever, still to be heard at night, or occasionally may be seen
perched in some thickly foliaged tree during the daytime. Its
worst enemy is undoubtedly man, who, blaming it for killing
chickens, pigeons, and young game birds (usually due to the
rat) shoots it remorselessly.

Its hideous call, resembling the shriek of a child in agony,
and suddenly breaking the stillness of the night, also pre-
judices people against it. But the pellets from this single bird
are sufficient to prove that the species is one of the most use-
ful, if not actually the most useful one, that we have in Aus-
tralia. The Laughing Jackass (Dacelo gigas) has been seen on
several occasions to kill, or seriously injure, individuals, and,
in common with other owls, it is frequently mobbed by small
birds. Hawks have been known to attack it.

There can be no doubt as to the approximate
date when the particular owl, whose pellets are now
under consideration, began to frequent the pine tree,
as the ground beneath this had been raked over just
before Christmas, and no pellets were seen. It is also
certain that no other owl used the tree during the past year,
so that the whole of these pellets are from one bird. But
the same bird used other trees, and has now disappeared. It
is reasonable, therefore, to estimate that the total number of
pellets ejected for the six months is at least double that found
under the tree, or for a whole year four times that number. Of
the pellets the actual number obtained were:—

92 WHITE—On some Pellets or Casts of a Screech Owl.

Complete or almost so—172.
Partly broken up, or loose skulls—109.

These were presented to the Museum, and as it was con-
sidered desirable for Museum purposes that they should be
exhibited in mass, but seven complete ones were disintegrated
for examination. From these and from examination of pellets
generally, and from the loose bones, the following particulars
were prepared by the Entomologist, Mr. Arthur M. Lea, wha
also received much assistance as regards the identification of
bone contents from the Ornithologist, Mr. F. R. Zietz, the
Director, Mr. Edgar R. Waite, who also identified some of the
bones, and Dr. A. M. Morgan identified some sterna and skulls
of a few doubtful specimens. The pellets were estimated to
contain bones of vertebrates as follows :—

SPALLOWS!. py ony pede te eee aol
Starlings 25) 20 Ub ae aL
Musk Lorikeets .: 2. 2. 0
*Other small birds .... .. 5
Young Rabbits ........ 15
Bat Socuke & Bev er eee taal
POSS) 260 ce eee eS

Allowing, as previously surmised, that the bird ejected
as many elsewhere for the six months, a fair estimate for a
year’s destruction of various pests would be:—

Sparrows... seer O40
SPAMIN OS tl Aah tee ae eee
Mice. os evn) ene OU
Young Rabbits .. .. .. 60

In addition numerous rats and thousands of destructive
insects would be eaten. The bone contents of the seven disin-
tegrated pellets represented :—

1. Four mice.
2. Two mice, four frogs, and a jew lizard (Amphibolurus
barbatus).
. Two mice and seven frogs.
. One mouse and one young rabbit.
. One mouse and two sparrows.
. Three mice and one sparrow.
. Three mice, one young rabbit, and one frog.

“163 OU to

* Mostly Honey-eaters,

WHITE—Cn some Pellets or Casts of « Sereech Ovul. 93

The fact that a jew lizard was eaten is of interest as indi-
eating that possibly small snakes are also eaten, although no
bones of such were noticed in the pellets. No fragments of
egg shells were seen, and this is also of interest, as these are
so hard and indigestible that, had the owl habitually fed on
birds’ eggs, some fragments of these must’ have formed part
of the pellets. Very few birds’ claws were seen, and practi-
cally no flight or tail feathers. :

The following insects, or parts of the same, were identi-
fied as occurring in the pellets:—

Soldier ant (Myrmecia pyriformis).

Green-headed ant (Ectatomma metallicum).

Sugar ant (Camponotus sp.).

Mole cricket (Gryllotalpa coarctata).

Ground cricket (Gryllus servillet).

Large carnivorous cricket (Gryllacris sp.).

Introduced earwig (Labidura truncata).

Fragments of several kinds of cockroaches (Blattidae).

Numerous night beetles (Antitrogus burmeisteri).

Numerous dung beetles (Onthophagus pentacanthus).

Numerous large cockchafers (Anoplognathus odewahnii).

Some pellets were made up almost wholly of remains of
these beetles, and, owing to their loose construction, probably
others were broken up, and so not examined.

Thousands of fragments of small cockchafers of the genus
Heteronyx, probably of several species of these common night-
flying beetles.

Small stag beetle (Figulus lilliputanus).

Stag beetle (Lamprima varians).

Weevil (Desiantha maculata).

Weevil (Rhinaria tibialis).

Wire-worm beetle (Lacon caliginosus).

Night beetle (Pterohelaeus, 2 species).

Night beetle (Helaeus haagt).

Beech beetle (Caediomorpha heteromera).

This and the preceding species were probably taken during
a visit to the adjacent beach.

Longicorn beetle (Phoracantha recurva).

The pellets vary from the size of a small walnut to that of
ahen’segg. When first ejected they are covered with a slimy

» 94 WHITH—On some Pellets or Casts of a Screech Ouvl.

crust, but through which many bones project, the most com-
mon of these being heads, breast and leg bones of sparrows.
(Passer domesticus), and lower jaws and leg bones of mice. On
exposure to weather the pellets partially break up, and the
bones become more noticeable; still later the pellets fall to
pieces, but loose skulls, jaws, and other bones, are to be seen
in large numbers under the trees the owls frequent. The pel-
lets are also sometimes pecked to pieces by birds, in particular
by family groups of the “Happy Family” or “pwyelve Apostles”
(Morganornis superciliosus). The softer parts are often eaten
by larvae of clothes moths, by Museum beetles (Anthrenus and
Dermestes), Psocus, etc. Small spiders and ground mites are
also to be seen in*large numbers in them, On many pellets
sparrow skulls form the most conspicuous feature, but on
closer examination numerous lower jaws of mice become:
visible. On some of the larger pellets rabbit bones and jaws
may be easily made out. Only one jaw of a bat was noticed,
but doubtless had all the pellets been disintegrated others
would have been seen. Many pellets contained remains of
both sparrows and mice; some, remains of rabbits and mice;
others, at least two kinds of birds; and scattered generally
through them were the harder parts of insects. Occasionally
two sparrow skulls were distinctly visible in one pellet, and
rarely three. In one three mouse skulls were distinct. Very
many of the sparrow and starling (Sturnis vulgaris) skulls were:
smashed in at the base, this evidently having been done before
the birds were eaten.

The outer crust is frequently largely composed of the fur
of mice and rats, and the whisker hairs of rats and vabbits are-
always visible on the pellets containing bones of same. On
many pellets curious leathery objects were visib!*, and one
pellet was broken up to examine one of these closely, when it
was found to be portion of the stomach wall of a sparrow.
Pellets composed largely of the remains of mice break up less
readily than others, whilst those largely composed of remains’
of frogs and insects break up very easily. No doubt with mice
and birds the fur or feathers act as a kind of cement to bind
the whole.

Mr. J. W. Mellor recently presented to the Museum many
pellets of the same species of owl. These were found under
a pine tree at Lockleys, near Adelaide. The trunk of the tree:
is only about six yards from the back door of a newly-built
house, and the owl did not appear to be disturbed by the build-

ASH BY—Field Notes in the Blue Mountains. 95 -

ing operations. The pellets were certainly not older than a

year, and were remarkable for the large numbers of larvae of

clothes moths working in them. They were also being eaten

by numbers of a small introduced beetle (Ptinus fur). They

were estimated to contain bones of vertebrates as follows:—
; Sparrows (introduced) .. 465

Starlings (introduced) .. 10
Musk Lorikeets .. ...... 2
Other small birds .. .. .. 5
MICOk 3 os a. es cag ene 80
Ree gar) Skier 5
FOSS aes Sar ay 8 5

There was a striking difference between these and the first
lot examined, sparrow ‘skulls being far more numerous, and
jaw bones of mice much scarcer; no bones of rabbits were seen
in them. Three pellets were disintegrated for examination,
and their bone contents were as follows :—

1. Four mice and one sparrow.

2. Three mice and one sparrow.

5. Three sparrows.

A pellet found elsewhere contained bones of two mice and
a rat.

An owl found dead in July was handed to the Museum,
and Mr. Zietz found in its stomach remains of one mouse only.

In conclusion a paragraph may be quoted from Waterton,
dealing with this species of owl in England :—

“When it has young it will bring a mouse to the nest every
twelve to fifteen minutes. But in order to have a proper idea
of the enormous quantity of mice which this bird destroys we
must examine the pellets which it ejects from its stomach.
Every pellet contains from four to seven skeletons of mice. In
sixteen months from the time that the apartment of the owl on
the old gateway was cleaned out there has been a deposit of
above a bushel of pellets.”

Field Notes in the Blue Mountains.
By Epwin Asusy, M.B.O.U., R.A.0.U.

It was my privilege to spend the week-end June 12th last
at Woodford, in the Blue Mountains, N.S.W. The altitude is

‘96 ASHBY—Field Notes in the Blue Mouutains.

2,013 feet. The township is on a ridge, with steep gullies
falling away on either side. The smaller gully bottoms were
dense with shrubs, undergrowth, and ferns, though very few
tree ferns were seen, and no typical tree fern gullies.

Origima solitaria (Lewin)—Rock Warbler.—Was seen
running over the rocks early in the morning almost in the
township, and also again later in the day one was disturbed in
a small cave near the creek in the main gully. This bird we
watched for some time within a few yards of us, exhibiting no
signs of fear. It then flew on to the top of the rock beneath
which was the cave, and settled quite close to another of our
party.

Menura novaehollandiae (Latham)—Lyre Bird.—In a
branch gully, not far from the cave before mentioned, a freshly
made lyre bird’s nest was found. It was made of sticks and
fine twigs, and lined with still finer twigs and roots. It
appeared completed and ready for eggs. The hole was the
shape of a half circle, the straight line at the top, the top over-
hung making a sort of eves, no doubt to shoot the rain.

The nest was in the centre of a low grass tree
(Xanthorrhoea), which was growing close to the edge of a small
cliff. From the nest quite an extensive view down the gully
could be obtained. .

I sat for half an hour near the nest next day, hoping to
get a sight of or to hear a sound of the birds, but neither
heard nor saw them. .

In some dense scrub on the rising eround above the
locality of the nest were a number of open spots that had been
used by the birds as performing grounds. Some were old
ones, but one or two evidently quite recent.

I saw no sericornis, although the country seemed so suit-
able.

Pycnoptilus floccosus (Gld.)—Pilot Bird——Two specimens
of this interesting bird were obtained. They were both in the
gully bottoms, and were creeping about under the fern in the
silent mouse-like manner of a sericornis. I heard one early
in the morning much higher up the gully, but evidently the
birds were not calling, as that was the only time that I heard
its crv, “a guinea a week.” .

Acanthorhynchus tenuirostris (Latham)—Spinebill.—These
lovely little birds were exceedingly numerous and very tame,

ASHBY—Field Notes in the Blue Mountains’ 97

also they were in full song, which was not the case with any
other birds. Several times one would settle within a yard
or so of me and pour out its sweet little song.

Phylidonyris pyrrhoptera (Latham)—Crescent Honey-eater.
—This bird was everywhere.

Lophoptilotus melanops (Latham)—Yellow-tufted Honey-
eater.—One of this lovely species of honey-eaters came and
sat within a couple of yards of me, and I got a good oppor-
tunity of watching it.

Nesoptilotis leuwcotis (Latham)—White-eared Honey-eater.
—These were very numerous. Its well-known “bull frog” note
was one of the commonest sounds in the bush in the latter
part of the afternoon.

Strepera graculina—White Pied Crow-shrike.—A flock of
these birds were busy picking up fallen apples in a small
orchard in the township. ‘Their loud, not unmusical, cries
were common sounds in the morning and evening. They are
most destructive in the apple orchards.

Platycercus elegans (Gmelin)—Crimson Parrot.—Were ir
small flocks.

Calyptorhynchus (sp.)—Several Black Cockatoos were
both seen and heard, but was unable to identify the species.

Callocephalon galeatum (Latham)—Gang-gang Cockatoo.—
Several small flocks seen.

Pachycephala pectoralis (Latham)—White-throated Thick-
head.—No males seen, and not once were their notes heard,
but a female was shot. One wondered whether this species
had gone nearer the plains for the winter, as one would have
expected to find it one of the commonest species.

Acanthiza lineata goulburni (Mathews)—Striated Tit, and
Acanthiza pusilla—White Brown-tit.—Were both common.

Eopsaltria australis—White Yellow-breasted Shrike-
robin.—These charming birds were very numerous round the
house on the top of the ridge, and seemed to frequent the more
open spaces on the top of the hill rather than the denser
gullies.

98 WHITE—A. Sketch of the Life of Samuel White.

A Sketch of ‘the’ Lite’ ‘of Samuel White
Ornithologist, Soldier, Sailor, and Explorer.

[By His Son, 8. A. WHITE. ]

VI. THE ORNITHOLOGIST.

Samuel White with his wife, returned to South Australia
in the ship “Murray,” landing on July 29th, 1876, after a most
eventful and trying voyage. Fearfully rough weaiher accom-
panied the ship all the way. Taking the route around Cape
Horn, the ship was three weeks in the ice, lost a mast, and was
knocked about generally. From letters and rough notes I find
that my father, in 1871, was on his way to Queensland, bent on
an ornithological expedition. The records of this trip are
meagre, simply a few scant notes stating that a large collection
of birds and natural history specimens was taken.

In April, 1872, Samuel White again sailed for England,
this time in one of the early steamships. This was a business
trip in connection with estate matters, which required his pre-
sence in London. In some rough notes on the voyage, he
speaks of the boat calling at Albany. ‘We had a great
scramble to get on shore,’ he said, “there were few boats and
the sea was running high, and the passengers and luggage
were soaked by the seas. The chief hotel, which was a very
poor place, was soon reached. The weather being stormy, I
did not go out until after dinner. The harbour is a beautiful
little basin of an inlet from the eastward. The town is scat-
tered, and the houses small. It is one of the sleepiest places
I have ever been in. In the afternoon I set out from the back
of the town proceeding for about two miles, and found the
country as far as I could see, covered with scrub-—it put me
‘much in mind of the black swamps in South Australia—but
the eucalypti were stringy-bark and calophila. Upon my
return I visited the naturalist of the town, a Mr. Maxwell, an
old man of the last century. He knew how to ask for money
for the few curios he had, wanted £1 per dozen for Buprestis
beetles, many species being those I already have. Return-
ing to the hotel ended my first ramble in Western Australia.

The land appears very poor, undulating white sand, covered
with scrub, great boulders of granite cropping up in every
‘direction. The scrub is very beautiful in itself. There is a
greater variety of banksia here than I have ever seen before.

Samuel W hite. 99

WHITH—A Sketch of the Life of

Some of them have large blossoms, a foot long, cthers were
small, but exquisitely beautiful. I did not see any birds.
Next day, as the ‘Bangalori’ had not arrived, I made an ex-
«ursion in the opposite direction to the route taken the pre-
vious day. Had not gone far when a magnificent calestemon
was discovered in full bloom. It really looked beautiful, with
its profusion of flame-coloured or orange-scarlet-blossoms. The
country seemed of the same poor description. A few casua-
rina were seen about 20 feet high. JI am told that this
tree grows in good soil very tall, with straight boles four or
five feet in diameter. No birds were seen, Getting wet
through returned to the settlement. I find there is a brisk
trade doing here in curiosities, such as cockatoos, rugs, skins,
black-fellows’ implements, quondong stones, anything for
money without much trouble.” Notes further on speak of sea-
birds occasionally seen, and of many tropical birds of Ceylon,
where the ship called, then he speaks of numerous kites at
Aden, which were likened to our Milvus affinus, with a note
stating that the call of both birds is similar. Passengers left
the steamer at Suez in those days, and took train to Alexan-
dria, to again board a steamer for Europe. In his notes Sam-
uel White regrets taking the rail journey by night, for he only
saw about thirty miles of the country after daylight, and
speaks of a light grey bird with white tails; also of the crops
of the surrounding country being taken off on camels, and
square plots being flooded in for rice cultivation. He did not
remain long in England, but while there, independent of his
business, he spent some time with the bird men of the old
country, and at the British Museum. After Samuel White
returned a few years elapsed before he took another big trip,
but we know that during that time, he was putting in much
good ornithological work. He had always a yacht in commis-
sion, and if not making trips inland with a covered van, con-
structed for the purpose, he was cruising amongst the islands
off the Australian coastline. In these trips his wife and family
accompanied him. During all this time he was building up a
wonderful collection of bird skins, and a knowledge of Aus-
tralian birds not yet equalled by any field worker in the world.
An ardent ornithologist in those days worked alone, for he
was looked upon by the average man as being deficient in in-
tellect. There was no assistance or encouragement from scien-
tific bodies, but for all that the subject of this sketch was so
engrossed with the wonderful science of ornithology that it
was his one great aim in life, an ever absorbing hobby.

100 WHITE—A Sketch of the Life of Samuel White.

In 1878 North Queensland seems to have again called Sam-
uel White, and he set out well equipped for a lengthy sojourn.
in the Cape York peninsula and the surrounding islands. In
a letter to his wife headed, “Somerset, September: 25, 1878,”
he says, “I have just returned from a cruise amongst the
islands in Torres Straits. I am quite well, no fever yet, though
many around me have it. I have my headquarters with Mr.
Jardine still, he is really one of the nicest fellows I ever met,
his kindness and hospitality is unceasing. I have been able to
make a cruise of about 400 miles amongst the islands lately,
and hope next week to be able to get away amongst another
lot of islands. . . . I have been here some time, but will
not-leave until after December. It is a long way to this place
(about 3,000 miles), and I came too early, as the season does
not begin till late in October, I want to do all I can while
here.” Later he goes on}to say, “I have been all this day
putting away and labelling my specimens procured during the
last trip among the islands. I have only been away fifteen
days, and brought back a fine lot of skins, mostly sea-birds.
Then I have sea and land shells, crabs, botanical specimens,
and a thousand and one natural history specimens. I have
not the space here to describe the lovely islands we called at,
where cocoanuts and bananas grow wild, and the natives are
yellow-skinned and straight-haired (New Guinea tribes). The
weather has been very disagreeable, always blowing a gale,
heavy squalls. The excessive skinning is making my finger-
nails part from the flesh into which the arsenic penetrates,
causing a festering sore, and I suffer great pain, but there, I
should bear it cheerfully when I am getting so many rare
bird skins.”. . . . Ofa later date still, a letter contained the
following, “The weather now is very hot in the scrub, the wind
has been blowing a gale ever since I have been here, never ceas-
ing, always fromthe south-east. This is the south-east season,
and when the north-east trades set in, then comes the birds
and mosquitoes. The sand-flies here are very bad, wherever
they bite me the place rises into a festering pimple. Insects
never made a mark on me before. In a fortnight I will make
another trip to the islands in Torres Straits. First to Moa
and Bardo, where there are some shelling stations. Hope to
be gone about a month, then return to Somerset. The right
season is setting in now, and I hope to procure a great many
bird skins, unless I am attacked by fever. Somerset is a
pretty place, Mr. Jardine is sole proprietor, all other people
here, principally blacks, are his servants. The scrub is very

WHITE—A Sketch of the Life of Samuel White. 101

thick hereabouts, and one has to be very careful not to get lost,
the first few times of entering it. I had a letter from poor
Broadbent who is at Port Moresby, he has had fever very
badly, but is recovering. It is trying work walking about in
the hot scrub all day, attacked by green ants and hornets. The
erass grows higher than a fellow’s head here.”

wee
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SOUTH AUSTRALIAN

ORNITHOLOGIST,

A Magazine of Omnithology.

Ist JANUARY, 1916.

EDITORIAL COMMITTEE :

R. CROMPTON, R.A.0.U.

A. M. MORGAN, M.B., Cu.B.
‘S. A. WHITE, M.B.O.U.

F. R. ZIETZ, R.A.O.U.:

Price, 2/s

THE

south Australian

ORNITHOLOGIST.

Editorial Commititee :

R. Crompton, R.A.O.U.
A. M. Morcan, M.B., Cu.B-
S. A. WHITE, M.BO.U.
BR ZIETZ RoACO: Ue

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—
,
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.
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i
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, :

CONTENTS.

The South Australian Ornithological Association — - - - :

Birds of the North and North-West of Australia (No. 5).
Gregory M. Mathews, F.R.S.E., F.L.S., M.B.O.U. - -

Order Passeriformes, Family Turdidae, Genus Ephthianura - -

A New Parrot for South Australia. S. A. White, M.B.O.U.,
R.A.0.U. - c = : : a E lL

The Migration of Swallows in South Australia. A.M. Morgan,
M.B., Ch. B.

Aquatic Birds breeding near Adelaide. A. M. Morgan, M.B., Ch.B.

A Sketch of the Life of Samuel W hite—Ornithologist, Soldier,
Sailor, and Explorer. By his son, S. A. White

109

113

122,

£4

os i Ey) hee

South Australian Ornithologist.

Vou. II] ist JANUARY, 1916. [Parr 5.

‘The South Australian Ornithological
Association.

There has been .a good average attendance for the last
three monthly meetings. The proceedings are as follows:—

September 24th, 1915.

Mr. Samuel Sanders exhibited a small case of mounted
_ birds, consisting of three species, and was highly compli-
mented upon his excellent work.

Mr. Bellchambers gave interesting notes upon the pelli-
can, describing their flight, food, and habits.

Mr. R. Zietz stated that several little pied cormorants
had been procured from the River Murray for scientific pur-
poses, and on the examination of stomach contents, it was
found that these birds were living entirely upon carp (often
ealled goldfish) and ‘“‘yabbies” (or crayfish).

The birds discussed during the evening were of the
genus Wilsonavis, Hthelornis, Heteromyias, Quoyornis, and
Tregellasia. A good collection of these birds was exhibited
from ,the Museum collection by Mr. Zietz.

October 29th, 1915.

A letter was read from the Secretary to the Commis-
sioner for Crown Lands, confirming the appointment of Mr.
Applecamp as:Custodian of the islands in the Coorong leased
to this Association.

Mr. Bellchambers, of ,Humbug Scrub, forwarded interest-
ing notes upon bird life in his district. Amongst others, he

108 The South Australian Ornithological Association.

Sass

stated that the black-throated grebes (Tachybaptus ruficollis
novae-hollandiae) had constructed their floating nest upon the
waters of a large dam, which he had enclosed to protect the
wild fowl and other native birds.

Mr. Arthur M. Lea, F.E.S., exhibited a case of tabulated
stomach contents of the English starling ,(Sturnis vulgaris).
These stomachs had been sent in by Capt. White and Mr.
Ashby. One of the leading features was the great quantity
of African boxthorn seeds found in the stomachs of these
birds, and the great harm done,by the birds distributing this
thorny plant. It was shown that many seeds and remains:
of insects and caterpillars were found in ,the stomachs. A
very important item was the discovery of maggots, or lavae,
of the blow-fly.

The evening was set apart for the examination of
material collected during a recent excursion made to ,Moo-
looloo, Flinders Ranges North. The trip was made under
the auspices of the Field Naturalists’ Section of the Royal
Society of South Australia. Capt. 8. A. White (President of
the Section) gave a brief outline of the trip and the country
worked, also field notes, with specimens collected, and des-
cribed a new sub-species of Barnardius barnardi as
Barnardius barnardi lindoi (Lindo’s Ring-neck Parrot).

Mr. J. W. Mellor showed a few specimens collected upon
the same excursion, amongst them Pomatostomus ruficeps.

Both Mr. Zietz (from Museum collection) and Mr. Ashby
showed a fine lot of material for comparison.

November 26th, 1915. |

Mr. Bellchambers gave some further notes upon the
black-throated grebe, and described how the young are
covered over in the nest for several days, and that they are
then protected under either wing of the adult bird. In this
way the young are conveyed about in the water and fed.

Mr. E. {Ashby exhibited a collection of skins lately pro-
cured in the Ilewarra district, N.S.W. <A. description of the
country collected in, and the flora, was given, also field notes
upon the ‘following specimens :—

Monarcha melanopsis (Vicillot).—Black-faced Flycatcher.

Howeavis rufifrons (Latham).—Rufous Fantail.

Rhipidura flabellifera alestri (Mathews).—White-shafted
Fantail.

MATHEWS—Birds of North and North-West Australia, 109

Belchera rosea (Gould).—Rose-breasted Robin.

Petroica multicolor coccinea (Peale)—Eastern Scarlet-
breasted Robin.

Hopsaltria australis (White).—Yellow-breasted Shrike:
Robin.

Pachycephala pectoralis (Latham). White-throated Thick-
head.

Zosterops lateralis (Latham)—White-eye.

Wilsonavis fusca (Gould)—Brown Fly-eater.

Climacteris leucophaea (Latham).—White-throated Tree-
creeper.

Acanthiza lineata goulburni (Mathews).—Striated | Tit.

Lamprococcyx plagosus (Latham).—Bronze Cuckoo.

Meliphaga lewini (Swainson)—Yellow-eared Honey-
eater.

Sericornis longirostris parvulus (Gould).—White-browed
Scrub Wren.

Birds of the
North and North-West of Australia.

By Grecory M. Maruews, F.R.S.E., F.L.S., M.B.O.U.

No. 5.

No. 258—Female. Length, 14.1 inches (2/9/86).

Irides, orange yellow; upper mandible, rather bright light
green at the base, and gradually shading into bright olive
green for the remainder of its length; lower mandible, dull
coral red at the base, becoming olive green towards the tip;
legs and feet, red.

No. 526—Female. (7/11/86)

28. PoRPHYRIO MELANOTUS NEOMELANOTUS. Northern Bald
Coot.

Porphryio melanotus neomelanotus (Mathews). Birds Austr.,
Vol. I., p. 246, pl. 60, 1911. Parry’s Creek. North-west Aus-
tralia.

No. 243—Male. Length, 17.5 inches (13/7/86).

No. 245—Female. Length, 17.5 inches (13/7/86).

LO: MATHEW S— Birds of North and North-West Australia.

No. 249—Male. Length, 18.8 inches (31/8/86).

Irides, red; bill and frontal plate, deep red; legs and feet,
flesh colour, with the scales on all the joints of an olive grey
colour.

No. 344—Male. Length, 18.8 inches (18/9/86).

Irides, hazel; bill and frontal plate, red, passing with
brown at the tip of the bill; legs and feet salmon colour,
darker or of a grey tint at the joints.

29. FULICA ATRA AUSTRALIS. Western Coot.

Fulica australis (Gould). Proc. Zool. Soc. (Lond.), 1845,
p. 2. West Australia.

No. 363—Male. Length, 15.6 inches (24/9/86).
No. 361—Female. Length, 14.6 inches (24/9/86).

29. PoDICEPS CRISTATUS CHRISTIANI. Tippet Grebe.
Podiceps cristatus christiani (Mathews). Birds Austr., Vol.
ip) 20s pot Ot Vactorial:

No. 360—Female. Length, 20.8 inches (24/9/86).

Shot in a large pool about two hundred yards across and
some three hundred long, with clear water in the centre, but
with thick weeds for some fifteen yards round the side, which
weeds grow below the surface of the water.

30. TACHYBAPTUS RUFICOLLIS PARRYI. North-western Black-
throated Grebe.
Podiceps fluviatilis parryi (Mathews). Nov. Zool., Vol.
XVIII., p. 197. 1912, Parry’s Creek, North-west Australia.
No. 231—Male. Length, 10.9 inches (12/7/86).
No. 232—Female. Length, 10 inches (12/7/86).

No. 333—Female. Length, 10.4 inches (30/7/86).

Irides, a fine line round the pupil bright white, succeeded
by a broad one of pale ochre, minutely freckled with black;
upper mandible, olive brown along the culmen, yellowish-
white on the sides from under the nostrils to the gape, where
the yellow becomes lighter; bluish horn on the sides from the
nostrils to the tip, which is white; lower mandible yellowish-
white, tinged with brown at the tip, base and skinny parts
greenish yellow; legs and feet, dark olive, much tinged with
yellow on the inside of the tarsi and on the broad webs of the
toes.

No. 337—Male. Length, 11.1 inches (30/7/86).

MATHEWS—Birds of North and North-West Australia. 111 ~

No. 338—Female. Length, 10.3 inches (30/7/06).

No. 339.—Female. Length, 10.1 inches (30/7/06).

No. 515—Female. Length, 10 inches (5/11/86).

They are wonderfully quick, and seem to dive at the flash
of the gun, as one often hits the very spot where they were.
They show very little of the body when swimming, and often
sink bodily, gradually, and not in any way disturbing the
water, but without any of the splash or kick-up which is gene-
ral when they dive.

45. GELOCHELIDON NILOTICA MACROTARSA. Gull-billed Tern.

Sterna macrotarsa (Gould). Synops., Birds Austr., Pt. ii.,
pl. 37. 1837, Victoria.

No. 204—Male. Length, 16.9 inches (28/6/86).

Irides, dark brown; bill and feet, black.

This bird had several grasshoppers in its stomach.

48. STERNULA ALBIFRONS TORMENTI. Western White-shafted
Ternlet.

Sterna sinensis tormenti (Mathews). Nov. ZOol., Vol. XVIII,
p. 210, 1912. Point Torment.

No. 127—Female. Length, 10.9 inches (14/6/86).
No. 178—Female. Length 9 inches (24/6/86).
55. ERYTHROGONYS CINCTUS MIXTUS. Western Red-kneed
Dotterel.

Erythrogonys cinctus mixtus (Mathews). Novy. Zool., Vol.
XVIII., p. 215, 1912. Parry’s Creek, North-west Australia.

No. 119—Immature. Length, 7.4 inches.

No. 120—Female. Length, 7.5 inches.

No. 121—Female. Length, 7.5 inches.

jrides, dark brown; bill, black; base of lower mandible,
reddish fiesh colour; tibia and knee, flesh colour; tarsus and
feet, bluish grey.

No. 122—Male. Length, 7.5 inches (12/6/86).

No. 177—Male. Length, 7.4 inches (24/6/86).

No. 300—Male. Length, 7.8 inches (10/9/86).

Bill, black, with basal two-thirds of lower mandible rose
pink, of which colour there is a line in front of the nostrils

on the upper mandible; tibia and tarsal joints, rose pink; tarsi
and feet, bluish lead.

112 MATHEWS—Birds of North and North-West Australia.

56. LOBIBYX MILES PERSONATA. Lesser marked Plover.

Lobivanellus personatus (Gould). Birds Austr., Vol. VI.,
pd. 10, 1842. Coburg Peninsula.

No. 181—Female. Length, 13.4 inches (15/6/86).

Irides, wattles, and bill, lemon yellow; tip of the bill,
brown; tibia, fleshy red; legs and feet, reddish flesh colour,
with the scales reddish brown; spurs on the wing, yellow.

They arrived near Derby on the 14th June, and were
found about the lagoon.

No. 136—Male (immature). Length, 13.2 inches (16/6/86).

No. 138—Male. Length, 13.5 inches (16/6/86).

No. 217—Female. Length, 12.2 inches (2/7/86).

No. 226—Female. Length, 13.6 inches (28/8/86).

No. 800—Female. Length, 13.3 inches (21/7/86).

60. ELSEYA MELANOPS RUSSATA. Western Black-fronted Dot-
terel.

Charadruis russatus (Gerdon). Madras Journ. Lit. Soc.,
Vol. XII., p. 218,,1840. India.

No. 196—Female. Length, 6.7 inches (27/6/86).

Irides, brown; eyelids, coral red; bill, orange at the base,
black at the tips; legs and feet, fleshy vellow.

No. 230. Length, 6.4 inches (7/7/86).

No. 317—Female. Length, 6.6 inches (14/9/86).

Irides, dark brown; eyelids, fleshy, and of a vermillion
colour; bill, reddish flesh at the basal two-thirds, remainder
black; legs and feet, flesh colour.

No. 414—Male. Length, 5 inches.

Eggs found 19/10/86, in a slight hollow in the sand on a
spot running out into the river.

No. 431—Male. Length, 6.3 inches (24/10/86).

No. 440. Length, 6.1 inches. aa

Eyelids, brownish olive; bill, olive at base, passing into
dark brown at the tip; legs and feet, flesh colour.

No. 441. Length, 6.1 inches. Same as above.

61. HIMANTOPUS LEUCOCHPHALUS ASsruILIs. Northern White-
headed Stilt.

Hypsibates leucocephalus assimilis (M athews). Nov. Zool.,
Vol. XVIII, p. 219, 1913, Parry’s Creek, North-west Australia,

Order Passeriformes, Family Turdidae, Genus Ephthianura. 113

No. 128—Female. Length, 12.5 inches (14/6/06).

Irides, dark reddish brown; bill, black; legs and feet,
pink, with a bluish tinge at the joints.

No. 180—Female. Length, 14 inches (25/6/86).

Bill, black, lighter at the base of the lower mandible.

No. 203—Female. Length, 14.1 inches (28/6/86).

No. 253—Female. Length, 14.4 inches (1/9/86).

Irides, red; bill, black; legs and feet, pink, inside of the
tibia and tarsi with a narrow stripe of a light lilac.

No. 484—Male. Length, 14.4 inches (25/10/86).

Order Passeriformes, Family Turdidae,
Genus Ephthianura.

Ephthianura albifrons—The White-fronted Chat or Tin-tac.

Description; (male)—Upper surface.—forehead, white;
crown of the head and occiput, black; back of neck, dark grey;
back, grey, cach feather with a broad band of dark brown
down its centre; rump, grey; upper tail coverts, black.

Under surface.—Chin, throat, and space round the eye,
white, joining up with the white of the forehead, below the
white a broad band of black crosses, the upper part of the
breast joining up with the black of the occiput; rest of under
surface, white; thighs, dull black, some of the feathers largely
tipped with white. Wing, dusky black. Tail—Two central
feathers, black; lateral feathers, black, with their inner webbs
largely tipped with white. Iris, .reddish buff; bill and feet,
black.

Total length (dry skin), 121 m.m.; wing, 70.m.m.; tarsus,
17 m.m.; bill, 10 m.m.

Female—The whole of the upper surface, brown, each
feather with a darker line down the centre. The white of
the throat has a tinge of grey, and the pectoral band is dull
black; abdomen, greyish white; flanks, grey. In some speci-
mens there is a whitish line over, and extending behind, the
eye. Wings, brown. Tail.Two centre feathers, brown;
lateral feathers, brown, tipped with white, as in the male.

‘Young ‘birds resemble the female, except that there is only
an indication of the pectoral band, which is brown, and the

114 Order Passeriformes, Family Turdidae, Genus Ephthianura.

feathers of the back lack the median dark line. Bill, brown;
legs and feet, brown.

Distribution.—All the southern parts of the State, in-
cluding Kangaroo Island. It has been recorded as far as 400
miles north of Adelaide, and possibly extends still further.
It is also found in Victoria, New South Wales, Tasmania, and
Western Australia.

Habits.—They frequent open plains and swampy lands—
samphire swamps and flats are favourite resorts. In the north
they inhabit lightly timbered country and salt bush plains.
They seldom perch in trees, but may often be seen on the tops
of the samphire bushes or on wire fences. They are sprightly
little birds, very pipit-like in their actions, running along the
ground, and bobbing the tail up and down at each stop. Most
of the food is taken upon the ground, though they occasionally
search thistles or low bushes for insects, and now and then
capture flying ants upon the wing. During the breeding
season they are found in pairs, but after nesting is over young
and old congregate in large flocks up to several hundreds,
which move about the country in search of food supplies.
They are nomadic rather than migratory, for some individuals
are to be found on the Adelaide plains at all times of the year.

Food.—Insects and their larvae, occasionally small seeds.

Flight—Low and jerky; not long continued, but when
gathered in flocks they sometimes fly very high, and for long
distances.

Song.—Consists of two or three simple notes. It is
uttered chiefly when on the wing. The alarm call ,consists
of two notes, said to resemble the words “tin-tac.” hence its
local name.

Nest.—They are very early breeders. Nests have been
discovered early in July, and the young have often left the
nest by,;the end of the month. The season extends until
December, two, and sometimes three, broods being reared
in that time. Both sexes sit, and when disturbed from the
nest they flutter along the ground as though legs or wings
were broken, or struggle on the back, as if in a fit, in order to
entice the enemy from the vicinity. The nest is always built
low down, often quite upon the ground in a tuft of couch
grass or rushes—more often a few inches to two or three
feet up in a samphire, salt bush, or thistle. Other favourite
breeding places are prickly acacia and gorse bushes. They
are favourite hosts of the narrow-billed bronze cuckoo. The

WHITE—A New Parrot for Sonth Australia. 115

nest is made externally of dry grass stems or fine twigs of
samphire, and lined with horse and cow hair; feathers are
not used. The egg cavity measures about 1? inches in dia-
meter by 14 inches deep. The eggs are three or four in
number. In the south three is the usual number, but in the
north, if the season be good, four are generally laid.

Eggs.—Ground colour white, sparingly marked ; with
small rounded spots, varying in colour from deep red brown
to black. The spots are grouped mostly about the large end,
but only occasionally form a distinct ring.

Average measurement of 14 eggs, 18.4 m.m. x 13.5 m.m.
Largest egg, 19.0 m.m. x 14.0 mm.
Smallest egg, 17.0 mm. x 13.0 m.m.

A New Parrot for South Australia.
By 8. A. Waits, M.B.O.U.

Barnardius barnardi Vindoi (subsp. n.)—Lindo’s Ring-neck
Parrot.

Frontal band, dark red; crown, dark brown, some of the
feathers tipped with bluish green; occiput, dark brown, crossed
by a deep band of light yellow; cheeks, bright greenish blue;
chest, bluish green; abdomen and under tail coverts, rich ver.
diter green, centre of abdomen crossed by a deep band of bright
orange yellow; primaries, blackish brown, external margins
deep royal blue; secondaries, first four feathers blackish
brown, externally margined with greenish blue, the remainder
having the external margins deep green; wing coverts, first
three feathers very pale blue, basil half bluish brown, the
remaining feathers shading from light yellow to green;
shoulders, bright blue; spurious wing, deep royal blue; back,
ereenish blue; two central tail feathers, rich green, slight
tinge of blue at the tip; the lateral feathers very pale blue,
basal half dark brown; upper tail coverts, rich verditer green;
bill, bluish white; feet, ashy grey. Type, a male, taken at Moo-
looloo, Flinders Range North, October 16th, 1915, by S. A.
White, and now in the “Wetunga” collection.

The female is much duller in colouration all over; the
abdominal band showing quite a reddish tinge.

116 MORGAN—The Migration of Swallows in S.A.

The immature male in first year’s plumage is paler
throughout, with the exception of the frontal band, which is
a lighter and brighter red; the abdominal band is very indis
tinct, but some of the feathers are tipped with red, giving the
abdomen a mottled appearance.

I have much pleasure in naming the above after J. W.
Lindo, Esq., the owner of Moolooloo Station, who is taking
such a great interest in the ornithology of his district, and has
given so much assistance to science generally.

The Migration of Swallows in South Australia.
By A. M. Morean, M.B., Ch.B.

Four swallows inhabit South Australia. They are the
Welcome Swallow (Hirundo neoxena), the Tree Swallow (Hylo-
chelidon nigricans caleyi), the Fairy Martin or Bottle Swallow
(Lagenoplastes ariel), and the White-breasted Swallow (Chera-
meeca leucosternon stone). None is ‘confined to South Aus-
tralia; the first three have been recorded from every part
of the Australian Commonwealth, the fourth from every State
except Tasmania, which it does not visit.

Authorities differ considerably in their opinions as to the
migratory habits of these birds on the Australian Continent.
As regards Tasmania, all are agreed that they are purely
migratory, leaving in the winter, and returning next summer
to nest. The fairy martin is probably only an occasional
visitor, since Littler (Birds of Tasmania) has not seen it.

Gould (Handbook of the Birds of Australia) says of the
welcome swallow :—“‘The arrival of this bird in the southern
portions of Australia is hailed as a welcome indication of the
approach of spring, and is associated with precisely the same
ideas as those popularly entertained respecting our own pretty
swallow in Europe. The two species are, in fact, beautiful
representatives of each other, and assimilate . . . in their
migratory movements.” Quoting Caley, he says further, ‘the
earliest period of the year that I noticed the appearance of
swallows was July 12th, 1803, when I saw two .. . The
latest period I observed them was 30th May, 1806, when a
number of them were flying high in the air.” Gould also says,
“a few stragglers remain in New South Wales during the
winter, but their numbers cannot for a moment be compared
with those observed in the summer.”

MORGAN—The Migration of Swallows m S.A. 117

Of the tree swallow he says, “It is a very common summer
visitant to the southern portion of Australia and Tasmania,
arriving in August, and retiring northward as _ winter
approaches.

Of the fairy martin that “It is dispersed over all the south-
ern portions of Australia, and like every other member of the
genus, it is strictly migratory.”

Of the white-breasted swallow, “It is a very wandering
species, never very numerous.”

North (Nests and Eggs of Birds found breeding in Aus.
tralia and Tasmiania) says of the welcome swallow, “After
the breeding season to a large extent it forsakes the streets
of Sydney during the day, congregating in large flocks about
Hyde and Cook’s Parks and the Sydney Domain. These
flocks may be seen, more particularly during dull weather,
from February to July, in some seasons returning to the city
about dusk, and perching for the night in a sheltered situa-
tion on some large building.” He says further, “At one time
I regarded these flocks as pre-migration meetings, but for
many years past I have noticed the birds remain here in flocks
throughout the winter, and then associate in pairs as the
spring ensues.” In the same work Dr. W. McGillivray says
that they are present throughout the year at Broken Hill.

Mr. T. Parish says that is a stationary species at Cobbora.,

N.S.W., and the late Mr. K. H. Bennett says it is stationary
at Moolah, in Central N.S.W.

North (op. cit.) says of the tree swallow that “it is freely
distributed from the end of March or April, but in mild
winters stragglers can be obtained throughout the year.”
Mr. Thos. P. Austin (op. cit.) says, “P. nigricans is very

plentiful about this district during the latter part of the
year, and usually departs again about the end of January.”

Dr. W. McGillivray (op. cit.), of Broken Hill, says, “P.

nigricans is a very common bird in the spring. . . . It
arrives early in the spring or late winter, August being the
usual month . . . a few birds remain throughout the

winter, but most leave here late in April or early in May.”

Mr. J. W. Mellor, of Fulham, S8.A., says, “P. nigricans
is migratory, but owing to putting up.a number of nesting
places many remain with us all the year round. Generally
large flocks congregate, and are often seen on the ground just
prior to leaving in the late autumn months, and they return
in large numbers about the end of July,”

118 MORGAN—The Migration of Swallows in 8.A.

Of the fairy martin North says, “In the neighbourhood
of Ashfield, five miles W. of Sydney, it usually arrives early
in August, and departs again about the end of April. It
is not, however, a strictly migratory species, for in very mild
winters it remains throughout the year.”

Hall (Insectivorous Birds of Victoria), says of the wel-
come swallow, “This beautiful creature of the air was quite
content, on account of the mild season of 1896, to remain in
Victoria.” Of the fairy martin he says, “This fairy-like
swallow arrives in Victoria towards the end of August, and
leaves again after the summer. If the winter is mild many
flocks will stay throughout the year.” Of the tree swallow
he says, ‘“‘P. nigricans, as well as I know, stays for the winter,
and breeds in the holes of trees,’ but in the next sentence
he says, ‘In a way it is a migratory bird, leaving after Feb-
ruary, and returning in August and September.”

Campbell (Nests and Eggs of Australian Birds) says of
the welcome swallow, “At such times (the breeding season)
the birds are more numerous in the southern parts of Aus-
tralia and Tasmania, moving, of course, to more northern
climes on the approach of winter. At Cardwell, which is
well within the tropics, Mr. K. Broadbent states it is a
stationary species, but their numbers must be considerably
augmented by southern birds . . . However, in many
southern parts they do not always retire northwards, indi-
viduals and small families remaining in their breeding places
during winter.” He gives instances of such. Of the tree
swallow he says, “It is a common visitor in summer to the
southern parts of Australia and Tasmania.” Of the fairy
martin he says, “It is more strictly migratory than the two
other swallows above mentioned, for after February or March
the birds are rarely seen except in the northern parts of the
Continent.” Of the black-and-white swallow he says, ‘This
is a stationary species.” =

Belcher (Birds of Geelong) says of the welcome swallow,
“The name welcome rather suggests return after a migration,
but the result of my observations goes to show that the
swallows never leave us at all, and are just as plentiful at
one time of the year as another.” Of the tree swallow he
says, “It is of that class which I have ‘infra Australian mig-
rants’ . . . My earliest note of their arrival is. of a
flock of a dozen or two . . . on September 8th, 1912.” Of
the fairy martin he says, “Odd birds may be seen in any

MORGAN—The Migr ation” of Swallows in S.A. Lg

month of the year, but the majority are true ‘infra Australian
migrants,’ coming to us to breed in September, and retiring
to more northern parts of the country (just how far north
they go is not known) about April.”

Leach (An Australian Bird Book), treating the swallows
as a group, says, “Migration is net complete,” and “that in
1910 (on account of the mild winter) there was probably
little migration.”

Mr. F. L. Berney (Emu, Vol. IV., p. 45) records the wel-
come swallow from Richmond, Flinders River, North Queens-
land, as a winter visitor, but says he has records from Octo-
ber to March. This may be meant for from March to Octo-
ber: He says the black-and-white swallow is present at
almost any time; it is irregular and uncertain, and does not
nest there. He says there are two lots of the fairy martin,
a summer and winter lot. _ The summer residents go north
in winter, and their place is taken by visitors from the south.
Both lots nest from December to February, and July to
August.

Mr. Mattingly (Emu, Vol. VI., p. 130) records a pair of
birds remaining in the same situation throughout the year
for twelve years, in North Melbourne.

Mr. C. A. Barnard (Emu, Vol. IX., p. 92) records fairy
martins building at Coomoboolaroo, Queensland, in May, then
leaving off on account of cold weather, returning to occupy
them in August.

Dr. McGillivray records all four species from the gulf
country of North Queensland; the black-and-white in March
and June, the others without dates.

The results of my own observations for South Australia
are that the welcome swallow is less numerous about Ade-
laide in the winter. They certainly do not all leave, nor by
any means all, for birds are quite commonly seen in all months
of the year. With the exception of the black-and-white
swallow they are, locally, the least numerous of the family.
They breed in senarate pairs, and leave their nesting places
as soon as the last brood is reared, all circumstances which
‘would lead one to believe that they have migrated or partly
migrated. I have never seen them gather in flocks, as re-
corded by Mr. North for New South Wales, though in the
autumn months one may sometimes see as many as 20 or 30
skimming the water in search of insects. Not only do a con-
‘siderable number of birds remain with us throughout the

120 MORGAN—The Migration of Swallows in S.A.

winter. but they even breed at that season. Mr. Justice
Murray found young birds in a nest in his stable at Magill in
June, and I saw birds building a nest under a verandah in
King William Street South on ist April, 1911. These birds
remained about the spot, but did not finish the nest until
September. In 1910 the same pair of birds built in the middle
of July. Capt. S. A. White has twice recorded them building
about the end of July at Fulham. I should say, without look-
ing up records, that July is our coldest month, and if the birds.
can maintain themselves and feed young in that month they
would have no difficulty in staying the whole winter. I
remember having seen, many vears ago, numbers of swallows
roosting in the reeds on Lake Alexandrina, but could not
remember the time of year or the species, so Capt. White, at
my request, wrote to Mr. F. G. Ayers, of Narrung. He replied
as follows, “Referring to your enquiries about swallows. I
do not remember ever seeing tree swallows roosting in the
reeds. The ordinary swallows almost invariably roost on
the drooping reeds on the lee side of the reed bunches, and
in the winter months, after a frosty night, I have often seen
up to eight and ten dead swallows on the water beneath their
roosting piaces. This often occurs when food is scarce, 1.e.,
when the Lakes are salt and few aquatic insects are about.”
Which goes to show that there, at any rate, swallows remain
throughout the winter in considerable numbers. I am con-
vinced that the tree swallow does not leave the plains at
any time of the vear. <A small colony of eight birds nest
under the roof of my neighbour’s house, the common hole of
entrance being opposite my dressing room window, so that I
have the opportunity of observing them every morning. During
the last three winters these birds have remained in the neigh-
bourhood, and used the ‘nesting place for roosting, though
they do not begin to carry nesting material until the middle
of Julv. I was formerly of opinion that these birds migrated
from the fact of their gathering. in large flocks upon the
ground during February and March. One such gathering
place used to be on the North Park Lands, where the Corpora-
tion nursery now is. I observed this flock for three vears in
succession, and found that they did not leave in a body, but
that the flocks dwindled away gradually till about the end of.
March, when none were left. They begin to gather about
the end of January, quickly increasing in numbers, until the
end of February, and then, as above. Sinee the Nursery and
University Oval have been established they no longer gather
there, but on any day of the year numbers may be seen in the

MORGAN—The Migration of Swallows in S.A. 121

air or skimming the water of the Torrens Lake or the ponds
in the Botanic Gardens. These swallows breed in companies
when the circumstances are favourable, such as a large gum
tree with many small hollows, a house with convenient holes
under the eaves, or where nesting places have been provided
for them, as at “Holmfirth,” the residence of Mrs. Mellor. For
the most part these companies split up after the nesting
season, re-unite in larger groups, and leave the immediate
locality, which circumstance has given rise to the common
belief that they are migrating. The fairy martin, in my
experience, is a purely migratory bird in the southern parts
of South Australia. They arrive in September, the earliest
date I have record of is September 13th, 1914, when numbers
of them were busy building new nests and repairing old ones.
They had not returned on September 5th, 1915. I have no
exact record as to. when they leave, but have never seen a
bird after the 1st April. I do not know of any breeding
place on the plains at the present time, though they are said
to have nested near Morphettville in days gone by, but they
breed in numbers in many of the gullies of the Mount Lofty
Range, wherever they can get water and suitable nesting
sites. At Laura they were purely migratory. However, they
did not visit that town every year, but at Wirrabara, 11 miles
north of Laura, they were regular visitors, and were there
purely migratory. Indeed, I think they would perish if they
remained through an average winter, for the late Mr. Malcolm
Murray informed me that he found dozens dead in their nests,

—

where they seem to have crowded for warmth, after a late |

frost at the end of September in, I think, 1894. In the
Gawler Ranges in August, 1902, though there were plenty of
old nests, not a single bird was seen from Yardea to Port
Augusta, though I saw them near Mount Gunson on August
6, 1900, flying over a waterhole, but they had not yet started
nesting.

The white-breasted swallow is at any time an uncommon
bird in the Adelaide district, so it is difficult to say whether
they are here migratory or not. I have never seen a bird in
this locality earlier than September or later than April. At
Laura, 140 miles north of Adelaide, they were purely migra-
ting, coming to breed in September and leaving in March.
At Port Augusta, about 60 miles further north, they are a
resident throughout the year. Laura is 700 feet above sea
level, and has a very cold winter. Port Augusta is not so cold.
They were also said to be resident at Mount Gunson, but T
have no accurate winter observations for there.

122 MORGAN—Aquatic Birds breeding neur Adelaide.

Aquatic Birds breeding near Adelaide.
By A. M. Morean, M.B., Ch.B.

On October 2nd, 1915, I had an opportunity, in company
with Mr. C. F. Rischbieth, of visiting a samphire swamp on the
Adelaide plains, where stilts were said to be nesting. When
still about a quarter of a mile from the swamp we were met
by a few white-headed stilts (Himantopus leucocephalus), which
settled on the ground, and began to dance about with the wings
drooping, in a helpless kind of way. As we got nearer more
birds arrived from the swamp, and acted in the same way; ail
were at the same time uttering their bark-like notes. Oz
entering the swamp Mr. Rischbieth almost at once found a
nest containing a single egg, and as we got towards the centre
nests became plentiful. About 20 nests were seen altogether,
containing mostly three or four eggs, one only contained five.
The nests were substantial structures built of samphire twigs,
and placed on the top of samphire bushes growing in the water.
Although so large they harmonised so well with their sur-
roundings that they were by no means conspicuous, and on
several occasions each of us waded within a few feet of a nest
without seeing it. There had evidently been a recent rise in
the water level, for two submerged nests were found, from one
of which three eggs had been washed out, and were lying on
the bottom. These eggs were taken, and on being blown
proved to be slightly incubated. While hunting about for
stilts’ nests I found a grebe’s nest with three eggs, covered
over with green water weed. I supposed it was that of the
hoary-headed grebe, as that is the commonest species in the
locality, but on walking over to a patch of clear water, where
some grebes were swimming, I was surprised to find that they
were all black-throated grebes (Tachybaptus ruficollis novae-
hollandiae). Afterwards about 15 grebes’ nests were found,
all except two were built in low samphire bushes level with
the water, and were simply a mass of green water weed; the
two exceptions were floating among some short green rushes.
The nests contained from one to four eggs, most of them three.
The nests containing one egg were evidently incomplete
clutches, as the egs were white, and were not covered over.
Probably the theory that the eggs were covered for warmth
and not concealment is correct, as the white fresh eggs are
much more conspicuous than the nest stained partly incubated
ones. One submerged nest was found. A nest of the red-kneed

WHITE—A Sketch of the Life of Samuel White. 123

dottrel (Erythrogonys cinctus) was found built of small sam-
phire twigs and placed in the top of asamphire bush. It con-
tained three slightly incubated eggs. This is the first time
I have heard of this bird building a nest. As a rule the eggs
are laid on a bare mud bank, surrounded by water, but in this
case the swamp was so full that there was no suitable bank
available, so the birds had evidently adapted themselves to
circumstances. Mr. Tom Carter, of Western Australia, men-
tions (Mathews’ Birds of Australia, Vol. III.) that he found
the nest of the Western Australian sub-species “well con-
cealed in a tuft of samphire,” but says nothing of the construc-
tion of the nest.

A flock of 20 marsh terns (Hydrochelidon leucopareia fluvia-
talis) were flying over the swamp, and judging by the clamour
they made when we approached some scanty nests built of
green rushes, they were intending to breed, but no eggs were
found.

In company with my son I visited the swamp again on
- October 16th. The stilts and grebes had nearly all hatched
their young, and the marsh terns had disappeared. We did
not succeed in finding a single stilt chick, though there must
have been many of them about. I have never yet seen the
chick of this bird. Young ones, just able to fly, are common
enough, as are old birds and eggs. I fancy the chicks must
be adepts at concealing themselves. On this second visit a
pair of red-kneed dottrels evidently had eggs or young in the
vicinity. I fancy the latter, for we quartered the ground, and
searched for the eggs for nearly an hour withont finding them.
The behaviour of the old birds was most interesting, especially
one manoeuvre of falling into the water as though shot, and
lying partly submerged and feebly flapping with the wings.
aed rose easily from the water when we left the neighbour-
ood.

A Sketch of the Life of Samuel White—
Ornithologist, Soldier, Sailor, and Explorer.
By His Son, 8S. A. WHITE.

VII. THE ORNITHOLOGIST.

We are now approaching the last few months of my
father’s life, months full of activity and ornithological work.

124 WHITE—A Sketch of the Life of Samuel White.

He returned from Cape York and New Guinea in the early
part of 1879, and, on making a trial of his new steam yacht,
“The Eclipse” (the machinery for which he had imported from
England), he found that the steamship drew too much water
for successful navigation in the shallow seas to the east of
Australia. She was disposed of, and Samuel White set about
the building of a new craft, and this time it was built of red
gum, to resist the coral reefs. All the timber was sawn from
trees on his estate at the Reedbeds, and he was very particular,
examining every plank before it was used. It: can be well
understood that all his time and energy was required for the
execution of this big undertaking. J will now quote an article
which appeared in the daily press of April 7, 1880, the day
upon which Samuel White started upon his last expedition.

Under the heading “Scientific Expedition to New Guinea,”
the writer says:—‘Amongst the men who contribute to the
fame of a new colony, but whose deeds are as unostentatious
as their names, were once unfamiliar to the old world beyond
the seas, are some of the sons of our old colonists, who ven-
ture forth into the unexplored regions of the interior in search
of new country, and endure the most extreme hardships in
their pursuit after wealth. There are few, however, who, with
ample means at their command, would give up the comforts
and luxuries of home life to risk unforeseen dangers and pri-
vations in the field of scientific research—the object of whose
life would be the collecting and classification of specimens of
the flora and fauna of the South; the gathering of shells that
stud the seashore, of fossils that lie hidden in caves, or the
capture of winged denizens of the air, whose brilliant plumage
is a charm for ever in the eves of the ornithologist.

“Some six miles out of Adelaide, on the road to Henley
Beach, stands a handsome, well-built residence, portions of
which have only recently been completed, while other parts
of the homestead exhibit unmistakeable signs of age. This
is the abode of the son of one of our earliest settlers, Mr. John
White, who arrived in the Colony in 1836. Mr. Samuel White,
possessed of ample means to live a retired life, has displayed a
passion for ornithology, and in his pursuit of specimens of
the feathered tribe has explored nearly every portion of the
Australian Continent, and now intends to carry his investi-
gations into a more distant region. Mr. White first commenced
his scientific travels about the year 1862, when he endeavoured
to sail up the Murray River, but being baffled in this, he made

WHITE—A Sketch of the Life of Samuel White. 125

his way on land, with but one companion, into the interior
beyond Lake Hope. This trip took some considerable time,
and the naturalist met with great difficulties in getting part
of his collection within the bounds of civilization. After some
minor expeditions in 1868 he traversed the greater part of
Queensland, landing at Cleveland Bay, and following the
River Burdekin for a few hundred miles. His brother,
William, accompanied him on this trip, and suffered so much
from the effects of it that he has never ventured on another.
Fever, ague,. encounters with the blacks, and being reduced
to a state of starvation were amongst the privations these
venturous ornithologists had to endure. On his return to his
home Mr. Samuel White informs us that he discovered a ‘fair
specimen’ that he captured by fairer means than by the use
of his rifle—his wife, and after the wedding tour in England
he made another exploring trip to Cleveland Bay, Cooktown,
and Trinity Bay, and in the dense tropical forests there caught
the fever, and was laid up for a considerable time. He would
have died had it not been for the attention and kindness of
the natives. He was taken by a Batavian steamer to the
nearest point to New Guinea—Thursday Island—and after
that spent some considerable time on the south coast of New
Guinea, principally in the Papuan Gulf, on Yule Island up
the Katow River, and often in company with the Torres Strait
‘pirates.’ He was quite alone, but went amongst the natives
and ‘pirates’ with perfect immunity from harm. He describes
the ‘pirates’ as being a most genial and hospitable set of
pearlers, and says he was never better treated in his life than
on the shell boats which belonged to them. During the
twelve months he was on the New Guinea coast he collected
about 800 bird skins, and since his return twelve months ago
he has stored them away till his return from the next expe-
dition. Unable to rest ashore, and enjoy the quiet routine of
life at the Reedbeds, Mr. White has determined upon making
another exploring expedition to New Guinea, and for that
purpose has had constructed a schooner yacht of 80 tons, in
which he will sail for his destination to-day. He will take his
wife and family with him to Sydney. Two naturalists, or taxi-
dermists, will accompany the expedition, Mr. F. W. Andrews,
who is well known in this Colony, and Mr. J. Cockrell, who has
collected largely in the Southern seas. A captain, chief officer,
and twelve hands will compose the crew. Mr. White has
named the craft the ‘Elsea,’ after his wife. He proposes to
finish fitting out in Sydney, then to proceed with all haste up
the coast to catch the first of the south-east trade winds, pro-

126 WHITHE—A Sketch of the Life of Samuel White.

ceeding inside the Barrier Reef, and touching, if time should
permit, at several islands and places where rare birds are to
be procured, but his chief hunting ground will be the Charles
Irwin Mountains, Aru Islands, etc. He estimates that he will
have to return to Sydney for stores in about twelve months,
and that in two years he will gather the largest and most
valuable collection of specimens ever made in the Southern
seas. He has plenty of small arms, two brass four-pounder
guns, one on each quarter, mounted on swivels, and a long two-
pounder, which will be mounted in mid-ship, and a ton of
shot on board, and will employ about eight guns in the moun-
tains, where he expects to fall in with the rarest and choicest
kinds, including birds of paradise. He will collect duplicates
for purpose of exchange, and on the return to Adelaide, which
may not be for four, or even five, years hence, contemplates
adding new wings to his residence at the Reedbeds for the
safe keeping of his specimens. Mr. White has furnished some
interesting particulars of his craft:—‘She is a fore and aft
schooner of about 80 tons; shipwright’s measurements :—
length over all, 65 feet; breadth, 16 feet; with 9 feet 6 inches
depth of hold; the keel is of jarrah in one piece; the planking
inside and out is of red gum. . . . The seas to traverse will
be difficult and dangerous to navigate, hence the unusual
strength of the craft. The scantling is quite heavy enough
for a 500-ton ship, and you will perceive I have done away with
the usual mode of fastening with trenails, and used copper
instead, which is stronger and more durable. There are over
two tons of pure copper and nearly the same of yellow metal
distributed about the hull. . . . Be her sailing qualities
what they may, I must take the responsibility upon myself,
as I consulted my own ideas as to my requirements, and
modelled and drafted the work myself. The hull was com-
pleted and launched on the 14th of February, and named the
Elsea, after my wife, who accompanies me as far as Sydney,
and to whom I am greatly indebted for much valuable assis:
tance in preparing for my voyage.’ :

“The Elsea sailed from Port Adelaide on Sunday last, and
has since been lying off Henley Beach, taking in baggage, ete.
Mr. White intends sailing this evening, or by daylight on
Thursday, and we can only wish him and his family bon voyage.
We need add nothing more than good wishes for health and
success of an enthusiastic scientist, who assures us seriously
that all the hardships of a disastrous trip and six months’ ill-
ness with fever were compensated for by the discovery of a
new species of butterfly.

Ww. K. Thomas & Co., _
eS SIP YInbeNgy in Hic
renfell St., Adelaide. —

SOUTH AUSTRALIAN

OPEN TCT” SAUER LD PONE Ot set EIT ES ge

ORNITHOLOGIST,

A Magazine of Ornithology.

Ist APRIL, 1916.

EDITORIAL COMMITTEE :

R. CROMPTON, R.A.O.U.

A. M. MORGAN, M.B., Cu.B.
S. A. WHITE, M.B.O.U.

F. R. ZIETZ, R.A.O.U.

Price, 2/= -

AE Shine
Hist
ai

THE

south Australian

ORNITHOLOGIST.

CNS

Editorial Committec :

R. Crompton, R.A.O.U.
4s. M. MorGan, M.B., Cu.B-
S. A. WuHIrr, M.BO.U.
Wake ZinTz, Ro AOU.

CONTENTS.

PAGE

The South Australian Ornithological Association — - - - - 131

‘Order Passeriformes, Family Prionopidae, Genus Grallina : - 132
Notes on the Mailee Fowl—Zeipoa ocellata rosinae (illustrated).

T. P. Bellchambers - - - - - - - - - 134

An Ornithological Trip iu St. Vincent and Spencer Gulfs.

A. M. Morgan, M.B., Ch.b. - = = e 2 Sere ayy

A Sketch of the Life of Samuel White—Ornithologist, Soldier,

Sailor, and Explorer. By his son, 8. A. White - = DLS

Oy ik

South Australian Ornithologist.

Wor. I: | Ist APRIL, 1916. [PART 6.

The South Australian Ornithological
Association.

Only two meetings were held during the last quarter.
Owing to the Christmas holidays clashing with the December
meeting, and the fact that many members were out of town,
the meeting was cancelled.

January 28th, 1916.

An exceptionally large gathering took place to hear the
results of a trip to the islands off the South Australian coast
line, undertaken by Dr. Morgan and Capt. White at the kind
invitation of the Messrs. Rymill Brothers, the owners of the
beautiful little motor yacht, the “Avocet.” <A description of
the bird life down the Gulf and on several of the small islands,
as well as those around Pondalowie Bay, was given. Much
research work was done. The cormorants were of especial
interest. It was shown how the yellow-faced bird keeps well
up the Gulfs, and the black-faced variety was found
on the rocks and islands exposed to the open ocean.
Temperatures of the sea birds were thoroughly gone

into. Stomach contents of sea birds were also. in-
vestigated—not a single marketable fish was found
in the cormorant stomachs. Eight granite stones

worn very smooth, were taken from one of their stomachs.
The skins of the arctic skua (Stercorarius parasiticus), both
the dark and light forms, were represented by one of each.
These are the first known to have been taken in South Aus-

Q 4 9 , ‘ : Es 3
132 Order Passiformes, Family Proinopinae, Genus Grallina.

tralian waters. The sterna of the skuas, as well as petrels’,
to show the great difference existing between the two birds,
were shown by Dr. Morgan.

February 25th, 1916.

A letter was read from Chief Justice Murray, stating he
would be pleased to accept the patronship of the Association
in place of the late Sir Samuel Way. Messrs. A. G. oy
and T. G. Souter were elected members.

Mr. T. P. Bellchambers read some valuable bird neler
Dr. Morgan exhibited the sterna of the domestic fowl, as well!
as the mallee fowl (Leipoa ocellata), for comparison We
pointed out their resemblance to one another. Mr. E. Ashby
showed the skin of a fine male blue-billed duck (Oxyura aus-
tralis) which had a single white feather in the wing, also a
nice specimen of the Cape York black-backed butcher bird
(Bulestes mentalis kempi).

Birds under discussion were flycatchers, and the foltow-
ing species were discussed :—Intermediate rufous fantail, Vic-
torian rufous fantail, Cape York rufous fantail, wood fantail
(Rhipidura rufifrons dryas, Gould), which absorbs Rhipidura
mayi (Ashby) as a synonym. Many members expressed their
belief that Gould’s bird may yet turn up, and the Rhipidura
mayi is a Sub-species of it. The Northern fantail, Queensland
fantail, and the black and white fantail were also discussed.
A number of specimens of these birds were exhibited from the
Museum collection by Mr. F. R. Zietz, and from the private
collections of Mr. Ashby and Capt. White by the owners.

Order Passeriformes, Family Prionopidae,
Genus Grallina.

Grallina cyanoleuca—Magpie Lark.

Description—-Male—Upper portion of head, neck, back,
throat, and breast, black, with a blue metallic lustre; a broad
line above, and a short crescent below the eye; ear coverts
and sides of neck, white, leaving a black horizontal line,
extending from the eye to the occiput; primaries and secon-
daries, black, tipped with white, the latter white at the base;

Order Pusseriformes, Humily Prionopidae, Genus Grallina. 133:

upper and under wing coverts, white; rump, upper tail
coverts and tail, white; the tail with a broad black subterminal
hand, which is broadest on the central feathers, and decreases
in width towards the distal portion of the outer ones; all tail
feathers tipped with white; bill, yellowish white, with a dark
brown streak along the apical portion of the culmen, extend-
ing to the tip; legs and feet, black; iris, yellowish white.
Measurements.—Total length of skin, 260 m.m.; wing, 180
m.m.; tarsus, 44 m.m.; culmen, 19 m.m.

Female.—Lores, forehead, and throat, white; no white
above or below the eye; a broad black vertical band extends
from the crown of the head, through the eye, to the black pec-
toral band, otherwise the plumage is similar to that of the
male.

Distribution.—The whole of the mainland of Australia,
Kangaroo Island, and accidentally in Tasmania.

Habits.—They are graceful and handsome birds that
spend most of their time on the ground at the borders of
streams and pools, looking for their food in the soft mud.
Damp, grassy flats, paddocks, and lawns are also favourite
hunting grounds. They are never found far from water. The
eait is walking or running, resembling that of the European
starling. During nesting time they are found in pairs, and
for some time after go about in small flocks, consisting of the
old birds and their young of the year. In later autumn and
winter they gather into quite large flocks, which move about
their own district, but do not migrate.

Song.—A loud, shrill note, resembling pee-wit or knee-
deep. In the nesting season they have a second, more melo-
dious, note, like choo-woop.

Flight—Slow, heavy, and flapping, often turning the
body from one side to the other.

Food.—Insects, grubs, worms, and small snails, generally
taken from mud or wet ground. They are said to destroy the
fresh water snail, which acts as the intermediate host of sheep
fluke. They will eat grain, for many are killed with poisoned
wheat every year.

Nesting.—The breeding season lasts from August to
December. Three broods are often reared. The nest is
placed upon a horizontal branch, nearly always overhanging
water. The height from the ground varies from six to 50
feet. The nest is built of mud, strengthened with straw. It

134 BELLCHAMBERS—Notes ou the Mallee Forel.

is lined with dry grass, fine twigs, or leaves, and generally a
few feathers. Occasionally it is built of wet cow dung. “An
average sized nest measures 3} inches high, cavity 5 inches
in diameter by 2} inches deep.

Eggs.—Two to five are laid for a clutch, usually three,
but four is common. They vary much in shape and colour,
some being short and rounded, and others much elongated.
Two common types are, (1) ground colour, white to pinkish
white, with irregular blotches of brick red forming a zone at
the larger end; (2) ground colour white, with a zone of dull
purplish red spots and splashes at the larger end, sometimes
wavy, semicircular or spiral streaks occur in this type.

Average measurement of 17 egs, 2.90 ¢.m. x 2.10 ¢.m.
Largest egg, 3.00 c.m. x. 2.15 cm.
Smallest egg, 2.70 ¢.m. x 2.15 ¢.m.

Notes on the Mallee Fowl.
Leipoa ocellata rosinae.
By T. P. BrLLcHAMBERS.

For many years I have taken a special interest in these
beautiful birds, and as I have had many opportunities of
observing their habits, both in the wild state and in captivity,
a few remarks from my note book may be of interest. They
are fast disappearing in consequence of the destruction of
scrub lands and the keen hunt for their eggs (which are of
large size and fine flavour), and the introduction of the fox.
During the season 1908-09 I found several mounds, which I
examined at intervals. Every one was visited by foxes, and,
so far as I could discover, only three chicks hatched out. The
eggs are very thin shelled, and when fresh are of a beautiful
pink colour.. They measure 3? inches in length by 8 inches
in circumference, and weigh about 8 ozs. There is generally
an interval of about six days between the laying of each egg.
The chicks begin to hatch in about eight weeks. This limits
the number of eggs in a mound to about eight or nine, unless,
as often happens, some eggs are infertile, when, naturally,
there would be more. The birds are of a gentle and playful
disposition, but very shy. Their highly developed sense of
hearing enables them to catch the least sound, consequently

BELLCHAMBERS—Notes on the Mallee Fowl. 135

they are seldom seen. They inhabit dry, waterless tracts of
sandy scrub lands; their food consists of seeds, insects, berries,
bulbs, and green stuff. Though they require water in cap-
tivity, in the wild state they appear to do without it, getting
what moisture they require from the dew, wild fruits, &c. I
have seen the birds take the drops of dew from the leaves—~
dew is frequent in the mallee scrub.

The male mates with one female only (Fig. 1), and all the
labour of mound building is done by the single pair of birds.
They are active in the early morning and in the evening, camp-
ing during the heat of the day. Their plumage harmonises
well with their surroundings, making them hard to discover
when at rest.. They will continue to lay in the mound though
every egg be taken, and I have known several instances where
they have still laid after the mallee round the nest has all been
rolled down. |

The first preparation for nesting, the opening of the pit,
is usually made at the end of the previous summer, the work
going on intermittently through the following winter. The
filling is generally started some time in May or June. After
forming the pit the birds proceed with the gathering of
material—leaves, sticks, and bark are all gathered into the
most open ways and runs that converge on the nesting place.
Starting near the pit the bird stands on one foot, and with
powerful but leisurely movements of the other foot, throws
the material behind it (Fig. 2), alternating the feet every six
or eight strokes, all the time advancing along the line of
gathered material. On reaching the end they retrace their
steps, working from the pit outwards. Thus all the material
is being moved along lines converging on the pit, and even-
tually is.all collected there. (Fig. No. 3 shows lines of move-
ment of material. No. 4 shows mode of forming cone, the
material being taken up in easy gradual spiral curves). The
mounds are often opened at other than laying time. This is
done, I believe, for the purpose of regulating the temperature.

The mounds are always placed in such position as will
expose them to the direct rays of the sun during the hottest
time of the day. The hot bed provides a bottom heat, but
this alone does not seem to satisfy the birds—the mounds are
frequently opened to the sun’s rays, the hot, sand being
gradually replaced. This work does not interfere with hatch-
ing chicks, as they always emerge at an earlier hour than the
birds choose for this work, which is always done by the male.

136 BELLCHAMBERS—Notes on the ‘Mallse Fowl.

After laying starts should occasion arise, through change
of weather or disturbance of the mound, the male will work by
moonlight to rectify matters. This I have seen on several
occasions. The completed mound is usually covered over with
sticks or rubble, the reason for which I have not been able
to ascertain. They lay from 16 to 25 eggs—I have known of
29. The egg is placed on the small end, for the very evident
reason that that position is the only one which could give the
chick the right position to strike out for liberty. I have.
known a chick to take 12 hours to reach the surface after the ©
first indication of hatching was seen—-this was in a very sandy
mound, and the indication was a slight depression above the
rising chick. The chick forces its way upwards by levering
with feet and wings, the head and neck folded down along the
breast, so keeping the sand from the nostrils. It at last
emerges, shoulders first, kicks itself free, and lays as if
exhausted for some time—a dainty morsel for the first fox or
hawk that comes along. Should it escape this fate it at last
jumps up and runs quickly to cover. Being fully fledged it
has the power of flight, and is quite able to take care of itself.
1 have noticed in some cases that the female is slightly larger
and more pugnacious than the male. This may have been
due .to the male being a young bird. The plumage of the
wing feathers of the female is lighter.

The male and female forage apart, meeting at intervals
for mound construction, &ec. The male speaks his love and
admiration for his consort in a manner peculiarly his own,
with head under breast he emits deep hollow notes difficult to
describe, like uh, uh, uh, oome, oome, oome, to which the
female replies, whaugh, whaugh, long drawn out, and rising
in cadence. Their note of danger is ut, ut, ut, softly repeated
many times. The call note of the female sounds like who»
how, whoo how.

The longer a mound is in use the larger it is. . First
season’s mounds are much smaller, increasing in bulk each
year by reason of fresh material added. An old mound
measured three feet in height by 51 feet in circumference.
The same mound is not continuously worked by the same pair
of birds. Of 31 mounds examined four were rebuilt during
the second season and two others during the third, in each
case by other birds, as the original owners were captured. In
making the mound they do not use the wings, as has been”
stated. That this was an error I ascertained by examining ~

BELLCHAMBERS—WNotes on the Mullee Foul. 137

thie wings of the first bird I captured, and later by cautiously
approaching the mound I was able to see the birds working
with their powerful claws, throwing material to a considerable
distance.

In the season 1911-12 I succeeded in getting these birds to
breed in captivity. Since then I have been enabled to keep
them under close observation. The material is gathered and
placed in position by means of the feet alone. . The beak is
often used, when opening the egg chamber, to remove sticks
that obstruct their work. I was fora long time puzzled as to
how they managed to place and keep all the eggs on the small
end, but the explanation is very simple. An excavation is
made that. acts as an egg cup, into which the egg is dropped.
(Fig. 5.) The female then leaves the mound, the male taking
her place, the egg leaning too far forward he puts it in an
upright position. ‘To do this he does not touch the egg, which
is very fragile, and easily broken, but, pushing beak and fore-
head into the loose sand about 14 inches from the egg, he
pushes the sand,against it until it is forced into the required
upright position. (Fig. 4.)

The chick takes about two years to reach maturity. They
make preparation in the third season for nesting during the
‘ourth. such as cleaning out an old mound, or digging a pit
for a new one this work being done mostly after rain. The
egs are few the first season, increasing the following season
to a considerable number. There is often a difference of four
or five months between the first and last chick of a season,
which makes them very irregular in their first nesting. Con-
struction of the mound often starts six months before the
laying season. The hot bed is ready for egs about September.
though my birds have laid as early as the 25th of October,
when laying begins, and continues up to the middle of Feb-
ruary.

In excavating the pit the female throws the stuff back-
yards frem the bottom to the male above, who, in his turn,
throws it over the rim of the excavation. The hardest work
appears to be done by the female, though both appear to take
great interest in the work. When the female lays both sexes
work at opening the mound, but as soon as the egg is laid the
male takes charge. and, after placing the egg in position,
refills the mound, the female disappearing practically at once.
The female does most of the hard work when constructing the
mound, but after laying starts all the hard work falls on the

138 BELLCHAM BERS—Notes ou the Mallee Fowl.

ar Whey fg
’

big. 1.—Courting pair.

Fig. 2.—Excavating pit. Female throwing to Male, who throws over
rim.

Fig. 3.—Mode of gathering material for filling pit; scratched into lines
in clear routes leading to pit from among surrounding
bushes, trees, &c.

Fig. 4.—Spiral track of material in forming cone.

139

the Mallee Fowl.

BELLCHAMBERS—Notes on

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ayy ‘stvek OMA 4V QOUOpPIAa UT ST 9.10 -pojou eoUa.Ae]}Ip qYSts Ot, ‘OTe JO SUIM Woy Joyyveaqy—'6 “SI
~ ‘aTRUs7 JO SUI WOIY 1oyyeaq—'sS “SI

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Aq ouop st Suruitoy pae Surry [Ty ‘worysno se pues ssoo] Sutsn ‘uortsod 4ysudn ur Bsa Surovid ayep—'L ‘Sty

‘oryd9oa1 $41 107 potedard ajo ot, dnd oy ul poytsodep st

559 OY} JUSMIAOUL IA SULMOL[OF ‘YuURq ay} pue Apog s,piIq 94} UedM eq TWoIy dn uUMBIp ATTeUY st
gnq ‘MOIA UL Jou st] Ray ayy ‘uortsod sty dn Suryey ue ‘surde] yo joe ut aremag Aq uayxe} UOTISOgG—'g “B1y
‘B59 Jo u0ljdede1 107 Apear APAVI—'G “31q

140 BELLCHAMBEHRS—WNotes on the Mallee Fowl.

male. I have seen the female in the act of laying. The sketch
(Fig. 6) shows the most peculiar position she takes up to place
the egg in the hole prepared for its reception. I was enabled
to ascertain definitely the period of incubation by numbering
each egg as laid and entering number and date in my note
book. As each chick appeared I opened the mound to see
which number was gone. _ I also kept a plan showing position
of each egg.

By getting these birds to breed in captivity I have been -
able to bring to a satisfactory conclusion a study that has
already occupied many years and cost much patient labour.
Since 1907 I have examined about 31 mounds, and in every
instance found only one pair of birds at work.

Mallee Fowl! food.—Seed of Acacia stenophylla, A. rigeus,
and a new variety of Acacia. Identified by Mr. J. M. Black.

Table showing period of incubation, &c., of Leipoa in captivity
by T. P. Bellchambers, 1914.
Period of In-
No. of Egg Date Laid Date Hatched incubation in days

Aug. 19 \
Aug. 26
Aug. 31 ? failed to hatch
Sept. 2 |
Sept. 11
Sept. 17 Dec.
Sept. 23 Dec.

6 3 17
q 1 69
8 Sept. 28 Dec. 2 65
9 Oct. 6 Dec. 8 63
10 Oct. 11 Dee. 8 58
11 Oct. 18 Dec. 15 58
12 Oct. 21 Dee. 15 55
13 Oct. 25 Dec. 25 61
14 Oct. 30 Jan. 1 63
15

16 Nov. 11

ile not noted |

18 Nov. 19 failed to hatch
19 Nov. 24 Jan. 24 61
20 Nov. 29 Feb. 3 66
21 Dee. 5 )

22 Dec. 12 \

Nov. 4 removed from
mound

failed to hatch

MORGAN— Ornithological Trip, St. Vincent and Spencer Gulfs. 141

—

An Onithological Trip.
in St. Vincent and Spencer Gulls.

By A. M. Morean, M.B., Ch.B.

During the early part of this year Capt. S. A. White
and myself had an opportunity of visiting some of the islands
in Si. Vincent’s and Spencer’s Gulfs. The trip was under-
taken at the invitation of Messrs. A. G. and E. S. Rymill, who
placed their motor yacht “Avocet” practically at our disposal,
and did everything possible to further our aims. The objects
of the trip were: To land on the Pages, three small islands at
the southern entrance of Backstairs Passage, as yet, as far as
we know, not visited by any ornithologist; to secure specimens
of a skua, supposed to be the arctic skua; to secure speci-
mens of a white-breasted petrel which neither of us had been
able to identify; to investigate the food of cormorants; to take
the temperatures of certain sea birds; and the study of the
ornithology of isolated islands.

Port Adelaide was left on the afternoon of Janury Ist,
and the yacht anchored for the night at the Outer Harbour.
An early start was made next morning for the Pages, but on
rounding Rapid Head, near the northern entrance .of Back-
stairs Passage, a strong north-east blow was met, which put
landing there out of the question, so a course was made for
the Spit, near Kinegscote. This is a low sandbank, between
two and three miles long and a few feet only above high-water
mark. It almost completely closes the entrance to the Bay
of Shoals, and is covered with stunted bushes and sea grasses.
The afternoon was spent here, and next morning a start made
for the Althorpes Islands. These are two small and one large
islands in Investigator Straits. The large one, about 300
feet high, has a lighthouse on it. We landed first on one of
the small islands, where we found seals plentiful and tame.
Several photos. were taken by Capt. White. I regret to say
that numbers of dried carcases were found on the higher parts.
of the island, the shell of a rifle cartridge showing that some
miscreant had been amusing himself by shooting these inte-
resting and harmless animals, and leaving their bodies to
rot where they fell. We next visited the big Althorp, and
climbed its almost perpendicular sides to visit the great
mutton bird rookery on the summit. The next move was

(142 MORGAN—Ornithological Trip, St. Vincent and Spencer Gulf's.

to Pondalowie Bay, at the foot of Yorke’s Peninsula. <A day
was spent here in the scrub of the mainland and on two of the
small islands fronting the bay.

On January 6th we made over to Gambier and Wedge

Islands, anchoring under the lee of the former, but a change
of wind forced us to quit hurriedly, and make for the shelter
of the Wedge. We were not subsequently able to make a
landing on Gambier, which was regrettable, as mutton birds
and possibly other petrels nest there. Wedge Island is about
_o4 miles long, rising from sea level at the north end to about
700 feet at the south end, which is a perpendicular cliff. It
-is inhabited by two brothers, Messrs. A. and W. J. Golley,
‘both intelligent and accurate observers, who take an interest
.in the natural history of their island. They supplied us with
-Iuch information concerning its bird life. On the afternoon
of the 7th January we returned to Pondalowie Bay, and next
day made a 60-miles run to Troubridge Island, where a few
hours were spent on shore. Troubridge Island has had a
lighthouse on it since 1855. Mr. Arthur Searcy (Chairman
of the Harbours Board) has courteously informed me that in
1865 the island was reduced to 370 yards in length owing t9
severe gales shifting the sand. It has been growing slowly
ever since, and is now 833 yards long by 292 yards broad. It
‘is covered with scrub and sea grasses. On January 9th a good
‘run, with a fair wind, to Port Adelaide, terminated a
most enjoyable and instructive outing. Birds observed :—

1. Dromiccius novachollandiae—Emu.—Fresh droppings
‘and feathers at Pondalowie Bay.

2. Hudyptula minor undina—Little Penguin.—Seen at the
Spit, Little Althorpe Island, Big Althorpe Island, Pondalowie
Bay, and Wedge Island.

All were moulting. No nests were found. These birds
ascend the cliff of the big Althorpe Island up to 250 feet from
the sea. They probably climb up the steep pathway, which
has been made of recent years. The cliff is so steep that it
had formerly to be ascended by a ladder. They also were
found on the top of one of the Pondalowie Bay Islands, the
sides of which are so steep and rugged that Capt. White and I
had some difficulty in getting to the top at the easiest place we
‘could find. The iris is grey, with a lighter ring round the
pupil. These birds make a most dismal noise at night. At
- Wedge Island it sounded like the cries of babies in pain. The
‘temperature of two were taken. No. 1, 108.8° F.; No. 2,

MORGAN —Ornithological Trip, St. Vincent and Spencer Gulfs. 148

SusS eee a is earch tie NTI

—

102.6° F. All temperatures were taken in the cloaca, with a
Hicks 30-second clinical thermometer—the instrument being
left in until the mercury ceased to rise.

3. Coturnix pectoralis—Stubble Quail—A_ single bird
seen at Wedge Island. The Messrs. Golley informed us that
in some summers they are very plentiful.

4, Cosmopelia elegans neglecta—Brush Bronzewing.—Fairly
‘common at Pondalowie Bay.

5. Hypotaenidia plilippensis australis—Landrail.—aA_ bird
“was seen amongst the granite boulders on the beach of a small
island at Pondalowie Bay. The Messrs. Golley say that they
live amongst the rocks on the beach at Wedge Island, and
that they eat their hen and turkey eggs.

6. Pelagodroma marina howei—White-fronted Petrel.—\
few birds seen skimming the water between Wedge Island
and Pondalowie Bay.

7. Noenectris tenuirostris brevicaudus—Mutton Bird.—
There is a great rookery of these birds on top of the big
Althorpe. Every available piece of ground is burrowed right
up to the lighthouse and the keepers’ cottages, and many of
‘the birds are compelled, for want of room, to lay under the
bushes. The acting keeper (Mr. McLean) told us that his
wife and children easily collected 16 dozen eggs from under
bushes in the neighbourhood of their cottage. We noticed
that some of the birds had burrowed beneath the sleepers of
‘the tramline, used to bring stores from the cliff top to ie
‘light-house and we were told that last year a bird laid an eg
‘on the top of the big pulley wheel of the “flying fox.” The
‘birds of this “rookery” are scarcely disturbed at all, as the
‘light keepers do not use either the eggs or the young for food,
‘so this island should be a haven for them for many years to
eome. All the birds at the time of our visit were sitting on
‘heavily incubated eggs.

Soft parts.—Iris, dark brown; legs and feet, black. . The
nails are very sharp, as we found by experience when getting
them out of their burrows. Temperatures (all sitting birds)
No. 1, 103.29; No: 2, 101.2%; No. 3, 100°; No. 4, LOL”.

8. Petrel (sp.).—The white-breasted petrel of which we
‘were in search was seen only once between Backstairs
‘Passage and the Spit, where a small flock rose from the water
‘well out of range. - No specimen was procured. I believe

144 MORGAN— Ornithological Trip, St. Vincent aud Spencer Gulfs.

this petrel to be Cinathisma cyaneoleuco, the new petrel lately
described by Mr. Bassett Hull (Hmu, Vol. XV., p. 205). I
hope soon to have an opportunity of settling the point.

9. Hydroprogne tschegrava strenua—Caspian Tern.—Fairly
common and breeding on the Spit. One nest contained three
eggs and the other a chick and a chipped egg. These two
nests were in the bare sand, within a few yards of one another.
The old birds made a great clatter while the nests were being
photographed.

10. Thalasseus bergii poliocercus—Crested Tern.—Seen at
intervals throughout the trip. They had just started to lay
on the Spit, one egg being seen on the bare sand.

11. Sternula nereis—Little Tern.—Seen at the Spit, Gam-
bier Island, and Wedge Island. They were breeding in
numbers on the Spit: on one end they had young able to fly,
and on the other were sitting on eggs. The nests were
arranged in parallel rows. AJ] the clutches were of two eggs.
Many “of the old birds were seen canine small fish for their
young.

12. Bruchigavia novaehollandiae ethelae—Silver Gull.—Not
very common; only a few were seen throughout the trip.
They were probably away nesting somewhere..

13. Gabianus pacificus—Pacific Gull—Seen at the Spit
and Wedge Island. <A bird at the Spit behaved as though
breeding, but no nest was found. The Messrs. Golley say
they breed on Wedge Island in the tussocky grass. On the
top of an island at Pondalowie Bay was a flat limestone rock
upon which were great numbers of the shells of a large
molluse (Turbo, sp.), locally known as “Warrener.” We con-
cluded that they were brought up there and dropped by Pacific
gulls. The Messrs. Gulley confirmed this, as they had often
seen the gulls so behave on Wedge Island. They said that
the birds ‘sometimes dropped the shells several times before
succeeding in breaking them.

14. Stercorarius parasiticus—Arctic Skua—A few birds
were seen at intervals from Backstairs Passage to near the
Outer Harbour. Two birds were secured near Troubridge
Island. one the light, and the other the dark phase. Both
were females in a non-breeding condition. Birds, inter-
mediate in plumage, were seen, but none secured. I have
often seen these birds following the s.s. Karatta, and picking
up any scraps thrown overboard. They also commonly chase

MORGAN— Ornithological Trip, St. Vincent and Spencer Gulfs. 145

silver gulls. We saw two so doing on this trip. They after-
wards descended to the water, but we could not ascertain if
they secured any booty. The stomach contents were:—Dark
bird—Remains of a small crab, one broken and one unbroken
dead sea shell; Light bird—Small piece of crab’s claw, one
broken and one whole dead sea shell. The stomach contents
seem to indicate that they go ashore at night to feed. I have
never seen them do so in the daytime, in fact, when following
a steamer they usually leave when about two miles from land.

Measurements.—Light bird—Total length, 40.5 ¢m.;
wing, axilla to tip, 48 c.m.; spread, tip to tip, 108 c.m. _ Iris,
dark brown; legs and feet, black; nails, curved and sharp.
Dark bird—Total length, 40.5 c.m.; wing, 50.5 ¢c.m.; spread,
114¢c.m. Weight, 1b. Soft parts as in the light form.

Temperatures.—Light form 102.4° F; dark bird, 106.2° F.
The light bird was the younger, judging by ;the incomplete
ossification of the posterior border of the sternum. The light
bird had an extra pair of cervical ribs, making nine in all, to
the dark birds’s eight pairs.

15. Haematopus ostraelgus longirostris—Pied Oyster
Catcher.—Seen at the Spit and Troubridge Island. They like
mud banks and sand spits rather than rocky coasts. The
Messrs. Golley say they rarely come to Wedge Island, where
there is only one small stretch of sandy beach. They were
not breeding.

16. Haematopus niger fulginosus—Sooty Oyster Catcher.—
Seen at the Spit, Althorpe Islands, Pondalowie Bay, Gambier
and Wedge Islands. Much more common on rocky coasts
than on flats. ‘The Messrs. Golley say they breed on the rocks
at Wedge Island. :

17. Lobibyx novaehollandiae—Spur-winged Plover.—Seen
at Pondalowie Bay and Wedge, Island.

18. Zonifer tricolor—Black-breasted Plover.——A cmall
flock seen on Wedge Island.

19. Lucopolius ruficapilla—Red-capped Dotterel.—Num-
bers seen on the Spit and Troubridge Island. A few behaved
as though nesting, but no eggs or young were seen.

20. Charadrius cucullatus—Hooded Dotterel.—Seen at the
Spit, Wedge Island, and Troubridge Island. They were in
pairs, but not nesting. They were not numerous anywhere.

‘146 MORG: AN—Ornithological Trip, St. Vincent and Spencer Gulf.

21. Numenius cyanops—Sea Curlew.—A pair seen near the
Outer Harbour.

22. Limnocinclus. acuminata—Sharp-tailed Stint.—Seen at
the Spit.

_ 23. Burhinus magnirostris—Scrub Curlew.—Very common
on Wedge Island..

24. Notophoyx novaehollandiae—White-fronted Heron
(Blue Crane).—Seen in the Port River only.

25. Chenopis atrata—Black Swan.—A few birds seen on
the Spit.

26. Hypoleucus fuscescens—White-breasted Cormorant.—
This is an open sea bird. They do not seem to care for the
calmer water of the upper part of.the Gulf. The first birds
were met with near Kangaroo Island, and after that at the
Spit, Althorpes, Pondalowie Bay, the Wedge and Troubridge
Islands. At the Spit, the Althorpes, and the Wedge it was
much the commoner of the two species; at Troubridge it was
the rarer, and it was not seen at all about the Outer Harbour.

Four birds were:shot. They measured :—
Sex Total Length Wing Spread.

INO STG 4 Wek Ae etal a 62.5 c¢.m. 48 cm, 104 ¢.m.
No. 2 9 61 c.m. 45.5 ¢.m. 99 e.m.
INGO eb 2 ean ek 68 e.m. 43, elm: tL ems
No. 4 ie 64.25 e.m. AT. em: 97 ¢.m.

No.4 was an immature bird, the sex of which could not
be ascertained. Two birds, Nos. 2 and 3, weighed respec-
tively 43 Ibs. and 3 Ibs. The others were not weighed.

Iris, sea green; gular pouch, black, except in No. 3, in
which it was dark grey; legs and feet, black in all; bare skin
in front of and around the eye, black; bill, black.

i As all the literature to which I have access gives the bare
skin as purple I thought this might be a new sub-species, but
to make sure wrote to Mr. F. M. Littler on the subject. He
replied as follows:—‘I have not handled a white-breasted
shag in the flesh for some little time, and there are none about
here, but from;memory the bare skin is black. It is, of course,
black in skins, but I have thought over the matter, and feel
as sure as I can be that it is black also in ithe flesh. Mr. H.
. Thompson agrees with me. JI asked him his opinion before
I told him: what I thought.” et

MOLGAN—Ornithological ts St. ee aud Sipe: G Gul fe 147,

It would seem that Gould originally described the bare
skin as purple in error, and that subsequent writers have
copied him without verification.

Stomach contents:—
No. 1.—Fish remains (unrecognisable).
No. 2.—One leather jacket, parasitic worms.
No. (3.—One weed fish, parasitic worms.
No. 4.—One weed fish.

Nos. 2 and 3 had many white plumules on the back of
the neck and sides of the rump. No. 4, a young bird, had a
few; No.1 had none. None was in a breeding condition.

27. Hypoleucus varius hypoleucus—Died Cormorant.—This
was the only species met; with in the upper part of the Gulf.
They were present in smaller numbers than the preceding
species at the Spit and Wedge Island. At Troubridge Island
they were the more numerous of the two. None was

seen at the Althorpes. Five specimens ;were examined.
Measurements :—

Sex Total Length Wing Spread
INO. 2: $ 81.5 ¢m. 55.75 ¢.m. 124 ¢.m:
No. 2 ? (ik c.m. 48 c.m. 106 ¢.m:
No. 3. 3 83.5) (cm: 58 c.m. 121.5 e.m.
No. 4. 3 78.25 ¢.m. a). Cit, 14 eam:
No. 5 3 81 c.m. 53 c.m. US eat,

No. 4 was an immature bird.,

Soft part——Adult—Bare space in front of eye, orange;
bare skin around eye, blue; lower eyelid, green; gular pouch,
flesh colour; bill, black;)tip, horn colour; legs, feet, and nails,
black; iris, sea green. Young—Skin in front of eye, orange;
bare space around eye, light yellow; bill, grey; culmen, brown;
legs, feet, and nails, black.

Mr. G. M. Mathews (Birds of Australia) describes the
pill in the letterpress as dark horn colour, but figures it light
blue. The billjin Gould’s figure is much lighter than any we
saw, except that of No. 4, which was a young bird. f

Weights.—No. 3, 54 Ibs.; No. 4, 4 Ibs.; No. 5, 4 Ibs.
Stomach contents.—

No. 1.—Two weed fish.
No. 2.—Not examined.

148) MORGAN—Orunithological Trip, St. Vincent and Spencer Gulfs.

leather jacket, 8 rounded stones (¢
pee 1 sandstone).

No. 4.—One fish, with large black scales (unidenti-
fied).

No. 5.—One weed fish.

The stones in the stomach of No. 3 weighed 24 ozs. They
had probably been swallowed deliberately for the purpose
of helping to triturate the food; their number precludes the
possibility of their being taken accidentally. Seals commonly
have pieces of granite in their stomachs. No fish of a mar-
ketable species was found in the stomach of any of the birds
of either species examined.

Temperature.—
No. 1 (seven minutes dead).—101.2° F.
No. 2 (ten minutes dead).—101° F.

Morus serretor—Gannet.—Seen at sea at intervals
vies Vasile Backstairs Passage. They were mostly in
immature plumage. ,

29. Catoptropelicanus conspicillatus—Pelican.—A flock of
five seen at the Spit.

30. Circus approximans gouldi—Marsh Harrier or Swamp
Hawk.—Several birds seen on Wedge Island.

31. Urocatus audax—Wedge-tailed Eagle—A single bird
seen on Wedge Island.

32. Cuncuma leucogaster—White-bellied Sea Eagle—A
pair were nesting on one of the Pondalowie Bay Islands. The
nest was on a ledge near the top of an overhanging cliff, and
vontained a young bird almost able to fly. On top of the
cliff above the nest were the remains of many penguins,
a mutton bird, and a large crayfish, evidently the relics of the
eagles’ meals. An old nest was seen on Wedge Island in a
Similar position to the first, but the Messrs. Golley say it is
now not used, and the birds breed on Gambier Island.

3%. Leracidea berigora—Striped Brown Hawk.—Seen at
Wedge Island. A bird of the dark form was shot. Stomach
contents.—Portions of lizards. Iris, brown; bill, Stat blue;
legs and feet, grey blue; nails, dark brown.

34. Cerchneis cenchroides—Kestrel.—A bird flew from the
light tower at Althorpe Island, and another from the un-
attended light at Wedge Island.

MORGAN—Orn thological Trip, St. Vincent and Speccer Gulfs. 149

35. Pandion haliactus cristatus—Osprey.—Seen at Wedge
and Gambier Islands. The Messrs. Golley say they nest on
both islands. We saw one hawking over the shallow water
at Wedge Island, but unfortunately ‘did not see the plumage.
The Messrs. Golley say they sometimes disappear beneath. the
water when striking their fish. The flight when hawking is
heavy and flapping.

36. Spiloglaux, . sp—A . Brown Owl.—Is said by the
Messrs. Golley to live in the bushes of Wedge Island, which
has not the Boobook note. Capt. White searched for, but
did not find it. .These owls must nest in the rocks, as there
are no hollow trees.

37. Neonanodes petrophilus—Rock Parrot.—Seen in small
flocks of five or six on the Spit, Althorpes,, Wedge, and Trou-
‘bridge Islands. There are no rocks on either the Spit or Trou-
bridge Island.

38. Neochalcites basalis mellorimNarrow-billed Bronze
‘Cuckoo.—feen at Pondalowie Bay and Wedge Island. <A
young bird was shot at the latter place, so they probably
‘breed there. Iris, dull white; legs and feet, dark grey; nails,
black; bill, olive brown.

39. Hirundo neorena — Welcome Sine cain
‘whereever there were cliffs. It was also seen off the Grange,
three miles out at sea, where they were catching insects blown
out by the off shore wind. The Messrs. Golley say they stay
-at Wedge Island throughout the winter.

40). Hylocheleidon nigricans—Tree Swallow.
-sea off the Grange.

41. Whiteornis goodenovii—Red-capped Robin.—Seen at
‘Pondalowie Bay and at Wedge Island.

Seen only at

42. Melanodryas cucullata vigorsi—Hooded Robin.—Seen
-at Pondalowie Bay.

43. Leucocirca tricolor—Wagtail.—Pondalowie Bay only.

44. Drymodes brunneopygia—Scrub Robin.—A_ specimen
-collected at Pondalowie Bay.

45. Epthianura albifrons—White-fronted Tin-tac.—Seen

-at the Spit, Troubridge Island, and Wedge Island.

46. Poodytes gramineus dubius—Little Grass Bird.—Com-
‘mon at the Spit and Troubridge Island. A single bird seen
on one‘of the Pondalowie Bay Islands.

150 MORGAN—Ornithological Trip, St. Vincent and Spencer Gulfs..

47. Sericornis maculata (sub, sp.}—Spotted Scrub Wren.—
Several specimens, secured on Wedge Island, where it is
common. It differs from both the Eyre Peninsula and Kan-
garoo Island bird. Iris, white; bill, dark brown; upper man-
dible the darker; legs, feet, ahd nails, brown.

48. Leggeornis lamberti assimilis—Purple-backed Wren.—
A male collected at Pondalowie Bay.

49. Pseudoartamus cyanopterus—Wood Swallow.—Com-
mon at Pondalowie Bay.

50. Colluricincla harmonica victoriae—Shrike Thrush.—
Heard at Pondalowie Bay.

51. Bulestes torquatus ethelae—Butcher Bird—A few
birds seen at Pondalowie Bay.

52. Oreoica cristata ethelae—Crested Bell Bird.—Fairly 7
common at Pondalowie Bay. A young male collected.

53. Zosterops lateralis westernensis—Silver-eye.—Common
at Althorpes, Pondalowie Bay, and Wedge Island. Iris,
brown; bill, upper mandible, dark brown; lower, grey; legs, -
feet, and nails, grey brown.

54. Gliciphila melanops chandleri—F ulvous-fronted Honey '
Eater.—A young bird collected at Pondalowie Bay.

55. Meliphaga sonora—Singing Honey Eater.—Common
at Pondalowie, Wedge, and Althorpes Islands.

56. Coleia carunculata tragellasi—Wattle Bird.—Common
at Pondalowie Bay.

57. Acanthogenys rufogularis cygnus — Spiny-cheeked
Honey Eater——Common at Pondalowie Bay.

58. Anthus australis adelaidensis—Ground Lark or Pipit.—
Seen at the Spit, Pondalowie Bay, Wedge Island, and Trou-
bridge Island. Common on all, especially Wedge Island.
Iris, dark brown; bill, upper mandible, brown; lower, flesh
white; legs and feet, yellowish brown; nails, brown. By

59. Corvus coronoides—Raven.—Seen on Little Althorpe
Island, evidently after the dead seals.

60. Strepera (sp.).—A bird of this genus was seen at Pon-
dalowie Bay. They were very shy, and no specimen was
secured. ; LAS

WHITE—A Sketch of the Life of Samuel Vi hite. 151

Introduced Birds :—

The sparrow has established itself on the big Althorpe,
and also on Wedge Island. The nearest point of land to the
Wedge is 14 miles distant. The Messrs. Golley say that gold-
finches have several times been seen there, but do not stay.
On Wedge Island the sparrows have become so numerous as
to be a serious nuisance to the barley crop. The starling has
also established itself on Althorpe and Wedge Islands.

A Sketch of the Life of Samuel White—
Ornithologist, Soldier, Sailor, and Explorer.
By His Son, S. A. WHITE.

VIIL—THE ORNITHOLOGIST AND SAILOR.

So at noon, Friday, April 9th, 1880, the anchor was
weighed, and Samuel White started upon his last voyage.

It is now my intention to try and narrate the principal
happenings of this voyage, from memory and from notes, also
from the few scanty notes of my father now available.

We drove to Henley Beach about 10 p.m. on the evening

of the 8th, and after some delay the yacht’s boat took us on
~poard. The decks were so hampered with luggage, gear,
stores, &c., that it was impossible to make a start that night.
All the next morning was taken up stowing away things and
clearing up the decks. About mid-day the ‘“Elsea” started
down the Gulf with a very light breeze, which freshened, and
later on blew strongly from the S.E. Standing on the one
tack we fetched into American Beach, and dropped anchor
about midnight in four fathoms of water. <A south-easterly
breeze blew strongly all next day, so the little ship remained
at anchor, and my father took his wife and family ashore in
the small boat, and we all enjoyed ourselves after being very
seasick the night before. Most of the day was spent search-
ing for shells along the beach, and amongst those collected
was a fine pair of paper Nautilus. In the evening my father
rowed us off to the ship again for another night’s roll. We
lay about 24 miles off shore, and a good big swell came into
the bay from the eastward. Next day, being Sunday, 11th,
and the wind blowing very strongly from the 8.E., the “Elsea”

—
or
pho

WHITHE—A Sketch of the Life of Samuel White.

lay at anchor, and we spent the day on shore, my father col-
lecting specimens and taking notes of sea birds in the vicinity
of the beach, all going on board again in the evening. Next
morning, under main and stay sails, we ran in shore within
half a mile. The crew then manned the two big boats, and
got off a quantity of wood and water, and while this was in
progress my father took my brother and sister and myself
in a small boat, which he called the “Duck Boat,’ along
the coastline for about five miles in search of ,Vautilus shells,
but we had no success.

On Thursday, 13th, about noon sail was set for Antecham-
ber Bay, and we beat round with a light wind, coming to
anchor after dark in five fathoms of water, the schooner
rolling terrifically on a big swell. All were glad to get away
next morning, after rolling about most unpleasantly all night.
With only a light and variable wind we were some time

making out against a heavy swell. During the afternoon
we nassed the Pages, where we spoke the “Orient” top-sail
schooner, bound for Port Adelaide. The 15th found our

little craft plunging into a big head sea, but during the day
the wind went round to the north, and the sea went down.

Flying around us were great numbers of sea birds—
several species of petrels and albatross, and we hooked a
number of large baracoota. Early in the morning we were
off Cape Shank. The night set in cold, with driving showers,
which became heavier towards midnight, accompanied by
thunder and lightning, and we were under double reefed
iwain-sail all night. The little craft was like a duck, and kept
wonderfully dry considering the big seas that were running.
Just after dark we spoke the schooner “Lady St. Albans,”
bound for Port Adelaide, and soon afterwards passed Cape
Northumberland. The next day (the 16th) we passed Portland
Bay, and we again took a great many baracoota. These vora-
cious fish are caught by fastening a piece cf wood or coloured
rag just above the bare hook, and towing the line astern.
When travelling at five to seven knots the fish are invariably
caught if any are about. They seem much better flavoured
if put in salt and water for 24 hours. Baracoota is rather
dry and solid, has few bones, and is moderately well
flavoured. ;

By Saturday, the 17th, we were off Cape Otway, with
numbers of sea birds in attendance. The wind blew nice and
fresh fora while, but later died out to a calm, and only two

WHITH—A Sketch of the Life of Samuel .White. 153

er three baracoota were caught during the day—the pace
of the craft being too slow. Often when these large fish
were hauled in sea birds chased them, screaming frantically.
For the next two days (19th and 20th) the wind was exceed-
ingly light, variable, and baffling. _ We were off Wilson’s.
Promontory at 2 p.m. on the 20th. Very rough weather, with
strong head winds and high seas were experienced on the
29nd and 23rd, and on the 24th we beat past Gabo Island.
The wind went down, but the seas were very high, and the
sails and gear were very much chafed with the rolling of the
vessel. On the 25th it was very wet, heavy rain falling all
day and night. Next day was the best run we had since
being out, and we did over 90 miles, but when 25 miles:
off Sydney Heads the wind died away. Several other craft
were in company with us. On the 27th we entered Port Jack-
son. We first dropped anchor in Elizabeth Bay, to send all
the powder and some of the arms up to the magazine. Next
day we beat up to Lavender Bay, where we lay several days
while Samuel White secured a house for his wife and family,
and having selected one at Double Bay the yacht was shifted

around there, where she lay at anchor until the 15th of May.

My father’s first troubles with the master and crew
started here, for they became mixed up in a drunken brawl
on shore, which hurried the departure. Having shipped @
quantity of stores and re-shipped the powder and arms, at
8 a.m. on the 16th of May, 1880, the ‘“Elsea” sailed out of
Sydney Harbour, with a light wind from the S.W. The wind
continued very light and baffling till the night of the 18th,
when a run of 90 miles was made, then light, variable winds
and very strong currents were met with. On Monday, 24th,
the end of McPherson Range was passed. The country looked
exceedingly rugged and broken, Mount Warning looking like
a pointed cone above the rest. Later on in the day the end
of Strasbrook Island came in sight. The vessel was close
enough to the coast for us to see that it was well wooded,
and that there was a lighthouse on the rising ground at Point
Danger. On the 25th the wind kept steady till daylight, when
it fell to a dead calm, and at 2 p.m. the yacht was abreast
of Moreton Island. At sunset the sky became overcast, and
a series of squalls broke over the craft from the N. by W.
About midnight a tremendous squall came up from the W.,
which lasted several hours, with heavy rain, thunder and
lightning. For a time everything was lowered on deck, but:

154 WHITE—A Sketch of the Life of Samuel White.

after a while the crew got the vessel under double reef, the
little ship behaving wonderfully well under the severe blow.
The next day (the 27th) the wind continued strong, blowing
very hard at times. The owner of the ship put in a lot of
time that day with carpenter’s work, for the rolling of the
ship the day before upset everything. The storeroom doors
and the bulkheads were smashed in, and things were gene-
rally tossed about. The master made a complaint about the
binnacle light, and a change was made from oil to kerosine,

with great success.

eave

WK. Thomas & Co,,
Printers,

Grenfell St., Adelaide.

THE

SOUTH AUSTRALIAN

ORNITHOLOGIST,

A Magazine of Ornithology.

tse JULY; 1916:

EDITORIAL COMMITTEE :

R. CROMPTON, R.A.O.U.

A. M. MORGAN, M.B., Cu.B.
S. A. WHITE, M.B.O.U.

F, R. ZIETZ, R.A.O.U.

Price, 2/=

THE

South Australian

ORNITHOLOGIST.

Editorial Committee :

» CROMPTON, RoACOLUL
M. Morcan, M.B., Cu.B.
See Wire ME BOL,
eRe ZL. ROA OU.

Pe sl

CUNTENTS.

The South Australian Ornithological Association
Order Passeriformes, Family Meliphagidae, Genus Meliornis

A Note on the Migration of Swallows in South Australia.

A. M. Morgan, M.B., Ch.B.
A New Scrub Wren. S. A. White, M.B.O U.

Birds of the North and North-West of Australia (No. 6).
Gregory M. Mathews, F.R.S.E., F.LS., M.B.O.U.

Further Observation on the Cormorants and Bird Temperatures.

A. M. Morgan, M.B., Ch.B.

A Sketch of the Life of Samuel White—Ornithologist, Soldier,
Sailor, and Explorer. By his son, Capt. 8S. A. White,
M B.O.U.

PAGE

168

166

168

169

170

183

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South Australian Ornithologist.

Vor! 1.] Scar UAV Seek OMor [PART 7.

The South Australian Ornithological
Association.

March 31st, 1916.

The Annual Meeting took place, the retiring President
(Mr. J. W. Hosking) read a short address upon the work accom-
plished during the past year. Mr. F. M. Angel was thanked
for taking over the secretaryship during the Hon. Secretary’s
absence on duty at the front. Officers elected.—President,
Dr. A. M. Morgan; Vice-President, Mr. A. G. Edquist; Hon.
Secretary, Mr. R. Crompton (absent on military duty); Acting
Hon. Secretary, Mr. F. M. Ange!; Publishing Committee to
the “South Australian Ornithologist,’ Dr. Morgan, F. R.
Zietz, Capt. S. A. White, the Hon. and Acting Hon. Secre-
taries.

A discussion took place in reference to the need of at once
approaching the Government, praying that a swamp on the
River Murray should be declared a sanctuary for native avi-
fauna and fish. Capt. White was empowered to make a
move in that direction at once.

A discussion arose over the Kangaroo Island Reserve, and.
it was regretted that so much time was being wasted in com-
pleting the arrangements in that direction.

Mr. E. Ashby exhibited a photograph of two young
Laughing Jacks (Dacelo gigas). The parent birds had fed
them with a snake each, and a foot or more of the reptile was

dangling from their bills, the heads being in the birds’

164 The South Australian Ornithological Association.

stomachs. Mr. Ashby’s correspondent stated that it took
several days for the birds to digest the reptiles. The same
member showed several skins of the Lesser Bush Lark (Mirafra
javanica secunda), taken at Encounter Bay; also a specimen
of the Black Bush Lark (WV. 7. as escens) from the Northern
Territory.

The remainder of the evening was taken up by an account.
of the birds of the Coorong, given by Capt. White.

A skin of the Tippet Grebe (Podiceps cristatus) was shown.
also of the Bristle Bird (Maccoyormis broadbenti whitei). Many
of their habits were explained. A Scrub Wren was shown
by the same member, and was pointed out as quite a new
sub-sp. of Sericornis longirostris. Capt. White stated that
through the great kindness of the Messrs. Rymill he had been
able to again pay a visit to the cormorant rookeries in the
mangroves, north of the Outer Harbour, and had done a great
deal of research work amongst the Cormorants (Hypoleucus
varius hypoleucus), by examination of stomach contents, ete.

April 28th, 1916.

A meeting was held, at which Mr. Edwin Ashby showed
a number of bird skins, collected near Karoonda, in the Mallee,
on November 25th, 1915. Amongst others were:—

Gilbertornis rufogularis (EKastern Red-throated Thick-head).

Campbellornis supercilosus (White-browed Wood Swallow).

Drymodes brunneopygia (Scrub Robin).

Oreoica cristata clelandi (Southern Crested Bell Bird).

Hylacola cauta (Rufous-rumped Ground Wren).

Acanthiza pusilla hamiltoni (Red-rumped Tit).

Smicrornis brevirostris virielescens (Greenish Tree Tit).

Pardalotus punctatus xanthopygius (Yellow-rumped Parda-

lot).

Leggeornis lamberti assimilis (Purple-backed Wren).

Epthianura albifrons (White-fronted Chat).

Gliciphila melanops chandleri (Tawny-crowned Honey-

eee caer).
Gliciphila albifrons incerta (Eastern White-fronted Honey-
eater).

Lichenostornus cratitius howei (Victorian Wattle-cheeked
Honey-eater).

‘The South Australian Ornithological Association. 165

The same member also showed :—
Amytornis striatus (Striated Grass Wren).
Gilbertornis rufogularis gilbertii (Red-throated Thick-head).
Eclectus pectoralis macgillivrayi (Red-sided Parrot). From
the Pascoe River, North Queensland.

May 26th, 1916.

A monthly meeting was held, at which Capt. S. A. White
reported that Carlot Lagoon, nine miles above Mannum, would
be gazetted the following week as a Fauna Reserve. Mr. F.
R. Zietz drew the notice of members to an article in the N.S.W.
Agricultural Gazette, upon poisoning fruit for the destruction
of birds. Members strongly condemned this suggestion. An
illustration in the same paper showed 600 poisoned galahs.
Members were very sorry to see such a sad photograph, and
to know that 2,371 parrots were killed at one poisoning. No
wonder our native birds were disappearing. Capt. White
drew attention to a recent publication of the United States
Department of Agriculture upon “The Birds of Porto Rico,”
by Alex. Wetmore, Assistant Biologist. The work was a
very interesting one from the economic point of view alone.

The Chairman (Dr. A. M. Morgan) spoke upon bird life
recently observed on the islands and along our coastline, these
observations being made through the kindness of the Messrs.
Rymill putting their motor yacht, the ‘Avocet,’ at the dis-
posal of ornithology again. Two species of shells were
shown, Turbo Stramineus and Thais textiliosa. The doctor
explained that these shells were supposed to be carried up
into the air by the Pacific Gulls (G@abinus pacificus), and dropped
upon the rocks, and thus smashed as a means of abstracting
the edible contents. He stated that he did not think this
possible, as one shell weighed 104 ozs. He credited the
White-headed Osprey (Pandion haliactus cristatus) with the
practice.

Some discussion took place for and against the supposi-

tion. It was the general opinion that only by observation
could this matter be cleared up.

Skins of the Pacific Gull and White-headed Osprey were
exhibited by Capt. White, to illustrate the above discussion.
The same member also showed the skins of young Short-tailed
Petrels (Neonectris tenuirostris brevicaudus), and,remarked upon
the strange growth of the down upon each feather,

166 Order Passeriformes, Fumily Meliphagidue, Genus Meliornis.

Mr. J. W. Mellor exhibited the skins of the Lesser Bush
Lark (Mirafra javanica secunda). The want of knowledge
respecting these birds shown at the late Forestry Conference
in Adelaide was discussed.

Order Passeriformes, Family Meliphagidae,
Genus Meliornis.

Meliornis novae-holandiae subassimilis.

Upper surface—Forehead, crown and occiput black,
feathers at the base of the bill tipped with white, hind neck
black, each feather with a margin of light brown, line over ear
coverts white, ear coverts black, with a tuft of white feathers
extending backwards from their lower posterior border,
mantle black each feather broadly margined with white, on
some of the feathers on one web only, feathers of the back
and upper tail coverts black broadly margined with dull
brown.

Lower surface—Chin black, bordered on each side at the
angles of the mouth by a patch of white, throat black, with the
hair-like terminations of the feathers white, feathers of the
breast black, broadly margined with white, the border becom-
ing broader and the central streak narrower towards the abdo-
men which is white, under tail coverts white, with a broad
lanceolate streak of black in their centres, thighs brown.

Wing—Primaries and secondaries black, all except the first
two primaries and the last secondary, with the outer webs
margined with bright yellow forming a yellow patch on the
wing, the last two secondaries margined with white at their
tips, wing coverts black.

Tail—Two central tail feathers dull ‘black, the outer
webs washed with yellow, the _ rest of the -tail
feathers black, the outer webs margined with yellow, and
largely tipped with white on the inner webs, the two outer
ones with a small patch of white on the outer webs as well.

Order Passeriformes, Family Meliphagidae, Genus Meliornis. 167

Bill—Black.

Legs and feet—Black.

Tris—W hite.

The female resembles the male, but is slightly smaller.
The young on leaving the nest resemble the adults.

The chick is hatched with the eyes closed, it is covered
with a scanty dark brown down, and has the gape and bill
bright yellow.

Average measurement of nine skins. Total length, 163
m.m., wing 77 m.m., bill 17 m.m.

Distribution—It is found in all the southern parts of S.A.,
and in Kangaroo Island, it does not inhabit the interior.
Nearly allied sub-species are found in Victoria, N.S.W.,
Tasmania, and Western Australia.

Habits—They like country covered with small flowering
shrubs, especially banksias, other favourite trees, are gum
trees, wattle, heath (Epecris), and hakeas. They are familiar
birds in all suburban flower gardens, often nesting there, if
there be suitable cover. They are non migratory as a rule
but sometimes appear for a time in a district and then leave
it fora vear or two. Generally they go singly or in pairs,
unless a good feeding tree be found, when as many as 20 or
30 may be present ata time. They are pugnacious, and will
tackle and drive off much larger birds than themselves from
the nest, or feeding tree. If the old bird be discovered sitting
on eggs, she leaves the nest silently and stealthily, but if the
nest contain young, she remains close to and makes a great
clatter.

Flight—Swift and somewhat erratic, as a rule limited to
quick dashes from one feeding tree to another, but will some-
times chase an intruder for a long distance.

Song—A shrill “tweet,” the alarm note is a harsh clatter.

F'ood—The nectar of flowers, and small insects, the latter
often taken upon the wing.

168 MORGAN—Note on the Migration of Swallows in S.A.

Nest—The nest is built low down, rarely higher than Six
feet, in some thick bush, such as banksia, hakea, or Kangaroo
thorn, in gardens they sometimes build in the fruit trees: the
principal breeding season is from July to end of September,
but odd nests may be found in any month of the year. They
are occasionally the hosts of the pallid cuckoo.

The nest is constructed of fine dry twigs, rootlets or
grasses, bound together with wool or cobwebs, occasionally
it is unlined, but usually with fluffy seeds, sheep’s wool, or
rabbit fur, the unfertile seeds of the banksia are a favourite
lining. The nest is paced in an upright fork, and not sus-
pended by the rim. Two broods are hatched in the season.
The young leave the nest when about three weeks old.

An average nest measured, height 2.3/8 in. diameter x 1}
inches deep.

Eggs—Ground colour creamy buff, with an irregular zone
of diffuse reddish brown spots, intermingled with a few darker
sharply defined ones. Average measurement of eight eggs,
1.98 ¢m.x1.54¢m. Largest egg 2.15 c.m. x 1.55 cm,

A Note on the Migration of Swallows in
Sonth Australia.

By A. M. Morean, M.B., Ch.B.

This year the tree swallows have returned to their old
gathering place on the University Oval. I missed the date of
assembly, but they were numerous early in March, and did not
break up until the beginning of May. They have now, June
Sth, all left the spot, but are still numerous about the fon
river, and park lands.

Welcome swallows are as numerous: now as_ they
have been all the summer. I do not think any have left this
year, perhaps on account of the ‘mildness of the season. They
have however, left the neighbourhood of the houses, and are
mostly to be seen skimming the surface of the river and other
waters.

WH/TH—A New Scrub Wren. 169

A New Scrub Wren.
By 8. A. Waits, M.B.O.U.

Sericornis longirostris wyldei (subsp. n.)—Coorong Scrub Wren.

All upper surface, warm brown; wings, blackish brown;
external margins of primaries, yellowish grey; secondaries,
reddish brown; spurious wing feathers, black, with white mar-
gins; tail, greyish brown, two central tail feathers strongly
washed with rufous; lores, brown; line of white passing
across the forehead and over the eyes; throat, white, a few
of the feathers having a dark line down the centre; centre
of breast and abdomen, pale yellow; sides of breast, grey;
flanks and undertail coverts, rufous; iris, dull white; bill,
dark brown; feet, reddish brown. Type.—A female taken at
the Coorong, March 12th, 1916, and now in the “Wetunga”
collection.

These birds were rare, singing morning and evening in
the thick masses of lignum, and very seldom showed them-
selves, being so very timid. The song is very sweet, but of
short duration.

This new bird mostly resembles the Victorian form of
Sericornis longirostris, but differs in having the upper surface
of a warm shade of ruddy brown, and in showing little or no
striations on the throat, the yellow on the breast and abdomen
being much brighter, and in having the flanks and undertail
coverts of a deep rufous.

8. 1. rosinae shows more striations on the throat, and is a
much darker bird throughout.

This new sub-sp. seems to be the smallest of the genus.
The Flinders Island bird (S. flindersi, White and Mellor)
resembles it somewhat, but is much larger. The bird from
Flinders Island should be Sericornis longirostris flindersi,
because it resembles the Victorian bird very much, and is not
half the size, or is not at all like Tasmanornis humilis. 1 think
Mr. Mathews was quite right in dividing the latter bird into
a new genus, but because Flinders [sland is closer to Tas-
mania than Australia does not constitute that S. flindersi is
a sub-sp. of 7. humilis.

170 MATHEWS—Birds of North and North-West Australia.

I have much pleasure in naming the above new bird after
Mr. Wylde, sub-editor of the “S.A. Register,” who was my
companion during the trip, and assisted me much in ornitho-
logical research.

Birds of the
North and North-West of Australia.

By Grecory M. Marurws, F.R.S.E., F.L.S., M.B.0.U.
NOG:

62. RECURVIROSTRA NOVAHOLLANDIA. Red-necked Avocat.

Recurvirostra novaechollandiae (Vieillot). Nouy. Dict. d’ Hist.
Nat., Vol. III., p. 103, 1816, Victoria.

No. 179—¢@. Length, 16.4 inches (25/6/86).

Irides, brown, but not much seen, the pupil being large;
bill—upper mandible, black; lower, very dark brown; bases
lighter where they are tinged with slate colour, the extreme
tips very light brown, almost transparent. Feet and webs,
delicate lavender; claws, dark brown. The extreme points
of the bill bend downwards.

No. 318— 6. Length, 18 inches.

Irides, reddish-brown; bill, black; feet and legs, lavender.

No. 319— ¢ . Length, 17.3 inches. Same as above (15/9/86).

No. 320— ¢. Length, 16.5 inches. Same as above (15/9/86).

64. LimoOSA LIMOSA MELANUROIDES. Eastern Black-tailed God-
wit. :
Limosa melanuroides (Gould). Proc. Zool. Soc. (Lond.),
1846, p. 84, Port Essington, Northern Territory.
No. 364— 6. Length, 13.4 inches (25/9/86).
Irides, brown; bill, brown, passing into yellowish white
at the base of the lower mandible, and becoming dark horn .

at the base and tip of the upper; tibia and tarsi, slaty black;
feet, fine warm brown of a rich shade.

MATHEWsS—Birds of North and North-West Australia. 171

65. TLIORNIS STAGNATILIS HORSFIELDIT. Little Green Shank.
Limosa horsfieldit (Sykes). Proc. Zool. Soc. (Lond.), 18382,
p. 165. Dukhun, India.
No.358— 29. Length, 8.9 inches (22/9/86).

66. ACTITIS HVPOLEUCUS AURITA. Eastern Common Sandpiper.

Tringa aurita (Latham). Index, Ornith. Suppl., p: LXVLI.,
1801. New South Wales.

No. 340— ¢. Length, 8.2 inches (17/9/86).

Trides, dark brown; bill, olive brown, lightest at the base
of lower mandible.

Its habits are identical with its European ally.

68. GLOTTIS NEBULARIUS GLOTTOIDES. Eastern Green Shank.

Totanus glottoides (Vigors). Proc. Zool. Soc. (Lond.),
1831, p. 173. Himalaya Mountains, India.

No. 173—@. Length, 13.4 inches (23/6/86).

Irides, dark brown; bill, brown, becoming lighter and
tinged with slate colour from half its length to the base; legs
and feet, dirty greenish colour, the green being most con-
spicuous on the tibia.

No. 182— . Length, 13 inches (25/6/86).
No. 188—¢. Length, 12.8 inches (26/6/86).

70. PIsoBIA DAMACENSIS. Long-toed Stint.

Totanus oe. (Horsefield). Trans. Linn. Coc. (Lond.),
Molex sp: 192 1821 Java:

No. 362— 4 : A The length could not be taken
as the head was twisted off.

This bird now in my collection is the only record of this
species having been shot in Australia.

70. LimNociINcLUS ACUMINATUS. Sharp-tailed Stint.

Totanus acuminatus (Horsefield). Trans. Linn. Soe.
(Lond.), Vol. XIIT., p. 192, 1821. Java.

No. 3238— ¢. Length, 8.9 inches (15/9/86).
No. 325— 6. Same as above.
No. 365—¢. Length, 8.5 inches (25/9/86).

172) MATHEWS—Birds of North and North-West Australia.

72. SUBSPILURA MEGALA. Larger Pin-tailed Snipe.
Gallinago megala (Swinhoe). Ibis, 1861, p. 343. Pekin,
China.

No. 531— 6. Length, 11.4 inches (9/11/86).

The bird was sitting close to the ground, with his bill
touching, and looked much like a piece of dirt. It gave forth
no note on rising.

Irides, brown; bill, olive, dark brown on terminal portion;
legs and feet, light yellowish olive.

73. ROSTRATULA AUSTRALIS. Painted Snipe.

Rhynchaea australis (Gould). Synops. Birds Austr., Pt.
IV., App. p. 6, 1838. New South Wales.

No. 289—¢@. Length, 10.8 inches (19/7/86).

Irides, fine brown; eyelid, dark brown; bill, olive on its
basal half, shading with brownish yellow, and tipped with
horn colour, the skin between the fork of the lower mandible
pale green; legs and feet, pale sepia green.

No. 290—¢@. Length, 10.7 inches (19/7/86).

Jrides, brown; eyelid, brown; bill, olive brown for its basal
half, passing into dark brown for the remainder of its length;
the skin between the fork of the lower mandible greenish
white; legs and feet, greenish white.

74. SvILTIA ISABELLA. Australian Pratincole.

Glareola isabella (Vieillot). Analyse Nouy. Ornith., p. 69,
1816, Australia.

No. 224— 9. Length, 8.7 inches (28/8/86).
No. 225— ¢. Length, 8.2 inches (28/8/86).
No. 252— ¢. Length, 8.4 inches (31/8/86).

Irides, brown; bill, coral red from the base to pass the
nostrils, remainder brown; legs and feet, brown.

Although a regular desert bird, round Derby (Monkey
Jarra) it frequented the land adjoining the swamps.

No. 802—¢@. Length, 8.1 inches: (22/7/86).

Irides, brown; bill, fleshy red for its basal half, black for
the remainder of its length; legs and feet, brown.

MATHEWS—Birds of North and North-West Australia. 17%

No. 327— 6. Length, 8.1 inches (16/9/86).
No. 328— 6. Length, 8.4 inches (16/9/86).

76. BURHINUS MAGNIROSTRIS RUFESCENS. Little Stone Plover.

Burhinus magnirostris rufescens (Mathews). Novy. Zool.,
Vol. XVIII., p. 225, 1912, Parry’s Creek, North-west Aus-
tralia.

No. 4839— 6. Length, 21.8 inches (25/10/86).

Irides, yellow, mottled with dark brown or black on the
outer cirele; bill, black, lighter at the base of the lower man-
dible; legs and feet, dirty greenish white, with a slight tinge
of light brown on the feet.

77. THRESKIORNIS MOLUCCA STRICTIPENNIS. White Ibis.

Ibis strictipennis (Gould). Synops. Birds Austr., pl. IV.,
App. p. 7, 1838, New South ‘Wales.

No. 3887—@. Length, 25.7 inches (8/8/ 86).
No. 391— @. Length, 26.9 inches (9/8/86).

Irides, dark brown; bill and the naked skin on the head
and neck, black; the sides of the basal portion of the upper
and lower mandibles mottled with whitish horn colour, these
markings are chiefly noticeable on the upper mandible; tarsi,
purplish brown, with some irregular spots of pink at the joint;
tibia, pink on the upper portion, with purplish brown marks
on the sides and back, lower portions brown, some of the
scales showing pinkish; toes, black, with a purplish tint at
the base. Younger birds have not the mottled appearance on
the bill, and the pink colouring of the tibia is confined to the
upper part. They are wild birds and difficult to get within
range of. Grasshoppers and beetles form their chief food, and
sometimes the fat is a quarter of an inch thick in places.

No. 446— 6. Length, 30.5 inches (26/10/86).

Irides, brown; bill and skin on head and neck, black,
across the nape and hind neck are numerous marks of pink,
which give those parts the appearance of having been freshly
cut between the folds of the skin; on top of the head a number
of similiar, but smaller, marks arranged regularly, and of a
paler colour; front of tibia, knee joint, back of the tarsus,
under surface, and sides of the toes, their joints and at their

174. MATHEWS—Birds of North ae Worthy West Australia.

junction with the tarsus, slate black, remainder of the tibia,
tarsus, and toes, rose pink; skin along the bones of the wings,
blood red.

Another bird had irides, dark brown; bill, black, freckled
with brown at the base of the upper mandible; naked skin on
the face, black; tibia, pink, becoming darker at the joint;
tarsus, dark purple; toes, black. The black of the toes seems
gradualy to pass into the purple of the tarsus, which colour
again gradually becomes the pink of the tibia.

7S. CARPHILUS SPINICOLLIS. Straw-necked Ibis.

Ibis spinicollis (Jamerson). Edin. New Philos. Journ.,
Vol. XIX., p. 213, 1835, New South Wales.

No. J645—9. Length, 26.8 inches (2176/7386):

Irides, dark brown; bill, face, and feet, black; flesh-
coloured spots on the tibia.

On stalking these birds four were noticed posted, to give
warnings of danger, on the highest trees. On firing a gun
they all rise from the damp grass. It seems to fly easily,
often soaring hawk-fashion in the air.

78. PLEGADIS FALCINELLUS. Glossy Ibis. ;

Tantalus falcinellus (Linne). Syst. Nat., ed. XII, p. 241,
1766, Australia.

No. 234— 9. Length, 19 inches (12/7/86).

No. 235—¢. Length, 22.3 inches (12/7/86).

No. 361— @. Length, 20.5 inches (3/8/86).

Irides, dark brown; lores and eyelids, nearly black,
tinged with bluish lead colour where the feathers of the head
and cheeks begin; bill—upper mandible, dark brown on the
culmen as far as the nostrils, the remainder of the upper
mandible light olive brown, which becomes darker at the tip;
under mandible, light olive brown, darker at the base, but
lighter and tinged with flesh colour on the fork; legs and
feet, black, becoming brown on the upper parts of the tibia.

78. SPATHERODIA REGIA. Black-billed Spoonbill.

Platalea regia (Gould). Synops. Birds Austr., Pt. 1V., App.
p- 7, 1838, New South Wales.

No. 148— ¢. Length, 30.4 inches (17/6/86).

~I
Or

M. PUES Birds oe North and a rch- lee Australia, 1

Irides, scarlet; bill, slate colour, mottled with black as
far as the nostrils, above which it is black; lower mandible,
black at the base, slate colour at the point; naked skin of the
face and throat, black, except a superciliary stripe over each
eye and a triangular mark on the top of the head between the
eyes, the former marks being bright yellow, and the latter
blood red; feet and legs, black.

They walk quickly through the water, wth the bill a little
more than half under, and at reach step sway from side to side
somewhat after the sty le of a sower. The mandibles are for
the majority of the time kept a little open. Their flight seems
heavy, particularly when turning. They are fairly silent.
The windpipe runs the length of the sternum, and turns and
then goes forward before entering the lungs.. Wounded birds
while walking make about in the same way as they do wher
feeding, constantly putting the tip of the bill down on the
ground.

No. 418— 6. Length, 31 inches (21/10/86).

79. ZENORHYNCHUS ASIATICUS AUSTRALIS. Black-necked Stork.

Mysteria australis (Shaw). Trans. Linn. Soc. (Lond.), Vol.
V., p. 23, 1800, New South Wales.

No. 174—2. (23/6/86.)

Length, from tip to tip of wing, 6 feet : inches; from the
tip of the bill to the tip of the tail, 4 feet 24 inches; from the
tip of the bill to the end of the toes, 5 feet 54 inches: weight.
9 Ibs.

Irides, fine yellow; eyelash, black; bill, black; inside of
the mouth, salmon colour, deeper towards the front; the skin
between the fork of the lower mandible, black, irregularly
marked with red, giving it somewhat the appearance of cuts;
legs and feet, coral red.

When fishing they catch fair-sized ones, from five to seven
inches long. Those that were lengthways soon were
swallowed, but those that got across the mandible required
more care, and by the opening and closing of the bill and
sundry jerks they would be placed head first, and then were
swallowed. uring the intervals the bird would walk about
quietly, but when anything caught its eye it would indulge in
a short run, and then stop suddenly. When flying the head,
neck, and legs are stretched out to their full extent. They

76 ere le ae of North and North-West Australia.

are a Silent bird, and their flight is slow and graceful, taking
from four to a dozen flaps it holds its wings out, and sails for
a short time. It rises from the water without difficulty, and
mounts high in a series of circles, but of not such a size as one
would expect.

S81. HerRopiaAs ALBA SYRMATOPHORA. White Egret.

Herodias immaculata (Gould). Birds Austr., Vol. VI.. Pt.
58, 1846, Port Essington.

No. 522— 6. Length, 24.5 inches (7/11/86).

Irides, straw-vellow; gape, lore, and cere, light yellow;.
upper mandible, as far as the posterior margins of the nostrils
on the culmen and for a short distance behind them on the
sides, black; on the culmen over the nostrils and on the cutting
edges just below them are marks of indistinct yellow; lower
mandible, with apical third and cutting edges, very dark
brown, almost black; remainder pale yellow, brightest poste-
riorily, and shading into whitish horn anteriorly; inside of
tibia, inside and back of tarsus, soles of feet and of toes, pale
vellowish green; remainder of feet and legs (except on the
outside of the tibia, where there is a short greenish stripe),
black; claws, dark brown.

81. Hrropias ALBA SVRMATOPHORA. White Heret.

Herodias syrmatophorus (Gould). Birds Austr., Vol. VI,

Pt. 56, 1846, New South Wales.
> No. 421-=4. lheneth, 24.9 inches (22/10/36):

Irides, very pale yellow; eyelid, vellow; lores and skin
surrounding the eve, yellow, posteriorly shaded with green,
which colour is deepest under the eyes; bill, orange, with the
tip of the upper mandible horn coloured; legs and feet, black,
with a patch of greenish yellow on the inside of the tibia and
on the sole of the foot.

No. 429—¢. Length, 38.9 inches (23/10/86).

Similar to the above, bat with more yellowish colour on
the tibia.

82. NoropuoyxX NOVAEHQLLANDIAR. White-fronted Heron.

Ardea novachollandiae (Latham). Index, Ornith., Vol. II...
p. 101, 1790, New South Wales.

MATHEW S—firds of North and North-West Australia. 177

No. 201— ¢. Length, 24.5 inches. Wings, from tip to
tip, 3 feet 44 inches; from tip of the bill to the end of the toes,
2 feet 6 inches. (27/6/86).

Eyelash, yellowish white; orbital space and lores, bluish,
lead colour, tinged in front of the eye with mealy yellow; bill
—upper mandible, very dark brown; lower mandible, dark
brown at the tip and along the cutting edge to the base; sides
of lower for two-thirds from the base, whitish horn, shading
into the brown of the special third; the skin between the forks
of the lewer mandible, yellowish white; end of gap, vellow;
legs and feet, vellow, with a greenish shade, some of the scales
on the lower part of the tarsus and on the top of the middle
toe, greenish brown.

No. 210—¢. Length, 24 inches (30/6/86).

Irides, dull vellow tinge; orbital space and _ eyelash,
greenish yellow; lores, ead colour, slightly tinged with yellow
posteriorly; bill—upper mandible, black, becoming lighter at
the base on the cutting edge; lower mandible, dark brown on
th apical third, which colour continues along the cutting edge
to the base, remainder of lower mandible, whitish horn colour;
legs and feet, dull vellow, with a greenish tinge; some of the
scales on the lower part of the tarsus in front and on top of
the middle toe, olive brown.

No. 350—¢@. Length, 23.3 inches (31/7/06).

82. Myona pacirica. White-necked Heron.

Ardea pacifica (Latham). Index Ornith. Suppl., p. LXV.,
1801, New South Wales.

No. 156— ¢@. Length, 31.8 inches (20/6/86).

Irides, light yellow; bare space round the eye, green;
lores, black, with a triangular-shaped mark of green at the
base of the upper mandible; bill, black, vellowish white on
the under part of the lower mandible.

No. 321—@. (15/9/86). Irides, light greenish yellow;
legs and feet, black.

No. 386— ?. Length, 31 inches (8/8/86).

83. NYCTICORAX CALEDONICUS AUSTRALASIAB. Night Heron.

Ardea australasiae (Vieillot). Tabl. Ency. Meth. Ornith.,
Vol. IE., p. 1,130, 1823, New South Wales.

178 MORGAN—Observatiou on Cormorants and Bird Temperatures.

No. 219— ¢. Length, 23 inches (26/8/86).
No. 301—@. Length, 23.5 inches (10/9/86).

86. Duprror FLAVICOLLIS OLIVET. Northern Yellow-necked
Bittern.

Ardeiralla flavicollis otivei (Mathews). Nov. Zool., Vol.
“XVIII, p. 234, 1912, Johnston River, Queensland.

No. 428— 6. (23/10/86).

Irides, yellow, brighter next the pupil; lores, brownish
olive; upper mandible, dark brown, the lower of the same

colour, but tinged in the middle and at the bottom edge with
yellowish white; legs and feet, brown above.

No. 452— Length, 25.4 inches (27/10/86).

Further Observation on the Cormorants and
Bird Temperatures.

. By A. M. Morgan, M.B. Ch. B.

On March 25th, 1916, Capt. S. A. White, on the invitation
of Messrs. A. G. and E. 8. Rymill, had an opportunity of mak-
ing extensive observ Moe on the orange faced Cormorant
(Hypolencus varius hypolencus). I was unfortunately unable
to go, but he has kindly handed over his notes to me for pub-
lication. The locality visited was a mangrove creek, a few
miles north of the Outer Harbour, on the eastern side of St.
Vincent’s Gulf. Orange-faced cormorants only were found.
A large number of birds was measured and dissected.

Stomach CUNEO. 1, Fish bones and seaweed; No.
2, Weedfish; No. 3, 6 Weedfish; No. 4, 2 Flathead; No. 5; 3
Flathead, INORG: 1 Weedfish; No. 7, 1 Weedfish; No. Sree! Flat-
head; No. 9, 1 Squid; No. 10, 1 Squid; } Noy dat "Flathead: No.
12, 4 Weedfish, 1 Leatherjacket; No. 18, 1 Toad fish and fish
remains; No. 14, 3 Weedfish; No. 15, 1 Weedfish, 1 Flathead;
No. 16, 1 Weedfish; No. 17, 1 Weedfish, 1 Tommy Rough; No.
18, 1 Weedfish; No. 19, = Leen: No. 20, 2 Tommy roughs;
No. 21, 1 Flathead; No-22, 2 Squid; No. 24, 1 Flathead, i

MORGAN—Observation on Cormorants and Bird Temperatures. 179

Weedfish; No. 25, 1 Flathead; No. 27, 1 Weedfish, 1 Flathead;
No. 28, 1 Weedfish, 1 flathead; No. 29, Fish bones, Cockle
shells, and spiral shells; No. 30, 27 Toad fish, and a number of
small fish; No. 31, 2 Flathead, 4 Weedfish; No. 32, 1 Leather |
jacket; No. 33, 1 Flathead and fish bones; No. 34, 1 Flathead;
No. 35, 1 Weedfish.

-Measurements:— The wing measurement was taken from
the axilla to tip of longest primary, for the reason that as this
measurement can only be taken on fresh specimens it was
considered advisable to take advantage of this opportunity.
It would haye been better to have taken the measurement
from carpus to tip as well, and this will be done if other oppor-
tunities occur.

No. sex- Total length Wing . Spread
¢.m. ¢.m. ¢.m.
se $ 82.25 55.15 121.50
De é 76.00 5D.15 124.00
ane ) 10.25 53.2 121.50
ee. 3 83.50 Da-29 121.50
exe 3 182053 54.50 116.50
OE. fe) T25 59.15 121.50
20... o 81.00 59.50 124.00
2 oa } 82.25 D0-19 121.50
22. é 86.00 55.15 121.50
2 Q 76.00 53.25 114.00
2. } 82.25 55.15 121.50
Le 2 CLAD 5.25 119.00
Sie: ) 18.25 50.50 112.00

The average measurement of five females is:—Total
length, 77.70 ¢.m.; wing, 52.60 ¢.m.; spread, 117.60 cm.; and
the average of eight males—Total length, 80.80 ¢.m.; wing,
55.79 ¢.m.; spread, 122.80 ¢m. The average size of the males
is therefore sightly greater than that of the females.

Of the 35 stomachs examined, sixteen contained fish of a
marketable species. Two of these contained Tommy roughs
(Arripis georgianus). AS in my experience the Cormorant is &
bottom fisher, and the tommy rough only occasionally a
bottom feeder, these two may be regarded as accidental. The
flathead (Platycephalus fuscus), lives entirely upon sandy bot-
toms. Ihave but rarely seen cormorants fishing, except over

180 MORGAN—Observation on Cormorants and Bird Temperutures.

a weedy bottom, so either the flatheads must sometimes
invade the weeds, or the cormorants establish a special fishery
where they are numerous. The other nineteen stomachs con-
. tained only vermin.

The comparative rarity of females is rather remarkable.
Of the 35 birds dissected, only seven were females, and a pre-
vious trip of four birds dissected all were males.

—Colours of Soft Parts.—

No. 1 ¢,Spot in front of eye, orange; space around eye,
blue; bill, upper mandible, vellowish white; ridge horn colour
becoming almost black at base; curved tip, brownish yellow;
lower mandible, light yellow; gular pouch, yellowish white.
This bird showed slight signs of breeding.

No. 24, Iris sea green; spot in front of eye, orange; space
around eye, pale yellow; top mandible, dark brown; lower,
yellowish, gular pouch, pale yellow. Showed no signs of
breeding.

Nos. 3, 4, 5, and 6 same as No. 2.

No. 8. 6, bare space in front of eye, orange; bare space
around eye, blue; lower eyelid, green; gular pouch, pink; bill,
bluish black tip horn colour.

No. 7 and 9 same as 8; No. 10 to 15, same as No. 2; No. 16
to 18 same as 8. .

Nos. 16 to 18 same as 8.

No. 19 9, Bare spot in front of eye, orange, extending
round to the back of the eye; bare space below eye, very bright
iridescent shades of blue and green; gular pouch, purplish
red; bill, dark bluish black. This bird would have laid within
a fortnight.

No. 20, 24, 25, 27, and 28 were the same as No. 8; No. 21
and 22 the same as No. 7. The iris was sea green, and the
legs and feet black in all the specimens. The reason for the
variation in the soft parts is obscure. Nos. 1 and 19 had
very brightly coloured soft parts with black bills, and No. 1
showed slight signs of breeding; No. 2, distinct signs, this
would seem to show that it was a breeding phase, but three
males examined by us in January last, had _ brilliant blue
periorbital spaces without showing any signs of breeding.

MORGAN—Observation on Cormorants and Bird Temperatures. 181

Again, a young bird examined in January had the bill light
coloured, and the space about the eye yellow, while two of the
birds with yellow eye spaces taken on this trip proved on dis-
section to be fully adult. The whole subject requires further
investigation.

Last Easter, Messrs. A. G.:and E. 8S. Rymill again kindly
invited Capt. White and myself to accompany them on
another trip into Spencer’s Gulf, with the object of examining
the cormorant rookery on Dangerous Reef, and visiting the
Islands of Sir Joseph Banks group. Unfortunately the
weather turned out stormy so that very little work was done,
and we were unable to reach either of our objectives. We
left Adelaide on the morning of Good Friday, and made
straight across the gulf to Stansbury. Here a little dredging
was done by Mr. Edgar Waite, Curator of the S.A. Museum,
who accompanied us for Ichthyological purposes. On the
following day we moved along the coast of the Peninsula to
Foul Bay, where a landing was made. This part of the penin-
sula is almost destitute of bird life, the only speci-
mens procured were a pair of Hooded Dotterels. | Early next
morning we made for Pondalowie Bay, but were obliged to
put into Althorps light for shelter, where we were weather
bound for three days. Advantage was taken of our enforced
stay here to take the temperatures of Penguins and Mutton
birds. The majority of the young mutton birds had left the
island, but a few still showing signs of down, remained in the
burrows. No old birds were present on the island, but num-
bers were skimming the waters in its vicinity. On April 27th
the weather being somewhat calmer, we made for Pondalowie
Bay, where a day and a half was spent. We here investi-
gated the broken shells on top of one of the islands. They
are chiefly of four species, viz. Turbo stramineus, Turbo undu-
latus, Purpura succincta, Fusus undulatus and Haliotis sp.
Three live specimens of Turbo stramineus which Mr. Rymill
collected from the rocks weighed from eight ounces to 104
ounces, so that I am'‘of opinion that they could not have been
carried up by Pacific gulls, for at Althorp, one of these birds
tried and failed to carry off a piece of fat which at a liberal
estimate did not weigh more than 4 ounces. ‘Two other birds
which might have been reponsible, are the Osprey, and the
Sea Eagle, both of which inhabit the islands, and there were
at the time of our visit, no Pacific gulls about. This is how-
ever not evidence of much value, as none of the shells had

182. MORGAN—Observation on Cormorants and Bird Temperaturss.

been recently dropped. I noticed that, though the shells were
scattered about any suitable rock, the opercula were in heaps:
at the edge of the cliff, the bird had therefore extracted the
mollusc where the shell was broken, and carried it to the edge
of the cliff to eat it, this would point to either the Osprey or
Sea Eagle being the carrying agent, for both these birds select
prominent spots, from which they can see all round, for their
feeding places. While at Pondalowie we saw an Osprey pick
up something from the'sea in its talons, and fly off to the
beach to devour it. On Saturday, April 29th, we started on
our return, as time would not now allow of our visiting
Dangerous Reef, or the Banks Island. Saturday afternoon
was spent ashore on Troubridge Island, and four cormerants
secured. Capt. White also collected a specimen in immature
plumage of the Double banded Dotterel (Cirrepedesmus
bicinctus).

The cormorants were all of the orange faced species
(H. V. hypoleucus).

No. Sex Total Wing Carpus Spread Culmen Wt.
length axilla to tip
to tip

¢.m. ¢.m. c.m. ¢.m. C.m.> >) Ibse
1 3 78.25 “47.00: 29:25 125 ete
2, Q (4.50 ~ °50.50 - 29.25 117 25. ie Oe
3 Q 73.25 48.25 29:95 116/50) Sesame
4 3 83:75 54.25". 30.50 224,00) aee20iee

—Stomach Contents.

No. 1, Large Leather jacket; No. 2, 1 Small Cuttle fish,
fishbones; No. 8. Fish bones, 8 shells of 4 species, mostly
cockles; No. 4,2 Flathead, fish bones.

The shells found in the stomach of No. 4 and No. 29 of the
first series were possibly swallowed to assist in the disinte-
gration of the food. Both birds were shot in localities where
there were no stones available.

—Temperatures.—

The temperatures of six penguins (Hudyptula minor
undina) were taken. No. 1, 104.2 F.; No. 2, 100.2 F.; No. 3,
100.2 F.; No. 4, 100.0 F.; No. 5; 100.0 F.s No. 6, 103.0 EB: .

HW FLITH—A Sketch of the Life of Samuel White. 183

All were adult birds in full plumage, and all the tempera-
tures were taken in the same manner, and under the same

conditions.

Mutton birds (Neonectris Tenwirostris brevicaudus). The
temperature of eight birds was taken. They were all young
birds still showing traces of down, they were all taken under
the same conditions:—No. 1, 99.8 F.; No. 2, 99.4 EF:; No. 3,
100.2 F.; No. 5, 100.4 F. No. 6, 100.0 F: No. 7, 101.0 F.; ; No. 8,
100.8 F. The record of No. 4 has been ‘mislaid. Tam ‘unable
to account for the variation in the temperatures of the pen-
guins, and to a less degree on the mutton birds; all the birds
naturally struggled when captured, but none appreciably
more than another.

The temper atures of three leghorn laying hens were taken
for comparison. They are in the order taken:—No. 1, 107 F.;
No. 2, 107.8 F.; No. 3, 108.4 F. The birds had to be caught
in a small yard, so that the one that was chased the most had
the highest temperature. This would seem to show that the
thermo-taxic mechanism of these birds was unstable, and
readily upset by excercise or excitement. The temperature of
a Hooded Dotterel, about one minute dead, was 107.

I have not access to any literature on this subject, nor do
I know where any is to be obtained, so would be glad if any
reader could tell me where such is to be had.

A Sketch of the Life of Samuel White—
Ornithologist, Soldier, Sailor, and Explorer.

By His Son, (Capt.) S. A. Waitn, M.B.O.U.

IX.—THE ORNITHOLOGIST AND SAILOR.

Sandy Cape was rounded before daylight of May 28. The
wind during the night had been light, and very little headway
had been made. - little after sunrise Lady Elliots Island
‘was abeam of the vessel, and soon afterwards the wind
dropped. At 2 p.m. the yacht was rolling about in a dead

184 WHITHE—A Sketch of the Life of Samuel White,

calm. Very soon a great many sharks put in an appearance,
and came quite close to the sides of the yacht. They sailed
round lazily, but would not take a piece of beef which baited
a hook for them. It was interesting to watch such a number
of these blunt-nosed huge creatures swimming about, with
several sucking fish attached to the body of each monster,.
hanging on to every part—above, beneath, and on the fins.
The sharks appeared not to take the slightest notice of them.
The suckers attach themselves by the flat tops of their heads,
which are provided with a broad, flat top and a fiexible rim,
which acts in the same manner as a piece of wet leather when
applied to a wet surface. When the sucker attaches itself
to the upper surface of the shark the backs of the two fish
are presented to each other, and the light under surface of
the sucker gleams in the water against the dark background
formed by the upper surface of the shark. One or two sucking
fish were caught with hooks, and measured from 18 to 24
inches in length. Several sharks were struck with harpoons,
and they were seen swimming about with great white gashes:
in their bodies where the iron had struck them, but seemed
to take little heed of it. The wind kept very light for the
next forty-eight hours, there being just a light air from the N,
which enabled the craft to dodge on a little, although she was
close up to it.

At noon on the 29th Bustard Head lay right abeam. The
sun was beginning to make itself felt as a gentle reminder
that the tropics were being approached. The light breeze-
died away again, and the vessel was becalmed till the after-
noon of the 30th, when a light breeze sprang up from the N.E.,
and later freshened considerably. The captain fastened on
to a porpoise, and he was hauled on board. Several sea snakes”
about five feet long were seen during the morning, and
also a very large turtle. During the night the wind died away
again, but at daylight next morning it came up from the 8.

The nights had been clear and cold, with heavy dews, and
the mornings cloudy. By the evening of the 3ist the yacht
was off Cape Clinton, and the breeze keeping up all night, by
davlight the next morning we were among: the Cumberland
Islands. The wind shifted backwards and forwards from
the 8. to the S.E., but blew fresh, the weather being typical
for the winter in the South Tropics. * The sky was overcast
and gloomy all day, and the sea dark and angry looking—this
was the first of the trade winds’ influence. The vessel’

WHITE—A Sketch of the Life of Sanwel White. 185

threaded her way all day among the islands, at first through
the Percy Islands, and then others. They were desolate
looking places; some mere rocks jutting out of the sea, with
many sea birds upon them, bearing an inhospitable and barren
appearance, and seemingly of an ironstone formation, without
timber of any description, but during the afternoon they
improved in appearance, and some looked green on the slopes,
and it was noticeable that some of the gullies were timbered
with pines (Araucaria). Later we noticed that dense vegeta-
tion of pines and other trees covered the sides of the gullies
nearly to the top, and that the islands bore a volcanic appear-
ance. At sundown the yacht, under the orders of the owner,
brought up under an island—one of the Cumberland, marked
“M Jsland” on the chart—in five fathoms of water over a
sandy bottom, where she lay fairly quietly, it being an inlet
on the western side of the island. There was no time to go
ashore that night, and next morning the wind blowing strongly
made the anchorage unsafe, so there was no alternative but to
get under weigh again. During the night it was
seen that the scrub and grass on the island was
burning in several places, which clearly indicated that
there were natives upon it. After getting away at
daylight the captain made some mistake in his _bear-
ings. and ran into Repulse Bay, but, discovering his mistake
in time, hauled to the wind, and weathered Cape Conway. At
2 p.m. we passed the lighthouse and Dent Island, and as two
natives came off in a canoe the captain sent a slip to the light
keeper to report the boat. After passing the light a course
was made around Whitsunday Island, to a nook on the N. side,
where Samuel White landed three guns, and went into the
scrub, but he was much disappointed, for they saw nothing to
collect. Some of the crew landed, and tried out some oil from
the blubber of a porpoise which had been harpooned a few
days previously. It was late before the men came off, and
in the meantime several natives had come on board with some
fish, which were gladly purchased, and made a welcome
change to the menu. JDuring the evening some of the crew
busied themselves fishing, and caught a few very nice fish of
several species, some like the red schnapper found in the
vicinity of Kangaroo Island, S.A. Whitsunday Island is a
large one, situated near the mainland, and divided from it by
a passage of a few miles. This, like all the islands around
it, was of exceeding beauty—like fairvylands opening out on
every side. Some presented green, grassy slopes, with

186 WHITHE—A Sketch of the Life of Samuel Witte.

wooded gullies, pine-clad hills, clothed with Araucaria cunning-
hamii to the top, and others little sandy beaches, with small
flats at the back, over which are scattered beautiful green
ornamental trees, like a park. Others again were thickly
clothed with jungle and palms. The landing place at Whit-
sunday Island was very picturesque. After running through
a narrow passage between two islands for about two or three
miles a sandy beach was seen, and Samuel White gave orders
to bring the yacht up, and the anchor was dropped in four
fathoms of water, smooth¢as a lagoon, over a bottom of soft
ooze. <A landing was made upon a ‘small patch of sandy
beach, near a rocky gorge, up which Samuel White and his
collectors scrambled for about a mile. On either hand stood
points of land or elevated knolls, thickly covered in pines
(Araucaria), with here and there a slope of golden-green grass,
which, from the ship, looked most charming, but on reaching
it we found it to be steep and stony, the grass, although green,
long and coarse. The place was very bare of bird life, all
that were seen were fruit pigeons, pittas, collwricincula,
rhipidura, campephaga, and sericorns. Next morning at day-
light this most energetic ornithologist landed again with his
collectors, and in his notes he says: “This morning at daylight
three of us landed with guns, and proceeded up the stony
gorge to the top of the island, but saw little in bird life. One
of my collectors procured a fine White Gosshawk, and two
other small birds were taken. I found two species of Helix,
one about the size of a large marble, marked with light and
dark rings, and a small one, which I found attached to the
under surface of leaves. We were on board and under weigh
again before noon, and the birds collected were preserved.
With a strong breeze Port Denison was passed at 2 p.m. We
are fairly in the trades now; the weather is not cloudy, but
hazy.” The yacht was kept under weigh all night, owing to
the coast being fairly clear of islands. At eight o’clock
Cape Bowling Green was passed, and at four in the morning
Cleveland Light; at 2 p.m. the south end of Hinchinbrook
Island was abeam. In Samuel White’s notes under June 4th
he says: “I expect to be at the Barnard Islands early to-mor-
row; the run yesterday was 157 miles. ‘It is rather remark-
able we passed through the Whitsunday Passages on the 111th
anniversary of Cook’s discovery, he having passed through it
on the 3rd of June, 1769. Navigation is much simplified
since Cook’s time; there are now soundings in every direction,

WHITE—A Sketch of the Life of Samuel White. 187

with lights on every dangerous or convenient point. To-day
I made up a lot of car tridges, ready for operations on the Bar-
nard Islands, where I expect to find the beautiful and rare
rifle bird (Ptiloris victoriae).”

Dunk Island was reached on the 4th, but it was after
11 p.m. before the N.W. side was reached, owing to the wind
dying right away. Anchor was dropped under a big rock
at the N. Ww. side of Dunk Island, where the Elsea rolled. about
till four o’clock next morning, when she was under weigh
again, with the Barnard Islands in sight. The wind
freshened, and the islands were made about eight o’clock, but
an anchorage was not reached till after 10 a.m., owing to
sailing around two. or three times, so as to pick up a smooth
one, and it was at last decided that the north-west corner of
the middle island, where it was moderately smooth, would
answer the best for landing.

¥
¥

tee er

W. K, Thomas @ Co.,
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Ist OCTOBER, 1916.
EDITORIAL COMMITTEE:
CROMPTON, R.A.0.U.
A. M. MORGAN
S. A. WHITE,
- F. R, Z1ETZ,

A Magazine of Omithology.
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ORNITHOLOGIS

THE

South Australian

ORNITHOLOGIST.

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Editorial Committee :

R. Crompton, R.A.O.U.
a. M. Morcan, M.B., Cu.B.
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CONTENTS.

PAGE

The South Australian Ornithological Association . i : . 195

Order Passeriformes, Family Prionopidae, Genus Collnricincla . 197

Birds of the North and North-West of Australia (No. 7).
Gregory M. Mathews, F.R.S.E., F.L.S., M.B.0.U. _. =) 200

Notes on the Genus Epthianura. A. M. Morgan, M.B., Ch.B. 204

A Sketch of the Life of Samuel White—Ornithologist, Soldier,
Sailor, and Explorer. By his son, Capt. 8S. A. White,
M B.O.U. 3 : : 5 : . ; : : a» OVE

Officers and Members of the South Australian Ornithological

Association for the Year 1916 : 5 i : 5 Boies a1

“

eee) Tub este

South Australian Ornithologist

Wor.) Lt, | Si OCLOB bike sSiG: [PART 8.

The South Australian Ornithological
Association.

JUNE 30, 1916.

A monthly meeting was held. Dr. A. M. Morgan presided
over a large attendance. The Hon. Secretary (Mr. F. M.
Angel), read an extract from the Government Gazette of June
8, stating that Carlot Lagoon, situated upn the River Murray,
above Mannum, was now a bird sanctuary.

Capt. White read interesting notes upon the shell carry-
ing propensity of the Pacific gulls, which had been sent to
him by Capt. W. G. Randall of Port Lincoln. A lively dis-
cussion took place upon this subject again, and some mem-
bers were still not convinced that the Pacific gull could carry
a live “warrener” (Turbo siramineus), Capt. White was re-
quested to make further enquiries. Many bird notes were
recorded by members. Mr. J. W. Mellor recorded having
seen the young of the white-browed babblers at the Reedbeds
early in June. Dr. Morgan stated he had seen two bronze
cuckoos hopping about upon the ground after food at Seaton
recently. Mr. E. Ashby gave notes upon unusual occurren-
ces of birds at Blackwood. Capt. White stated he had seen
the first fan-tailed or brush cuckoos for the season on June 8,
and also drew attention to the unusual numbers of Australian
orioles this winter upon the Adelaide Plains. Mr. F. Par-
sons showed bird skins taken at Buckland Park. Amongst
them were the allied scrub wren, sacred kingfisher, southern

196 The South Australian Ornithological Association.

grass bird, and southern white-eye. Mr. Ashby also exhibi-
ted birds from the same district, and gave a short account of
the bird life. He also displayed a small collection of bird .
skins from Western Australia, many of which were rare and
interesting. Amongst others were the red-plumed pigeon,
Oriental dotterel, rock field-wren, rufous desert-wren. Mr. F.
' R. Zietz showed a number of bird skins from the museum col-
lection for comparison.

JULY 28, 1916.

A monthly meeting was held, at which Dr. A. M. Morgan
presided. Mr. M. Saunders, was elected a member.

Capt. White reported the destruction of swans by the
so called aboriginals at the lakes passage, and that action had
been taken. <A resolution was passed that the Hon. Secre-
tary should write to the Commissioner of Crown Lands, and
requested him to lose no time in preventing the swans from

- being killed.

Mr. J. W. Mellor reported having seen a_ black-backed
magpie at Lockleys, and having seen and _ heard the pallid
cuckoo for the first time this season. He also reported the
nesting of pied grallinas and white fronted herons at Lockleys.
Capt. W. G. Randall was welcomed as a visitor, and he gave
some valuable information in reference to the Pacific gulls
carrying up Shells and letting them fall to abstract the con-
tents. Mr. J. W. Mellor gave an account of a trip he made to
Yorkes Peninsula in Mav last, and remarked that all the wa-
ders ‘had left the shores and flats, evidently migrating to their
nesting haunts. Mr. Mellor showed some bird skins. Capt.
White showed bird skins from Yorkes!Peninsula, and a skin
of the Australian fairy prion (Pseudoprion turtur), which had
been picked up in the paddocks at the Reedbeds after record
rough weather. Mr. F. R. Zietz drew attention to the great
number of silver gulls which had congregated about the Tor-
rens Weir.

AUGUST 25, 1916.

Dr. A. M. Morgan presided over a monthly meeting.
Notice was drawn to a letter from Mr. A. F. Furniss of
Morphett Vale, suggesting the destruction of sparrows by
means of poisonous gases. Members were of opinion that the
experiment would be dangerous, and if successful, would not
have much effect upon the vast numbers ofthese birds.

Order Passeriformes, Family Prionopidae, Genus Colluricincla. 197

Mr. T. P. Bellchambers had written stating that the black-
throated grebe was nesting upon his dam, and they would .
not allow the hoary-headed species to alight upon the same
water, also that the mallee fowl were nesting very early this
season.

Mr. Zietz submitted a list of generic names fixed by the
International Zoological Nomenclature Congress.

Discussion took place upon the preservation of bird life
especially around the newly gazetted reserve at Carlot
Lagoon, on the River Murray. The position in regard to
their leased lands was explained by Capt. White.

Mr. S. Sanders exhibited ‘a case of mounted birds, and
his work was greatly admired. Mr. E. Ashby showed two
rare crimson finches (Neochmia phaeton and N. phaeton albiven-
tris). The following species came in for discussion during the
evening :—Myiagra rubecula (leaden flycatcher), MZ rubecula
ringwoodi (Victorian leaden flycatcher), M. rubecula yorki
(Northern leaden flycatcher), M. rubecula broomi (Western
blue flycatcher), M. nitida (Satin flycatcher), M. latirostris
(broad-billed flycatcher), M. latirostris kempi ( Cape York broad-
billed flycatcher), Machaerirhynchus flaviventer (Yellow-breas-
ted flycatcher), M. flaviventer secundus (Cairns yellow-breasted
flycatcher). Mr. F. R. Zietz showed specimens of these birds
from the S.A. Museum collection, Mr. Ashby and Capt. White
from their private collections.

Order Passeriformes, Family Prionopidae,
Genus Colluricincla.

Colluricincla harmonica.—The grey shrike thrush.

Description. Adult male.—Upper surface——Forehead,
crown, and back of the neck, dark grey, the feathers of the
forehead and crown with a dark line down the centre; back
and shoulders, olive brown; ,upper tail coverts and tail, grey;
lores, white.

Under Surface.—Throat, grevish white; breast, light
grey, gradually fading to greyish white on the abdomen and
under tail coverts; thighs, grey.

198 Order Passeriformes, Family Prionopidae, Genus Colluricincla.

Wing.—Upper wing coverts, grey; primaries, dark brown,
the outer webs fringed with grey, and the basal portions of
the inner webs broadly fringed with white.

Bill.— Black.
Legs and Feet.—Black.
Iris.—Dark Brown. |

r Adult Female.—Differs from the male in having the
throat striped longitudinally, in the absence of the white lores,
and in having an ill-defined, whitish, superciliary stripe.

Bill—Upper mandible very dark brown; lower mandible,
horn colour.

Young.—Resembles ,the female, but the whole of the
under surface is striped, the superciliary stripe is more de-
fined, and of a light buff colour—there is a ring of white fea-
thers surrounding the eye, and the upper wing coverts and
secondaries are fringed with olive brown on their outer webs.

Total length (of skin), 230 m.m.; bill, 22 m.m.; wing 123
m.m.; tail, 97 m.m.; tarsus, 31 m.m

In, Mr. Ashby’s collection is a female in male plumage,
and a male in female plumage, both from the Black Spur,
Victoria. The male is probably an immature bird. The
female may.be one of those exceptional cases in which the
male plumage has been assumed, or it may be the rule for
very old females to assume it. Unfortunately, as.is so often
the case with common birds, there is not enough material
available in Adelaide to.settle the point.

Distribution.—This bird, or one of its sub-species, inhabits
the whole of the eastern portion of Australia, including Tas-
mania and Kangaroo Island; the bird inhabiting South Aus-
tralia being known as Colluricincla harmonica victorie. West
of Spencer’s Gulf its place is taken by an allied species
Colluricincla rufiventris. The range of the present bird ex- .
tends to the northern extremity of the Flinders’ Range.

Habits.—They are found in pairs in fairly thick scrub
country or forest land; in the interior they live mostly in
the gum creeks or rocky gullies of the ranges. About Ade-
laide they are still common in the public parks and gardens,
and in many private gardens if there be cover for them. They
do not migrate, and a pair will remain and nest for years

Order Passeriformes, Family Prionopidae Genus Colluricincla. 199

‘about the same spot. They are quiet and retiring in their
habits, and were it not for their pretty whistle, they would -
often be missed.

Flight—Undulating and not very swift—they seldom do
more than fiy from tree to tree, or from tree to ground.

Song.—A melodious whistle, very clear and loud. It
can hardly be called a song, as it consists generally of only
Six or seven notes. A common sequence is three notes
whistled slowly, then two lower pitched uttered quickly, end-
ing with a final high pitched note. The young for some time
after leaving the nest utter a single mournful “squark.”

Food.—Entirely animal, consisting of insects of all
orders, spiders, and worms. Much of the food is taken upon
the ground, where they can often be seen quietly SCTE ETIES
amongst the dead leaves and fallen bark, ete.

Nest.—The nest is built in a variety of situations, such
fs the top of an old stump, the bole of a mistletoe, a thick
clump of leaves, on the top ‘of an ‘old babbler’s (Poiittostomus)
nest, niches in cliffs, and nests have been found near houses
on.a window sill, and in an old billycan in a shed. The nest
is generally not more than ten feet from the ground, often
within reach of the hand, but they occasionally build much
higher—a pair is at present building i in a pine tree in the park
lands at a height of 30 feet. The building material is gene-
rally strips of bark throughout, the lining strips being finer
and nicely smoothed down. Sometimes grass is used for a
lining; when near habitation, pieces of waste paper, rags,
and string are largely used. They are very particular about
the nest being touched or even looked at. lt is often deser-
ted and sometimes pulled to pieces after such an occurrence.
The breeding season extends from the middle of August to
the end of November, two broods being reared in the season.
Young have been known to.be hatched as early as June.

Egegs.—Usually three in number, occasionally four, and
rarely only two. The ground ‘colour of the eggs jis white,
sometimes with a faint tinge of ‘cream, the spots are of a very
dark brown to purplish black colour; they are large and
sparsely distributed, sometimes forming an irregular zone “at
the larger end; they are irregular in shape, but.in some orgs
have a “tendency to become longitudinally streaks, and occa-
sionally zig-zag lines are seen,

200 MATHEWS—Birds of North and North-West Australia.

Average measurement of 14 eggs, 2.92 cm. x 2.06 ¢.m.;

largest egg, 2.90 c.m. x 2.20 c.m.; smallest egg, 2.80 cm. x
2. 15 c. m., .

Birds of the
North and North-West of Australia.

By Grecory M. Maturws, F.R.S.E., F.L.S., M.B.0O.U.
gue, ih? No. 7. } Q

88. CHENISCUS PULCHELLUS. Green Goose Teal.

Nettapus pulchellus Gould, Proc. Zool. Soc. (Lond.) 1841,
p. 89, Port Essington.

No. 242—¢. Length, 12 inches (13/7/86).

No. 244— 9. Length, 13.2 inches (13/7/86).

No. 273— ¢6. Length, 13.4 inches (11/7/86).

Trides, fine brown; eyelid, black. Bill, upper mandible,
black, becoming very dark brown towards the point; nail,
flesh-coloured, tinged with brown, chiefly on top; edge of upper
mandible for two-thirds its length from the base and a small
spot about half way down the bill and near the edge, fleshy-
white; lower mandible, flesh-colour, with two spots at the back
of the nail; base of mandible and some irregular spots between
the lores of the bill, brown; legs, feet and webs very dark
brown with a stripe on the outside of the tarsus, a spot on the
inside of the tibia, a line on each side of the middle toe and on
the outside of the inner toe, light olive.

They are very lively swimmers in their quick movements
over the water, and somewhat resemble the Grebes in this re-
spect. Wounded birds do not dive to escape being taken.
They do not leave the water, but feed along the edge.

No. 256— ¢. Length, 13.1 inches (2/8/86).

No. 279— ¢?. Length, 13.2 inches (18/7/86).

No. 312— ¢. Length, 12.7 inches (26/7/86).

88. CHENONETTA JuUBATA. Wood Duck.

Anas Jubata Latham. Index, Ornith. Suppl., p. LXIX
1801, New South Wales, i

MATHEW S—Birds of North aud Noriha West Australia. 201

No. 416— 6. Length, 19.4 inches (20/10/86).

Irides, dark brown; bill, black; legs and feet, ochre.

No. 417—¢. Length, 18.2 inches.

Irides, dark brown; bill, olive; legs and feet, lightest lead.
No. 532— ¢@. Length, 18.7 inches (9/11/86).

No. 5388—@. (9/11/86).

89. DenDROCYGNA JAVANICA GOULDI. Whistling Duck.
Dendrocygna Gouldi Gould. Handb. Birds Austra. Vol. IL.,
p. 374, 1865, Port Essington.
No. 285— @. Length, 16.6 inches (19/7/86).
Irides, brown; bill, black; lower mandible of a lighter

colour; the basal portion of the cutting edge of the upper man- ,
dible, light slate colour; legs and feet, bluish slate.

89. Leprorarsis Eyronit. Plumed Whistling Duck.

Leptotarsis eytoni. Eyton. Monogr. Anat., p. Ii., 1838,
North-west Australia.

No. 142— ¢. Length, 17.3 inches (17/6/86).

Irides, orange, shading into yellow round the pupil; eye-
lashes, yellow; bill, upper mandible, pink splashed with black
in an irregular form, lower mandible, pink, spotted here and
there with black; nail, horn colour; feet, webs and legs pale
pink; nails, light brown.

No. 144— ¢. Length, 17.3 inches (17/6/86).

No. 146— ¢. Length, 17.3 inches (17/6/86).

Young. Irides, dull yellow; eyelashes, greenish yellow;
bill, upper mandible, bluish flesh-colour, splashed with brown,
where in the adult it is black, and showing small spots of
black; lower mandible, bluish flesh-colour; nails, horn colour;
feet, webs and legs, dirty yellowish flesh colour.

When approached they stretch out their necks, after the
manner of the goose tribe, and move it slowly backwards and
forwards, occasionally giving a whistle as they walk off.

No. 147_¢. Length, 17.1 inches (same as No. 146).

No. 262— ¢. Length, 17.9 inches (2/9/86).

No. 265— ¢. Length, 18 inches (16/7/86).

No. 267— @. Length, 18.5 inches (16/7/86).

902 MATHEWS—Birds of North and North-West Australia.

91. ANAS SUPERCILIOSA ROGERSI. Black Duck.

Anas. superciliosa rogersi Mathews. Austral. Ay. Ree.
Vol. L., p. 33, 1912, Augusta, South-west Australia.

No. 249— ¢. Length, 19 inches (14/7/86).

No. 260— 6. Length, 21.7 inches (2/9/86).

Irides, clear brown; bill, upper mandible, leaden olive,
clive on basal portion of culmen; a spot over each nostril, and
the nail black; lower mandible, olive brown, the bill bordered

near the feathers with a black line; legs and feet, brown
ochre; webs, darker.

No. 264—¢?. Length, 20.7 inches (3/9/86).

Irides, brown; bill, upper mandible, leaden olive, stripe
on the cutting edge, a spot under each nostril, and the nail,
black; lower mandible, lead colour, the basal half and the

skin black; legs and feet, ochre brown, tinged with blue on
the front of the tarsus.

1. VIRAGO CASTANEA ROGERSI. Western Teal.

Nettion castaneum rogersi Mathews. Austral. Ay. Ree.
Vol. 1., p. 86, 1912, North-West Australia.

No. 263—¢@. Length, 15.9 inches (16/7/86).
No. 333— ¢. Length 17.3 inches (16/9/86).

92. MALACORHYNCHUS MEMBRANACEUS. Pink-eared Duck.
Anas membranacea Latham. Index. Ornith, Suppl. p.
LXIX, 1801, New South Wales.
No. 479— ?. Length, 15:3 inches (81/10/86).

Irides, brown; bill, lead, becoming lighter at the base of
the upper mandible; lower mandible, light lead, with the api-
cal third, whitish, the membrane black; tarsi and toes, light

lead, darker on the joints, the webs, except just near the toes,
dark lead.

No. 480— 6. Length, 16.5 inches (31/10/86).
No. 481—?. Length, 15.4 inches (31/10/86).
No. 483— 6. Length, 15.9 inches 31/10/06).

Its flight is very powerful and swift, and it has a peculiar
whistling note while flying. or when disturbed. They are
easily procured, being by no means. wary. They are excellent
eating. They are very fat, but their crops contained nothing

MATHEWS—Birds of. North and North-West Basie. 208,

but gravel. The extent of white at the tip,of the lower man-
dible varies much; in some it forms a narrow line round the
apical third, in others it extends almost quite across, in others
this part has a fleshy tint.
~ No. 5283— 6. Length, 16.4 inches (7/11/86).
No. 525— ¢. Length, 16.5 inches (7/11/86).
No. 534— 4. Length, 16.2 inches (9/11/86).

93. Nyroca AUSTRALIS. White-eyed Duck.

Nyroca australis Eyton. Monogr. Anat. p. 160, 1838, New
South Wales. .

No. 292— ¢. Length, 19 inches (20/7/86).

Irides, with three rings, the inner and outer of lght
brown, the middle cne white; bill, upper mandible, black for
for tbout two-thirds of its length, where it is crossed by an
irregular bluish-slate coloured band, tip, freckled brown and
slate; nail, brown; lower mandible, slate, irregularly spotted
with brown; tarsi and toes,, light slate, splashed here and
there with a darker tint; webs of a darker slate than the toes,
but a line on each side of the toes.on the web of the same
.colour as the tarsi.

No. 385—@. Length, 18.5 inches (16/7/86).

Irides, white; upper mandible with the basal portion,
black; anterior portion, pale bluish-white, and a «aargin of the
same colour round the lower edge of the nostrils; nail, black;
lower mandible and nail, very dark brown, crossed by a band
of bluish-white; tarsi, slatey brown, with a large patch in
front, dirty white; toes, dirty white shaded with brown at
their points; webs, black, but with a stripe adjoining and run-
ning along the middle and outer toes, dirty white; inner web
of the inner toe, dirty white, edged with black; tarsal, toe,
dirty white; its web, black; nails, dark brown, lighter at the
base.

95. Musocarso arpr ater. Little Black Cormorant.

Carbo ater Lesson Traite d’Orn.\p. 604, 1831, Shark’s Bay,
West Australia.

No. 248— ¢. Length, 26.1 inches (31/8/86).

Trides, fine green; bill, white horn, becoming brown on
and all along the culmen, and showing bluish lines on the sides
of the lower mandible, skin at the base of the bill and gular
pouch, lead‘ colour; feet:and: webs, black:

204 MORGAN—Notes on the Genus Epthianura.

Twenty or so of these birds fish, and as soon as one se-
cures a fish, the others chase him and sometimes force him to
drop it, when it is immediately seized by another.

No. 250—@. Legnth, 24.4 inches (31/8/86).

No. 251— 9. Length, 24.3 inches (21/8/86).

No. 423—¢. Length, 23.6 inches (22/10/86).

Irides, green; bill, lead colour, with the culmen black and
lower mandible finely lined irregularly with a darker shade of
lead; legs and feet, black.

97. MicRO@ARBO MELANOLEUCUS MELVILLENSIS. Northern Lit- ~
tle Cormorant.

Carbo melanoleucus melvillensis Mathews. Austral Avy.
Rec. Vol. 1., p. 74, 1912, Melville Island.

No. 422— 6. Length, 23 inches (22/10/86).

Irides, very dark brown; bill, ochre, with the culmen and
tip dark brown, inside of the bill, orange, and of mouth, pale
lead; lores and the skin surrounding the eye, dull olive.

No. 450—¢. Length, 22.6 inches (27/10/86).

Notes on the Genus Epthianura.
By A. M. Morean, M.B., Ch.B.

In the Emu (Vol. XII., p. 205) Mr. Gregory M. Mathews
proposed the division of the genus Epthianura into three
genera.

To a fiield ornithologist the three common _ species
KE. albifrons, E. tricolor, and E. aurifrons form so compact and
natural a genus, that it is difficult to believe they can be sepa-
rated on structural grounds. These birds all inhabit similar
situations, the nests are indistinguishable from one another,
as are the eggs, and their flight, food, and habits are the same.
Mr. Mathews’ reasons for the separation are:—-

1, Difference in colour. This is his principal reason.
Structural differences were searched for for confirmation.

2. EH. tricolor -has.a longer and more slender bill than
E. albifrons, shorter claws, and a shorter first primary.

MORGAN—Notes on the Genus Epthianura. 205

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3. E. aurifrons has a more curved bill, shorter and more
rounded wings, with comparatively longer first - primaries,
and more slender legs.

He includes in the last group H. lovensis (Ashby) and
E. crocea (Gould), though agreeing with Mr. North in the sepa-
ration of E. lovensis as . ishbia, with this last I also agree, on
structural grounds. With EH. crocea I have no field, and very
little cabinet experience, so I offer no opinion as to its posi-
tion. Mr. Mathews’ observations are somewhat difficult to
criticise as he, as usual, neither gives measurements, nor
states number of specimens examined. To take Mr. Maihews’
first reason for separation, viz—colour. It is quite true that
the colours are different, but the colour pattern is not, with
the exception of the black pectoral band in E. albifrons it-is
almost identical. Curiously enough, this black band is pre-
sent, in a modified form, in H. crocea, the colour pattern of
which is otherwise markedly different. As Mr. Mathews has
abandoned colour per se as of generic taxonomic value, in
favour of colour pattern, I presume he will not himself insist
upon this reason for separation.

To find out how far his alleged structural differences,
trivial as they are, existed I measured nine specimens of
E. albifrons, and fifteen each of E. tricolor, and H. aurifrons,
with the following results:—Z. tricolor has a longer bill.
This is correct; The measurements were taken from the junc-
tion of the feathers and horny bill to the tip. The average
length of the bill of Z. albifrons is 10.32 m.m., and that of
E. tricolor, 11.41 m.m.— there is therefore a difference of 1.09
mm. in favour of E. tricolor. The individual variation in
E. albifrons is 10 to 11 m.m., and in L. tricolor, 11 to 13 mm.
E. tricolor has a more slender bill. This is wrong. The ave-
rage width of the horny bill in F. albifrons is 3.75 m.m., and in
E. tricolor it is 3.80 m.m., so that the bill in the latter is some-
what broader. If Mr. Mathews means relatively more slen-
der, though he does not say so, he is right to a limited extent,
the proportion of width to length in EH. albifrons is 1 to 2.75,
and in E. tricolor, 1 to 3. This is less than the individual varia-
tion, which in each species is 1 to 2.50 tol to 4. The bill of
E. tricolor is in fact, slightly larger in all dimensions than
that of EH. albifrons.

E. tricolor has shorter claws. This is wrong. The ave-

rage length of the middle claw of E. albifrons is 4.28 .m.m.,
and that of EL. tricolor, 4.42 m.m., or 0.14 m.m. longer. The

206 MORGAN—Notes on the Genus Epthiannra.

individual variation in Z. albifrons is from 3.50 m.m. to 6 mm.,
and in #. tricolor, 4 to 5 m.m,

E. tricolor has shorter first primaries. The first primary
was measured with compasses from insertion to tip. It
varies in H. albifrons from 11.50 to 17 m.m., and in £. tricolor,
from 8 to 16. The average of H. albifrons being 13.83, and in
E. ‘tricolor, 11.75—a difference of 2.12 mm. in favour of
EL. albifrons. This difference is much less than the individual
‘variation, and a longer series might easily reverse the order,
as it is quite easy to pick out specimens of H. albifrons with
much shorter primaries than others of H. tricolor.

E. aurifrons has a more curved bill. This is wrong. The
curvature of the bills was estimated by making a tracing of
the culmen on paper, joining the ends of the curve by a
straight line, and measuring the height of the arc. There is
no difference in the curvature of the bills. . ;

E. aurifrons has:a shorter wing. This is correct. The
‘average length of the wing measured from carpus to tip is in
E. albifrons, 68.5 m.m., in #.-tricolor, 66.90 m.m., and in H. auri-
frons, 62.91 m.m., or 5.61 m,.m. in favour of LH. albifrons.

E. aurifrons has a more rounded wing. This is a matter
of opinion. Personally, I think it is somewhat more rounded,
while others whose opinion I have asked think that there is
no difference. The difference at any rate is very slight, and
if present, is brought about by the relative greater length of
the seventh primary. The wing formula of the three species
is otherwise identical, viz—third, fourth, and fifth primaries
longest and practically co-equal, 2nd and 6th co-equal, and
slightly shorter. It is, however, not constant. In some
specimens, the third, and in some the fourth is absolutely
the longest by the fraction of am.m. It even differs in the
two wings in-some skins.

E. aurifrons has comparatively longer first primaries,
This is correct. The average length of the first pri-
mary is 12:84 m.m., varying from 11 to 16 mm. There is
therefore, no material difference in the actual length from the
‘other two species, but as the wing is shorter, the first primary
is necessarily relatively longer than in them.

FE. aurifrons has more slender legs. This. is wrong.
There is no difference in the thickness of the legs in the three
species. These parts do not admit of accurate measurement
in skins, as the epidermis dries in wrinkles, and the legs are
not of equal diameter throughout their length,

WHITH—A Sketch of the Life of Samuel White. 207

‘Two only of Mr. Mathews’ differences are constant—a
slightly larger bill in #. tricolor, and a shorter wing in
EB. aurifrons.

If new genera are to be accepted on such grounds as
these, species will have to be abolished as a division in orni-
thology, and what we now call species will become genera—
for I should think there are very few species in which such
differences could not be discovered by careful search.

A Sketch of the-—Life of Samuel White—
Ornithologist, Soldier, Sailor, and Explorer.

By His Son, (Capt.) 8. A. Wut, M.B.O.U.

X. THE ORNITHOLOGIST AND SAILOR.

So soon as possible after the yacht came to anchor a boat
was put off, and Samuel White with two of his collectors
landed on the eastern island, and to the ornitholigists’ great
delight, they secured several rifle birds Ptiloris paradisea
victoriae) all in good plumage. One can understand the keen
delight these lovely birds gave my father, especially to capture
them in their natural habitat. The collectors came off to the
vessel at sunset, and the owner gave orders to lay at anchor
for a few days. Samuel White in his notes says, “The island
I was on was a small one about half a mile long, very scrubby,
from the sea to top, and thickly matted with vines, and almost
impregnable in places. The birds were few, there being but
three or four species, the rifle birds were moderately
numerous for that family of birds on sucha small island. The
whole island was scratched over by megapodes, consequently
there were no land shells seen. I saw several large logs of
cedar lying on the beach. The weather was very unpleasant.
Squalls of rain began after dark last night, and continued all
day.”

The next day Samuel White remained on board, and
served out the week’s stores, and skinned a dozen or more
birds. Some of the crew went on shore. The collectors
landed on one of the islands, but came off at midday without

208 WHITHK—A Sketch of the Life of Samuel White.

having secured anything. They went off again in the after-
noon and returned after dark with only one bird between them
and complained most bitterly of the roughness of the place.
In his notes under. the heading of June 7th, 1880, Samuel
White says, “This morning three of us landed on separate
islands, I went on No.1, and. secured five birds, Messrs.
Cockerell and Andrews only procured one each off the two
main islands. We _ returned in the afternoon, and went
out again, but got nothing. This is our last day here. We
have worked all the islands, and I have secured some good
skins for my collection. The Barnard Islands lay in a line off
shore in a direction a little N. of E. The middle island is the
smallest. All three are very steep on the sides and stony,
and covered to the top with small timber of various kinds,
including Castanospermum, and other trees witk dense under-
growth all matted together with vines and “Lawyers.” In
some places I saw the tree hibiscus with large yellow flowers,
cabbage palms pandanus, and some fine specimens of native
banana. The leaves of this plant would measure two feet
broad, and ten to fifteen feet long. On the South side of No.
1 island I found a nice spring of fresh water with a kind of
couch grass growing around it, this spring. appeared to me
to be permanent. The soil seems to be a clay of a dark red or
grey brown, which turns up in small nodules as the :mega-
podes scratch it about. Although all three islands are
covered in a dense mass of vegetation, the fauna was meagre,
the scrubs were dark and noiseless, with the exception of the
occasional call of a megapode, the rifle bird being the only
thing that was attractive to me. Of butterflies I only
saw two species, and few of those, land shells and beetles I
saw none, a few dead marine shells were collected with a few
crabs. The Barnard Islands were places I had long wished
to see, and my visit has been a successful one, for I have
‘secured some splendid specimens of the rare rifle bird. The
master had the men bringing off firewood this afternoon, and
we are ready fora start in the morning. The weather to-day,
although cloudy, was free from rain.” After,:having been at
anchor for three days under the small middle island in six
fathoms of water over sand mud the yacht was got under
weigh again at an early hour on the morning of the 8th with
a light wind which soon freshened, and by two p.m. the vessel
was between Cape Grafton and Fitzroy Island. One of the
collectors, Mr. Andrews, was very unwell from the effects of
fatigue and exposure on the Barnard Islands, the work from

’

WHITE—A Sketch of the life of Samuel White. 209

all appearances seemed too much for him. At this stage
Samuel White makes the following note, “I am now sorry that
I brought Andrews. None but very hardy men are fit for
this work, some of the crew are complaining.” When pas-
sing Cape Grafton several natives were seen running along
the beach, and their camp. fires were plainly seen. A few
minutes before sunset the yacht brought up on the N.W. side
of Double Island. Samuel White took a boat, and pulled
on to the island to the S.W. where there was a sand spit. Many
sea birds were seen, and Ptilotis versicolor heard, but it was too
dark to do any collecting, and it was long after dark before he
returned. The land passed during the day appeared moun-
tainous, wild, and rugged, thinly timbered, and very rocky,
rocks or bare earth appeared in every direction, the whole
country bore a cheerless and inhospitable appearance. Upon
passing Fitzroy Island to the West a nice sandy bay appeared
on the N. side well sheltered from the S.E. “trades.” The
island is of considerable extent, very stony, and but lightly
wooded. After passing Fitzroy Island, Green Island
appeared on the starboard side—a low sandy islet of coral
formation, covered with bush and a few small trees. Here
the Torres straits pigeons assemble in the breeding season
(which is about November) in vast flocks until the whole island
is a mass of white birds, and a stick thrown amongst them
cannot fail to bring down several. The flesh of this pigeon
is good food, but not equal in dilicacy to the ground pigeons,
the pigeons in question being strictly a fruit eater, living in
the trees, and never descending to the ground. Next morn-
ing before dawn the yacht was under weigh again with a light
wind, and soon after daylight the curious and remarkable
peak which attracted the attention of that great navigator
Capt. Cook over a hundred years ago about this time of the
year which was named the “Peter Bottle” came in sight with
a coil of mist around its neck. The wind continued light. At
10 a.m. Cape Tribulation showed up, and a large steamer
passed (one of the Dutch boats) and the officers seemingly
knew the yacht for they waved their caps for some time. It
was hoped that Cook Tewn would have been reached before
dark, but this was impossible for there were 50 miles to go,
and the wind was very light. The weather was beautiful
and fine with the wind very light. Later on the wind
freshened, so Cook Town was made that evening. The
anchorage was not picked up very easily, so a pilot came out
and boarded the yacht, and brought her up to her moorings.

210 WHITE—A Sketch of the Life of Samuel White.

Next morning when daylight broke it was found the yacht
was brought up near the powder magazine under the hill. The
tradespeople brought off fresh stores, and Samuel White went
on shore to see the customs, pay for pilot, etc. In hisinotes
Samuel White says “I was not interested in the:town, where
I saw a number of Chinamen, and was told they made good
citizens, and that I could procure Chinese labour for 20/ per
month. Although 1 wanted six more men I did not venture to
fill up with Chinamen, for I wanted collectors, and according
to my experience of the mongolian race they are too meek and
averse to shedding blood to make good collectors, and seem
to lack the savage pleasure of hunting and taking life which
is so strongly shown in the “Britisber.” The country about
Cook Town at the time was hilly, forest country, in places
coarse grass was growing, and many of the deep gullies fur-
ther inland were fillea with dense dark scrub. The country
along the sealine improved as one proceeded to Trinity Bay.
The hills were clothed in dense green vegetation. The harbour
of Cook Town is well situated when once a vessel is over the
bar, but here the water shoals to one fathom at low water
tide, but at high-water there is about 20 ft. on it. Where the
yacht lay at anchor there were two fathoms over mud. Tele-
grams having been sent, and answers received, Samuel White
went on board, and next morning about 6.30 the Elsea was
underweigh again, some delay having been caused through
fouling the moorings when the anchor was heaved. The pilot
came on board, and with a strong breeze the yacht was soon
out of his jurisdiction. After weathering Cape Beadford,
the vessel was eased off, and at 2 p.m. had passed Lizard Is-
land and stood over to the Howick Group. The wind was
very fresh from 8. of E., and No. 3 Island of the Howick Group
was reached half an hour before sunset; the anchor was drop-
ped in seven fathoms of water when the vessel] lay moderately
still.

Samuel White had a boat lowered, and accompanied by
Messrs. Cockerell and Andrews, landed on the N.W. end of
the island, which lies low and sandy. There was little'to col-
lect, and by dark the two collectors had not secured a thing,
while their chief had secured half a dozen honey eaters. They
were mostly Ptilotis versicolor. They were procured in a
broad leaved bush which was growing very thickly on the ex-
treme N.W. end of the island. Next day, the 12th, sail was
again made at an early hour, but the wind was not so good as

WHITH—A Sketch of the Life of Samuel White. WANA

on the previous day, and only 90 miles were made. At noon
Flinders Group was passed, and just then there arose a dense
cloud of mist or smoke, and Samuel White remark-
ing upon it in his notes, says:—‘The officers thought
it was dust and that they smelt dust, but it appeared
to me like smoke; however, they, fearing a) Somusiwere,’
lowered the topsails and stood by for a general take
in. Soon an unmistakable smell of smoke and pieces of ashes
dispelled the delusion, when up went the topsails again. To-
wards mid-day, the wind freshened, and we are in hopes of
reaching No. 1 Clermond Island to-night where I intend stay-
ing to visit the great Egret’s rookeries. The wind has been
a good deal easterly which has caused us to jibe several times.
At 2 p.m. to-day I reckon we are about 15 miles from No. 1
Island.” Just before sunset the island was reached, and the
yacht brought up in eight fathoms over sand and mud, about
the fifth of a mile from the shore. A boat was swung out,
and Samuel White was pulled ashore, landing on a sand bank
on the N.W. corner of the island. Between this and the high
land lay a broad flat the whole length of the island, covered at
high water, and on which grew mangrove trees in large and
thick masses, their roots intertwining into great impenetrable
barriers. The mangrove tree when growing isingly presents
the appearance of growing, or standing on numerous legs like
a gigantic spider, but when growing in thick belts, the trees
appear to be standing on a:vast bed of brushwood to which
are attached thousands of oysters and other shell-fish, and
underneath crawl a variety of crustaceae over mud that would
in places sink a man to the middle in black stinking ooze.
While overhead in the tall mangroves (some up to 40 feet in
height) large rockeries of Ibis Spoon-bill Cranes and Egrets,
with their families in all stages were seen, producing a deafen-
ing clatter, and babel of voices which varied from) the harsh
croak of the adult bird to the faint squeak of the featherless
“squab.” Their rough nests composed of sticks were stuck
about carelessly in every direction, and the repulsive looking
slimy excreta which covered every leaf and ‘branch could be
smelt a mile away to leeward. It was noticed that each
species had its own rookery separate from the others, with
here and there a colony of flying foxes which kept up an inces-
sant chattering and squeaking—a noise something between
the chattering of a monkey and the harsh squeak of an opos-
sum. They hung in hundreds to the branches by their hind
claws, with their heads downwards, and snapped at each

212 Officers of S.A. Ornithological Association for 1916.

other. These animals have a repulsive appearance and disa-
greable odour in their fur; they live entirely upon fruit and
vegetable diet, and to those who are not prejudiced against
them they form an excellent article of food, they are in fact,
delicious. The flesh is white, tender, and exceedingly fat; the
carcase would weigh several pounds, and a stretch of wing up
to four feet. Little more could be done than a look round
for darkness came on, and the wind began to rise, so the party ©
went on board again.

Officers and Members of the S.A. Ornithological
Association for Year 1916.

PATRON
Hon. G. J. R. Murray, Chief Justice, ete., Murray Park,
Magill.
PRESIDENT—

Dr. A. M.,;Morgan, M.B., Ch.B., North Terrace, Adelaide.

Vict-PRESIDENT—
A. G. Edquist, Tate Terrace, Croydon.

SECRETARY—
Robert Crompton, On Active Service.

AcTING SECRETARY— |
F. M. Angel, c/o W. D. & H. O. Wills (Aus.), Ltd, 113
Grenfell Street, Adelaide.

EDITORIAL COMMITTEE—
R. Crompton, On Active Service.
Dr. A.,M. Morgan, M.B., Ch.B., North Terrace, adelaae
Gapeen S. A. White, M. B.O. ioe , “Wetunga,” Fulham.
F. R. Zietz,,Museum, North reece Adelaide.

OTHER MemMBprs—
Ashby, E., “Wittunga,” Blackwood.
Barrett, .K., Ruthven Mansions, Pulteney Street, Adelaide.

- =
ae

Officers of S.A. Ornithological Association for 1916. 213

Behrens, H. A., 150 Flinders Street, Adelaide.

Crompton, A., 52 Charles Street, Norwood.

Clark, M. S., Eden,Hills.

Dutton, H. H., ‘“Anlaby,’” Kapunda.

Fisher, H., Dequetteville Terrace, Kent Town.

Gill, Thos., Woodley Road, Glen Osmond.

Hughes, Harold, Gladstone.

Hughes, H. W., Adelaide Club, North Terrace, Adelaide.

Hawker, R. M., 9 Currie Chambers, Currie Street,
Adelaide.

Hawker, M. S., Adelaide Club, North Terrace, Adelaide.

Hall,.F., Tea Tree Gully.

Henderson, B., East Terrace, Adelaide.

Henderson, Robert, Barton Terrace W., North Adelaide.

Hosking, J. W., 47 Parade, Norwood.

Laffer, H. E., Agricultural College, Roseworthy.

MacGillivray, Dr.,Wm., Broken Hill.

Mellor, J. W., Fulham.

Melrose, R. T., “Rosebank,” Mount Pleasant.

Morgan, E. J. R. jun., “Shorthope,” Stanley Street, North
Adelaide.

Morgan, W. M., c/o Dr. A. M. Morgan, 46 North Terrace,
Adelaide.

Osborne, R. E.;P., Avenue Road, Clarence Park.

Parsons, F. E., National Mutual Life Buildings, King
William Street, Adelaide.

Pulleine, Dr. R.,.‘“Netherby,” Mitcham.

Rischbieth, C. F., Glenelg.

Rymill, A. G., Brougham Place, North Adelaide.

Saunders,,M., 101 King William Street, Adelaide.

Souter, T. G., Dixon Street, Clarence Park.

Weidenbach, W., Geological Survey P)epartment,
Adelaide.

White, H. L., ‘Bell Trees,” Scone, N.S.W.

White, Wm., Fulham.

Honorary MemBer—

Mathews, Gregory M., F.R.S.E., M.B.O.U., ete., Foulis
Court, Fairoak, Hantshire, England.

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