30 THE S.A. ORNITHOLOGIST A JOURNEY TO COOPER CREEI( By BRIAN GLOVER. During the period September 24 to Octo­ area was said to have been in its best condi­ ber 2, 1955, my wife and myself travelled tion for many years. Recent rain had by car from Adelaide to Cooper Creek, visit­ turned much of the track into a quagmire, ing Upper Eyre Peninsula on the return but the sun and wind was drying it rapidly. journey. Apart from the first night spent The Cooper floodwaters were encountered with relatives at Peterborough, we camped about two miles past Etadunna. The flooded alongside the track, selecting as wide a variety area was clothed with scattered coolabahs, of habitats as possible for our various camps. and the surrounding country with a low Our route lay through Burra to Peter­ shrubby growth (saltbush, etc.). borough, making a detour to a large lagoon, The return journey was along the same lined with box gums and lignum, near Oodla­ route as far as Parachilna, then west of the wirra. This unfortunately was dry. Several ranges to Quom, this area being generally hours were spent in scattered mallee in the very bare, then via Pichi-Richi Pass to Port hills about Peterborough. The road, to Augusta and on to Whyalla, this latter road Hawker is through almost completely bare, being through country partly open saltbush flat to undulating country, with big red gums and, partly mallee and myall (Acacia sow­ (E. camaldulensis) lining the larger creeks, denii). From WIwa~la west to Iron Knob is and an occasional small patch of native pine through myall scrub. The last day was (Callitris) on some of .the smaller creeks. spent between Iron Knob, Port Augusta and Some of the low hills were covered with salt- Port Pirie, the whole of the afternoon being bush. " spent "in an unsuccessful search of every From Hawker to Wilpena, the country is patch of roadside scrub between Port Augusta again bare, with occasional patches of mallee, and Port Germein for the Turquoise Wren. and red gum-lined creeks. A few miles south A nocturnal drive from Port Pirie to Port of Wilpena is an extensive area of native Adelaide completed the trip. pine. The Wilpena Creek (flowing strongly) Throughout the journey frequent short and Wilpena Pound are well clad with large stops were made along the route to make trees, and most of one day was spent in this a brief survey of birds present. A large area. The ranges north of Wilpena are number of birds were noticed whilst driving, very bare, except for the gum-lined creeks.v especially in the flat saltbush type of country with small patches of mallee about Blinman, where birds were continually being flushed. and a extensive area of mallee not far west Driving slowly, most of these birds could be of Blinman on the road to Parachilna. identified with a reasonable degree of cer­ For much of its length this road follows, and tainty. crosses many times, a large creek, flowing In this and the following brief description quite strongly at the time of our visit. of vegetation, the words "saltbush" and West of the ranges the country is flat to "bluebush" are used rather loosely and are undulating saltbush, with scattered. bushes of not intended to refer definitely to Atriplex various sizes, andithis type of country, with spp. and·Kocl~ia.;spp. respectively. occasional low hills, gum-lined creeks and The most intensive bird observing was done small patches of \;scrub, extends to Leigh .at each ,9,f,our camps, where I arose at or Creek, where there is a change to flat salt­ before da~ii' arid spent two to three hours Hush, with practically no vegetation more before breakfast' in as thorough a survey than a foot or two high, except for very . possible of the country' within about a mile occasional clumps 'of large bushes, for exam­ '. of ·camp. -Because of this a brief description ple at Wirrawilla, south of Marree. of each of our camp-sites will be given; N.E. of Marree, along the Birdsville Track, also as an indication of the variety of birds is very flat saltbush country, broken by an in different ;;tre~l?". thy, number .of species occasional sandy creek-bed, lined with large recorded on 'my" pre-breakfast rambles is bushes, or, as with the Clayton, coolabahs giveJ.! {·i:'tc\i~~~er similar conditions at the (Eucalyptus coolabah). One large sandhill same period of each day). was tli~.v.~rJ.'ed. Although very desolate to Camp", l:-;--I~e~e,~b?~oug? .' '. ",,', ~ , the ,eye~~ o,.h.,9?~ not accustomed to it, this Camp' ~'" (26 species) .-A:f~w miles south of .. ~ ....- . March, 1957 THE S.A. ORNITHOLOGIST 31

Wilpena, on the bank of a red gum lined Quondongs), close to edge of a large dry creek, at the edge of an extensive area of bluebush. area of dense Callitris scrub (in places Regarding the weather, conditions were the pines so close together as to be al­ generally fine and pleasant, the only rain most impenetrable); about a mile from being a shower at Camp 3, and the only the ranges, here fairly thickly clothed really unpleasant day being October 1 (Camp with shrubby growth, and with some 7 to Camp 8), when gale force north winds patches of mallee at the foot. blew from a few hours after dawn until well Camp 3 (15 species).-A few miles north into the night. of Wilpena, on a small but flowing red In all 135 species of birds were recorded, gum lined creek in the ranges. Apart but apart from a few more important records from an odd mallee and some patches of only observations made north of Terowie are Triodia the surrounding hills were quite included here. 'bare. Little Quail (Turnix velox).-Several seen Camp 4 (18 species) .-18.5 miles north of at Camp 4, Wirrawilla and Cooper Creek. Leigh Creek, in slightly undulating, al­ On flushing called a squeaky "Chip-chip­ most shrubless saltbush country, with a chip, chip chip." A white patch on small (-! to 1 acre) area of shallow water flanks conspicuous in flight. remaining after regent rains. At this camp I had the unique experience of Rock Dove (Columba livia).-About farms identifying (by their calls) two species and townships from Adelaide to Terowie. of birds new' to me, before dawn, whilst Recorded just north of Parachilna. One still in bed. These were the Cinnamon dead bird on road south of Lincoln Gap. Quail-Thrush and Rusty Field-Wren. Diamond Dove (Geopelia cuneata).-Small Confirmation by sight record of both flocks at Wirrawilla, the Clayton, and these birds was however a much more Scott's River (Camp 6). Call a repeated difficult task, as both, although appar­ "Coo-coo," sometimes varied to "Coo-co ently quite numerous, were extremely coo coo," distinct from call of G. pla­ shy. cida. Cam,p 5 (45 species) .-Cooper Creek Flood­ Bronzewing (Phaps chalcoptera).-One at waters. Camped on edge of floodwaters, Camp 3; one between Port Augusta and which here covered the track, among Port Germein. chenopodaceous shrubs up to 3 ft. high, Crested Pigeon (Ocyphaps lophotes).-Re­ with within a quarter mile the coolabahs corded at all camps except Scott's River, in and along a more extensive area of and on nearly all stages of the journey floodwaters. At this camp flies were except between Camp 4 and the Cooper, particularly troublesome, being in un­ although recorded at both these places. believably large numbers. Native Hen (Tribonyx ventralis).-A flock of Camp 6 (29 species).-Scott's River, south 20+ at the Cooper. of Copley. A large creek, lined with red Little Grebe {Podiceps ruficollis).-One seen gums; dry but with a few stagnantpools; on Cooper floodwaters. low hills on one side. Country bare Hoary-headed Grebe (P. poliocephalus).-At but for a few small patches of malIee least 20 seen on Cooper floodwaters. and a Casuarina-like small tree. Little Pied Cormorant {Phalacrocorax mela­ Camp 7 (34 species) .-Gordon, 22 miles noleucus).-One at Cooper Creek; seve­ north of Quorn, on a large, flowing, red , ral at Port Augusta. gum lined creek in otherwise rather bare Cormorants (unidentified) .-One black at country. Some large bushes growing Gordon, several large black and white along erosion gullies. R.. Schodde and at Whyalla. myself spent two nights here in Septem­ Gull-billed Tern (Gelochelidon nilotica).­ ber, 1953, the more important observa­ Three north of Leigh Creek, hawking tions being reported in vol. XXI, pp. 15­ over waterless saltbush flats; several at 17, of this journa!. Camp 4, Etadunna and Cooper Creek. Camp 8 (35 species) .-About half-way be­ Most had forehead and crown black, but tween Whyalla and Iron Knob in myall at least one (at Cooper Creek) had a scrub, containing other small trees (e.g. black patch through.the.eye only. .CalI, 32 THE S.A.· ORNITHOLOGIST March, 1957

a chattering, broken "a-a-a-a," and a Black Duck (Anas superciliosa).-20+ at short "uk-uk." Cooper Creek; 2 at Gordon. Silver Gull (Larus novae-hollandiae}.-Port Grey Teal (A. gibberifrons}.-Many hun­ Augusta. dreds at Cooper Creek. One brood of Red-kneed Dotterel (Erythrogonys cinctus), very young ducklings, and a nest with -Several at Cooper Creek. at least 9 eggs down the hollow trunk Spur-winged Plover (Lobiby» novae-hollon­ of a coolabah. Several at Gordon, in­ diae) .-One, possibly 2 pairs at Cooper cluding 4 almost full grown but flight­ Creek. less juveniles. Banded Plover '(Zonifer tricolor) .-A pair Pink-eared Duck (Malacorhynchus membra­ with young at Etadunna, and two seen, naceus}_-Hundreds at Cooper Creek, others 'heard calling at night at Camp 8. including a brood of half-grown young. Red-capped Dotterel (Charadrius alexatulri­ A flock on Lake Harry. nus}.-lO+ on shore of Lake Harry. White-eyed Duck (Aythya australis}.-Four Black-fronted Dotterel (C. melanops}.---,-Two at Cooper Creek. between Blinman and Parachilna, 1 at Ducks, unidentified.-Large flocks on Lake the Clayton, several at Gordon. Harry. Australian Dotterel (Peltohyas australis).­ Spotted Harrier (Circus assimilis}.-One be­ Three near Lake Harry; 1 dead on road tween Dulkaninna and Etadunna; 2 at south of Marree. ' Cooper Creek. White-headed Stilt (Himantopus leucocepha­ Swamp Harrier (C. approximans}.-Two at lus}.-Two at Cooper Creek. Cooper Creek. Waders, unidentified.-A small flock of Accipiter sp.-l between Stirling and Port waders at Lake Harry too far off to iden­ Germein. tify. About, size of Sharp-tailed Sand­ Wedge-tailed Eagle (Aquila audax}.-Two piper. north of Leigh Creek, and single birds Australian Pratincole (Stiltia isabella) .-36 north of Hawker, at Wilpena Pound, Counted between Marree and the Cooper, Camp 3, south of Marree, Lake Harry, with in addition at least a dozen on and between Dulkaninna and Etadunna. the shores of Lake Harry and 2 at Little Eagle (Hieraaetus morphnoides}.-One Cooper Creek. Call "Whee-ee tee." at the Clayton, 1 south of Mernmerna, ? Oriental Pratincole (Glareola pratincola).­ 2 at Gordon, 2 between Quam and Port Whilst we were negotiating a large sand­ Augusta, 1 at camp 8, and several be­ hill between the Clayton and Dulka­ tween Stirling and Port Germein. ninna, my wife saw a Pratincole with a Whistling Eagle (Haliastur sphenurus)..,­ strongly forked tail. As Stiltia has an Several between Peterborough, Orroroo unforked tail, it seems likely that the and Hawker, 1 at Cooper Creek, and bird seen was an Oriental Pratincole. seyeral between Stirling and Port Ger­ Glossy Ibis (Plegadis falcinellus}.-17 at mein. Cooper Creek. Black Kite (Milvus migrans}.-Three north Straw-necked Ibis (Threskiornis spinicollis), of Orroroo, 2 south of Leigh Creek, 2 at -Two at Cooper Creek; 1 between Farina, several at Marree, Etadunna, Etadunna and Dulkaninna. Cooper Creek, Dulkaninna, Leigh Creek Spoonbill (Platalea sp.).-Two at Cooper Ck. to Scott's R.; 2 at Gordon, 3 between White-faced Heron (Notophoyx novae-hollan­ Quam and Port Augusta, 1 two miles diae}.-One between Blinman and Para­ south of Nectar Brook, and 1 between chilna, 1 at Camp 4, 4+ at Cooper Mambray Creek and Baroota, Creek, 1 at Gordon. Black-shouldered Kite (Elanus notatus).­ White-necked Heron (N. pacifica}.-lO+ at One near Mambray Creek. Cooper Creek, 1 between Dulkaninna Black Falcon (Falco subniger}.-Two at Gor­ and the Clayton. don, very tame; call a tremulous, Black Swan (Cygnus atratus}.-One at screaming "eee eee eee eee." Cooper Creek; several on Lake Harry. Brown Hawk (F. berigora}.-Single birds Plumed Tree-Duck (Dendrocygna eytonils-« south of Hawker, Cooper Creek, Quam, Two, possibly 4, at Cooper Creek. The to Port Augusta, Camp 8, and between 'shyest' of the ducks seen. Stirling and Port Germein. March, 1957 THE S.A. ORNITHOLOGIST 33

Kestrel (F. cenchroides}.-Recorded in all Horsfield Bronze Cuckoo rChalcites basalis) . . areas visited. Flushed from nest at . -Heard at Camp 2, between Blinman Camp 4. and Parachilna, and at Cooper Creek. Boobook Owl (Ninox novae-seelandiae).­ Welcome Swallow iHirundo neoxena}.-Re· Heard at Camps 2 and 6. corded between Camp 3 and Blinman; Corella (Kakatoe sanguinea}.-Several south at Marree and Dulkaninna, between and north of Hawker; Camps 2 and 3, Marree and Leigh Creek, and 6 between Camp 3 to Blinman to Parachilna, to Iron Knob and Port Augusta. One of Leigh Creek; camp 4, Cooper Creek, Eta­ these latter birds was paced at 40 m.p.h. dunna to Dulkaninni, Scott's R., Para­ by the car speedometer. chilna to Hawker, and Gordon. No large White-backed Swallow (Cheramoeca leuco­ flocks seen, and numbers invariably lower sterna) .-Single birds only between than of the Galah. Parachilna and Leigh Creek, and be­ Galah (K. roseicapilla}.-Recorded through­ tween Stirling and Port Germein. out entire journey. Large flocks at Camp Tree Martin (Hylochelidon nigricans}.-Re. 3, Scott's R., and Gordon. corded between Orroroo and Hawker, Cockatiel (Leptolophus hollandicus).-Seve­ Wilpena Pound, Camp 3 to Blinman to ral at Etadunna, 2 at the Clayton, and Parachilna, Cooper Creek, Scott's R., and a flock of 10+ at Scott's R. Gordon. Adelaide Rosella (Platcercus adelaidae).­ Fairy Martin (H. ariel}.-Very numerous be­ Several between Kapunda and Burra. tween Marree and Hawker, where they Ringneck (Barnardius barnardi}.-One be­ appeared to be nesting. under culverts tween Kapunda and Burra; 3 between beneath the railway line, which parallels Orroroo and Hawker; recorded also at the road much of the way. Also r,e­ Camp 2, Wilpena Pound, Camp 3, Camp corded at Camp 4, the Clayton, Scott's 3 to BIinman to Parachilna, Scott's R.; R., and Gordon. Gordon and Stirling to Port Germein. Grey Fantail (Rhipidura fuliginosa) .-Seve­ Red-rumped Parrot (Psephotus haematono­ ral in scrubs between Stirling and Port tus) .-Recorded between Orroroo and Germein. Hawker, Camp 2 (2 birds), and Gordon. Willy Wagtail (R. leucophrys}.-Recorded Mulga Parrot (P. varius).-One male at between Orroroo and Hawker, Wilpena Camp 2; recorded between Blinman and Pound, Camp 3 to Blinman, Beltana, Parachilna; 2 between Stirling and Port Scott's R., Gordon, Camp 8, and Stirling Germein. to Port Germein. BIue Bonnet (N. haematogaster) .-One at Restless Flycatcher (Seisura inquieta).-Re­ Peterborough, several at Cooper Creek, corded at lagoon east of Peterborough 2 east of Iron Knob. and at Camp 8. . Budgerygah (Melopsiuacus undulatus}.-A Jacky Winter (Microeca fascinans}.-Record. small flock between Peterborough and ed only between Greenock, Kapunda and Orroroo, 1 between Orroroo and Haw­ Burra. ker, 10+ at Camp 2; 20+ east of Para­ Red-capped Robin (Petroica goodenovii).­ chilna; 20+ at Scott's R. Also recorded Recorded at lagoon east of Peterborough north of Leigh Creek, the Clayton, the and at Peterborough (a pair with two Cooper and Etadunna.: flying young). Red-backed Kingfisher (Halcyon pyrrhopy­ Hooded Robin (Melanodryas cucullata).­ gius).-One between Greenock and Ka­ Two at Camp 8. punda, 1 at Camp 3, 2 west of BIinman; Rufous Whistler (Pachycephala rufiventris). also between Parachilna and Leigh -Recorded at Camp 2, Wilpena Pound, 'Creek, the Clayton, Scott's R., Camp 8 Blinman to Parachilna, Camp 8, and (1 bird), and east of Iron Knob. Stirling to. Port Germein. Sacred Kingfisher (H. sanctus).-Heard call­ Grey Thrush (Colluricincla harmonica).­

o _ ing, Wilpena Pound. . recorded at Peterborough, Hawker to Spotted Nightjar iEurostopodus guttatus).­ Wilpena, Camp 2, Wilpena Pound, Blin­ Heard calling at night at Camp 4. man to Parachilna, and Stirling to Port Black-eared Cuckoo (Misocalius osculansj »-s­ Germein (1 flying young). . One seen, others heard at Camp 8. Western Thrush (C. rufiventris}.-One at 34 THE S.A. ORNITHOLOGIST Marchi 1957

Camp 8. The pale rufous undertail White·fronted Chat (Ephthianura albifrons). coverts were quite noticeable. The song -Recorded south of Hawker, Port heard varied slightly from typical Grey Augusta to Whyalla and Camp 8. Thrush song, although basically similar. Crimson Chat (E. tricolor}.-Seen only at Magpie-Lark (Grallina cyanoleuca).-Re­ Wirrawilla, where several pairs were corded at Peterborough, Peterborough to present, one with flying young. The Orroroo, Hawker to Wilpena, Cooper juveniles resembled the female in having Creek (4. birds), Etadunna, the Clayton, the red rump, but the red of the breast Scott R. and Gordon. was very dull or lacking. Crested Bellbird (Oreoica gutturalis) .-Heard Orange Chat (E. aurifrons).-Numerous be­ between Blinman, Parachilna and Leigh tween Leigh Creek, Marree and the Creek, at Scott's R., Camp 8, and east Cooper, being flushed frequently from of Iron Knob. alongside the track. Small parties at Wedgebill (Sphenostoma cristatum}.-Fairly Camp 4 and the Cooper. Voice a reedy numerous in large shrubby growth, on "weet" and a squeaky "weet weet." flats east of Parachilna, and between Gibber Bird (Ashbya lovensis}.-Chat-like Parachilna and Leigh Creek; also re­ birds with plain-colored rumps flushed corded between Leigh Creek and Camp frequently along the Birdsville Track 4, and in large bushes east of Stirling (2 were probably of this species, but the seen, others heard). only definite identification was of a Ground Cuckoo-Shrike (Pteropodocys max­ small party between Dulkaninna and ima).-One at Etadunna. the Clayton. Black-faced Cuckoo-Shrike (Coracina novae­ Weebill (Smicrornis breoirostris).-Recorded hollandiae).-Recorded at Peterborough, . at lagoon east of Peterborough, Peter­ Camps 2 and 3, Camp 3 to Blinman borough, north of Hawker, Camp 2, Wil· to Parachilna, Scott's R., Beltana, Gor­ pena, Camp 3, Camp 3 to Blinman to don, Camp 8, and Stirling to Port Parachilna, Scott's R., Beltana, and Germein. Stirling to Port Germein. White-winged Triller (Lalage suerii) .-Re­ Whiteface (Aphelocephala leucopsiels-B», corded at Peterborough (1 female), in corded at lagoon east of Peterborough, Callitris between Orroroo and Hawker Peterborough, Orroroo to Hawker, north (at least 2 singing males and 1 female), of Hawker, Blinman to Parachilna, flats east of Parachilna (1 male), the Cooper Creek, Gordon, Camp 8, Iron Clayton (several singing males), Cooper Knob to Port Augusta, and Stirling to Creek (several), Scott's R. (several), and Port Germein. Gordon (1 male). Brown Thornhill [Acanthiza pusilla).-The Cinnamon Quail-Thrush (Cinclosoma cinna­ inland (chestnut-rumped) form of this momeum).-Camp 4. Although only 3 species was recorded at Camps 2 and 3, or 4 birds were seen, calls could be and Wilpena Pound. heard from all directions, indicating that Chestnut-tailed Thornb~ll (A. uropygialis).~ the species was really quite numerous. Recorded at Camp 8 only. The cinnamon color of the upper parts Yellow-tailed Thornbill {A. chrysorrhoa}.­ is very conspicuous in flight and enabled Recorded lagoon east of Peterborough, ready identification of 4 single birds Peterborough, Peterborough to Orroroo flushed along the road between Leigh to Hawker (one nest c. 9 ft. up in a Creek and Marree. The call is quite Callitris and overhanging the road, an­ distinctive, and is best described as a other in a roadside shrub), north of soft but penetrating "i-i-i-eee," with a Hawker, Camps 2 and 3, Scott's R., Bel•. distinct resemblance to the call of the tana, Gordon, Camp 8, Iron Knob to Little Grass·bird. Port Augusta, and Stirling to Port Cer­ White-browed Babbler (Pomatostomus super­ mein. ciliosus].-Recorded at lagoon east of Redthroat (Pyrrholaemus brunneus}.-..A Peterborough, Orroroo to Hawker to male singing in lignums bordering Wilpena, Camp 2, Camp 3 to Blinman lagoon east of Peterborough. to Parachilna, Camp 8, east of Iron Knob, Rusty Field-Wren (Calamantkus isabellinus). and Stirling- to Port Germein. -Recorded only at Camp 4, and he- March, 1957 THE S.A. ORNITHOLOGIST 35

tween Camp 4 and Leigh Creek. From Augusta to Whyalla, Camp 8, Stirling the amount of song heard, appeared to . (4). Calls 'included a harsh "ap" and be quite common, but being very wary "ap ap" from the nesting birds at Wirra­ only a few birds were actually seen willa, and a reedy "weet weet," fairly closely. Although obviously only Dusky Wood·Swallow (A. cyanupterus}.-Re. a form of C. campestris, this bird is corded at Wilpena Pound (1 bird), Blin­ nevertheless easily distinguished in the man to Parachilna and stirling to Port field, providing a reasonably good view Germein. of it can be obtained. The upper parts are much paler than C. camprestris, the Black-capped Sittella (Neositta pileata}.-A head is unstriped, or only very lightly small party in savannah woodland be­ striped, and striations of the back and tween Kapunda and Burra. underparts (particularly the back) are Brown Tree-Creeper (Climacteris picumnus}, much less conspicuous. -Recorded between Kapunda and Burra Brown Songlark (Cinclorhamphus cruralis}, and at Wilpena Pound. -Recorded in open country throughout Mistletoe Bird (Dicaeum hirundinaceum).­ the whole journey. Generally plentiful. . One at Scott's R.; also at Camp 8. Rufous Songlark (C. mathewsi}.-First re­ Red-tipped Pardalote (Pardalotus ornatus}, corded between Greenock and Kapun­ -Recorded at Camp 2, Wilpena Pound, da, and then noted on all other stages Camp 3, Camp 3 to Blinman, the Clay. . of the journey; along the Birdsville ton, the Cooper, Scott's R., Gordon and Track was recorded only at the Clayton. Stirling to Port Germein. Western Crass-Wren (Amytornis textilis}.-A Red-brewed Pardalote (P. rubricatus).-At pair in bluebush (?) flats at Camp 8. Cooper Creek this species appeared to The striated throat separates this species equal in numbers P. ornatus which it from all other South Australian members superficially resembles. Main differences of the genus except A. purnelli, from are the spotted crown (striped in which species A textilis can be distin­ ornatus}, the red patch above and in guished by its much paler underparts. front of the eye, continuing backwards Little Grassbird (Megalurus gramineus).­ as a yellow eyebrow line (yellow spot to Heard at Cooper Creek. ,vhite eyebrow line in ornatus), yellow Reed Warbler (Acrocephalus australis}.-Re. band on folded wing (white band, with corded at the Clayton and between Eta­ red spot at front end in ornatus), and dunna and Dulkaninna. call. The call has a Pardalote quality White·winged Wren (Malurus leuconotus).­ and can be recorded as "Do; doo-doo­ Confined. to saltbush-type country and doo-doo," the first note lower pitched recorded south of Hawker, Leigh Creek and sharp-cut. The call sounds not un­ to Camp 4, Camp 4 (began calling 3.00 like the distant "Pinking" of a Rosella. hours and continued until after dawn), One was seen feeding on ants which were Cooper Creek, Scott's R., Gordon, Cor­ running up a coolabah limb. don to Quorn, Port Augusta to Whyalla, Brown-headed Honeyeater (Melithreptus bre­ Camp 8, Iron Knob, Iron Knob to Port virostris}.-Several at Camp 2; also Augusta, Stirling, and Stirling to Port between Stirling and Port Germein. Germein. Pied Honeyeater (Certhionys variegatus).­ Purple-hacked Wren (lVI. assimilis}.-Inha­ A pair at Wirrawilla. The male closely bits taller shrubs than does M. leucono­ resembles a male Hooded Robin in plu­ tus. Recorded at lagoon east of Peter­ mage, including the tail pattern, but borough, north of Hawker, Wilpena could hardly be mistaken for the Robin, Pound (in Triodia on a hillside), Gor· being much slimmer, having a longer, don, Camp 8, Stirling, and Stirling to down-curved beak, and being much more Port Germein (very numerous). active. The female is very plain-upper Black-faced Wood-Swallow {Artemus cine­ parts brown with light edges to wing reus}.-Recorded east of Parachilna, feathers, under whitish. Leigh Creek to Camp 4 to Marree (nest Singing Honeyeater (Meliphaga virescens).­ with young at Wirrawilla), Cooper Recorded at Peterborough, Parachilna to Creek, the Clayton, Scott's R. (2), Port Leigh .Creek, Cooper Creek (1 bird), THE S.A. ORNITHOLOGIST March, ·1957

Port Augusta to Whyalla, Camp 8 Goldfinch (Carduelis carduelis) .-Recorded (numerous), and Stirling. at Greenock, between Kapunda, and Yellow-plumed Honeyeater (M. ornata).­ Burra, and at the. lagoon east of Peter­ Several between Stirling and Port Cer­ borough. . memo Sparrow (Passer domesticus).-Recorded Yellow-fronted Honeyeater (M. plumula).­ about habitations throughout most of Numerous in mallee west of Blinman. journey, including Marree, Dulkaninna White-plumed Honeyeater (M. penicillata).- and Iron Knob. . Recorded at lagoon east of Peterborough, Starling (Sturnus vulgaris). - Recorded Wilpena Pound, and in large red gums north to as far as Blinman, and west along creeks from Blinman to Parachil­ to Camp 8 and Iron Knob. na to Leigh Creek, also on the Clayton Raven (Corvus coronoides), - Recorded and Scott's R. . throughout whole of journey. Yellow-throated Miner (Myzantha flavigula). ? Little Crow (C. bennetti).-Calls resem­ Recorded between Orroroo and Haw­ bling those of this species heard north ker; Camp 2, Wilpena, Camp 3, Camp of Beltana and at Cooper Creek. 3 to Blinman to Parachilna to Leigh Grey Butcher-Bird (Eracticus torquatus).­ Creek, the Clayton, the Cooper, Scott's Recorded at Camp 2, Camp 3 to Blin­ R., Camp 8, Iron Knob to Port Augusta man, Parachilna to Leigh Creek, Scott's and Stirling to Port Germein. R., Camp 8 (3 birds), Iron Knob to Red Wattle·Bird (A nthochaera carunculata}, Port Augusta to Port Germein. -Recorded at Camps 2 and 8. . Black-backed Magpie (Gymnorhina tibicen}, Spiny-cheeked Honeyeater (Acanthagenys -First noticed north of Terowie, and rufogularis). - Recorded at Peter­ thence recorded throughout most of the borough, south of Hawker, Camp 4 to journey. The only definite record on Marree, Camp 8 (numerous), Iron Knob the Birdsville Track was on the Clay­ to Port Augusta, and Stirling to Port ton, and on Upper Eyre Peninsula a Germein. single bird with a narrow black saddle Pipit (Anthus australis).-Recorded through­ was seen between Iron Knob and Port out the whole journey. Augusta. Diamond Firetail (Zonaeginthus guttatus).­ White-backed Magpie (G. hypoleuca).-Was A small flock at Camp 2. recorded north to Camp 3, with an al­ Zebra Finch (Taeniopygia castanotis).-Re­ most certainrecord from Blinman. On corded on the flats east of Parachilna, the return journey first noted at Gordon, Parachilna to Leigh Creek to Marree and from there throughout the rest of (very numerous at Camp 4; several nests the journey. at Wirrawilla), the Clayton, Cooper Magpies, unidentified. - Camp 4 (heard), Creek, Scott's R., Parachilna to Hawker, Cooper Creek, Dulkaninna to the Clay­ and Gordon. Generally common. ton, and Camp 8.