Page:The Zoologist, 4th series, vol 4 (1900).djvu/450

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my last notes appeared in 'The Zoologist' (1899, p. 139), Mr. A.J. Campbell's description of the new species of Emu Wren (Stipiturus ruficeps), with a beautiful plate of the bird, was published in the 'Ibis,' July, 1899. There is little doubt that Mr. Keartland found the same species on the late Wells expedition, but, unfortunately, the skins obtained had to be abandoned in the desert, with many others. So far, I have only seen this bird on one limited part of a high rugged range that abounds with masses of large prickly spinifex and scrub, though apparently the whole length of the range (about seventy-five miles) offers similar conditions. I saw several of these birds there in July last, but failed to secure eggs or any particulars as to their breeding habits. It is surprising to see these tiny birds run, and occasionally fly, headlong into the dense prickly masses of spinifex, and thread their way through the countless spines like mice, without being impaled. One showery day, my native and self came upon a party of these birds, and succeeded in hunting one down and catching it alive, its feathers having become drenched with wet. One other new species I may claim for last year, viz. Western White Plumed Honey-eater (Ptilotis leilavalensis). I forwarded a skin to Mr. Campbell, as for some time I suspected it differed from P. pencillata, the eastern type, but had no skin to compare.

A specimen of the same species was forwarded to Mr. A.J. North about the same time from North Queensland, and the bird was named (differently) by both gentlemen. It is one of the commonest and most noticeable birds on all the rivers and white gum creeks where water lodges, from the Gascoyne River to here, and doubtless its range extends across the tropics. In fact it is so abundant that for some years I never even closely examined a specimen, never imagining it was likely to be a new