Page:The Emu volume 20.djvu/234

 On crossing over to Peron Peninsula, in September, 1920, I at once commenced a search for the Grass-Wren near the haunt I discovered two years previously. At the second attempt I was successful. I sat down under the lee of a large shady bush growing in a small neighbouring valley to eat my lunch. I had hardly commenced when my attention was arrested by the sound of three peculiar high-pitched notes littered in a descending scale, very difficult to express on paper. I "chirped" in reply, when out hopped a fine male Grass-Wren at a distance of 10 yards. We watched one another in silence for several minutes. I quickly finished my lunch and commenced a systematic search amongst all the neighbouring salt-bushes or other likely-looking shrubs for a nest. About 50 yards from where I commenced I found a very neat and substantial nest, empty save for a few dried leaves, but it was in excellent preservation. I was at once struck with its resemblance to a nest of the Western Grass-Wren (A. gigantura) which I found in 1908 on the East Murchison. Like the latter, it was quite open, no dome of any description being noted. I think this nest belonged to the previous season. Further research revealed a new nest from which the young had not long departed. I pulled this to pieces in the hopes of finding fragments of egg-shell, but without success. A third and older nest contained pieces large enough and sufficiently well preserved to enable me to determine that the eggs are very similar to those found in the East Murchison nest twelve years ago.

In a large valley nearer the township of Denham I found a family of Grass-Wrens, but failed to find further nests except a deserted one. I was able, however, to secure an adult female bird and also one well-grown nestling.

The female of the Grass-Wren (A. textilis) is distinguished from the male by her slightly smaller size, distinctly shorter tail, and by chestnut leathers on the flanks. In the nestling procured (a male) the tail was very well developed, and the chestnut flank markings were replaced by light fawn colour. I found the Grass-Wrens on Peron just as wary and difficult to observe as those at Lake Austin and Lake Way. The reason they are still present on Peron appears to be the abundance of rabbits, on which the bush cats prey in preference to birds.

Artamus cinereus (melanops?) Grey-breasted Wood-Swallow. — This Wood-Swallow, though not rare, was rather local on Dirk Hartog. On 19th August I saw a small flock land near the Quoin Bluff. A pair or two lingered near the Ten-mile well, and I saw one bird carrying grass; but found no nests up to the time of leaving.

Artamus minor. Little Wood-Swallow. —On 9th September I was returning from the Ten-mile well. Late in the evening I observed a small party of this species hawking about. My gun was packed away and I was cold and stiff with riding on the top of a cartload of camp gear, drawn by five camels. The circumstances were not favourable for securing a specimen. Mr. Carter also records the species from Dirk Hartog Island.

Grallina picata. Magpie-Lark.—stray bird was recorded by Mr. Carter.

Oreoica cristata lloydi. Dirk Hartog Bell-Bird.—Rather local in its haunts, favouring the very largest bushes, especially wanyu thickcts, where it nested. I observed no difference in its well-known