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NATURAL HISTORY

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JOHN GUILD
From a Photo by Maul! (f~ Fox, London, 1873

NESTS AND EGGS

OF

AUSTRALIAN BIRDS

GEO(JRAPniCAL DISTEIBUTION OF THE SPECIES
POPULAR OBSERVATIONS THEREON

RY

ARCHIBALD JAMRS CAMPBELL

MELBOURNE

With Map, '-is Coloiircil Plates and 131 Plwtoijiriphic Illustrations

Cft.^ ^^

Printed for thk Author

BY

PAWSON & BlUILSFOKD, SHEFFIELD

1901.
(ALL RIGHTS RESERVED)

.1 - 'S (o 1 o I t**^-<^

To THE Memory of the two "G's,"

JOHN GOULD

AUTHOR OF ■■THE isllins OF A USTHALIA")

AND

JOHN GILBERT

(His ahi.k Coadjutor),

WHO TOGETHER PERFORMED SUCH GREAT AND GOOD TIONEEK
WORK IN AUSTRALIAN ORNITHOLOGY,

THIS BOOK IS HUMBLY DEDICATED BY

THE AUTHOR.

NTRODUCTION.

" Whf.uf. thi: Biitus maki; tiikik Nests."

" Of making many books tliere is no end ; and much study is a
weaa-iness of the flesli." But to write a book on any depai-tmont of
natural liistory — a portion of the " Bible of Natiu-c "• — is a privilege and
a pleasure, " weariness of the flesh " notwithstanding. And what one
has to wi-ite in this direction must be written soon, because, as Professor
H. N. Moseley has pointed out regarding the study of the fauna and flora
of any country, forms are perishing rapidly day by day, and will soon bo,
like the dodo or the moa, extinct. " The histoiy of things," he said,
"once gone can never be recovered, but must remain for ever a gap in
Ihe knowledge of mankind." It is tlir old proverb — "That which is
wanting cannot be numbered."

Since Gould's " Handlwok " to his great work, " Birds of Australia,"
several lesser aids to Australian ornithology and oology have been issued
luider separate covers. These arc, namely : —

1. Dr. E. P. Ramsay's useful " Tabular- List " of Australian Birds
(1877). Second edition (1888).

2. A Manual by myself on " Nests and Eggs of Australian Birds, "
embracing papers on " Oology of Australian Birds " read before the Field
Naturalists' Club of "Victoria (1883).

3. Mr. O. J. Broinowski's " Birds of Australia," in six parts —
illustrated (1887-91).

4. " Catalogue No. 12 " of the Australian Museum ; or " Nests and
Eggs of Birds found Breeding in Australia and Tasmania" (1889), by
Mr. A. J. North, F.L.S., &c.

5. And Mr. Robert Hall's up-to-date " Key of the Birds of Australia
and Tasmania (1899)"

My Manual was designed to show how much had to be done before
anything like a complete work on such an interesting and important
department as " Nests and Eggs " could be attempted. My fixed aim
was towards a more complete and permanent work ; and the rcsidt of
that self-imposed task I now present to the public. By the light of

vi NESTS AND EGGS OF AUSTRALIAN BIRDS.

futiu-e resefu-ch, shortcomings, no doubt, will be discovered hero and
there in the book — no liuman work was yet perfect — but the author
ventures to hope that the sympathetic verdict of students and readers
will be, " How few aot-e the mistakes ; " while his earnest desire is that
the work may remain good long after his death, yea, and the deaths of
all those who love him. Of com-sc I could not have completed such an
important task myself were it not for the able assistance of fciends and
correspondents (some of whom have been removed by death) in almost
every comer of the Continent. One might just as well expect to construct
a castle or build a big bridge alone. Moreover, as a good foimdation,
I have had the benefit of the labours of those worthies (some of them
giants in theii- day) who have preceded me in the field (i.e., Field
Naturalists, as opposed to closet workei-s or systematists) of research,

Gould frequently mentioned to Professor Alfred Newton (Cambridge),
that it was his intention to publish an Oology of Australia as a sequel
to his great work, " Birds of AusU'alia," and it is probable it was only the
magnitude of his other undertakings — two or three of which were
unfinished at the time of his death— that hindered him from piitting his
design into execution.

Regarding my work itself I have little to say, except to mention that
the scientific classification and nomenclature are in accordance generally
with the " Catalogue of Birds '' of the British Museum ; while tlie ver-
naculai' names, with few exceptions, may be found in the " List of
Vernacular Names for Australian Birds," published by the Australian
Association for the Advancement of Science. Since Gould's day, orni-
thology, like every other science, has advanced apace, consequently
Gould's classification is somewhat obsolete. Besides, he himself said
his was the classification of a " single country " only ; whereas the British
Museum Catalogue brings the birds of the whole world imder review.
It has been foimd necessaiy to alter many of Gould's vernaculars, in a
number of which he simply repeated the scientific genus, for instance : —
Little Acanthiza, Spotted Sericornis, while some were duplicated.
" Pied " Crow Shrike occurs twice, as also does " Shining " Flycatcher,
" Fasciated " Honey Eater, " Wliite-throated " Honey Eater, " Beautiful "
Parrakeet, and others.

Referring to the interesting study of Geogi-apliical Distribution, I
obtained great assistance from Dr- Ramsay's " Tabular List," while the
extra Australian localities are adopted almost entirely from the British
Museum " Catalogue."

INTRODUCTION. vii

It may be also explained that the numerals on the riglit hand of llic
name of the species are referable to the numbers in Gould's " Handliook,"
and that I have endeavoiu-ed to describe typical eggs only, as concisely as
possible without elaborated details ; while any descriptions of birds must
not be taken as strictly technical, but merely as a guide to the identity
of the species under notice, in case of a reader or beginner being in doubt.

A retrospective glance will show the progress of Australian Oology.
What with the discovery of new birds and the amalgamation of old
forms, the total number of Australian birds remains at about 765 species.
Gould's " Handbook " contiiined 202 descriptions of eggs, my Manual
mentioned 413, while the present work bring.s the number up to con-
siderably over 600, or all the known eggs.

Perhaps I cannot do better than here recite the names and deeds
(in brief) of those who have preceded me at field work. Head and
shoulders above all, of course, comes the giant Gould ; and in writing
the following remarks concerning him I have been guided by an excellent
" Biographical Memoir " by Dr. R. Bowdlcr Sharpe in his " Analytical
Index " to the works of tlie great author.

John Gould was bom at Lyme, in Dorsetshire, England, 14th Sep-
tember, 1804, and, when quite an infant, his parents went to live at Stoke
Hill, neai" Guildford ; and it was in this beautiful neighbourhood that
the child fust imbibed his notions of the beauty of natural life. When
young Gould was 14 years of age, his father received a good appointment
ill the Royal Gardens at W'indsor, where the bov a.ssistod him in
gardening. By this time he had begun th(' study of birds, and made
his first acquaintance with many British species in the royal domains.
He was also reported to be a good taxidermist.

In 1827, Gould obtained some kind of appointment at the Zoological
Society, then in its infancy. A year or two after receiving this appoint-
ment, he mariied Miss Coxen, daughter of Nicholas Coxen, a Kentish
gentleman, and to this lady (it often happens that the wife makes or
mars the man) is due much of the ultimate success of her husband's
career, for she was an accomplished artist, and painted no less than 600
of his bird pictures.

In 1832 Gould's first work, the " Century of Birds from the Himalaya
Mountains," was published. Shortly aftenvards he left the service of
the Zoological Society. In 1837 appeared his first Australian work, the
" Synopsis of the Birds of Australia," wherein were figui-ed the heads of
most of the species of birds known to inhabit oiu- Island Continent up to
that time.

viii NESTS AND EGGS OF AUSTRALIAN BIRDS.

In 1837 Gould also commenced to publish his " Birds of Australia,"
a second paa-t of which bears the date 1833; but he soon foimd that lie
had not sufficient material to carry on the work as he wished to do. He
therefore boldly conceived the notion of going to Australia with his wife,
for the sole piu-pose of procuring the specimens necessary for the com-
pletion of his gigantic enterprise. The work was therefore stopped after
the appearance of Part II. The two cancelled parts of " Birds of
AustraUa " are amongst the rarest of his works.

Gould, accompanied by Mrs. Gould and their eldest son, left England
for Australia in May, 183S, and returned August, 1840. He fii-st lauded
in Tasmania, then proceeded to South Australia, and returned to
Tasmania. He lastly visited New South Wales. Tlience he retm-ned
home via Cape Horn, thereby completing a circuit of the Southern Seas,
which greatly helped him in doing his important work amongst the
Petrels, a family to wliich he paid especial attention.

The number of species of Australian avifauna was raised from 300 to
600 by the adventm-ous journey of Gould and his able assistants — a
gigantic undertaking in those early days. The trip cost him £2,000
out of the £7,000 he is said to have accumulated by his former publica-
tions before leaving for Australia. On his return home, Gould at once
recommenced liis immoi'tal work on the " Birds of Australia," the fii'st
part of which appeared m 1840, and in 1848 tlie seven volumes, with 600
plates, was completed. It is obvious that the hterary finish of the
letterpress was due to his able secretary, Mr. E. C. Prince. Gould
always deplored the loss of three valuable lives that occurred over the
production of the " Birds of Australia," namely, John Gilbert, killed
by the natives in the Gulf of Carpentaria district ; Johnson Drummond,
also killed by a native while seeldng specimens in Western Australia ;
and a fine young man, one of Gould's attendants assigned to him by
Sir John FrankHn, Governor of Tasmania, who was accidentally killed
by the explosion of a gun he was removing from a boat, when lanchng
on one of the islands in Bass Strait.

In 1851, the first part of the " Supplement to the Birds of Australia "
was published, and this was finished in 1869. Between these dates, or
in 186,5, the exceedingly helpful " Handbook," in two volumes, appeared.

While in Australia, Mrs. Gould resided for some time with Sir John
and Lady Franklin ; and at Government House, Hobaj-t, the youjigcst
son, Charles, was bom, who, strange to say, afterwards became Govern-
ment Geologist for a time in his native colony.

INIRODUCTION. ix

Within a yeai- of his return to England, Gould had the misfortune
(the gi-eatest that could befall liini) to lose his wife, a shock from which
he never recovered, and his later years were further saddened by the loss
of two of liis sons, both of whom had adopted the medical profession.

It is now a matter of histoiy how Gould offered the whole of his
Australian collection of birds and eggs to the tnistees of the British
Museum for XI, 000 (after spending £2,000 on the expedition), or as a
donation if they would pui'chase twenty-five copies of his work. Tlie
collection contained examples of both sexes of nearly every known species
of Austridiaii birds, and mostly original types — 1,800 specimens in all, —
cai-efully labelled with full data. It was a national calamity that the
offer was declined, and, under the chagrin at the unexpected refusal of
his offer to the nation, Gould immediately accepted £1,000 for the
collection tendei'od by Dr. Thos. B. Wilson, of Philadelphia, for the
Academy of Natural Sciences of that city.* Great Britain's loss wa.s
America's gain.

Besides being a keen ornithologist, there was business in Gould's
methods. At the gi-eat exhibition of 1851, ho obtained pennission to
erect a building at the Zoological Gai'deirs, and to exhibit his twenty-foiu'
ca.ses of mounted Hiuiiming Birds, his own handiwork. We are told
that when the season was over, the building demolished and its
materials sold, Gould found liimself with a clear prolit of £800. (The
admission was sixpence.)

As .a man of business Gould wa.s j:)unct ilious, making it a niie to pay
for all the work directly it was delivered, and herein lay much of the
-secret of his being so well served.

Coming nearer to the gi'eat authors individuality, those persons who
remember him in his eai-ly days say he was a man of singular energy,
with a good knowledge of the art of mounting animals. Considei-ing
Gould was self-taught, his talents for sketching the details of a bird
picture were remarkable, and, although he had excellent interpreters
in his wife, and, afterwards, in artist friends, still his was always the
moving spirit in designing the plates or the rough sketches.

Dr. Sliarpe, who was associated much with GoiUd in his latter days,
when he (Gould) was invalided (with bladder complaint), and, as is well
known, assisted him in the prepai-ation of the " Birds of New Guinea, "
and after his death completed some of his other works, says that " In

' A complete catalogue of Gould's collection of Australian Birds in the
Academy is likely to be published shortly. Out of 391 names ff'n-cn by Gould to
Australian birds the types of no less than 321 are said to be in Philadelphia.

X NESTS AND EGGS OF AUSTRALIAN BIRDS.

manner Mr. Gould was always somewhat brusque, but tliosr who were
intimate with liim were aware that under a rougli exterior lie concealed
a vei-y kind heart." Another friend who knew him well, wrote : " He had
a really tender and affectionate heart, hidden though it was beneath a
highly sensitive rcsci-ve, which never permitted him the relief of expres-
sion. The deaths of his loving wife and two promising boys aflectcd
liim in a way hardly known outside his family circle." Another person
who used to work for him said Gould was " an extraordinary man ; blunt,
and somewhat of a gruff nature ; had great perseverance, and was always
at his workj wliich amomitcd to a passion, or to which he appeared a
willing martyr." We are not told what Gould's religious temperament
was, although he was styled " a true Priest of Natin-c."

As a born ornithologist, Gould had few, if any, compeers, and no one
had a better " eye " for specific differences. As an author he was also
a giant, having published between 1829 and 1880 (the year of his death)
eighteen great illustrated folio works, besides no less than 302 separate
papers and articles contributed to various learned societies, &c. The
magnitude of his folio works may be imderstood by the 3,000 odd coloiu"ed
plates they contained (all birds except 227, wliich figured in his " Family
of Kangaroos " and the " Mammals of Australia "), and on account of
which he has sometimes been called the " Pictorial Ornithologist." He
himself loved to be called just plain " John Gould, the Bird Man. "

Such was the man whom Australian ornithologists all but worship.

Little seems to be known of the early history of John Gilbei-t. He
was apparently a taxidoi-mist in the employment of Gould, who sent him
as collector to Western Australia, August, 1840- He retm-ned to
England with his trophies, September, 1841.

The ensuing spring Gilbert again visited Western Australia, and
afterwards Northern Territory at Port Essington. Subsequently he was
attached to Dr. Leichhardt's Exploring Expedition from Brisbane to Port

V

Essington, October, 1844, meeting his fate at the hands of treacherous
natives, 28tli June, 184^. The details of his tragic end I have given
under the heading of the Black-backed Tree Creeper (see Observations).
It appeared to me to be the most fitting place to recall the sad
circumstances, as that bird was probably the last he ever shot.

Toucliing poor Gilbert's melancholy end, Gould pathetically wrote :
" I lost a most able coadjutor, and science has to deplore one of its most
devoted servants." What a tribute of praise from a master !

Ladies, by intuition, are generally good judges of character.

INTRODUCTION. xi

Jlrs. Robert Brocknian, of Guildford, Western Aiisti-alia, has kindly

written for me llic following eoiicerning Gilbert's private disposition.

Slie says : " You ask. me to give you whatever infonnatiou 1 can about

Ala". Gilbert. He was in the York district, collecting birds, also their

nests and eggs for Mj-. Gould's large work, ' The Birds of Australia,' and,

in the coiu-se of his travels, one day came to ' Woodside,' and, as a matter

of coui-se, w:is asked to stay and rest. Wc liked him so well, that we

told him to consider our house his hcad-qviai-ters whenever liis occupation

brought him within reach of us ; ajid lie was a great deal with us while

after the birds he was in seai'ch of.

"He used to go out after breakfast, provided with some luncheon,

and we seldom saw him until late in the afternoon, when he would come

in ^vith several birds and set busily to work to skin and fill them out

before dark. In the evenings ho used to sing for us, and it was a great

treat to hear his lovely voice, for such a beautiful tenor voice was rarely

lieard in those days. He had a good selection of songs. The (ijiening

rerse of one of his favourites was : —

' No more shall the children of Judah sing
The lay of a happier time.
Or strike the harp with the golden string,
'Neath the sun of an Eastern clime.'

" He was an enthusiast at his business, never spared himself, and often
came in quite tired out from a long day's tramp after some particular bird,
but as pleased as a child if he succeeded in shooting it.

" We became very friendly, and were much grieved to hear of his sad
(li\ith. Strange to say, he always had a dread of blacks, even in our
quiet place. He told me he was a widower, and spoke in veiy loving
terms of a little daughter he had left in England.

" I wish I could recollect more about him ; I shall onlj* add once more
that wc all Ukcd him much and thought liighly of him. I remember his
face now perfectly, as he used to look when he came in and tlirew off his
hoavj' pack. He would say : ' Now for a sup of your nice tea and I shall
be all right.' I think he was, altogether, nearly two months in our
neighbourhood ; then he travelled on towards Toodyay.''

Gilbert has been further described as having been a pleasing and
bright companion. In stature he was somewhat short and spare, but
strong and very active. His complexion was rather dark than fair.

John Macgillivray, to whom Gould was indebted for so many of his
north-eastern novelties, was naturalist on board H.M.S. " Rattlesnake,"
commanded by Captain Owen Stanley. Macgillivr-ay afterwards wrote

xn A'ESTS AND EGGS OF AUSTRALIAN BIRDS.

a " N;uTative of the Vo3'age,'' which was an accoimt of a sm-veymg cniise
of about foiu- yeaa-s (1846-50), in the rich region of the Cape York
Peninsula aud contiguous localities, and included his own original field
notes, graphically written, of the finding of rare and new Australian birds.

J. R. Elsey (afterwards Dr., I believe), who accompanied the Gregory
Brothers' Expedition, did pioneer collecting in the rough north-west.

The Ramsay Brothers, of Sydney, may be said to have gathered the
first Australian oological collection, wliich became known as the " Dob-
royde " Collection. It was of great value and interest as a pioneer one,
but to comj>are it (if it is still intact) with the splendid and more recent
collections would possibly be to over-rate it. Dr. E. P. Ramsay bccAmo
the' clever ciu-ator of the Australian Museum, Sydney, but, unfortunately,
just as he was gaining fame in the oniithological world, he was retii-ed on
account of ill-health. It was as if liis sun had set while it was yet noon,
for all had hoped to see Dr. Ramsay amongst Australian ornithologists
what Baa-on von Mueller was amongst botanists.

Kendall Broadbent, the veteran collector, now attached to the
Queensland Museum, has traversed the whole of Eastern Australia,
including Tasmania, after specimens. His principal trips and dates
thereof are : — Portland Bay (18.58) ; Gippsland (1862) ; Brisbane Sciiibs
(1864); Dai-ling Downs (1865); Cai-dwell and "Maria" Expedition to
New Guinea (1873) ; Cape York, Gulf of Cai-pentaria and New Guinea
(1874-75); Cairns and New Guinea (1878-9); Tasmania and South
Australia (1879-80); five trips to Cardwell (between 1880-90); Chai-le-
ville (1883) ; Cape York and Gulf of Cai-pentaria (1883-4) ; BarcaJdine
and Central Queensland (1887); and Bcllenden-Ker Range (1889).

What a delightful education the sum total of these bush experiences
must have been to Mr. Broadbent ! Though not 'an Australian by birth,
Mr. Bx-oadbent was reared in Victoria. He enjoys the reputation of
being an indefatigable collector, never giving up tlie chase, night or day,
if he can attain the specimen sought after.

Another old and respected collector is George Masters, curator of the
Macleayan collection, Sydney Univoi-sity.

Dr. George Bennett, in his interesting work, "Gatherings of a
Natiu-alist in Australia" (1860), furnishes field observations of many
familiar birds ; while " Old Bushman," wi-ote the pleasant little volume,
" Bush Wanderings of a Naturalist" (1861).

" Old Bushman," otherwise Horace William Wheelwright (son of an
English clergyman), was educated and practised as a solicitor. From

INTRODUCTION. xiii

boyhood In- was foiul of fk-ld sports of all kinds. Getting into disgi-ace
over a liorsc-racing incident (one cannot toncli pitch without soiling one's
hands), he quitted England for the wild mountains and woods of Norway
and Sweden. Subsequently he resolved to have " a spell " in a more
sunny clime, and turned his attention to Australia. Mr. Wheclwn'glit
aiTived in Victoria, March, 1833; and, like thousands of others at that
time, departed for the gold diggings, but was unsuccessful. He became
acquainted with Mr. C. J. StaflFoi-d, like himself, of a naturalist tum of
mind, and, a^ mates, they camped for about five years (1853-8) bi
Morilialloc, now the populaa* sea-side resort. 16i miles by rail from Mel-
bourne. The exact spot of the camp was between tlie road and the
beach, just oi)posite the railway station. For sport and livelihood they
shot ganic in that district and in Western Port for the market ; and
it was that period of five years which constituted Mr. AVlieelwn'ght's
" Bush Wanderings," wherein he mentions one hvmdi'ed and ninety species
of birds (giving the habits of some), twenty-two animals, besides reptiles,
fish, and insects. When Mr. Wlicclwn'ght gave up camp life, he imme-
diately sailed for England, writing up his notes on the passage home.

Sylvi'ster Digglcs (Queensland), an artist and musician by profession,
was an entomologist a.s well as an omitliologist- He was enthusia.stic,
patient and pei-severing. During his twenty-two years of research, he
punted no less than six hundred Australian birds and wrote descriptions
thereof, but owing to the want of suflSeient funds, only a portion was
IJubJished, imder the somewhat ambitious title, " The Ornithology of
Australia." Iti was his deatli-blow that the Government would not assist
him. Truly it has been written, " a prophet is not without honour save
in his own country."

Mr. Diggles was one of the first promoters of the Philosophical
Society of Queensland. He died 21st March, 1880.

Tliomas Heni-y Bow>'er-Bower (son of Captain Bowyer-Bower,
England) indirectly sacrificed his life in the interests of ornithology.
He collected some seven hundred bird skins in the neighbourhood of
Derby, North-west Austraha. Of that number, imfortunately, two
hundred were burnt by a bush fire. It was Mr. Bowyer-Bowei-'s inten-
tion to return the following diy season (winter) to make good
his loss and to supplement his not«s ; but alas ! he contracted
typhoid fever, and died at Port Darwin. 23rd December, 1886,
at the early age of 24. Mr. Walter Burton (Wardour .Street,
London, W.), who accompanied Mr. Bowycr-Bowcr as professional

Xiv NESTS AND EGGS OF AUSTRALIAN BIRDS.

uaturalist, writes : " He was one of the finest yoiuig fellows it has been
my good fortune to meet. Of course, as you are aware, you cannot make
social distinctions where all share the common dangei-s and vicissitudes
of bush life, but I can most feelingly say I was treated by him more as
a brother than a servant."

A list, with remarks on the Bowyer-Bower collection, by Dr. E. P.
Ramsay, is recorded in the Proceedings of the Linnean Society, New
South Wales (2nd series), vols. i. and ii. (1886-7).

Possibly no Australian field naturalist spent more time and money
ill the pursuit of ornithology than did Mr. Samuel Wliitc, of the Rced-
bcds, near Adelaide, South Australia. Yet it is remarkable that
Mr. White's name, although he kept very complete diaries, was never
famous for research, except as to a few notes with which he supplied
Gould.

His first lengthened trip, occupying seven or eight months, was under-
taken in the early sixties. Mr. White had signed an agi-eement to
accompany the Burke and Wills Expedition to cross the Continent, but,
owing to the quantity of luggage he would need for collecting purposes,
a disagreement arose, and Mr- Wliite decided to set out on an expedition
himself. So taking a single companion, he started in a. spring dray with
two horses and made north to Lake Hope, and beyond towards the Gulf
of Carjjentaria country. Great privations were endiu-ed. The horses
perished from the want of water, as nearly did their drivers. Conse-
quently almost all specimens were abandoned in the interior. The egg
of the Spotted (Jardino) Harrier, described by Gould as having been
collected at Lake Hope, was one of the few remaining rehcs of the
disastrous journey.

Tlie next trip of adventure was a general collecting tour in Queens-
land, 1867, when Mr. White was accompanied by a younger brother,
William. They landed at Cleveland Bay (now Townsville), journeying
inland towards the Flinders, steering their course with the aid of a map
and compass, the former being worse than blank. Here, too, they nearly
succiunbed to tliirst, and had given up all hope, when they heaid the call
of a Satin Bower Bird, and knew water must be near. Samuel, just able
to crawl on his hands and knees, succeeded in finding the precious element,
filled the billy, and so revived life. The explorers were then able to
make Port Denison for fresh supplies, and proceeding down the coastal
region, passed over the Dividing Range (McPherson's) at Mount Lindsay,
being the first white men to climb to the topmost pinnacle of the Mount.

INTRODUCTION XV

Thence their coui-se was to Newcastle. Tlic trip occupied over twelve
mouths. The worst has to be told. In crossing a swollen river in an
improvised punt, the primitive caii (which was merely ;v box on two
wheels with a pair of shafts attached, and in which all the natural history
collection was packed) capsized, and the greater portion was lost in the
Hood ; while, to add to this misfortune, the powder they possessed became
wet and useless, so that more collecting was out of the question. At
this point, also, the blacks were very niunerous and warlike, and an
attack of scui-vy added to the intrepid explorers' trouble.

The last and most ambitious trip cost Mr. Samuel White liis life.
First he built a steamer at Port Adelaide, and after £500 was spent
in England in machinci-y alone, it was found she was unsuitable for his
purpose. Then he built a fore and aft schooner called the " Elsie "
(named after his wife), and fitted her for a two years' cruise in the region
of Cape York, New Guinea, and the Am Islands. Some interesting
collecting was accomplished at the Aims ; but the crew, objecting to work
in New Guinea, which wa« a- dangei'oiis quarter at that time, mutinied,
locked Mr. White in his cabin, and turned the ship about, shaping a
coiu-se for Thursday Island. The ship thus in their hands, the mutineers
became overjoyed, broached the store of spirits and got intoxicated.
Taking advantage of this state of affairs, Mr. J. Cockcrell and
Mr. F. W. Andrews (two of Mr. White's collectors), released him. Willi
some difl&culty tlie crew were secured, but not before they had smashed
the binnacle.

Mr. White navigated his vessel back to Tluu'sday Island, where the
crew were tried and committed, the ringleaders, including the CapUiin
and first mate, being remanded to Sydney- Leaving the vessel at
Thui'sday Island, Mr. White took the first opportimity of retiu'ning to
Sydney for a fresh crew. At Sydney he met his wife, and when looking
for a suitable temporary residence was caught in a heavy thundei-stonn,
took a severe chill (possibly on accoimt of his system having been run
down by the worries of the expedition), died on the 16th November, 1880,
and was buried in the Waverley Cemeteiy.

Disaster followed disaster. The vessel, lying at Thursday Island,
Cape York, was pillaged ; the collections of a lifetime were knocked
down and scattered under the auctioneer's hammer at Adelaide ; and,
most deplorable of all (next to the ornithologist's untimely death), some
of Mj-. Wliite's numerous diaiies, which no doubt it was his intention to
eventually publish, and which must have contained a vast fimd of

xvi NESTS AND liGGS OF AUSTRALIAN BIRDS.

original iuformation, not to mention tlirilling adventure, most mysteri-
ously disappeared. However, his son, Mr. C. A. White, is now
endeavouring from personal notes and private letters to publish a book
on the last adventurous trip.

On account of Mr. White's devotion as a field ornithologist and
collector, and before all the bu'ds of this gi-eat Island Continent have been
discovered and named, it is hoped that some author will dedicate one
species at least to his memory.

There have also been distinguished foreign field collectors to our
shores, namely : — Dr. Carl Liunholtz, whose interesting bird notes are
recorded in the account of his travels " Among Cannibals in Northern
Queensland ; " and Dr. Knut Dahl (both Norwegians), who more
recently visited the North-west and Northern Tenitory.

I shall conclude my " cloud of witnesses " by naming two early
collectors, who met prematiu-e deaths at the liands of treacherous natives :
Johnson Dnimmond (already mentioned under Gould), who was killed
in Western Australia ; and F. Strange, of Sydney, who was murdered
by the aborigines in the Wide Bay district, Queensland, about July,
1846. He was one of Gould's collectors, and had just returned from
Eiuope by a vessel called the " Vimiera." An account of his tragic
death appeared in the " Sydney Homing Herald."

Should I have overlooked names of other worthy forerimncrs in the
field, such omissions must be regarded as purely unintentional on my part,
or as caused by the absence of the necessary data; wliile of my own
immediate contemporaries I have nothing to say. Time alone, that
wondrous adjuster of relative merits and demerits, will impartially jvidge
us all.

Jly votes of thanks. They are too numerous, and beyond the scope
of this introduction to be all enumerated, and it would be invidious even
to mention some of the many persons who have aided my work by signal
services in the field. But as the names of collectors and others appear
throughout this book, I hope that will be sufficient acknowledgment
for the respective notes or specimens they have been so good as to supply
me with.

I take this opportunity, however, of e.xpressing my indebtedness to
the proprietors of " Tlie Australasian " for so persistently publishing for
many years my articles on " Some Australian Birds." Of coiuse these
articles, as they must necessarily have been, were merely sketches, but
sketches, nevertheless, which have done a great deal to popularize

INTRODUCTION. xvii

ornithology in Australia, and so prepare the way for a more permanent
and elaborate work My particular thanks are also due to the editor
of that paper, Mr. David Watterson, for his encouragement to me in
my work, and for his many kindly and unassuming hints as to shaping
my thoughts on paper, more especially for readers not naturalists.

To Mr. C. C. Brittlebank my best thanks arc due for his unselfish
labours in figuring the original coloured drawings of the two hundred
typical or rare eggs needed for this work. It wa.s indeed fortunate for
me that Mr. Biittlcbank combined the tastes of a naturalist with his
artistic skill in the productions. Here let me say we decided not to
figure white eggs, which are mainly identified bj' the grain of the shell,
which it is impossible to reproduce in an illustration (except, perhaps, by
photography). To have given plates of white eggs would have been
to unnecessarily handicap the work. While on the subject of illustra-
tions, I venture to hope that the photographic ones will not be the least
attractive feature of this volume. To Mr. L. W. Hart, Working Men's
College, Melbourne, I shall be for ever indebted for his sound insti-uction
in the art.

I have to thank Mr. Edward A. Pithorick, F.L.S., of London,
whose interest in Australian literature is well known, for his hearty
co-operation and invaluable assistance in the production of this work
in England ; and last, but by no means least, I here record my sincere
thanks to my svibscribers individually and collectively for having so
materially assisted the book by finding the honest hire for the printers,
Messrs. Pawson ct Brailsford, Sheffield, England.

My doxology. No work should be complete without praise to God,
and perhaps more especially no Natural History Work, such as I am
now closing, and in the execution of which the lines have fallen to me
in so manv pleas.Tnt places.

"© Xoi&. Dow inanifolO are 3^1)^ worfts! in wisCiom bast
tibou inaC>c tbcin all: tbc cartb is full of Ch\? licbcs"

Melbourne, Dec, 1899.

SYSTEMATIC INDEX.

OKDI'.K -ACCIPITRES: IHRDS OF I'Hl'.V.
SUH-OKnEK-FALCONKS: FALCONS

FAMILY FALCONID^E : HAWKS.

SUB-PAMILY- ACCIPITRIN.T. : LoNG-LEGGED HaWKS

Spotted Harrier {Cirnis assimilis)
Harrier or Swamp Hawk {Circus gouhli)
Grey Goshawk {Astiir cinenus)
White Goshawk l.lstiir iiova- Iwllandiir)
Lesser White Goshawk {Astiir nova hollandia)
Goshawk (Asliir approximansi
Lesser Goshawk tAsliir cruentus)
Sparrow Hawk (Accipitcr cirrhociphalus)

Sub-family— BiiTEoNiN.*. : Buzzards.
Red Goshawk (Urospizias radiatiis)

Sch-familv— AguiLiN.v. : Eagi.es.

Wedge-tailed ICagle — Eagle Hawk (Uroaclus audax)

Little F.aRle [Niijcliis mnrphnoiilcs)

White-eyed Buzzard Eagle [Butaitiir Iccsa)

White-bellied Sea Eagle illaliactus leiicognstci)

White-headed Sea ICagle (HalidStiiy iiidiis siibsp, giriencm)

Whistling Eagle (IlaUastur sphciuiiiis)

Kile (Milviis af/iiiis)

Square-tailed Kite [Lophoictinia isura)

Wack-breasted Buzzard (Gypoicihiia mclanoslcrna)

Black-shouldered Kile (Elanus axillaris) . .

Letter-winged Kite [Elanus scriplus) . .

SuB-F.\MiLY — Fai.conin/1-: : Falcons.
Crested Hawk (Ua::a siibcrislata) . .
Black-clieeked Falcon {Faico mctanogenys)
Grey Fakon (Faho hypvlciiciis)
Black Falcon (FaUo iulmiga) .
Little Falcon {Falu' lunulatus)
Striped Brown Hawk (Hieracidea berigora)
Brown Hawk (Hieracidea orientalis)
Nankeen Kestrel (CcrcUiien cencUroidcs)

1082
6

2

15
16

-

16

2

19

—

20

2

22

3

23

3

25

3

27
28

..

29

4

31

~

33

33

4

34
36

4
5

37
38

SUB-ORDER— PANDIONES: OSPREYS.

White-headed Osprey (P. haliaetiis sub-sp. leiicocephatus) 5

XX NESTS AND EGGS OF AUSTRALIAN BIKDS.

SUB-ORDER— STRIGES : OWLS.

FAMILY— BUBONID^E: OWLS PROPER.

Sub-family — BuboniN/E.

Plate. Page.

Boobook Owl (Ninox boobook) . . . . — 43

Marbled Owl {Ninox boobook sub-species ocelhtta) .. — 45

Lurid Owl (Ninox Itirida) . . . . — 45

Spotted Owl {Ninox maculata) .. .. .. -- 45

Winkint; Owl {Ninox connivcns) . . . . — 46

Cape York Owl {Ninox connivcns sub-species peninsularis) — 47

Western Winking Owl {N. connivcns snh-sip. occidentalis) — 47

Powerlul Owl {Ninox strcnua) .. — 48

Rufous Owl {Ninox Uumcralis) . . . . . . — 49

FAMILY— STRIGIDiE: BARN OWLS.

Masked Owl {Strix nova liollandia) . . . . — 50

Chestnut-faced Owl (S. novir hoHandite sub-sp. castanof's) — 50

Lesser Masked Owl {Strix flammea sub-species dclicatulu] — 51

Sooty Owl {Strix tenebricosa) .. .. .. — 52

Grass Owl {Strix Candida) . . . . . . — 53

ORDER— PASSERIFORMES: PERCHING BIRDS.

SUB-ORDER / PASSERES.

FAMILY— CORVID^ : CKOWS.

Sue-Familv— CoRViN.^ : Crows Proper.

Crow {Corvus coronoides) .. .. .. .. — 54

Raven (Corone australis) . . .. . . 5 55

Pied Crow Shrike (Strepera graculina) . . . . — 58

Hill Crow Shrike {Strepera argtita) .. . . 5 59

Grey Crow Shrike {Strepera cuncicaudata) .. .. — 60

Leaden Crow Shrike (5. cuncicaudata sub-sp. plumbea) — 60

Black-winged Crow Shrike (Strepera melanoptcra) .. — 61

Sooty or Black Crow Shrike (Strepera fuliginosa) 5 6»

Grey Juniper (Struthidea cinercaj . . . . . . 5 G3

Sub-family— Fregilin.^ : Choughs.

White-winged Chough (Corcorax melanorhamphus) 5 65
FAMILY— PARADISEID^ : BIRDS OF PARADISE.

Sub-Family : Epimachin.'e.

Rifle Bird (Ptilorhis paradisea) . . .. . . 6 66, 1073

Victoria Rifle Bird {Ptilorhis victoritr) .. — 69

Albert Rifle Bird {Ptilorhis alberti) .. .. 6 76

Sub-Family — Paradisein.s.

Manucode (Phonygama gouldi) . . .. — 78

FAMILY— ORIOLID/E : ORIOLES.

Northern Oriole (Oriolus affinis) . . . . . . — 79

Yellow Oriole (Oriolus flavicinctusi .. .. — 80

Oriole (Oriolus viridis) .. .. ., .. 6 81

Fig Bird (Sphccothires maxillaris) . . — 82

Yellow-bellied Fig Bird (Sphecotheres Flaviventris) .. 6 84

FAMILY— DICRURID^ : DRONGOS.

Drongo (Chibia bracteata) . . .. .. 6 85

SYSTEMATIC INDEX.

FAMILY— PRIONOPID^E: WOOD SHRIKES.

Sob-family — PRioNOFiN.t.

Plaic. Page,

Magpie Lark (Grallina t'icata) .. .. .. 6 87

Grey Shrike Thrush (Collyriocincla harmonica) .. 6 88

WhistHng Shrike Thrush {Collyriocincla rectiroslris) . . — 90

Brown Shrike Thrush (Collyriocincla brunnea) .. — 91

Buff-bellied Shrike Thrush (Collyriocincla rufivcntiis) — 91

Bower Shrike Thrush (Collyriocincla boweri) .. — 92

Little Shrike Thrusli [Pinarolestcs panmlus) .. — 92,1082

Rufous- Breasted Shrike Thrush (I'niarolcsles riifigasler) 7 93

Lesser Rufous-breasted Shrike Thrush (P. parvissinia) — 94

FAMILY— CAM POPHAGIDiE: CUCKOO SHRIKES.

Ground Cuckoo Shrike iPteropodocys phasianclla) .. 7 95,1082

Black-faced Cuckoo Shrike {Grancalus milanops) 7 96

Small-billed Cuckoo Shrike {G. »nViiHo/'ssub-sp./iii»!'/;os/m) — 97

White-bellied Cuckoo Shrike (Graucalus Uypoleucus) . . — 98

Little Cuckoo Shrike (Graucalus mcntalis) . . — 98

Barred Cuckoo Shrike (Graucalus linealus) . . 7 gg

Caterpillar Catcher (Edoliisoma tcnuirostre) . . 7 100

White-shouldered Caterpillar Catcher (Lalage tricolor) 7 103

Pied Caterpillar Catcher (Lalage leucomel(ena) .. 7 104

FAMILY— MLISCICAPID/E : FLYCATCHERS.

Brown Flycatcher (Micruca fascinans) . . . . 7 105

Lesser Brown I'lycatcher (Micneca assimilis) .. - 106, 1075

Lemon-breasted Flycatcher (Micruca Jlavigaster) . . — 107

Pale Flycatcher (Micneca pallida) .. .. — 108,1075

White-shafted Fantail (RhipUlura albiscapa) . . 8 108

Western Fantail (Rhipidura preissi) .. .. — no

Dusky Fantail (Uhipuiura diemeticnsis) .. .. — 112

Rufous Fantail (Rhipidura ruji/rons) .. .. 8 112

Wood Fantail (Rhipidura dryas) .. .. .. — 114

Northern Fantail [Rhipidura setosa) .. — 114

White-tailed Fantail (Rhipidura albicauda). . .. — 115

Pheasant or White-fronted Fantail (Rhipidura phasiana) — 116

Black-and- White Fantail (Rhipidura tricolor) .. 8 n6

Leaden-coloured Flycatcher (Myiagra rubecula) .. g 119

Blue Flycatcher (Myiagra concinna) . . .. — 120

Satin Flycatcher (Myiagra nitida) . . .. .. 9 121

Broad-billed Flycatcher (Myiagra lalirostris) .. — 122

Yellow-breasted Flycatcher (Mach(vrorhynchus flaiii'entcr) 9 123

Restless Flycatcher (Sisuia iuquieta) ,. .. 9 124

Little Flycatcher (Sisura nana) .. . . . . — 126

Pied Flycatcher (Arses kaupi) .. .. 9 126

Frill-necked Flycatcher (Arses lorculis) .. .. — 128

Shining Flycatcher (Piezorhynchus nitidus) .. g 129

f^poctacled Flycatcher (Monarcha gouldi) .. . . — 130

White-bellied Flycatcher {Monarcha albiventris) 9 131

White-eared Flycatcher (Monarcha Uucotis) .. — 132

Black-faced Flycatcher (Monarcha melanopsis) . . — 132

I'early Flycatcher (Monarcha cancscins) . . . . — 134

Scarlet-breasted Robin (Pctricca Lcggii) .. 8 134

Western Scarlet -breasted Robin (Petraca camphclli).. — 136, 1076

Flamebreasted Robin tPetriica pha-nicca) .. — 136

Pink-breasted Robin (Pctricca rhodinogastra) .. — 138

Rose-breasted Robin (Petrccca rosea) . . . . 8 139

Red-capped Robin (Petraca goodcnovii) .. .. S 143

Red-throated Robin IPetraca ramsayi) .. — 144

Hooded Robin (McLuwdryas pctraca hicolor) .. 8 144

Pied Robin (Milanodryas bicolor sub-species picata) — 146

Dusky Robin iAnuiurodryas Pctricca vittata .. — 147

White-breasted Robin (Amaurodryas gularis) .. 12 148

xii XESTS AA'V EGGS OF AUSTRALIAN BIRDS.

FAMILY— MUSCICAI'ID.E: rLYCATClIERS-(CoH(</.J VUu,. Page.

White-browed Robin [Pa'cilodryas supeniliosa) . . 8 149

Bufl-sided Robin (Pa-cilodryas ccrviniventris) . . — 150

Large-headed Robin (I'lccilodiyas capita) .. .. — 150

Lesser Large-headed Robin {Pcailoilryus iiuim). . — 151

White-laced Kobin [Pinilndiyas albifacies) .. .. — 152

Short-billed Tree Tit [Smicrornis brevirnstris) . . 8 153

Yellow-timed Tree Tit (Smicrornis Jlavescms) .. — 154,1076

White-throated Fly Eater (Gcrygonc atbigiUaris) 8 155

Grey Fly Eater [ Gerygoiie cinerasceiis) . . . . — 156

Southern Fly Eater (Pstiidogerygone culicivora) .. — 157

Brown-breasted Fly Eater (Pseudogirygone brimneipcctiis — 158

Large-billed Fly Eater Pseudogeryyoiie magnirostris — 158

Brown Fly Eater (Pseudogerygone Jusca) .. ,. — 159

Buft-breasied Fly Eater {Pseudogerygone Im'igastra — 160

Green -backed Fly Eater (Pseudogerygone chloronoia) . . — i6i

Black-throated Fly Eater {Pseudogerygone personata) S 161

Blue Wren (Malurus lyaneus) . . . . . . 8 163

Silvery-blue Wren IMalurus cyanochlamys) .. — 168

Long-tailed Blue Wren (Malurus gonldi) . . . . — 169

Dark-blue Wren (Muluiw clizabetho') .. . . — i6g, 1077

Black-backed Wren (Malurus melaiwlus) . . .. — i6g

Turquoise Wren (Mulurus culluinus) .. .. — 170

Banded Wren (Malurus splendcns) .. .. — 172

White-Winged Wren (Malurus kucoptcrus) . . — 173

White-backed Wren iMalurus huconotus) .. .. — 174

Red-Winged Wren iMalurus chgans) .. .. — 175

Variegated Wren (Malurus lamberti) .. .. — 176

Lovely Wren (Malurus amabilis) .. .. — 176

Gilbert Variegated Wren (Malurus pulcherrimus) . . — 177

Purple-crowned Wren (Malurus coronatus) .. — 178

Red-backed Wren (Malurus dorsalis) .. .. — 179

Orange-backed Wren (Malurus melanocephalus) .. — 180

FAMILY— TURDID^ : TRUE THRUSHES.

Sub-family — Sylviin.e : Warblers.

Reed Warbler (Acrocephalus australis) .. .. 9 181

Long-billed Reed Warbler (Acrocephalus lougirostris) — 183

Sub-family — Turdin.-e ; Thrushes.

Ground Thrush (Geocichla hmulata) .. .. 9 184

Large- billed Ground Thrush (Geocichla macrurhyncha) — 188

Russet Ground Thrush (Geocichla hcinii) .. .. ■ — 190

Broadbent Ground Thrush (Geocichla cuneata) . . — igi

FAMILY— TIMELIID.E: BABBLING THRUSHES.
Sub-Family — Ptilonorhynchin.e : Bower Birus.

Satin Bower Bird (Ptilonorhynchus violaceus) .. 9 191

Spotted Cat Bird (.'Elunedus maculosus) . . 9 195

Cat Bird (.-Elunedus viridis) . . . . . . — 196

Spotted Bower Bird (Cklamydera maculata) . . 9 igS, 1082
Yellow-spotted or Guttattd Bower Bird (Chlamydera guttata — 202, 1078

Great Bower Bird (Chlamydera nuchalis) . . — 203

(Queensland Bower Bird (Chlamydera orientalis) . . — 204

Fawn-breasted Bower Bird (Chlamydera cirviniventris) — 206

Tooth-billed Bower Bird {Tectonornis dentirostris) .. — 207

Regent Bird {Scricillus mclinus) .. .. 10 208

Golden liower Bird (Prionodura newtoniaua). . .. — 212

SYSTEMATIC INDEX. XXlll
1-AMlLY— TlMliLllU.E : BABBLING THKUSHES-(Cwir/»«.,/).

SUB-KAMILV — TlMULIlN.E : BABBLERS, &C. I'lalc. I'aRC.

Emu Wren {Slipiturus malachuriis) .. lo 214

Kiifous-crowned Emu Wren (Stipitiirus rufutfi) .. — 217

Hrislle Bird {Sf'hcnura brackyptera) .. — 218

Long-billed Bristle Bird (.s//u«Kra loiigiroitiis) .. — 219

Kufous Bristle Bird (SfhciiHru broadbenii) .. — 219

Grass Wren (Amytis te.xtilis) .. .. .. 10 221

Striated Grass Wren {Awytis striata) .. ., — 222

Large tailed Grass Wren {Amytis iiuicniia) .. .. — 223

Goyder Grass Wren (Amytis guyderi) .. .. — 223

Grass Bird {Mcgciliirus graiiiineus) . . . . . . 10 224

Tawny Grass Bird (Mcgalurus gahictotcs) . . — 225

Desert Bird (Eremiomis cartcri) .. ,. . . — iob'3

Rock Warbler {Orignni lubyicata) . . . . — 22O

Grass Warbler (Cisticola exilts) .. .. .. 10 227

Little Tit (Aciinlliiza nana) .. .. . . — 228

Flain-coloured Tit (Acanthiza inovniita) .. .. — 229

Brown Tit (Acanthiza piisilla).. .. .. 10 230

Tasmanian Tit — Brown-tail (Acanthiza diemcnctisis) — 132

Broad-tailed Tit (Icaiithiza aficalis) ,. — 233

Ked-rumped Tit \ Acanthiza pyrrhopygia) .. — 234

Striated Tit (Acanthiza lincata) .. .. .. — 234

Chestnut-rumped Tit (Acanthiza uropygialis) .. — 236

Scaly -breasted Tit [Acanthiza squamata] .. .. — 237

Yellow-rumped Tit [Acanthiza chiysorrhoa) .. — 238

Bufl-rumped Tit (Acanthiza reguloides) .. .. — 239

Scrub Tit (Acanthornis magna) .. .. 11 241

Ked Throat (I'yirhol^mus—Sericornis — brunnca) .. 11 242

Yellow-throated Scrub Wren (Scricornis citrcogulaiisj 11 243

White-browed Scrub Wren (Scricornis frontalis) .. — 245

Large-billed Scrub Wren (Scricornis magnirostris) 10 247

Bulf-breaslcd Scrub Wren (Scricornis lirvigastra) . . — 249

Spotted Scrub Wren (Scricornis inaculata) .. — 249

Spotted-throated Scrub Wren [Scricornis osculans) . . — 250

Brown Scrub Wren {Scricornis luimilis) .. — 251

White-throated Scrub Wren (Scricornis gutturalis) . . — 252

Spine tailed Log Runner (Orthonyx spinicauda] — 252

Black-headed Log Runner (Orthonyx spaldingi) . . — 253

Spotted Ground Bird (Cindosoma pimctatum) . . 10 254

Chestnut-backed Ground Bird (Cindosoma castanvnotum) — 256

Cinnamon-coloured Ground Bird (Cindosoma cinnamomcum) — 256

Chestnut-breasted Ground Bird (Cindosoma castancothuraxt — 257

Northern or Black-vented Ground Bird (C. marginatum) — 258

Pilot Bird (Pycnoptitus floccosus) .. .. 11 258

Scrub Robin (Drymaadcs brunncofygius) .. — 261

Pale Scrub Robin (Drymaadcs pallidus) ., .. — 262

Eastern Scrub Robin (Drymaadcs siipcriiliansi. . — 262

Chestnut-rumped Ground Wren (Hylacola pyrrhopygia) ■■ 263

Rufous-rumped Ground Wren (Hylacola caiita) .. 11 264

Coach Whip Bird (Fsophodcs crepitans) .. 11 265

Black- Throated Whip Bird (Psophodes ntgrogularis) . . — 268

Wedge Bill (Sphcnostoma cristatum) . . . . 11 269

Babbler or Chatterer [I'omatorhiniis temporalis) .. 11 270

White-browed Babbler (Pomatorliinus supcrciliosus) 11 272

Chestnut Crowned Babbler (Pomatorhinus riificcps) . . — 273

Red-breasted Babbler (Pomatorhinus rubcculus) . . — 274

Black-breasted Song Lark (Cinclorhamphiis cruralis) n 275

Rufous Song Lark (Cindorhamphus riijcscens) .. 11 276

Striated Field Wren (Calamanthus fuliginosus) .. ir 27S

Field Wren (Calamanthus campcstris) .. .. — 2-9

Desert Wren (Calaiiianthns campcstris sub-sp. isabdlinus) — 280

Little Field Wren (Chthonicola sagittata) .. 10 281

White-fronted Bush Chat (Ephthianura albifrvns) . . — 282

Tricoloured Bush Chat (Eththianura tricolor) . . — 284

Orange-fronted Bush Chat (Ephthianura aurifrons) .. 11 28/;

Yellow-breasted Bush Chat (Ephthianura crccca) — 286

xxiv .VESTS AVD EGGS OF AUSTRALIAN BIRDS.

FAMILY— PARIDvE ; TIT-MICE.

Sub-Family — Parin.e. Plate. Page.

White Face (Xerofhila teucof>sis} .. .. .. ii 287

Chestiuit-bieasted White Face (Xeropliila pectoraKs) — 289

IMack-banded Wliite Face {Xeropliila nigricincta) . . — 289

FAMILY— L.\NIID.E ; CROW SHRIKES.

Sub-Family — Gymnorhin^.

Black-backed Maypie {Gymnoihiiui tibicen) . . — 290

White-backed Magpie (Gymnorhina kticonota) .. 11 292

Lesser White-backed Magpie (Gymiwrhina hypeileuca) — 295

Long-billed Magpie (Gymnurhinu dorsalis) . . .. 11 296

Black Butcher Bird (Cractlcus qiioyi) .. 12 299

Black-throated Butcher Bird (Cractictis nigriguUiris) 12 301

Pied Butcher Bird ICracticus iiigriguhiris sub-sp. pii<itnsj — 302

White-Winged Butcher Bird (Ciuclicus leucupterus) .. — 303

Silver backed Butcher Bird (Cmcticus argcnleus) — 304

Butcher Bird (Cracticus destructoy) .. .. 12 304

Grey Butcher Bird {Cmcticus destructor sub-sp. cincrcus) — 305

Spalding Butcher Bird (Cracticus mentalis) . . — 306

Rufous Butcher Bird {Cracticus rufescens) .. . . — 306

Sub-family — Pachycephalin.^.

Shrike Tit {Falcunculus frontatus) . . . . 12 308

White-bellied Shrike Tit (Falcunculus Uucogaster) .. -- 309

Bell Bird {Oreoica crisiata) .. .. .. 12 310

Yellow-breasted Shrike Robin (Eopsaltria australis) 12 311

Yellow-rumped Shrike Robin {Eopsaltria chrysorrhous) — 313

Grey-breasted Shrike Robin {Eopsaltria gcorgiana) . . — 315

White-tailed Shrike Robin {Eopsaltria {.') pulverulcnta) — 316

Fly Robin (Heteromyias cinereifrons) .. .. 12 317

Black-tailed Thickhead {Pachyccphala melanura) — 318

White-throated Thickhead [Pachyccphala gutturalis) . . 12 319

Western Thickhead {Pachyccphala occidentalis) . . — 321

Grey-tailed Thickhead {Pachyccphala glaucura) . . — 322

Northern Thickhead (Pacliyccphala falcata) .. 12323,1082

Rufous-breasted Thickhead {Pach)ccphaUi rufiventris) — 324

Red-throated Thickhead {Pachyccphala gtlbcr ti) .. — 325

Olive Thickhead {Pachyccphala olivaccai .. .. 12 326

Cape York Thickhead {Pachyccphala peninsula) . . — 327

Brown Thickhead {Pachyccphala simplex) . . . . - - 328, 1082

White-bellied Thickhead {Pachyccphala lanioidcs) — 328

Large-billed Thickhead {Pachyccphala J'rctoruiii) . . — 328

FAMILY— CERTHIIDyE.
Sub- family — Certhin.'e.

Black Tree Creeper {Climactcris melanura) . . — 329

Black-backed Tree Creeper {Climacteris melanonota) — 330

Rufous Tree Creeper {Climactcris rufa) .. — 331

White-throated Tree Creeper (Climacteris leucophiea) 12 332

Brown Tree Creeper (Climacteris scandens) .. 13 334

Red-browed Tree Creeper [Climactcris erythrops) . . — 335

White-browed Tree Creeper {Climacteris supercilosa) -^ 336, 1082

Sub- Family — Sittin.e

Orange-winged Tree Runner {Siltclla chrysoptera) .. 13 337

White-headed Tree Runner {Sitlclla kucucephala) — 339

Pied Tree Runner (Siltclla albata) . . . . — 340

Black-capped Tree Runner (Sittclla pilcata) . . — 340

Slender-billed Tree Runner (Sittclla tenuirostris) .. — 342

White-Winged Tree Runner {Sittclla leucoptera) — 343

Striated Tree Runner {Sittclla striata) . . ., — 343

SYSTEMATIC INDEX XXV

FAMILY— NECTARINIID^: SUN BIRDS. Phuc. PaRc.

Sun Birds {Cinnyris fremita) .. .. 13 344

FAMILY— MELIFHAGID.li : HONEYEATIiKS.
Sub-Family — Zosteropin.i-

White Eye (Zosterops carulescens) . .

Yellow-veiUed White Eye (Zosterops ramsayi) . .

Green backed White Eye (Zosterops gouhli)

Pale-belMed White Eye (Zosterops aUnvcnIcr) . .

Yellow White Eye (Zosterops liitea)

GiiUiver White Eye (Zosterops fiulliveri)

Zosterops westeriiensis irrgeta

SUB-FAMILV — MY20MEL1N.T-.

Blood Hone) eater (Myzomela sanguinolenla)

Ked-headed iloneyeater (MyzomeUi erytUrocephala)

Black Iloneyeater (Myiomela nigra)

Banded Honcyeater {Myzomela pectoralis)

Uusky Honeyeater (Myzomela obscura)

White-browed Spine lidl (Acanthorhynchus siiperciUosus)

Spine Bill (Acanthorhyncliiis tcnuirostris)

Sub-family — MELipnAGiN/ii.

White-naped Honeyeater (Melitlueptus lunulatus]
Western White-naped Honeyeater (Mclithreptus lunulaius

sub-species cidoropsis . .
White-throated Honeyeater (MeUtlircptiis tunulatus

sub-species alhigularis
Black-chinned Honeyeater (Melithreptiis gularis)
Slron;^. billed Honeyeater (Melithreptus nitidirostrii.) . .
Brown-headed Honeyeater (Melitlireptus hrevirostris)
Black headed Honeyeater (Melithreptus mclanocephalus)
Golden-backed Honeyeater (Melithreptus Itstior)
Gay-tinted Honeyeater (Melithreptus vinitinctus
Striped Honeyeater (Plectorhynchus latieeolatus) ..
Fulvous-fronted Honeyeater (Glycyphila fulvifrons) . .
White-fronted Honeyeater (Glycyphila ulhifrons)
White-breasted Honeyeater (Glycyphila fasciata)
Brown Honeyeater (Glycyphila ocularis)
Least Honeyeater (Glycyphila subocularis) . .
Brown-backed Honeyeater (Glycyphila modesta)
Broadbent Honeyeater (Glycyphila albiaiiricularis) . .
Painted Honeyeater (Entumophila picta)
Ked-throated Honeyeater (Eiitomophila ni/igiilaris) . .
Rufous-breasted Honeyeater (Eiitomophila albigiilaris
Pied Honeyeater (Eiitomophila leucomelas) ..
Warty -faced Honeyeater (Melipfiaga phrygia) ..
Yellow-spotted Honeyeater (I'tilotis notata)
Lesser Yellow. spotted Honeyeater (Ptilotis gracilis)
Fuscous Honeyeater U'lilotis fiisca)
Yellow-eared Honeyeater (Ptilotis leu-iiii)
Bridled Honeyeater (Ptilotis Jrenata)
Yellow-streaked Honeyeater (Ptilotis macleayaiia)
Singing Honeyeater (Ptilotis sonora 1
Varied Honeyeater (Ptilotis versicolor) ..
Yellow-faced Honeyeater (Ptilotis chrysops)
Streak-naped Honeyeater (Ptilotis filigera)
Yellow-throated Honeyeater (Ptilotis jlavigularis) ..
Fasciated Honeyeater (Ptilotis fasciogularis)
White-eared Honeyeater (Ptilotis leucotis) . .
Cockerell Honeyeater [Ptilotis cockcrelli)
Yellow-Tufted Honeyeater (Ptilotis auricomis)
Helmeted Honeyeater (Ptilotis cassidix)
Wattle-cheeked Honeyeater (Ptilotis cratitl.')

'3

347

—

349

—

350

—

35'

—

351

—

352

—

1083

_

352

—

353

—

354

—

355

13

356

'3

357

.__,

358

13

359

-

361

_

362

—

363, 1082

>3

364

364

—

366

—

368, loyg

—

369

'3

369

'3

370

—

372

—

373

13

374

—

375. 1079

13

37&

—

377

—

377. 10S2

13

37«

--

379

13

380

14

381

383

—

384

—

385

14

386

388

—

•389

14

390

—

392

14

392

—

394

—

394

—

395

—

396

—

397

14

398

14

400

—

401

SXVI

NESTS AND EGGS OF AUSTRALIAN BIRDS.

Page.
402
403
405
406
407
408
408
410
411
412
413
414

415
416

420

421

422

423
423
425
425

426

427

15

429

— 432, 1079
15 432

— 434, 1080

■5 434
15 435

— 436, 1082

FAMILY MELIPHAGID^ : HONEYEATERS-(Co«toiHi;<J).

SUB-KAMILY — MeLIPHAGIN.-E.

Keartland Honeyeater {Ptilotis keartlandi)
White-plumed Honeyeater (rtilotis penicillata.)
Carter Honeyeater (Ptilotis kilinaknsis)
Yellow-plumed Honeyeater [Ptilotis ornata)
Yellow-fronted Honeyeater (Plilolis plumula) . .
Yellow-tinted Honeyeater (Ptilotis flavesccns)
Yellow Honeyeater (Ptilotis /lava 1
White-gaped Honeyeater (Ptilotis unicolor)
Crescent Honeyeater (Melioiiiis aiistralasiana) ..
White-bearded Honeyeater iMtliornis novir hollamliir)
Long-billed Honeyeater {Melioiiiis novir hollaiiilire)
White-cheeked Honeyeater (Meliornis scricea)
Moustached Honeyeater (Meliornis viystacalis) ..
Bell Miner (Manoiliiiia melaiio/'Iirys)
Miner (Myzantha — Manviliiiui—ganula)
Dusty Miner (Myzantlia — Maiiorliiua—obscura)
Yellow-throated Miner (Myzantlia — Manorhina — flavigula)
Yellow Miner (Mysaiillia—Maiioyliiiia—luteai
Red Wattle Bird (Acaiithochtna carunculata)
Yellow Wattle Bird (Acaiithocku-ra inauiis)
Brush Wattle Bird (Acantlioclitn-a mellivora) ..
Little Wattle Bird (Aaiiilliocluna liiiiulata)
Spiny-cheeked Honeyeater (Acanthogenys iiijigiilaris)
Blue faced Honeyeater (Eiitoiiiyza cyaiwtis)
White-quilled Honeyeater (Entomyza albipennis)
Friar Bird (I'hilemon corniciihitiis) . .
Silvery-crowned Friar Bird (Philemon argenticeps)
Helmeted Friar Bird (Pliilenion biueroidcs) . .
Yellow-throated Friar Bird (Philemon citiiogularis)
Little Friar Bird (Philemon citreogularis sub-sp. sordithis)

FAMILY— DIC.EIDiE; FLOWER PECKERS.

Flower Pecker or Mistletoe bird (Dicmim hirundinaceiim) — 437

Red-tipped Pardalote (Paiulalotus ornatns\.. .. — 440

Orange-tipped Pardalote (Pardalotns ornatus svAj-s^. assiinilis — 442

Yellow-tipped Pardalote (Paidalotus affinis) . . . . — 443

Spotted Pardalote — Diamond Bird (Patdalotiis punctatiis) — 444

Yellow-rumped Pardalote {Paidalotiis xanthopygius) .. — 445

Red-browed Pardalote (Paulalotiis riibricatus) .. — 446

Black-headed Pardalote (Pardnlotus mclanoccphaliis . . — 447

Chestnut-rumped Pardalote (Pardalotus ttropygialis) — 44S

Forty-spotted Pardelote (Pardalotus qnadragintus) . . — 449

FAMILY— HIRUNDINID.E : SWALLOWS

Sub-family — Hirundinin.e ; Swallows fkofek.

Eastern Swallow (Hirundo javanica) .. .. — 450

Swallow (Hirundo ntoxina) .. .. .. 15 450

Black and White Swallow (Cherama-ca leitcosternum) — 454

Tree Martin (Pctrochehdon nigricans) .. .. 15 456

Fairy Martin (Petrochelidon arid) . . .. — 457

FAMILY— MOTACILLID^ : WAGTAILS AXD PIPITS

Ground Lark (Anthiis australis) .. .. .. 15 459

FAMILY— ARTAMID.E : WOOD SWALLOWS.

White-rumped Wood Swallow (Artaniiis leucogaster) 13 461

Artamus leucogaster parvirostris .. .. .. — 1083

White browed Wood Swallow (Artamus superciliosus) 15 463

Masked Wood Swallow [Artamus personatus) .. — 466,108;

Grey-breasted Wood Swallow (Artamus cinereus) .. — 469

White-bellied Wood Swallow (Artamus hypoleucus) — 470

Black-faced Wood Swallow (Artamus melanops) .. — 471

Wood Swallow (Artamus sordidus) .. ,. 15 471

Little Wood Swallow [Artamus minor) .. .. — 474

SYSTf:\f.lTIC lS'Di:.\

FAMILY— STURMDiE ; STARLINGS.
Sub-family— Sturnin.t;.

Shining Starling (Calornis melallica) . .

FAMILY— PLOCElD/li : WEAVERS.
Sub-Family — Viduin.i;.

Spotted-sided Finch {StuganopUura guttata)
Firetailed Finch (Zoiuginthus btllus)
Kud-eared Finch (Zonaginthus ociilatus\
Painied Finch {Embltma Picta)
Chest nil I eared Finch (Ttiniopygia castanotis)
lianded Finch [Stictopt^ra biclienovii) ..
Kin^jcd Finch (Stictoptera anmihsa)
Clieslnutbreasted Finch (Miinia castaniithorax)
Vellow-rumped Finch (Muiiia Jlavipiyninui)
White-breasted I'inch {Mtinia pectoralis)
Fluni-head Fincli [Aulc/iiosync iiunlcsta)
Ked-browed Finch Lligintlia temporalis}
Ked-faced Finch {liatliilda iiificaiiJa)
Long-tailed Grass Finch (Pnepliila acuticauda) . .
Black -throated Grass Finch (Poepliila cincta)
Masked Grass Finch (Voephila pcrsonata)
White-eared Grass I'inch (PoephiUi leiicotis)
Black-rumped Grass Finch [Poephila atropygialis)
Gouldian Grass Finch (Poephila iiiinibilis). .
Crimson Finch (Neochmia phaeton)

FAMILY— ALAUUIUA;: LAKKS.
Bush Lark (\iirafra horsfieldi)
Lesser Bush Lark (Mira/ia secunda) ..

FAMILY'— ATRICHIIDiE: SCRUB BIRDS.
Noisy Scrub Bird (Atrichia clamosat
Rufous Scrub Bird (Atrichia riijcscens)

FAMILY— MENURID^ : LYRE BIRDS.
Lyre Bird (Menura siiperba)
Victoria Lyre Bird {Menura victoriii) ..
.\lbert Lyre Bird (Menura albcrti)

FAMILY— PITTID^ : ANT THRUSHES.
Pitta (Pitta strepttans)

Lesser Pitta (Pitta strefitans sub-species similliiiui)
Bhie breasted Pitta (Pttta mackhti)
Rainbow Pitta (Pitta ins)

Flaie.
16

—

478

—

479

—

480

—

481, 1082

—

483

—

485

—

486

—

487

488, 1082

—

489, 1080

-

489

490

492

—

493

—

494

-

495

—

496

—

496

—

497

499

16

50 1

503

..

504, 1080

16

505

_

507

16

51Q

■■ ~

523

16

525

—

526

—

528

—

529

ORDER PICARI/E.— PICARIAN BIRDS.
SUB-ORDER— CORACl^.
FAMILY-CYPSELID>E: SWIFTS.
Sub-family— Cypselin.e.

White-rumped Swift (Muropns pacifuus) . . —

Sub-family — Ch.eturin.e.

Spine-tailed Swift {Chtttura caudacuta) .. .. —

Grey-rumped Swiftlet Collocalia francica) . . —

Ediblc-ncst Swifllet (Collocalia csculcnta', .. .. —

53"
532
533

XXviii NESTS A.VD EGGS OF AUSTRAL! A A' BINDS.

FAMILY— CAPRIMULGID/E ; GOAT SUCKERS.

SUB-FAMILy — Capbimulgin.'E. Plate. Page.

Large-tailed Nightjar {Caprinuilj>iis macrurus) . . i6 534

White-throated Nightjar tEidoslopiis albigularisj .. — 535

Spotted Nightjar (Euyostupiis guttatus) .. 16 536

FAMILY— PODARGID^.
Sub-family — Podargin.-i-.

Plumed Frogmouth (Podavpis pupuensis) ,. . . — 538

Tawny Frogmouth (Podargm strigoiihs) . . — 539

Freckled Frogmouth (Podar^us phalaiwidcs) . . — 540

Marbled Frogmouth (Podargiis ocdhitus sub-sp. marmonitu!.) — 542, 108

Sub-family — /Egothelin.5.

Little Nightjar (Mgotlules tiovis Jiullandiie) . . — 542

FAMILY— CORACIID^ : ROLLERS.

SUB-FAMILV — CORACIIN.S.

Roller or Dollar Bird (Euyystoinus aiistralis) . . — 544

FAMILY-MEROPID^: BEE EATERS.

Bee Eater {Merops ornatiis) . . . . . . — 545

SUB-ORDER- HALCYONES.

FAMILY— ALCEDINID^ : KINGFISHERS.
Sub-family — Alcedinin.e.

Blue Kingfisher (^'i Icyone ii~iin\i) , . . . . . — 547

Purple Kingfisher [Alcyone cizurca sub-species pulchra) — 549

Little Kingfisher (Akymie pusHUi). . .. .. — 550

Yellow-Billed Kingfisher (Syiiui Jluvirostris) .. — 550

Sub-family — Dacelonin.e.

Brown Kingfisher— Laughing Jackass (Dacelo gigas) — 551

Ducelo gigas minor .. .. .. .. — 1083

Leach Kingfisher (Dacdo leachii) .. ,. — 554

Fawn-breasted Kingfisher {Diicflo leachii sub-sp. cervinn) — 555

Forest Kingfisher (Halcyon maclcayi) .. .. — 556

Red-backed Kingfisher (Halcyon pyrrhopygius) .. — 557

Sacred Kingfisher (Halcyon sanctiis) . . . . — 558

MangrON-e Kingfisher (Halcyon sordidus) . . . . — 560

White-tailed Kingfisher (Tanysiptcra sylvia] ,. — 561

SUB-ORDER— COCCYGES :— CUCKOOS, &c.

FAMILY— CUCULIDiE : CUCKOOS.
Sub-family — Cuculin.«.

Oriential Cuckoo (Ciiciilus intermedins) .. .. — 563

Pallid Cuckoo [Cuculus pallidus) .. .. i6 564

Fan-tailed Cuckoo (Cacomantis flabclliformis) . . — 568

Square-tailed Cuckoo (Cacomantis variolosus) .. 17 572

Chestnut-breasted Cuckoo (Cacomantis castaneiventris) — 574

Black-eared Cuckoo (Miscocalius palliolaius) . . — 575

Narrow-billed Bronze Cuckoo (Chalcococcyx basalis) 17 576

Broad-billed Bronze Cuckoo (Cltalcococcyx lucidus) — 580

Bronze Cuckoo (Cltalcococcyx plagosus) .. .. 17 582

Little Bronze Cuckoo (Chalcococcyx malayamts).. — 584

Rufous-throated Cuckoo (Chalcococcyx ptecihmis) .. — 586

Koel (Eiidynainis cyanocephala) . . . — 586

Channel Bill (Scythrops nova hollandia:) .. .. 17 588

SYSriiMATIC INDHX. Xxix

FAMILY— CUCULID/K: CUCKOOS— (Co«^H«frfi, Hla.e. Rirc
Sub-family -CentkopodiN/E.

Coucal (Ctntropus phasiamis) . . . . — 590

ORDER— PSITTACI : PARROTS.

FAMIl-Y— LORin.E: LORIES. OR BRUSHTONGlM:i) PARROTS.

Blue-bellied Lorikeet {Triclwglossus uova-hollamlia). . — 592

Red collared Lorikeet {Triclwglossus lubriiorques) — 593

Scaly-breasted Lorikeet {Psiltetitclts chlorolepidotus) . . — 594

Red-crowned or varied Lorikeet {PliloscUra versicolor) — 595

Musk Lorikeet {Glossopsitlaciis coiuintihs) .. .. — 595

Ritrple-crowncd Lorikeet (Glossopsittacus porphyrocephalus) — 596

Little Lorikeet [Glossopsittacus pusiUus) . . . . — 597

FAMILY— CYCLOPSITTACID.'K.

Red-faced Lorilet (Cyclopsittacus coxeni) . . — 598

Blue-faced Lorilet [Cyclopsittacus maccoyi) . . . . — 599

FAMILY-CACATUIDiE: COCKATOOS.

SOB-FAMILV — CACATDIN.B.

Palm Cockatoo [Microglossus aicrrimus) . . — 600

White-tailed Cockatoo Calyptoihyiichiis baudini) . . — 601

Black Cockatoo (Calyptorh\ncIiiis fiincreus) . . — 602

Banksian Cockatoo [Calyptorhynchus baiiksi) . . — 606

Great-billed Cockatoo (Caiyptaihynchus macrorhynchus) — 607

Red-tailed Cockatoo [Calyptcrhynchus stellatus) . . — 608

Glossy Cockatoo \CaIyptorliyiicUus viridis) .. — 609

Gang-gang Cockatoo (Calhccphalon galeatum) . . — 610

White Cockatoo (Cacatua galerita) .. . — 611

Pink Cockatoo [Cacatua leadbeateri] .. .. — 612

Bare-eyed Cockatoo (Cacatua gvmnopis) . . — 613

Blood-stained Cockatoo [Cacatua sanguinca) .. — 614

Rose-breasted Cockatoo Galah {Cacatua roseicapilla) — 617

Long-billed Cockatoo (Corella) (Licmttis nasica) . . — 6ig

Dampier Cockatoo [Licmetis pastinator) . . — 620

Sne-FAMiLV — CALOPSITTACIN.E.

Cockatoo Parrakeet [Calopsittacus novce hollandice) .. — 621
FAMILY-PSITTACID.E : PARROTS

Sob-family — Pal.eoknithin.e.

Green Leek Parrakeet [Polytelis barrabamii) . . — 623

Alexandra Parrakeet {Polytelis alexandrct) .. . . 623

Black-tailed Parrakeet (Rock Pebbler) {Polytelis milmura) -- 625

Red-winged Lory [Ptistcs erythropterus) .. .. — 626

Crimson-winged Lory {Ptistes coccineoptcrus) . . — 627

King Lory (Aprosmictus cyanopygius) . . — 628

SuB-FAMiLY — Platycercin.e : Parrakeets.

Crimson (Pennant) Parrakeet (Platycercus elegans) — 629

Campbell Parrakeet [Platycercus elegans sub-sp. nigrescens) — 630

Adelaide Rosella [Platycercus adelaidcs) .. 631

Yellow Parrakeet [Platycercus Jlaveolus) .. .. -- 632

Green Parrakeet [Platycercus Jiaviventrts) . . 633

Pale-headed Parrakeet [Platycercus pallidicepsi .. ~ 633

Blue-cheeked Parrakeet [Platycercus amathusia) . . — 634

Smutty Parrakeet [Platycercus browni) . . . . — 634

Red-backed Rosella (Platycercus erythropeplus) . . — 635

Rosella [Platycercus eximius) . . . . , . — 635

Yellow-mantled Parrakeet (Platycercus splendidus) — 637

XXX NESTS AiVD EGGS OF AUSTRALIAN BIRDS.

FAMILY— PSITTACID.E ; PARROTS— (Continued).

Sdb-family — Platycercin.5 : Parrakeets. Plate. Page.

Fiery Parrakeet (Platycercus ignitus) .. .. — 638

Yellow -cheeked Parrakeet {Platycercus icterotis] ■ - 638

Red-mantled Parrakeet (Platycercus xaiitJiogeiiys) . . — 639

Red-capped Parrakeet (Porphyrocephahis sfurius) — 639

Mallee Parrakeet (Barnardius Inmiardi) .. ,. — 640

Yellow -collared Parrakeet (Barnardius semitorquatus) — 641

Yellow-banded Parrakeet (Barnardius zonarius) — 642

North Parrakeet (Barnardius occideutalis) .. — 643

Macgillivray Parrakeet (Barnardius macgillivrayi) . . — 1083

Yellow-vented Parrakeet {Psefliutiis zantliorrhous) — 643

Red-vented Parrakeet (Pscpliotns lunnatnrrhous) — 644

Beautiful Parrakeet (Pseplwliis pulchcrrimust .. — 645

Golden -shouldered Parrakeet (Pscpliotus clirysoftcrygius) — 646

Chestnut-crowned Parrakeet (Pscpliotus dissimilis) .. — 647

Many-coloured Parrakeet (Pscpliotus multicolor).. — 647

Red-backed Parrakeet (Pscpliotus lurmatonotus) . . - 648

Bourke Grass Parrakeet (Ncoplicma bourkei) . . — 649

Blue-winged Grass Parrakeet (Ncopliema venusta) . . — 649

Grass Parrakeet {Ncoplicma _ cicgans) .. .. — 651

Orange-bellied Grass Parrakeet (Ncopliema chrysogastra) — 652

Rock Parrakeet {Ncopliema petrorhila'-.. .. — 652

Red-shouldered Grass Parrakeet (Neophema pulclielhi) — 554

Scarlet-chested Grass Parrakeet [Neophema splendida) — 654, 1081

Swift Lorikeet (Nanodcs discolor) .. .. .. — 655

Betcherrygah or Warbling Grass Pkt. Melopsittacus undulatus — 656

Ground Parrakeet (Pcsoporus formosus) . . . . — 658

Night Parrakeet {Gcopsittacus occtdcntalis) .. — 659

ORDER— COLUMB^: PIGEONS AND DOVES.
SUB-ORDER— COLUMBiE: PIGEONS.

FAMILY— TRERONID^.
Sub-family — Ptilopodin.^ .

Red-crowned Fruit Pigeon (Ptilopus sioainsoni) . . — 661

Rose-crowned Fruit Pigeon (Ptilopus cioingi) . . — 663

Black-banded Fruit Pigeon (Ptilopus alligator) . . — G63

Purple crowned Fruit Pigeon (Ptilopus siipeibtis) — 664

Purple-breasted Fruit Pigeon (Mcgaloprcpia magnifica) — 66fi

Allied Fruit Pigeon {Mcgaloprcpia assimilis) .. — 667

Sub-family — CARP0PHAGiN.t.

Nutmeg Pigeon Myristicivora spilorrlioa) . . . . — 668

Top-knot Pigeon (Lopliolcrmus antarcticus) . . — 671

FAMILY— COLUMBID^

Sub-family— Coldmbin.e.

White-headed Fruit Pigeon (Columba leucomcla) . . — 672

Sub-family— Macropygun.e.

Pheasant Pigeon (Macropygia phasianclla) . . — 674

FAMILY- PERISTERIDjE.

Sub-family — Geopeliin.e.

Barred-shouldered Dove (Geopclia Inimeralis) .. — 675

Ground Dove (Geopclia tranquilla) .. .. — 676

Little Dove (Geopclia cuneata) .. .. .. ■ — 678

SYSTEMATIC INDHX. XXxi

FAMILY-PERISTERIDiE— (Co«/(KHfrf).

Sdb-FAMILY — PnABIN.t. Plate. Page.

Little Green Pigeon (Chakophaps chiysochlora). . — 679

bronze-winged Pigeon (Pliaps chalcoptera) . . — 680

Brush Bronze-winged Pigeon {Pimps eUgtiiis) . . — 683

Flock Pigeon (HistrwpJuips liiiliioiiica) .. .. — 684

Kock Pigeon (Petiopluissti tilhipeniin) . . . . — 688

Chesmut-quilled Rock Pigeon {Pelioplmssd riijipciiiiis) — 688

Partridge Pigeon (Gcoplutps scripta) . . . . — 68g, 1082

Naked-eye Partridge Pigeon {Gcopluips smillii) .. — 6gi

I'lumed Pigeon {Loplwpluips pliiiiii/eni} . . — 691

IvL'd-plumcd Pigeon (Lothcphaps fc>>««inca) .. — 692

White-bellied Plumed Pigeon {LopJio/Juips Uiicogustcr) — 693

Crested Pigeon (Ocyphaps lopliotcs) . . . . — 695

SUB-FAMILV — GeOTRYGONIN.'E.

Wonga-Wonga Pigeon {Lcucosarciii piciitii) ., — 696

ORDER— GALLING: GAME-BIRDS.
SUB-ORDER— PERISTEROPODES

FAMILY— MEGAPODIIDA-; : MEGAPODES.

Mallee Fowl (Lipoa ccellata) .. .. .. 18 698

Brush Turkey {Cathctunis lathami) . . ^ 708

Barnard Brush Turkey (Callidiirus purpuriicoUn] — 714

Scrub Fowl (Megapocliiis dupcneyi) .. .. — 715

SUB-ORDER— ALECTROPODES.

FAMILY— PHASLVNIDyE; PHEASANTS, Ac.

Stubble Quail {Colurnix pectoralis) .. .. 17 721

Brown Quail {Syitwciis australis) . . . . — 724

Greater Brown Quail {Synoecus diemeneiisis) . . — 727

Chestnut-bellied Ql. {Excal/actoria chiiteiisis iuh-sp. liiientu) 17 728

ORDER— HEMIPODII : HEMIPODES.

FAMILY— TURNICID^: HEMIPODES.

Black-backed Quail (Turnix maculosa)., .. — 730

Black-breasted Quail Turnix mclanogastei) . . — 730

Painted Quail (Tuniix varia).. .. .. 18 731

Chestnut-backed Quail {Turnix castanouota) .. — 733

Olive Quail {Turnix oliviii .. .. .. — 1183

Red-Chested Quail (Turnix pyrrltothorax) . . .. — 733

Little Quail {Turnix vilox) .. .. .. 18 734

AVhite-bellied Quail {Turnix leucogaster) . . .. — 736

Plain Wanderer (Pedionomus torquatus) . . 18 737

ORDER— FULICARI^.

FAMILY— RALLIDiE : RAILS.

Slate-breasted (Lewin) Rail (Hypotanidia hrachypus) — 739

Pectoral Rail Hypot^nidia philippinensis) .. 18 740

Chestnut-bellied Rail (Eulabeornis castancivcntris) .. — 742

Rednecked Rail {Rallina tricolor) .. .. — 742

Corn Crake {Crex crex) .. .. .. .. — 744

Spotted Crake Porzana flumirua) .. . . — 745

Little Crake {Porzana paUislris) .. .. . . 19 747

NESTS AND EGGS OF AUSTRALIAN BIRDS.

FAMILY— RALLID^ : RAILS -(Co«/«H«frf).
Spotless Crake {Porzana tabiicnsis)
White-browed Crake {PolioUmnas miereiis)..
Rufous-tailed Moor Hen {Ainaurornis mohiccaiui)
Native Hen {Tiihonyx mortieri)
Black-tailed Native Hen (Microtribonyx ventnilis)
Black Moor Hen {Gallhuda Icnebrosci)
Blue Bald Coot {Porphyria hellus) ..
Bald Coot (Porphyrio mehiiinnntus)
Coot (Fulica austra/is

Plate.

Page.

19

748

—

749

—

751

19

752

■9

752

19

754

—

756

19

757

20

758

ORDER— ALECTORIDES.

FAMILY— GRUID^ ; CRANES.

Crane or Native Companion {Antigone australasianii)
FAMILY— OTIDID^: BUSTARDS.

Bustard or Wild Turkey {Eupodotis anstralis) ..

ORDER— LIMICOL.E: PLOVERS, &c.

FAMILY— ODICNEMID.E :
Stone Plover {Burhinh

THICK-KNEES.

— (Edicncm lis — grail arius)

760
762

— 766

Long-billed Stone Plover [Ortlwrluimphus Esacus) —

magnirostris) 21 768
FAMILY— CURSORIID^ : COURSERS.

Pratincole (Stiltia Isabella) .. . . . . 21 769

Oriental Pratincole (Glareola orientalis) .. — 771

FAMILY— PARRID.E : PARRAS.

Comb-crested Jacana (Parra) (Hydralector gallinaceiis) 2 1 773
FAMILY— CHARADRIID^ : PLOVERS.

Sdb-family — Arenariin^

Turnstone (^Armaria interpres) .. .. — 774

Sub-family — H^matopodin^ . Oyster Catchers.

Pied Oyster Catcher (Hamatopus longirostris) .. 21 776

Black Oyster Catcher (Hamatopus nnicolor) . . — 77S

SDB-FAMILV LOBIVANEI.LIN.C

Red-kneed Dottrel (Erythrogonys cinctus) .. 21 780

Spur-winged Plover (Lobivanellus lobatus) . . 22 781

Masked Plover {Lobivanellus miles) . . . . — 782

SuB-FAMrLY — Charadriin.^.

Black-breasted Plover {Zonifer tricolor) . . — 784

Grey Plover (Sqiiatarola Helvetica) . . — 786

Lesser Golden Plover {Charadrius dominicus) . . — 788

Double-banded Dottrel {Ochthodromiis (^Egialitis) bicinctus) 22 790

Oriental Dottrel (Ochthodromiis veredus) . . — 791

Large Sand Dottrel {Ochthodromiis geoffroyi) — 792

Mongolian Sand Dottrel (Ochthodromus mongolus) — 793

Ringed Dottiel {.Egialitis hiaticola) .. — 793

Red-capped Dottrel {^Egialitis riificapillu) .. 22 794

Black-fronted Dottrel {.Eguilitis melanops) .. . . 22 795

Hooded Dottrel (Mgialitis ciiciillata) . . .. — 797

Sub-family— Peltohyatin.^

Dottrel (Peltohyas (Eudnmias) uiistiuUs) .. .. 22 798

SYSTEMATIC JNDI-X.
FAMILY CHAKADKIID.E: PLOVERS— {Coiitiiiiieil).

SUB-FAMILy— HiMANTOFODIN.'E : STILTS, &C.

Wliite-headeJ Stilt {HinuiHlof'iis Uucocephalus) , ,
Banded Stilt ' Cladorhynchiis UucoctpUiilus)
Red-necked Avocet liucunirmtya iioi'if holhindiit)

Sub-family — Totanin.-e.

Curlew (Numtniiis cyanoj'us)

Whimbrel (Niinieniiis plhr.'/'iis sub species iHirie^atus)

Little Whimbrel (Mesuscolof'dx minutiis)

Barred-ruinped Godwit {Liiiiusn nova zealandiit)

Black-tailed Godwit [Limosii liiiiosa)

Little Greenshank (Toliinus slagnatiln)

Grey-nimped Sandpiper (Ilcleraclitis hrevifics) . .

American Gre\ -rumped Sandpiper (Helcractilis iiictiiiiis)

Common Sandpiper (Triiigoiiles hyfwlcucus)

Terek Sandpiper {'Teiekia ciiuiea) ..

Greenshank {Glottis ndnilaiiiis)

Bartram Sandpiper (Dattrmnia kmgicauda) . .

Sub-family — Scoloi>acin<e : Snipes.
Sanderling (Calidiis arenaria) . .
Little Stint (Limonites riifuollis]
Sharp-tailed Stint (Hetnopygia acuminatti)
Curlew Stint Ancylochilus siibaiquatus
Knot (Tiinga canuliis)
Great Sandpiper (Tringa ciassirostris)
Snipe (Gti!lina«o anstralis)
Painted Snipe (Kostratula (Rhynchaa) itiistinlis)

XXXlll

'Uu:

HaUL-

23

So I

80J

23

804

S05

8c.6

—

8or>

808

—

8.9

—

810

—

811

—

812

—

«12

—

Si3

—

S14

—

8.5

_

816

—

818

—

8ig

—

820

—

820

—

821

^3

822

23

826

ORDER— GAVI.E : SEA-BIRDS.

FAMILY LARID.li : GULLS AND TERNS.
Sub family — Sternin.i- : Terns.

White-winged Tern (Ilydrochelidon kucnf'li'ia) . .
Marsh Tern (Uydroclielidun liybrida)
Gull-billed Tern (Gelochelidon anglica) . .
Caspian Tern (Hydroprogiie caspia)
Roseate Tern (Sterna Doiigalli)
Lesser Crested Tern (Sterna Media)
Crested Tern (Sterna Bergli) . .
White-fronted Tern (Sterna frontalis)
Brown-winged (Panayan) Tern (Sterna annslheta)
Sooty Tern (Sterna fiiliginosa)
White-faced Ternlet (Sterna nereis)
White-shafted Ternlet (Sterna sinensis)
Black-naped Tern (Sterna metanauchen)
Grey Noddy (Procelslerna einerea) . .
Noddy (Anous stolidus)
Lesser Noddy (Micranoiis tenuirostris)
White-capped Noddy (Micranous leueocapillus) , .
White Tern (Gygis Candida)

SUB-FA.MILY — LaRIN^E : GuLLS.

Silver Gull (Larus nova hollandiii)
Pacific Gull (Gabianus pacificus) ..

FAMILY— STERCORARIID/E : SKUAS.
Skua (Megalcstris antarctica) . .
Pomarine Skua (Stercorarius pomatorhinus) , .
Richardson Skua (Stercorarius crepidatus)

—

828

23

S29

830

23

832

23

834

24

835

24

837

—

840

24

842

844

24

847

—

S48

—

849

—

850

24

851

24

854

—

856

25

857

25 863

— 867

— 867

NESTS AND EGGS OF AUSTRALIAN BIRDS.

ORDER— TUBINARES: TUBE-NOSED SWIMMERS.

FAMILY— PROCELLARIID.E : PETRELS.
Sub-family— OcEANiTiN.-E : Storm Petrels.

Yellow-webbed Storm Petrel {Oieaiiiles oceanicm) ..
Grey. backed Storm Petrel iGanodia nereis)
White-faced Storm Petrel {Pelagoilioma marina)
Black-bellied Storm Petrel (Cymodroma melanogasterj
White-bellied Storm Petrel {Cymodroma grallaria) . .

FAMILY— PUFFINID/E :— PETRELS, &c.
Sub-family — Pdffinin.^.

Wedge-tailed Petrel (Piiffinus chlororhyncUiis

Allied Petrel (Puffinus assimilis) ..

Fleshy-footed Petrel (Puffinus eariieifes)

Short-tailed Petrel (Mutton Bird) {Puffinus tenuirmtri

White-fronted Petrel {Puffinus leueomelas)

Sombre Petrel (Puffinus griseus) ..

Forster Petrel (Puffinus gavia)

Brown Petrel (Priofinus cinereus) ..

Siher-grey Petrel (Priocella glacialoides)

Spectacled Petrel (Majaqueus rsquinoetialis)

Black Petrel (Majaqueus parUinsoni)

Great-winged Petrel (CEstretata macroptera)

White-headed Petrel iCEstrelata lessoni)

Soft-plumaged Petrel (CEstrelata mollis)

Brown. headed Petrel (OisUelata solandri)

White-winged Petrel {CEstrelata leucoptera) . .

Cook Petrel (CEstrelata gooki)

Sub-family — Fulmarin.^ ; Fulmars.
Giant Petrel (Ossifraga gigantia) ..
Cape Petrel (Daplion ciipensis)
Blue Petrel (Halobana carulea)
Broad-billed Dove Petrel or Prion (Prion vittatus)
Banks Dove Petrel or Prion (Prion hanksi) . .
Dove Petrel or Prion (Prion desolatus) . .
Fairy Dove Petrel or Prion (Prion ariel) . .

FAMILY'- PELECANOIDIDjE.

Diving Petrel (Pclicanoides urinatrix) ..

FAMILY -DIOMEDEIDiE : ALBATROSSES.
Wandering Albatross (Diomedea exulans) ..
Short-tailed Albatross {Diomedea albatrus)
Black-browed Albatross {Diomedea melanophrys)
White-capped Albatross (Thalassogeron cautus)..
Flat-billed Albatross ' Thalassogeron culminatus)
Yellow-nosed Albatross (Thalassogeron chlororliynehus)
Sooty Albatross (Phcebetria fuUginosa)

Plate. Page.

- 869

- 871
872

- 874

- 875

— 876

882
893
893
894
895
897
897
899
902
904
906
907
907

909
911
913
914
915
916
gi8

925
926
929
934
935
937

ORDER— PTALATE.E.

FAMILY'— IBIDID.E; IBISES.
White Ibis (Ibis Molucca)
Straw-necked Ibis (Carphibis spinicollis) . .
Glossy Ibis (Piegadis fakinellus)

FAMILY— PL.ATALEID^ : SPOONBILLS.

Black-billed Spoonbill (Platalea regia)
Yellow-legged Spoonbill (Platilns Jlavipes)

940
942
944

946

94S

S YSTEM.i TIC INDEX.

URUER— IIEKODIONES : HERONS.

lAMlLY— AKDEID.E: HERONS PROPER. 1'i.ue. I'agc.

Great-billed Heron {Arilta siinialratm)
Grey or Common Heron {Ardtu cineica)
Plumed Eyret {Mesophvx plumifera)
V.^rel (Hciodias timotiinsis) ..
Whitefronled Heron (Notophoyx nova Uoltandia)
White-necked (Pacific) Heron (Notophoyx pacifiai)
Pied Egret Nutuplioyx Jhivirost'is)..
Aru Egret (Notophoyx ariiciisis)
Lesser Egret (Garzetta nigripes) . .
Reef Heron {Deniicgretta sacra)
Night Heron (Nvcliconix cakdoitkiis)
I-ittle Mangrove Bittern {Biitoridcs stagiuitilis) ..
Little Yellow Bittern {Aidetla sinensis)
Minute Bittern (Aydetta pnsilla)
Yellow-necked Mangrove Bittern iDupctor goiildi)
Bittern [Botaiints pari lop tiltis)

FAMILY— CICONIID.'E : STORKS.

Sub-family — Ciconiin.e.

Black-necked Stork (Jabiru) {.W-iwihynchiis asiaticiis) — 969

•■

95°
950

—

951

26

952

26

954

—

955

—

957

—

957

—

958

26

959

26

962

—

963

—

964

—

965

—

966

26

967

ORDER— STEGANOPODES : PELICANS.

FAMILY -PHALACROCORACID.li : CORMORANTS.

SUB-FAMILY — PHALACROCORACIN.li.

Black Cormorant [Phalacrocorax carbo) .. — 971

Little Black Cormorant (Phalacrocorax siilcirostris) — 972

White-breasted Cormorant {Phalacrocorax goiildi) — 973

Pied Cormorant {Phalacrocorax hypoleiiciis) .. .. — 975

Little Cormorant {Phalacrocorax melanoUuats) . . — 977

SUU-FAMILY — PlOTIN.E : DARTERS.

Darter (Plotiis nova hoUandia) .. . . . . — 979

FAMILY -SULID^: GANNETS.

Gannet {Siila serrator) " ■ . . . . — 981

Masked Gannet {Sula cyanops) . . . . . . — 985

Red-legged Gannet {Sula piscator) .. .. — 987

Brown Gannet (Booby) (Sula sula) .. .. — 988

FAMILY— FREGATID.^i : FRIGATE BIRDS.

Frigate Bird (Frcgata aqiiila).. .. .. — 989

Lesser Frigate Bird (Frcgata arid) .. .. — 991

FAMILY- PHAETHONTID^: TROPIC BIRDS.

Red-tailed Tropic Bird (Pha'cthon rubric.iuda) . . 26 994

White-tailed Tropic Bird (Pha'cthon UpUirus) . . — 995

FAMILY— PELECANID^: PELICANS.

Pelican (Felecanus conspicillatus) . . . . — 997

ORDER— PYGOPODES : DIVING-BIRDS.

FAMILY— PODICIPEDID^: GREBES.

Black-throated Grebe (Podicipes nova hollandia)
Hoary-headed Grebe (Podicipes polioccphalus) . . —

Tippet Grebe (Podicipes cnstalus) .. .. . . —

1002
1003
1004

1 NESTS AND EGGS OF AUSTRALIAN BIRDS.
ORDER— IMPENNES: PENGUINS.

Plate Page.

Crested Penguin {Catarrluictcs dirysocoiiie) .. — 1007

Little Penguin (Eiiilyftula minor).. .. ,. — 1010

Fairy Penguin (Evdyptula iintUna) . . .. — 1012

ORDER— CHENOMORPH.E.

SUB-ORDER— ANSERES : GEESE, &c.
FAMILY— ANATID^ ; DUCKS.
Sub-family— Cygnin^ : Swans.

Black Swan (Chmopsis atrata) .. .. .. — 1014

Sub-family — Anseranatin.^.

Pied Goose {Anscranas scmipabiuilii) .. .. — 1017

Sub- Family — Plectropterin.^.

Green Goose Teal {Ncttopiis fiilcliclhis) .. .. — 1019

White-quilled Goose Teal (Ncttopiis Albipcnnis) — 1020

Sub-family— CERtopsiN.t.

Cape Barren Goose (Coreopsis nom Iwllandice) . . — 1021

Sub-family — Chenonettin.e.

Wood Duck (Clieiwiutta jiilhit(i) .. .. — 1023

SUB-FAMILV — AnATIN.E.

Whistling Duck (Dendrucycihi aniuitii) .. .. — 1025

Plumed Whistling Duck {DenJrocycim cytom) .. — 1027

White-headed Shieldrake (Tadorna radjah] .. — 1029

Shieldrake, or Mountain Duck (Casarca tadornoidcs) — 1030

Black Duck (Amis siipcniliosa) .. .. .. — 1033

Teal (Ncttion castiiiieumi .. .. .. — 1037

Grey Teal (Ncttion gibbcrifrons) . . . . . . — 1039

Blue winged or Garganey Teal (Qiicrqnedida circia) — 1042

Common Shoveller (Spatida clypcatu) .. . . — 1043

Shoveller (Spatula rliyiicliotis).. .. .. — 1044

Pink-eared Duck (Widgeon) [Malachoyliynchiis mcmbranaccits) — 1046

Freckled Duck (Stictonctlti tucvosa) .. .. — 1049

SUB-KAMILY — FULIGULIN.t.

White-eyed Duck (Hardhead) (Nyroca aiistralis) . . — 1050
Sub-family — Erismaturin.e.

Blue-billed Duck (Erismatitra aiistnilis) .. — 1051

Musk Duck (Biziura lobata) . . .. . . — 1053

ORDER— CASUARII.
F\MILY— DROMiEIDyE: EMUS.

Emu (Diomaiis nova hollandiic) . . .. 27 105S

Spotted Emu (Droniieus irroratus) . . .. — 1066

(Extinct) (Droniiiiis liter) .. .. .. — io5S

FAMILY— CASUARIID^ : CASSOWARIES.

Cassowary (Casuarius australis) .. .. .. 27 io6g

For Alphabetical Index see end of Booh.

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.

I'ortrait of John Gould .. .. I'hoto. by .Uai///

Portrait of the Author, at the age of 38 ,, 7

Map of AustraHa

Nest of the Wedge-tailed Eagle . .

An Eagle's Look-out, Werribee Gorge

Nest of the White-bellied Sea Eagle

Whistling Eagle's Nest

Nest of the Black-shouldered Kile

Osprey's Nest with Young . .

Robbing a Boobook Owl's Nest . .

Nest of the Leaden Crow Shrike . .
., ,. White-winged Chough

,, Rifie Bird, showing snake skin
,, Victoria Rifle Bird ..

Manucode's Nest

Oriole's Nest, showing egg of the Koel

Nest of the Fig Bird

Magpie Lark's Nest . .

Nest of the Lesser Rufous-breasted Shrike Thrush
Ashy-fronted Fly Robin
,, Caterpillar Catcher ..

White-shouldered Caterpillar Catcher
Yellow-breasted Flycatcher
Lemon-breasted t'lycatcher
White-shafted Fantail

Black and White Fantail's Nest . .

Pied Flycatcher's Nest

Frill-necked Flycatcher's Nest

Scarlet-breasted Robin's Nest

Flame-breasted Robin's Nest

Grey-breasted Shrike Robin's Nest

laiill <:- Fox Fron

tispiece.

". IVood Frontispiece.

FACING

I'AGE NO

I

I'llOTO BY

.. The Author

10

Do.

12

.. S. W.Jachsoii

18

Do.

20

Do.

28

The Author

.. 42

Do.

■■ 44

Do.

60

Do.

.. 66

Do.

.. 68

Do.

.. 70

.. D Le Soiii-J

.. 78

. . S. \V. Jackson

.. 82

The A iithor

.. 84

Do.

.. 88

.. D.LcSouiJ

... 94

Do.

94

.. The Author

100

Do.

.. 104

.. D.Lc Soucf

106

Do.

106

The Author

. . loS

Do.

.. 116

.. D. Le Souej

. 128

Do.

.. 128

.. The Author

• • 134

Do.

.. .38

Do.

.. 138

NESTS AND EGGS OF AUSTRALIAN BIRDS.

PHOTO. UV

The Author
Drawn by C. C. Brittlebatik
.. IVioluby The Author
Do.

Rose-breasted Robin's Nest
Rose-breasted Robins and Nest . .
White-breasted Robin's Nest
Nest of the Brown Fly Eater

,, ,, Blue Wren
Reed Warbler's Nest
Ground Thrush's Nest
Nest of the Satin Bower Bird . .
Playground of the Satin Bower Bird

„ „ Spotted Bower Bird . .

,, ,, Great Bower Bird

Haunt of the Regent and Rifle Birds
Nest of the Regent Bird . .
Playground of the Regent Bird ..
Emu Wren's Nest
Grass Warbler's Nest
Nest of the Brown Tit

Striated Tit
,, ,, Yellow-throated Scrub Wren

White-browed Scrub Wren . .
White-browed Scrub Wren's Nest in bank
Nest of the Spine-tailed Log Runner

,, ,, Spotted Ground Bird
Pilot Bird's Nest
Coach-whip Bird's Nest
Babbler's Nest
Nest of the Striated Field Wren

Little Field Wren
,, White-backed Magpie
Butcher Bird's Nest . .
Nest of the Yellow-bellied Shrike Tit

Yellow-breasted Shrike Robin
Nest of the White-headed Tree Runner..

White Eye

Yellow-faced Honeyeater

Brown-headed Honeyeater . .

Bell Miner

Noisy Miner
Spiny-cheeked Honeyeater's Nest in Seeding Clemat
Blue-faced Honeyeater's Nest in Babbler's Nest
Nest of the Rufous Song Lark

„ ,, Flower Pecker . .
Nesting Hole of the Black-headed Pardalote . .
Nest of the White-rumped Wood Swallow in Magpie) y-/, .^„(;,

Lark's old nest
Brown Honeyeater's Nest . .
Nest of the Masked Wood Swallow

Do.

Do.

Do.
S IV. Jackson
D. Le SouiJf
The Author
H. H. Johnston.
The Author

Do.

Do.

Do.

Do.

Do.

Do.

Do.

Do.

Do.
S W. Jackson
The Author

Do.

Do.

Do.

Do.

Do.

Do.

Do.

Do.

Do.

Do.

Do.

Do.

Do.

Do.
D. Le Suurf
The Author
D. Le SoucJ
The Author

Do.
S. W. Jackson

Do.
Do.

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.

Cedar Scrub with Atrichias Nest in tussock in fore

ground . .
A Fern Tree Gully, the haunt of the Lyre Bird
Nest of the V'ictoria Lyre Bird

Tawny Frogmoulh's Nest. .
Young Laughing Jackasses ..
White-taileil Kingfisher's Nesl in ant hillock
Taking a Blue-bellied Lorikeet's Nest

,, White Cockatoo's Nest ..
Ant Hillock, showing Nest of the Beautiful Parrakeet
Nesting Parly in New South Wales
Field Naturalist's Camp, Flinders Island
Fgg Mound of the Mallee Hen
,, Scrub Hen
,, ., „ Mallee Hen opened by bird . .

, ,, Brush Turkey . .

Stubble Quail's Nest

Nest of the IJttle Crake

Coot's Nest . .

The Home of the Parra

Nest of the Black-breasted Plover

Nests of White-headed Stilts

A Darter Rookery

Crested Terns Nesting

Flight of Sooty Terns

Noddies Nesting

Lesser Noddies Nesting

Flight of Silver Gulls

Nest of the Pacific Gull

Young Mutton Birds

On the Mutton Bird Rookery, Phillip Island . .

Cape Petrels in Nest

Sooty Albatross on Nest

Mutton Bird Egging on North-east Island, Bass Strai

Nest of the Black Oyster Catcher. .

An Albatross Rookery

White-capped Albatrosses Nesting

A White Ibis Rookery

Nest of the White Ibis

,, Bittern..

Rookery of White-breasted Cormorants . .

Gannets Nesting

A Gannet Rookery, Bass Strait . .

Little Penguin's Nest

Nest of the Black Swan

Nest of the Pied Goose

FUOTO. BV
I S. ir. Jackson .

The Aiilhoi-

Do.

Do.

Do.

Do.
n. I.e Soiii-f .
S. II'. Jackson .
I>. Lc Souif

Do.
S. IK. Jackson .
The Aiilhor .

Ho.
I). Le Sou?/ .

Do.
The Author

Do.

Do.

Do.
S. ir. Jackson .
The Author
S. W.Jackson .

Do.
The Author

Do.

Do.

Do.
D. Le Souif .
The Author
ishop M onlgomery .
The Author
Robt. Hall

Do.
[ The Author

Do.
D. Le Sour/ .

Do.
The Author

Do.

Do.

Do.

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Do.
De Le Souef
The Author

Do.

FACING
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984
lOIO

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NESTS AND EGGS OF AUSTRALIAN IIIRDS.

A Murray Lagoon — Haunt of Wild foul

Taking a Wood Duck's Nest

Black Duck's Nest . .

Taking a Teal's Nest

Finding an Emu's Nest

An Emu's Nest

Emu Eggers returning with spoil

An Emu Eggers' Camp

A Pet Emu . .

Emu Chicks ..

FACING

PHOTO. HY

PAGE NO

.. The Author

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. 1024

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. 1040

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*,* For Coloured Plates of F.ggs, see end of booh and Systematic Iiide.v.

Nests and Eggs of Australian Birds.

ORDER-ACCIPITRES: BIRDS OF PREY.
Sub=order— Falcones : Falcons.

FAMILY— FALCONID^ : HAWKS.
Sub-family — Accipitrin/E : Long-legged Hawks.

1. — Circus assimilis, Jardine and Selby. — (27)
G. jnrtlinii, Gould.

SPOTTED HAERIER.

Figure. — Gould: Birds of Australia, fol.. vol. i, pi. 27.

Reference. — Cat. Birds Brit. Mus., vol. i., p. 63.

Previous Descriptions of Eggs.— GouM : Birds of Australia, Hand-
book, vol. i., p. 60 (1865): North: Austn. Mus. Cat., p. i,
pi. 2, fie;. 4 (1889) : Campbell: Proc Austn. Assoc, vi., p. 418
(1895)-

Geographical Distribution. — Australia in general and Ta.smania; also
Celebes.

Nest. — Sonirwliat flat, loose structure, composed of sticks and twigs, and
lined sparinglj' with leaves plucked when green. Usually situated in a
tree.

Eggn. — Clutch, two to three, probably four occasionally ; roundish oi-
round oval in form ; texture of shell somcwliat coarse ; surface without
gloss ; coloiu', bluish-white. Inside lining cold or dark green, differing from
the lining of those of C . r/nuhli, which is lighter green. Dimen.sions of a
clut<-h from Queensland: (1) 2-06 x 1-5, (2) 2-05 x 1'5, (3) 2-0 x 1-56.
Of a proper pair from Western Australia : (1) 1-96 x 1-64, (2) 1-94 x 1-57.

Oh.?ervations. — This handsomely marked Hawk, although plentiful!}'
distributed over some interior and western localities, is not so frequently
noticed as the more familiar Swamp Hawk, from which it may be at once
distinguished by the beautifvtl white spotted nature of its plumage.
However, immature birds commence with only a few faint spots on the
feathers of the flanks, or on the imder tail coverts, before the beautiful adult
spotted dress is assumed. Tlie bird is occasionally seen in Victoria, but in
its western habitat it is common, nevertheless exceedingly shy. The
Spotted Han-ier liimts for food (chiefly lizards) over the ground with a
leisurely flapping flight, and will lie close on n hot day in the shade of a bu.sh
or tree. It is evident the Spotted Hanier does not nest upon the ground
1

2 NESTS AND EGGS OF AUSTRALIAN BIRDS.

like the common Harrier, as tlie following interesting infonnation, furnished
by Mr. Hari-y Barnard, shows: — His notice was fust attracted by a pair
of these fine Haniers examining Magpies' ((j'l/iiniorliina) old nests, and
mating. Soon afterwards they commenced building in a silver-leafed iron-
bark {Eiicnli/ptns inelanophloia), at intervals extending over six weeks, a
nest which at best was only a frail, flat structure lined with leaves. When
the clutch reached the number of three, the eggs were taken, the date being
the end of September, 1893. Locality : Coomooboolaroo, Queensland.

Subsequently, on the same rim, Mr. Charles Barnard took another clutch
of Spotted Harrier's eggs from a nest about fort}' feet from the ground
in a lai-ge bloodwood (Eucalypt). On the other side of the Continent,
near the North-west Cape, Mr. Tom Carter tells me in the autumn of
1898 he noticed a pair of Spotted Haniers building a nest in a low tree,
about ten feet from the ground. Just before shearing, he huniedly
visited the place, but not seeing the birds about he concluded the nest
was deserted. However, he afterwards discovered two other nests with
three eggs and one (half-hatched) respectivelv, and while at Cardabia
Creek he found another nest in a white gum, about twenty feet from the
ground, viath two half-gi-own voung. Mr. Carter, in a matter-of-fact style,
states, " I should have liked to have skinned them, but being on the ' pot
hunt,' my native and I only having had a wild cat between us for supper
and breakfast, we each ate a young bird for lunch."

I am indebted to Mr. Carter for a fine pair of eggs dated August
17th, 1898.

On the 18th August, 1896, at the commencement of the Calvert
Expedition in Western Aiistralia, Mr. C. F. Wells found a nest of
the Spotted Harrier containing two eggs. On the 25th September,
Mr. L. A. Wells foimd a second nest, with a pair of eggs slightly
incubated. Both nests were situated in gum trees.

2. — Circus goi'ldi. Bonaparte. — (Sfi)
C. nssimilis, Gould.

HAREIER OR SWAMP HAWK.

Figiin. — Gould: Birds o( .\ustraUa, foL, vol. i., pi. 26.

Reference. — Cat. Birds. Brit. Mus., vol. i., p. 72.

Previous Descriptions of Egf;s. — Gould: Birds of Australia, Handbook,
vol. i., p. 59 (i86q); Potts: Trans. New Zealand Inst., vol ii.,
p. 52 (^1870) : Buller : Birds of New Zealand (1873). also vol. i.,
p. 212 fiSSS) : North : Austn. Mus. Cat p. 2. pi. 2, fig. 3 fiSSg) ;
Campbell: Proc. Austn. Assoc, vol. vi., p. 417 (1895).

Genijrnphical Bixtrihiition. — Australia and Tasmania, also Lord Howe
and Norfolk Islands. New Zealand, New Caledonia, and Fiji Islands.

Nes:f. — Built of coarse, dr\' herbage — stalks of thistles, dock, &c. ;
sometimes of sticks and twigs, and lined with short pieces of hav-like

NESTS AND EGGS Of tWSTKM.l AN BIRDS. ^

swamp or other grass. Stnicturo is somcwliat Hat, about 7 inclios high
by 16 indies across. Situation, usually upon the g^'oiuid amongst rank
herbage, in rushes, or in grain crops, but sometimes on a low bush.

Eijija. — Chitch, three to five ; inclined to oval in sliape ; texture of
shell coarse, -svith the surface lustreless ; in some clutches, rough with small
limy excrescences ; colour, white, except in ca.scs of dii-t-stains received
in the nest during incubation. When emptied and held up to the light
the interior of the shell possesses a beautiful sea-green appraranco. Eggs
are apparently small for the size of the bird. A clutcli taken on Pental
Island, Murray district, Victoria, 4tli December, 1 S90, measvuvs in inches :
(1) 2-09 X 1-51, (2) 2-08 X 1-5, (3) 1-96 x 1-51. Tlie fourth egg is
abnonnally small, being only l'47xri2.

Ohfn-ivi/ 11)11. ■<. — When on outstretched wings. Swamp Hawks appear
largo birds, and, as their name implies, they are found in swampy
localities, and may usually be .seen in snch places in almost any part of
Australia, hawking or hunting, as if lazily, with slow and somewhat heavy
motion of the wings over the tops of rushes growing in lagoons, or
skimming and wheeling over plains and gi-assy flats. They feed on almost
anything — birds (including their eggs), snakes, and other reptiles, &c.
Unlike tlie majority of Hawks, which perch on trees, the Swamp Hawks are
of a more pastoral di.spo.sition, selecting a "rise" on tlio plain, a large
stone or, perhaps, a stump of a tree. The plumage of the Harrier on
the upper surface is rich dark brown, some of the feathers being margined
with reddish-buff, the face is light reddish-brown, with all the rest of the
under-surface buffy-white. with a dark stripe down the centre of each
feather ; eyes are yellow ; bill, brown, becoming paler at the base.
Total length, about 20 inches; wing, 15i inches; and tail, 10 inches.

Of the birds of prey, probably the eggs of the Swamp Hawk are the
most common in our collections, for the reason that the nests being on or
near the ground are easily taken, whereas the general nin of our Falconidne
breed aloft in some tall forest tree. Moreover, Swamp Hawks enjoy an
extensive range, including many extra-Australian localities. Sir Walter
Buller records that the Hamer or Swamp Hawk often returns to the same
nesting-place for several successive seasons, the old nest forming a founda-
tion for the new one, and that the young are verv savage when molested,
throwing themselves on their backs and striking out vigorouslv with their
talons at the intruder.

Tlie late Mr. T. H. Potts sent the following New Zealand note to
the Zddlof/ixf : — "In November, 1884, in one of the large swamps in the
Hind district of the Canterbury Plains, a nest of the Harrier, built on a
large tuft of coarse growing rashes, was knocked over bv a mob of cattle.
Tlie nest being set up again and the eggs put back, the Hawk returned and
resumed incubation. Tlie nest contained five eggs. Another nest in the
Hororaki district also contained five eggs." Clutches of five have also
been taken by Tasmanian collectors.

Principal breeding months include September to December or January.

4 NESTS AND EGGS OF AUSTRALIAN BIKDS.

3. — AsTUR ciNEREUs, Vicillot. (14)

GREY GOSHAWK.

Figure. — Gould : Birds of Australia, fol., vol. i., pi. 14.

Reference. — Cat. Birds Brit. Mus., vol. i., p. 117.

Previous Descriptions o/E»'?s.— Campbell : Nests and EggsAiistn. Birds,

p. 3, pi. I. fig. 14 (1S83), also Proc. Austn. Assoc, vol. vi.,p. 419

(1895) ; North : Austn. Mus. Cat., p. 2 (1889).

Geographical Distribution. — Australia in general.

Nest. — Stick-made structure, lined with leaves, usually gioen, and
placed in a lofty tree.

Epgs. — Clutch, two to three ; oval in shape ; shell slightly rough, with
siu-face almost lustreless ; colour, white, with a perceptible bluish or greenish
tinge, sparingly marked with a few smudges and other smaller marldngs
of reddish-brown. The mai'kings may be easily removed by moisture.
Dimensions in inches of a clutch : (l)'2-02 x 1-51, (2) 2-01 x 1-51.

Ohseri'dtioinf. — Our knowledge of the breeding habits of this beautiful
Goshawk is not very extensive, nor are its eggs found in many collections.
Those I first described (now red escribed above) were taken (1880) by a
son of my deceased friend, the enthusiastic collector Mr. H. A. Smith,
of Batesford, near Geolong.

Mr. A. J. North informs us that "the nest of A. riiiereiis (the large
Continental fonn of the AVhite Goshawk) is an open structure, composed
of thin sticks and lined with twigs and leaves. One found near the Cape
Otway Forest, Victoria, was placed in the topmost boughs of a
lofty eucalyptus, and contained two eggs ; in form nearly oval ; slightly
swollen at one end; of a dull, bluish-white, smeared and blotched with
faded marldngs of reddish and reddish -brown, particularly towards the
larger end. and which, were it not for the size, might be easily mistaken
for those of A. approriwnns, wlrich they greatly resemble."

4. — AsTUR Nov^ H0LLANni.s:, Gmelin. — (15)
WHITE GOSHAWK.

Figure.— OoaM: Birds of Australia, fol., vol i. pi. 15
Reference. — Cat. Birds Brit. Mus., vol. i., p 118.

Previous Descriptions of E»'o's. ^Campbell : Victorian Naturalist (1888),
also Proc. Austn. Assoc, vol. vi. p. 419 (1895)

Geographical Di.?frilmfinn. — Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria,
South Australia, and Tasmania.

Nest. — Somewhat flat, constructed of fine sticks broken from the
extremity of dry branches, and hned inside with green eucalyptus leaves.

Eggs. — Clutch, two to four ; roundish oval in shape ; texture of shell
coarse; surface soft and almost lustreless; colour, bluish-wliite, with a

.ViSrs A.VV EGGS Oh AVSTRALIAN BIRDS. 5

fuw kugo sinuclgub ;uid spt'cks uf purpiisli-biowu luarkiugs, somu of wliitli
ai'o duller iu coloui', appwiring as if boiieath the surface of the siiell.
Diiiieusions iu iuches of a clutch of Tasmauiau eggs; (1) r87 x r53,
(2) 1-85 X 1-53, (3) 1-85 x i-ol. A liuo p;ur takeu at Iho Nicliolsou River,
Gulf of Cai-peuUu'ia district, is sparingly marked with retklish-browu or
umber : (1) has a few blotches, chielly on the apex ; dimensions,
2-05xl-Olj (2) has smaller markings likewise, principally on the apex,
where there are also fiiiiit pui'plish-browu sti'caks, after the manner of those
ou the eggs of the White-headed Sea Eagle { ilaliaatar yiiicnciaj ;
dimousions, 2'0 x io3. (Plato 1.)

Olmtruations. — The White Goshawk is u must beautiful crealiue in
pure while plumage; cere and legs yellow, bill and claws black, while the
eyes are liery red or rcddish-browii. iu size the bird (male_) is 15 or IG
iuches long; wing, 10 inches; tail, 7^ inches. Ihe White Goshawk enjoys
a somewhat extensive range throughout the eastern j^'W''' oi Austraha,
iucluihug Tiiamania, where it shows a decided preference for forested
tracts. It devours reptiles, small auimals, and birds. iSomo beautiful
pictures may be imagined of this Goshawk in suow-wliite dress, with its
dying qu;uTy held ui relentless grii) — perhaps a i'arrot of iiuuiy gay
coloiu-s, or perchance a male liegeut iJird in its handsome bkick and
golden garb (for the Hawk picks out conspicuous birdsj.

The aunouncomeut of the liuchug of the nest and eggs of this lovely
hawk was last made at the October meeting, 1887, of tue Koyal Society
of Tasmania, when tho secretiuy (Mr. Alex. Morton) statetl that
Mr. Arthur E. Bxent, an enthusiastic collector, had discovered ou tho
previous day a nest coutaiuiug two eggs. Subsequently the discoverer w;is
good enough to allow me to describe the eggs, and forwarded the following
information: — "Nest composed of very line, dry sticks, broken freshly
from the extreme ends of diy branches, very flat, with a few green pepper-
mint gum-leaves forming the receptacle for the eggs, which were two.
Tree, stringybark; and nest about seventy feet from the ground. The
bird being very aggressive, 1 had to use my left hand to keep her off.
1 could feel tho wind on my face from her wings as she flew past, and 011
more than one occasion her wing feathers touched my haud, she uttering
a piercing cry the while. The eggs were takeu on the 9th October.
Locality : A dark gully on Mount Faulkner."

Subsequently another White Hawk's nest waS known to Mr. Brent,
from which eggs were taken two successive seasons. The nest was
composed of veiy fine twigs from tho dead branches of standing trees,
which the bii'ds settle on, break oil with their talons, and carry du'ect to
the nest. This Mr. Brent has observed. The lining of small gi-eeu tvrigs
and leaves is gathered in Like manner. Although the birds laid about the
end of October, in this instance they appeared to have commenced to repair
their nest about the middle of September, for Mr. Brent writes : — " On
tho 16th I started for the locality, wliich I reached about eight o'clock.
Secreting myself on the broad of my back in tlie ferns, c^-c, I waited the
result. I had not more than twenty minutes to wait when the cries of
little bii'ds around told me of the approach of tlieii- enemy, and,

6 NESTS A\D EGGS OF AUSTRALIAN BIRDS.

looking in the dii-ectiou from whence came a sound hke a rushing wind,
1 saw high up the hill-side above me a streak in the air, wliich proved to
be the male bird from its smaller size. It came straight lor the uest at
a terrific rate, shot past the nest, then took a complete circle and settled
right iu it, carrying in its claws two small twigs, which the bird immedi-
ately di-opped, and hopping on to the side of the nest seemed to be placing
them with its beak, all the wliile uttering a half-whistle, half-cackling noise.
Tliis I saw repeated several times, hkewise by the other bird, which was
also white."

Mr. Brent again visited the nest on the 4th November, when he took
thi-ee eggs with incubation about ten days old. The nest resembled that
of A. ajjjjro.cimans, but is a triiie larger. It may be mentioned that the
eggs (three) were taken the previous season, about the middle of November,
by some local lads, who required a rare reward for them.

5. — AsTUR NOV* HOLLANDi.^ (sub-species) LEUCOSOMus, Sliarpe. — (1)
LESSER WHITE GOSHAWK.

Reference. — Cat. Birds Brit. Mus., vol. i., p. iig.

GeograpJucal JJistribution. — North Queensland, also New Guinea and
adjacent islands.

Nest and Eyys. — Undescribed.*

Ohstrvatiuns. — The nest and eggs of the Lesser White Goshawk are
up to the present imknown to science. It is the only species of
Australian Accipitres of which we possess no information with regard
to its nidification. But, doubtless, in that as in other respects the Lesser
Wliite Goshawk resembles its southern and close alUes, A. cinertus and
A. nuvw-lwllandice, by coustnacting the usual stick-made nest, and laying
two or three bluish-white eggs meagi'ely marked with brown, if marked
at all.

6. — AsTUR APPROxiMANS, Vigors and Horsfield. — (i7)
GOSHAWK.

Figui'e.— Gould : Birds of Australia, fol., vol. i., pi. 17.

Reference. — Cat. Birds Brit. Mus., vol. i., p. 126.

Previous Descriptions of Eggs. — Gould: Birds of Australia (1S4SJ, also
Handbook, vol. i , p. 42 (1865) ; Ramsay : Proc. Linn. Sec,
N.S, Wales, 2nd ser., vol. i. p. 1141 (1886), Campbell: Proc.
Austn. Assoc, vol. vi., p. 420 (1895)

Geographical Distribution. — Australia in general and Tasmania; r.lso
Norfolk Island and New Caledonia.

* Dr. Sharpe doubts the existence of this sub-species in Australia. Reputed eggs
in Mr. G A. Keartland's collection are roundish ovals, somewhat coarse, without
gloss; colour, bluish-white ; inside lining, green. Dimensions in inches (i) 172 x i'4,
(2) 17 X I 38. I fear the eggs described by Mr. D. Le Souef (Vict. Nat. xvi., p. loi)
(judging by their small size (i'52 x iiS inches) cannot be referable to the Lesser White
Goshawk.

K'ESTS AXD LOGS Oh .kUSIKAUAN BIRDS. ^

Nest. — Constructed of sticks and twigs, lined sparingly with leaves,
and generally situated in a lofty eucalypt or other tree, not unfretiuently
overhanging a stream or higoou. Dimensions over all about 'I'l inches;
egg capacity, '1\ inches deep.

E(/(/s. — Clutch, two to four, but usually three ; stout ovals m shape, but
sharper at one end ; sm"face of soft appearance and almost lustreless ;
colour, bluish-white, in some instances sparingly marked with roimdish
blotches and spots of dark reddish-brown. In coumion with all Goshawks'
eggs, when empty and held up to the hght, there appeals a greenish
colour on tho inner side of the shell. Dimensions in inches of a clutch
taken at Coomooboolaroo, Queensland, Gth October, 1885 :(1) 1-87 x r47,
(•J) 1-85 X 1-49.

Obstrvatiuiis. — This bold and dashing Goshawk is commonly dispersed
over AustraUa and Tiismania; and, noLwiLhsUuidiug that it is plentiful,
tho different stages of plumage between young and matuied birds ciiuso
much confusion as to its identification. That some of the birds breed
before full livery is donned I feel convinced.

Bold and diisliing I s;ud Goshawks wero; of the latter ij^uality tho
Messrs. iJrittlebauk had a good illustration one morning, when unin-
vited a Goshawk, like a meteor, dashed through a window-pane of their
dwelling at iVlyriuong. liero is the note, wnLLvu March, 1692: —
" This Hawk came through oiu' bedioom window about IJ.JU last Wednesday
morning. When it struck the glass, it went ofl' as loud as tho report of
a gun, which we all thought it was — glass flying and falling all over the
room, some oven going tlu-ough tho bhnd. The blow must havo been veiy
swift, as a round hole was described in the pane. Fancy it must have
been after a sparrow which rested on the window-sill. "

1 shall endeavour briefly to describe the bird. Adult — Back of
head, back, wings, and tail dark slate-colour ; on the throat is a reddish-
brown band which, enciicling the neck, is more obscui'e there in colour ;
remainder of under sui"faco rusty -re<.l, finely marked with cross bars of
dark-brown. Eyes, cere, and legs all match each other in bright yellow,
while tho bill and talons are slaty-blue. The total length varies from
15 to 20 inches, including a somewhat lengthened tail. The yoimg bird
differs from tliis considerably, having most of the upper surface deep
brown, each feather with a crescent-shaped rufous mark at the extremity.
Tho under surface is generally buify-whiLe, with a dark-brown stripe
down the centre of each feather on the tlu'oat, and elsewhere the feathers
are crossed by irregular bands of dark-brown, with rufous blotches in the
centre.

Strolling along the banks of the Loddon River, Victoria, on one
occivsion, 1 observed a nest of the Goshawk in an overhanging tree,
likewise in the same tree was a liome of the White-fronted Heron ( i\uloplioyr
nuvce-lxjllatidice), and both sjxicios of birds sitting. The next nest of this
Goshawk that interested mo was at Coomooboolaroo, Queensland, where
I witnessed Mr. Harry Barnard ascend a tall eucalypt to the height of

8 NESTS AND EGGS OF AUSTRALIAN BIRDS.

about seventy feet from the gi-ouud, and from a nest on a horizontal forked
Umb abstract a pair of typical eggs, which are now in my collection —
with unusually fuU data. BreecUug months include August to December,
chiefly the three last months.

There is a singular fact worthy of record that some birds lay a fiiller
complement of eggs in Tasmania than the same species do on the
mainland. The Goshawk may be cited as an instance. On the Con-
tinent two or three eggs fonn a clutch, wliile the Tasmanian collectors,
Messrs. George H. Hiusby and Arthur E. Brent, almost invariably take
four on their island. Mr. Brent writes : — " I have taken several nests
of this interesting Hawk, and have been present at the taking of others,
and in every instance except one the nest contained a whole clutcli of
foiu" eggs. Only three days ago (the 29th October, 1894) I took a nest
containing foui- eggs from a lai'ge stringybark oucalypt in Glenoixhy.
The nest was about eighty feet from the gi'ound, and was a flat structiu'e
of line sticks about eighteen to twenty inches aci-oss, and was lined about
eight to ten inches across with green gum leaves, while the inside shallow
basin or cavity for the eggs was about five or six inches across."

7. — ASTUR CEUENTUS, Gould. — (18)

LESSER GOSHAWK.

Figure. — Gould : Birds of Australia, fol., vol. i., pi. iS.

Reference. — Cat. Birds Brit. Mus., vol. i., p. 127.

Previous Descriptions of Eggs. — Campbell : Proc. Roy. Soc. Victoria,

vol. iii., new ser., p. i, pi. i, fig. 5 (iSgo), also Froc. Austn.

Assoc, vol. vi. p. 422 (1895).

Gcoyraphical Distrihution. — -West and North-west Austraha, and
V^ictoria (casual).

Nist. — Constructed of dead sticks, hiied inside with finer material,
including probably green leaves, and placed on the horizontal fork of a
tall tree.

Eggs. — Clutch, two to three; roundish in shape, with almost lustreless
siu'face ; colour, bluish-wliite. One specimen in a clutch of two possesses
a few smudges of reddish-brown and a large splash of light purplish-brown.
Dimensions: (1) 1-73 x 1-36, (2) 17 x 1-35.

Obseri'atiuns. — As Gould obsei"\'es, this Goshawk is an intermediate
size between the AustraUan Goshawk ( Astur approximans) and the
Collared SpaiTow Hawk ( Accipiter clrrhocephalux). It is more particularly
a western bird, but probably ranging to Northern Austraha ; while
individuals casually reach eastern parts.

Principal breeding months ai'e October, November, and December.

NESTS AXD EGGS OF AUSTRALIAN BIRDS. g

8. — ACCIPITEK CIRUHOCEPUALUS, Vicillot. — (I'J)

SPARROW HAWK.

Figure. — Gould; Birds ol Australia, (ol.. vol. i., pi. 19.

Rejtrcme. — Cat. birds Brit. Mus., vol. i.,p. 141.

Previous Dcicriptioiii oj Eg^s. — Gould : Birds of Australia (iS^b), also

Handbook, vol. i., p. 40 (1505); Kainsay ; i'roc. Linn, ijoc,

N.S. Wales, vol. vii., pp. 53 and 413 (ibSi) ; North: Austn.

Mus. Cat. pi. 2, fig. 6 (ibbyj , Campbell; I'roc. Austn. .\ssoc

vol. vi., p. 423 (ib95).

(.ituijrapliical Distribution. — Australia in gciici'al, Tasmania, and New
Giiiucii.

Stst. — Somotimes lai'go, at otliur timos sntall, couslruclud ol' slicks and
twigs, lined inside with libions material or eucaiypt leaves, and situated
in the forked brauelies of a tree usually growing ue;u' water. Frequently
the uost of another bird of prey is used.

Eytjs. — Clutch, three to foui'; rouuchsh m shape; textuie of shell com-
paratively hne, with siuface lustreless; colour, white, with a bluish or
greenish tiuge, devoid of markings, but more freijueutly sUiincd with airt
from the nest diuing incubation, while other examples possess a few
blotches or spots of d;uk-browu. Dimensions in inches of a proper
clutch: (1) 1-53 X 1-21, (2) 1-51 x 123, (3) lol x 1-20. (Plate i.j

Ul/seruatiuns. — This is the smallest of Australian llawks; but for a
bold and fearless disposition, rapidity of flight, abrupt tm-uiug, and
unerruig ;iim at luckless prey, the httle Sp;UTow ilawk far excels many
of its ku'ger compeers. However, the incidents of its attacking a White-
fronted Heron, decapitating a BusUud, &c., alluded to in my papers before
the Austrahau Association, I regret to say 1 unfortunately luisunderslood
my iuforni;iuts. These wonderful feats of daring should have been referable
to the tUisliing Little Falcon, a biid shuilar in size to the Sparrow Hawk.

Mr. Hermauu Lau, formerly of South Queensland, furnishes us with
the remarkable fact of the Greiit Cuckoo or Channel Bill (ScytlirupaJ
depositing its egg iu the nest of a Sparrow Hawk, or a nest, at all events,
where the Sparrow Hawk had laid. In September, 1874, near Yandilla,
he found a Hawk's nest, winch was situated liigh in the branches of a
tree. It contained two eggs neai'ly incubated, but, to his intense surprise,
one was evidently the large piu-plish-brown egg of the Channel Bill, or,
as it is called in the interior, the " Rain Biid.

One of Mr. G. A. Kcartlands held notes during the progress of the
Calvert Expedition in North-west Australia is as follows ; " Along the
Fitzroy iuid Mai-garet Rivers and their brandies these bold little buds were
met with. Ne;u- our camp, in January, 1 was sui-prised to see a small male
bird attacking a pair of Rosc-breiisted Cockatoos. The Cockatoos had
selected the holloNy branch of a tree for their nest, and wliilst they were
tiimmiiig the entrance to their futui-e domicile, the Hawk made frequent
swoops at them, knocking out biuiches of feathers, and causuig the
Cockatoos, which were more than twice his weight, to cry out with jwin.
This battle was continued for some time, and was eventually terminated

lO ^/ESTS AXD EGGS OF AUSTRALIAN BIRDS.

with a cartx-idge, as I hoped to have the chance of robbing the Cockatoo's
nest myself."

The breeding season generally of the Collared Sparrow Hawk is
included in tlie months fi-om August to November, and possibly
December.

Sub-family — Bvteonin/E : Buzzards.

9. — Ukospizias radiatus, Latham. — (IGj
RED GOSHAWK.

Figmc—GouM : Birds of .Australia, fol., vol, i., pi. i6.

Reference- 'CaX. Birds Brit. Mus., vol. i., p. 159.

Previous Descriptions 0/ Eggs.— Ra.msa.y: Proc. Linu. Soc, N S. Wales,
2nd ser., vol. i. p. 1141 (1S86) ; Campbell : Victorian Naturalist
(1886); North: Austn. Mus. Cat., app. pi. 2, fig. 2 (1S90) :
Campbell: Proc. Austn. .A.ssoc. vol. vi. p. 422 (1895).

Geographical Dixtrihution. — South Queensland and New South Wales,
and probably the interior of both Northern Tenitory and South Australia.

yest. — Somewhat large, constructed of sticks lined inside with twigs
and cucalypt leaves, and placed in a lofty tree, usually a eucalypt.

Eggs. — Clutch, two to three ; roundish in shape ; surface somewhat
rough and without lustre; colour, uniform dull or bluish-white. One
example in a pair has a few blotches, spots, and other irregtdar markings
of dark-brown. Dimensions in inches: (1) 2-19 x 1-79, (2) 2-14 x 1-81.
Two examples of a second clutch of three, which were all without
markings, give— (1) 2-25 x 1-79, (2) 2-17 x 1-82.

Observations. — Tliis rare and powerful Goshawk is an inhabitant cliiefiy
of the Ulterior. The eggs were first brought to scientific hght by the late
Mr. George Barnard, of Coomooboolaroo, Central Queensland, whose good
name was, and is now through his sons, a household word amongst natmal
liistory collectors in AustraHa. The first and original nest was found in
September, 1884, by Mr. Barnard's sous in the top of a lofty Moreton
Bay ash (Eucalyptus tesselaris) on their cattle station. The nest con-
tained a pair of eggs. Mr. Barnard did not allow the interesting
chscovcry to grow cold, but at once forwarded a specimen to the Australian
Museiun for Dr. Ramsay to describe, while the description furnished by me
in the " Victorian Natiu-alist " was taken from the other specimen in the
collection at Coomooboolaroo.

A second nest was not found till 29th October, 1889, when a fine egg
was forwarded by Mr. Barnard in an unostentatious manner (as was his

NLSrS AXD EGGS 01- AL\ST KALIAN BIKPS. \i

tjuiet, uuobstrusivc disposition), to adoru my colluctiou. This time the nest
Wivs built in a lemon-scented gum ( Euidlyytus citriudvruj, and was con-
stmcted in a flat fork, projecting straight out from tlic tree, at a height
of about sixty feet from the ground. Thei-e were two eggs in the nest ;
but in communicating with Mr. North, to whom lie also presented a
specimen, Mr. B;u-nai'd wrote: — -"A ratiier singular occurrence took place
about tho Kadiated Goshawk's nest. Wlien my sons found it thore were
two eggs in it; and one of them shot tho male. About a mouth aft»;r,
being up that way ;igaiu, one of them climbed the tree and found another
egg in the nest, evidently laid after the iii'st eggs were taken and the
male shot."

The description, &c., of the eggs above given iU'e from those two nests.
A third nest was, however, found on the 3rd October, 1893, by
Mr. Harry Barnard, but it contained two young ones a few days old.
lu tliis insUiuce the nest was again situated in a large lemon-sceutetl gum,
and at a distance of seventy-three feet from the ground.

The breeding months of the lied or Radiated Goshawk may thercfoxx'
bo said to bo August, September and October.

Slb-family — AyiiLiN^ : Eagles.

10. — Uroaetus audax, Latham. — (i)
WEDGE-TAILED EAGLE (EAGLE HAWK).

Figure. — Gould : Birds of Austraha, lol., vol. i., pi. i.

Reference. — Cat. Birds brit. Mus., vol. i., p. 231.

Previous Descriptions u/ ii^'gi.— Ramsay : Ibis, vol. v., p 44b (iSoj) ;

Gould ; Birds of Australia, Handbook, vol. i., p. 10 (1SO5) ;

North; Austn. Mus. Cat., pi. i., fig. i (1SS9) ; Campbell: Froc

Austn. Assoc, vol. vi., p. 424 (1895).

Geographical Distrihutioii. — Whole of Australia and Tasmania.

Nest. — Composed of dead sticks, and lined inside with such material
as stringybark or grass and green branchlets. Usually the structure is
exceedingly bulky, but somewhat flat on the top ; a fail-sized nest
measuring about five or six feet across; inside, or egg cavity, about
foiu-tccn inches across by tkree or four inches deep. Situation, always
a commanding one — a tall forest tree, or the forked Umb of a tree at the
bend of a river, or on a good moimtain outlook. On the plains of the
interior, where timber is absent, tho nest is sometimes constructed of
gi'ass and placed on a bush.

E(j<j.-i. — Clutch, two usually, sometimes one, rarely three; round in
shape or round ovals; textui-e of shell coarse, surface dull and lustreless;

12 NESTS AND EGGS OF AUSTRALIAN BIRDS.

coloiu-, wannish-white, blotched and spotted with rusty-red or chestnut,
intermingled with dull cloudy purplish markings, which underlie the suiiacc
of the shell. In another pair the dull purplish markings predominate, one
example having the whole of the smaller end covered with a large patch
of didl or light purple. lu a third clutch the dull markings predominate
in one egg, while the other is so lichly marbled or mottlLd with the rusty-
red (in large patches in places) and puiplish markings as to obliterate
nearly the entire white surface. In some instances specimens have

been known to be devoid of any marldngs, or one wlutc egg in a pair.

Dimensions in inches of pi'oper clutches, namely : —
rp ,,.,,., . ( A (1) a-'j;^x2-24; (2) 2-81 x 2-22.

Two taken m Victona [^ J^^^ 2-91 x 2-42 ; (2) 2-88x2 36.

One taken in Tasmania (i)3-00x2-I; (2j 2-88 x 2-26.

One taken in Western Australia ... (i) 2-71x2-2G; (2) 2-62 x 2-24.
(Plate 1.)

Oliscri'dtliiiis. — The readers of Anthony Trollope may regard the state-
ment ;i.s Australian " blow " when I say that um Eagle, or as Austrahaus
call it, the Eagle Hawk, is larger than the famous Golden Eagle of Europe
and elsewhere. Nevertheless, that is the fact, and any person who doubts
may see both birds side by side in that well-ordered and instrtictive insti-
tution, the Zoological Garden, at Royal Park, Melbourne. It is somewhat
remarkable that, in his Handbook, Gould has not recorded detailed
dimensions for so large and important a bird as the Wedge-tailed Eagle.
Diggles gives figiu'es as follows: Total length, 38 inches; wing, 24 inches;
tail, 17i inches; bill, 2| inches; and tarsi or legs, 5 inches. The measure-
ments of the Golden Eagle are: — Length, 32 inches; wing, 24| inches;
tail, 13 inches. He does not give the expanse between tips of the wings,
but I should say the meastu'ement in an average specimen would be about
six or seven feet. We are all familiar- with the garb of the Wedge-tailed
Eagle, which is dai-k-brown, almost black in some specimens. The
difference between the brown and black plumage may be accomited for by
age. The wedge-shaped tail, which first stiggested the vernacular name
of the bird, is generally black. The cere — i.e., the naked space between
the feathers of the forehead and the bill proper — ^is yellowish, tlie bill
yellowish-horn colour, passing into black at the tip, and feet also
yellowish. Taken altogether, it is a noble and imposing bird, with
searching hazel eyes set in a flat>crowned head.

The Wedge-tailed Eagle enjoys a wide range throughout the length
and breadth of Australia and Tasmania. It is, however, becoming rare
in parts, and in the near future may be as scarce as the Golden Eagle in
Europe, consequent upon the war waged against the bird by squatters and
others for smidry pastoral depredations, wluch the splendid bird is tempted
by natiu-e to commit. If we only reflect for a moment, we shall learn
that the good Eagles perfoi-m considerably overbalances the hann they do.

Most of my experiences amongst Eagles' nests have been with the
Messrs. Brittlebank in that romantic locality known as the Weii-ibee
Gorge, and the adjacent ironbark forest ranges beyond Bacchus Marsh,
Victoria. Since the gold et-a. these wild localities have remained prac-
tically undisttu-bed for years. In some of the more secluded gullies we

NEST OK THE WEDGE-TAILED EAGLE.

From a Photo by the A iilhoi.

NESTS A.VD EGGS OF AUSTRALIAN BIRDS. \i^

Iiave seen trops supporting two or three nests, while at one favourite bend
no less than six Inilkv stnictures were in sight, showing how long thci
birds had retained the same spot. Of eourse only one or two would lx<
the new nasts ; the others were abandoned aeries. Sometimes we proved
that a particular nest w.as added to and used again season after sea.son.
and cont.;iinetl a plentiful amount of fur, evidently from rabbits and other
animals consumed by the birds and young. Tli(> favourite situation for
a nest or aerie is about thirty feet fi-om tlie gro\iiid in a tree on tlie faro
of a .steep hill, with the gully two hundred feel below and a commanding
outlook on either side. Eagles' eggs in the locality mentioned have lyjen
taken as early a.s the end of August and as late as 26th October, the birds
appearing to commence to mate in March and April. However, in other
localities, notably in Queensland, eggs have lieen taken as early as the
10th Juno.

In .some instances the eggs were covered with 1)ranililc'(s or nest i/ihris,
showing the birds' caution in not leaving their eggs exposed, when the
owners were absent. The nests Gould had opportunities of observ'ing were
placed on the most inacces.siblo trees. Although, during the months of
August and September, he repeatedly shot birds from their aeries in which
there were eggs, ho wa.s unable to obtain them, no one but the aboriginals
being capable of a.scending .such trees. B\it, during the year 1864, Gould
received his first fine c-^g from Mr. George French Angas, of South
Australia.

Dr. Ramsay, writing to the M/v, 186.3, savs : — "The first eggs
I obtained were taken in August, 1860, and were given me by
Mr. James Ramsay, at Cardington, a station on the Bell River, near
Molong. Tliey were taken from a nest by a black-boy who had ' stepped '
the tree. Tlie nest was placed upon a fork near the end of one of the
main branches of a largo eucalyptus. It was fully seventy feet from the
gi-ound. and no oa.sy task to get to it. The structure was about three-
and-a-half feet high by four or five feet broad, and about eighteen inches
deep, lined with tufts of gi-ass and with down plucked from the breast.s
of the birds, upon which the eggs were placed."

Tlio following are valuable notes received from correspondents with
reference to the nesting of the Wedge-tailed Eagle.

Mr. Hermann Lau (South Queensland) st.atcs : — " The eggs are two
in number. A cartload of various dry sticks, from the thickness of one's
arm and downwards, lined inside with animal hair and grass, constitutes
the nest. Tlie Eagle builds early in Jime, carrying the material in its
talons. Situation, sometimes fifty feet from the ground in a thick fork
of a large tree. Once I sent my blackfellow up to secure eggs, when
the Eagle swooped down on him, took his felt hat from his head, and
with it saared nearly out of sight into the sky. After a while the hat
fell to the ground none the worse. The eggs were secured."

Mr. James G. McDougall (South Australia) writes : — " The Eagle
breeds in the malleo and she-oak (Camarina) scnib of the uninhabited
south-west portion, where I have seen their nests and eggs. Tlie nest
is made of thick sticks piled together in a slovenly fashion, till the entire
stmcture would foi-m a good load for a cart."

'4

NESTS AND EGGS OF AUSTRALIAN BIRDS.

From Mr. Tom Carter (Nortli-west Australia) we leara : — " Tlie
Woflsfe-fcailed Eaglos' nests I liavo seen on tho Gascoyne coast were
on bushes about five feet high, tlicre being no trees near the coast.
Two eggs were taken 2nd June." The young in down are of snowj'
wliiteness A ne«t examined by a local oologist in Tasmania contained,
besides a pair of piu'e white eaglets, two rabbits, one opossum, and a
lamb, all much decomposed. Tlie following newspaper clipping is a fitting
couplet to the foregoing : — " Mr. Percy Tliomas, boundary rider for
Mr. J. K. Phillips, of Rifle Downs, Victoria, felled a tree in which wa,s an
eagle's nest. When examined, the nest was found to contain two eaglets ;
also two kangaroo rats, two opossums, and seven rabbits, all sliglitl)-
pecked."

An observing friend on the Paroo, New South Wales, noticed an
Eagle's nest that had been iised for nine successive seasons, but whether
it was occupied by tho same pair of birds could not be ascertained.

Eagles evidently take their time at nest building. Mr. Chai-les
Barnard (Queen.sland) observed a new, half-built nest during tlie first of
May. It was not completed and the eggs laid therein till about the 7th
July. In this nest, under the usual lining of green leaves (scented
eucalypt), was a sub-layer, about two inches deep, of finely-chopped iron-
bark (evicalypt) leaves, apparently bitten by the birds into pieces from
half-an-inch to one inch in length. Has any other collector noticed these
" minced " leaves in Eagles' nests ?

Whether it bo a fact or not, a newspaper is responsible for tho
following rem.Trkable note: — "It is not generally known that the Eagle
Hawk constructs a table on which to eat his food. I had often mistaken
these tables for old nests, till one day I found one in a gidgea tree on the
Wani Warn. The bird was perched on top, feeding. Under the tree
was a mass of bones and feathers. I climbed up, and was surprised to
find that the supposed nest was a structure of stout, thick sticks, closely
and skilfully interlaced, vrith a top almost square and as flat as a board.
On it was a small and half-devoured wallaby. I have climbed up to and
examined many such stnictures since, and, as I have seen several nests of
the Eagle Hawk, some of which contained young birds, I may safely
as.sume that these tables are specially constructed for eating on. The
Eagle Hawk generally builds its nest in the top of the highest tree. I have
always found the ' tables ' in veiT low trees — such as the gidgea.
— E.S.S."

To conclude our nesting observations on the Wedge-tailed Eagle
I may mention that collectors not unfrequently find underneath and
adjoining these large nests a nest of the Yellow-rumped Tit (Genhnsileiix
rliryssnrhna ), or of the Spotted-sided Finch (Stnrifniopleurn guftnta), or
perchance, if in the interior, that of the White-face (Xernjphila).
Extremes meet, and the great stick-built aerie of the Eagle seems to be
an especial refuge in certain cases for the homes of the before-mentioned
tiny birds. It would be merely speculation on my part to state why the
little creatures choose such places when more favourable situations are
apparently available.

Illustrations are given of an Eagle's nest and an Eagle's look-out, both
photographed in the Wenibce Oorge, near Bacchus Marsh, Victoria.

AN ICAGLK'S Li H ]K-c)l T— WlUx Kl HEIC CiOKl.K.
From a Photo by the A uthoy

iV/iSTS AXD EGGS OF AUSTHALIAN HIKDS 15

11.— NisAETUS MonpHNOinEs, Gould. — (2)
LITTLE EAGLE

Fif-urc — Gtnkl ; Hirtls ot .Viislralia, fol., vol. i., pi 2

7iV/i(i«a-.— Cat. Birds Brit. Mus , vol. i., p 254

Prtvioiis Descripliuns of Eggs.-Oon\A . Birds of .^iistr.-xli.i (i8.).S), also
Handbook, vol. i , p. 12 (1865); Ramsay: Free Linn. Soc,
N.S. Wales, vol. vii., p. 413 (1882) ; North ; Aiistn. Mus. Cat
pi. 2, fig. I (1889); Campbell; Proc. Ausln. Assoc, vol. vi.,
p. 427 (1895).

(t'ldj/rdjiliirti/ Disiri/iiii 1(1/1. — Aii-itraiia in gt^ncrai, and New Guinea.

Nfst. — When constnicted by llic birds liieniselvcs it is somewliat large,
and is composed of sticks and twigs, lined inside with green leaves, and
situated in a large tree. Dimensions over all 30 inches bj' 19 inches iu
depth; egg cavitj', 8 inches across by ?> inciies deep. Sometimes th(> Eagle
takes possession of a deserted Raven's (or other large) nest.

E;/(/.<<. — Clutch, one to two, more frequently one; round oval in sliape ;
shell, somewhat coarse or porous; surface lustreless; colour, dull hluish-
white, sparingly marked with blotches and dashes of light reddish-brown.
In some e.xamjjles the markings are absent oi- nearly so. Eggs from the
same nest frequently vary, one being marked, the other not. Dimensions
in inches of a proper pair: (1) 2-33 x 1-76, (2) 2-29 x 1-82; of odd
examples: (1) 2-21 x 1-77, (2) 2-16 x 1-77. (Plate 2.)

Ohservdtiniis. — The Little Eagle is more an interior bird, and not so
often seen as the Wedge-tailed Eagle. Its total length is between
21 inches and 22 inches, with an expanse between the wing tips of about
50 inches. In general terms, the bird may be described thus : Upper
surface brown, under surface rich rufous, rendered beautiful by a dark
stripe down each feather ; cere, bill, and feet somewhat lead-coloured ;
and eyes reddish-hazel.

Gould discovered this fine species in 1839, at Yarrundi, on the Hunter
River, New South Wales. He was led to the discovery by finding a nest
of the bird, containing a single egg, which was far incubated. He regretted
that, although he visited the place after killing the bird, all attempts to
procure its mate were (fortunately for the mate) entirely unsuccessful.
Tlie nest, Gould states, was of a large size, and was placed close to the
bole, about one-fourth of the height from the top of one of the highest
gum trees. The second specimen of the egg of this species received by
Gould was presented to him by the late Mr, S. White, of Adelaide, who
obtained it in the inteiior of South Australia. The eggs of the .same
species, subsequently described by Dr. Ramsay, were from Mr. Bennett's
collection ; while the examples of these rare eggs in mv ow^^ collection
were taken by the Messrs. Barnard, of Coomooboolaroo, Queensland, where
it has been ob.served that the principal breedinc; months for the Little
Eagle are from Aug^ist to October.

1 6 NESTS AND EGGS OF AUSTRALIAN BIRDS.

12. — BuTASTUR TEESA, Frank!.

WHITE-EYED BUZZARD EAGLE.

Refennce. — Cat. Birds Brit. Mus., vol. i. p. 295.

Previous Description of Eggs. — Hume : Nests and Eggs Indian Birds,
vol. iii. p. 158 (1890).

Genc/raphieal Di.ifrihuiinn. — New South Wales (ax-cidental), also plains
of India, extending eastwai-ds to Assam, and westwards to Scinde.

Nest. — A loose structure of twigs and sticks, very much like a Crow's,
and without lining (Hume).

E(/(js. — Clutch, three usuall}', four rarely ; shape varies from ovate-
pyriform to blunt ovate-pyriform ; colour, pure greyish or plimibeous
white. Dimensions in inches van,' from 1-8 to 1'93 x 1-5 (Hume).

Ohxervationx. — The occurrence of this Asiatic Hawk in Australia is a
matter of interest. Respecting it Mr. A, J. North, in the " Records of
the Australian Museum," vol. iii., p. 87 (1898), writes: — "Some time ago
Mr. Richard Grant, of Lithgow, present.ed a skin of Bvtnstur teeno to the
Trustees, accompanied by the following note : — ' With regard to this
Hawk, I shot it in a ring-barked tree near the Bowenfels Road, Lithgow.
I do not know the exact date, but as near as I can remember it was in
November, 1889. I skinned it, also some Brown Hawks that I shot the
same day, and partly filled the skins out and put them away. I took nO'
further notice of them luitil my brother returned home and drew my
attention to this bird's plumage.' Lithgow is situated in a valley of the
Blue Mountains, 3,007 feet above the level of the sea, and ninety-six
miles west of Sydney. B. feenn, the Wliite-eyed Buzzard Eagle, is very
abundant in some parts of India, which is the habitat of this species,
but I can find no record of its ha\'ing been obtained on any of the Islands
lying between India, and Australia. B. livrnfer, which occurs in Java
and Timor, or B. hulinif:, inhabiting Borneo, Sumatra, and the
Pliilippines, I should not have been so much surprised at obtaining on the
Australian Continent."

13. — Haliaetus leucogastee, Gmelin. — (3)
WHITE-BELLIED SEA EAGLE.

Figtire. — Gould : Birds of Australia, fol , vol i , pi 3.

Reference. — Cat. Birds Brit. Mus., vol. i,. p. 307.

Previous Descriptions of Eggs.— GovM : Birds of Australia (184R), also
Handbook, vol. i., p. 15 (1S65) ; Hume: Nests and Eggs Indian
Birds (1875), also vol. iii., p. 161 (1890) ; Legge : Birds of Ceylon,
p, 71 {1880), also Proc. Roy. Soc. Tasmania, p. I2g (1S88) ;
North: Austn. Mus. Cat., p. 7, pi. i, fig. 2 (1889): Campbell:
Proc. Austn. Assoc ,vol. vi., p. 427 (1895).

Geographical Dixfrihutinn. — Australia and Tasmania; also New
Guinea, Malay Arcliipelago, Western Polynesia, India, and Ceylon.

NESTS AXD TiCGS OF AUSTKAU.XX Hlh'OS. j-

.)>^/. — A veiy large flat strurtiire of sticks and otiur ili-lirix. and

situated on au isolated rock or cliff, but sometimes placed in a large tree- —

Eurnhiiitufi, ISank-iia, (fee. — adjacent to the coast, or inland. Dimensions
about 6 feet across.

^'.'/.'/•"■'- — Clutch, two usually, three rarely; oval in shape; tcxtmc of
shell coarse, and more granulated than those belonging to the Wedge-
tailed Eagle ( Urixii-tiix oii(hir); sui^facc has slight trace of gloss; colour,
usually a dull white, but sometimes stained with brownish markiugs,
probably received in the nest during incubation. When held up to the
light, the interior of the shell, if empty, appears a dark or blackish-green.
Dimensions in inches of two clutches from islands in Bass Strait :

A [\) 2-84 X 2-05, (2) 2-79 x 21 (taken near Swan Island, 1884);

B (1) 2-87 X 2-18, (2) 2-79 x 2-16 (taken Kent Group, 16-9-92).

Observation.t. — Next in size to the Wedge-tailed Eagle comes the Sea
Eagle, a large and handsome creature in silveiy-gi-ey and white plumage.
It is the coat only that is giey. while the head, neck, and all the imder
parts are pure white, cere and bill greenish lead-colour, legs yellowish-
white, and browTi eyes. Youthful birds have a mottled appearance and
do not don the pure white jilumage until the third season. Total length,
28 to 32 inches; \ving, 22 inches; tail, 10 inches. The White-belhed Sea
Eagle is really a noble creatm-e. Although found in secluded and retired
parts round about the coast of Australia and Tasmania, this splendid bird
is fast disappearing from its once favoiu-ed haunts. Tliis is much to be
regretted, if only for its interesting and ornamental appearance. Why,
then, do persons so ruthlessly destroy it i Beyond taking a fat duck now
and again from tlie property of dwellers on the coast, or " sneaking a
bird that falls wounded by a sportsman's gun, the Sea Eagle is perfectly
harmless.

With regard to the nidification of the AVhite-bellied Sea Eagle, Gould
states: — "I could not fail to remark how readily the birds accommodate
themselves to the different cii-cumstances in which the}- are placed; foi,
while ou the mountains they invariably construct their large, flat nest
on a fork of the most lofty trees, on the islands, where not a tree is to be
found, it is placed on the surface of a large stone, the material of which
it is formed being twigs and branches of barilla, a low shrub which is
there ])leutiful. While traversing the woods in Recherche Bay (Tasmania)
I observed a nest of this species near the top of a noble stiingybark-tree
(Eucalyptus), the bole of which measured forty-one feet round, and was
certainly upwards of two himdred feet high. This had probably been the
site of a nest for many years. "

In the davs of Cook and Flinders an opinion was expressed that the
enormous nests obsei-\'ed by these illustrious navigators had been con-
structed bv some species of Dindrnia. Gould had no doubt that they
were the nests of the Sea Eagle. Some may have been the Osprey's,
which usuallv rears its huge stick-built aerie on some headland or islet.

According to Flinders' account, two nests of extraordinary magnitude
were found near Point Possession. They were built upon the gi-ound,
2

1 8 NESTS AND LGGS OF AUSTRALIAN BIRDS.

from wliicli they rose about two feet, and were of vast ciicumfereuce aud
great interior capacity, the branches of trees and other matter comprising
each nest being enough to fill a small cart. Captain Cook also found one
of these enoi-mous nests on an island on the east coast, which he called
Eagle Island.

For many years there existed an aerie of the Sea Eagle on Cape
Wollomai, Pliilhp Island, Victoria. It was visited by a party of field
naturalists in November, 1886, when it was found to contain a pair of
fully-fledged Eaglets. The following year the Field Naturalists' expedition
to King Island, Bass Strait, observed several nests of the Sea Eagle on
dead bhie gum-trees (Eucahjpiiix yinlmliis) on that island.

Near Coomooboolaroo, Queensland, the Wliite-bellied Sea Eagle lays
in June ; while Mr. K. Broadbent found on the Cardwell beach, also in
June, a nest containing young, built in a tea-tree (Melaleuca ). From the
other side of the Continent Mr. Tom Carter writes me : — " Wliite-belhed
Sea Eagles plentiful. Had my eye on two nests which the bii-ds were
repairing in May, but they either left the nests in consequence of sheep
feecUng around, or the natives got the eggs." Another season, on the
5th October, Mr. Carter observed two nests on the Lower Murchison
containing incubated eggs. On one occasion, Mr. Carter saw a Sea Eagle
carrying something long and trailing, which the bird dropped. It proved
to be a sea-snake, over five feet long, as tliick as one's wrist, and was
still alive.

I am indebted to Mr. Robert Walpole, Woodside, Gippsland, for the
fine pair of Sea Eagles' eggs that now grace my cabinet. He took them
on the 19th August, 1895, on St. Margaret's Island, Shallow Inlet. The
nest was built at the height of about tliirty feet from the ground in a
white gum-tree. Ml'. Walpole enclosed with the eggs portions of the
lining of the gTeat nest, wliich were branchlets of banksias and eucalypts,
evidently plucked when gi-een by the bird.

Mr. S. W. Jackson and his brother Frank robbed a Sea Eagle's nest
in the Lower Clarence River district, 14th August, 1898, which contained
the unusual complement of thi-ee eggs, two almost invariably being the
clutch. The nest was at the height of about one hundred feet in a tall
eucalypt, and was reached by the aid of an ingeniously made " rope "
ladder. (See illustration.) The nest measm-ed 6 feet 7 inches across
by a height of 4 feet 10 inches.

Although essentially a coastal bird, the Sea Eagle has been known
to breed far inland in localities favoiu'able to the bird's habit.
Mr. Hany Barnard has taken the eggs one hundred and fifty iniles from
the sea-board. There are other instances of nests seen inland,

notably on the Lower Edward River, and at Lake Moira, Riverina, New
South Wales, and in the Mallee, Victoria. McKinlaj-, the explorer, in
1862, noted the birds inland on the Upper Burdekin, North Queensland.

On Rat Island, Abrolhos Group, West Australia, I observed what
I beheve was a recently deserted aerie of the Sea Eagle. Scattered round
about were spiny tails of lizards (Egernia) dried wings of Sooty Terns,
and Allied Petrels, thus showing what the old birds wore in the habit
of feeding their young upon.

NEST OK THE UH1TI':.BI;LLIED SEA EAGLE.
l-rom a Photo by S. W. 'acksoii.

tVESI'S AXD EGGS OF AUSTRALIAN BIKVS.

19

Tlio breeding months of the Sea Eagle may be said to extend from
May to November, the prineipal laying times being June and July in
New South Wales, Queensland, and other northern parts, and August
and September on the southern coast, including Tasmania.

14. — Haliastur INDUS (siib-species) girrenera, Vieillot. — (4)

WHITE-HEADED SEA EAGLE.

Figure— GovAd : Birds of .\ustralia. fol.. vol, i , pi. 4.

Reference — Cat. Birds Biit. Mus., vol. i , p 315.

Previous Descriptions of Eggs.— Go\i\A: Birds of ,\ustralia (1848), also
Handbook, vol. i.. p. 18 (1865); Ramsay: Ibis, vol. i . p 83
(1865); Ramsay: P.Z S , p. 578 (1875); Campbell: Proc.
Austn. Assoc, vol. vi. p. 429 {1895).

Geographical Distrihufion. — North-west AustraUa, Northern Territory,
Queensland, and New South Wales; also New Guinea, Amboina,
Batchian, Morotay Islands, Celebes, and Louisiade Archipelago.

Nest. — About 24 inches in diameter, constructed of sticks and twigs,
lined with finer material or coarse grass, &c., and usually situated in a
large tree in a retired locality near the coast.

.E"*;;/.?.— Clutch, two ; roimdish or sometimes inclined to oval in shape ;
surface somewhat coarse and lustreless ; coloiu", dirty or bluish-white,
marked somewhat sparingly wth hair-like streaks and minute dots of reddish-
brown, the markings being more numerous sometimes at the larger end,
other times at the smaller. Dimensions in inches of a clutch : (1) 2-16 x 1-58,
(2) 2-03 X 1-52. A specimen in Mr. G. A. Keartland's collection taken
near Rockhampton has many Ught-chestnut markings about the smaller
end, and measures 2-17 x 1-6S inches. Occasionally eggs are destitute of
mai'ldngs. [ Plate 2. )

Observations. — This handsome Fishing Eagle in snow-white and rich
chestnut pliunage is tolerably common along the coastal regions of tropical
Australia, and as a sub-species of H. indus was happily designated
girrenera by Vieillot, girrenera being an Australian aboriginal name for
the bird.

" This species," says Gilbert, in his notes to Gould, from the Port
Darwin district, " breeds from the beginning of July to the end of
August. I succeeded in finding two nests, each of which contained
two eggs ; but I am told that three are sometimes found. The nest is
formed of sticks, with fine twigs or coarse grass as a lining; it is about
two feet in diameter, and built in a strong fork of the dead part of Oi
tree. Both of those I found were about tliirty feet from the gi-ound,
and about two hundred yards from the beach."

Writing to the Ihi/: and giving interesting facts of the nidification
of this species from Mr. Rainbird, Dr. Ramsay says: — "The nest of

20 NESTS A. YD EGGS OF AVSTRALIAy BIRDS.

the Red-backed Fish Eagle is by no means so bulky a structure as that
of its allies, nor is it so large as one would expect from a member of
the family to wliich it belongs. In almost eveiy instance the examples
foiuid by Mr. Rainbird were placed near the tops of the larger trees
in belts of mangroves skirting the edges of salt-water swamps and
marshes in the neighbourhood of Poit Denison, Queensland. They were
composed of twigs and dead branches of mangroves lined with finer
material. One, from which that gentleman shot the bird and brought
me the egg upon wlrich she was sitting, was lined with tufts of lichen,
and in tliis instance the egg was placed on various fish-bones, shells,
and claws of crabs, &c. The edges and sides were beautifully oma^
mented with long streamers of bleached sea weed, which gave the nest
a novel and pleasing appearance."

A fight to the finish. One day, near Point Cloates, West Austi'alia,
Mr. Tom Carter picked up a White-headed Sea Eagle and a Brown Hawk,
side by side, dead.

15. — Haliastur sphenurus, Vieillot. — (5)
WHISTLING EAGLE.

Figure .—Gom\A : Birds of Australia, fol,, vol. i., pi. 5.

Reference. — Cat. Birds Brit. Mus., vol. i., p. 316.

Previous Descriflions of Eggs.— Gon\d: Birds of Australia (1848), also

Handbook, vol. i., p. 21 (1865); Ramsay: Proc. Linn. Soc.

N.S.|WaIes, 2nd ser., vol. i., p. 1141 (1886) ; North: Austn Mus.

Cat., p. 9, pi. 4, figs. I, 2 (1889); Campbell: Proc. Austn.

Assoc, vol. vi., p. 430 (1895).

Geographical Dixtrihutioii. — AustraUa ; also New Guinea, New Cale-
donia, and Lord Howe Island.

Nestt. — Constructed of sticks, fibrous roots, &c., moderately lined with
eucalypt leaves ; is more frequently built on the topmost forked branches
of a lofty tree, but sometimes is placed amongst herbage upon the ground
after the manner of the Harrier or Swamp Hawk (Circus gouldi).
Dimensions over all about 28 inches ; egg cavity. 3i inches deep.

Eggs. — Clutch, two, rarely three ; roiuid oval in shape ; surface some-
what coarse and lustreless ; coloiu-, bluish-white, fairly marked all over with
blotches, spots, and other irregular-shaped markings of dark reddish-brown.
In some instances the markings are more dappled or cloud-like in appearance,
and of a lighter shade of brown intemiingled with others of purplish-red.
Differences in character of colouration may occiu' in the same nest.
Dimensions in inches of a clutch taken at Coomooboolaroo, Queensland,
16th October, 1885: (1) 2-08 x 1-67, (2) 2-07 x 1-63.

Ohserrafiitns. — This splendid Hawk is a common species in nearly
every part of Austraha ; and, as its more handsome fishing cousin,
H. girrenera, loves the coastal region, so the Whisthug Eagle prefers the
more inland dominions. Briefly stated, the description of the Whistling
Eagle is — back and wings brown, each feather beautifully pencilled on the

WHISTLING EAGLES NEST.
From a Photo by S. H'. Jackson.

N/^SiS AXO LuGS OF AU ST KALI AX BIKDS. 2 1

margin with greyish-wLite ; lit ad, neck, and under surface, liglil sandy
colour, each feather also margined, but with a darker colour; cere, bill,
and legs, brownish or bluish-wliit*, and ej'es hazel. Total length, 22 to 25
inches; wing, 16A inches; tail, 10^ inches. I know no bird of prey so
elegant in contoiu' as the Wliistling Eagle ; and its lengthened flat-crowned
head is typical of Eagles generally.

Gould, who first described the eggs, once found a nest of this species
in the side of which had been consti-ucted that of the beautiful Spotted-
sided Finch ( Staganophura giMuta). Both birds were sitting on their
respective eggs close to each other ; " and both," adds Gould, " would
doubtless liave reared their progenies had I not robbed the nests of their
contents to enrich my collection."

I was present at the taking of the eggs of the Whistling Eagle in my
collection ; Mr. Harry Barnard, of Coomooboolaroo. being the cUmbing
performer. The tree was by the lagoon near the homestead, and the nest
by actual tape measurement was eighty-five feet from the ground. For
about half the distance, steps had to be chopped in the smooth baixel
with a tomahawk, in order to reach the first forked limb. While

Mr. Hany was climbing, the bird scuttled off her nest, and flew directly
awav. Eggs were previously taken fi-om the same nest, and again
subsequent to my visit, which was 16th October, 1885; therefore it
is proved that the Whistling Eagle, like many of the other Hawks,
reoccupies its old home. That the Whistling Eagle is sometimes an
autiunn breeder (according to the season) has also been proved, for the
Messrs. Barnard, during the beginning of April. 1883, took a pair of that
bird's eggs from a nest ; again in March. 1896.

Mr. George H. Morton, an astute field observer, took a pair of
Whisthng Eagle's eggs from a nest in long grass on his fann near the
river MiuTay.

Mr. S. W. Jackson mentions the following curious note: — "I found
a nest one season of a Black-shouldered Kite, and after the Kite had
finished building it, the Whistling Eagles hunted it and took possession
of the nest and laid in it. I took a clutch of Whistler's from the nest,
and nearly the whole of the Eagle, with her tail projecting far over the edge
of the nest, could be seen as she sat on the .small Kite's nest. It

afterwards transpired that the Kite had occupied the Eagle's nest. Fair
exchange no robbei-y."

The following are the dates on which Mr. Jackson has taken, in the
neighboiu'hood of South Grafton, eggs of the ^^^listling Eagle, and are
worth recording to show that this bird breeds at any time of the season :

January ist. 1893. Febru.iry 4th. 1S94

March iqth. i8gj(. .-\pril loth. 1897.

May 2.1th, iSgS. June 20th, 1896.

July loth, i8g8. August 21st, i8g8.

September 25th. 1S98. October 2nd, i8g8.

November gth, 1896. December i6th, i8g6.

Mr. Jackson, with the aid of his brother Frank, an expert in cUmbing,
and other friends, not forgetting the rope ladder, tomahawk. &c., has,
in all, taken about thirty clutches of Whistling Eagles' eggs within five
seasons, mostly built in giant trees (see illustration). The full clutch in
every case was two eggs, except in one instance, when it was three.

22 NESTS AA'D EGGS 01- AUSTRALIAN BIRDS.

16. — MiLvus AFFiNis, Gould, (21)

KITE.

Figure. — Gould : Birds of Australia, (ol , vol. i., pi. 21.

Reference. — Cat. Birds Brit. Mus., vol. i. p. 323.

Previous Descriptions of Eggs. — Ramsay : Proc. Linn. See, N.S. Wales,
vol. vii., p. 413 (1SS2) ; North : Austn, Mus. Cat. app. pi. 4,
figs. 5, 6 (iSSg) ; Hume : \est.s and Eggs Indian Birds, vol. iii,,
p. 176 (i8go) ; Campbell: Proc. Austn. Assoc, vol. vi., p. 431
(1895).

Geuyraphical Distribution. — Australia; also New Guinea and Malayan
Ai'cliipelago, ranging as fai- north as India and China.

Nest. — A somewhat rough structure composed of sticks, hned inside
with pieces of sheepskin with wool attached or other substitutes, and
situated in a tree or on a bush. Sometimes a deserted nest of another
bird of prey is used.

Eggs.— Chxich., three to four ; round oval in shape ; surface somewhat
coarse but lustreless, or almost so ; colour, dtill white, sparingly marked
with spots and blotches of reddish-brown ; inside Iming of the shell
greenish. Dimensions in inches of a clutch: (1) 2-09 x 1-58,
(2) 2-07 X 1-57, (3) 1-98 x 1-54, (4) 1-94 x 1-57. (Plate 2.)

Obxervations. — I considered the eggs Dr. Ramsay first described as
altogether too small for so large a bird ; while the eggs I described,
I have reason to beheve now, were not laid by an Alhed Kite at all.

The set above described are from the Adelaide Museum, and was
collected by Mr. A. Zietz, the Assistant Director, November, 1894,
duiing the expedition for fossil bones to Callabonna Creek, towards Central
Australia. Mr. Zietz kindly forwarded the following note with the
specimens: — " Very often both species of Kites — M. affiiiis and L. isura —
built their nests in the same tree, about thirty to forty feet from the
ground. The nests were built in the strong branches of a species of
eucalyptus called ' box-trees,' which grow abundantly in the beds of the
creeks. Tlie eggs of both species vary to a great extent in regard to size,
shape and markings, but the eggs of the L. isura I found always the
largest. In one nest of M. afjinis were six eggs and one 3'oung bird :
this nest we had robbed about six weeks previously."

The late Mr. K. H. Bennett, of Yandembah, New South Wales,
commimicated exceedingly interesting notes relating to the nidification of the
Allied Kite, which appear in the appencUx of the Australian Museum Cata-
logue. From one place 1 quote: — "The nest is a rough structure very
similar to that of Circus assiinilis (Jard. and Selby), composed outwardly
of sticks, and, in the four I have examined, hned with small pieces of
.sheepskins with the wool on, picked from carcasses of dead sheep scattered
over the plains. The nests are placed, as a rule, on the tops of pine-trees
(CaUitris) where the topmost branches divide, forming a three or more

NE.ST\ AA'D £c;GS Oh AUSTRALIAN BIRDS. 2\

pronged fork or division, whidi securely liolds the rough stniclurc in
position. In two instances this year (1889) the disused nests of
Hieracidea orientalis were taken possession of (from one of which in
October last I took the Hieracidea x eggs), the only additions being the
sheepskin lining. The niunber of eggs for a sitting never, so far as my
experience goes, exceeds two."

The earhest nest containing eggs foiuid by Mr. Bennett was on the
Sth October, the latest on the 20tli December; while we learn from
Mr. Price Fletcher that from Christmastide to the end of February is
the chief nesting time for this Kite in the far interior of Queensland.

Ajn-apd.i of Mr. Fletcher's story that he has known a Kite to swoop
do\vn and caiTj' off from a dish, chops that were being brought from the
kitchen to the house, Mr. G. A. Keartland cites another instance of the
fearlessness of tliis Kite, where a bird swooped down to seize a bone that
a little gill was enjoying wliile sitting on the doorstep of a friend
(Mrs. Clarke, Maryvale. Queensland). In its effort to secure the spoil
the bird of prey left marks on the cliild's face which she will cany all
her life.

Again, writing of these Hawks in the North-west, Mr. Keartlaml
says : — " These tropical scavengers were not seen until the Fitzroy River
was approaclied early in November, 1896, but on our arrival at the
telegi-aph station at the Crossing they were very numerous. All along
the road from Derby to the Margaret River, they mav be seen in hundreds.
Duiing the heat of the day, they seek shelter from the sun amongst the
branches of the various trees, but both morning and evening they are
either on the wing soaring overhead, or seeking food on the ground.
Nothing in the shape of carrion seems to come amiss to them. They are
very tame, and are useful in clearing away the offal when cattle are
slaughtered. They seldom attack poulti-y. and, consequentlv, are not
molested. Grasshoppers form the cliief portion of their food. Thev
build their loose stick nests in the Baobab-trees during March and
April."

17- — LoPH()KTiNi.\ isuRA, Gould. (22)

SQUARE-TAILED KITE.

Fif^iire— Gould : Birds of Australia, fol., vol. i., pi. 22

Reference. — Cat. Birds Brit. Mus., vol. i., 326.

Pieviims Descriptions ofEggs.— Gou\A: Birds of Australia (1848), also
Handbook, vol. i., p. 51 (1865); Ramsay; Proc. Linn. Soc,
N.S. Wales, vol. vii. p. 413 (1882) ; North : Aus. Mus. Cat.,
p. II, pi. 4, figs. 3, 4 (i88g) ; Campbell : Proc .\ustn. .\ssoc.
vol. vi.. p. 432 (1S95).

Geof/rnphicnl nisfrihutinn. — Australia in general.

-M

A'ESrS AND EGGS OF AVSTRALIAX BIRDS.

yext. — Construel«d of sticks and twigs, lined more or less with
oucalypt leaves and fibrous bark, and placed usually in the higher forked
branches of a lofty tree. Dimensions over all, 40 inches by 30 inches in
depth; egg cavity, 14 inches across by 3 inches deep.

E(jgs.~-C\vi\x\\. two to three ; roundish or round oval in shape ;
surface somewhat coarse and lustreless ; colour, soft, wann, or buffy
white. Examples in same clutch frequently vary much in character and
colour of the markings. One of a pair is richly marked around the upper
quarter with blotches and smudges, mostly confluent, of dark reddish-
bro\vn, the other being lightly clouded all over (except on either end, which
is more spotted) with rufous-brown ; inside lining of the shell
yellowish-gi'een. Dimensions in inches ; (1) 2'06 x 1'53, (2) 2'0 x 1-57.
(Plate 3.)

Obxerrafidin. — The two first recorded nests of the Square-tailed Kite
were discovered almost simultaneously in November, 1839 — one by Gould
himself on the Upper Hunter River, New South Wales ; and the other by
his able coadjutor, Gilbert, at the opposite side of the Continent, in
Western Australia. In Gould's nest was a pair of eggs, while Gilbert's
contained two young ones scarcely feathered. This nest was the usual
structure of sticks placed on a horizontal branch of a white gum-tree in
a dense forest.

Six-and-forty years after these illustrious naturalists, I find m.yself
wistfully gazing at a Hawk's nest, about seventy feet above me, in a
slanting forked branch of a giun-tree. Yes ; and the bird is sitting.
A stick thrown half-way up rustles amongst the branches, and away soars
a Kite, its square-fashioned tail leaving no doubt as to its identity.
Fortunately I am accompanied by Mr. Harry Barnard, and, in almost less
time than it takes to write these sentences, he has climbed the tree, and
descended with a pair of the most handsomely marked of Hawk s eggs.
They are now in my cabinet with date, " Coomooboolaroo, 10th October,
1885." I shall never forget that week, for we took no less than five
different species of Hawks' nests, each with a pair of beautiful fresh eggs.
Tliev were — WliistUng Eagle, Australian Goshawk, Little Falcon. Brown
Hawk, and Square-tailed Kite.

All these birds — indeed, the majority oi the Hawk tribe — will lay
again in the same nest if robbed, or use again the pre\ious season's nest,
or even exchange nests, as the following Coomooboolaroo note proves ; —
" Hawk's nest appropriated as follows : first by a Square-tailed Kite, then
by a Brown Haw^k, succeeded b}^ a Sparrow Hawk. '

On examining the lining of one of the Kite's nests, Mr. Chas. Barnard
found attached to one of the green branchlets a Honey Eater's (PtUatis
fu'i(M) nest, containing a half-grown young bird, dead of course. Had the
Hawk attacked the Honey Eater for food, or simply broken off the
branchlet for nest bviilding?

The last three months of the year are probably the principal breeding
time of the Square-tailed Kite. However, in July (1896), during the
early part of the Calvert Expedition, Mr. Keartland observed a nest of
tliis Kite containing a fully-fledged young one.

NESTS AXD EUGS OF AUSTRALIAN BIRDS. 25

18. — Gypoictinia melanosterna, Gould. — (20)
BLACK-BREASTED BUZZARD.

Figure. — Gould : Birds of Australia, iol., vol. i , pi 20.

Reference. —Cut.. Birds Brit. Mus., vol. i . p. 335.

Previous Descriptions of Eggs. — Bennett: Proc Linn See, N.S. Wales,
vol. vi., p. 146 (1881) ; Ramsay : I'roc. Linn. Soc, N.S. Wales,
vol. vii., p. 413 (1882); Campbell: Southern Science Record
(1883) ; also Proc. .-Vustn. Assoc, vol. vi., p. 434 1 1895) ; North :
Austn Mus Cat , p. 13, pi. 5, figs. 3, 4 (i8Sg)

Geographical Distriliutidii. — Interior provinces of Australia in general.

Nest. — Large, resembling a Wedge-tailed Eagle's (Uroaetu.'f audax)
aerie; roughly constiiieted of sticks, and generally situated in the thick
fork of a ti'ee.

Eygs. — Clutch, two ; round oval in shape ; surface somewhat coarse and
lustreless; colour-, dull white; (1) has a few indistinct large brownish
blotches about the centre of the egg, and is covered all over with dark
purplish hieroglyphics ; (2) is blotched all round the centre and about
the larger end with dark-brown, intermingled with a few indistinct
pui-plish blotches. Dimensions in inches: (1) 2-5 x 177, (2) 2-49 x 1-92.
An odd example has a buffy-white ground mottled all over, thickest on
the apex, where the markings are confluent, with rufous-brown, and
measiu'es 2-63 x 1-98 inches. (Plate 3.)

Ohiservation.^. — This exceedingly fine bird of prey is not a common
species, and appears to be confined to the plains of the interior, especially
those bordering rivers. In .size, the Black-breasted Buzzard comes next
to the Wedge-tailed Eagle and the Sea Eagle. Although noted in all the
States (Tasmania excepted), it is by no means a common species. Gould,
who named the bird, procured one during his jom-ney into the interior
of New South Wales. He observed that the Buzzard generally flies liigh,
scaling in large circles, much after the manner of the Wedge-tailed Eagle,
which it resembles in its general brown colour ; but its black breast and
the large square patch of white on each wing are verj' conspicuous when
viewed from beneath. The white patch, a field observer remarks, looks
as if a small window-pane had been let into each wing. The bird is
22 to 24 inches in length, wliich is decidediv short for its general size ;
wing 20 inches, and tail 8i inches.

Gould did not .succeed in procuring the eggs of the Black-breasted
Buzzard, leaving Mr. Bennett, Dr. Ramsay, and myself to make a rush
■' for places " long years afterwards. I think we finished in the order
named, with this disadvantage to myself — that the eggs I described did
not become mv property.

The only nest of the Buzzard I have observed was near Moulamein,
Riverina. It was slightly smaller than the Eagle's aerie, was situated
in the fork of a dead tree, at no great height above ground; but the

26 .VESTS AA'D EGGS OF AVSTRALIAX BIRDS.

tree, being barkless and " greasy," was difficult to climb ; therefore the
inside of the nest was not inspected. The Buzzard was observed in
the vicinity, but did not appear to be sitting. When we retired to a
distance. Ravens came and wrangled with each other at the side of the
nest, most probably over some flesh that the old Buzzard had left for
its yoimg. It was then the 18th September.

The chief breeding months of the Buzzard may include from August
to November.

" The natives, Mr. Drummond and his son, Mr. Johnson JJi-ummond,
tell me," says Gilbert, " that this bird is so bold that, upon discovering
an Enui sitting on her eggs, it will attack her with gi'eat ferocity until it
succeeds in diiving her from the nest, when, the eggs being the attraction,
it takes up a stone with its feet, and while hovering over the nest lets
it faU upon and crash them, and then descends and devoiu-s their
contents. ' Gould adds : " It is to be wished that persons favourably
situated wovdd ascertain if the stor}- of the birds breaking the eggs of the
Emu be correct, or if it be one of the numerous myths of the aborigines."
However, the aborigines are correct for once, and the fact has been circum-
stantially estabhshed by the late Mr. K. H. Bennett, who enjoyed singular
opportvmities for obser\ang the Buzzard in the interior country of New
South Wales. I quote at lengtli from Mr. Bennett, in the " Proceedings
of the Linneau Society of New South Wales " : —

" Its prey to a great extent consists of various reptiles — such as snakes,
frill-necked and sleepy lizards ; it also has the singidar habit of robbing
the nests of Emus and Bustards of their eggs. My first information on
this point I obtained from the blacks,* and for some time 1 was inclined
to disbelieve their assertion, though the same story was told by the blacks
from all parts of the district, as it was so contrar}' to my experience of
the Accipitres family. At length, however, I was compelled to alter my
opinion, for I subsequently foimd portions of Emu egg shells in the nest
of one of these Buzzards. The manner in which they efi'ect the abstraction
of the Emu eggs — as told me by the blacks — shows an amount of cunning
and sagacity that one would scarcely give the bird credit for. and is as
follows : — On observing a nest, the Buzzard searches for a stone, or what
is much more frequently found there, a hard lump of calcined earth. Armed
with this, the Buzzard returns, and, should the Emu be on the nest,
alights on the gromid some distance off, and approaches with outstretched
flapping wrings. The Emu, alaniied at this, to it, strange-looking object,
hastily abandons the nest and runs away. The Buzzard then takes quiet
possession, and with a stone breaks a hole in the side of each egg. into
which it inserts its claw and carries them oS at its leisure, for when the
eggs are broken the Emu abandons the nest. So much for the blacks'
story.

" This, however, is in a great measure corroborated by a friend of
mine who lives on the adjoining station, and who told me tliat in August
last (1881) he found the nest of an Emu containing five eggs, and all of
them had a broken hole in the side, and that the fracture liad been done

* Mr. Bennett has probably inadvertently overlooked the fact that a blacks' story
is likewise mentioned in Gould.

NESTS AXD EGGS 01- AVSTKALIAN BINDS. 2"

quite recently, ;iud in the uest also was one of these lumps of calcined
earth about the size of a man's fist.

" In a nest to which I recently ascended, I found amongst the remains
of various reptiles the shells of a couple of Bustard's eggs. In the nest
were a couple of young Buzzards latelj' hatched. '

With regard to the nidification of the Black-breasted Buzzard.
Mr. Bennett proceeds to state: — "It usually lays about the middle of
August, and the yoimg leave the nest about the beginning of December.
If undisturbed, the old birds resort year after year to the same nest,
but. should it be robbed, they abandon it for ever, and it is never occupied
by the same species again, although other species of Hawks, notably the
Brown Hawk, sometimes take possession. I have never known a Buzzard
to touch canion or feed upon anything it did not capture, and except at
the nest I have never seen them perch on a tree, but have often seen them
perch upon the gi-ound. The note, which is something between a whistle
and a scream, is oulv uttered when visitins; the nest."

19. — El.\nus axii.lahis, Latham. — (23)

BLACK-SHOULDERED KITE.

Figure. — Gould : Birds of Australia, fol., vol. i.. pi. 23.

Re/eieiue.— Cat. Birds Brit. Mus. vol. i., p. 328.

Previoui Descriptions of Eggs. — Ramsay; Proc. Linn. Soc, N.S. Wales,

vol. ii., p. 109 (1878]; North: Austn. Mus. Cat., p. 14. pi. 3,

hg. 6 (18S9).

Geographical Distribution. — Whole of Australia.

Nest. — Comparatively bulky, constructed of sticks and twigs, and
usually situated in the forked branches of a tall tree.

Eyys. — -Clutch, three to four; roundish in shape; texture of shell
somewhat coarse ; surface slightlv glossy ; colour, bluish-white, heavily
blotched or smeared all over with rich reddish-brown or chocolate ; inside
lining, light greenish tinge. Dimensions in inches of a proper clutch :
(1) 1-67 X 1-23, (2) 1-62 X 1-26, (3) 1-6 x 1-26. (Plate 3.)

Observations. — As Gould states, although this beautiful Kite ranges
over the Australian Continent, the bird is only thinly dispersed. The
last specimens I happened to observe in Victoria were a beautiful pair
which were hawking over the rich alluvial flats of Bacchus Marsh, 28th
March, 1889.

Dr. Ramsay states : '' During the last six years several pairs of these
Hawks have been known to breed on the Jindah Estate, on the Majry
River, in Queensland, but it was only in November last (1877) that a
pair gave my brother (Mr. John Ramsay) an opportunity of taking their
nest and eggs. The nest in question was placed among the topmost
forked branches of a Flirtdersia, and, as usual, composed of sticks and
twigs ; it was, however, a bulky structure, as is often the case with
Australian Hawks' nests. The eggs were three in number, but my
brother assures me that four is the correct number for a sitting."

28 NESTS AXD EGGS OF AUSTRALIAN BIRDS.

While under the Liverpool Rauge, Gould shot a young Black-shouldered
Kite which had not long left the nest. He therefore conjectured that
the bird bred within the State of New South Wales. The conjecture has
since proved correct, for Mr. North has described, from Dr. Cox's
collection, a very handsome set of eggs of this species, taken near the
Hawkesbury River.

Moreover, Mr. S. W. Jackson has kindly sent me some interesting notes
of an invasion of Black-shouldered Kites that occurred in his district,
South Grafton, 1897. He writes: — "Black-shouldered Kites ai-rived here
in great numbers in May, and it was qxiite a common occurrence to notice
a pair of birds on almost every farm field on the river.

" On the other hand, what appeared to be the Letter-winged species was
rarer, as I only noticed about seven or eight pairs to the many dozen pairs
of Black-shouldered Kites. However, both species have now (September
10th) become still less, and I fancy many of them have left the district.
Dm-ing my residence here, a period of six years, I never noticed these
Kites in such numbers, and I always looked upon them previously as bu'ds
of gi-eat rarity, as in former seasons I only noticed two or thi'ee pail's of
the Black-shouldered variety on the river, and it is fom' years since I saw
a Letter-winged Kite about the district ; therefore I have come to the
conclusion that the birds have been driven to the rivers, owing to the
drought prevailing in the interior portions of the State. They obtain all
their food from off the ground, and do not feed on grubs, &c., off the tops
of eucalyptus trees, as the Crested Hawk and others usually do."

Mr. Jackson has also thoughtfully forwarded me for examination
examples selected from three types of tliese beautiful Kites' eggs, which
he himself took : (a) is like those I have described, buffy-white, heavily
blotched and smeared all over with rich reddish-brown or chocolate ;
(h) is mottled all over the entire siu-face, obscuring the gi-ound-colom-,
like those of a Brown Hawk ; while (c) has a bluish- white ground-colour,
with heavy chocolate blotchings on the apex, and few markings elsewhere.
Dimensions in inches: (a) 1-67 x 1-23, (h) 1-62 x 1-26, (c) 1-6 x 1-26.

The Kites arrived again the following season, the chief breeding months
being June, Julv and August.

The illustration of the nest of the Black-shouldered Kite is from a
photograph by Mr. Jackson.

20. — El.vnus scriptus, Gould. — (24)
LETTER-WINGED KITE.

Figure — Gould: Birds of Australia, fol-, vol. i., pi. 24,

Reference.— Cat. Birds Brit. Mus., vol. i , p. 340.

Previous Descriftions of Eggs. — Gould: Birds of Australia, Handbook,

p. 55 (1S65) ; North : .Austn. Mus. Cat., p. 15 (1889) Campbell :

Proc. Austn. .\ssoc., vol. vi., p. 434 I1895).

Geographical Distrihution. — Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria,
South and West Australia.

NESTS A.VD EOGS 01- AiSTKALUW BIHDS.

2Q

Srxt. — Constnicted of sticks, lined with rubbish (chiefly pellets com-
posed of rats' fur ejected from the stoinacii of tlie birds), and situated
in a tree. According to Gould, in some localities tiie nests are placed as
near each other as possible, in companies.

Eytjs. — Clutcii, four ; round oval in shape ; surface of the shell some-
what fine, with least perceptible trace of gloss ; ground-colour, where visible,
buffv -white, heavily mottled and blotched all over with chestnut or dai'k
reddish-brown. Inside lining of the shell, yellowish green. Dimensions
in inches: (1) 1-79 x 1-33, (2) 1-74 x 1-32. Gould, on the authority of
the late Mr. S. Wliite, states the markings are easily removed by wetting.

Ohservatinnx. — The Letter-winged Kite does not enjoy such an extensive
range as the preceding species, being more limited to interior provinces.

Taking this species in conjunction with the preceding one, they are
indeed beautiful creatures, wliich soar with graceful movements, and are
too harmless and delicate in stiiicture to be associated with the ferocious
Hawk tribe. They feed almost exclusively on insects, but sometimes catch
mice and other '" small deer.' The most prominent markings in one
species ai'e its black shoulders, which naturally give rise to its name.
Black-shouldered Kite (Elanus ariUaru). The principal character by
which the other species is distinguished is a black marking on the under
surface of the wing, wliich, following the lino of the bones from the body
to the uinion, assiunes, when the wing is expanded, the form of the letter
"V, or if both wings are viewed from beneath at the same time, that of a
W divided in the centre by the body of the bii-d — hence the veiy appro-
priate name Letter-winged Kite I Elnnux scriptus). These truly elegant
creatures are both about 12 inches or thirteen inches in length ; with wing
11 inches, and tail 6 inches, the expanse of the wings from tip to tip
being about 3 feet. Some theorists on the colouration of birds' eggs say
Hawks usually lay sanguinary-marked eggs, because the birds by natiu'e
ai'e sanguinary minded — but one of the most bloodthirsty, the Radiated
Goshawk, for example, lays almost wliite eggs, while the simple-minded
insect catchers, the Black-shouldered and Letter-winged Kites, lay speci-
mens that have all the appearance of having been literally steeped in gore,
so red and heavy are their markings.

Sub-family — F.\lconiN/E : Falcons.

21. — Baza subcristata, Gould. — (25)
CRESTED HAWK.

Figure.— Gon\d; Birds of Australia, fol., vol. i., pi 25.

Reference. — Cat. Birds Brit. Mus., vol. i., p. 357.

Previous Descriptions of Eggs — Gou\d : Birds of .Vustralia, Handbook,
vol. i , p. 57 (1865); Ramsay: P.Z S., p. 392 (1S67) ; North:
Austn Mus. Cat., pi. 2, fig. 5 (1889) ; Campbell : Proc. Austn.
Assoc, vol. vi., p. 436 (1895).

Geographical Distribution. — Northeni Territory, Queensland, New
South 'Wales, and interior of South Australia (.').

30 A'ESTS AXD EGGS OF AVSTRAUAN BIRDS.

Next. — Somewhat flat, constructed of dead sticks, lined with a thick
layer of green leaves (Eucalypt) ; usually situated high (from sixty to
oue hundred feet) in a tall tree. Dimensions over all, 15 inches ; egg
cavity, Ij inches deep.

Eggs. — Clutch, three to four, rarely five ; roundish in shape, but
sometimes inchned to be pointed at one end ; siu-face of the shell comparar
tively fine ; in other examples, rough and granulated, with a slight trace
of lustre ; colom', usually imiform bluish-white, but in some instances very
meagrely blotched and spotted with light-brown. Dimensions in inches
of odd eggs: 1-7 x 1-42 (round example); 1-75 x 1-39 (pointed example);
of a pair: (1) 1-69 x 1-36, (2) 1-65 x 1-34.

Observations. — For the eggs of this fine and singular Hawk I am
indebted to the late George Barnard, of Coomooboolaroo, from whom
I received them in 1883. They talhed with the description of the single
egg furnished by Gould. However, Dr. Ramsay redescribed other eggs
of the Crested Hawk, in 1867, with the following information: — "I was
fortunate enough to procui'e three eggs of tliis species taken by
Mr. MacgilUvi-ay's blackfellow, ' Daddy.' Mr. Macgilh\Tay informs me
that, when ' Daddy ' was taking the eggs, the female dashed so close to
liim that he killed it with his tomahawk. The male bud belonging to the
nest had been shot the dav before. The nest was a comparativelj' small
stnicture of sticks, and placed upon a horizontal bough, at a considerable
distance from the ground. The eggs have the pecuUarity of being very
much rounded at the large end, are short upon the whole, and have the
thin end pointed abruptly."

I extract the following from notes Mr. S. W. Jackson, South Grafton,
has kindly furnished me on the Crested Hawk : — " I have found ten
nests of this species dui'ing the past four seasons. There were eggs in five
of them, and the remaining five contained three birds (young) each. The
Crested Hawk generally builds vei-y liigh, being at an altitude of ninety
to one himdred feet, but I have found some of the nests as low down as
fifty-five feet. I have never experienced any trouble robbing their nests,
as the birds are very quiet, and fly to a ti-ee a few himdi-ed yards away,
retiu'ning to nest after our climbing operations are finished, and
showing no signs of fight. The trees usually selected for their nests are,
viz.: — (1) spotted gum CEucalyptusj ; (2) apple tree ( Angophora);
(3) bloodwood (Eucalyptus). I never found nests in any other trees.
Tlie Crested Hawk seems to procure most of its food from the tops of
eucalyptus saphngs, which contain many ginibs. beetles, &c."

However, " exceptions prove the rule. " Tiiis Hawk has been seen
flying with a snake in its talons. Therefore, it occasionally procures its
food upon the ground, imless the reptile seen was a tree-snake.

Usual breeding months September to November.

NESTS A.VD EOGS OF AVSTKALIAN BIRDS. ji

22. — Falco melanogenys, Gould. — (8)
BLACK-CHEEKED FALCON.

Figuri ' GoukI : Birds of Australia, fol., vol. i.. pi. S.

Re/rrtiue. -Cat. Birds. Brit. Mus., vol. i , p. 385.

Previous Desctif-tious 0/ Eggs. — Gould: Birds of Australia (1848), also
Handbook, vol. i., p. 27 (1865) ; Xorth : Austn. Mus Cat , p. 16,
pi. 3, fig. 4 (1889): also Records Austn. Mus., vol. ii , p 13
(1892); Campbell: Proc. Austn. Assoc, vol. vi , p. 437(1895);
Le Souef : Ibis, p. 422 (1895).

Geographical Distribution. — Australia in general, and Tasmania; also
Moluccas and Java.

Nest. — Usually a crevice or ledge on an inaccessible cliff on the sea-
coast, sometimes on pci-pendicular rocks inland; a hollow spout of
a tree, or even a deserted stick nest of a larger bird is also appropriated.
Instances have been known of a covert of tussock-grass being chosen on
the plains.

Eggs. — Clutch, three ; round oval in shape ; te.xture of shell
somewhat fine ; surface slightly glossy ; ground-colour buff, which
is scarcely perceptible, being obscured by the freckles and other
small markings of pinkish-red, in some examples with iiifous-brown.
Upon these markings, again, sparingly distributed, are large markings
or blotches of dark-red or brown, which seem peculiar to the eggs
of this Falcon. Pinkish-red specimens may ajjpear in the same

set with a rufous-brown one. As in all Falcons' eggs, the inside lining
of the shell, when held up to transmitted light, is a buffy-colour.
Dimensions in inches of a proper chitch : (1) 2-05 x 1-59, (2) 2-03 x 1-56,
(3) 2-02 X 1-59. (Plate 4) This description is taken from a veiy beauti-
ful clutch presented to me by my young friend, llr. Charles French, junr.
Its history is mentioned further on.

Observations. — This fiue, bold, and dashing Falcon is a widel}' distri-
buted species frequenting, in pau's, wild rocky regions of the coast or cliffy
localities inland suitable to the bird's nature. It is really a splendid
creature, with head, cheeks, and back of neck dark-brown, almost black;
the back and wings are grey, beautifully mottled or dappled with blackish-
brown ; the underneath parts arc delicate fawn-coloui% crossed by iiTegular
bars of dark-brown ; while in common with all our iiustralian Falcons
it may be remembered that the cere and legs are nearly always yellowish ;
bill and feet of a somewhat bluish lead-colour, and keen dark-brown eyes.
The size of the Black-cheeked species is about 15 inches; wing, IH inches;
tail, 5| inches.

In wi-iting to nic in 1886, Mr. E. D. Atkinson mentions he foimd
in an almost inaccessible position three eggs of this Falcon, far incubated,
on the top of a cliff (not on the face) on an island off the north-west coast
of Tasmania. Tlie date was 8th of October.

In the Australian Museimi Catalogue, and quoting valuable corres-
pondents, Mr. North furnishes some extremely intere.sting notes regarding

^2 NESTS AND 7lGGS OF AUSTRALIAN BIRDS.

the nesting of the splendid Black-cheeked Falcon: — "On the 4th October.
1888," writes Dr. L. Holden, of Circular Head, Tasmania, "I found a
nesting-place of the Black-cheeked Falcon on the chffs that bound Sisters'
Beach on the south-east ; it was the same place that Mr. Atkinson obtained
his nest on the lOth September, 1887. The eggs were tlu'ec in number
and hard set, btit could be blown, and laid on the rock without any nest.
the ledge being about ten or twelve feet from the base of the chff, and
quite easily reached by a zigzag approach scarcely to be called a climb,
the projecting rocks forming an easy staii-way." Again, " I took a clutch
of Falcon's eggs last Satui"day, the 26th September, 1891, from the .same
spot to an inch which I robbed in 1888. It is not a bare rock where the
eggs were found ; there is a covering of gi'it and rlctrifiix."

Mr. North also states that the late Mr. K. H. Bennett found a nest
of this species at Moixnt ilanara, in the Wilcannia district. New South
Wales, on the 9th September, 1885, which contained three eggs. The
nest was about seventy feet from the ground, and vei-y difficult to obtain,
being placed upon the face of an almost perpendicular rock. Upon
visiting the same place the following year in the month of October,
Mr. Bennett found that the same pair of birds had repaired the old nest,
and that it contained a single fresh egg; but, when disturbed again by his
climbing to it, they abandoned it, and built a new nest a few yards higher
up out of reach, the rock on which it was placed completely overhanging
the site of the old nest.

Tliis Falcon appears very local in its habit. On Cape Wollomai,
Western Port, a pair of birds could always be foimd, but we could never
find the nesting-place, which was no doubt somewhere on the face of that
bold headland. During the visit of the Field Natiu-alists' Expedition to
Kent Group, Bass Strait, November, 1890, two voting Falcons in down were
observed on a precipitous rocky ledge, where were the remains of
Prions, &c., on the isolated North-east Isle. The old birds were furious,
and one even struck our leader (Mr. D. Le Souef) in the rear, as he was
crawling along the projecting shelves of rocks.

From Mr. Davis, who was attached to a railway survey camp in the
Wimmera distinct, Victoria. I gathered the following information: — He
found the eggs of the Black-cheeked Falcon in the hollow of a di-v tree
close to Lake Hindmarsh. When hatched, he sent the young birds to
Mr. Charles French, Government Entomologist. Mr. French thoughtfully
brought them imder my notice. Again, on the 18th August, 1889.
Mr. Da\as took fresh eggs of the Falcon, this time from a Wedge-tailed
Eagle's nest, which was situated in a red gum-tree near a swamp called
Brambrook, about twenty miles north from Lake Albacutya. WTien

climbing the tree, one of the birds attacked Mr. Davis, and would have
struck liim, had he not waved his hat in a frantic manner. But when the
nest was actually reached, it was a pretty sight to witness the male bii'd
perched on the opposite side of the great nest, and daringly, and I may
say nobly, with uplifted wings disputing the removal of the eggs, notwith-
standing by robbery the Falcon itself had annexed the Eagle's nest. These
eggs ultimately found their way into my collection, and are certainly
unique, if only for their interesting liiston,-.

The breeding months of this Falcon are from August to November.

NESTS AND EGGS 01-' AISTKALIAN BIRDS. 33

23.— Fai.co hytolkucus, Gould. — (7)
GREY FALCON.

Figure— Go\i\i : Birds of Australia, fol . vol i, pi 7.

Reference— CaX. Birds. Brit. Mus., vol. i . p 394.

Previous Descriptions o/E^'^'s.— Ramsay : Proc. Linn. Soc, N.S. Wales,
vol. vii., p. 414 (1882); North; Austn Mus. Cat., pi. 3, fig 3
(18S9) ; Campbell: Proc. Austn. Assoc, vol vi , p. 438 (1895)

Geoiiraiihical Disfrihutiun. — Australia in general.

Nest. — Constructed of sticks and twigs, and situated in a tall tree.
Probably a nest built by another large bird is used.

Eggn. — Clutch, three (and four probably); roundish in shape, more
compressed at one end ; texture of shell comparatively fine ; suiiace
slightly glossy ; colom-, apparently buiTy-white, almost entirely obscured bv
blotches and freckles of rufous or yellowish-brown, while the ends,
sometimes the larger, at other times the smaller, are marked wth
stale gore-like blotches. Most resemble those of the Brown Hawks.
Dimensions of two pairs from Central Australia: A (1) 2-02 x 1-57,
(2) 1-99 X 1-53; B (1) 2-0xlo5, (2) 1-98 x 1-53.

Ob.fervations. — The name Grey adequately describes this extremely
fine Falcon. Dr. Ramsay, who first described its eggs, states: —
" Tliis is a rare species, not plentiful in any part of Australia, but
occasionally obtained in the northern poi-tion of the interior of Queensland,
and Mr. Gould records it from Western Australia. I am indebted to
Mr. J. B. White for specimens of the eggs taken on the Upper Thomson
River, in Queensland."

Mr. G. A. Keartland has kindly permitted me to take my descriptions
from two pairs of eggs collected for him in Central Australia.

24. — F.vLCi) SUBNIGER. Gray. — (9)
BLACK FALCON.

Figure. — Gould : Birds of Australia, fol., vol. i.. pi 9

Reference. — Cat. Birds Brit. Mus., vol. i., p. 394

PtevioHS Descriptions of £^gs.— Bennett : Proc. Linn. Soc, N.S. Wales,
vol. X., p. 167 (1885); Ramsay: Proc. Linn. Soc, N S. Wales,
2nd ser., vol. i., p. 1142' (1886): North: Austn. Mus. Cat.
pi. 3, fig. I (1889).

Geographical Distribution. — Australia in general.

Nest. — Usually a stick-built home of another bird of prey or other
large bii'd, and situated in a tree, or, in the far interior, sometimes placed
on a bush.

Egg-'i. — Clutch, three to four ; rountlish oval in shape ; textiu'e of
shell comparatively fine ; surface without gloss ; coloiu-, light-buff or butty-
white, marbled and blotched all over with bright rufous-brown or
3

3-1

N/iSTS AXD EGGS OF AUSTRALIAN BIRDS.

rusty-brown, and a few dull markings of purplish-brown. Most resemble
those of the Black-cheeked Falcon, except that the markhigs are redder,
and the surface has no lustre. Dimensions of a pair of handsome eggs
in Mr. G. A. Keartland's collection, taken in Central AustraUa :
(1) 1-97 X 1-49, (2) 1-97 X 1-46; of a set according to Dr. Ramsay:

(1) 2-18 X 1-55, (2) 2-13 X 1-58, (3) 2-1 x 1-6.

Ohservations. — I have never been fortunate enough to see, in a state
of nature, this bold and audacious Falcon, which has been significantly
called by a bush naturalist " Death on the Wing." The Black Falcon
is a rare interior species.

Dr. Ramsay, in describing the eggs, states that he is enabled to do so
through the exertions and liberahty of the late Mr. K. H. Bennett;
at the same time Dr. Ramsay refers us to Mr. Bennetts own most
interesting and exhaustive account of the habits of this Falcon, the
reference to which is given above.

We infer from the authorities above quoted that the breeding season
usually includes September and October, and, in the far interior, December
to February.

25. — F.\LCo LUNULATuSj Latham. — (10)
LITTLE FALCON.

Figure. — Gould; Birds of Australia, fol., vol. i , pi lo.

Reference. — Cat. Birds Brit. Mus., vol. i,, p, 39S.

Previous Descriptions of Eggs. — Gould : Birds of Australia (1848), also
Handbook, vol. i,, p. 30 (1865); North: Austn. Mus. Cat., p. 19
(i88g); Campbell: Proc. .'^ustn. Assoc, vol. vi., p. 439 (1895).

Gtayrayhicn] Dixtrilnitiitn. — Whole of Australia and Tasmania; also
Flores.

Nei<t. — Large for the size of the bird, being usually an old stick-built
home of another Hawk, Crow, lic, which the Falcon lines again with
green branchlets of eucalypts.

J^i.lO"- — Clutch, two or three; round oval or oval in shape; textm^e of
shell fine, but lustreless ; ground-colour, buff or biifiy-white, wliich is
nearly obscured by the freckled and mottled markings of light reddish-
brown or rufous. Dimensions of a clutch in inches: (1) 17 x 1-24,

(2) 1-58 X 1-26. (Plate 4.)

Ohxervations. — The Little or the White-fronted Falcon is the smallest
and probably the most freqiiently seen of our Australian Falcons, being
found throughout the Continent, as well as Tasmania. It is a bold little
bird about 12 inches long, wearing a dark-grey coat, under surface
reddish-brown, except the throat and chin, which are incUned to white,
hence sometimes the name " Wliite-fronted." It loves such wild rocky
situations as the Werribee Gorge, Victoria, where it has been foiuid
bi'eeding by the Messrs. Brittlebank. My experiences with this fine
little fellow have been in Queensland. One afternoon, near the edge of

-O EGGS or AUSTKAUAN BIHDS.

35

an jnlertsiiiig forest, I noticed a Biouze-wing Pigeon and a Falcon in its
wake, both flviug at a tienieudous rate of speed; they seemed simply to
cut streaks in the air. Tliu Pigeon by rcacliing tlie timber (its only
chance) evaded its bold adversary.

Hei'e is an extraordinary scene witnessed by my friend,
Mr. C. C. Brittlebank : It is morn in the full flush of spring. A Heron
( Xotophoyx nui'(e-liol/fiii(/l(eJ rises from a swamp near, and is leisurely
winging its way, when behold like a streak in the distance is seen our bold
friend, the little Falcon, heading straight for the large bird. Presently the
bii"d of prey swoops down, and, for a wonder, undershoots its mark, caused
by a strategetie upward curve of the Heron, but the Hawk, equal to the
occasion, and with a rapid tiu'n, fairly throws itself at the large birds
wing, which breaks with a loud report. Then the poor bird commences
to form spiral circles earthward, the game little Hawk sticking to its
quairy the while. Besides my friend, others had been watching the
combat — to wit, ten or a dozen IMagpies ((I'l/iiinoHiiit/i /iiiconutii ), which
now came up on hum-ing wings. Then occurs upon the groiuul such a
scene — the wounded Heron hoarsely calling, all the Magpies scolding and
fiercely picking the screaming Hawk, which gets a rough time,
and seems much relieved at Mr. Brittlebank's near approach, causing
the much too pugnacious ^fagpies to scatter. The Hawk quickly
follows, but in the opjsosite chrection, and there is only left the stately
Heron with a fractured carjDal joint.

I possess other evidence of the bold and desperate character of the
Little Falcon. A fanner friend told me how on one occasion he beheld
a largo white rooster in the field beheaded by the little bird of prey ;
while Mr, William Bateman, a duck-shooter of twenty years' experience
in the Muiray River district, has witnessed the Hawk put on a tenific
spiu't to overtake flviug ducks, then, suddenly making a swoop from behind,
deal a dvick a blow, appai-ently with the edge of the wing, that fells it
dead. Twice Mr. Bateman has seen Coots decapitated, and relates how
he and liis brother prociu-ed a Bustard or Wild Turkey without spending
ammunition. The Tiukev was seen to rise well out of range, and was
flying awa}' when a Little Hawk was observed coming up at right angles
to the Turkey's flight, and, making an exceedingly swift cut. clean scalped
the gi'eat bird, ^^^len the sportsmen picked up the Turkey it was quite
dead.

A nest I saw was not less than fifty or si.\ty feet from the ground,
near the top of a straight tree, well-balanced with boughs, and
standing at the edge of a lagoon. With the generous exertions of
Mr. Hariy Barnard, I was enabled to place the contents of the nest —
a pail' of rare eggs — in my cabinet. Mr. Barnard tells me he has never
known the Little Falcon to make a nest of its own, always choosing
the deserted nest of some other Hawk and lining it again with green
leaves.

Gould succeeded in finding several nests of the Little Falcon both in
Tasmania and on the Continent; they were all placed near the tops of
the most lofty trees, and generally inaccessible. The nests were rather
large stiiictm-es, being full}' equal in size to that of a Crow, and shghtly

36 NESTS A.VD EGGS OP AUSTRALIAN BIRDS.

concave in form. In all probability they were Crows or Ravens' old nests.
In Tasmania Mr. A. E. Brent took the eggs of the Little Falcon
from the broken spout of a pepjDerniint tree (eucalvpt). There was
no nest save a few small sticks round about the eggs, which reposed
on the rotten substance in the hollow.

26. — HiERACiDEA BERiGoRA, Vigors and Horsfield. — (12)
H. occidentaJis, Gould.

STRIPED BROWN HAWK.

Figure. — Gould : Birds of Australia, fol., vol. i., pi. 12.

Reference. — Cat. Birds Brit. Mus., vol. i., p. 421.

Previous Descriptions of Eggs. — Gould : Birds of Australia (184S), Hand-
book, vol. i., p. 34 (1865); North: Austn, Mus. Cat., p. 21
(1889) ; Campbell : Proc. Austn. Soc, vol. vi., p. 441 (1895).

Geographical Distribution. — Queensland, New South Wales (? interior)
Victoria; South, West, and North-west Australia.

Ne.st. — Similar to that of the ordinary Brown Hawk, constructed of
sticks and twigs, Lined with leaves, &c., and situated in the fork of a tree,
in some cases placed on the crown of a grass-tree ( Xanthorrhcea). A
deserted Raven's nest is sometimes used.

Eqys. — Clutch, three to four usually, rare instances five ; roundish oval
in shape ; texture of shell somewhat fine ; surface lustreless. As in
those of H. orientalis, wluch they resemble, the gi'ound-colour is buffy-
white, freckled and mottled over almost the entire sui'face with ricn
reddish-brown, usually forming a patch about the larger end, in some
instances on the smaller end. In common with the eggs of the other
Brown Hawk, as well as those of the Falcons, the inside lining of the
shell is of a bully colour, when held up to transmitted light.

A handsome clutch taken at Quindahip, on the 18th October,
1889, during my trip to Western Australia, measures in inches :
(1) 2-12 X 1-75, (2) 2-11 X 1-59, (3) 2-05 x 1-58.

Observations. — We possess two species of Brown Hawks in Austraha —
one frequenting the eastern part of the Continent and the other the
western, but individuals often overfly their bounds or exchange localities;
therefore, it is not to be wondered that some of the early authors got
a bit mixed in their nomenclature. The names now stand Hieracidea
nrienfalis for the Brown Hawk, H. herigora for the Western Brown
Hawk. It is rather unfortunate that " berigora," wliich is the aboriginal
name for the bird in New South Wales, should have been applied per-
manently to the Western species. To be clear about this Western variety,
the bird may be recognised by its more rafous or iiisty plumage, which
is much Ughter on the imder sru-face ; besides, there is a narrow dark
stripe down the centre of each feather.

The Western or Striped Brown Hawk, although found in many parts
of Australia, is not so common as the ordinai^y Brown Hawk, and ranges
more over the vast western temtorv.

NESTS AXD EGGS Oh' AV ST KALIAN BIRDS.

37

Tho two clutches of eggs kindly presented to me while iu Western
Australia contained each a complement of three eggs, while one was taken
from a nest built on the crown of a gi-ass-tree. Another nest I mj-self
foimd was situated iu a beautiful-lcafcd eucalypt {E. cahiphi/lla),
locally known as the red giun-trce. Tlie bird was sitting, but the nest
was inaccessible except to such expert climbers as the Messrs. Barnard.

Near Point Cloates (Western Australia), Mr. Tom Carter, one Sep-
tember, took the unusual munber of iive eggs from a nest. He has
taken eggs of the Western Brown Hawk in the same district as early
as the middle of July.

Breeding months from July to November.

27. — HiEu.\ciDE.v ORiENT.\MS, Schlegel. — (11)
H. herigora, Gould.

BROWN HAWK.

Figure. — Gould : Birds of Australia, fol., vol. i., pi. ii.

Reference. — Cat. Birds Brit. Mus., vol. i., p. 422.

Previous Description of Eggs.— Gou\d: Birds of .Australia (1848), also
Handbook, vol i . p. 32 {1865) ; North; Austn. Mus. Cat, p. 20,
pi. 3, fig. 2 (1889); Campbell: Proc. Austn. Assoc, vol. vi.,
p. 440(1895).

Geographical Dintribiition. — Whole of Australia and Tasmania.

Nest. — Constructed of sticks and twigs, Uned with leaves, strips of
baa'k, <tc., and usually situated iu the forked brandies of a tall tree,
sometimes on bushes in the interior. Dimensions over all, 27 inches by
12 inches in depth; egg caA-ity, 8 inches across by 4 inches deep.
Frequently another Hawk's or Raven's old nest is iised.

Eggs. — Clutch, two to tliree, sometimes four ; generally round
oval in shape, more or less compressed towards one end ; texture
of shell somewhat fine, but lustreless. There is much variation

in the appearance of different sets, even examples in the same nests
differing. A common type has a buffy-white grotmd-colotu', speckled and
blotched with reddish-brown, the markings increasing in number towards
the larger end, where they form a dark confluent patch. Another pair
has the ground colour almost obscured by freckles and small markings of
dark red or purplish-brown, Avith a darker patch on the large end of one
specimen, and one on the smaller end of the other example. Again,
another type is freckled and mottled over the entire surface with light
reddish-brown. Dimensions in inches, namely: — Of a large pair taken
in Queensland (1) 2-2 x 1-56, (2) 2-18 x 1-55 ; of an average pair taken
in Victoria (1) 2-14 x 1-53, (2) 2-1 x 1-57 ; of a small pair- (selected)
(1) 2-06 X 1-18, (2) 1-97 x 1-45. (Plate 4.)

Observations. — There is probably no bird of prey so frequently seen
thi-oughout Australia and Tasmania as the common Brown Hawk. Its
name describes its plumage, which is brownish in colour, with perhaps

38

A'£STS A. YD EGGS 01- AUSTRALIAN BIRDS.

the throat and chest of a paler shade or buS. Bill aud legs are bliiish
or lead-colovu', and no specimens arc more common in collections than its
rusty-brown eggs.

The eggs in my cabinet are from two nests, of which I witnessed the
taking. One was found near Bagshot, Victoria, on the 4th October,
1880; the other in Queensland, 13th October, 1885. There was only
a pair of eggs in each instance, which, however, were perfectly fresh, and
may not have been the full complement. When one is on official leave
of absence it is not always convenient to wait the development of full
clutches, however desii'able in the interests of knowledge. Then there is
the old adage that " a bird (and I suppose an egg, for the gi-eater includes
the less) in the hand is worth two in the bush.'

Mr. H. C. Burldtt, formerly of Cooper's Ci'eek. kindly sent me a pair
of Brown Hawk's eggs from a set of four which he states he took from
a nest built on a needle iHuktu) bush.

The Brown Hawk, instead of building for itself, frequently uses
the old nest of such birds as a Kite or other Hawk, or Raven.
It is said that the Brown Hawk will at times lay in hollow trees in the
great North-western interior of Queensland.

On one occasion, when Mr. G-. E. Shepherd, Somerville, was climbing
to a Brown Hawk's nest, one of the birds appeared overhead having a
copper-headed snake, about two feet long, writhing in its talons.
Fortunatelv the Hawk did not drop the reptile on the cUmber, or he might
have di'opped too.

Breeding months include August to November, the principal being
September and October, and sometunes in Nortliern Queensland from
Christmas to the end of February.

Concerning this common Hawk, one of Mr. Keartland's interesting
North-west notes reads : — '' These birds were found in great numbers in
the eaiiy aud latter parts of oiu- joiuuey, but veiy few were seen in the
desert-. In August several nests containing 3'oung were found, and our
party were interested in watcliing the assiduity with wliich the old bii'ds
carried out their paternal duty. From before daybreak imtil long after
dark at night their cries might be heard as they flew over our camp,
carr\'ing lizards, &c., to theii' clamoimng broods. Neai- the Fitzroy River
they were fomid building their nests m IMarch. "

Young in down are rufous-coloured.

28- — Cerchneis CENCHROiDES, Vigors and Horsfield. — (13)
NANKEEN KESTREL.

Figure. — Gould: Birds of Australia, fol., vol. i, pi. 13.

Reference. ^Cs.i- Birds Brit. Mus,, vol. i., p. 431.

Previous Descriftioiis of Eggs. — Gould : Birds of Australia, Handbook,
vol. i., p. 36 (1865) ; North : Austn. Mus. Cat., p. 22, pi. 3, fig. 5
(1889) ; Campbell : Proc. Austn. Assoc, vol. vi., p. 442 (1895).

Geographical Distrihufinn. — Australia generally and Tasmania.

NESTS A.\D EGGS Oh AVSTRALIAN BIRDS. 39

yeat. — A crevice in a cliff, a hollow spout of a tree, or a deserted nest
of a Crow or Eaven. In the far North-west a hole in an ant-hillock has
been used.

A'.'/.'/-' — Clutch, four to tive usually ; roundish in shape, slightly com-
pressetl at one end ; textiu'e of shell fine, with a perceptible trace of lustre
or gloss on the siu-face ; gi-ound-colour. buffy-white, in some instances
freckled all over with reddish-brown, but more generally blotched as
well with rich reddish-brown, and fonning a patch upon one end of the
Qgg. usually the larger, but sometimes on the smaller. In other specimens
the markings are of a rich. dark, pinkish-red. Dimensions in inches of a
full clutch:' (1) l-5'2xM4. (2) lol x 118. (3) 15 v 118. (4) 1-49 xM9,
(5) 1-49 X 1-15. (Plate 5 )

Ohsrrvatiiinit. — This exceedingly gi-aceful bird. and. if we except the
Sparrow Hawk, the smallest of oui- Australian Hawks, is common
throughout Austraha and Tasmania. The Nankeen Kestrel cannot well
be mistaken, with its butfy-white under-parts. and wings cinnamon red,
with primaries and secondaries dark-brown. The grey tail terminates with
a black band, which, in turn, is tipped with white ; cere and legs are
yellowish-orange ; bill horn-coloiu-ed. tipped with black. Total length.
between 11 inches and 12 inches; wing, 9 J inches; tail. 6 J inches.
The Kestrel flies over forest or plain alike, but, if anything, is partial to
plains that are broken with belts of low timber. Whether we see the
bird circling on liigh on motionless wings or poised in mid-air over a
particular spot with wings rajiidly beating, as if the bird is watcliing
something on the earth below, its actions are the poetiy of grace and ease.
The Kestrel is almost insectivorous in its diet. If the elegant little bird
has another prominent virtue it is that it kills small snakes — which of
course, would grow into large ones — and mice. Who would kill such a
bird of usefulness?

I possess a lively recollection of the first Kestrel's nest I robbed.
It was one 9th November. The nesting-place was simply on the dust
within a crevice or crack in an overhanging red cliff of the Werribee River,
near its mouth. Some trouble and risk were incuiTed in climbing the
cUff's face. The eggs were apparently much incubated ; therefoi-e were
carefully packed in the " billy." to be operated on at home. On

the journey tliither from the Werribee station, the portion of the train
I entered was derailed, and I neaxly lost my precious specimen and my
life.

Gould once took fom- fully-flcdgcd young birds from a hollow tree
by the side of a lagoon in the inteiior of New South Wales. I have
witnessed Kestrels entering a hollow sjjout of a tree overhanging
the Werribee River, where I had no doubt the birds were breeding.
We have also Gilbert's note from Northern Australia, which he recorded
when attached to Dr. Leichhardt's Expedition : " October 2nd. Found
for the first time the egg of Tinnunculux rpnchroidea. four in number,
deposited in a hoUow spout of a gum-tree overhanging a creek. There was
no nest, the eggs being merely deposited on a bed of decayed wood."
On the 28th August. 1896, at the beginning of the ill-fated Calvert Expe-

40

NESTS A. YD EGGS OF AUSTRALIAN BIRDS.

dition, Mr. G. A. Keartland took foiu- Kestrel's eggs from the bollow
spout of a dead tree near the camp. Ciiriously enough the nesting-place
was lined with pellets of camel's dung.

Gould also observed nests which he supposed were constructed by the
Kestrel, but saved himself by sunnising that possibly they may have been
deserted domiciles of Ravens or Crow Shrikes. The great natvu'alist's
surmise ha« since proved con-ect.

My next adventvue with Kestrels was many years after the railway
" incident," with my namesake, Mr. Charles E. Campbell, among the belts
of " box " timber on the plains, near Pyramid Hill, Victoria. All our
finds were taken from Ravens' old nests, and usually the full complement
of five eggs. In some cases, many Ravens' nests containing their own eggs
were in the same tree with the Kestrels. The following are taken from
my notes : —

4th October, 1884. — Found Kestrel's {i.e., a Raven's) nest with
yoimg and one egg. Ravens' nests with young also in the
same tree.

6th October, 188^. — Took out of Raven's old nest 5 Kestrel's eggs.

7th „ „ ,, „ 4

9th „ „ „ „ 5

I possess a note from South Australia by Mr. James C. McDougaU,
stating that the Nankeen Kestrel there nests commonly in Ravens' nests,
laying four eggs ; wliile on the western side of the Continent Mr. Tom Carter
has recorded for me: — "September 22nd; five Kestrel's eggs on the
Miiiilga River." " November 8th and 15th : Eggs just hatching. Twenty-
five miles inland from Point Cloates." Also he noted the remarkable
discovei-y of a Kestrel's nest in one of the ant-hillocks, which are con-
spicuous featiu'es in the coimtry thereabouts and elsewhere northward.

Breeding months of the Kestrel may include from August to November
or to December.

Sub=order — Pandiones: Ospreys.

29. — Pandion haliaetus (sub-species) leucocephalus, Gould. — (6)
WHITE-HEADED OSPREY.

Figure. — Gould; Birds of Australia, fol., vol. i , pi. 6.

Reference. — Cat. Birds Brit. Mus., vol. i , p 451

Previous Descriptions of Eggs. — Gould: Birds of Australia {1848), also

Handbook, vol. i., p. 23 (1S65) ; Ramsay : P.Z.S., p. 578 (1875) ;

North : .\ustn. Mus. Cat., p. 23, pi 5, figs. 1-2 (1889) : Campbell :

Proc. Austn. Assoc , vol. vi.. p. 443 (1895).

Geographical Distribution. — AustraUan coast in general and Tas-
mania; also New Guinea and Moluccas.

Nest. — A stiiictiu'e of great size, about foiu- feet high by the same
dimension in breadth, built of sticks, with a shallow cavity lined with

.VESTS A.VD EGGS OF AUSTKALIAN BIKDS.

41

seaweed. Usual situation an inaccessible rock or island, but low timber
ncai- water is sometimes chosen.

AVi/*- — Clutch, three to foui-; shapely or roimdish oval in
form ; texture of shell, somewhat gi'aunlated, surface of soft appear-
ance and usually lustreless ; ground-colour, bully or yellowish-white.
In three examples of a splendid set taken from an aerie near the mouth
of the Margaret River (W.A.), the marlrings are mostly large and bold
blotches of rich, dark, purplish-brown, more numerous about the upper
half of the ogg, and foniiing a large confluent patch almost black on the
apex ; while the fourth egg is not so heavily blotched, the markings of
pinkish-brown, intermingled with dull piu^ile, being lighter and more
evenly chstributed over the sui-face ; inside lining of the shell, when held
up to the hght, dull yellowish-gieen. Dimensions in inches : (1) 2'48 x Vll ,
(2) 2-44 X 1-8, (3) 2-42 X 1-79, (4) 2-42 x 1-74. (Plate o.)

Observations. — The Osprey in maturity is somewhat like the Sea Eagle,
with brownish coat and wliite imderneath parts, but in the Osprey the
white head is mottled with a few dark feathers and the chest with brown,
cere lead-colour, bill black, feet bliush-white, and bright eyes of yellowish-
orange. It is a smaller bird than the Sea Eagle, as the dimensions show —
Length, 21 to 24 inches; wing, 19 inches; tail, 8i inches.

My only experiences with this expert Fishing Hawk were in Western
Austraha. With departing daylight we amve at Wallcliffe, the

homestead of Mr. A. J. Bussell, on the Margaret River. By

kind invitation we remain here a day, and I imjirove the occasion
by exploring for objects of interest, and am not disappointed. I
learn there is a Fish Hawk or Osprey 's nest a mile or so up the coast.
Ah! methinks, what a rare subject for the camera. Good-naturedly

Mr. Bussell promises to pilot Mr. Mansfield and myself to the aerie in
the morning, and at the time appointed away we go joyfully. We are
suddenly confronted by the broad stream, seventy or eighty yards across,
of the Margaret River. " How are we to cross, Bussell ? " I inquire.
"Wade, of coiu'se," was the reply. "May I ask is it deep?" "Only up
to yovur armpits," was the anything but reassiuing answer ; and now
occurred to me the reason of Mr. Bussells thrusting a lowel into his
coat pocket before le;iving the house. However, there was no help for it.
Bussell soon led the way with his undergannents gathered under one arm,
his boots in his teeth, aud his unmentionables held high in the air with
the other hand. When Jlansfieldj who is shorter in stature, i-eaclies the
centre of the stream, there is scarcely anything visible except his broad-
brimmed straw hat of sombrero proportions. Oh, if I only had my camera
on shore, instead of upon my head, with these cooling waters lapping
around my ribs, what a comical pictiu'e I might have taken of the pair,
I thought. We are soon di'essed, and tearing over scrubby saudliills,
reaching the ocejiu just in time to see the steamer " South Australian '
rolling by on a heavy swell. We roiuid a sharp corner, when Bussell
suddenly exclaims, " There s the Fish Hawk's nest ! " Sui-e enough it
was, and a very conspicuous object, built on a small isolated rock, with
the birds posing near. Bussell, who was fuller of actions than words,

42

NESTS A.VD EGGS OF AUSTRALIAN BIRDS.

commenced to " peel off '' again, and I quickly learnt there was to be
another Margaret River episode, as the blue waters rolled between the
rocky aerie and the land. But the thought of a successful photograph,
and perchance a clutch of rare eggs, are too much when laid in the
balance with temporary discouifitm-e, so I am soon semi-clad, following my
guide with uncertain gait over the shai-ply-pinnacled reefs. Fortunately,
the tide is low. Breathless we reach the aerie, which is only

tenanted by fledglings. The camera is quickly adjusted, the tripod
resting amongst brittle saltbush, where young gulls were hiding. While
Bussell examines the young Ospreys, the drop-shutter descends, and he is
immortalised. The illustration gives a capital idea of the nest, with the
mainland as a backgi'ound. The nest, with slightly hollowed top, is about
4 feet high, with a circumference of about 13 feet, constructed of sticks
and roots, and situated about twenty-five feet above high-water mark.
The old birds now circhiig on high, where their white heads are just
distinguishable from their duslcj' body against the azure sky. are uttering
piercing cries of solicitude for the safety of their helpless offspring below.
The exact date of the foregoing was the 5th November, 1889.
Mr. Bussell compensated for my disappointment at finding only yoiuig
by ijreseuting me with a full clutch of the unusual number of foiu- eggs
that he had removed from the Ospreys aerie the previous season.

On the 21st December I examined another Ospreys aerie containing
fully-fledged young on Direction Rock or Byers Island, off Rottnest
Island. The nest was at one end of the rock, while the other end was
occupied by scores of handsome Crested Terns (Sterna bergii), all
prosecuting their task of incubation, jierfectly fearless of their large rap-
torial friends. I thought this somewhat remarkable, for, dearly as the
Osprey loves fish, it is bj' no means adverse to fowl. Time did not pennit
of my visiting another aerie which was reported to me on Rottnest
Island, but we possess good Gilbert's record of measuring one there fifteen
feet in circvmiference.

While on the Blackwood River, near Cape Leeuwin, I learned from
the Misses Ellis that they robbed an Osprey 's (or, as they called it, a Fish
Hawk's) nest three times in one season. Each time three eggs formed
the clutch. Once the birds built theii- nest on snags in the river, then
removed to a tea-tree (Melaleuca) on the bank.

The following is a note referring to the Osprey, I made in December.
1889, at Houtman's Abrollios Islands, about fifty miles off Champion
Bay; — "More common than the White-bellied Sea Eagle. One day, as
the German barque ' Capella ' was riding at anchor in Good Friday Bay,
each of the mastheads was occupied by one of the noble birds. In addition
to fish, the Osprey is veiy partial to the little White-faced Stoiin Petrel
(Pelagodrnma marina), and a rough-tailed lizard (Egernia stokesi),
common upon Rat Island. Lays in September."

Still further north, along the same coast, I am informed by
Mr. T. Carter that he received from Frazer Island an egg of the Osprey.
taken at the beginning of August, 1893.

With regard to the Pandion nesting on the eastern coast. Dr. Ramsay
described eggs in 1875 ; and Mr. North again recently described two eggs

NESTS A.VD EGGS OV AUSTRALIAN BIRDS. 43

takeu by Mr. Johu S. Ramsay, on the 15th August, 1880, from a nest
in the Wide Bay district, and another clutch of throe eggs taken on the
Mary River. Queensland, in 1882; while we have Mr. K. Broadbent's
own valuable field observations of the Osprey made in Northern Queens-
laud, where the bird finds it« most suitable living about the mouths of
the rivers, and is prevalent at Cardwell, where it breeds dmiug the month
of June. He once saw one of these birds capture a fish weighing about
five pounds, lift it from the water, and fly away with ease.

Though Gould himself shot an Osprey in Recherche Bay, Tasmania,
the bird is not usually foimd so fai- south, preferring more the tropical and
sub-tropical coastal line. However, 1 possess a splendid set of thi'ce ogga
(remarkable for their light ground-colour and dark blotches on the apex)
taken on Kangaroo Lsland (S.A.) bv Mr. White, just recentlv (August
1899).

Breeding season extends from June to November.

Sub-order — Striges: Owls.

FAMILY— BUBONID^ ; 0\AT.S PROPER.
Sub-family — Bi-BoNiXiE.

30. — NiNox BOOBOOK. Latham. — (35 and 36)
N. mnriiiord/iis^ Gnuld.

BOOBOOK OWL.

Figure. — Gould : Birds of Australia, fol., vol. i., pi 32.

Reference. — Cat. Birds Brit. Mus., vol. ii.. p. 16S

Previous Descriptions of Eggs. — Gould : Birds of Australia (1848), also

Handbook, vol. i.,p. 75(1865) ; North : Austn. Mus. Cat., p. 25,

pi. 6, 6g 6 (1889).

Geographical Dixtrihiilidtt. — Australia and Tasmania (?). also Lord
Howe Island.

Xest. — UsuaUy a hollow spout or limb of a tree, dead or Uving, the
eggs being deposited on the decayed wood-dust within.

Egcfs. — Clutch, thi-ee, occasionally four; nearly round, compressed
slightly at one end ; texture somewhat coarse, with a few limy excresences
on the siu-face which is slightly glossy and very minutely pitted; colour,
white. Dimensions in inches of a proper clutch: (1) 1-79 x 1-45, (2) \-Tl
xl-43, (3) 1-71 xl-45.

Ohservatinns. — The Boobook Owl is a rusty-coloured bird irregularly
blotched with white. This nocturnal creature is imdoubtedly the most

44

.VESTS A.VD EGGS OF AUSTRALIAN BIRDS.

common Owl in Aiistralia, having been recorded from every district, and
go where you will amongst timber you are almost sure to hear its
familiar " mo-poke," or, as the aboriginals more correctly imitate the bud's
call, " boo-book, " or " buck-buck. " I have heard it in the Dandenongs
commeuco to call usually about three-quarters of an hour after sunset.

Great has been the controversy whether this Owl or the Tawny-
shouldered Frogmouth ( Fodin-gus) is in reality called the "Mo-poke." As
far as I am concerned, it was settled long ago. One night we heard the
unmistakable call repeatedly from a tall tree. Stealing up quietly, and
having located the exact spot of the soiuid, a shot from one of oiu- gims
brought down a Boobook Owl. Moreover, in later years, diuing some
of the pleasant camp-ovits of a few enthusiastic field natui'alists, we had
additional proof as to the Owl calhng " mo-poke. One of our members,
who seemed possessed of a phenomenal throat, could imitate to the vei'y
soimd the Boobook Owl, and when he could catch the bird's ear in the
forest, by imitating it could always bring a bird into the tree ovei'head.
I remember on one occasion we had a new member out with us who was
anxious to procure a skin of the Owl. During the evening, our friend with
the phenomenal throat got beliind a tree at the rear of oui- tent and
cleverly produced the Owl's call. " Great Scot ! " said our new member,
" a Boobook !" and seizing his gim iiished out of the tent. He continued
to gaze up the tree where the supposed Owl was, till shouts of derisive
laughter caused him to return.

On the morning of the 11th of October, 1890, three of us were
hastening over the she-oak (CasuarinaJ clad hills near Myrniong, on the
Upper Werribee, Victoria, when one of us casually threw a stone against
a gaunt, dead gimi-tree. Out flew a Boobook Owl from a hollow-spouted
limb. Then followed expeditiously the natural sequence — a climb, the
chopping of a hole in the tough weather-beaten limb, and a clutch of three
eggs is added to oiu- collection. The situation of the eggs was about
fifteen feet from the gi-oimd.

The original eggs Govild described were taken on the 8th November, by
his useful aboriginal companion, " Natty." The specimens were in a
foi^ward state of incubation. Mr. Wm. Wliite (Adelaide), on two
occasions on Kangaroo Island took fom- eggs of the Boobook Owl from
deserted Ravens' nests. A curious place indeed for an Owl to deposit
her eggs.

The Boobook Owl can fly by day as well as by night ; but it is not
generally known that it sometimes takes its prey by day — at all events,
in the subdued daylight of a tliick forest. On one occasion
Mr. G. A. Keartland, about two o'clock in the afternoon, in the Dan-
denongs, shot a Boobook in the act of devouring something which proved
to be a freslily -captured Pilot Bird ( Pycnopfihis).

The usual breeding months are October, November, and December.

The illustration, " Robbing a Boobook Owl's Nest," depicts
Mr. Tom Brittlebank " riding " liis favomite hobby.

TAKING A llOOBOOK OWLS NEST.

From a I'holo by the Author.

NESTS AXD EGGS OF AUSTKAUAN BIRDS. ^c,

31. — NiNox BooBOOK (sub-spccies) oceli.ata.
Hombron and Jacquinot.

MARBLED OWL.

Utjennci — Cat, Birds Brit Mus.,vol ii , p. 170.

Gfographical Uixtrihiitiim. — ^West and North-west Australia. Northern
Territory and Queensland,

Nest and Eggs. — Undescribed.

Ohnervatinns. — Gould's N. mariiKiratua is merely a fully-adult male
of the ordinary Boobook Owl, while X . uctUaia has been judged a sub-
species of the same bird {i.e., the Boobook), from wliich it may be
distinguished by its smaller size and by the more rufous colouring of its
plumagi'.

Mr Keartland states : — Whilst collecting near the Fitzroy River
(north-west) his blackboy noticed a pair of Marbled Owls perched just
overhead. Tiiey gazed vacantly whilst the blackboy climbed to seciu-e a
Honey Eater's Nest, and on his descending the tree Mr. Keartland shot
one owl, the other escaping before he could reload. These birds seemed to
compress their feathers so as to make themselves appear remarkably small.

32. NiNOX LURIDA, De Vis.

LURID OWL.

/iV/r)i'H« — Rept. Sci. Exped. N.E. Queensland, p. 31 (i88g).

Geographical Distrihutinn. — North Queensland.

Nest and Eggs. — Undescribed.

Ohservations. — The typo specimen of this northern Owl was procured
by Mr. Kendall Broadbcnt in the .scriib about four miles out from
Cardwell. It is also found in the mountains up the Herbert River. As
the sub-species, orellafa, appears to represent the Boobook in the north-
west, so the luridn does in the scrubs of the north-east. Its red or
rufous-coloured plumage is the richest of the three, hence the good
vernacular name, Lurid Owl. It is likewise the smallest of the three
kinds.

33. — NiNox MAcri.ATA. Vigors and Horsfield. — (37)

SPOTTED OWL.

Figure.— Co\i\d.\. Birds of Australia, fol., vol i., pi. 33
litfenncc. — Cat. Birds Brit. Mus., vol. ii , p 174.

Previous Descriptions of Eggs. — Campbell : Victorian Naturalist (1889) ;
North: Austn. Mus. Cat., app. (1890).

Geographical Distriljiifion.—'&onih Queensland, New South Wales,
Victoria, South AustraUa and Tasmania, including King Island.

46

NESTS AND EGGS OF AUSTRALIAN BIRDS.

Nest. — A hole or hollow-spouted limb of a tree. Sometimes a few
leaves are in the nesting-place, which is re-used twice in a season if
necessary.

Eggs. — Clutch, two to three ; roundish-oval or nearly round, with
either end ahke in shape ; texture comparatively fine, with here and there
a small limy excrescence ; surface slightly glossy ; colour, white,
Dimensions in inches: l'6xr36.

Observations.- — The principal habitat of this, the smallest of Australian
Owls, is Tasmania, and some of the intermediate islands in Bass Strait,
but it is also found on the mainland. A specimen of the bud in beautiful
condition was procured on King Island by imitating the night cry, which
caused it to come into a tree near our camp, and so meet its doom in the
interests of science. The call notes of the Spotted Owl are almost identical
with the familiar " mo-poke " of the Boobook Owl. I doubt if the real
Boobook is found in Tasmania.

I leani from Mr. A. E. Bi-ent, who has taken many nests of the Spotted
Owl in Tasmania, that a clutch is usually two eggs, which are deposited in
a hollow tree, generally about the first week in November. Eggs have
also been found at Cliristnias, probably a second clutch, because the birds
have been known to rear two broods in the year, or laid by some bird
whose eggs had been taken earlier in the season. The same nesting-
hollow is often resorted to season after season, and probably occupied by
the same pair of Owls. A curious fact worth recording is the method
whereby these little Owls store dead mice about their nesting-hollow,
sticking them between the splinters, and into cracks of the wood. When
food is abundant, some of the little carcasses are left there to di-y up like
miniature mummies.

Breeding months October to December.

34. — NiNox coNNivENS, Latham. — (34)
WINKING OWL.

Figure — Gould: Birds of .Australia, fol., vol. i., pi. 34,
Reference. — Cat. Birds Brit. Mus., vol. ii., p. 175.

Previous Descriptions of Eg^s. — Gould: Birds of Australia, Handbook,
vol. i., p. 71, (1865I ; North: Records Austn. Mus., vol. i. (1891).

Geographical Distribution. — Australia, except the north-west.

Nest. — A hole in the trunk of a tree, or hollow-spouted limb. The
old nesting-place is frequently re-used.

Eggs. — Clutch, two to three ; almost roimd in form ; texture of shell
somewhat coarse ; siu-face glossy, with occasionally here and there Uttle
nodules of lime ; colour, pure white. Dimensions in inches of a proper
clutch : (1) 1-86 X 1-62, (2) 1-82 x 1-56, (3) 1-79 x 1-59.

VISTS AXD LUGS OF AVSTRALlAiV BISDS.

47

Olixervdtiuns. — This species is one of our common Owls, being found
across tlie Continent from east to west. The prevailing colour is mottled
afi'oyish-brown ;ind white. The large, staring eyes are bright yellow, which
blink at you in the da3-light, hence the name signifying winking, or
conniving I cunnivens). It is a gootl-sized bird, being in total length
tetween 16 inches and 17 inches; wing, llA inches; tail, 7 inches. The
•expanse of one measured between the tips of the wings gave 3Si inches.

The only Australian Owls' eggs known in Gould's day were those of
the Boobook, pi-ocured by himself, and of the Winking Owl taken by
Gilbert in Western Australia.

Mr. North says: — "Although the present species is widely distributed
over the Australian Continent, but little knowledge has been gained of
its nichfication and eggs, and it is due to the exertions of Mr. George
Bai'nard and his sons, of Duaringa, Queensland, that I am enabled to give
a description of this rare egg, taken at Coomooboolaroo. during September,
1886. The nesting place was in a eucalyptus, the entrance of which was
through the end of a small hollow spout opening into the main trunk of the
tree; here Mi\ Barnard's sons made an aperture with an axe, and the
eggs, two in number, were found deposited on the decayed wood near the
bottom of the tree. Last year (1890), three more eggs of the same
species were taken from this tree, in both instances being perfectly
fresh."

When in the field with Mr. Hany Barnard, October, 1885, we flushed
a Winking Owl from a large hollow tree. Instead of eggs we were
disappointed to find tlu-ee young birds that nestled amongst bones, fur
and filth, at the bottom of the hole.

35.^NiNox coNNivENS (sub-spccies) PENiNSULARis, Salvadori.
CAPE YORK OWL.

Reference— A.nn. Mus Civ. Gen., vol. vii., p. 992 (1S75).

(!i(ii/r(ipliiciil Distrihutldii. — North Queensland.

Nest and Egijs. — Undescribed.

Observations. — Little or nothing is known of the habits of this
northern variety of the Winking Owl. I saw a skin of a fine specimen
that was collected at Cape York by Mr. Harry Barnard.

36- — NiNOx CONNIVENS (sub-species) occidentalis, Ramsay.
WESTERN WINKING OWL.

Reference. — Proc. Linn Sec , N.S. Wales, :r.d ser , vol. i., p 1086.
Geographical Distrihutinn. — North-west Australia.

48

NESTS AXD EGGS OI- AUSTRALIAN BIRDS.

Nest and Eggs. — Undesci'ibed.

Ohxervations. — Tlie Western Winking Owl may be considered the
north-western and closely-allied representative of the ordinary Winking
Owl. Mr. Tom Carter shot a pair of Winking Owls near Point Cloates,
which had flarJ;-hrnwn eyes, instead of hright-yelloiv, as in the eastern
birds. These birds may have been the sub-species, occidentalis. Mr. North
remarks that (iccidentnli.-i may be distinguished from the tiiie conniveiu
by the pale iiLfous-brown stripe down the centre of each feather of the
under siu-face.

Although nocturnal in their habits, in the north-west, Mr. Kcartland
formd these birds were capable of keeping a sharp lookout in the brightest
sunshine. On disturbing a pair near the Fitzroy River he shot the
female. Her mate flew off, pursued by several Friar Birds, Magpie Larks.
Red-throated Honey Eaters, Kingfishers and Wood Swallows : but
although its attention was somewhat absorbed in repelling their attacks,
Mr. Keartland had gi-eat difficulty in securing the bird after a chase of
nearly a mile. These Owls were nrmierous along the course of the
Nerrima and Jilgelly Creeks, where they frequent the dense bushes near
the water-holes, and feed on the small animals, birds, and reptiles which
come to dmik in the evenins'.

37. — NiNox STRENUA, Gould. — ( 32 and 33)
N . rufa, Gould.

POWERFUL OWL.

f/gurc— Gould : Birds cf Australia, fol., vol. i,, pis. 35 and 36.
Reference.— Cau Birds Brit. Mus., vol. ii., p. 178.

Geographical Distribution. — Northern Temtory. Queensland, New
South Wales, Victoria, and South Australia (?).

Nest. — The usual hollow of a tree or spouted limb, in heavy forest.

Eggs. — Clutch, three probably; an example in the Adelaide Museum,
reputed to be of the northern variety (N. rufa), has the usual Owl
characteristics, and measiu-es in inches 2'06 x 1'75.

Observations. — The description above given is taken from an egg in
the Adelaide Museum; there were no data with it, except the name,
" Spiloglaux rufus" which species I think is now accepted as identical
with N. strenua, notwithstanding that Gould figured both birds sepa-
rately. From the size and appearance of the egg in question, I judged
its parentage to be correct. However, we shall welcome any information
giving a description of a complete set.

The Powerful Owl is, with the exception of the Wedge-tailed Eagle
and the Sea Eagle, the most powerful bird of prey in Australia. It is
said to be able to cany a so-called native bear, or koala. The plumage is
of dark-grey, mottled, and it has large yellow-irised eyes ; feet also yellow.
Total length, 24 inches; wing, 15 inches; tail, 10^ inches.

^■ESTS AXD EGGS 01- AUSTRALIAN BIRDS.

m

The last Powerful Owl I had an opportunity of examining in the flesh
was shot by Mr. A. W. Milligan at one of our camp-outs nea.r Lilydale.
The birds are frequently met with in the ranges thereabouts, and have
been known to " piek-oft' " Lyre Birds roosting at night on the tall white
gums. The sudden hideous scream of this gi-eat Owl is veiy alarming,
especially when, fh'ing swiftly through the forest, it l)reaks the midnight
silence. Even sturdy bushmcn quail, while aboriginals dread it as an
evil spirit ; hut to the natiu'alist the scream is sweet music, albeit but
rude and weird.

With reference to the two varieties of the Powerful Owl,
Mr. Kendall Broadbent, in his most interesting article, " Cardwell Birds,"
writes: — "The Great Sciiib Owl (N. atrenua) may also be expected
to occur in the Cardwell scnibs, but rarely so. It has been shot by me
at Freshwater Ci-eek, near Cairns, and seen commonly in the Brisbane
scrub and in Gippslaiid. The Rufous Owl (N. rufa) is essentially a
frequenter of mountainous country, being shot by me in the high land
at the back of Cardwell. It seems always to occur in dense scnibbv
gullies, and to live habitually in pairs. '

Mr. Broadbent mentions that the call-note of the Powerful Owl is
a deeper and more voluminous " more-pork '' than that called bv the
Boobook Owl. Ho ascertained this from a pair that frequented the
neighbourhood of his camp at Chinchilla (Queensland). Mr. De Lany
(Gippsland) substantiates the fact, saying the call is " much more drawn
out and moiu'nful.

38. — NiNOX HUMERALis, Hombron and Jacquinol.
RUFOUS OWL.

Reference.— C&l. Birds Brit. Mus , vol ii., p i8o

Geographical Disfrihiitinn. — North Queensland, also New Guinea.

Nest and Eggs. — Undescribed.

Ohiervatiiii)''. — Mr. A. J. North remarks*: — "It was in the appendix
to the ' Annual Report on British New Guinea, for 1894,' that Mr. De Vis.
Curator of the Queensland Museum, first drew attention to the existence
of this species in Australia, and he there states his belief that it is
identical with -T. rufa of Gould. Mr. De Vis has kindly sent me for
examination a specimen obtained in the sci-ubs of Northeastern Queensland.
It is a male, and is labelled, ' Herbert Gorge, October, 1886.' Tliis
specimen cannot be distinguished from typical examples of X. humerahs.
obtained in New Guinea. In all the specimens examined belonging to this
species, the ear coverts are black and the tail feathers crossed with eight
pale bars."

• Catalogue of the .Australian Birds in the Australian Museum. Part ii. (Striges).
4

NESTS A.\'D EGGS Of AUSTRALIAN BIRDS.

FAMILY— STRIGID^ ; BARN OWLS.

39. — Strix NoViE HOLL.\NDi^, Stephens. ^(29)

MASKED OWL.

Figure. — Gould : Birds of .'Vustralia, fol , vol. i., pi- 29.
Refereiue. — Cat. Birds Brit. Mup., vol. ii., p. 303.

Genyraphical Distrihutioii. — Australia in general.

Xest. — Judging by analogy, some hole within a giant eucalypt or
crevice in cUff or rock.

Eflfjs. — Uudescribed.

Ohservatiuns. — This fine large Owl ranges over the whole of Australia
in localities conducive to its liabits, such as forests of giant timber, or
wild rocky peaks of mountains. From these fastnesses it salHes forth
at night on noiseless pinions over the lowlands in search of its prey, wliich
consists chiefly of small animals (1 rodents). The somewhat larger and
darker variety peculiar to Tasmania and some parts of the mainland
opposite, which on account of the deep-chestnut facial discs has received
the name Chestnut-faced Owl (S. cu.sfanoiJ^ ), is regarded by modern
authorities as identical with Masked Owl. Gould has figured both.
However, the eggs of either form are still unknown to science.
Mr. Tom Carter nearly scored a notch on the tree of oological fame.
When twenty-five miles inland from Point Cloates (W.A.), on 1st October,
1892, he caught, in a hollow tree (Eucalypt ) a Masked Owl, bub failed to
secure the eggs, having no axe or tomahawk to cut them out.

In general colour the Masked Owl is pale-buff, variegated on the upper
siu-face with dark-brown, and sparingly dotted with white ; the under
s\u-face is paler, with a few brown spots. Tlie large facial discs, which
impart to the bird such an odd appearance, are purphsh, margined with
dark-brown spots and centred with dark liquid eyes ; bill, pale horn-colour,
and feet yellowish. Total length, 14 inches; wing, 13| inches;
tail, 7^ inches.

40. — Strix nov.s; holl.\ndi« (sub-species) c.\stanops, Gould. — (28)
CHESTNUT-FACED OWL.

Figure.- Gould : Birds of Australia, fol,, vol, i., pi. 28,
Reference. — Cat. Birds Brit, Mus., vol ii,. p, 304.

Geographical Dhtrihution. — New South AVales, Victoria, South Aus-
tralia, and Tasmania.

Xest and Egga — Undoscribed.

.VESTS AXP EuGS 01- AUSTRALIAN BIRDS.

51

Observations. — It is questionable wlietlier or not the Uhestnut-faced
Owl is not restricted to Tasmania only, where, in a more powerful and
dai-ker coloured species, it represents the Masked <Jwl of liu- mainland.

Mr. A. E. Brent tells me that a pair of Chestnut-faced Owls used to
breed in one of the deep, dark gulhes of Moimt Franklin {>.). Several
seasons, about the New Year, he noticed fully-fledgod young always
perched in a particular part of the scnib.

The eggs of this splendid Owl, or the more Continental vainety, would
be a great acquisition to some of our oological collections. All Australian
Owls' eggs are scarce, and I am sadly disappointed that my chapter of
these interesting birds is so weak by reason of the eggs of many of tlu'
species being .still " uudescribed.

By way of a reminder to those persons whose superstitions prompt
them to kill Owls wherever they appear, I should like to mention that all
these birds, as useful vemiin destroyers, are pei-petually protected in
Victoria, and partially in Queensland and South AustraUa. It is to Ix'
hoped that the other States will shortly follow suit in this direction, if
only to keep in check the periodical plagues of mice which oven-un
the coimtrv.

41. — Strix fla.mme.v (sub-species) ijklicatul.\, Gould. — (31)

LESSER MASKED OWL.

Figure. — Gould : Birds of Australia, fol., vol. i., pi. 31.

Reftrence.— Cat. Birds Brit. Mus., vol. ii., p, 297.

Previous Description of Eggs. — North : .\ustn. Mus. Cat., p. 24 (i88<j).

Geographical Distribution. — Whole of Australia, also New Guinea.

Nest. — On the wood-dust within a hole or hollow spouted limb of a
tree, usually near a water-course.

E(/f/s. — Clutch, three to six ; oval in shape ; texture coarse ; surface
faint trace of gloss and finely pitted ; colour, wMte. Dimensions in
inches of odd examples: (1) l-63"x 1-23, (2) 1-73 x 1-21.

Ohstrvations. — This beautiful and delicately-coloui'ed Owl is widely
distributed over the whole of Australia, and may be often heard at night
" hootiDg ' from the entrance of the hole in some large gum-tree bordeiing
a river. I fancy they remain within the hollows during the daytime.
A specimen was seen roosting among the rocks at the Wenibee Gorge.

It would need much time to accm'ately describe its beautiful plumage ;
but it suffices to say generally that its coat is a light gi-eyish-brown
tinged with yellow, delicately pencilled with .spots of brownish-black and
white ; the imder parts are wliite, sparinglv marked with brownish dots.
The facial discs are also white, margined with buff. Length, 14 inches;
wing, 11 inches; tail, 4 inches.

The eggs of the Delicate Owl in my collection were presented to me
by Dr. W. Macgillivray, and were procured on his father's station in the

52 NESTS AND EGGS OF AUSTRALIAN BIRDS.

Gulf of Carpentaria district, where the birds usually deposit their eggs
within a hole of a flooded box or coolibar ( Eucalyjituii microtheca 'I ) that
grows along the streams.

Mr. North states: — ' On two occasions Mr. K. H. Bennett foimd nests
of this species at Ivanhoe, in the interior of New South Wales. Tlie eggs
were in both instances six in number, of a dull uniform w^hite, and were
deposited on the decayed wood in the hollow hmb of a box tree."

Mr. Price Fletcher, in the course of his peregi-inations through the
north-west interior of Queensland, observed that this bird lays two eggs
in September and October, and again in Januaiy and Februai-y.

Regarding the Lesser Masked Owl in its western habitat,
Mr. G. A. Keartland writes : — " These beautiful birds were met with in
the Mulga sci-ubs east of Lake Way, where they presented a most grotesque
appearance as they gazed at the passing caravan. At the Camel depot
several more were noted, and specimens obtained. These birds were all
perched among the foliage of the trees. Wliilst shooting at one of the
creeks passed, Mr. C. F. Wells disturbed a pair from the hollow spout of
r. eucalypt, and on another occasion, at the Fitzroy River, I had sent a
native to examine a hollow branch, when another pair flew out, striking
him in the face with their wings as they escaped."

42 — Stri.n: TENEBRicosA, Gould. — (30 I

SOOTY OWL.

F/5K«. — Gould : Birds of Australia, fol., \ol. i , pi. 30.

Reference, — Cat. Birds Brit. Mus., vol. ii., p. 306.

Previous Description o/fio'gs.— Campbell : Victorian Naturalist (1889).

Geographical Distribution. — Queensland, New South Wales, and Vic-
toria, also New Guinea.

Nest. — A hollow-spouted limb of a tree in heavy forest.

Eggs. — Clutch, three ; nearly round in form ; texture somewhat
coarse ; surface without gloss and minutely pitted ; colour, pure white.
Dimensions in inches: 1'83 x 1'6L

Observations. — This is a beautiful compact creature in general sooty
or brownish-black plimiage, ornamented with a spot of white near the tip
of each feather; the eyes are dark-brown, siu'rounded with facial discs of
sooty grev ; bill and feet are the same colour as in the Masked Owl.
Total length. 13 to 15 inches; wing, Hi inches; tail, 5 inches.

I have shot this fine diisky-coloured Owl on the forested shores of
Lake King, Gippsland. I have also seen it procured in the Dandenongs,
near MelboiuTie. It ranges along the eastern timber tracts to the northern
sci-ubs, where my friend, Mr. Le Souef, procured an example on the
Bloomfield River. However, Mr. Broadbent considers the Sooty Owl
a rai'e bird in the northern scrubs, compared with the forests of Gippsland.

.VESTS ,IXD LCGS Of AVSTKALIAN BINDS. 33

Whilst camped on the Tiilly River, Nortliem Queensland, he received :>
fine specimen of this Owl that was caught in a rat-trap.

The egg of this species, which I have described, was taken at Pimpaua,
South Queensland, by Mr. W. T. Bailey, who sent one of the parent
birds to Mr. A. Coles, our skilful taxidermist.

43. — Strix CANDIDA, Tickell.
GRASS OWL.

Figure.. — Gould: Birds of Australia, fol., supp. vi , pi. i.

Re/trence.— Cat. Birds Brit. Mus., vol. ii . p. 308.

Previous Descriptions of Eggs. — Ramsay ; Proc. Linn. Soc, N S. Wales,
2nd ser., vol. i.. p. 1142 (1886) ; Hume; Nests and Eggs Indian
Birds (Gates' ed ), vol. iii., p 95 (iSgo) ; North: .A.ustn. Mus.
Cat. pi. 6, fig. 5 (i88g). Records .\ustn. Mus , vol. ii., p. 13(1892).

Geographical Disfribiilioii. — Queensland, New South Wales, and
Victoria ; also Philippine Islands, Formosa, India and Indo-China.

Nest. — A bare hollow upon the ground, usually under tussock-grass.

Ef/yn. — Clutch, four ; thick oval in form ; colour, white ; the shell,
with the exception of a few calcareous excrescences at the larger end, being
perfectly smooth and lustreless. Dimensions in inches (1) 1-69 x 1-27,
(2) 1-73 X 1-26.

Observatiuns. — This is a remarkable Owl, abiding under tussock-grass
by day, where specimens are frequently speaji-ed by aborigines. At first
sight it is not unlike the Delicate Owl in colour and markings, but possesses
much longer legs, wliich are an indication of its ground habits.

The Gras.s Owl enjoys an extensive habitat, ranging from Australia
right through suitable parts to South-eastern Asia. In times of drought
it has been known to \-isit Victoria. The first specimen brought under
my notice was by Mr. A. Coles, taxidermist, Elizabeth Street, Melbourne.
The rai'e specimen was promptly secured by the National Museum.
Another example is in the Geelong Museum, taken at Point Heniy, 1884.

Dr. Ramsay, who first described the eggs of the Grass Owl from the
Australian region, was indebted to his friend, Mr. J. A. Boyd, for a set
taken in the Herljert District, Queensland. Mr. North, in re-describing
eggs from the same gentleman, gives the following valuable notes by
Mr. Bovd relative to the nidification of the species: — "This Owl nests on
the ground, choosing a high thick tussock of grass, forming a bower in it,
and laying its eggs on the few grass blades that have been trampled
down. On the 1st June, 1884, I found two nests of this bird, each of
which contained three young ones and one egg. It is a curious fact that,
though this bird always lays four eggs, I never found more than three'
yoimg ones, one egg being always addled. When first I came here these
birds were comparatively common, bvit latterly have almost disappeared
from this immediate neighbourhood, owing, I think, to the largeh' increased
quantity of cattle running over the plain."

54

NESTS A.\'D EGGS OE AUSEKAUAN BIRDS.

ORDER- PASSERIFORMES: PERCHING BIRDS.
Sub=Order— Passeres.

FAMILY— CORVID.E : CROWS.
Sub-family — Corvin,e : Crows Proper.

44 — CoRVi's coRONOiDES, Vigois and Horsfield.
CROW.

Reference. — Cat. Birds Brit Mus , vol. iii., p. 20.

Previous Descripliuns of E^gs. — Gould ; Birds of Australia (1S48), also

Handbook, vol. i., p. 476 (1865) ; Kamsay : Ibis, p. 303 ti865) ;

North: Ausin. Mus. Cat. p. 186, pi. 7, fig. 8 (18S9).

Geographical Disfrifjtitio/i. — Whole of Austi-alia and Tasmania.

Xe.st. — Similar in construction to that of the Raven ; generally placed
in a tree, but sometimes on a bush in interior where timber is scarce.

Eygs. — Clutch, foiu' to five, occasionally six ; except for their smaller
and rounder size are hardly to be distinguished from those of the Raven.
Dimensions in inches of a clutch from Queensland, accompanied by neck
feathers of the bird; (1) 1-5 x 1-13, (2) 1-49 x M4, (3) 1-46 xM.
(4) 1-45 xM3.

0/jservatiuns. — There still exists some uncertainty about identifj-ing or
separating our two species of Crows, or the Crow from the Raven. But if
the chief points, as fii'st mentioned by Dr. Ramsay as far back as 1865,
and afterwards described by Dr. Sharpe, be remembered, the difficulties of
identification vanish. The Raven (Corone au.<traJi<) is the larger bird,
has eyes wliite in the adult, and wears conspicuous long feathers on its
throat, and has the base of the feathers on the hind part of its neck and
back of a dushti-hrown or aooty colour; while the true Crow (Corvu-i
rnrnnoichs) has wliite ej-es likewise, but the base of the feathers is snow-
white.

To attempt to identify the birds by the coloiw of their eyes, separating
them by the name of Hazel-eyed and White-eyed Crow, is likely to lead

Ni-SIS A.\'l> EiiGS 01 AVSTHALIAN BIRDS. 5;

to error, siuce it is stated that both species have been found at times with
white eyes. The only and sure method is by iiandhng tlie birds and
deciding by the coloiu-atiou of the base of the feathers on the neck and back.

Although the Crow appears to enjoy a similar range of habitat to the
Raven, the Crow is probably the more iiorlliern and western bird.
I have received skins or feathers from various parts of the Continent and
Tasmania. They have all pertained to Ravens, except those from near
the Tropics, which were Crows. I examined several skins in the Hobart
Museum ; also all Ravens. Sample heads from Mr. Tom Carter, North-
west Cape, were those of Crows, and were accompanied by the statement
tiiat the white-eyed birds had inside of mouth and tongue h\ur hhieh, while
tiiose with brown eyes had the mouth pink. Probably the latter were
youthful birds.

Mr. Wheelwright, in his " Bush Wanderings, wrote : — " We had
another species, rather smaller tiian the Carrion Crow, which it otherwise
much resembled in shape, plumage and habits, but the eye was clear bluish-
white. We called it the White-eyed Crow. It was rather a more local
bird, generally seen in pairs, occasionally joining the other, but was
nowhere verv common with us.'

45. — CORONE AUSTRALIS, Gould.- (290)

RAVEN.

Figure. - Gould : Birds of Australia, fol , vol. iv., pi i8.
Rtfeience. — Cat. Birds Brit. Mus., vol iii , p. 37.

Previous Desciiptwns of /J^os.— Campbell : Southern Science Record
(1883); North: Austn. Mus. Cat., p 187, pi. 7, fig. 7 (1889).

Geoijraphiail Diytrihiiti<iii. — Whole of Australia and Tasmania.

Xe:it. — -Open, large, somewhat deep ; composed of sticks and coarse
twigs; lined inside with strings of bark, gi-ass, wool, &c. Usually situated
in the upper forked branches of a tall tree. Where birds arc numerous,
they occasionally nest in companies. Dimensions over all, about 18 inches
by 12 inches in depth ; egg cavity, 7 inches across by 4 inches deep.

Effff^. — Clutch, four to five, occasionally six ; oval or pointed oval in
shape; texture comparatively fine; surface glossy; coloiu-, pale-green,
spotted, blotched or smudged with dark-umber or olive. Dimensions in
inches of a clutch: (1) 1-7 x 1-21, (2) 1-68 x 1-2, (3) 1-58 x 124, (4)
1-57 X 1-16. (Plate 5.)

Observations. — The Wliite-eyed Crow, or really Raven, is ubiquitous
as far as Australia and Tasmania are concerned, but it is more abundant
in the plains of the interior, where the birds congregate in gicat numbers.

On the Penguin Rocks, not far from Albatross Island, in Bass Strait.
Mr. Dudley Le Souef found a Raven's nest on 2nd December (1894).
built on a ledge of rock, which contained two young just ready to fly.
Mr. Le Souef suggested that the absence of trees evidently made the birds
choose this curious nesting-place.

c^f] NESTS AND EGGS OF AUSTRALIAN BIRDS.

Near the coast and in heavy forest country their nests are solitai-y,
but in belts of the more open timber inland the Ravens nest in companies.
Such places I had an opportunity of \-isiting in the Pyramid Hill; district
of Victoria during October, 1884, The nests were in adjacent box -trees,
sometimes several nests in one tree. Tlie majority of the nests were occu-
pied with young. Kestrels were using some of the Ravens' old nests.
In one instance we took Ravens and Kestrels' eggs from nests situated
in the same tree. I am not positive whether the Ravens use their old
nests or rebuild fresh ones every season, but from observations I should
say they do both, as the case may be. There is a very heavy and nauseous
odour about Ravens' nests containing young.

The Ravens are known to remain on the Werribee Park Estate all the
year roimd, Messrs, Keartland and Gabriel have paid several visits,
notably on the 9th September, 1893, which are recorded in the "Victorian
Naturalist " of that year. Although early in the season, they found
sevei-al broods of young nearly all able to fly, and from the evidence
before them concluded the eggs had been laid in July. The young had
blue eyes. In other nests eggs were foiuid in clutches varying from two
(probably vmfinished sets) to five in number.

On one occasion, when nesting at the Werribee, we found two Ravens'
nests in adjacent trees cont-aining each one abnormally small egg in the
set of four. We thought it strange there should have been two " arrests
of development " so close together,

I possess two records supplied by friends who have observed a Crow's
or Raven's nest built into the dried-up carcass of a sheep. We are aware
that these birds particularly relish insects with a strong or pungent odour.
Possibly that may account for the strong situation selected by these two
birds for a nesting-home.

The Wliite-face ( Xerophila) has been known to attach its nest to a
Raven's nest in use. But the Kestrel and Black Duck, when in need,
will use old or desei^ted ones,

Gould speaks of Crows as appearing singly or in pairs, or occasionally
congi-egating in small flocks, 'The opening up of settlement and pastoral
pur.suits has e\ddently induced these " black scavengers " to assemble and
concentrate their forces in gieater niunbers nowadays.

On the Yorke Peninsula, S.A., Mr. J. G. McDougall notes that the
Ravens lay as early as July 21st. In Tasmania, the late Mr, F, H. Reed
found Ravens' nests occasionally containing six eggs. In the same
State Mr, A. E, Brent says the nests are usually lined with horse manure,
wliich the bird cames and pulls to pieces in the nest.

In Mr. Hermann Lau's South Queensland notes I find ; — " Crow lays
four to five eggs, in a nest better lined than that of a Hawk, mixing fiu-
up with horsehair- and other materials. Its nest is rarely found here,
and in most cases is inaccessible. The male is very black and possesses
white eyes, wlule the female is more sombre in colour, I have frequently
seen Crows feeding the yoruig of the Channel Bill or Great Cuckoo
(Sci/throjJsj."

Breeding months July to December, and occasionally autumn.

Mr. A. W. Milligan, formerly of Ti-aralgon, Gippsland, where he kept

A'/^S7S AXD ECGS OF AVSTK.MIAN BIKDS. z^y

White-eyed CVows or Ravens in conlincinent, kindly sent me the following
interesting communication : — " As a pet bird I regard our White-eyed Crow
as the most interesting and entertaining of all. He is possessed of keen
intelligence, is easily domesticated, and affectionate. Veritably he is the
■ nigger minstrel of bird-life, not only in his shining black dress, but in
liis droll attitudes, unUmited ' patter, and the facility with which he shows
the ' whites ' of his eyes.

" One old favourite, bearing the name of ' Corbeau,' which I had for
many years, was a past-master. In the early summer mornings, after a
hearty meal and his morning bath (in respect of which he was very
punctilious), he would commence his buffooneries. His actions, gestures,
and voice were indescribably comical.

' Stretching out his neck horizontally to its utmost length, and erecting
neck and head feathers, he would cause his uncanny white eyes to assume
the most imbecile expression, at the same time uttering a long-sustained
' ka-a-a,' commencing in a deep sonorous key and ending in a piping,
tremulous treble. With suddenness he would thi'ow liimself on his back,
and whilst in that position and with his claws in motion would fight an
imaginary foe, at the same time changing his notes to one of anger and
defiance. Pose after pose and antic after antic followed. These perfor-
mances would last an hour without intermission, two brothers in captivity
perched high stohdly watching without attempting to join in. They seemed
to consider it to be their duty to play the part of spectatoi-s, while
' Corbeau ' acted as entertainer. ' Corbeau's ' end was untimely, he being
found one morning with his head fixed in and hanging from the mesh
I'overing the roof of his house.

" When he was first brought to nic (not much more than a fledgeling)
liis eyes were ' loyal brown in colour, hut on his entering his second j-ear
they changed to china-white, an evidence, I should think, of his attaining
adolescence.

" People cont€mptuousl5' and slanderously speak of the Wliite-eyed
Crow as the Carrion Crow. If he feed on carrion it can only be under
stress of circumstances. In capti\ity he exliibits a decided liking for
figs, apples, pears, tomatoes, &c., as also the pink berries of the pepper-
tree. He eats meat readily, but it must be fresh ; in summer-time he will
be inclined to leave it for fniit.

" In the mid state, the ^^^lite-eyed Crow evidently believes in a varied
diet. Last Easter, whilst on a visit to Snake Island and the Port Albert
channels and Comer Inlet, I saw scores of White-eyed Crows consorting
with the Oyster Catchers, Sea Curlews, and Sandpipers, and feeding on
the marine life left on the sandy shallows and mud-banks."

Under the heading, " A Crow Camp," the following note, wiitten by
Mr. Albert Le Souef, appeared in The Au^traln^ian, 6th Jiuie, 1896: —
" Many years ago I was travelUng with a blackfcllow across the Snowj-
Movmtains or Australian Alps on my way from a cattle-st-ation I then
owned near Twofold Bay to Victoria. It may not be generally known
that on the top of the mountains there is an extensive table-land ca-
rolling downs, covered with thick grass, and watered by beautiful pebbly
creeks, the heads of the several rivers which water the low country, the

:;8 NESTS AXD EGGS 01- AUSTRALIAN BIRDS.

extreme summits of the range being an elevated ridge of rocky peaks
about the centre of tlie plateau, which at the point where I crossed it
was some forty miles in width. I encamped one night under the shadow
of one of these peaks, and not far from Kosciusko. It was early in the
month of February, but even then masses of frozen snow were cUnging
to the shady and sheltered side of the rocks. The place where I encamped
was covered with dead and stunted gum-trees, killed, no doubt, by somu
terrible bush fire of former years, and every leafless tree was covered with
Crows' nests, thousands of them, and the continuous cawing of the birds
was completely deafening. My sable companion and myself were glad
when darkness came on and the noisy birds went to sleep, though even
diu'ing the night they were not quite voiceless, disturbed most likely by the
large camp fire we had to keep up on account of the cold. I was much
interested in this immense rookeiT, as I had often looked for Crows' nests
in the low countiy, but could never find any, and I thought some instinct
induced them to build on the mountain tops, though I have since heard
that rookeries are sometimes foimd in flat country."

46- — Strepera graculina. White. — (88)

PIED CROW SHRIKE.

Figure. — Gould; Birds of Australia, fol., vol. ii , pi. 42.
Reference. — Cat. Birds Brit. Mus., vol. iii., p. 57.

Previous Descriptions 0/ Eggs. — Campbell : Southern Science Record
(i88z) ; North : Austn, Mus, Cat , p. 55 (1889)

Geographical Dixtrihutinn. — Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria,
and South Austi-alia.

Nest. — Large, open, basin-shaped structiu'e, composed outwardly of
sticks and twigs. Lined inside with gi-asses. kc, and usually placed in the
forked branches of a tree in forest or scrub. Dimensions over all, about
9 inches by 4 inches in depth ; egg cavity, 6 inches across by 2 inches deep.

Eygs. — Clutch, two to three ; somewhat lengthened in shape, or oval ;
texture of shell comparatively fine ; surface glossv. in some places irregu-
lar ; colour, rich, vinaceous-bufi, indistinctly blotched with umber and
piu-plish-brown. Dimensions in inches of a pair: (1) 1-70 x 1-15,
(2) 1-63 X 1-16.

Ubservafioii-s. — The identification of the various species of Streperti- c:
Crow Shrikes is somewhat perplexing to the ornithological student. How-
ever, the Pied Crow Shrike is the most northerly one as far as the eastern
coast is concerned, although it sometimes ranges roimd as far as South
Australia, where Mr. S. A. White shot a bird at Mount Barker, 1896.
Specimen examined. The only nest I recollect seeing of this species
was in Richmond River District of New South Wales, where it was situated
well out of reach in the forked branches of a tall buoyong tree (Tiirrietia
actinophylla), standing in a clearing.

NESTS AXV 7U,GS Of AVSri^Af.l AN H/HPS. c^g

Tlio Pied Crow Sliiiko is amoug tho foster paroiits of tlie Clianiicl Bill
(Srytlirojjx). Mr. Hermann Lau states: "It was in such a nest that I
found, in October, 1879, at Warroo, 70 mites south-west from Yandilla (Q.).
two young of the Channel Bill. To get the nest a blackfellow had to cliop
the branch off.' The eggs described above wore collected by Mr. Lau, in
Queensland.

The call notes of the Pied Crow Shrike sound very much like the words
" two and two are four."

Usual breeding montlis from August to December.

47- — Strepeka argut.v, Gould. — (90)
HILL CROW SHKIKE.

Figure .^GouM : Birds of .Vustralia, fol., \ol. ii , pi. 44
Rtfertnce. — Cat, Birds Brit. Mus., vol. iii , p. 59,

Previous Descriptions of Kggs. — Campbell : Southern Science Record
(1S82) ; North: .^iistn. Mus, Cat,, p. 57 (i88g).

GfiJi/rajili teal Distrihutimi . — -Tasmania.

Nest. — Open, outwardly roughly composed of sticks and twigs ; lined
inwardly with fine twigs, rootlets and grass, and usually situated in the
forked branches of a tall tree ( Eiinih/pt i

Eyys. — Clutch, three to four; lengthened in form, tapering towards
one end ; texture of shell fairly fine ; surface, although somewhat rough,
slightly glossy ; colour, light puiplish-buft' or pale vinaceous brown,
blotched all over with light reddish-brown, pui-plish-brown, and a few
markings of umber. Dimensions in inches of odd examples: (1) l'84x
1-2, (2) 1-66 X 1-15. (Plate 5.)

Observations. — The Hill Crow Shrike, specifically termed arguta by
Gould, on account of its loud ringing not«s of " dink, clink," several times
repeated, strongly reminding him of the distant sound of the strokes on
a blacksmith's anvil, is, I believe, peculiarly a Tasmanian form.

Witli regard to its nidification, IMr. Arthur E. Brent, a local oologist,
informs me this finest and largest of the Strcj/erce sometimes lays the full
complement of four eggs, depositing them in a much rougher-constructed
nest than that usually built by its more lowland-loving neighbour, the
Sooty Crow Shrike (S. fuUginnsa ).

All the nests Gould found of this species either contained young birds
or were without eggs.

I stated in my " Manual " that the eggs of tliis species were the richest
in colouring of all those of the genus. I should have stated they were the
palest.

5o NESTS A. YD AGGS Of ALSTRALIA.V BIRDS.

48 — Stuepera cuneicaudata, Vieillot. — (91)
<S'. (innphonensis, Tenim.

GREY CROW SHRIKE.

Figure. — Gould : Birds of Australia, fol., vol. ii., pi. 45

Reference — Cat. Birds Brit. Mus., vol. iii., p. 60.

Previous Descriptions of Eggs. — Gould: Birds of Australia (1848), also

Handbook, vol, i., p. 174 (1865) ; North : .\ustn.Mus. Cat., p. 56,

pi- 7, fig. I (1889).

Genyraph'ical Distribution. — South Queensland, New South Wales,
Victoria and South Australia.

Nest. — Somewhat large, composed outwardly of sticks and twigs, lined
inwardly with a thick ply, principally of grasses, and placed generally in
the foi-ked branches of a tall tree. Dimensions over all 13 inches by
6 to 7 inches in depth; egg cavity 7 inches across by 2^ inches deep.

E(/(/s — Clutch, three ; oval in shape ; texture of shell fairly fine ;
surface, glossy ; colour', pale redchsli or vinaceous-bufE, indistinctly blotched
(chiefly) and spotted with light or pale umber and piuphsh-brown.
Dimensions in inches of a proper clutch: (1) 1-75 x 1-18, (2) 1-7 x 1-2,
(3) 1-66 X 1-16.

Tlie eggs are probably the next Ughtest in general colouring to those
of the S. arguta.

Observations — The next most nortlierly species of this pecuUar Crow
Shrike is the Grey. Its habitat is included from South Queensland round to
South Australia. How much further west it extends, or where it inter-
gi-ades %vitli the Leaden-coloured Crow Shrike (S. plumbea ), has yet to be
ascertained. Gould has amalgamated the two fonns, although at first he
was inclined to separate tliem. They have again been separated on the
authority of Dr. Shai-pe.

Almost every dweller of the forest is acquainted with the pecuUar loud
double note of the Grey Crow Shrike. The nest of this species I last
took was during a South Australian excursion to Kingston. The nest
was situated in a c<i.suarina in the coastal sci'ub, was somewhat shallow,
and lined sparingly with tendrils of creeping plants, grass, and rootlets.
Dimensions over all, 16 to 18 inches by 10 inches in depth; egg cavity,
6 inches across by 3 inches deep. Clutch, three eggs. Date, 19th
September, 1899.

Breeding months commence in August, continuing to October, or later.

49. — Strepera cuneicaudata (sub-species) plumbea, Gould
LEADEN CROW SHRIKE.

Reference. — Cat. Birds Brit. Mus . vol. iii., p. 60.

Previous Descriptions of Eggs. — Campbell: Proc, Roy. Soc. Victoria,
vol. iii., p. I, pi. I. fig. 7 and g (iSgo)

Gtoyriiphical Distribution. — West Australia.

NliSl'S AXn EGGS OF AUSTKALIAN 7i/KIKS. 6[

yest, — Open, soniewl^at large, composed outwardly of lough, dead
sticks and twigs, fimily lined inside with grasses, and situated in the forked
branches of any suitable tree. Dimensions over all, about 18 inches;
inside or egg cavity. 7 inclies across by 3 inclies deep.

Egyx. — Clutch, three; long oval in shape; texture fairly fine; siu-face
slightly glossy ; coloiu', deep redcUsh-buff or brownish-red, indistinctly
mottled all over with a darker shade of the same colour. Some examples
are much lighter in colotir, more resembling those of .S'. anjuto or
S. cuiteirtiiidafa. Dimensions in inches of a pair: (1) r89 x 1'18.
(2) 1-78 X M7 ; of an odd and somewhat roundish example : 1-67 x 1'2.

Observations. — Diuing my excursions in the forests of Western Aus-
tralia I enjoyed ample opportunity of observing this bii'd, or the
" Squeaker." as the Colonists there commonly call it. I have been able
to approach near enough for me to distinguish the yellow of their large
eyes when the birds hopped over the ground, crow-like fashion, as Gilbert
remarked, in search of food, which is various, from snakes to cultivated
friut. I am informed they will devour figs wholesale, and think lightly
of flying away with their large bill piercing a juicy pear.

The nest above described I took near Hainolin Harbour, 17th October.
1889. It was situated in the forked branches of a peppennint tree

(Agon in). Fortimately the two eggs were addled, or else I should not
have obtained my specimens. From the third egg a naked squab had
just been hatched.

The illustration is taken from that nest, which was removed and placed
at the base of a blackened stump.

50. — Strepeha mel.\noptera, Gould.

BLACK-WINGED CROW SHRIKE.

RefertHce. — Cat. Birds Brit. Mus., vol iii , p. Gi.

Previous Dcscripticiis of Eggs. — North: Proc. Linn Soc, N.S. Wales,
vol. ii., 2nd ser., p 406 (1S87).

Gi'ogrnpliical Dixtrlhiifinii. — Victoria (?) and South Austraha.

Kest. — Similar to those of the other members of the genus.

Eggx. — Clutch, two to tlu'ee ; oval in shape ; texture of shell fairly
fine ; sui-face glossy ; coloiu", pale pui-plish-buff or pvuplish-flesh, moderately
blotched, cliiefly, and spotted with umber, rufous-brown, and dull purplish-
brown. Dimensions in inches of a pair: (1) 1'67 x 1'17, (2) 16 x 1-17.

Observations. — S. melanoptera or the Black-winged Crow Shrike is the
mainland or smaller race of iS'. arguta of Tasmania. Gould, upon second
consideration, bunched the two (his own) species. Dr. Sharpe has not

only separated them again but split the mainland species into two.
However, his remarks are somewhat cautious. He says ; " If we consider

62 NESTS AXD EGGS Of AUSTRALIAN BIRDS.

the big S. aryuta of Tasmania to be the typical species of this group of
Streptra, we find three very closely allied species, whose exact relation,
time, and a laiger series of specimens are necessary to determine. I have
separated the smaller fonn from Port Lincoln as S. intermedia, as well
as the South Australian S. melanoptera; but whether these both grade
into one another or into S. argiifa, must be proved by the comparison of
a larger series.

Writing from Yorkc Peninsula, S. Australia, Mr. James G. McDougall
states: — "The Black Magpie (S. nii //nvqjter/i ) builds a nest hardly dis-
tinguishable from that of the Magpie, but somewhat larger. Eggs, two ;
breeds October. A rather scarce bird with us." Mr. W. White says two
eggs predominate as a i"u!e for a sitting, but he has not vmfrequently seen
three. The pair of eggs I received from him bore the data, — " Kangaroo
Island— August 1885."

I possess a pair of Strepera's eggs, taken near Port Lincohi in the
Crawford Range, iSth September, 1890, but whether they are referable to
Dr. Sharpe's doubtful species — intermedin — I know not. The two eggs,
although taken from the same nest, vary from each other. One has the
ground-colom- vinaceous-buff, blotched and spotted on the larger end with
umber and pui'plish-brown ; measurement, 1-68 x r2 inches. The other
has a decidedly darker ground-colour, marked with reddish and purplish-
brown ; measurement, 1-58 x 1-2 inches.

Mr. North has also given a description of a reputed single egg of this
dubious species, vide Proc. Linn. Soc, New South Wales, vol. ii., 2nd ser.,
p. 405 (1887).

51. — Strepera FULiGiNosA, Gould. (89)

SOOTY OR BLACK CROW SHRIKE.

Figure. — Gould : Birds of Australia, fol., vol ii., pi 43.

Reference. — Cat. Birds Brit. Mus., vol. iii,, p. 61.

Previous Descriftions of Eggs. — Gould: Birds of Australia (1848), also

Handbook, vol. i., p. 170 (1865) ; North: Austn. Mus. Cat. p. 57,

pi, 7. fig. 2 (1889).

Geographical Di^trihution. — Victoria and South Australia (?), Tasmania
and intermediate islands in Bass Strait.

Nest. — Open, outwardly composed of sticks or coarse twigs, lined
compactly inside with fine tvrigs and rootlets, and usually placed in
the forked branches of a tree, high or low. Dimensions over all, 15 or
16 inches by 14 inches in depth; inside or egg cavity, 5i inches across
by 3 inches deep.

Er/fjs. — Clutch, two to four; lengthened oval in shape or more pointed
at one end ; texture of shell fairly fine ; surface slightly glossy ; colour,
rich purphsh or dark vinaceous-buff, blotched all over (bvit chiefly on the
upper quarter) with large markings of reddish-brown and purplish-brown
of various shades. Dimensions in inches of a proper clutch : (1) r82 x
1-22, (2) 1-8 X 1-18, (3) 1-73 x 1-22. (Plate 5.)

!VESrS AND EGGS OF AUSl'/iAL/AN BIRDS. g^

Observations. — The Sooty or Black Crow Shrike is a very familiar
species, especially in Tasmania, and on nearly all the intermediate wooded
islands in Bass Strait. Specimens were secured at all expeditious of the
Field Natiu'alists' Club of Victoria to the Strait. Nowhere were the
birds found more plentiful than on King Island. They were decidedly
fond of visiting the kelpj' beaches, where, with peculiar cackle-like cries,
they liimted in scores for larvae and other insects in the heaps of decaying
alg<e. From the trees in the scrub we took three nests, all containing full
set of three eggs, richer and darker in colour than those belonging to any
other species of Strepcra.

These King Island specimens first aroused my suspicions that previous
descriptions (including my own) of these eggs were erroneous, and that we
had been taking those of S. nrguta for .S'. fnligiiiui'a, and vice versa.

With the kind assistance of Mr. A. E. Brent, I was able to establish
that the Sootv Crow Shrike invariably laid the rich purplish-buff or dark
N-inaccous-coloured eggs, while the /i;/lif piu-plish-buiT or pale vinaceous-
brown undoubtedly belonged to the Hill Crow Shrike {S. nri/uta).

In Tasmania and on King Island, unusually full complements of four
I ggs for the Sooty Crow Shrike have been found. Some of the nests in
the former locality were rendered beautiful by reason of the fine straw-
loloured rootlets used by the birds as lining.

Breeding months : August or September to December.

52. — Struthide.\ ciNEREA, Gould. — (289)
GREY JUMPER.

Figure — Gould : Birds of Australia, fol . vol iv., pi. 17.

Re/crciicc. — Cat. Birds Brit. Mus., vol.iii., p. 140.

Previous Descriptions of Eggs. — Gould ; Birds of .Australia, Handbook,
vol. i.. p. 473 (1865) ; Ramsay ; Proc, Linn. Soc, N S. Wales,
vol. vii., p. 406, pi. 3, figs 4 and 6 {1882I ; North : Austn. Mus.
Cat., pi. S, fig 8 {18S9) ; Campbell: Geelong Naturalist, vol.
vi., p. 4 (1896).

Gengraphical Distrihution. — Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria
and South Australia.

Xest. — Bowl-shaped, resembling the better known nest of the Magpie
Lark (Grallina), but much lighter in structure and more symmetrical in
form, built of mud (usually reddish-coloured when dry) bound tc^ether
with grass and lined inside with fine gi-ass and flowering stalks of same.
Usually placed on the horizontal limb of small trees in belts of timber on
the interior plains. Dimensions over all, o to 6 inches by 3A inches in
depth; egg ca\'ity, A\ inches across by 2\ inches deep.

64 NESTS AND EGGS OF AUSTRALIAN BIRDS.

^'.I'l^- — Clutch, five to seveu, or eiglit ; inclined to oval in
shape; textm-e of shell somewhat coarse, with a perceptible trace
of gloss upon the surface ; colour, bluish-wliite, here and there marked
with blotches of dark umber and dull piu-ple, some of the markings having
the appearance of being laid on with a soft brash. Dimensions in

inches of three examples from a full clutch of eight: (1) 1-14 x -8,
(2) 1-14 X -86, (3) 1-06 X -81. (Plate 5.1

Ohservatinns. — As the distinctive name suggests, the general plumage
of this bird is grey, each feather being tipped w-ith a lighter colour ; wings,
brown ; tail, black ; while the eyes are pearly wliite and bill and legs black.
Total length, about 12 inches. It is indeed an extraordinaiy fact that
the three mud-nest building birds of Australia, namely the Corcorax, the
Struthidea and the Grallina, should be indi%idually isolated or anomalous
forms. The nests, however, may be readily distinguished from one
another, the Corcorax being much the largest, while the Struthidea is the
finer constructed of the two smaller nests.

The Grey Struthidea or Jumper, or, as it is more frequently called, the
" Apostle Bird." is associated in family flocks like the Corcorax. It is a
dweller in the drier tracts of the gi-eat interior provinces. I saw the birds
once only in a state of natiu'e. The locality was the Tulla Run, Riverina,
(New South Wales). The troop munbered tliirteen, threading a pine
(Callitrk) scrub, indi\'idua.ls now and again uttering a harsh note.

Gilbert, Gould's able coadjutor, was the first to discover the nest and
eggs of the Stnithidea, 19th October, 1844, during Leichhardt's exploring
expedition from Moreton Bay to Port Essingtou.

Again it was reserved for Mr. Hermann Lau to prove that more than
one female Strvithidea, like the Corcorax, lays in the same nest. He
says : — " The Trooper Birds (Struthidea), sombre in their garment, and like
the Black Magpie (Corcora r ), fomi themselves into an assemblage from
eight to sixteen, trotting about together while uttering a squealing note.
The little chaps go through at least three broods, commencing in
Queensland early in September, and fini.shing up in December. Strict
observations led to the result that the whole company attend solely to one
nest, which I proved at WaiToo. October, 1869. Finding a nest high
up on the branch of a Casuarina, I told my black climber not to touch it
should it not contain at least five eggs, and when he called out ' only one,'
I ordered him down, intending to make further observations. Accordingly
after five days I appeared, expecting now six eggs, but to my surprise the
nest contained eight I " Clearly then. Mr. Lau has proved in the finding
of seveu eggs in a nest, after an interval of five days, that more than one
female Struthidea lays in the same nest, but it has yet to be ascertained
how many lay out of a troop say of twelve or thirteen birds, and if a
female lavs more than a single egg.

Breeding months, August to December.

NESTS A.VD EGGS 0/-' AUSTA'A/J.liV lUKDS. g,^

Sub-family — FuEoiLiNiE : Choughs.

53. — COUCOKAX MELANOKHAMPHUS, VieiUot. (288).

WHITE-WINGED CHOUGH.

Figure. — Gould : Birds of .-Vustralia, fol., vol. iv., pi. i6.

Reference. — Cat. Birds Brit. Mus , vol. iii., p. 149.

Previous Dtscriptions of Eggs.— GowXd: Birds of Australia (1848), Hand-
book, vol. i., p. 471 (1S65); North: Austn. Mus. Cat., p. 1S9
(1889) ; Campbell : Gcelong Naturalist, vnl. vi., p. 3 (iSg6).

Geographical Di^trihufinn. — Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria
and South Australia.

Xext. — Large, bowl-shaped, composed of coarse cemented mud scantily
lined inside with matted string}--bark, grass, and sometimes with fur and
feathers, and conspicuouslj' placed on any convenient horizontal limb of a
tree in open forest or belt of timber. (See illustrations.) Dimensions
over all of an average nest, 8J inches by 6i inches in depth ; egg cavity
7 inches across by 3 inches deep.

t^i/V- — Clutch, five to seven usually, eight or more occasionally ;
incUned to be elliptical in shape ; texture of shell comparatively strong,
with glossy surface ; colour, wliitish or light yellowish-wliite, moderately
but boldly blotched with irregular-sized patches of olive-brown and dull-
slate, the latter colour imdcrlyiug the surface of the shell. Dimensions in
inches of a pair from an incomplete clutch of three taken near Pvramid Hill,
Victoria, 6th October, 1884: (1) 1-58 x Ml, (2) 1-53 x Ml ; of a proper
clutch of five eggs (seven birds to the family) taken near the Murray,
Rivei-iiia, 5th November, 1892: (1) 1-64 x 1-14, (2) 157 xM4,
(3) 1-56 X M4, (4) 1-51 x MO, (5) 1-41 x M2. (Plate 5.)

Observations. — There is much of interest surrounding the Corcorax.
Not only is the bird a unique or anomalous kind, but as a common forest
species tiirougliout the greater part of Australia, little is understood of
its natural habits. Its total length is given at 16 to 19 inches; wing.
10 inches; tail, 9 inches; a somewhat slender bill is 1| inches, while
the black pliunage with its glossy -gi-een reflections is set off with scarlet
eyes. All our native birds are more or less infested with vermin. Some
specimens of the Chough are very repidsive in tliis respect.

Gould savs the Chough occurs in small troojss of from si.x to ten in
number. During a recent inland exciu'siou, I was careful to count
the individuals of various famiUes, which numbered respectively six, seven,
seven, and six. On another occasion I was present at the taking of a
nest, when seven birds appeared in a very excited manner. Of coiuse
there may be lai-ger flocks when augmented by the season's young.
Mr. Clias. McLennan witnessed m the Mallec, one autumn, a large flock
of over 100 Choughs. The gi-eat natvu'alist also says, " It has often struck
me that more than one female deposits her egg in the same nest, as four or
five females may be frequently seen cither on the same or neighboiuing
trees, while only one nest is to be found."

Mr. A. J. North writes, " As many as eight eggs have been taken from
one nest. It would appear therefore that more than one bird lays in a
single nest. It is well known that often more than one pair of birds
assists in the construction of one nest."
5

(";5 XESTS AXD EGGS Of AUSTRALIAN BIRDS.

However, I think the actual proving of the interesting fact rests with
my fi-icnd, Mr. Hermann Lau. Let his own words attest.
" The Black Magpie (Corcorax) is gregaiious, hving in small troops of
fi'om five to fifteen, and is dispersed all over the Downs (Darling).
Together they commence biulduig one nest, its material being simply mud
mixed with dry grass, and often here and there I have found pebbles the
size of a marble embedded. If the soil from which the stuff is taken is
black, as on the plainy Downs, the nest shows that colour ; on the other
hand, if of a loamy character, as at WaiTOo and vicinity, the colour is
lighter. Tlie hiring consists in the first-named case of dry grass and in
the second mostly of opossum hair, on which five or six eggs rest. The
whole company attend to one nest, as I have proved, shooting two birds
from the nest, and seeing a third sitting next day. As soon as the
young are hatched, another nest gets built, and so on until Christmas
(commencing in September), so that tlu-ec broods may be expected. At
Warroo, September, 1879, I sent my black man up a tree to fetch me a
nest with the complement of eggs. The nest weighed 7| lbs.''

With regard to the nesting of the Chough, there still remain two
important points to be settled : — What is the proportion of male and female
birds to one family or nest ? and. Do the females lay each one or
more eggs?

An exceedingly large nest of this remarkable species taken in the Swan
Hill district, 1893, by Mr. Robert Hall, of the Field Naturalists' Club,
weighed no less than 9 lbs. 6 ozs.

It may not be generally known that the Chough is, at seasons, a
nuisance to farmers. A coiTespondent in the Mangalore district, Victoria,
informs me these birds give some trouble in the newly-sown fields by
pulling up grain just as it is genninating.

Breeding months, August to December.

FAMILY— PARADISEID^ ; BIRDS OF PARADISE.

Sub-family : Epimachin^.

54- — Ptilorhis paradisea, Swainson. — (363)
RIFLE BIRD.

Figure. — Gould : Birds of Australia, fol., vol. iv.. pi. loo

Refsrence. — Cat. Birds Brit. Mus., vol. iii., p. 154.

Previous Description of Eggs. — Campbell; Victorian Naturalist (1897).

Geographical Distribution. — South Queensland and New South Wales.

Xest. — Somewhat bulky, outwardl)' constnicted chieflv of green stems
and fronds of a chmbing fern (Polypodium ronfluens), with a few other
broad dead leaves at the base, ornamented roimd the rim with portions of
shed skins from the Carpet Snake (Mnrelia rariegnfn ), hned inside with
wire-hke rootlets and a few long, straight portions of twigs. Dimensions
over all, 8 inches to 9 inches by 4 inches in depth ; egg cavity, 4 inches
across by 2 inches deep.

VESTS .LVD EGGS OF AVSTHAUAN BIRDS. C)-

K:/i/f. — Clutcli, two; iu shape, inclined to oval, but more
swollen about the upper quarter; shell, somewhat fine in texture, surface
somewhat uneven, i.e.. with hair-like cracks or creases, but glossy; colour,
rich fleshy tiut or piukish-buff, inoderat<?ly but boldly marked or streaked
longitudinally with reddish-brown and pui-plish-brown, the markings being
more numerous on the apex and upper quarter. Some of the markings
have the appearance of being painted on with a fine brush. The egg
resembles in general character the smaller egg of the Victoria Rifle Bird,
but is richer in the ground colour, with the markings not so elongated.
Dimensions in inches, r29x'98. (Plate G.)

Oh.irrrntioits. — *This gorgeously-plumaged bird is the most southern
representative of the magnificent Birds of Pai-adise. Its natural
boundaries are the dense sub-tropical scrubs, chiefly the coastal region
from the Hunter and Manning Rivers district. New South AVales, to the
Maryborough or Wide Bay district. South Queensland. A single bird
has been shot behind the Berserker mountains in the Upper Fitzroy
district. The opening up of its haimts by civilisation, and the number of
birds slain for their intrinsic value, have gi-eatly restricted these boundaries.

My first introduction to tliis glorious bird occuiTed under singular
cii-ciunstances. I was en route for the Big Scrub, and between the
Clarence and Richmond Rivers we crossed a pine-clad range. The driver
of the coach obligingly stopped to enable me to take a photograph at a
pretty turn iu the road. While taking the picture I heard from the
topmost branch of a pine near, extraordinary notes like " yass-yass,"
and tiu-ning, I beheld, perched upon a tree, a Rifle Bird spreading his
shining wings and quivering them in the morning sunshine. Fortunately
for the beautiful bird, my gim was packed away in its case at the bottom
of the coach.

In New South Wales, the first Rifle Bird ever seen was supposed
to have been shot by a convict named Wilson, and, having been
described by Swainson iu 1825, it does seem vmaccoiuitable that
in such an enterprising State the eggs were not discovered sooner.
Mr. F. Strange, in commimicating with Gould, merely dropped the hint
that the pairing months ai-e November and December, a statement no
doubt con-ect, for, according to the infonnatiou I could glean from the
selectors during my \'isit to the Big Scrub, Richmond River, the young
birds, which are exceedingly clamorous, are fii-st heard about the middle of
January, and the old birds lay diuing December. My visit was early in
November, so I was evidently too soon as far as this species was concerned.
One person told me he had seen two nests lined entirely with shed skins
of snakes — a most incredible assertion I thought at the time.

I brought home a pair of skins from the Big Scrub. My companion
shot the male, I bagged the female. The male was in his full nuptial
plumage of deep velvety-black, which at certain angles of light was tinged
with lilac on the back and on the under parts with lustrous olive-
green, while the top of the head and the throat were resplendent with
sliining shields of metallic green. The aboriginals called the bu-d " Bung-

• Additional observations, see appendi.\ and illustration of nest from photograph
by Mr. S W Jackson.

68 A'ESTS A.VD EGGS OF AUSTRATJAN BIRDS.

bung " (meauing shining or silky). Gould, through an informant, states
the native name is " Yass, " after the note of the bird, but the name is
applied fui-ther down by the natives of the Clarence district. You may
hear females and young males from different parts of the sci-ub uttering
a prolonged guttui-al " yass." Young males Just commencing to feel " their
spurs " repeat the note twice, somewhat hurriedly ; but there is no mistak-
ing an old " rooster," with the measm-ed intei-\'al between the two not€s
as if he were taking breath, and so lovid are the notes that he may be heard
lialf-a-mile or more away. The Rifle Bird is very local. If you hear one in a
particular locaUty, it is only a matter of time and patience before the bird
is yours. By and by you may see him ascending a tree bole after the
manner of a Tree Creeper or clinging to a huge " calabash " (staghom fern)
prospecting with large ciu'ved bill for insect food.

Two informants reported they saw what appeared to be a nest behind
such a place (stag-ferns). One was in a " bean " tree, about fifty feet from
the gi'ound, where a pair of birds was going to and fro as if feeding young.

However, here is the story of the fii'st (record) nest. About the middle
of the second week in November, 1897, Mr. Isaac Foster, farmer, at Rous.
Richmond River district, observed a pair of birds, i.e., both male and
female, building. He detected them caiTying portions of ferns f Polypodiiim )
for nest constiiiction, the remarkable fact being that the male bird appeared
immature, not being in entirely black plumage. Mr. Foster reported the
interesting news to my friend, Mr. W. T. Bailey, of Cowlong, and an
arrangement was made to take the nest on the 19th November, when it
was found to contain a single egg.

Tlie nest was built in a thick entanglement of vines, which enveloped
tlio top of a buoyong sapling forty feet high, the lunbrageous foliage on
top resembling an umbrella on a vei-y long handle. The scrub was dense
round about, but the tree in wluch the nest was built was well exposed,
owing to a windfall having broken down the trees near it.

I shall give Mr. Bailey's own account of taking the nest : —
" We went on the day appointed, and found the nest to contain one egg.
We were a little puzzled to know whether to take it or leave it to ascertain
the full clutch. But as I lived far from the place, I said ' make sure of
No. 1.' Foster chmbed the tree, and found there were other two old nests
of the same kind, thus proving they must build year after year in the
same tree.

" We arranged to allow another ten days to elapse to make sure of any
more eggs, but no more were laid. The nest is a fine picture, hned with
snake skins, and decorated on the outside with living ferns (a climbing
variety). You may be sure I was not happy till I gob it in my possession.
I sewed the nest all wavs with thin twine, so it cannot get out of shape.
I think it wiU make a good photograph."

The nest and egg, which reached me safely through the Parcel Post,
were duly described before the Field Natm'aUsts' Club of Victoria. (See
illustration, " Nest of the Rifle Bird.")

NESTS AXD EGGS OF AUSTRALlAtV BIRDS. Oc)

55. — Ptii.okhis victoria, Gould. — (3(M|
VICTORIA RIFLE BIRD.

Figure. — Gould : Birds of Australia, fol.. supp., pi. 50.

Reference. — Cat. Birds Brit. Mus,, vol. iii., p. 155.

Previous Descriptions of Eggs. — Campbell; Victorian Naturalist (iSga) ;
Le Souef : Proc. Hoy. Soc. Victoria, vol. v., new ser., plate only
(1892): Le Souef: Proc. Roy. Soc. Victoria, vol. vii., new ser.,
p. 22 (1895).

Geograiihical Distri/mfioii. — North Queensland, including Barnard
Islands.

Nest. — Oval in shape, open, .shallow; somewhat loosely constructed of
tough branching rootlets and a few broad dead leaves and tendrils of
climbing plants ; lined inside with a layer of broad leaves, upon which are
placed portions of very fine twigs. Usually situated in dense scrub.
Dimensions over all, 8 inches longest breadth, shortest breadth 6 or 7
inches by 3i inches in depth ; egg cavity, 4 inches across by H inches deep.
(See illustration.)

AVy- — Clutch, two ; blunt or stout oval in shape ; te.xture
of shell somewhat fine ; siu-face glossy, wth a few crease-like
lines running lengthwise ; colour of a fleshy lint, streaked in various
lengths and breadths longitudinally with rich reddish-brown and purplish-
brown. The markings commence near the apex, wliich is bare or nearly
so, extend about half-way down the shell, and assume the appearance
of having been painted on (boldly at the top and tapering downwards)
with a camel-hair brush. Some of the markings are conlluent, and appear
as having been painted over each other. In one example, the longest
single mai-king measm-ed -48 inch by a breadth of 09 inch. Dimensions
in inches of a proper clutch: (1) 1-24 x 92, (2) 1-24 x -89.

The type specimen of these beautiful eggs described by me in the
" Victorian Naturahst," 1892, figured by Mr. D. Le Souef in the Proc.
Roy. Soc. Vict, the same year, and now in the Australian Museum, has,
in addition to the above-mentioned markings, a few small spots near the
lower quarter, and one large blotch of rich reddish-bro^vn wliich has a
smudged appearance. Dimensions in inches: 1-23 x -92.

Observations. — This, the smallest, but none the less gorgeous of the
Rifle Birds or Plumeless Birds of Paradise, is a dweller of the rich tropical
scrubs of Northern Queensland, and its habitat is intermediate between
the Rifle Bird of New South Wales and Queensland, and the Albert Rifle
Bird of Cape York, being a limited strip of country of about 250 miles,
extending from the Herbert River scrubs in the south into York
Peninsula about the Bloomfield River district in the north.

Macgillivray, when surveying the North-east coast of AustraUa,
discovered the Victoria Rifle Bird on the Barnard Islands and on the
adjacent shores of the mainland at Rockingham Bay. On the islands he
found three yoimg males fighting, which he bagged vritli a single charge
of dust shot.

■jQ NESTS AND EGGS OF AUSTRALIAN BIRDS.

Mr. Kendall Broadbent, who is undoubtedly a good " field " authority
on our northern scrubs, gives some very interesting details of the Victoria
Rifle Bird. He found the bird in the mountainous districts inland from
Cardwell even more numerous on the western fall of the range than
anywhere else. In its peculiar district it is so common that Mr. Broadbent
has seen as many as eight male birds while merely riding along the road
through the scrub. The birds attain their full size the second year, but
the plumage of tlie male is not perfect until the third year.

During the months of July, August, and Sejjtember (which
Mr. Broadbent considered were the breeding season) the male bird is
continually on the move, flying or hopping, and calling almost incessantly.
On this latter account he is most easily obtained at tliis time of the
year. After September, Mr. Broadbent relates, the male is very quiet,
a fact that I think would suggest its breeding season had only commenced,
which, by the subsequent discovery by other collectors of several nests with
eggs, proved to be the case.

The play-grounds and habits of the Victoria Rifle Bird are indeed
remarkable, and aid in proving the affinity of Rifle Birds wth Bower
Birds. Mr. Broadbent proceeds to state: — "Each male bird, as thougii
by mutual agreement, has possession of a fixed domain, possibly some
hundi'eds of yards in extent. In this area he has absolute rule — that is,
as far as he can rule — and, if another male should enter on the ground.
a fight ensues, the victor remaining in possession.

" A further interesting fact in this connection is the ' play-ground ' used
by each male bird. In early morning the bird resorts to his play-gioimd
and there sports himself, now spreading his mngs and inibbing them against
the sui-face of the play-grouud, and then whirling round with wings
expanded. This lie sometimes keeps up for as long as half-an-hour. No
trouble is taken in preparing the giound, as in the case of the Bower Birds
with their wonderful bowers. The bird simply selects the broken Umb of
a dead gum on the border of the scrub, a broken palm, or perhaps a dead
stump; but, having chosen this, here he returns at dawn day after day,
especially in (? before) the breeding season. Once having seen a bird at
play in such a place, it is no difficult matter to obtain it in futiu'e ; in tliis
way I once procured a specimen which had selected a tree stump for its
' ground,' and at a later date secured a second bird which had seemingly
inherited the vacant property."

One of the chief objects of my trip to Queensland in 1885 was to gain,
if possible, some information respecting the nidification of tliis Rifle Bird,
wliich was up to that time a sealed book, or one of Natiu'e's secrets.
Although I did not succeed in procuring eggs, I had better give the story
of our glorious outing amongst the birds themselves as it aiDpeared in the
columns of I'hc Aiistra/asiaii, under the title of "A Naturalists' Camp in
Northern Queensland, " my companions being Messrs. A. and F. Coles,
Melboiu-ne, and Mr. A. Gulliver, Townsville : —

" While encamped at Cardwell we determined to see the Rifle Bird
in its native element, and, if possible, procure skins, and, as the Rockingham
Bay variety was rarest, we were doubly anxious for success. Having failed
to observe any of these birds on the mainland, and knowing that they were.

A'ES/S A.\'D EGGS OF AUSTKAUAN BIRDS. ~\

tolerably plentiful on some isolated islands up the coast, we resolved to
enlist our friend, Mr. Walsh, sub-collector of Customs, into our ser\'ices.
We had no sooner made known our errand than ho replied a trip could bo
(.apitally aiTanged, because ho had officially to visit that part of the coast,
and could go with us in the pilot cutter. It was a delightfid morning as
wo left tlu' camp behind and briskly ' pegged out ' for town, wlare we
ari'ived at half-past eight o'clock. The tide was unfavourable, and we did
not get aboard till two hours later. Leaving jjort we had a fair wind,
but wheu wo got outside the bold land of Hinchinbrook Island the weather
was rather dirty, with a strong south-cast wind. We soon reached the
Family Islands, a gi-oup of five, with slopes more or less grassed to the
water's edge, where the blue sparkling water, gi-ey rock, and green sward
formed agreeable contrasts. Dunk Island was passed on the weather
side, then King's Reef, which nms between Clump Point on the mainland
and the two South Barnard Islands.

After a fair run of thirty-five miles we made the North Barnard, a gi ou])
of five islets lying at various distances up to two-and-a-half miles from the
mainland, and dropped anchor at about half-past four o'clock to the leeward
of the largest and outennost island. Hero oiu- little craft strained at her
anchor, pitching and tossing all night, much to the discomfort of invalided
passengers. At siuirise ne.\t morning our skipper pronounced the .surf too
great to enable the dinghy to land us with siifcty. This news was a great
disappointment to us, especially as we were only a few cables' length from
our much-coveted goal, so wo decided to run for Mourilvan Harboui', on
the mainland, distant about five miles, to wait vintil the weather moderated.

'' Next morning at daybreak it looked calm outside, so with a gentle
land breeze we quietly slipped out, and before breakfast were once again
riding at anchor off the outer Barnard. The island rises out of the Coral
Sea to an elevation of about three hundred feet. It is half-a-mile long by
a quarter broad, and enshrouded in luxuriant vegetation. Trees great and
small show above the prevailing dense scrub. Although we appeared to
be close in shore, it was a long row in the dinghv. A ctirling wave shot us
on to the coral strand, which was bordered at high-water mark with large,
strongly-perfumed white lilies (Crinum asiaticum), gi-owing from broad
flag-Uke leaves. A beautifvd convolvulus ffpomreri) of blue and piu-plc
festooned the nearer bushes. Up the face of the island large, noble, and
beautiful trees, the botanical name of which we had not learnt, met our
gaze, contrasted with figs (Ficus magnifulia), Pongainia glabra, bearing
large seed pods, and Ixora iimorensis in flower, interlaced with small
species of lawyer palm, and overgrown with innumerable creepers, pothos,
and other chmbers. I clambered up the face of a rough, rocky suiiace,
with loose dark movdd, sustaining crops of bird-nest ferns among vines and
supplejacks ; pi-ogi-ess was rendered not only slow but difficult. When
about half-way towards the summit of the island, I moved across the face
and dipped into one of the numerous gullies or hollows which ran down to
the sea. Here, with a fair outlook up and down hill, I waited the turn
of events. Presently in the thicket I heard ' scrape.' My breechloader
brought down through au entanglement of vegetation my first Rifle Bird —
a female. After remaining in ambush some time I seciucd another female.

72

NESTS A.VD EGGS OF AUSTRALIAN BIRDS.

and returned to the strand, where I met the other members of the party
in gi-eat ecstasies over a lovely male bird.

" Limcheon over, we took to the scrub, which was now uncom-
fortably damp from passing showers. After scrambling about until the
perspiration was hterally rolhng off me, and as it had commenced to rain
in earnest — real tropical showers — I thought, instead of chasing the birds,
I would tiy an experiment and let them chase me. The idea was good,
because after I had waited for some time there flew past me a lustrous
black bu-d with rounded wings and of compact appearance. Duiing flight
its feathers produced a peculiar rustling noise hke a new silk diess.
Between tliirty and forty yards off it alighted, and darted beliiud some
green branches. In an instant, reckoning on the intervening obstniction,
I discharged No. 6 instead of dust shot. I was immediately suiTounded
by thick smoke hanging in the damp air, but whether my beautiful
feathered N-isitor had fallen or flown I knew not. Overcome with excite-
ment. I felt as if I could hardly ventiu'e to ascertain. I crawled slowly up
the gully through prickly creepers, and on parting a bush there I beheld
a gorgeous male Rifle Bird, dead, upon its back. It was a beautiful object
in its rich shining garb.

■' Two males and one hen fell to the second member of the party. The
botanist was a long time in showing up, so we conjectiu'ed that he was
either lost or had obtained a big bag. Both surmises proved
correct. Every attempt he made to reach the beach he foimd
himself on the wi'ong side of the island, but during liis wander-
ings he ' bagged ' no less than three males and seven hens. When
he emerged from the scrub he looked a woe-begone sight, dripping wet,
scratched and bleeding, hair over his forehead, with gun in one hand,
while under the other arm were the birds carefully rolled up in his hat.
We enjoyed a hearty laugh. W^e soon got afloat, changed om- clothes,
and refreshed ourselves with a wann supper. Then followed the reckoning
of the day's work — gi-and total, seventeen Birds of Paradise — the gi-eatest
day's taking of rarities recorded in the annals of Austrahan ornithology.
Certainly it was a most imfortimate day for the poor bii-ds, and for their
sake let us hope it may never occur again. We were the best part of the
night tm-niug oui' booty into skins. The weight of one of the bu^ds was a
little over two ounces. About midnight we left our anchorage, and turned
the cutter's nose towards Cardwell, wishing to reach port before Sunday.
Good headway was made at the beginning, but at sunrise the wind died
almost away, and we diifted on leisurely, aided by wind puffs and tides.
It was a most charming day — above a cloudless vault, below the ocean, tiiie
to its name, Pacific. Lovely islands were slowly passed, beliind which
could be seen the mainland melting into distance. Taking all things into
consideration, especially the unquaUfied success of the object of our cniise,
we felt supremely happy.

" The success we met with dining the eight houi-s we spent among the
Rifle Bii-ds only whetted oiu: appetites for more information, especially
as the dissection of one female bird proved that the breeding season had
commenced, and the finding of a nest would be the greatest oological
discoveiy of the day. Therefore we were lu-ged to imdertake another
trip.

N£STS AND EGGS OF AUSTRALIAN BIRDS. 73

" The ' Biudekin ' steamer (Capt.aiu J. Keir), a regular northem trader,
was due at Cardwell from the south, and gave us the chance of staying
two days at the islands. Terms were soon agreed upon, and once more
our party left Cardwell. We were provided with a tent and a breaker of
fresh water, the island being without spi-ings.

'' The steamer amved abreast of our island shortly after three o'clock.
The captain put us into the steamer's boat, and in landing we had much
difficulty in keeping our paraphernalia dry on account of the sm-f. Our
tent was pitched between two pahn-like pandanus trees, surrounded by
strongly-perfumed white lilies and thick foUage, adorned with convolvulus.
The richly-wooded slopes of the island completely sheltered us on the wind-
ward side. Being in the Coral Sea, and imdcr the protecting influence of
the Great Barrier Reef, whose nearest edges were not more than ten miles
off, we felt perfectly secure in om- insular quarters. Winds might blow
and storms beat, but no gi-eat billows can ever disliu-b these tranquil
shores. The islet we were on had not been si)ecifically named before, so
during a passing shower, in the name of all that is beautiful in natiu'e
we christened it ' Ptilorhis,' that being the generic name of the lovely
Rifle Bird so abundant in its scrabs. Notwithstanding the evening being
showery, we cUmbed to the summit of Ptilorliis Island, but the result was
nil. In oui- tent we spent a tolerably refreshing night, somewhat broken,
however, by the annoyance caused by numerous indigenous bush rats, which
are not quite so large as common city vermin. They are known as the
long-haired rat (Mu>i louyipihts) of Gould. These rats fearlessly entered
the tent and attacked the provisions. They evidently had not seen human
beings before, for they made themselves so uncommonly familiar as to run
over our bodies. A pistol was discharged among them. The echo of the
report from the island opposite had barely died away before the impertinent
intniders were at their little games again.

" Wednesday, September 9th, was a bright day in our calendar. By
daylight and before breakfast we entered the wet scrub, and were rewarded
with a brace of beautiful White Nutmeg or ToiTes Strait Pigeons. These
pigeons were just beginning to arrive from some northern latitudes. They
roost at the islands at night, retiu-ning to the mainland to feed at simrise.
We saw dozens of last season's nests. Although we heard theii- loud ' coo '
in different places, the Pigeons were difficult to sight thi-ough the thick
foliage of the trees in wliich they sought refiige. After being much
emban-assed by the wet sci-ub and canes, I got a splendid male Rifle Bird
and a brace of hens (their plumage being at perfection at this period of
the year). I then dropped into a sylvan nook to watch the actions of the
birds aromid me. Here tall and tliick foliage almost shut out the Ught
of day. Pretty little Rufous Fantails darted at me as if I intriided upon
their particular dominions ; Zosterops chirped overhead ; Megapodes
or Scrub Hens, chased each other through the imderwood, and,
not detecting my presence, passed witliin a few feet, uttering curious' crying
calls. Where the ground was loamy they were patching up their huge
egg-moimds for the coming season — interesting in their way, but the
subject preoccupying my mind was Rifle Birds. At one time I was sur-
rounded by no less than two male Rifle Birds and five hens ; some were on

74 NESTS AND EGGS OF Al'STRAUAN BIRDS.

the ground turning over small stones and leaves in search of food, others
were preening theu" beautiful quills or stretching their necks from behind a
limb to watch me. Both male and female occasionally uttered the peculiar
hoarse, guttui'al ' scrape ' noise, which was sometimes repeated twice in
succession. I could not sufficiently admire the splendid shining appearance
of the male bird in evei-y position, but when it darted through the rich
green foliage or posed upon a rock it was really a superb creatiu-e. I felt
convinced that the majority of the birds had not commenced to breed, so at
iutei-vals I fired small charges of dust-shot, and secured a pair of fine males
and one hen. We all tm-ned up at the tent hungiy and wet, and over a
warm ' billy ' of tea exchanged experiences. The takings were distributed
as follow : — The botanist, a pan- of Rifle Birds and a pair of Pigeons ;
the yoimger brother, a pair of Rifles, a Megapode, and such small fry;
and myself, three pairs of Rifles. Although a sharp look-out was kept
none of us saw any traces of nests

" Rats were again troublesome at night. They ran off with our
preserved milk tin, and also destroyed one of oiu' fine Pigeons. In the
morning we expected the steamer, therefore we chiefly occupied ourselves
in striking camp, &c., and gathering collections of sea-shells. There were
volutes, cowries, cones, in endless profusion, the majority being empty.
The beach was entirely composed of fragments of dead coral, hard as
cement, washed up by the sea. When the tide was out the rocks, which
are of singidar formation, Uke those of the island, bespangled with mica
ciystals, retained innumerable cui'ious marine creatiu-es, such as small fish,
water snakes, a most remarkable rounchsh animal furnished with long,
brittle spines, live coral of bluish tint, &c. Abimdance of oysters adhered
to the rocks. After a wlule the ' BurdeMn ' hove in sight. Since our
landing the siui had increased considerably, and the crew had to manoeuvre
to keep the boat from being swamped by the breakers while taking us ofi'.
Without mishap, Cardwell was reached at six p.m. Thus ended our
second excursion to the Barnards (or lia.v-nards, as many persons insist
upon calling them, by placing the accent on the second syllable), making
a most agi'eeable climax to our ' Naturalists' Camp in Noi-them
Queensland.' ''

In 1887 I received from Mr. Charles French, F.L.S., the supposed nest
and eggs of the Victoria Rifle Bird, which I described in the " Naturalist "
of that year. The specimens were fomid in the Cardwell Scrubs by an
intelhgent reUable collector of Mr. French; but upon Messrs. Le Souef
and Barnard's subsequent discoveiy, it appeared the collector, Mr. French,
and myself had been misled — the old story of " one fool makes many.''

The honom- of the fii'st authenticated discovery of the nest and eggs
of the Victoria Rifle Bird rests with my friends, Mr. Dudley Le Souef
and Mr. Hany Barnard, who visited the Barnard Islands, and, as if drawn
by psychological influence, actually pitched their camp under a tree which
was afterwards found to contain a nest and e^g, and the hen of the rai-e
bird sitting thereon.

The following is Mr. Le Souef's own description of the finding of the
nest: — ^" Tlie nest was fomid 19th November, 1891. Mr. Harry Barnard
and myself watched the hen bird for some time, and saw her fly into the

.VESTS AA'D BGGS Ol' AUSTKALIAN BIRDS.

75

crown of ;i pandamis tree growing close to the open beach. Although we
could not distinguish the nest itself, we could see the head of the bird aa
she sat on it. The nest was about ten feet from the ground, and the bird
sat quietly, notwithstanding we were camped about live feet away from
the tree."

Meeting Mr. Le Souef at Brisbane on his return home, I was one
of the first to see his new and interesting discoveiy. He, with characteristic
thoughtfulness, peniiitted mo to describe the nest and egg. I took the
earliest opportunity of doing so by describing them at the next (December)
meeting of the Field Naturalists' Club, and thereby corrected my former
eiTor. The egg was aftorward.s figured by Mr. Lc 8ouef in the Proceedings
of the Royal Society of Victoiia, and finally found a secure resting-place, as
the type specimen, in the collection of the Australian Museimi, Sydney.

It would appear that Messrs. Le Souef and Barnard visited the inner
Barnard Islands, and not the outer, where niv party and I found the Rifle
Birds so nimierous.

Mr. Le Souef made furtiier inroads into the secluded domains of the
Rifle Bird, but this time on the mainland in the Bloomfield River district,
where he found the birds fairly plentiful in the scrubs, especially near the
coast, their harsh note being often heard. They were bv no means shy,
and seemed to be very local, but great difficulty is attached to finding their
nests. One was discovered 29th October in a fan palm, not far from the
groimd, by the blacks when clearing a place for their camp. It contained
a pair of beautifully-marked eggs. Before Mr. Le Souef left, he foiuid
another nest building in a cordyline, only about seven or eight feet from
the ground. The nest was carefidly watched, and the eggs were taken
20th November by Mr. R. Hislop for the finder. These eggs, a perfect
pair, the third recorded find, and with a history so complete, now adorn
my collection.

Mr. Le Souef saw a pair of Rifle Birds endeavouring to drive a
Black (Quoy) Butcher Bird from the neighbourhood of their (the Rifles')
nest, when they uttered a different note to their usual one.

In building, according to Mr. Le Souef, the Rifles seem to possess an
extraordinary fascination for shed snake skins, as in two instances he saw
pieces of snake skin worked into their nest, one piece being about three
feet long, most of which was hanging loose. The hen bird, when sitting on
her nest, is not easily disturbed.

Mr. W. B. Bai-nard, who, with an EngUsh friend (Mr. Albert Meek).
was collecting in the vicinity of the Bloomfield River at the time of
Mr. Le Souef's visit, has kindly supplied liis field notes respecting the
nidificatiou of the Victoria Rifle Bird. He says; — "Three nests with two
eggs each were foimd. Two eggs were broken. The nest is often built
in the fan palm, right at the tnuik of the tree where the fronds join, fairly
well liidden amongst the fibre. Mr. Le Souef gives a good photograph of
the nest. In one nest a snake's skin himg from inside down two feet.
Tliese birds build from the first week in September till the end of
November."

j6 .VESTS A.VD EGGS Of AVSTRALIA.V BIRDS.

56. — Ptilorhis alberti, Elliot. — (365)

ALBERT RIFLE BIRD.

Figure. — Gould : Birds of Australia, fol., supp., pi. 51.
Reference. — Cat. Birds Brit. Mus., vol. iii., p. 156.
Previous Description of Eggs. — Le Souef : Ibis p. 394 (1897)

Geographical Distribution. — North Queensland (Cape York).

Nest. — Open, loosely coustmcted of broad dead leaves and a few twigs ;
lined inside with fine straight pieces of twigs. Usually situated in a
paudaniis palm or other tree in the scrub. Dimensions over all, 9 to 10
inches by 5 inches in depth ; egg cavity, 3i to 4 inches across by 2 inches
deep.

Eggs. — Clutch, two ; inclined to oval in form ; textvire of shell some-
what fine; surface glossy, but with hair-like creases or pressure hnes;
coloui', yellowish-white or creamy-buS, singularly streaked longituchnally,
as if with a brush, with brownish-olive or rufous-brown and slate.
Dimensions in inches of a proper pak : (1) 1-27 x -9, (2) 1-3 x -89.
(Plate 6.)

Another type of eggs (there appear to be two vei-y distinct ones) has
a deeper groimd-coloiu- of ochraceous-bufF with similar markings to the
other. Dimensions: (1) 1-28 x -95, (2) 1-34 x -98.

Observations. — This tiiily " Magnificent ' Rifle Bird, a name it was
first called by Gould, inhabits the densest scrvibs in the neighboiu'hood of
Cape York, to which the species appears to be restricted.

Macgillivray, who furnished Gould with some observations on the bird,
stated that the ovary of a female shot in November contained a very large
and nearly developed egg. According to the testimony of the natives,
whom ilacgillivray questioned on the subject, the Albert Rifle Bird nested
in a hollow tree, laj'ing several white eggs.

However, this is not the only published statement respecting the Rifle
Bird laying white eggs. Dr. Ramsay, in the " P.Z.S.," p. 599 (1875),
with regard to the P. paradisia, states that the natives informed him that
the Rifle Bii-d lays its eggs, which are white, in the hollow branch of a
tree, without making any nest. So much for the stories of natives.

With commendable enterprise Dr. Charles Ryan, Dr. Wm. Snowball
and Mr. Dudley Le Soiief seciu-ed the services of Mr. Harry Barnard,
whose reputation as an excellent and rehable field uatiu'aUst is well
known, and subsidised him in the field for a season (1896-7) in the rich
region of Cape Y'ork.

Amongst Mr. Barnard's more important finds were the nests and eggs,
new to science, of the following birds, namely : — Albert Rifle Bird
(Ptilorhis alberti), the only Manucode Australia possesses ( Phonygama
gouldi), a comparatively new Frill-necked Ftycatcher (Arses lorealis), the
Yellow-breasted Flycatcher ( Machceorhynchus flaviventerj, and the Broad-
billed Flycatcher (Myiagrn latirostris), this bird being discovered by
Gilbert nearly fifty years previously. In addition to these discoveries.

jVESJ'S AXD eggs 01- AUSTRALIAN BIRDS. yj

a new and local vaiiety of Talegallus (T . purpurdcdUis) has been estab-
lished, and the White-faced Robin ( Pccibxlryas tilhifacie^) recorded as au
adcUtioii to tlio Australian avi fauna ; hitherto it had only becu recorded
for New Guinea.

lu liis original desciiption of the nest (also figured) and eggs in the
" Ibis, " Mr. Le Souef quotes the interesting field notes of Mr. Barnard,
who noticed, as a rule, these nests were placed in very conspicuous spots,
the birds selecting patches of sciiib where the undergrowth was very thin,
evidently with the intention, Mr. Barnard thought, of seeing the approach
of au enemy, as he did not in a single instance Ihish a bird from the nest.
Tlie birds were extremely shy and difficult to shoot. They did not seem
partial to any particular Idnd of tree to breed in, as nests were found in
pandanuses, palms, and small trees that had their tops broken off and
where shoots were springing ; or against the stems of trees where two or
three vines met. In one instance a nest was situated on the top of a stump
eighteen inches from the groimd.

Through the generosity of the " syndicate '' I was presented \vith a fine
set of these rare eggs, besides being permitted to examine the whole
splendid series. The presentation set happened to be the fii'st actually
handled by Mr. Barnard, and probably the first of these eggs ever seen
by white man ; therefore, with such unicjue specimens, I must needs have
a special paragraph for this work, which was most kindly supplied by
Mr. Barnard after he had returned home. He says : — " I am glad you
have received a pair of the Rifle Bird's eggs. The day I found them
I was walking along the side of a hill covered with tall scrub, with very
little imdergrowth, though there was a good number of young palms about
(also Rifle Birds). I was thinking of retiu'uing to camp, when I saw a
nest — the one forwarded to Mr. Le Souef — in a young palm about fifty
yards ahead of me, wliich I took to be the nest of the small Sluike Tluiish,
but on reaching up and putting my hand in I was delighted to find two
Rifle Bird's eggs. I sat down by a fallen tree, and waited neai'ly three
hours before the female appeared, when I shot her. The nest was just
seven feet from the gi'ound.

'' While waiting for the bird I heard a iiistle in the leaves behind me.
and, turning my head, saw a small iguana with a huge centipede wliich the
reptile was tiying to swallow. On my making a slight movement, the
iguana caught sight of me, and for a few seconds remained pei^fectly still,
holding the centipede by the head, while the latter vainly endeavoiued to
escape by twisting round the lizard's head. After watcliing me for a few
minutes the lizard ran up a tree for about ten feet, gave a sudden gulp,
and swallowed the centipede, then calmly chmbed to the top of the tree.
I should imagine the lizard felt a bit queer for a time, from the contortions
of the centipede, because it was a long way from being dead when it was
swallowed. "

I hope I am not letting the secrets of the " syndicate " out of the bag
when I state that Mr. Barnard's exertions were crowned by the discoveiy
of no less than fourteen nests of the Albert Rifle Bird. I state tliis more
particularly to show the limits of the laying season, although possibly
some of the eggs found were the second laying in nests pre\'iously " rifled "
bv IMr Barnard.

78

NESTS AXD EGGS OF AUSTRAUAN BIRDS.

The first nest was discovered on 23rd October, 1896 ; the last taken
on 15th February following. In nearly every instance Mr. Barnard
succeeded in getting the proper pair of eggs. If the first egg were left,
in some unaccountable manner it always disappeared ; therefore, when a
nest was fomid containing a single egg, upon the wise principle of " a bird
(or an egg) in the hand is worth two in the bush," it was taken, whereupon
the obliging bird laid the second egg next day.

As has been tnih' observed, the various Rifle Bu'ds' eggs are certainly
amongst the most beautiful and striking of those of Austrahan birds.

I requested Mr. Barnard to fimiish me with a characteristic pose of
a male bird for museum purposes. He obligingly replies : — " Re pose of
Cape York Rifle Bird. — It generally selects a large horizontal vine
stretched between two trees, throws its wings forward till the ends meet,
and nibbing them together makes a loud nistUng noise, wluch can be
heard some distance away, at the same time the bird throws its head from
side to side, or first over one shoulder, then over the other. At another
time a bii-d would get on an upright vine or stick, spread its wings and
tail and then throw itself first round one side of its support and then on
the other, the head Ijeinsf thrown well back."

Sub-family — ParadiseinjE.

57.— Phonygama gouldi, Gray. — (133)
MANUCODE.

Figure. — Gould : Birds of Australia, fol., supp., pi. g.
Reference. — Cat. Birds Brit. Mus., vol ill., p. i8i.
Previous Description of Eggs. — Le Souef ; Ibis, p. 54 (1898).

Geographical Distribution. — North Queensland.

If est. — Open, somewhat shallow ; composed of strong ciu'l}' tendrils
of creeping plants, and lined inside with finer tendrils. The original nest
found was fixed in the forked branchlct of a forest tree. (See illustration.)
Dimensions over all, 6 to 8 mches by 4 inches in depth ; egg cavity, 3J to
4 inches across by li inches deep.

Eggs. — Clutch, two ; oval in fonn, or more pointed towards one end ;
texture of shell fine ; surface veiy shghtly glossy ; colom- (of one egg in
the type clutch), light purplish-pink, marked and streaked longitudinally
with pinkish-red or reddish-chestnut and purple, the markings being more
numerous and inchned to be blotchy on the apex. Dimensions in inches :
1-42 X '96. (Plate 6). The second egg has the gi-ound-colour of a darker
shade, and the markings are not so distinct. Dimensions : 1-42 x -95
inches.

.VESTS AXD EGGS 0/-' AUST/iALlAN BlUDS. yt)

()hiii'rv(ition.-i. — The JIaniicode is a member of the Bird of Paradise
family. Gould did uot know the exact position this bird should take in
the natural ^yste)n. so he dumped it down after the Drongo Shrike, and
before the Flycatchers. His original description was taken from a tine
male obtained at Cape York by JIaegillivray in 1849.

Forty-eight years afterwards it fell to the honour of Mr. HaiT}' Baniard
to discover in the same locality a nest and eggs of this rare and local
species, and to Mr. Lo Souef to describe them. However, there is either
a clerical or typographical error in the shorter dimensions of the eggs as
given in the "Ibis." The following are Mr. Le Souef's remarks, from
the " Ibis," which were accompanied by a well-executed photogi-aph of tlie
nest: — "Mr. H. G. Baniard found the nest and two eggs of this species
on January 23rd, 1897, near Somerset; he states that the birds were not
numerous, and that they were generally in paii's. He shot a female in
the beginning of December that had laid an egg a short time previously,
but though he hunted about for some time he could not find the nest.
The birds were remarkably shy, and it was impossible to get near enough
in the sciiib to watch them. It is probable that the egg of this bii-d will
always be a rarity, as the nests are hard to find ; they are veiy similar to
those of the Drongo Shrike ((Jhihia hrm-teata), and the eggs are also
somewhat alike. The nest is a shallow, open structure, and is made of
curly vine tendrils, the inside being lined with the same material, only
finer ; and on the branch on which the nest was built, and in conjunction
with it, an orchid was giowing, a portion of which the bird had worked
into the outside of its nest. It was built on a horizontal fork of a tall
scrub-tree gi-owing in forest counti-y, about twenty yards from dense scrub ;
the height of the nest from the ground was about forty-eight feet."

FAMILY— ORIOLID^ : ORIOLES.

58. — Oriolus AFFiNis, Gould. ^ ( 2!S-1)

NORTHERN ORIOLE.

Reference. — Cat. Birds Brit. Mus., vol. iii., p i88

Previous Descriptions of Eggs.— Gou\d: Birds of Australia, Handbook,

vol. i.. p. 465 (1865); Diggles: Companion Gould's Handbook.

(1877); Ramsay : Proc. Linn. Soc, N S. Wales, vol. vi.,p. 576

(1S81) : North: .\ustn. Mus. Cat., pi. ii., fig. 12 {1889);

Le Souef: Victorian Naturalist, vol. xvi., p. 62 (iSgg).

Geui/ra/iliiral Distribution. — North-west Australia, Northern Territory
and Queensland.

}ffst. — Open, very deep, large ; formed of very narrow strips of paper-
like bark mixed with a few twigs; lined inside with very fine wiry
twigs (Gould).

8o N7ISTS AXD EGGS OF AUSTRALIAN BIRDS.

Effffs. — Clutch, three; inclined to oval in form; texture somewhat fine;
surface glossy ; colom-, varies from yellowish-white to rich cream, boldly
blotched, chiefly round the apex, with dark-imiber and bluish-gi-cy or slate.
Dimensions of a proper clutch : (1) 139 x -93, (2) 1-34 x -95, (3) 1-3 x -92.

Ohservafiona. — -'ITie range of this good species extends across Northern
Australia. It inosculates in Queensland with its near ally and more
southern representative, 0. viridis, coming as far south as Fitzroy River
district, where the Messrs. Barnard secured specimens; and to their
father, the late Mr. George Barnard, I was first indebted in 1881 for eggs.
On the station eggs have been taken as lat« as 16th February.

Gilbert (according to Gould) found the birds plentiful in every part
of the Coburg Peninsula and adjacent islands. A nest (the first recorded)
he foimd on 4th December containing two nearly hatched eggs. It was
attached to a chooping branch of a melaleuca, at a distance of about five
feet from the ground.

59. — Oriolus FLAViciNCTi's, King. — (285)
YELLOW ORIOLE.

Figure. — Gould : Birds of Australia, fol , vol iv., pi. 14.
Reference. — Cat. Birds Brit. Mus., vol. iii. p. 206.

Previous Descriptions of Eggs. — Le Souef; Proc. Roy. See, Victoria, vol.
vii., new ser., p. 19 (1895), also Victorian Naturalist, fig. 3 (1S96).

Geographical Distribution. — Northern Territory and North Queensland.

Nest. — Open ; outwardly composed entirely of strips of the brown bark
of melaleuca worked on to a thin horizontal forked branch ; lined sparingly
inside with fine dark-brownish twigs and tendrils of vines or cUmbing
plants. Dimensions over all, aboait 7 inches b\' 4 inches in depth ; egg
cavity 3i inches across by 2i inches deep.

Eggs. — Clutch, two to three ; oval in form ; textme of shell somewhat
fine ; siurface glossy, but sometimes in-egular by reason of limy nodules ;
colour, Ught-cream, spotted and blotched, chiefly about the apex, with dark-
brown or lunbcr and didl-slate. Dimensions in inches of a large pair :
(1) 1-3 X -92, (2) 1-34 X -92 ; of a small pair : (1) MS x -86. (2) l-2'4 x -86.

Some clutches are still smaller in size and darker in colour, like those
of the southern species.

Observations. — The Yellow or Cresceut^marked Oriole is the largest and
most richly-plumaged of the three Australian Orioles. It appears to be
restricted chiefly to the coastal forests and scrubs of Northern Austraha.
Little is really known about the bird, wliich has a pleasing pliunage of
dappled gieenish-yellow, set off with orange-tinted eyes and blood-red bill.

At our Cai'dwell camp this bird sometimes found its way into oiu'
stew-pot. The flesh was excellent eating. The bird produces a somewhat
guttural note exceedingly loud for the size of the bu'd. Its song many
times alliu'ed us into quagmires among the mangroves when we wanted
to shoot a bird.

AESrS AXD EGGS OE AUSTKAL/AA' BIHOS. 8l

During liis Nortliern Qucouslaud excursion in 1893 Mr. D. Le Souef
likewise invaded its haunts, and was fortunate in finding a nest on tlie
3rd November. In describing tiie eggs before the Roj'al Society of
Victoria, Mr. Le Souef stated tliat tliese birds were sometimes seen in the
open country. Tlie parents were secured with the nest, which was
suspended from a fork near tlio extremity of a thin bough of a melaleuca,
about forty feet from the ground, and difficult to get at.

Breeding months October to Januaiy.

The following data are taken from Mr. Ha.iTy Barnard's field notes
while collecting at Cape York, season 1896-7 : — " October, two nests, three
eggs ea«h; November, one nest, three eggs; December, three nests, each
three eggs; Januajty, thi'ee nests, each two eggs."

60. — Oriolus viridis, Latham. —(283)
ORIOLE.

Figure— Go\i\d : Birds of Australia, fol , vol. iv., pi. 13.

Reference. — Cat. Birds Brit. Mus., vol. iii., p. 212.

Previous Descriptions of Eggs. - GonM: Birds of Australia, fol. (1848):
Ramsav : Ibis, p 179 (1863), iVf. ; Gould: Handbook, vol. i, p. 463
(1S65).

Geographical Distribution. — Queensland, Now South Wales, Victoria,
and South Australia.

Next. — Open, deep, bulky ; constructed of strips of soft, string-Uke bark,
interwoven and matted with leaves, spiders' cocoons, &c., sometimes
including string or jute gathered near habitations ; lined inside with
stalks of coarse gi'ass ; usually suspended by the rim at the end of a
pendulous branch of eucalypt, casuarina, or other tree in forest country.
Dimensions over all, 6 to 7 inches by 5i inches in depth ; egg cavity, 4
inches across by 2| inches deep.

Eggs. — Clutch, three, rare instances four ; inclined to oval in fonii ;
texture of shell somewhat fine ; surface glossy, sometimes with line-like
longitudinal marks or creases ; colour, light-cream, spotted, and moderatelv
but boldlv blotched with umber and dull-giey. Dimensions in inches of
a proper 'clutch : (1) 1-38 x -92, (2) 1-37 x -gs", (3) 1-35 x -92. (Plate 6.)

Ohservatioiift. — The Oriole wears a greenish-coloured coat, with the
under surface white, beautifully mottled with black, tlie whole finished ofiF
\vith scarlet eyes and flesh-coloured bill. Total length, 10| inches; wing,
6f inches; tail, 4| inches; bill, l\ inches; tarsus, | inch.

This interesting bird enjoys a habitat ranging over the greater part
of Eastern AustraUa. It wanders to the more southern parts of its range
diuing the spring and smnmer montlis, when its melancholy but melodious
babbling song may be often heard from the topmost branches of some tall
tree in the forest.
6

82 NESTS AND hGGS OF AUSTKALIAN BIRDS.

Gould did not find the Oriole in South Australia; but on the evidence
of Mr. \V. \Vhit« that Statu may be included in its habitat.

Once in the Echuca district I heard a bird as early as the first week in
Julv, but heard none again till 1st August. It is possible that duruig
winter the birds do not altogether leave that district. In the Somei'\'ille
district (Victoria) they have been noticed up till the middle of April,
showing a partiality for figs.

During the winter Dr. Ramsay, on the Sydney .side, found them in
small flocks feeding on various cultivated and wild fiiiits. He observed
that towards the beginning of September they pair and seek breeding
places, each couple selecting a distinct locality, where they remain during
the whole season ; even if their nest is taken they will continue building
near the same place until the season expires.

From my own field notes I find in Victoria I have taken nests —

" October (1870?). — Glen Iris, two eggs, with egg of Pallid Cuckoo."

" 18th October, 1880. — Philhp Island, nest, three eggs."

" 4th December, 1886. — Doncaster, nest, two eggs, half incubated."

" 20th November, 1897. — In company with Mr. G. E. Shepherd,
SomerviUe, three eggs."

The three fonner nests were placed in somewhat exposed situations.

In two instances (seasons 1860 and 1861 respectively) Dr. Ramsay
records fincUng Orioles' nests with clutches of foiu- eggs.

The Oriole is one of the foster-parents of the PalUd Cuckoo.
Mr. S. W. Jackson, of Grafton, New South Wales, found the egg of the
Koel or Flinders Cuckoo under very interesting circumstances in an Oriole's
nest on 31st October, 1894.

Breeding months September to January.

In his " Bush Wanderings of a Naturalist," Mr. H. W. Wheelwright
vn-ote : — "One of the sweetest sounds of the forest, to my ear, was the
loud monotonous note of the Green Thrush (Oriole) from the topmost
branches of a high gimi-tree, on one of those clear delicious mornings so
pecuhar to the Australian spring. Although not to be compared to
the rich and varied song of the British Tlu-ush, there is a gush of melody
in the song of the Australian bird equal to any of our finest songsters ;
and as I often and often stood at my tent door about sunrise and hstened
to its wild desultory carol, borne upon the early breeze, laden with fragrance
of many a thousand blossoms, I have thought how didl and senseless must
that blockhead have been who described Australia as a land where the
flowers have no scent and the birds no song."

61. — SpHECOTHERES M.\xiLLAKis, Latham. (286)

FIG BIRD.

F(^«n\ — Gould : Birds of Australia, fol. vol. iv., pi. 15,

Reference. — Cat. Birds Brit. Mus., vol. iii . p. 224.

Previous Descriptions of Eggs. — Fitzgerald : Proc. Linn. Soc. N. S.
Wales, vol. ii. ,2nd ser., p. 970 {1S87) ; North ; Austn. Mus. Cat.,
pi, II, fig. II, (i88g). also Rec. Austn. Mus., vol. i. p. 113 (1891).

Geoyrapliiral Disfributiun. — Northern Territory (?), Queensland, and
New South Wales.

ORIOLE'S NEST, SHOWING EGO OF THE KOEL
From a Pholo by S. W. Jackson.

XESrS A.VD EGGS Oh AUSTRALIAN BIRDS. 85

Nest. — Open, shallow; thinly but firmly coustruct€d of fine lengthened
twigs upon a foundation of x-ine tendrils ; generally situated in a hori-
zontal fork at the extremity of a branch. Dimensions over all, 7 inches
by 2 J inches in depth; egg cavity, 4 inches across by l:j inches deep.
(See illustration.)

The contents of a nest may be easily seen from beneath. Nesls in
small families, and sometimes interspersed with those of Orioles.

Ei/ys. — Clutch, three ; inclined to oval in form ; texture of shell
moderately fine; surface glossy; colour, dull or warmish-green, sometimes
bluish-green, spotted and blotched with rufous or reddish-brown and dull
purplish-brown, the edges of the former class of markings having a bhu-red
appearance. These eggs are exceedingly beautiful. Dimensions in inches
of a pair: (1) 1-35 x "93, (2) 128 x -95; of a full clutch: (1) 1-27 x -86,
(2) 1-21 X -BS, (3) 1-19 X -88.

Observations. — The Sphecotheres or Fig Birds appear to have affinity
to the Orioles, and have been found breeding in company with them.
They have a greenish-coloured coat tipped with black. A naiTow space
of naked skin, dull-yellow in coloiu", surrounds the eyes ; tliroat, chest,
and back of neck are grey ; flanks and abdomen yellowish-green. Tlie
female is plainer coloured, like an Oriole. The various dimensions are
.--iinihir to those given for the Oriole.

Gould shot a bird of the species under notice at the mouth of the
Hunter River, which is probably its most southern limit, and although
called the Southern Fig Bird, it ranges well northward, even to perhaps
the Northern Tenitory.

Mr. R. D. Fitzgerald first discovered the eggs of the Fig Bird in, the
Richmond River district, November, 1886, which he subsequently
described. I believe Fig Birds have been actually seen nesting in the tall
trees in the township of Grafton, Clarence River.

On the 8th November Mr. Grime found, fui-ther north, on the Tweed
River, a second nest containing two eggs, which were forwarded to the
Australian Museum, Sydney, with interesting particulars, which I take
from the " Records : " —

" 1 have foimd two nests this season of .S'. ma.nl/aris. They were built
in each instance in the ' swamp tea-tree,' at a height of about forty feet
from the gi'ouud; the nests are attached by the brim to the thin branches
of an outspreading bough, and what sui-prises me is how the eggs are not
shaJjen out of the nest by the wind. The last nest I found, after chmbing
the tree to the limb on which the nest was placed, I reached out as far
as I could on it and attached a piece of rope, and then drew the limb to
the main trunk and secured it ; tliis brought the nest nearer, but above
my head, so when I climbed fuiiher up I could reach it. There were tlu'ee
eggs in the nest, but I broke one Ijefore reaching the ground."

I am indebted to Mr. S. W. Jackson for a pair of these eggs. The
following is the data accompanying them : —

" The eggs I forwax'ded you of the Southern Sphecotheres I foimd last
season, on December 12th (1894). Tlie nest was built at the end of a
long Umb of an ironbark tree, and was about twenty-six feet from the

84

NESTS AND EGGS OF AUSTRALIAN BIRDS.

ground; the eggs can be easily seen through the nest, which is cup-
shaped, and measures about 5 or 6 inches across and 1^ iuclies deep,
constnicted of roots, rashes, and gi-ass, loosely placed togethttf- and
attached to the fork of some leaning limb. The red cedar-tree is usually
selected to build in ; the eggs laid for a sitting are from t wo to tlu-ee,
and vary gi'eatly both in size and markings.

" These Sphecothei-es arrive here in the middle of September, and
leave again from abovit Janviary 29th to FebiTiary lOtli."

I svibsequently received a most beautiful set of three eggs from
Mr. W. B. Barnard, taken at Crowsdale, Queensland, 8th December, 1897.

62. — Sphecotheres FLAVivENTRis, Gould. (287)

YELLOW-BELLIED FIG BIRD.

Figure — GoxiXA: Birds of Australia, iol., supp., pi. 37.

Reference. — Cat. Birds Brit. Mus., vol. iii., p. 225.

Previous Descriptions 0/ Eggs. — Le Souef: Proc. Roy. Soc, Victoria,

vol. vii., p. 20 (1895); also Victorian Naturalist, vol. xvi., p. 02,

(1899).

Geograjihical Distribution. — Northern Tenitory, Queensland and New
South Wales, also Ke Islands.

Nest. — Open, shallow ; composed of wu-e-Uke stalks or tendrils of plants,
and lined inside with bro\vnish twigs. The structure can be easily seen
through from beneath. Several nests are usually placed in the topmost
liorizontal branches of a tall eucalypt. Dimensions over all, 5 inches by
3 inches in deptli ; egg cavity, 3i inches across by li inches deep.

Eggs. — Clutch, two to three ; oval in shape ; texture of shell moderately
fine \ surface glossy ; colour, varies from a delicate green to olive-browu,
but usually pale or light-green, moderately spotted and blotched with
rufous or reddish-brown and piu-pUsh-brown. Similar to those of the
Southern Fig Bird. Dimensions in inches of a pair: (1) 1-23 x -91.
(2) 1-2 X -92. (Plate 6.)

Observafiuns. — The Yellow-bellied Fig Bird is usually confined to
Northern Australia and some of the islands beyond. However,
Mr. S. W. Jackson noticed it in the Clarence district of New South Wales,
January, 1890; and another season subsequently, during the same month,
he saw numbers of the bird at Byron Bay, where he shot a pair. The male
is a beautiful creatiire, its rich jonquil-yellow imder siu^face being shown
off to perfection with an pesthetic olive-green coat and glossy black cap,
and eyes suiTOunded by bright crimson orbits. The female differs from
her lord in being olive-brown with streaked markings hkc her cousins,
the Orioles, Total length, lOi inches; wing, 5| inches; bill, 1^ inches;
tail, 4J inches ; tarsus, J inch.

Tlie most striking birds that N'isited the precincts of our camp at
CardwcU were the males of tliis species. They often, esjiecially in the
morning, perched on the summit of the very trees to which our tents were

1

1

^ J

fg W8K

^^i

.d M

m

mk

L^HS

W^

AESTS AXD ECGS 0/- AUSTRALIAN BIRDS. 85

suspended, and poured forth over our heads beautiful songs not altogether
unhko those of tlio English Thi-ush. As in the case of the Yellow Oriole,
wo were much too early in the season for eggs.

Macgillivray, a valuable correspondent of Gould, reported that ouce
at Cape York he saw several nests which he (Macgillivray) entertained no
doubt belonged to this bird ; nearly all of them were built among the
topmost branches of very large gum-trees, which the natives could not be
induced to climb.

However, it was left to Mr. Dudley Le Souef years after to bring to
scientific light the nest and eggs. He found the bii-ds plentiful in the
open country in the Hloomfield River district, and, as Macgillivray also
noticed, often in company with Friar Birds ( Phihmon).

Mr. Le Souef s own words are : — " We noticed them building on a
small wliite giun-tree, on 18th October (1893), and found five of their nests
on the tree, also that of a Silveiy-crowned Leatherliead (P. argenticepx) ;
they were all built near the ends of thin boughs, and only one could be got
to by oui' native climber. We could see from below how many eggs were
in each nest, the full clutch being three. Oiu- blackfellow had a long thin
stick, and the nests he could not get at, he rolled the eggs out one by
one, and I caught them all iminjured in my hat as they fell."

A field note, kindly sent me from Mr. W. B. Barnard, states that at
Bloom field River ho foimd the Yellow-bellied Fig Bird breeding in the
month of Januaiy. At the extreme north (Cape York) his brother,
Mr. Harry Barnard, in 1896 took the foUowing nests: — In October, four
nests, two with each three eggs, and two with two; November, two with
each three eggs; December, one with two eggs.

Usual breeding months October to January.

FAMILY— DICRURID^ ; DRONGOS.

63. — Chibia bracteata, Gould. — (132)
DRONGO.

Figure. — Gould : birds of Australia, fol., vol. ii., pi. 82.
Reference. — Cat. Birds Brit. Mus., vol. iii., p. 236.
Previous Descriptions 0/ Eggs. — Campbell ; Victorian Naturalist (iSSg) ;
North : Rec. Austn. Mus., vol. ii , p. 14 (1892)

Geiiijraphical Distribution. — Northern TeiTitory, Queensland, New
South Wales, Victoria, and Tasmania (accidental), also New Guinea.

Nest. — Open, somewhat shallow ; composed of a few weather-beaten
rootlets and stalks or tendrils of climbing plants, lined inside wth thin
wire-like yellowish rootlets. When \'iewed from beneath, sky-light may
be seen through the structure. Generally placed in forked twigs at the
extremity of a branch of a tree, usually a eucalypt, at the height of from
twenty to thirty feet from the gi'oimd. Dimensions over all, 6 inches by
4 inches deep; egg cavity, 4 inches across by IJ inches deep.

86 NESTS AND EGGS OF AUSTRALIAN BIRDS.

Eggs. — Clutch, three to four ; almost oval in shape ; texture of
shell fine and thin ; surface slightly glossy ; coloiu', a Light pinkish
shade, or of a dehcate pinkish blush, sparingly and softly spotted
with pinkish-red and piu-ple, also with a few spots of chestnut,
all the markings being more numerous about the larger end. In

others the siuiace is covered with larger markings, tlie pinkish ones
being more irregularly-shaped or wavy, with confluent patches on the
apex. In some others the mai'kings are not so red or pinkish,
being more of a dark-umber, with the sub-surface mai-kings pm-plish-slate.
Dimensions in inches of a proper clutch: (1) 1-27 x -85, (2) 1-24 x -83,
(3) l'19x-83; of a set of smaller-sized examples: (1) ri2 x 'TS,
(2) 1-05 x -75, (3) 1-03 x -75, (4) 1-03 x -75. In a series the sizes mil be
found to vary considerably. The eggs are exceedingly beautiful, and at
first sight some resemble a light-coloiu:ed variety of the better-known eggs
of the Friar Bird (Philemun corniculatus). However, in some examples
the ground-coloiu" may be said to be almost white. (Plate 6.)

Observations. — The Drongo Shrike has been observed in all the States,
except South and West Australia, its true home, however, being the
northern forests and sci-ubs, where its harsh noisy notes once heard are
never to be forgotten. The bird appears to be a partial migi-ant,
occasionally wandering as far south as Tasmania, where it was first
recorded in 1888. Specimens taken in Eastern Gippsiand, Victoria, 1885,
are in the National Museum and in the collection of birds of the Govern-
ment Entomologist, Melbom-ne, while Mr. C. C. Brittlebank saw a bird
answering the description of the Drongo in the Lerderberg Ranges,
Victoria, November, 1893.

In the Northern Territory Gilbert discovered several nests of the
Drongo. He recorded : — " I found five nests on the 1 6th of November,
all of which contained young birds, some of them nearly able to fly, and
others apparently had just emerged from the shell. The whole of these
nests were exactly alike and formed of the same material — the dry, wu'v
climbing stalks of a common parasitic plant, without any kind of lining ;
they were exceedingly difficult to examine, from being placed on tlie
weakest part of the extremities of horizontal branches of a tliickly-foliaged
tree, at an altitude of not less than thirty feet from the ground ; they
were of very shallow fonn, about 5i inches in diameter; three nests
contained three, and the other two four young birds each."

The eggs of the Drongo I was privileged first to describe, composed a
set of foiu" taken at Wonga AVallan, South Queensland, by a collector of
Mr. A. Coles, the , taxidermist.

Mr. North records that Mr. C. C. L. Talbot found on Collaroy Station,
Broad Sound, Queensland, one day (10th October), no less than twelve
nests of the Drongo, placed in trees about fifty yards apart. Each nest
contained three eggs — in some instances fi'esh, others partly incubated.

Mr. Harry Barnard, at Cape York, December, 1896, took two nests,
each containing three eggs, and in Januaiy following ten nests with each
three eggs, except in two instances of four.

Breeding season October to January.

^'/SSTS A.VD EGGS Or AUSTRALIAN BIRDS.
FAMILY— PRIONOPID^ : WOOD SHRIKES.
Sub-family — Prionopin^,.

64. — Ghali.ina piCATA, Latham. — {IC'i)
MAGPIE LARK.

Figure. — CouM : Birds of Australia, fol., vol ii., pi 54

Reference. — Cd^t. Birds Brit. Miis., vol. iii., pi. J72.

Previous Desnif lions of f^gi.— Gould : Birds of Australia (1848). also
Handbook, vol. i., p. 190(1865) ; North: Austn Mus. Cat. p. 79,
pi. 8, fig. 12 (iSSg): Campbell: GeelonH Naturalist, vol. vi , p 5
1 1896 .

Geographical I)i<trihuti(in. — Tluoughout Au.stialia and Tasmania
(accidental).

Next. — Bowl-shaped, built of mud, usually black, but varies in shade
according to locality where gathered ; lined inside spainngly with grass
and a few feathers, and usually situated on a bare horizontal limb of g
tree in the vicinity of water, overhanging a stream, or standing in a
lagoon. Dimensions over all, 5A by 4i to 5 inches in depth ; egg cavity,
4i inches across by 2J inches deep. (See illustration.)

Eygs. — Clutch, three to four, occasionally five ; usual shape pyriform ;
texturo of shell fine, and surface glossy ; colour, pearly-white, spotted
about the apex ivith dark purplish-red and light-purple, but generally the
gi'ound-colovu' is pinkish, ranging in tone from light pink or pinkish-white
to rich buffy-rcd, with markings of pinkish-red and pmple, confluent, and
forming a belt around the upper quarter ; in some examples the markings
ai-o more blotched, and distributed over the whole sux-face. Dimensions
in inches of two proper clutches : A (1) M4 x -8, (2) Ml x -82, (3) MO x -8,

(4) 1-1 X -81; B(l) 1-8 X -82, (2) 1-08 x -8, (3) 1-6 x -81, (4) 1-05 x -78,

(5) 1-03 X -78. (Plate 6.)

Observations. — It is well that this interesting and most useful of insecti-
vorous birds is a cosmopolitan as far as Australia is concerned. The sexes
are similar in size, both black and white, but the female is readily
distinguished by her white face, whereas the male s is black. BDl and eyes
arc yellowish in both; total length of a specimen about 10 inches. Almost
in any locality where fresh water is found, from north to south or from east
to west, the familiar pied-phmiaged figures of the Grallina may be seen,
or its plaintive call heard. However, the bird is only accidental to
Tasmania. Gould was of opinion the Grallina was only a partial migrant
to Northern Australia, or was not stationary there, departing diuing the
rainy sea.son — that is, the summer. It would be well if this statement
were verified.

The hard mud-constructed nests of the Magpie Lark or Grallina always
attract attention, so conspicuous do they appear, cemented on to a naked
limb. Sometimes several are seen in the same tree, being the homes of
successive seasons, for it takes many winters' rains to totally demolish a

88 NESTS AND EGGS OF AVSTRAZIAN BIRDS.

Grallina's nest. These old homes are also attractive to other birds, such as
the White-iiimped Wood Swallow ( Art am us hucupygialix), and Little
Cuckoo Shrike (Gratimliis mentaUs), the former invariably, the latter
occasionally constructing their own nests within the roomy and secure one
of the Magpie Lark. If a clutch of eggs be removed, the Magpie Lark will
lay again in the same nest ; but a new nest is usually built cvei-y year, if
not for every brood, of which there are two or more a season.

I recorded, 8th November, 1894, in the Proceedings of the Royal
Society of Victoria, the occuiTence of the egg of the Pallid Cuckoo
(C . palUdus) in the nest of the Grallina. The nest was taken at Chelten-
ham by my young friend, Mr. John Sommers, and contained five , eggs of
the Grallina besides the Cuckoo's egg. For many years Mr. S. W. Jackson
could depend on taking sets of pure white eggs, laid by a Magpie La.rk,
in the Clarence River district. I examined one of these singular sets
in Mr. Jackson's collection.

During the wet season, 1889, in the neighbourhood of the Lower
Murray, where nearly all the adjacent country was under water, some
Magpie Larks, so Mr. George H. Morton informs me, elected to nest in
certain very odd places. One built its nest on the rail of a swing gate ;
another upon the top of a post ; whilst a third bird selected some iron
hooks suspended in an outshed. Mr. C. M. Maplcstone, a member of
our Field Naturalists' Club, remembers another odd situation for a nest,
where the bird reared her young seciu'ely — the top of a telegraph pole on
the high road between Camperdown and Lismore, Victoria.

A friend of mine once observed a reddish-brown tree-snake (Dipsas
fu.sca) in the act of taking young from the nest of a Magpie Lark, having
had liis attention directed to the spot by the tenified cries of the parent
birds. When the snake found it was discovered, by the presence of stout
sticks wliizzing past uncomfortably close to its head, the reptile ilattened
itself along the limb, as if to avoid observation, or at all events to evade
the flying sticks.

The breeding months are chiefly from September to January.
Sometimes in Queensland as early as the beginning of August ; whilst in
the North-west, in March (1897), the natives brought several young ones
into the camp of the Calvert Expedition near the Fitzroy River.

Tlie Magpie Lark is indeed one of the most useful of Australian birds.
Dr. N. A. Cobb, the Pathologist of the Department of Agriculture of New
South Wales, proved that tliis bird destroys numbers of a species of laud
molluscs that are intermediat* hosts of fluke.

65- — CoLLYRiociNCLA HARMONICA, Latham. — (123)
GREY SHRIKE THRUSH.

Figure. — Gould : Birds of Austraha, fol., vol. ii., p 74

Reference. — Latham, Ind Orn.Supp. xli.; Cat. Birds Brit, Mus., vol. iii., p. 290.

Previous Descriptions of Eggs. — Gould; Birds of Australia (1S48), also Hand-
book, vol. i., p. 221 (1865); North; Austn. Mus, Cat., p, 80,
pi. 8. egs, 2—4 (18S9)

Geoyraphiral Distribution. — Queensland. New South Wales, Victoria,
and South Austraha.

iVESTS A,\'D EGGS 01- .WSTRALlAiV BIRDS. 8g

Xesi. — Cup-shaped, deep, constructed of strips of bark (outer); lined
inside with rootlets chiefly, fine twigs and grass, and placed usually near
the ground in a hollow stump, thick bush, or clump of foliage, or in a.
niche in a bank or ledge of rock in any timbered locality. Not unfrequently
this Shrike Tlirush builds into the deserted nest of some other species of
bird. Dimensions over all, 6 to 7 inches by 3 to 5 inches in depth; egg
cavity, 3^ inches across by ''1\ inches deep.

Eijgii. — Clutch, usually three, sometimes four, one instance of five ;
roundish-oval or oval in shape ; te.vture of shell fine ; surface glossy ;
colour, beautiful pearly-white, blotched and spotted, in some instances
sparingly, with ohve and duU-slatc mai-kings. Dimensions in inches of a
pair: (1) 1-14 X -86, (2) Mix -85: of a clutch: (1) 1-07 x -84.
(2) 1-04 X -84, (3) 1-02 X -85. (Plate 6.)

Observations. — The specific term harmonica was well applied by
Dr. Latham to this bird, and the name stands as a refutation against those
persons who, from ignorance perhaps, say that Australia possesses no birds
given to melody.

The Harmonious or Grey Thmsh, as a slationaiy species, is conunonly
distributed over the gi-eater portion of Eastern Austraha. and is well
represented over the rest of the Continent by one or the other of the
several species. My notebook shows that I took four nests of this familiar
Shrike Thrush, one at Bagshot, near Bendigo, on the 6th October, 1880,
containing tlu-ee eggs ; two at Nhill in the Mallee, and the fourth at
Dandenong Creek, 18th September, 1886, with three eggs.

I have never seen nests of the Grey Tluush like the two mentioned
by Mr. Robert Hall in his notes on the " Birds of Box-hill,' which were
neatly lined inside with mud. I think Mr. Hall hits the right nail on the
head when he says, " There is a great likeness to the nest of the introduced
Thrush in this particular build. " It is not at all unlikely that the native
birds appropriated a nest of the English songster.

Referring to this Thrush in its South Queensland habitat, Mr. Lau
remarks : — " One of our best songsters, and of plain dress, in both respects
resembling the master-singer — the nightingale. The places chosen for
nidificatiou are various, namely, between the foUage of shady trees (apple,
eucalypt, native mulbeiT}', melaleuca, &c.), in a stump-hole (the remains of
a standing tree), or on the ledge of protuberant bark. On one occasion
one was made in a deserted Magpie Lark's nest. In general the nest is
not placed high. Rootlets, dry sticks and diy gi-ass, lined xrith pUable
bark, compose it, wherein four eggs snugly rest.

" At Whetstone, seeing a nest over a brook in a melaleuca branch
which I was unable to reach with my hand, I bent it down with a stick,
and foimd, to my gi-eat sui-prise and horror, the nest filled \rith a carpets
snake, which had taken possession of it for a dormitory after, in all
probability, swallowing the contents.'

With reference to this Tln-ush building its nest in or upon deserted
nests of other birds, Mr. James G. McDougall, of South Australia, informs
me that on Yorke Peninsula old Magpie or Babblers' ( Pomatorinus) nests
are selected, which are neatly re-lined with bark.

go N/iSTS AA'D EGGS Ot AVSTRALIAN BIRDS.

Mr. C. French, jiin., favours me with the following note; — "While on
a collecting trip to VVarrauclyte (Upjier Yan-a), on November 20th, 1894,
I found a nest of the Hannonious Thrush containing two fresh eggs, built
into the nest of the Mountain Thrush."

Mr. J. T. Gillespie has taken clutches of eggs twice from the same Grey
Thrush's nest, an imusual occunence.

July or August to December constitute the breeding months, during
which period two broods are reared.

66. — CoLLYRiociNCLA RECTiRosTRis, Jardine and Selby. — (126)
C. selbii, Jardine.

WHISTLING SHRIKE THRUSH.

Figure.— GonXd : Birds of Australia, fol, vol, ii , pi, 77,

Reference. — Cat. Birds Brit. Mus., vol. iii., p. 291.

Previous Descriptions of £^fs.— Campbell : Southern Science Record
(1882) ; North: Austn. Mus. Cat., p, 82 (1889).

Geographical Distrihutidn. — Tasmania, King Island, and Islands of the
Fumeaux Group.

Nest. — Similar to that of the Grey Shrike Thrush (C. harmonica),
cup-shaped, deep, constntcted chiefly of strips of stringy-bark, lined inside
with grass, and usually situated in a hollow part of a tree or stump, or
placed on the rough bark at the base of a tree ; at other times in a cleft in
rock. Occasionally built into the deserted nest of some other bird or into
that of the Ring-tailed Opossum. Dimensions (according to Gould) over
all, 5 inches ; &g'g cavity, 31 inches by 1\ inches deep.

Eggs. — Clutch, three to four ; stout oval in shape ; texture of shell
fine; surface glossy; coloiu', pearly-white, in some instances having a light-
yellowish tone, sparingly spotted or blotched with olive and dull slate.
Dimensions in inches of a proper clutch: (1) 1'22 x '88, (2) 1-22 x -86,
(3) 1-17 X -9.

Observations. — The Whistling Shrike Thrush, more frequently called
in somewhat unpoetical terms " Whistling Dick or " Bob \Miitehead,"
is confined to Tasmania and some of the islands in Bass Strait, where it
represents the common mainland species, C. harmonica.

Mr. A. E. Brent has known this Shrike Thiaisli to desert its nest in the
course of construction after it has been inspected by him.

Breeding months September to December.

NESTS AND KGGS 01' AVSTKALIAN lilHDS. gi

67- — COLLVUIOCINCLA BRINNEA, Goulcl. (125j

BROWN SHRIKE THRUSH.

Figure. — Gould : Birds of Australia, fol , vol. ii., pi. 76.

Reference.— Ca.i. Birds Brit. Mus., vol. iii , p. 2gi

Previous Desciif lions 0/ Eggs —Gould : Birds of Australia (1848), also

Handbook, vol. i., p. 223 (1865); North: Austn. Mus. Cat..

p. 81 (i88g); Le Souef : Victorian Naturalist, vol. xvi . p 64

(.890)

Gtijyraphical Distribution. — North-west Australia, Northern Territory,
aud North Queensland, also New Guinoa.

Xtft. — Outwardly composed of narrow strips of tea-tree (Melaleuca J
bark, lined inside with fine twigs, and built in the upper part of a hollow
stump (Gould).

Eggs. — Clutch, two to three ; pearly bluish-white, spotted and blotched
with markings of olive-brown and grey, the latter colom- appearing as if
beneath the surface of the shell; their medium length is one inch and
two Uncs by ten lines in breadth (Gould). Dimensions in inches of two
sets in Mr. D. Le Souef's collection — (elongated ovals) : (1) 1-24 x '75,
(2) 1-23 X -76, (3) 1-2 X -74; (stout ovals): (1) 1-07 x -8, (2) 1-05 x -8.

Obsertations. — According to Gould a nest of this robust species was
foimd (probably bj' Gilbert) on the 2nd Febniary, wliich would be about
the termination of the breeding season in the biz'd's nortliern habitat.
The breecUng months may be included from September to Februan-.
During the latter month (1896) a pair of these birds hatched their brood
near the camp of the Calvert Expedition on the Fitzroy River, and
afforded considerable amusement by the manner in which the old birds
used to flutter near a dog to divert attention from their young.

Of two other and extremely doubtful species Dr Ramsay states: —
" C. siiperciliosa (Masters) may be a very old bird of C. brunnea (Gould),
and probably the same applies to C. po/li/lirosfri.? (Sharpe).* It has a
distinct broad white stripe over the eye and extending beyond it, and is
a fully adult bird; the young of C. bruimea have a buff line over the eye."

68. — COLLYIUOCINCLA RUFIVENTHIS, Gould. — (124)

BUFF-BELLIED SHRIKE THRUSH.

Figure. — Gould : Birds of Australia, fol , vol. ii., pi. 75.
Reference. — Cat. Brit. Mus., vol. iii., p. 292.

Previous Descriptions of Eggs. — Gould: Birds of Australia (1848), also
Handbook, vol. i. p. 222 (1865).

Geographical Distribution. — South, West, and North-west Australia.

Nest. — Geinerally placed in the hollow part of high trees, and formed of
dried strips of gum-tree (Eucahjpt) bark very closely packed ; it is deep,
and sometimes lined with soft grasses (Gould).

* Cat. Birds Brit Mus , vol. iii , p. 293.

92

A'ESTS AXD teas OF AUSTRAL/AN BIRDS.

Egga. — Clutch, three ; oval in shape ; texture of shell fine ; sui-face very
glossy ; colour, pearly-white, heavily blotched on the apex, but sparingly
elsewhere, with dark-olive and dull-slate. Very similar to those of
C. harmonica. Dimensions in inches of a pair: (1) 117 x -87,

(2) M4x-83; odd example: MU x -84.

Observations. — Although I met the Buff-bellied Shrike Thiiish fre-
quently in Western AustraUa, I was unable to discover a nest, but while
there was thankful to receive the eggs second-hand.

Gilbert mentions that on two occasions he found the eggs of this bii'd
in old nests of the White-browed Babbler ( Pomatorhinus .^uperciliosusj.
I suppose we are to infer the nest of the Thrush waa built into the
Babbler's, as in the case occasionally of the Tasmanian species building
into an old home of the Ring-tailed Opossum.

Chief breeding months September to October, tlie season extending
probably on to the end of the year.

69. — CoLLYRiociNCLA BOWERi, Ramsay.
BOWER SHRIKE THRUSH.

Reference. — Proc. Linn. Soc, N. S. Wales, vol. x , p. 244 (1885)

Geographical Distribution. — North-west Australia, Northern Territory
and North Queensland.

Nest and Eggs. — Undescribed.

Observations. — Bower Shrike Tlunsh is a dark and fine species — the
darkest of its group — with brownish underneath parts. The original
specimen was procured by the late Mr. Bowyer-Bower, near Caiins. 12th
December, 1884.

70. — PiNAEOLESTES P.A^RVULUS, Gould. — (127)

LITTLE SHRIKE THRUSH.

Figure. — Gould : Birds of Australia, £ol., vol. ii., pi. 78.

Re/ereiuc. — Cat. Birds Brit. Mus., vol. iii., p. 296.

Previous Descriptions of Eggs. — Gould; Birds of .\ustralia (1848), also

Handbook, vol. i., p. 225 (1865); North; .\ustn. Mus. Cat.,

p. 81 fiSSg)

Geographical Distribution. — Northern Territoiy.

Nest. — Resembles that of (J. brunnea in construction and for situation.

Eggs. — Clutch, two, rarely three ; beautiful pearly flesh-white, regularly
spotted aU over with dull reddish-orange and umber-brown ; like the eggs

NESTS AXD EGGS OF AU ST KALI AN BIRDS. (^5

of the other species of the genus, they are sprinkled over with bkiish
markings, which appear- as if beneatli the surface of the shell ; their
medium length one indi, and breadtli nine lines (Gould).

Specimens in the Dobroyde collection, taken at Port Darwin, are nearly
oval in fomi. Dimensions in inches : (1) 105 x -75, (2) r03 x •72 (North).

Observations. — This species is interesting because it is possibly the
smallest of its genus, and moreover it would appear to be rare, for up to
the present it has never been recorded outside the locality (Northern
Territory), where Gilbert first discovered it.

A nest and eggs were brought to Gilbert by a native. They were
taken from the hollow part of a tree, about four feet from the ground.
The nest, which was too much injured to be preserved, was formed of
small twigs and narrow strips of melaleuca bark.

71. PiNAROLESTES RUFIGASTER, Gould. (128)

RUFOUS-BREASTED SHRIKE THRUSH.

Reference. — Cat. Birds Brit. Mus., vol. iii., p. 296.
Previous Descriptions 0/ Eggs. — Ramsay ; Proc. Linn., N. S. Wales, vol.
viii., p. 23 (1883) ; North : Austn. Mus. Cat., p. 83 (1889).

Geographical Distribution. — Queensland and New South Wales.

Nest. — Cup-shaped, somewhat neat, with well-rounded rim, composed
of broad portions of bark, bound with twigs and tendrils of climbing
plants, mixed with greenish and brownish coloured spiders' cocoons. Lined
inside with very fine twigs and a few rootlets, through which the bai'k of
the exterior or foimdation is visible, and usually placed in a bushj' tree.
Dimensions over all, 4^ inches by 3 inches in depth ; egg cavity, 2^ inches
across by 2 inches deep.

Eygs. — Clutch, two to three ; roundish oval in shape ; texture of shell
fine ; siu'face very glossy ; colour, beautiful pearly or warm-wliite, sparingly
spotted and blotched with olive and warmish-grey, the majoiity of the
markings being about the apex, and confluent in some instances.
Dimensions in inches of a pair: (1) 1-01 x -75, (2) 1-0 x -75. (Plate 7.)

Ohisfrvations. — Respecting tliis small species, on the 3rd October,
1885, I had the pleasiu-e of taking from a bushy tree near the Fitzroy
River (Q.), a nest resembling a Tliickhead's. and not much larger. The
bird was sitting upon a pair of fresh eggs.

Again I renewed the Little Thrush's acquaintance in the Richmond
River district, New South Wales, about its most southerly limit. In
Nortliorn Queensland (about the Herbert River) it merges into a smaller
race — the Lesser Rufous-breasted Thrush (C. porvissimaj.

94

NESTS AND EGGS OF AUSTRALIAN BIRDS.

Mr. A. J. North believes he has estabhshed an inland variety of
P. rufigaster, describing it under the specific name cerviniventris. Vide
'' Records Austrahan Musetim," vol. iii., p. 49 (1897).

72. — PiNAKOLESTES PARVISSIMA, Gould.

LESSER RUFOUS-BREASTED SHRIKE THRUSH.

ifi/c-)-i«iv.— Ann. and Mag. Nat. Hist., ser. iv., vol. x.. p. 114 (1872).

Previous Descriptions of Eggs. — North; Austn. Mus. Cat., p. 83, pi. 8,
fig. I (1889), also app. (1890).

Geographical Distribution. — North-west Australia, Northern Territory
and North Queensland, also New Guinea.

Nest. — Cup-shaped, composed of broad leaves chiefly, rootlets and
tendrils, with a few spiders' cocoons stuck on, lined sparingly but fimily
with black-coloured rootlets, through wliich the leaves of the fotmdation
are visible, and usually placed within a few feet from the ground in a
lawyer-cane (Calamus) or other palm-Uke foliage. Dimensions over all,
4i inches by 3A inches in depth ; egg cavity, 2f inches across by 2\ inches
deep.

Etjgs. — Cluteh, two to three ; roundish oval in shape ; textui'e
of shell iiue ; surface very glos.sy ; colour, pearly-white, blotched
and spotted, especially about the apex, with olive and slate markings.
Similar to, but tisually smaller than those of C. rufifjaster. Dimensions in
inches of a pair: (1) 1-04 x -74, (2) -94 x -72.

Observations — It is still a matter of doubt with ornithologists whether
the two varieties of little Rufous-breasted Shrike Thrushes are not really
one species.

Mr. North, who has had the opportunity of examining many specimens
of both varieties in the Australian and Macleayan Museums, states that
C . parvissima differs from C. rufigaster in its deeper tinted plumage and
smaller measiu'ements, while the average cUmensions of a number of
specimens of C. rufigaster obtained at Wide Bay and Richmond River are
length, 7-5 inches; wing, 3-9 inches; tail, 3-5 inches; bill, from forehead,
1 inch; a specimen of C. jjarvissima from Cape York meastu'es 65
inches; wing, 3-7 inches; tail, 3 inches; bill, from forehead, 0-87 inch.

During his exciu'sion in October, 1893, to Northern Queensland,
Mr. D. Le Souef found the northern race of birds numerous in the Bloom-
field River district, where several nests were discovered, generally within a
few feet of the gro'ind. Mr. Le Souef adds, the nests are not easy to find,
and only discovered by seeing the bird darting off. In his series of
photogi-aphs wa« a picture of a nest in situ of the Lesser Rufous-breasted
Shi-ike Thrush, characteristically and beautifully ensconced among the hard
leaves of pandanus-palm. (See illustration.)

Mr. W. B. Barnard, during his northern scrub experience, seldom
found more than a pair of eggs in the uest of the Lesser Rufous-breasted
Thi-ush, and observed that the principal breeding months were October
to December.

LKSSKK RUFOUS SIIKIKE THRUSH S NEST
Fiom a rhola by I>. Lc Sou,/.

NEST OF THE ASHY FRONTED FLY ROBIN.
From a Photo by D. Le Souef.

A'ESTS AND EGGS OF AUSrA'Al/A.V BIKVS.

95

Further north at Cape York, his brother, Mr. H. G. Barnard, duinng
January and Febniary, 1897, took uo less than sixteen nests — eight
cont.aiiiing two eggs each, and eight with a complement of three eggs eadi.

Breeding season extends from September to February.

FAMILY— CAMPOPHAGID^ : CUCKOO SHRIKES.

73- — Pteropodocys phasianell.\, Gould. — 108)
GROUND CUCKOO SHRIKE.

Figure. — Gould ; Birds of Australia, fol , vol ii . pi. 59

Reference.— Ca.t. Birds Brit. Mus., vol. iv., p. 22.

Previous Descriptions of Eggs — Ramsay : Proc Linn. Soc, N S. Wales,
vol. vii., p. 47, pi. 3, fig I (1SS2) ; Campbell : Southern Science
Record (1882) ; North ; .\ustn Mus. Cat., pi. y, fif;. 2 (iSSg),

Geographicol Didrtbutiun. — South Queensland, New South Wales,
Victoria, Soutli and West Australia.

Xe-^t. — Greatly resembles that of (rraiimhix inelanaiis, and is placed in
a similar situation on horizontal boughs ; it is composed of grasses and
stalks of various plants interwoven and fastened together by spiders' webs,
&c., and is lined with finer glasses, &c. Inside diameter 4 inches, the
depth li inches (about); the height of the rim above the branch on which
it is placed is 1 inch (Ramsay).

Egga. — Clutch, two to three; lengthened and tapering in form; texture
of shell fine ; surface very glossy ; colour, dark warm-green or olive,
usually without any distinct markings, but \vitli the slightest washings
all over, especially on the apex, of a darker shade of the same tint; others
are lightly marbled or clouded all over with a chestnut tint. Dimensions
in inches of a clutch : (1) 1-35 x -88, (2) 1-3 x -87 ; of a smaller-sized pair :
(1) 1-18 X -85, (2) 1-14 X -82. (Phite 7.)

Observations. — This very fine form is essentially a dweller in interior
parts, where, on the red plains of Rivei'ina, for instance, I, vnth lively
interest, have observed them feeding like pigeons upon the ground, hence
the very descriptive name of Ground Grauealus or Cuckoo Shrike. It is
a very shy bird, and when perched on a tree has an erect pose like a Bee
Eater. Of the Grriiicali tliis bird is the only terrestrial form that came under
Gould's notice either here or in the great nursery of these birds — India and
the Austro-Malayan Islands. However, in Gould's day nothing was
known of the nidification of the species. Dr. Ramsay described the eggs
in 1882, when he was kind enough to present me with a beautiful pah-.
It was a coincidence that in the same year I received another pair from
" Barratta, " Riverina, taken bv a friend, now deceased.

g6 NESTS AND EGGS OF AUSTRALIAN BIRDS.

74- — Graucalus melanopSj Latham. — (103)

BLACK-FACED CUCKOO SHRIKE.

Figure. — Gould ; Birds of Australia, fol., vol. ii.. pi 55.

Reference. — Cat. Birds Brit. Mus., vol. iv , p. 30.

Previous Descriptions 0/ Eggs. — Gould: Birds of Australia (1848), also
Handbook, vol. i, p. 194 (1865); North: Austn. Mus. Cat.,
p. 74, pi. g, fig. 4 (iSSg) ; Le Souef: Victorian Naturalist,
vol. xvi., p. 64 (1899).

Geographical Dixtrihutinn. — Whole of Australia, also New Zealand
(accidental), New Guinea, Am Islands. Ke Islaaids, Ambovna, and
Louisiade Archipelago.

Nest. — Very sUght, shallow, composed of grass and short pieces of
straight twigs wrought together with cob-webs, forming a little sack on
or across the angle of a tliiu, forked horizontal limb. Not unfrequentlv a
dead hmb is selected high in the tree. Dimensions over all, 4i inches by
2J inches in depth ; egg cavity, 3J inches across by 1 inch deep.

Eggs. — Clutch, two to three ; stout oval in shape, in some instances
inclined to pyrif orm ; texture of sheU fine ; surface glossy ; in some
cases exceedingly so ; colour varies from hght-green, through
shades of dull-green to yellowish-ohve, blotched with umber and dark
reddish-brown, as well as with didler-coloiired markings. Dimensions in
inches of a proper clutch: (1) 1-35 x -91, (2) 1-28 x -93, (3) 1-28 x -92;
of a small-sized pair: (1) 1-27 x -87, (2) 1-23 x -9. (Plate 7.)

Observations. — Under various trivial vernacular names, such as Blue
Dove, Summer Bkd, &c., the Black-faced Cuckoo Shrike is found tlu-ough
the length and breadth of Aiistraha, consequently its lich green reddish-
mottled eggs are beautiful ornaments in nearly every oological collection.

I well recollect the first clutch I found, wliich happened to be at
Murrumbeena, when that place consisted of bush. I have never since
taken or seen such a peculiar pair for beauty.

The nest is so shallow and small, that it is rarely discovered, except
when observed by the bu-d builchng or sitting thereon. In some instances
Gould found the nest ornamented with the broad, white, mouse-eared
lichen.

In his usual characteristic style, Mr. Hermann Lau writes : — '' I first
saw this bird's nest (very hard to find) January, 1864, at Allora,
Dalrymple Creek, between Warwick and Toowoomba (Q.) I was anxious
to procure its eggs to see what they were hke. The nest hung like the
bag of a Pelican in the horizontal brancli of a eucalypt, high up, and
as the branch was only of thin dimensions, I sent a boy up with a ladle
fastened to the point of a stick, and by cUmbing above the nest he was
able to ladle out two eggs, letting them fall in a blanket which I held
below with another man, and, seeing the prize coming, by lowering gradually
the blanket I secured the coveted eggs, giving the boy a shilling for his
trouble. The nest, although pretty looking when in its natural place,
when holding it, it collapsed in my hands. It represented a mass of
spiders' web mixed with dry gi'ass."

A'ESTS AND EGGS OF AVSTRALIAN BIRDS.

97

Mr. Nortli mentions ;i nest of tlie Black-faced Cuckoo Sluike in the
Australian Musouni that is composed entirely of the dried leaves of the
casuarina, securely held together by cob-webs. A nest I saw taken at
"Duubar," 11th October, 1890, was made chiefly of short, dead portions
of the mid-ribs of black wattle (Acacia) leaves, stuck together with some
glutinous matter in addition to tlie cob-webs. The Messrs. Brittlebank
informed me tliat the same pair of birds built another nest and laid a
second pair of eggs fourteen dajs after the first one was removed.

September to December or January constitute the breeding months,
during which period two broods ai'e reaa-ed.

75. — Graucalus melanops (sub-species) parvirostris, Gould (10-1)

SMALL-BILLED CUCKOO SHRIKE.

Reference. — Cat. Birds Brit Mus , vol. iv., p 32.

Previous Descriptions of Eggs. — Campbell : Southern Science Record
(18S3) ; North : Austn. Mus. Cat., p. 75 (18S9).

Geixjrfrphical Distrihxifiitii . — Tasmania and islands in Bass Strait.

Nest. — Shallow, composed of fine, straight, dead twigs, and short pieces
of bark, matted together with spiders' web, lined inside with fine twigs,
and placed usually in the fork of a dead horizontal limb. Dimensions over
all, 5 inches by 2 inches iii depth ; egg cavity, 3i inches across by 1 inch
deep.

Ef/t/s. — Clutch, three to foiu- ; inclined to oval in shape ; texture of shell
fine ; surface glossy ; colour, dark-green, somewhat boldly blotched, particu-
larly on the apex, with umber of different shades. Resemble those of
G. melaiKipi. Dimensions in inches of a pair : (1) 1-26 x 'SG, (2) 1-25 x -89.

Observations. — After much attention to the mainland Graucali. Gould
was induced to regard the Tasraanian bird as distinct.

Diuing our exjjedition to several of the intermediate islands in Bass
Strait, we observed what we believed to be this species.

The Small-billed Cuckoo Shrike is commonly called the '" Summer-Bird "
in Tasmania ; why, I know not, because it is deemed a stationary species.
My query in The Australasian, 10th June, 1899, " Does the Short-billed
Cuckoo Shrike leave Tasmania or migrate during winter? " met with over-
whelming e\idence that the bird is stationaty. Numerous con-espondents
from north to south in Tasmania testified thoy had observed the Cuckoo
Shrike, usually in small flocks of about eight or ten, diuing winter months,
notably June and July ; wliile Mr. Erskine Dean was good enough to send
me a skin of a bird shot on the 7th of the latter month at Bvu-nie.
Tasmanians, I think, may therefore safely discard the name " Summer
Bird " as an inappropriate title for their local Cuckoo Shiike.

It is worthy again of remark that some of the Tasmanian birds,
whether of the same species or allied forms, lay clutches with a larger
complement of eggs than those do on the mainland. The Ciickoo Shiike
7

g8 NESTS AND EGGS OF AUSTRALIAN BIRDS.

is an instance. Collectors in Australia never by any chance get more than
three eggs to a clutch, wliile iu Tasmania Mr. A. E. Brent says it is a
common thing to take four eggs. He cites his last instance, 7th
November, 1893, when he took the quartet from a nest situated in a ch-y
fork of a gum-tree, near Mount Faulkner.

October to December comprise the principal breeding months.

76- — Graucalus hypoleucus, Gould. — (106 1.

WHITE-BELLIED CUCKOO SHEIKE.

Figure. — Gould : Birds of Australia, fol., vol. ii., pi 57.
Reference. — Cat. Birds Brit. Mus., vol. iv., p. 36.

Previous Descriptions of Eggs — Ramsay; Proc. Linn. See,, N.S. Wales,
vol. vii., p. 40S, pi. 3, fig. II (1882): Campbell: Nests and
Eggs, Austn. Birds, p. 11 (1883); North: Austn. Mus Cat.,
pi. 9, fig. 1 (1889).

Geographical Distribution. — Northern Territory and Queensland, also
New Guinea and Aru Islands.

Nest. — Like all those of the genus, a stnicture of wiry grasses, securely
fastened together by cob-webs, and placed in a horizontal bough, usually
over a forked branch ; it is very shallow, having but a slight depression,
just sufficient to hold the eggs, in the centre, and about 4 inches in
diameter outside (Ramsay).

Efigs. — Clut<;h, two usually ; roundish oval in shape ; textm'e of shell
fine ; siu'face glossy ; colour, beautiful wannish-gi'een, boldly blotched or
mottled with rich reddish-brown and chestnut, also with pm-plish-brown.
Dimensions in inches of a clutch: (1) 1-04 x -73, (2) 1-0 x -75; of odd
examples: (long) 1-11 x -77, (round) 1-05 x -81.

The eggs of this species are usually the smallest of the genus.

Obsercatiuns. — This interesting bird is a northern species, but has been
observed as far south as the Dawson River district. Central Queensland,
by the Messrs. Barnard. It was to the late Mr. George Barnard I was
mdebted for the beautiful pair of eggs of the Wliite-bellied Cuckoo
Shrike that now grace my collection. At Coomooboolaroo, the breeding
season for this species is August to October, and sometimes later.

77. — Graucalus mentalis. Vigors and Horsfield. — (105)
LITTLE CUCKOO SHRIKE.

Figure. — Gould : Birds of Australia, fol., vol. ii., pi 56.
Reference. — Cat. Birds Brit. Mus.. vol. iv., p. 37.

Previous Descriptions of Eggs. — Campbell: Southern Science Record
(1882) : North : Austn. Mus. Cat., p. 75, pi. 9, fig. 3 (1889).

Geographical Distribution. — Queensland, New South Wales. Victoria,
and South Australia.

/VESTS AND EGGS OF AUSTRALIAN BIRDS.

99

Ntst. — Consti-ucted after the fashion of that of G. melanops, but often
built into an old denuded foundation of a Grallina or Magpie Lark's nest,
lined inside with pieces of vei-y fine twigs and gi'ass, and outwardly deco-
rated with spiders' web, which in the case of a Grallina s old nest forms a
rim about three-quarters of an inch broad round the remnant of drj^ mud.
Dimensions over all, 4^ inches by 1 inch deep inside.

Jii/ffs.— Clutch, one to two, sometimes three ; inclined to oval in
shape; texture of shell fine; surface glossy; colour, yellowish-
olive, blotched all over with rich reddish-brown or chestnut and
purplish-brown. Dimensions in inches of a single example : (1) 118 x -8 ;
of a pail' with a beautiful gi-ccnish gi'ound-colour : (1) 111 x '76,
(2) 1-08 X -76.

Observations. — The Little or Varied Cuckoo Shrike is not uncommon
in- the eastern and southern States, especially in the Murray district and
other Riverine localities, where they love to sport among the red-gums
(eucalypts).

Many persons fall into error by confounding this species with the Black-
faced variety, G. melanops, notwithstanding the Little Cuckoo Shrike
posseses different markings and is much smaller in size. Mr. G. A. Keartland
has tested the weights of the birds. He found G. mefanops weighed
5\ ounces, while G. meiitah's only timied the scale at '2,f ounces.

Mr. J. Gabriel and I noticed the nest of this Ciickoo Shinke built into
the old foimdation of a Grallina's in a tree growing near the river Murray,
November, 1892. Mr. G. H. Morton infonns me he has since confirmed
this trait in the bird's economy by finding a nest with three eggs on the
28th September following in a similar position ; while an intelligent
observer, who went shearing the same month, near the south-western
bomidary of Queensland, because business was dull in Melbourne, found
a Cuckoo Shrike's nest containing three eggs built into a Mud Lark's old
home. If it were not the Little Cuckoo Shrike, then the Black-faced
species must occasionally adopt the habit of its smaller cousin.

The breeding months generally are included from September to
December.

78. — Graucalcs lineatus, Swainson. — (107)
G. swainsnnn, Gould.

BARRED CUCKOO SHRIKE.

Figure —Gou\d : Birds of Australia, fol.. vol. ii , pi 58.
Reference.— Cat. Birds Brit. Mus., vol. iv., p 40

Previous Descriptions of Eggs.— Ve Souef: Ibis, p. 314 (1896). also Victorian
Naturalist, fig. (1896).

Geographical Distribution. — Queensland and New South Wales.
Xest. — Similar to that of other members of the genus, composed of

lOO A'ESTS AND EGGS OF AUSTRALIAN BIRDS.

short twigs, &c., and spiders' web, and usually situated in the fork of a
limb in forest country.

Eyys. — Clutch, two usually ; in shape somewhat pointed towards one
end ; texture of shell comparatively fine ; surface glossy ; colour, dull-white,
blotched and spotted, particularly on the upper quarter, where the
markings form a zone, with imiber and dull-coloured slate. Dimensions
in inches of a clutch: (1) 1-25 x -83, (2) 1-2 x 1-86. (Plate 7.)

Another pair resembles those of the Caterpillar Catcher (Edoliiscyma
tenuirostre), being a hght-greenish tinge, and havmg well-rounded markings
of olive and dull-slate. (1) M5 x 86, (2) 1-15 x -85.

Observatio?is. — This lovely-marked Cuckoo Shrike, as far as at present
known, has a somewhat limited habitat, confined to the scrubs of the
eastern coastal region. My enthusiasm may be judged when, for the first
time, I saw my companion (Ms. W. T. Bailey^ rake with a long single-
barrelled gun the top of a tall Moreton Bay fig-tree, where Regent Birds
(Stricuhis). Cat Bii'ds ( Ai-1 u rcedii s ) . and Fruit Pigeons (Pfilopus).
were feasting, and bring down a pair of beautiful Barred Cuckoo Shrikes,
with eyes of Ught lemon-coloured hue.

According to Gould, the late Mi-. F. Strange shot, on the 24th
November, a female containing a fully-developed egg. A similar experi-
ence befell Mr. Bailey on Xew Year's Day, 1892. In dissecting a female
of this species, to his siirprise he found an immature egg, which he described
as long in fonn, glossy -wliite in colour, without trace of markings ; length,
about 12 inches by a breadth of -8 inch.

During a collecting trip to the Bloomfield River district. Northern
Queensland, 1893, Mr. D. Le Souef noticed a pair of Barred Cuckoo
Shiikes that had a nest in the neighboiu'hood, but unfortunately it con-
tained a pail- of young ones. Howevei', two years afterwards, Mr. Le Souef
was enabled, through the instrumentahty of Mr. R. Hislop, to describe
the eggs of this beautiful species from the same district. On the 12th
December, 1895, Mr. Hislop found a nest containing two eggs, placed in the
fork of a horizontal branch of an iron-wood (eucalypt) tree, at a height
of about twenty feet from the gi'oimd. The nest was composed of casuarina
needles and other leaves fastened together with spiders' webs.

Another nest was taken on the 23rd December the following season.

Breeding months October to Januaiy.

79. — Edoliisoma tenuirostre, Jardine. — (109)
Campephaga jardinii, Euppell.

CATERPILLAR CATCHER.

Figure— Gould ; Birds of Australia, fol , vol. ii., pi. 6o.
Reference — Cat. Birds Brit. Mus.. vol. iv , p 55

Previous Descriptions of Eggs. — North: Rec.Austn. Mus.. vol. i . p. 177
(1891) ; Campbell: Victorian Naturalist (1897).

Geographical Distribution. — Northern Territory, Queensland, New
South Wales, and Victoria, also New Guinea and Am Islands.

VESTS A.VD EGGS Of AVSTKALIAN BIRDS. loi

.Vc.,^ — Small and shallow ; composed of very fine twigs, casuarina
needles, and a few pieces of bark, stuck together with spiders' web, and
outwaidly decorated with portions of silveiy-gi-ey hchens, a few bits also
bein? inside. It resembles that of a Gruiicn/us also in its situation — a thin
forked branch of a tree — eucalyptus, casuarina, or banksia. Dimensions
over all, 3A inches; egg cavity, '2{ inches across by J inch deep.
(See illustration.)

Eggs. — Clutch, one invariably ; lengthened in form, with a sharp-
pointed apex, like some of the Thickheads' eggs, notably Porhycephala
o/ivaren ; texture of shell fine ; surface slightly glossy ; colour, pale or
light-green (the hue being more beautifid and intense when a specimen is
freshly blown), spotted and blotched nearly over the whole siu'face with
roundish markings of umber and slate. Dimensions in inches of single
examples: (1) 1-34 x -88, (2) 1-24 x -88, (3) 1-2 x -86. (Plate 7.)

Olixerrafions. — This fine species is a northern bird. Gilbert foimd it
extremely shy and retiring in its habits. It probably migrates down
tlurough eastern forests to different localities in Easteni Victoria, where
I first saw and shot the bird, in Gippsland (October, 1881). Eveiy
summer they may be heard in the Dandenongs, near Melbourne.

Tlu-ough the diligence of Mr. C. C. L. Talbot, Mr. North was enabled
to describe the first authenticated nest and egg of this rare bird. During
the end of September, 1882, Mr. Talbot observed a pair of the Caterpillar
Catchers building their nest in an iron-bark (eucalypt), at about forty
feet from the groimd, on Collaroy Station, Broad Sound, 556 miles north-
west of Brisbane. A week afterwards, noticing the female sitting, he
climbed (a rather difficidt task) to the nest and found it contained a
perfectly fresh egg.

For several seasons Mr. G. E. Shepherd noticed these birds in Oliver's
Gully, at the back of Mount Eliza, Mornington Peninsula. During a visit
of my son and self to Mr. Shepherd, who lives near the locality, we took
the opportimity of exploring the interesting gully, and were fortunate in
finding the nest (the second on record) 20th November, 1896.

The nest was situated in a forked horizontal branch of a messmate
(eucalypt). growing near the jimction of two little gullies. The nest was
about thirty feet from the ground and easy to reach. However, as
Mr. Shepherd was climbing the tree, the hen, being startled, darted off
her shallow nest and most imfortunately smashed the single egg, shooting
it on the Umb behind her. The egg was partly incubated. Great was oiu"
delight at the discovery of the nest, but our spirits fell below zero, i.e., into
our boots, when the only egg was broken, and we were all almost silent for
the rest of the day.

We observed that the male bird possessed a song or call note resembling
the pulsating soimd of a large Cicada singing. The alarm notes of both
male and female are a Parrot-like " tweet-tweet-tweet," or " wheet>wheet^
wheet."

Besides the original nest taken on the 20th November, the same pair
of birds built other two nests, one being built in a peppermint, the other
in a messmate, the single eggs of which Mr. Shepherd took 2nd and 12th

102 NESTS AND EGGS OF AUSTRALIAN BIRDS.

December respectively. The egg taken on the latter date fell to my
collection.

Mr. Shepherd disconcerted another pair of Catei-pillar Catchers
(Jardine Campephagea) by taking four nests running: — (1) In a pepper-
mint (eucalypt), the 18th December, e§^g much incubated; (2) in a
peppermint, on 27th December (to Mr. French's collection); (3) in a
banksia, on 8th Janviary (to Mr. Le Souef's collection) ; (4) in a casuarina,
at a height of about twelve feet, on 19th Januai-y (to Dr. Ryan's
collection). It is interesting to obsei-ve that the time taken to build and
lay another egg averaged between ten and eleven days (actual intervals,
twelve, ten, nine, twelve, eleven days respectively). Both birds aided
in the constniction of their nest.

Following Mr. Shepherd's example, Mr. S. W. Jackson, in the Clarence
River district. New South Wales, the succeeding season, made a raid on
the Catei-pillar Catchers in liis locality, and was successful in finding
no less than eight nests with each a single egg, the first being found
21st November, the last 9th Febniary. The nests were difficult to find,
and still more difficult to cUmb to.

Mr. Jackson has thoughtfull}- sent nie for perusal the whole of his
interesting field notes pertaining to the finding of the above nests. They
were all found in eucalypts, mostly blood-wood and iron-bark. Two or
three times the birds removed their partially made nest after it was dis-
covered. In one instance, although the egg was beautifully marked, it
was unusually small, nearly round, and without a yolk. One pair of birds
were robbed three times in succession. It was noticed that the female
occasionally makes the buzzing noise like the male, usually during wet
weather, and that she is fed, at all events sometimes, on the nest by
her mate.

The enthusiasm of Mr. Jackson when in the field is unbounded. Dining
one of liis outings (Christmas Day, by the way), at a quarter to five in the
moiTung. he was awakened by a male Caterpillar Catcher making liis buzzing-
like call in a tree leaning over the tent. HaK-dressed, Mr. Jackson hunied
out, lea\ing his companions in " the land of di^eanis, ' and in less than a
minute foimd the nest, built about forty feet from the ground in a blood-
wood, and the female sitting thereon. Returning to the tent, he aroused
his sleeping companions, and before six o'clock the nest, with egg blown,
were packed away. " The next move was our breakfast," naively adds
Mr. Jackson.

The finding of the last nest (9th February) that season is worth
recounting in Mr. Jackson's own words : — " I was not long in the gully
CWatt's) when I heard the loud cluck-like note of the male bird, followed by
his peculiar buzzing noise. I ti^acked him for a considerable time, and was
just giving up all hopes of finding the nest when all at once he alighted
in an iron-bark tree close to mv hiding-place — a clump of small giun
saphngs. He flew down to a hoiizontal forked limb with a gi-ub m liis
beak, and, before manv seconds had passed, ran along the hnib towards
the fork, looking carefully around evei-y few steps, and finally reaching the
fork, dropped the giiib and flew away. On going over to the tree, from
underneatli I could see a shght sign of a nest, and the tail of the hen bird

XESTS A.VP EGGS OF ACS/KAfJAX BIRDS. jo',

sticking over the side. I had uo climbing requisites with me, &o I had to
scramble the tree as best I could, and a difficult task it was. However,
1 at last reached the nest, and took from it one beautiful fresh egg. While
sitting down, resting after my climb, to my surprise I noticed both male
and female birds pulling the nest to pieces."

80- — Lalaoe tricolor^ Swainson. — (112;
Campephnga humeral is. Gould.

WHITE-SHOULDERED CATERPILLAR CATCHER.

Figure — Gould ; Birds of Australia, fol . vol. ii.. pi. 63

Reference. — Cat. Birds Brit. Mus., vol iv , p. 92.

Previous Descriptions of Eggs. — Gould ; Birds of Australia (1848), also

Handbook, vol. i., p 205 (1865); North: .\ustn Mus. Cat.,

p 78 (1889).

Geiigraphical Didrihution. — -Whole of Australia and Tasmania (casual),
also New Guinea-.

Nest. — Small and shallow, loosely composed of fine stalks of plants,
bark, grass, A-c, with the addition of cob-webs, chiefly on the outside, and
situated generally in the uppermost pronged branches of trees or saplings,
sometimes on a dead horizontal branch. Dimensions of a fah'iy-sized nest,
3 inches over all, by 2 inches in depth ; egg cavity, 2 inches across by
1 inch deep.

■^'.'/.'/*- — Clutch, two to three; rouncUsh oval in form; texture
of shell fine; siuiace glossy; colom-, light or dull wannish-green,
somewhat heavily blotched, especially about the apex, where the
markings are confluent, with umber or reddish-brown and dull-slate.
There is considerable variation in the gi-ound-colour, which is lighter in
some instances, darker in others, and frequently nearly covered with the
reddish mai-kings. Dimensions in inches of a proper clutch : (1) -81 x -64,
(2) -79 X -63, (3) -78 x -65. (Plate 7.)

Ohservations. — At one period or other of the year this bird is common
to the whole of Austraha. Its prevalence in the southern parts, however,
is only noticed in summer, when it breeds, rettuning northward again in
winter. It used to be a weU-known bird to collectors years ago in the
vicinity of Melbourne, where in an afternoon two or three nests might
easily bo detected by the bird sitting in the topmost forked branches of
black wattles (Acacia).

The White-shouldered Caterpillar Catcher airives at its most southerly
limits about the beginning of September (I have noticed the bird in
Riverina on the 1st, again at Mordialloc, Victoria, on the 19th), com-
mencing to breed almost immediatelv, or by the latter end of that month.
The breeding season continues into Januan' or even Febiiiaiy.

Both Gould and Gilbert agi-ee that during that particular season the
male birds become vers' pugnacious bv attacking each other in a desperate

]Oj. A'ESTS A.VD EGGS OF AUSTRALIAN BIRDS.

manner, or by chasing the female from tree to tree, at the same time
pouring forth his sweet agi-eeable song.

Gilbert's remarks of the bird in Western Australia apply accurately
to our own in the east — that the nest is so diminutive that it is difficult
to detect (except perhaps when the bird is sitting), and so shallow in form
that it is quite smprising the eggs do not roll out whenever the branch
is shaken by the wind.

During the progress of the Calvert Expedition in North-west Australia,
mmibers of the birds in immature plumage were noticed near Lake Way,
in Julv. Near the Fitzroy River during Febniary they were breechng,
and several clutches of eggs taken, which presented considerable variation
in coloiu", some being heaNaly blotched with red on a pale-green ground,
whilst others were streaked and blotched with dark-brown on a rich-green
ground. The nests, which were as usual, small for the size of the birds,
were built of fine grass, moss, cob-webs, and scraps of bark in the hori-
zontal forks of the eucalypt and baidiinia trees, in such a manner as to
make their discovery somewhat difficult.

From Mr. C. C. Brittlebank's observations it would appear that the
male alone constructs the nest. He writes: — "Re Cam iiephaya, 17th
February, 1897. Watched the male bird for over four hours in the
morning, and about the same time in the afternoon, hard at work
building the nest. His mate was nowhere to be seen. On the following
day the same t-ook place. This oi-der of tilings continued until the nest
was finished. We have observed tliis with three distinct pairs of birds."
Although the male in his conspicuous coat of black and white sometimes
.sits, he rarely or never feeds the young — he builds the nest, she feeds the
young — a division of labour. Have any other obsei-vers noticed this?

The illustration, " Nest of the White-shouldered Caterpillar Eater,"
is taken from a study in a branch of a casuarina tree.

81. — Lalage LEUCOMELiENA, Vigors and Horsfield. — (110 and 111)
CcinipepJiaija huamitla, Gould.
C. karu, Lesson.

PIED CATERPILLAR CATCHER.

Figure. — Gould : Birds of Australia, fo!., vol. ii., pis, 6i and 62.

Reference. — Cat. Birds. Brit. Mus., vol. iv . p 106,

Previous Descriptions of Eggs. — Fitzgerald : Proc Linn, Soc, N.S. Wales,
vol. ii., 2nd ser., p. 971 (18S7)

Geographical Di.itrihution. — Northern Tenitory, Queensland, and New
South Wales ; also New Guinea, New Ireland, and Am Islands.

Nest. — Somewhat small and shallow, composed of a few fine twigs or
portions of wire-Uke plants (some green) stuck together with spiders' web,
mostly on the outside, which is also sometimes ornamented with bits of
bark ; inside lining merely a few portions of lichen or rootlets, the whole
Ijeing made to resemble the forked branch where the structui'e is usually
situated. Dimensions over all, 2^ to 3 inches by 1 inch in depth ; egg
cavity, H to 2 inches across by \ inch deep.

N1-:ST ol- Till'- Wllini-SlUn LDEkl-.D CATliKl'lLLAR CATCHER.
From a I'hoto by tin A utlwt .

A'ESTS AND EGGS OF AUSTRALIAN BIRDS. iq:;

f^'jy^- — Clutch, one usually ; inclined to an ellipse in shape ; texture of
shell fine ; surface slightly glossy ; coloui", delicate light-green, blotched and
spotted, especially round the apex, with umber and purplish-brown.
Dimensions in inches of single examples: (1) '96 x -7, (2) -91 x -66.
(Plate 7.)

Observations. — On account of the pied-pliuuaged male of this species
being simllax to that of the preceding bird (the While-shouldered), a little
imcertainty exists amongst coUectors in distinguishing the two species in
the field, but if once handled and critically examined side by side thei'e
should be no further reason for confusing them.

Authors, too, went astray over the Nortlunn Canipephaga (C. hint).
which has been proved to be an immatiu-e bird of the Pied or Black and
White Catei-pillar Eater (7^. hurjimeluna).

The Pied Caterpillar Eater, although enjoying a northern habitat like
its White-shouldered compeer, does not come further south than New South
Wales, and has not been recorded for Western Austi-alia.

Tlie first authenticated nest with egg, discovered by Mr. R. D. Fitzgerald,
was taken at Ballina, near the mouth of the Kichmond River (New South
Wales), 4th November, 1887. It was placed between a fork in a small
branch of a tea-ti'ce (Melahur/i j. and contained one egg.

A beautifvd egg in the collection of Dr. Charles Ryan, Melboirme, was
taken by Mr. Hari-y Barnard at Cape York, 22nd November, 1896.

Eggs of the Pied Caterpillar Catcher have also been taken in December.

FAMILY— MUSCICAPID^ : FLYCATCHERS.

82.— MicRCECA FASCINAN6, Latham. — 1149)

BROWN FLYCATCHER.

Figure. — Gould : Birds of Australia, fol., vol. ii., pi. 93.

Reference. — Cat. Birds Brit. Mus., vol. iv.. p. 123.

Previous Descriptions of Eggs. — Gould: Birds of Australia (1848), also

Handbook, vol. i., p. 260 (1865); Ramsay: Trans Phil. Soc,

N.S. Wales, with fig. (1865).

Geographical Distribution. — Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria,
and South Australia.

Ne.<<t. — Slight, shallow, composed of long pieces of very fine grass
covered with small shreds of bark and sometimes pieces of lichen stuck on
with spiders' web, and usually situated at the extremity of a dead hori-
zontal branch in a thin pronged fork. Dimensions over all, 2i to 2| inches
by 1^ to H inches in depth; egg cavity. If to 1| inches across by | inch
deep.

Eggs. — Clutch, usually two, rare instances three; roundish in form,
more pointed at one end ; texture of shell fine ; surface without gloss ;

Io6 NESTS AND EGGS OF ArSJ'RALlAN BIRDS.

coloiu', light greyish-blue, comparatively boldly blotched, particularly round
the upper quarter, with reddish-brown or chestnut and puiple. Dimensions
in inches of a proper pair: (1) -75 x -57, (2) -74 x -57. (Plate 7.)

Observations. — The familiar Brown Flycatcher is common throughout
the greater part of Eastern and Southern Austraha, being represented on
the north and west by a closely-allied form (M. assimilisj.

For its gi'aceful, active movements (especially a singiilar lateral move-
ment of the tail when the bird is perched), and pleasing little song, the
Brown Flycatcher is a general favoiu'ite amongst collectors. Wlierever
there is open forest land or, indeed, timljer of any kind, the little Fly-
catchers arc always present in pairs, and, although the nest is so siuall,
it may be generally discovered by the solicitous actions of the owners.
The Brown Flycatcher has been known to lay twice in tlie same nest —
a somewhat unusual occuiience,

Mr. Hermann Lau, in his characteristic fasliion, obsei-ves that ; —
" Micrceca fascinans is a lovely httle Flycatcher, always posting itself on
the top of a dry stick, singing out ' Petei'-Peter ' summer and winter.
Its plate-hke nest (one of the smallest in Australia and disproportionate in
size to the bird) rests on a horizontal diy fork five to ten feet from the
ground. As the receptacle is very shallow, great care has to be taken in
securing the pair of eggs, as they will fall out by the least shake (have lost
several in spite of cai-e). Once I observed the egg of Cuculus cinereus
(pallida) in the nest of the Brown Flycatcher at Ellangowan,
Queensland, October, 1868."

Dr. Ramsay, in two instances in New South Wales, took the unusual
number of three eggs from nests of the httle Brown Flycatcher.

Two, and probably tlu-ee broods are reared a season, wliich usually
commences in October and extends to December.

In South Australia, Mr. James G. McDougall states that the
Brown Flycatcher or " Post Sitter," as he calls the bird, begins to breed
September or October, laving a pair of eggs, as it does in Victoria.

83. — MicKCECA ASsiMiLis, Gould. — (150)
LESSER BROWN FLYCATCHER.

Figure. — Gould-Sharpe : Birds of New Guinea, vol. ii pi. lo

Reference. — Cat. Birds Brit. Mus , vol. iv., p. 124

Previous Dessription of Eggs — Le Souef : Ibis. p. 458 (1900I

Geographical Distrihution. — West and North-west AustraUa, and
Northern Territory.

Nest and Eggx. — See appendix.

Observations. — As Gould has pointed out, this Flycatcher is the western
representative of M. fascinans, from which it only differs in being
much smaller in size, and in ha\'ing the base of the outer tail feathers
brown instead of white.

vi:i.i.o\v-i'.Ki;.\sTi;i) I'LViatciiick s nkst

From It I'liolo by /). Le Soui-f.

LEMON-BKKASTEI) ILVCATCl 1 KKS NEST.
1 a Photo by D. Lt Soiie/.

NESTS A.VD EGGS OF AUSTRALIAN BIRDS. 107

84. — MiCRtECA FLAVIGASTKH. Gould. — (151)

LEMON-BREASTED FLYCATCHER.

Figure. — Gould ; Birds of Australia, fol , vol ii., pi 94
Rtference. — Cat. Birds Brit. Mus., vol. iv. p. 126

Previous Descriptions oj Eggs. — Le Souef : Proc. Roy See, Vict , vii .
new ser., p. 24 (1895), also Victorian Naturalist, fig. {1896)

Geographical Diatrihutinn .■ — Northeni TeiTitoi-y and North Queens-
land ; also New Guinea.

Xeiit. — Extremely small and neat, composed of light-coloured fibrous
material resembling bark, outwardly oniamented with pieces of silvery-
grey bark, and placed in the dead horizontal forked branch of a forest tree,
such as casuarina, (fee. Dimensions over all, li inches by 1^ uaches in
depth; egg cavity IJ inches across by ^, inch deep. Tliis is the most
diminutive of all known Australian birds' nests.

^V.''"- — Clutch, usually one only ; oval, being more lengthened in shape
than that of the southern bird, M . fascwans; texture of shell fine ; surface
glossy ; coloiu', hght, wami French-grey, blotched and spotted with chestnut
and piu^Dle. Dimensions of single examples : (1) '77 x -53, (2) •75 x -53.

Observations. — During an excursion to Cardwell, Northern Queensland,
we much enjoyed the presence and delightful ditties of these dear little
birds, wliich were fond of percliing on a telegraph line or on stumps near
oiu- tents. But, for the reason, possibly, that it was too early in the
season (August and September), most diligent searches failed to discover
the whereabouts of their nests, then imknown to science.

However, some vcars subsequently the honour was left to
Mr. D. Le Souef to " officially " announce the discovery of the first nest
and an egg of the Lemon-breasted Flycatcher, which he brought to Mel-
bourne with a general collection. The nest was found in the open country,
near the Bloomfield River, by Mr. Frank Hislop, but it was so small
(undoubtedly the smallest nest of any Australian bird) and so similar in
colour to the branch on wliich it was built that it was very difficult to
detect, it being only noticed by seeing the bird fly oS.

Mr. Le Souef, in describing the specimens before the Royal Society of
Victoria, stated : — " This httle bird is found in the northern portions of
AustraUa, generally in open forest country, and is fairly plentiful, its
cheery note being often heard.

" Its beautiful httle nest wa.s found at Bloomfield, near Cooktown, on
25th October, 1893 ; and I secured the parent birds. It was built on the
dead upper branches of a small tree, about fifteen feet from the gi-ound,
and contained one partially-incubated egg."

Mr. Le Souef has photographed this nest, wliich makes a pretty couplet
with the '■ Nest of the Yellow-breasted Flycatcher ( MachcErorliynchus)."
(See illustration.)

I08 NESTS AND EGGS OF AUSTRALIAN BIRDS.

85. — MiCRCECA PALLIDA, De Vis.

PALE FLYCATCHER.

Reference. — Proc. Roy. Soc, Queensland, vol. i., p. 159 (1884).
Previous Description of Eggs. — Le Souef : Ibis, p. 458 (1900).

Geagrnphical Diatrihution. — Northern Territory and North Queensland.

Jest and Eggs. — See appendix.

Observations. — Mr. Kendall Broadbent obtained the original skin of
this Pale Flycatcher, in June, 1884, at the mouth of the Norman River,
in the forest country, where these birds were much addicted to perching
on stumps. Mr. Broadbent has noticed that some birds of diilerent species
found in the Gulf of Cai-pentaria district appear " sun-burnt " or lighter
in colour than those in other localities.

86- — Rhipidura albiscapa, Gould. — (134)

WHITE-SHAFTED FANTAIL.

Figure. — Gould : Birds of Australia, fol., vol ii pi 83

Reference. — Cat. Birds Brit. Mus., vol. iv., p. 310.

Previous Descriptions of Eggs. — Gould : Birds of Australia (1848), also

Handbook, vol. i, p. 239 (18651; North: Austn. Mus Cat,

p. 85 (1889K

Geographical Di.?trih7ttion.—Queens\cind, New South Wales, Victoria,
and South Australia.

Xest. — Neatly and marvellously made, wine-glass shaped, with the base
of the stalk broken off, composed of fine dry grass, but more usually of
shreds of fine bark, matted exteriorly with spiders' web, imiJarting to the
nest a greyish appearance ; Uned inside with soft grass, and sometimes fine
yellowish rootlets, vsdth one or two horse-hairs added, and usually situated
a few feet from the ground in warm scrub, where the nest is saddled on
a naked horizontal twig (with the tail-like appendage extended underneath
the twig upon which the nest is built) of a small sapling or bush, or more
frequently on a branchlet overhanging a stream. Dimensions over all,
2^ inches by 1| inches in depth; not including the tail-Uke appendage,
1 to H inches long; egg cavity, 11 inches across by IJ inches deep.
(See illustration.)

Eggs. — Clutch, two to three ; short oval in shape, prominently rovmded
at top end ; textiu'e of shell very fine ; smiace shghtly glossy ; coloiu, light
yellowish-white, mottled and spotted, particularly about the upper quarter,
with light-umber or rufous and duU-gi-ey. Dimensions in raches of a
proper clutch; (I) -67 x -48, (2) -65 x -49, (3) -6 x -45. (Plate 8.)

NESTS AND EGGS Of AUSTRALIAN BIRDS. 109

Observations. — Generally described, tliis bird lias the whole of its upper
sui-face dark-gi-cy; moon or crescout-shaped markings over the eyes and
behind the eai-s, throat, tips of tlie wing coverts, margin of the secondaries
white. Shafts of the tail feathers arc also white (hence the vernacular
name, White-shafted Fantail) ; under surface buS ; eyes, bill, and feet
black; total length, 6i inches (including tail, 3:,' inches).

Tliis exceedingly tame and hvely little favourite is distributed over
most of the eastern part of Austraha, where it is eveiy where met,
especially in the more heavily-forested parts. The White-shafted Fantail
has closely -allied representatives in Northern Australia, Western Australia,
ajid Tasmania; therefore it is again advised that the study of their res-
pective habitats will greatly aid the oologist in separating the different
species.

Quite a chapter might be written on this interesting and useful little
Fantail and its beautifully-built, small, elegant ncst^ — sometimes
not much bigger than the bowl of a large smoking pipe — wliich always
attracts attention, particularly the singular ornamental handle or tail that
is prolonged downward from the body of the nest.

When 1 meditate on these wonderfully-made little nests I always think
of the lines, "A Bird's Nest," which 1 learned at school: —

" It wins my admiration
To view ttie structure of that little work —
A Bird's nest. Mark it well within, without ;
No tool had he that wrought ; no knife to cut ;
No nail to fix ; no bodkin to insert :
No glue to join ; his little beak was all .
And yet how nicely finished ! What nice hand,
With every implement and means of art,
And twenty years' apprenticeship to boot,
Could make one such another ? " — Hurdis.

There are various suggestions about the utility of this taU, which is
constructed long or short according to the whim of the bird. If not for
ornamental purposes, I believe it is a case of pure mimicry, in which
the nest and tail are made to represent an excrescence on the twig, the
bird sometimes having to build its nest in exposed situations where food is
plentiful ; but whether it be essential for the stability of the nest or the
safety of its contents, the tail always takes shape early in the construction
of the nest. Although the nest proper is perfect for symmeti7 and
neatness, the termination of the tail is frequently slovenly finished off,
merelv a few shreds of bark hanging by spiders' webs, which any breeze
might unravel. The late Mr. T. H. Potts, who gave considerable attention
to the Flycatcher of this genus inhabiting New Zealand, beUeved the
affixing of the appendage steadied the nest in exposed yet good positions
for a food supply for the young. It is probably in some situations
exposed to sudden draughts or gusts of wind, which, agitating the twig,
might endanger the safety of the eggs. Mr. Potts asks, " Would not the
resistance offered by this peculiar addition (the tail) lessen any such danger
by diminishing the extent of the \nbration? "

I have taken the pretty homes of the White-shafted Fantail from a
variety of romantic situations. The first I ever found was overhanging

no A'ESTS AXD EGGS OF AVSTKALIA.V BIRDS.

a clear purling stream that had carved for itself a narrow track through
a rich alluvial flat, where tall timber giew. The uest was low down, well
under the shelter of one of the banks. In the Big Scrub of New South
Wales I took another beautiful nest for two purposes, firstly, to eni-ich
my collection from that locality, and secondly because it stood right in
the way between my camera lens and a picturesque waterfall I intended
to photograph.

Mr. Lau writes, of the White-shafted Fantail : — '' This happy Httle
bird may be seen all over the Downs of Queensland, in the open forest as
well as in the scrub ; but to look for its nest you have to resort to the
latter place. In the month of October you may find a receptacle — a most
lovely production — the property of this Flycatcher, sometimes within
reach, although oft-times ten to twenty feet high in a tree. This uest is
exactly the shape of a wine-glass without the foot, manufactured out of
fine chy grass connected or enclosed by spiders' web, and lined
throughout with fibres or fine rootlets. A uest containing two roundish
eggs was taken at Cimningham's Gap, m the Toowoomba Range, 1876.
The first nest I foimd, however, was in 1856, at Ullandulla, New South
Wales."

With regard to U. flahellifera, of New Zealand, a closely-allied form to
the E. alhiscapa, the following periods of time noted by Mr. Potts respect-
ing its nidification may apply to the Australian bird, and therefore not
be out of place: — On the 23rd October he found a nest vnth only the
foundation laid. The pair of birds building had a brood of three young
ones to feed, hatched from another nest not far away. 27th. — Nest
apparently finished and contained one egg. 29th. — Three eggs. 14th
Novembei-. — Four young hatched. 27th. — Young birds qviittied their
home.

Sometimes the White-shafted Fantail will pull down a partly-con-
stiiicted nest and build it elsewhere for no other reason apparently than
its having been seen or watched by some person.

This little bird seems to be a favourite foster-parent of the Square-
tailed Cuckoo (C. rariolosiis).

The White-shafted Fantail is a late breeder. I have never taken eggs
earlier than the 13th October, and have taken them as late as Christmas
time. Between these periods probably two or more broods are reared.

87- — Rhipidura preissi, Cabanis. — (135)
WESTERN FANTAIL.

Reference. — Cat. Birds Brit Mus , vol. iv., p. 310

Previous Description of Eggs. — North: Proc, Linn, Soc-, NS Wales,
vol. iii.. 2nd ser., p. 414 (1888).

GeographicaJ Distribution. — West and North-west Australia.

Nest. — Small and neat, resembling that of the eastern species
(R. albiscapaj, but somewhat smaller, composed of fine shreds of bark

.VESTS A.VC EGGS 01- AUSTKALiA.V hlKPS. \ \ \

felted or covered externally with light-coloured spiders' webs, lined inside
with veiy fine grass, and saddled on a bare twig (sometimes pronged) of
a sapling or bush in scrub or open forest. Dimensions over all, 2J inches
by li inches in depth, with the addition of about 1 incli for the tail-like
appcndiige; egg cAvity, li inches across by 1 inch deep.

Eygs. — Clutch, two to tliree ; short in shape, more largely rounded at
one end ; texture of shell very fine ; surface slightly glossy ; colour, white
or faint yellowish-white, finely spotted, especially round the apex, with light-
umber or rufous and dull-grey, the markings, if anything, being more
spotted in character than those of the eastern fonn. Dinitusions in inches
of a pair: (1) 59 x -46, (2) -58 x -45.

Observations. — Among my most pleasant reminiscences of western
forests is this dear Httle creature. The bird appeared lighter in colour than
its eastern congener, R. alhiscapa, to which it is, however, closely-allied.
In fact, Gould at first regai-ded the two species as identical. But the
western bird ihflers principally in the almost entire absence of the black
breastrband.

Often when reclining or recording notes, or I might say listening for
" notes " (bird) in the forest, my presence attracted these pretty Fantails,
but whether they came out of curiosity or to catch the blow-fhes that
buzzed ;ii-ound my figure I know not. At all events, a bird would some-
times perch on a slender twig, giacefully droop its wings, spread its tail,
and with meek blatk eyes look me full in the face. Now and again it
would dart towards me, almost brushing my coat, securing each time a
large fly. Its movements were so instantaneous and so close to me that
I could hardly tell whether the fly was secured by the bill or by the claw,
or whether it was transferred from the bill to the claw. However, every
time the Fantail returned to its perch, a blow-fly was in the bird's claw,
whence it was torn piecemeAl and demolished. I succeeded in finding three
of their prettily cob-web-felted nests, two of which were saddled on hori-
zontal pronged twigs of karri (species of eucalypt) saplings in thick
scrub. The nesting material overlapped the twig, and meeting iindemcath
formed the usual tail. Eggs from two nests were taken 4th and 8th Novem-
ber respectively, but the third was not completed before I had reluctantly to
leave the district. I had watched the nest in course of constiiiction, and
admired greatly the way in wliich the httle architects moulded it into shape
by one pressing its chest against the rim while sitting or tiuning roimd
inside.

Breeding months are from September to December or January ;
generally commencing about the middle or end of October in the
south-west.em forests.

112 NESTS AND EGGS OF AUSTRALIAN BIRDS.

88. — Rhipidura diemenensis, Sharpe.
DUSKY FANTAIL.

Reference. — Cat. Birds Brit. Mus., vol. iv., p 311.
Previous Descriptions 0/ Eggs. — North: Proc. Linn. Soc, N.S- Wales,
vol. ii., 2nd ser., p. 406 (1887).

Geographical Distribution. — Tasmania, and King, Kent, and Fumeaux
Islands in Bass Straits.

Nest. — Resembles that of the mainland species (E. albiscapa), but is
more heavily built, constructed of shreds of the inner bark of eucalypts
covered exteriorly with cob-webs, and neatly lined inside with the hair-like
down of fern trees, reddish flowering stalks of moss, dry hair from banksia
blooms, &c. Situation, generally a naked twig near the ground in a small
tree or bush in the imderscnib of mountain gulhes or in the open forest
aUke.

Eggs. — Clutch, three usually, four sometimes; short in shape, with one
end largely rounded ; textiu-e of shell very fine ; surface slightly glossy ;
coloiu% hght yellowish-buff or buffy-white, rather boldly blotched
with rufous and grey in the form of a confluent belt round the apex,
the markings being darker and heavier in colour than those of the bird's
mainland representatives. Dimensions in inches of a pair: (1) -62 x '48,
(2) •62X-46.

Observations. — The Dusky Fantail is confined to Tasmania and some of
the islands in Bass Strait, and, as its name implies, this bird is much
darker in coloiir than its representative on the mainland. I succeeded in
finding one of its wonderfully-constructed nests, containing two eggs, in
one of the deep guUies near the base of Mount Wellington, Tasmania, on
23rd October, 1883.

It is on Mr. A. E. Brent's authority that I have stated a clutch of four
eggs is occasionally laid by this species, which confirms what I have already
stated elsewhere in this book, that the Tasmanian species, or representatives
of the same birds inhabiting the mainland, usually lay a larger number
of eggs to the clutch.

The breeding season may be included in the months from October to
January.

89- — Rhipidura rutifronSj Latham. — (136)

RUFOUS FANTAIL.

Figure. — Gould : Birds of Australia, fol , vol ii.. pi. 84

Reference. — Cat Birds Brit Mus , vol. iv., p. 319

Previous Descriptions of Eggs. — Gould: Birds of Australia, Handbook i.,

p. 241 (1865) ; Ramsay : Proc. Linn. Soc , N.S Wales, vol i.,

2nd ser., p. 1143 (1886).

Geographical Distrihution. — -Queensland, New South Wales, and
Victoria.

AESrS A.VD EGGS Of AV ST KALI AX BIRDS. i j ^

Nest. — Noat and beautifully formed, shaped like a wine-glass w-itii the
base of the stock broken off, composed of fine strips of bark together with
moss, felted exteriorly with spiders' webs, lined inside with shreds of dark
vegetable matter or grass, with usually a few red flowering stalks of
moss on the bottom, and generally situated a few feet from tiie gi-ound on
a naked forked twig of a tree or bush near or overhanging a watercourse
in the densest scrub. Dimensions over all, 2A inches by 2 inches in depth,
with the addition of 2t inches for the leugtli of the tail-like appendage ;
egg cavity, IJ inches across by \\ inches deep. Altogether larger than
that of the Wliite-shafted Fantail (R. a/Ziisrapa J. In instances the
foundation of the nest appears somewhat heavy by reason of the twigs on
which it is built.

Egrjs. — Clutch, two usually, three occasionally ; inclined to be oval or
rouud-oval in shape ; textui'e of shell fine ; surface glossy ; colour, light
yellowish-buff or yellowish-white, speckled, particularly in the form of a
belt round the apex, with lunber and grey. Dimensions in inches of a
clutch: (1) -71 X -5, (2) •7x-5; of a rounder-sized pair: (1) -67 x -53,
(2) -66 X -51. (P.ate 8.)

Ohxervations. — Not only is the forehead of this Fantail rusty-red (from
which it derives its specific name, rufifron^). but the lower part of the back,
tail coverts, and the basal half of the tail wear the same reddish colour.
The remainder of the upper sm-face is olivc-browni, while the throat is white,
chest black, blending through spots into a lighter colour on the underneath
parts. Eyes, bill, and feet brown, harmonising with the general tone of the
plumage. About the same size as the Wliite-shafted Fantail.

I have met with the exceedingly restless and showy Rufous Fantail on
the Bamiu-d Islands, Rockingham Bay district — probablv its most northern
habitat. The species is migi'atoiy, some reacliing Victoria about the end
of October or the beginning of November, where they love to flit up and
dowii the cool secluded gullies of the ranges. About the end of March they
move again towards their northern Cjuarters. On the 23rd March, 1888,
I noticed a bird rather out of its course under the roof of the Prince's
Bridge Railway Station, Melbourne.

It was in a giUly on the moimtain side of the Dandenongs, one
Chiistmas, that I found a pretty nest saddled on a sprig of a low,
overhanging musk-tree. The bird was excetdingly tame, and moving its
])retty hekod sideways, surveyed the intruder up and down. I had to tug
its tail gently once or twice to remind the little creature that it was
necessary, in the interests of scientific research, to quit the nest. Even-
tually the bird did so, reveaUng a pair of delicate eggs with incubation
a few days old.

I again made the acquaintance of many Rufous Fantails in the dark
wndings of the Big Scrub, Riclimond River, New South Wales, where
I foimd two nests containing each a pair of eggs. Tliat occuiTed in
November, 1891.

Mr. Lau's Queensland experience of the Rufous Fantail is that

" it resembles the White-shafted Fantail (but with an orange tail), also

in the constructing material of its nest and colour of eggs, but the shape

of the nest differs bv lia\-ing hardly any point imderneath. Builds

8

114

iVESTS AXD tGGS 01- AUSTRALIAX BIRDS.

invariably in low scrub bushes. Nest takeu at Highfields, north-east from
Toowoomba, November, 1875."

Gould states he had little opportimity of observing the Rufous Fautail
diiring the breeding season, but he frequently foxmd its deserted wine-glass-
shaped nest, which bore a general resemblance to that of the White-shafted
variety. In cue of them he foimd a single egg, wliich he duly described.

Breeding months November, December and January, and in favourable
seasons as late as Febmary, Mr. B. E. Bardwell having taken eggs in the
Lilydale district 18th of that month.

Mr. S. W. Moore (Sydney), took a pair of eggs of the Rufous Fantail
at Westwood on the 18th January, and ten days aftenvards the birds had
built another nest and laid therein a set of eggs.

90. — Rhipidura dryas, Gould. — (137)
WOOD FANTAIL.

Figure. — Gould (Sharpe) ; Birds of New Guinea, vol. ii., pi 32.
Reference. — Cat. Birds Brit. Mus., vol iv., p 322

Geographical Di.ftrihution.—Noithera Territoi-y and North Queens-
land (?).

Nest and £(/(/>>. — Undescribed.

Observations. — This bird frequents the northern parts of the Continent,
and differs from the Rufous Fantail, as Gould points out, in its smaller
size, in ha\'ing its dark-gi-ey tail feathers more largely tipped with white
and fringed with rufous at the base only, and haring the breast white,
crossed by a distinct black band, and devoid of the dark spotted markings
seen on the chest of its ally.

91. — Rhipidura setosa, Quoy and Gaimard (138)

NORTHERN FANTAIL.

Figure.— Gonld : Birds of .-Vustralia, fol., vol. ii., pi. 85.

Reference. — Cat. Birds Brit. Mus., vol. iv., p. 329.

Previous Descriftions of Eggs. — Ramsay :J Proc. Linn. Soc, N.S.Wales,

vol. i. 2nd ser., p-411 (1886); Campbell: Victorian Naturalist

(1887).

Geographical Distribution. — North-west Australia, Northern Tenitory,
and North Queensland ; also New Guinea and adjacent islands, Waigiou,
New Ireland, and Duke of York Island.

A^est. — ^Resembles those of the other members of the genus, but, if
anything, is more loosely coustnicted, and with a more lengthened (two or
three inches) tail-like appendage hanging from beneath the little cup-shaped

XESTS AND £(SGS OF MSTKALIA.V BIRDS. j i ;;

sti-ucture ; (.oiiiposed of shreds chioHy of inelalcuca bark, foltcd outwardly
with spiders' webs, aud usually situated in an acacia or other tree in
open forest.

Eijij*. — Clutch, two; short in fonu, more prominently rounded at one
end ; textm-e fine ; suiiace, slight trace of gloss ; colour, dull or yellowish-
white, with clouded markings of yellowish-brown and gi"ey, especially round
the upper quarter. Tlie character of tiie markings appears to be more
bliuTcd compared with those of the eggs of the other members of tliis
genus. Dimensions in inches of a pair: (1) -77 x 55, (2) •71x-54; of a
smaller-sized pair: (1) -69 x -52, (2) -67 x -54.

Oluervatinns. — Of this northern inhabitant, wliich is plentiful in some
localities, Gilbert found a nest in the early part of November, which
appeared to have been recently occupied by young birds.

A nest of this species is in the Australian IMuseum collection, taken
at Port Danvin, 1879, but the eggs were not described till 1886.

Mr. W. B. Barnard, in a communication to me, wi-ites : — "I am
sending a specimen of this little Fantail for you to identify. It lays two
eggs and always builds in the wattle f Jrtiri/i / tree. The eggs are very
like those of the Black Fantail, only half the size, 'ihe little nest is built
of cob-webs and portions of tea-tree ( Mtlahucfi) bark, and finished off
underneath, the point fonning a tail two or three inches in length. It
always builds in the forest country from tlie beginning of October to the
end of November."

92. — Rhipidur.\ .\lbic.\ud.\, North.
WHITE-TAILED FANTAIL.

Figure. — North: Report Horn Expedition, pi. 6 (lower fig.)

Reference. — Report Horn Expedition, p. 75.

Previous Description 0/ Eggs. — North: Victorian Naturalist, vol. xvi.,
p. II (1899),

Geograph ical DUtrihutioti. — Central Australia.

.Vf.v^ — Similar to those of the other members of the genus.

J^'jy^- — Clutch, two, sometimes three (probably) ; roundish oval in
shape; textui'e of sheO very fine; sui-face glossy; coloiu', buily-white,
faintly spotted or mottled, especially on the larger end, with light reddish-
brown and purplish-browni. Dimensions in inches : '64 x -49.

Observations. — The White-tailed Fantail was one of the ornithological
discoveries of the Horn Expedition to Central Australia.

Mr. G. A. Keartland, who collected the bird, st^ates ; — " In the Mulga
scrub, on Levi Range, one of these pretty birds attracted attention. In
note and habit of fluttering from branch to branch it closely resembled

Il6 NESTS AXD EGGS OF AUSTRALIAN BIRDS.

B. alhiscapa, but its beautiful fan-like tail, with four snow-white feathers
on each side of a dark centre, rendered a closer examination necessary.
Others were also shot at Petermann and Adminga Creeks."

Tlie description of its eggs is taken from an example in Mr. Keartland's
collection.

93. — Rhipidura phasiana, De Vis.
PHEASANT OR WHITE-FRONTED FANTAIL.

Reference. — Proc Roy. Soc, Queensland, vol. i , p 158 (1S84).

Geographical Distribution. — North Queensland and Northern Tenitory
(probably).

Nest and Eygs. — Undescribed.

Observations. — The White-fronted Fantail was first collected by
Mr. Kendall Broadbent, at Kimberley, near the mouth of the Norman
River, Gulf of Carpentaria. It was found close to the mangi-oves.

94. — Rhipidura tricolor, Vieillot. — (139 and 1-10)

Sauloprocta motacoUoides, Vigors and Horsfield.

BLACK AND-WHITE FANTAIL.

Figure. — Gould ; Birds of Australia, £ol., vol. ii., pi. 86.

Reference. — Cat. Birds Brit. Mus., vol. iv., p. 339.

Previous Descriptions of Eggs. — Gould : Birds of Australia (1848), also
Handbook, vol. i., p. 245 (1865): North: Austn, Mus Cat.,
p. 88 (1889). also Trans. Roy. Soc. S.A , vol. xxii , p 163 (1898) ;
Le Souef : Victorian Naturalist, vol .\vi , p. 65 (1899).

Geoyrapliical Distrihution. — Austraha in general, also New Guinea,
Aru Islands, Solomon Islands, and New Ireland.

Nest. — Cup-shaped, neat and symmetrical, with naiTow but well-built
sides, composed of dried gi'ass or fine shreds of bark, felted outwardly with
spiders' webs, some of the webs being worked round and underneath the
fork or branch on which the nest is placed ; Hned inside with finer grass,
a few fibrous rootlets, feathers, hair, &c., and usually situated on the dead-
portion of a low horizontal branch a few feet from the ground, more fre-
quently above water. Dimensions over all, 2| inches by 1| inches m
depth; egg cavity, 2+ inches across by \l inches deep. (Sec illustration.)

Eggs. — Clutch, three to foiu' ; incUned to be oval in shape, prominently
rounded at one end ; texture fine ; surface slightly glossy ; coloiu", light
creamy-buff or yellowish-white, marked and spotted, usually faintly but

NEST OF THE BLACK AND WlllTK FANTAIL.
From a Photo by the Author.

.VESTS AND EGGS OF AUSTRALIAN BIRDS. \\j

sometimes boldly, with light-rufous or olive aud gi'ey, generally iu ilie fonn
of a belt round the upper quarter. Dimensions in inches of a full clutch ;
(1) -8 X -57, (2) -79 X -59, (3) -79 x -58, (4) -78 x 6 ; of a larger-sized paii- ;
(1) -SSx-e, (2) -Sx-e. (Plate H.)

Oh.'^trvatiuns. — This bird is a simple study in black aud white — the
general plumage being glossy black relieved with a narrow line over either
eye and abdominal parts white. Eyes, bill, and feet are black. Total
length 7-j' inches, inchuling tail 4} inches and bill '^ inch.

If we include the smaller race of the north-west part of the Continent,*
then the common Black-and-white Fantail is fmuid throughout the whole
of AustraUa.

One hardly knows where to commence the observationsj which are
always interesting, of this general favoui'ite, sometimes called " Wagtail "
or " Shepherd's Companion. " I shall just lead off from Mr. Lau's manu-
script. Writing with reference to the Darling Downs, he says: —
" Queensland seems more the home than New South Wales of tliis lively,
intrepid httle customer, because, in spite of untiring search in the southern
part of the last-named State, I was never rewarded with its nest, although I
often met with the bird. A lover of water, it courts the friendship of the
Magpie Lark (Gralltna), often builds with it in the same tree, cha.ses with
the Magpie Lark intiiiders, aud finds with it the sustenance of hfe on the
margin of a rivulet. The Fantail dances on the backs of horses, cattle,
or sheep, in search of parasites, also hopping in the grass before the
devoiu-ing mouths .of such animals, watching for frightened insects
ascending from their liidiug-places. When with the Magpie Lark, the
situation of the nest is high ; but it builds low enough, frequently over
water on the top of so-called snags, on posts, &c. Once in Glenelg I knew
of a nest on the stem of a \'ine before my bed-chamber. In passing by,
the birds always greeted me, but one morning the eggs were gone. I swore
revenge and laid poison in the nest, which the following morning contained
the corpse of a fat lizard. The open nest is neatly formed out of decayed
grass and spiders' webs, lined \vith fibres, and contains three or four eggs.
At least three broods are reared iu a season, which extends from the end
of August or September to December."

I have taken these homely httle birds' nests in Victoria, New South
Wales, and Queensland, and never particularly noticed, as Gould states,
that a Living branch always overshadowed the dead branch bearing the
nest. Nor have I noticed any particular predeliction of the Fantail to
nest near a Magpie Lark's home. On one occasion I recollect finding
a Fantail's nest \vith eggs in a small tree growing in a lagoon, near
a Grallina's containing young, but there was also in the same tree a nest
of the White-rumped Wood , Swallow, with a set of beautiful eggs, placed
within an old nest of a Grallina.

• I have examined the eggs of this doubtful species (R. picata, Gould) in Mr. Keart-
land's collection, from the Fitzroy River district. They exactly resemble those of the
common bird, being somewhat pointed in shape, texture very fine, surface glossy,
colour yellowish-white, with a cloudy or indistinct belt of brownish and greyish markings
about the upper quarter. Dimensions in inches (i) -78 x 57; (2) 74 x '58.

Il8 XESTS AXD EGGS 01- AVSTKALIAN BIRDS.

Witli their peculiar rattle-like noise and restless actions, the Fantails
soon betray the whereabouts of their nests.

In confirmation of Gould and Mr. Lau's other remarks, that the Black-
and-wliite Fantail sometimes rears three broods in a season, a farmer
friend took particular notice of a pair near his home, and proved the fact,
with the additional original uiformatiou, that the fii'st two broods, in that
instance, were reared from the same nest.

A correspondent of the " Queenslander," who enjoyed opportunities of
watcliiug the Black-and-white Fantail building its nest, states : — " The site
chosen for the nest is the horizontal foi'k of a small dead branch, generally
near the top of a tall tree standing close to water. Occasionally they build
in a similar position in a fallen tree, and once I saw a nest on the fiat beam
of a boat-house — a most unusual place. Having decided on a site, they
call upon the patient and hard-working spiders, whose carefully-woven nets
are torn awav. The foundation is made by twisting the cob-webs aroimd.
under and across the two sides of the foi-k. Next a great many trips
are made to the banks of the creek. Here they obtain the thread-hke roots
of plants, which have been exposed by the water washing away the soil.
These rootlets, together with strips of soft bark, are twisted round the fork
until a cup-like shape is formed, the bird helping to mould it by turning-
round and roimd within the httle cup and pushing and working it with its
httle breast, until the neatest and most perfect cup imaginable is at last
formed. Then another visit is paid to the spiders, and with some more of
their webs the birds cover the outside. The webs bind the roots together,
and also give the nest the exact appearance of the dead branch upon which
it is placed, so that it quite resembles one of the warts or excrescences so
common on our trees. No hning is needed, for the inside is quite soft."

The Black-and-wlute Fantail is exceedingly persevering in nest^builchng.
The same correspondent one season noticed no less than four nests built
and eggs laid therein, wliich were either destroyed or stolen before the bii-d&
reared a brood. In one instance they removed portions of a previous nest
to constiaict a fresh one some distance off.

The liistoiy of a home : — " A pair of ' Shepherds ' built their nest in the
peach-tree by my window. They started 28th August, had one egg on the
9th September, three by the 11th, and all hatched after dinner on the
26th."— (E.D.B.).

In the Dandenong district, Victoria, the Messrs. Brittlebank and other
collectors have on several occasions taken the egg of the Pallid Cuckoo
(C. paUidus) from the nest of the Black-and-white Fantail.

In the Adelaide Museum there is a curious exhibit, a Black-and-white
Fantails nest built on the loop of a rope.

The breeding months are from September to December, and probably
in some localities to Januarv.

A'EsrS AXD EGGS OF AUSTRALIAN BIRDS. i kj

95. — Myiagra rubecula, Latliiini. -(H-i)
jy. phunhed. Vigors and Horsfield.

LEADEN-COLOURED FLYCATCHER.

Figure. — Gould: Birds of Australia, fol., vol. ii., pi Sg
Reference. — Cat. Birds Brit. Mus., vol. iv.,p. 373.

Previous Deuriftions of Eggs. — Ramsay: Ibis, vol. i., New Ser , p. 401 '
(1865); Campbell; Victorian Naturalist (1SS7).

Geographical Dixtrihutinn. — Australia in general and Tasmania; also
New Guinea.

Ne^t. — -A perfect model, neat, cupshaptd. .somewhat deep, constructed
of fine bark covered with cob-webs and beautifully decorated, especially
round the rim, with portions of lichen or small shields of bark, Uaed inside
with nothing special except the fine bark. Usually situated on a dead
horizontal branch of a tall tree in forest country. Dimensions over all,
2f to 3 inches by H to 2 inches in depth ; cg^ cavity, \h inches across by
IJ inches deep.

Eggs. — Clutch, three ; short-oval in shape, more largely rounded at one
end ; texture of shell fine ; surface glossy ; colour, whitish, blotched and
spotted, in the fonii of a broad belt round the upper quarter, with umber
and piu-pUsh or obsciu'e gi'ey. Dimensions in inches of a proper clutch :
(1) -75 X -57, (2) -75 x -57, (3) -73 x -57. (Plate 9.)

Observalions. — At one portion or another of the year this most active
Flycatcher has been observed throughout the denser timber tracts of
Australia, and occasionally in Tasmania.

Tlie general plumage of the male is a glossy leaden colour, with abdo-
minal region white. As in the Satin Fl3X'atclier and others of its genus,
the female has the rusty-red throat and breast ; bill bluish-black with black
tip, eyes and feet also black.

It is a migratory species, and according to various observers appears
in Northern Queensland as early as the beginning of Augiist, reaching
South Queensland, New South Wales, and other southern parts in Sep-
tember, and pairing, commences to breed in October. The breeding season
lasts to the end of the year, even to Januaiy in Victoria, and by March
the Leaden-coloured Flycatchers retrace their flight northward, the young
instinctively following in the same direction.

Gould did not procure eggs of the Leaden-coloured Flycatcher, but
furnishes a rough description of the nest. Dr. Ramsay states, although
the bird is not so numerous during the months of November and December
as when it first arrives in the vicinity of Sydnev in September, still many
remain to breed. They leave the closely-wooded sides of the creeks and
watercourses, and show a decided preference to the more open or half-
cleared land, choosing as sites for their nests the horizontal boughs of the
larger trees. The nesfcs I have observed were in the forests, in trees
always too high and too difficult to obtain the eggs. The nests and eggs
I first described were, together with the birds, taken by a small pai-ty of

120 .VESTS AND EGGS OF AUSTRALIAX BIRDS.

field natiualists while encamped on the Glengarry River, Gippsland,
Christmas-tide, 1885. The nest in tliis instance was placed on an
overliauging branch of tea-tree (Melaleuca).

On the 20th November, 1896, Mr. G. E. Shepherd, my son, and myself
were exploring a gully (locally known as Ohver's) behind Mount Eliza,
Victoria, where we obsen-ed many pairs of this pretty Flycatcher. We
took one beautiful nest containing three fresh eggs from a dead limb of a
eucalypt, besides noticing several being built about the forest. The biids
possess a plaintivelj' sweet song.

Mr. J. T. Gillespie has kindly supphed me with a singular note
concerning the nesting of a pair of Leaden-coloured Flycatchers. On the
4th December, 1898, he observed a nest building in a saphng near the
Dandenong Creek, Victoria. On revisiting the spot a fortnight afterwards
lie found the nest deserted, and that the birds had commenced building
another about one hundred yards away. A wesk later three pretty eggs
were laid and robbed. Mr. Gillespie, on visiting the locaUty three weeks
afterwards, or on the 15th Januaiy, to liis surprise, foimd the original
uest had been completed by the Flycatchers, and contained a pair of eggs.

96. — Myiagra concinna, Gould. — (145)
BLUE FLYCATCHER.

Figure. — GonM : Birds of Australia, fol., vol. ii., pi. go.

Reference. — Cat. Birds Brit. Mus., vol iv., p. 374.

Previous Descriptions of Eggs. — Ramsay: Proc. Linn. Soc, N.S. Wales,

vol vii., p. 48 (1882); Campbell: Nests and Eggs Austn.

Birds, p. 15 (1S83).

Geojraphical Dixtrihutioii. — North-west Australia, Northern Territory,
and Queensland.

Nest. — Cup-shaped (broader at the base), neat, composed of bark, covered
with spiders' webs, and ornamented vdt\\ portions of Uchen, sometimes with
small pieces or scales of bark ; lined inside \vith fine grass, and usually
placed on a thin horizontal limb. Dimensions over all, 3 inches by 2 inches
in depth; egg cavity, Ij inches across bv \\ inches deep.

Egy.i. — Clutcli, three ; short oval in shape ; texture of shell fine ;
surface glossj- ; colour, dull warmish-white, with a distinct band of confluent
markings of umber and pui-plish-grey round the upper quarter. Dimensions
in inches of a clutch: (1) -69 x -49, (2) -67 x -5.

Observations. — This pretty little Flycatcher, with its reputed shy and
retiring disposition, is a frequenter of more northern locaUties, but is found
as far south as Central Queensland, whence birds were first collected
by the Messrs. Barnard, and identified by the Austrahan Museum.

The eggs in my cabinet were received from the late Mr. George
Barnard, of Coomooboolaroo.

^ESTS AND EGGS OF AUSTRALIAN BIKOS. 121

97. — Myiagua nitida, Gould. — (1-1(5)
SATIN FLYCATCHER.

FigKir.— Gould : Birds of Australia, lol., vol. ii., pi 91.

Re/erence. — Cat, Birds Brit. Mus . vol. iv., p. 375.

Previous Dcsciiftioiis 0/ Eggs. — Gould: Birds of Australia (1S48), also

Handbook, vol. i., p 256 (1865) : N'orlh : Austn Mus. Cat.,

p. 94 (1889).

Gfoi/mp/iica/ Distrihiifiun. — Quecusland, Now South Wales, Victoria,
South AustraHa (probably), and Tasmania.

.Vo-^.— Cup-shaped, beautifully-fonncd, with broad and well-rounded
lim ; constructed of strips of bark covered with spiders' webs, ornamented
here and there with portions of Uchen ; lined inside with fine bark and
a few rootlets, and usually situated on a dead horizontal branch of a tall
cucalypt. Dimensions over all, 3A inches by 2 inches in depth ; egg cavity,
IJ inches across by 1^ inches deep.

Effffs. — Clutch, three, occasionally two only ; short-oval in shape,
having the usual Flycatcher-like form — prominently roimded at one end;
texture of shell fine ; surface glossy ; colour, pearly-white, spotted and
blotched with lunber and piu-plish-grey in a well-defined belt round the
upper quarter. Not unhkc small-sized eggs of the Restless Flycatcher.
Dimensions in inches of a proper clutch: (1) '77 x -59, (2) -76 x -59,
(3) ■76x-58. I Plate D.)

Observations. — Tliis hvely and truly "shming ' Flycatcher ranges from
Cape York, in Northern Austraha, to Tasmania in the south. It has been
obsen'ed to remain in the first-mentioned habitat throughout the year,
wliile the majority, moving southward, reach then- insular quarters during
September, arriving sometimes towards the end of the month. It departs
again from Tasmania in Febniary, passing into Queensland in March
or April. It is only seen occasionally in the intermecUate locahties of
Victoria and New South Wales.

The coat of the male Satin Flycatcher is a rich, glossy (Eke satin)
greenish-black, with most of the under surface white; bill leaden-colour,
passing into black at the point ; eyes and feet also black. Total length,
6i inches.

The female, however, differs much by possessing a rich, rasty-red throat
and breast, and the upper surface less brilliant than it appears in her mate.

In Tasmania, Gould experienced httle difliculty in obtaini n g several
nests and eggs of the Satin Flycatcher among the gullies and forest land
on the north side of Moimt Welhngton. He says the nest is usually
placed 'at the extreme tip of a dead branch, at a height varying from
twenty to forty feet from the ground. Some of the nests are formed of
a minute species of light-gi"een moss, others are constructed of fine threads
of stringy-bark ; " all are rendered very warm by a dense lining of soft
hair of the opossum, the flocculent fibres of the tree-fern, and blossoms of
many other kinds of plants.

122 A'ESTS AND EGGS OF AUSTRALIAN BIRDS.

" The form of the nest appears to depend upon the nature of the site
upon wliich it is built : if placed on a level pai-t of a branch, the nest is
large and high ; if in a fork, then it is a more shallow structure ; in each
case the opening is as perfect a circle as the nature of the materials wiU
admit."

I fear the great naturalist lia« fallen into error or transposed some of
his examples (probably a Robin's nest) when referring to the " dense
lining " of fur. The nests I have seen are simply hned \\-ith soft bark,
grass or rootlets, and in this respect resemble the nests of the other
members of the genvis.

A beautiful nest and eggs of the Satin Flycatcher that grace my
collection were a gift (a Christmas one, by the way) from Mr. G. K. Hinsby,
who enjoyed considerable nesting experiences among these Flycatchers in
Tasmania. Tliis nest was taken from a dead limb, at the height of about
si.Kty feet from the ground in a eucalypt tree, Mr. Hinsby adding, in
parenthesis, "a straight shin for thirty feet."

On one occasion he found no less than nine ne.sts in an area of about
half-a-mile at the junction of two creeks, above wliat is locally known as
O'Brien's Bridge. On the morning of 16th December, 1885, Mr. Hinsby
took fifteen eggs, all fresh. Although a full complement of eggs is three,
only two arc sometimes laid. He remembered a season in which all the nests
he found of this Flycatcher contained pairs only.

The chief breeding months are October, November, and December,
to which may be added January.

98- — Myi.\gra latirostris, Gould. — (147)
BROAD-BILLED FLYCATCHER.

Figure. — Gould : Birds of Australia, fol . vol. ii., pi. 92
Reference. — Cat Birds Brit. Mus., vol. iv., p. 381.
Previous Description of Eggs.— Le Souef : Ibis, p. 53 (1898).

Geographical Distribution. — North-west Australia, Northern Territory,
and North Queensland ; also New Guinea and Ani Islands.

Nest. — Cup-shaped, somewhat shallow compared with those of the rest
of the genus ; constructed of fine portions and tendrils of plants, with
decayed wood on the base ; lined inside with ciurly tendrils, and attached
by means of a small quantity of spiders' web to the fork of a branch.
Dimensions over all, 2 J to 2| inches by 2 inches in depth; egg cavity,
If inches across by f inch deep.

Eggs. — Clutch, two, and possibly three ; roundish oval in shape ;
texture of shell fine ; surface glossy ; colour, dull-white, spotted and
blotched with umber and dull-slate, cluefly in the fonn of a belt roimd the
upper quarter, leaving the apex " bald, ' as is usual in the Mijiagra type
of eggs. Dimensions in inches of the type clutch: (1) -76 x -57,
(2) -75 X -56.

^'i:sTS AA'P tGGS or austa'aliax birds.

123

QlistrvatUiiu. — This iiuL' Flycatcher, distiiigiiishable by its great breadth
of bill, is a dweller of the northern parts of the Continent. Gilbert
procured it in the Port Darwin district.

Nothing was known of its nidification until Mr. D. Lo Souef described
in the " Ibis ' a nest and eggs which were found by Mr. H. G. Barnard,
at Cape York, on the 20th December, 1896.

The nest was built in a mangrove-tree overhanging a deep streajn,
and so awkwardly situated that the eggs had to be pushed into a hand-
kerchief tixed to a long stick. When the nest was detached it unfortunately
fell into the water, and was carried away by the current. Subsequently,
Mr. Barnard found two other nests, but they both contained voung.

The birds were not seen in open forest coiuitry, but only among the
mangroves, where it was difficult to observe them on account of the
surrounding quagmires.

The description of the eggs above is taken from the types in
Mr. Le Souef's collection.

99. — MaCILEUOKIIYNCHLS FLAVIVENTER, Gould. (148).

YELLOW-BREASTED FLYCATCHER.

Figure. — Gould: Birds of Australia, fol , supp , pi ii
Reference,— CaA. Birds Brit. Mus., vol. iv., p. 390.
Previous Description 0/ Eggs. — Le Souef: Ibis. p. 398 (1897)

Geographical Distribution. — Queensland.

Nest. — Shallow, somewhat loosely constructed of dead, short flowering
stems (apparently) of plants, attached by cob-webs, in the fork of a thin,
hoiizontal branch ; lined with green material and fine ciu'ly tendrils of
climbing plants. Dimensions over all, 2i to 3 inches by If inches in
depth; e^g cavity, li to 1| inches across by | inch deep.

Eggx. — Clutch, two usually ; stout oval in shape ; texture of shell fine ;
surface glossy ; colour, pure or pearly-white, very sparingly spotted, but
thickest about the apex, with yellowish-red or rufous and purple.
Dimensions in inches of a clutch: (1) •71x'51, (2) -Ix-bl; of another
pair: (1) '68 x '51, (2) -GB x -52. These eggs are hghter-coloui-ed and have
less markings than any others known of the Australian Flycatchers.
(Plate 9.)

Observations. — The gay Yellow-breasted Flycatcher is considered a
denizen of Cape York Peninsula. However, it is recorded that
Mr. lUridge in former years had shot the bii-d as far south as the
Greenwood Scinib, near Brisbane.

A pretty httle picture is associated with the procuring of Gould's
type specimen, which Mr. James Wilcox shot at Cape Y''ork. That
collector first observed it on the outskirts of a dense scrub, making short
fhghts to snap at passing flies, then returning again to the same tree,
which was the Wormia alata of botanists, and distinguished by its red.

I 2-1

.VESTS AXD EGGS OF AVSTKALIAN BIRDS.

paper-like bark, large glossy leaves and handsome yellow flowers,
attracting numbers of insects, and vying in sjilendour with the colour of
the bird's own handsome breast.

Dr. Ramsay, during his trip to the Rockingham Bay district, in
Januaiy, 1874, wrote: — "I was deUghted to find this pretty species,
and secui-ed some fine sldns in time, as they had just finished breeding,
and in a few days afterwards I foimd them moulting,"

Diuing my own camp at Cardwell, 1885, a mated pair of these
beautifid Flycatchers was shot in a pocket of scrub near the tents.

At Cape York, 1896, Mr. Harry Barnard found three nests of the
Yellow-breasted Flycatcher, each containing a pair- of eggs, on the
respective dates of the 14th, 28th, and 31st December.

These record clutches now repose respectively in the collections of
Dr. Chas. Ryan, Dr. Wm. Snowball, and Mr. D. Le Souef.

Concerning the first nest, which was figured in the " Ibis, "
Mr. Le Souef states: — "Mr. H. G. Barnard found the nest and two
eggs of tliis interesting Flycatcher on the 14th December, 1896. It is
locally called the Bo-it-billed Flycatcher, an appropriate name. The nest
was built in the fork of a tliiu projecting branch, and was fourteen feet
from the gi-ound. It is a shallow stnictiu'e, the interior being built
entirely of ciu'ly vine tendrils — a springy uneven siu'face for the delicate
eggs. The exterior is composed of thin twigs, and the nest is fastened
to the branch with cob-webs ; a little of the same material is used
to help to keep the outer portion of the structure together. The twigs
used are the same kind as the Fiill-necked Flycatcher (A. lurcalu)
uses for her nest. The external depth is If inches, internal i inch ;
external diameter 3+ inches, internal li inches. "

The follo\ving are Mr. Barnard's field note? concerning the other
two nests: — ''Nest taken 28th December, in tall tree in thick scrub,
was about thirty feet from the ground on a thin bough projecting about
ten feet from the main stem. Had to cut the bough through with my
pocket-knife and draw it gently to me till I could reach the eggs, two
in number, and perfectly fresh. Third nest taken 31st December was
placed in long thin sapling, about forty feet from the ground. As the
sapling would not bear my weight, I climbed a ueighboiuiug tree and
lowered myself by a thick vine till I could reach the nest, and secured two
eggs, which were weU incubated. This nest was also on the end of a
projecting bough."

100. — SisuEA iNQUiET."^, Latham.— 141.
RESTLESS FLYCATCHER.

Figure.- Gould : Birds of .\ustralia, fol , vol. ii., pL 87.

Reference. — Cat. Birds Brit. Mus., vol. iv , p. 407.

Previous Descriptions of Eggs. — Gould: Birds of Australia (1848), also

Handbook vol. i.. p. 248 {1S65) ; Ramsay; Trans. Phil. Soc,

N S. Wales, with fig, (1865),

Geographical Bistrihutioii. — Australia in general.

.VESTS A.\'D EGGS 01- AUSTRALIAN BIRDS. 125

Xest. — Resembles that of the Black-and-white Fantail (Hhipidura
tricolor), but usually thinner walled and sUghtly larger in size ; cup-sliaped,
composed of fine glass or fine shreds of bark matted together, and out-
waadlv covered with spiders' webs, and occasionally ornamented with
wliitish cocoons; sometimes a feather or two, such as Emu's ( Dromcfua),
are interwoven ; lined inside with very fine fibrous rootlets and a few
feathers, and placed on the dead portion of a low hoiizontal limb, near
the extremitv, often above water. Dimensions over all, 3 inches by 1|
inches in depth; egg cavity, I4 inches across by 1§ inches deep.

Egyn. — Clutch, three; short oval in shape, or largely rounded at
one end ; textiu-e of shell fine ; surface glossy ; colom-, dull or warm-white,
with a distinct belt, roiuid the upper quarter, of confluent markings of
umber and dull-grey. Dimensions in inches of a pair (out of a clutch
of three): (1) -83 x -61, (2) -82 x -6. (Plate 9.)

Ohservations. — The well-named Restless Flycatcher ranges throughout
Australia, but is by no means so numei-ous as the " Wagtail, or Black-
and-white Fantail.

The Restless Flycatcher is slightly larger than the Black-and-wliite
Fantail. which it resembles, but has the whole of the under surface white,
with the bill greenish-blue, passing into black towards the tip ; legs and
feet dark-brown.

On account of the singular giindiiig noise, hke scissors being shai-pened
against a stone, which the bird sometimes emits when poised on trembUng
wings a few feet above the gi-ound, it has received the vernacular name
of •■ The Grinder."

The first nest I procured of the Restless Flycatcher was taken near
the junction of the Murray and Darling rivers, 1877. The nest had,
artisticallv interwoven, a few Emu feathers. A second nest that came
under my notice was in an open forest, near Bacchus Marsh, Victoria,
9th November, 1879. It contained fully-fledged yoimg. A third
nest, in this instance building, I found diuing one December when lagoon-
wading near the Murray. Tlie water surroiuiding the tree, which was a
small red-giun (eucalypt), was about three feet deep. The tree I marked
or " blazed," and through the agency of a thoughtful friend, the clutch
of three eggs, Ln due course, followed me home.

Gould obsei-ved several nests of the Restless Flycatcher in New South
Wales, while Gilbert, in Western Australia, found some, remarkably neat
and pretty, and formed of cob-webs, dried soft grasses, narrow strips of
gum-tree (Eucalyptus) bark, and the soft paper-like bark of the tea-tree
(Melaleuca), &c. They were usually lined with feathers or a fine wiiy
grass, and in some instances with horse-hair. Gilbert also found the bird
vei"y reluctant to leave the nest, almost suffering itself to be handled
rather thaa desert its eggs.

Mr. Lau writes: — " Tlie nest of the Grinder is usually high up in a
tree on a bough. It was a long time before I was able to secure the eggs.
Growing impatient to see how they looked, and, observing a nest high
up in a eucalypt, I shot with my rifle through the nest, the eggs falling
into the water. On picking up the broken shells I found they gi-eatly

126 .VESTS AXD EGGS OF AUSTRALIAN BIRDS.

resembled those of the Shepherd's CompaJiion (Bla«k-and-white Fantail),
only a little larger and tliicker. My second bullet secured me the nest,
and this also bears the same resemblance to that of the Black-and-white
Fantail. The complement of eggs is three. Gowrie Junction, north of
Toowoomba (Queensland), November, 1878."

In proof of Gould's statement that the Restless Flycatcher is a
stationary species, I may mention that during my visit to Riverina, June,
1S95, I noticed many of these birds along the watercourses ; while
Mr. C. C. Brittlebank, writing from Mymiong, Victoria, says, " A pair of
Restless Flycatchers have been here tlirough the winter."

Breeding months are usually from September to December.

Dr. W. Macgillivray, in his " Notes on the Birds of the Bendigo
District " (1896), tells an interesting little domestic story of a pair of
Restless Flycatchers. He says : — " I once had an opportunity of watching
a pail- of these birds building. They were luicertain for a long time as to
where to place the nest ; one would seem to choose a spot, and consult
its mate, who wovdd not approve. Several of these consultations were
held in different trees. At last they both agieed to a spot on a hori-
zontal limb about thirty feet from the gi'ound, and flew off in different
directions to get material. They used to work during the morning and
evening, and rest for some hours at mid-day. The nest was completed
in four days, and an egg laid on each of the succeeding days, till the clu£ch
was completed."

101. — SiSURA NANA, Gould.

LITTLE FLYCATCHER.

Reference — Cat. Birds Brit. Mus., vol. iv., p. 408.

Geographical Distribution. — North-west Australia and Northern
Territory.

Nest and Egys. — Undescribed.

Observations. — Gould obtained his type specimen of the Little Fly-
catcher through Mr. Waterhouse (then at the Adelaide Museum), who
received it from the Northern Tenitory. Any information regarding the
nest and eggs of the species would be welcomed by collectors and others.

102.— Arses kaupi, Gould.— (143)
PIED FLYCATCHER.

Figure. — Gould; Birds of .\ustralia, fol., pi. 10,
Reference. — Cat. Birds Brit. Mus., vol. iv., p. 411.
Previous Description of Eggs. — Le Souef: Ibis, p. 156 (1S96)

Geographical Distribution. — Northern Territory, North (and South?)
Queensland.

XliSTS AND ECGS OF AUSTRALIAN BIKDS. \2J

Neat. — Svning like ;i short hiuiiinoLk on a vine ; composed of fnio
cliocolate-folourod twngs or tendrils, fastened togetiier with colj-webs or
woven like net-work, tlirough wiiich daylight may be seen ; ornamented
outwardly with in-egular-shaped pieces of silvery-grey lichen, and lined
inside spaiiiigly on the bottom with a few dark liair-like fibres or rootlets.
Dimensions over all, '1\ to 1\ inches by V\ inches in depth; egg cavity,
2 inches across by lA inches deep.

Eijijs. — Clutch, two ; nearly elliptical in shape, shghlly more jioiuled at
one end ; texture of shell fine ; surface slightly glossy ; colour, pinkish-
white, spotted or freckled, more nimierously on the apex, with rufous or
reddish-chestnut and piu-plish-grey. Dimensions in inches of a clutch :
(1) -S'J X -58, ("2) -81 X -58 ; of a smaller-sized pair : (1) -76 x -56, (2) -76 x -55.
(Plate 9.)

Ohxcrvatuim. — This fine Fiilled Flycatcher is a dweller in the dense
northern scrubs.

Up a mountain side, on Hinchinbrook Island, we enjoyed a gi'eat
treat. The scrub was very dense, overgrown with vines and creepers,
staghorn ferns, climbing ferns (variety of Lomaria), forming basket>like
bunches, rai'e lycopodiums, and tree-orchids bedecking the stems of
beautiful and (to us) strange trees, wliilc the groimd was cai-peted with
maiden-hair ferns of two varieties, and other graceful plants. In one dry
gully was quite a garden of teirestrial orchids, botanically known as
Pliajus grandifoliux and Dipodiiini ensifoUum, the first^named a splendid
flower about two feet high, with each stalk containing a dozen or more
snapdragon-like flowers of light-purplish colours. Among such rich and
romanuc flora my companions (Messrs. A. and F. Coles and A. Gulliver)
and I secm-ed one pair of Pied Fantails (Kaups). Tliis occurred during
our Cardwell camp, 1885. However, we were much too early in the
season for their eggs, which were first collected by Mr. R. Hislop, in the
Bloomficld River district, 3rd December, 1894, and subsequently described
by Mr. D. Le Souef in the " Ibis."

The nest was situated or suspended at the end of two hanging creepers
about thirty feet from the groimd. A similar nest was found, and was
likewise built on creepers, at a height of about twenty feet, but it contained
two voiuig. On Mr. Lc Souef receiving another and better conditioned
pail- of the rare eggs (taken the 10th or 12th of the same month), the type
specimens fell to my collection.

During his own visit to the Bloomfield district, 1893, Mr. Le Souef
obsei^ed that the Pied Flycatcher is peculiarly a denizen of the thick palm
scrubs. Its movements are graceful, and the white frill, which appeared
to be erected at will, imparts a singular appearance to the bird, and serves
at once to an-est the eye of the obsen'er. The birds, which were
somewhat scarce, wore generally seen either in the morning or towards
evening. Mr. Le Souef brought a skin with him to ]\Ielbounie, which differed
in the nature of its pied phunage from the specimen prociu-cd at Hincliin-
brook Island, and also from Gould's figure, which does not show the
characteristic nuchal frill, so that I proposed, as the new scientific name
for it, ierrcB regince. However, this \vill have to sink as a synonym inider
the original lean pi.

128 A'ESJ'S AND EGGS 01' AUSTRALIAN BIRDS.

Gould, who dedicated tliis Flycatcher to his naturalist friend,
Dr. Kaup, of Darmstadt, entertained some doubt about the propriety of
placing the bird in the genus Arsi-x. His doubts appear to be well-
grounded, because the females of the tiiic Arses are dusky-brown or
rufous in colour, whereas the sexes of hawpi seem to bo alike.

The nests of this and the succeeding species, as a picture, make a rare
and interesting couplet. (See illustration.)

103. — Arses lore.\lis, De Vis.
FRILL-NECKED FLYCATCHER.

Reference — Proc. Linn. Soc, N.S. Wales, vol. x., 2nd ser., p. 171,
Previous Description of Eggs — Le Souef : Ibis. p. 397 (1897).

Geographical Distrihutiuii. — North Queensland.

NeM. — Like a tiny hammock, slung on the bight of a creeper ; com-
posed of dark fibre and nisty-colom'ed portions (stems) of dead flowers,
ornamented outwardly with silveiy-colovu-cd lichen stuck on with spiders'
web; lined with fine, dark-brown wire-like rootlets and fibre. Dimensions
over all, 2| inches by 11 to 3 inches in depth; egg cavity, 1| inches across
by H inches deep.

Eggs. — Clutch, two usually ; inclined to oval in shape ; texture
of shell fine ; surface slightly glossy ; colour, delicate pinkish
white, spotted and blotched, chiefly on the apex, with soft markings of
pinkish-red and purple. Dimensions in inches of a proper clutch :
(1) -TSx-BS, (2) •74X-54.

Observations. — For the addition of this new and interesting Flycatcher
to our avi-fauna we have to refer to Mr. De Vis's reference, given above.
The first specimen was procured by Mr. Kendall Broadbent, at Cape York,
March, 1895. Its habits and haunts are similar to those of A. laupi.
Its nest was discovered the following year.

Mr. Le Souef, although he has inadvertently misconstrued Mr. De Vis's
nomenclature, writes : — •" The nest awd two eggs of this pretty Frill-
necked Flycatcher were found at Somerset, Cape York, by
Mr. H. G. Barnard, on December 12th, 1896. He states that ' it was
found in the scnib, built between two thin vines, which hung down from
the trees above, and was about tliii-ty feet from the gi'ound. When on
the nest the birds seem very tame, almost letting one catch them before
fl3arg, though otherwise they are very shy.' '

A second nest was found by Mr. Barnard on 2nd January following.
He also secured several good .skins of the bird.

The nests are of singular beauty, with their ornamentation of green
lichen, hanging like a tiny basket or a hammock in the scrub. A beautiful
photograph, by Mr. Le Souef, of this rare nest, foimd by Mr. Barnard,
is reproduced in the "Ibis," July, 1897.

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A'ESrS AND EGGS OF AUSTRALIAN BIRDS.

I2Q

The eggs of both A. kriupi and A. InreaJix, on account of tlioir reddish
colouring, most resemble those of the genus Monnrrlin. Tlie two genera
arc probably closely allied.

104. — PiEZORHYNCHUs NiTiDUS, Gould. - (142)

SHINING FLYCATCHER.

Figure.— GonXd: Birds of .Australia, fol , vol. ii., pi. 88.

Rejereiue. — Cat. Birds Brit. Mus., vol. iv., p. 416.

Previous Descriptions of Eggs. ~Gou\d: Birds of Australia (1848), also

Handbook, vol. i., p. 251 (1865): North: Austn. Mus. Cat.

p. 90 (i88g).

Geographical Distribution. — Northern Territory and North Queens-
land ; also Aru Islands.

Neat. — Cup-shaped, somewhat largo, deep, and firmly built ; constructed
of strips of bark, outwardly ornamented with a few poi'tions of greyish
bark and a small quantity of spiders' web ; inside lined with dark or dull-
coloured rootlets. Dimensions over all, 3J inches by 2i inches in depth ;
egg cavity, 2^ inches across by 1;] inches deep.

Eggs. — Clutch, two usually, tliree occasionally; of the usual Flycatcher
type, prominently rounded at one end ; texture of shell fine ; surface glossy ;
colour, faint greenish -white, spotted and blotched, more particularly in the
fonn of a belt round the upper quarter, with sepia and grey. Dimensions
m inches of a full clutch : (1) -84 x -61, (2) -82 x -6, (3) -8 x -59 ; of a
pair : (1) -87 x -63, (2) -84 x -62. (Plate 9.)

Observations. — This Flycatcher is remarkable for its rich shining
plumage of greenish-black, while the female differs by the top of her
head only shining, the rest of her dress being rusty-brown, with the under
surface white. Total length, 7J inches.

The Shining Flycatcher enjoys a northern habitat, which includes
islands beyond Austraha. The Herbert River is regarded as its most
southern Umit. During an excursion to the Cardwell district, a splendid
pair of these birds was shot near oiu' camp, in August, 1885. Two of us
were one beautiful afternoon strolling along the creek in a thick pocket
of scnab, when we heard a peculiar croaking noise, and soon discovered
that it was uttered by a Shining Flycatcher. A half-charge of dust-shot
from each barrel soon sufficed to lay male and female low. They were
in perfect plumage. Both specimens now adorn our National Museum,
Melboiu^ne.

Gilbert, who first took the nest, informs us that it is either built
among the mangioves or on the verge of a thicket near an open spot.
Gilbert further states : — " One that I found among the mangi-oves was
built on a seedling tree, not more than three feet from the ground ;
another was on a branch overhanging a small stream, within reach of the
hand ; while a third, constructed on the branches of the trees bordering
9

130 ■ ^ESTS AND EGGS OF AUSTRALIAN BIRDS.

a clear space in the centre of a dense thicket, was at least twenty feet
liigh. The nest at all times so closely resembles the siuTounding branches
that it is veiy difficult to detect unless the birds are very closely watched;
in some instances it looks so like an excrescence of the tree, and in others
is so deeply seated in the fork wherever it is placed, that it can hardly
be discovered when the bird is sitting upon it. '

Mr. W. B. Barnard, when in the Bloomfield River district, obsci-ved
that the Shining Flycatcher built about the banks of creeks on Umbs of
trees overhanging the water, and that it lays about the end of December,
in a nest similar to that of the Black-and-wliite Fantail, only half the size.

According to Mr. A. J. North, Mr. J. A. Boyd found tliis bird breeding
early in Januaiy, 18S8, on the Herbert River, Northern Queensland.
The nest was built on a dead branch of a tea-tree (Melaleuca) that had
fallen into a water-hole.

Tlie eggs in my collection ai'c from the Herbert River district, and
resemble those of the same species taken in New Guinea and New Britain.
The nest, which was on some vines overhanging water, was found on the
27th October, 1893.

105. — MoNARCHA GOULDi, Gray. — (153)

SPECTACLED FLYCATCHER.

Figure. —GomM: Birds of Australia, fol., vol. ii., pi. 96.
Reference. — Cat. Birds Brit. Mus., vol. iv., p. 419.

Previous Descriptions of Eggs. —Ka.msz.y: Ibis, p. 271 (186S) ; North:
Austn. Mus. Cat., p. 91 (i88g).

Geoffrajjhical Distribution. — Queensland and New South Wales.

Nest. — Neat, cup-shaped, similar to that of the Black-faced Flycatcher
(Monarcha melanopsis), but smaller and constructed of finer materials ;
composed of very fine fibrous rootlets, long strings of green moss
( Uypnum), shreds of bark, and soft silky down from seed-pods, ornamented
outwardly and round the rim with beautiful moss and white cob-webs;
lined inside entirely with black haii-Uke rootlets. Usually situated about
six feet from the ground in the upright fork of a small tree in scrub.
Dimensions over all, 2 A inches by 3^ inches in depth; egg cavity, 1^ inches
deep (Ramsay).

Eggs.— Chxtch, two ; roundish oval in shape ; texture of shell fine ;
surface glossy ; colour, pinkish-white, minutely freckled all over (thickest
on the larger end, where some of the markings are inclined to small
Ijlotches) with rich pinkish or reddish-brown and duU-piuple. Dimensions
in inches of a proper pair : (1) -84 x '64, (2) •84 x -63.

Obsen'cifions. — The eggs of this interesting Flycatcher in my collection
with its beautifully-constructed nest, were taken in the Clarence River
district of New South Wales, the same district where Mr. J. MacgilUvray
discovered the original nest and eggs from which Dr. E. P. Ramsay took
liis descriptions.

NESTS AND EGGS OF AUSTRALIAN BIRDS. 131

106. — AfoNARCHA Goui.Di, Gray.
M. alhivenlria, Gould.

WHITE-BELLIED FLYCATCHER.

Figure.— Go\x\d : Birds of Australia, fol., siipp., pi. 13.
Rt/ercnce.— Gray, P.Z.S., 1S60, p. 352; Goiilci, P.Z.S., 1S66. p. 217.
Previous Descriptioni 0/ Eggs. — Gould: Birds of Australia, fol , supp.

(iS6g): Ramsay: Proc. Linn. Soc. N.S. Wales, 2nd ser., vol.i.

p. 1144(1886); LeSouef: Proc. Roy. Soc. Victoria, new ser.,

vol. vii., p. 21 (1895).

Geographical Di'^trihution. — Northern Territory and North Queens-
land.

Ne.'it. — Cup-shaped, remarkable for its beauty and singular appearance,
composed of brownish shreds of palm fibre and skeleton leaves, cuiiously
decorated outwardly with wliite cocoons and green ones mixed ; lined
inside with black hair-like fibre in atldition to one or two long twigs, and
usually fastened (somewhat loo.sely) to the thin, upright prongs of a
branch, something after the fashion of a Reed Warbler's ( Acrocephalm
auxtralis), in the scrub. Dimensions over all, 2J inches by 3 inchesi in
depth; egg cavity, 2 inches iUToss by li inches deep.

Eggs. — Clutch, two to three ; inclined to oval in shape ; texture of
shell fine ; surface glossy ; colour, warm-white, spotted and blotched
sometimes boldly with pinkish-red or reddish-chestnut and purple.
Dimensions in inches of a clutch: (1) -82 x -58, (2) -8 x -57. Similar to
those of P. gouldi, but slightly smaller, and markings not quite so
numerous. (Plate 9.)

Ohservatidtu. — There has been some difference of opinion among
ornithologists whether the White-bellied Flycatcher is identical or not
with the Spectacled Flycatcher. I think it is separate, and that Gould's
original diagnostic description is con-ect. M. alhiventris, besides being a
little smaller than the soutlieni bird (M. gouh/i), say from New South
Wales, " is distinguished for the piuc whiteness of the under surface of
its body, its axillaries, and the under side of the wings; whereas, in the
south-eastern species, the chestnut colouring of the breast is continued
down the entu-e length of the flanks over the imder surfa<;e of the wings,
and on the axillaiies also in very old specimens." For other opinions
about these birds, students may refer to Dr. Ramsay (Proc. Linn. Soc,
N.S. Wales, 2nd ser., vol. i., p. 1144), and Dr. Sharpc ("Voyage of the
Alert," p. 14).

Mr. D. Le Souef, who personally collected the nests of the ^^^lite-bcllicd
Flycatcher in Nortliem Queensland, and from whom I received my eggs,
states : — " These Flycatchers were seen only in the scrub, and were very
shy birds. All the nests we foimd were built near the top of slender
young trees, about four feet from the ground, and always near a water-
course ; their pretty cup-shaped nests were, comparatively speaking, easily
seen ; they were outwardly composed of fine slu-eds of bark, pieces of skeleton

1.32

NESTS AND EGGS OF AVSTKALIAN BIRDS.

leaves, a little moss, and all round the nests were fastened pieces of white
spider cocoons and a few of the softer gi-een-coloured cocoons made by other
varieties of spiders. They gave the nests a curious appearance. All the
inside was lined with very fine black rootlets and tendrils, having the
appearance of horse-hair."

Gould received his infonnation (and possibly specimens of the birds)
from Mr. James Cockerill, the collector, who stated that the bird is
abundantly dispersed over the Cape York Peninsula, where it is a
stationary species, breeding on the edge of the scrubs. Mr. Cockerill also
secured the eggs for Gould, which the latter described.

There is no doubt that tliis fine Flycatcher is numerous in that region,
because Mr. Hany Barnard took there, at the end of January, 1897,
no less than thirteen nests, each containing a pair of eggs. He also took
a nest as late as March, with two eggs.

Breeding season October to March. The Doctors of the British
Museum have placed this and similar species under the genus
Piezorhynchus, but if the study of oology be taken into account, I tliink
they should have been retained under Gould's classification, Monarcha.
Moreover the eggs of Piezorhynchus nitidus are totally different from those
of either M . melanops, M. gouldi, or M. alhiventris.

107- — Monarcha leucotis, Gould. —(154)
WHITE-EARED FLYCATCHER.

Figure. — Gould : Birds of Australia, fol., supp-, pi. 12.
Reference.— Cat. Birds Brit. Mus., vol. iv., p. 423.

Gengraphical Distribution. — Queensland and New South Wales; also
Louisiade Archipelago.

Nest and Eggs. — Undescribed.

Observations. — The original specimen of the Wliite-eared Flycatcher
was secured by the naturalist, Macgillivray, who obtained it at Dimk
Island, Rockingham Bay. A second specimen was prociu-ed by him at
Cape York.

The discovery of the nest and eggs of this rare Flycatcher is looked
forward to by collectors vnth more than ordinary interest.

108. — Monarcha melanopsis, Vieillot. — (152)

BLACK-FACED FLYCATCHER.

Figure. — Gould : Birds of Australia, fol., vol. ii., pi. 95.
Reference. — Cat. Birds Brit. Mus., vol. iv., p. 430.

Previous Descriptions of Eggs. — Ramsay: Ibis, p. 302 (1865); North:
Austn. Mus. Cat., pi. 9, fig 9 (1889).

Geographical Distribution. — Northern Territory, Queensland, New
South Wales, and Victoria; also New Guinea.

iVESTS AND EGGS OF AUSTRALIAN BiKDS.

^ii

Nest. — Cup-shaped, deep, extremely beautiful, constructed outwardly
ontii-ely of green hair-like mosses of two varieties ; lined inside with dark-
brown wire-like rootlets, and usually securely built into a three-pronged
upright fork, about six or eight feet from the gi-ound, in thick scrub.
Dimensions over all, 3 inches by 4 to 5 inches in depth ; egg cavity,
2 inches across by 2 inches deep.

Egijs. — Clutch, two to three; inclined to be pyrifonu, or oval
in shajjc ; textm-e of shell fine ; surface glossy ; colour, wann-
white, freckled, especially round the upper quarter, with pinkish-red
and purple. Dimensions of a proper clutch : (1) -99 x -68, (2) -94 x -67,
(3) -94 X -66 ; of a smaller-sized pair : (1) 93 x 64, (2) -93 x -64.

Observations. — The Carinatcd, or as we may call it, the Black-faced
Flycatcher, is readily identified by its intensely black face, which matches
a grey coat, chestnut-coloured chest, and white abdomen. The length of
the bii-d is about that of the Shining Flycatcher.

Tills exceedingly fine Flycatcher is niigi-atory, its habitat extending
from Northern Australia down the eastern coastal region to Victoria,
where the birds have been shot in Gippsland, while a specimen has been
noticed as far west as the Upper Werribee district.

The Black-faced Flycatcher, of course, winters in its most northerly
habitat, moving southward in August and September, i-eturning about
March or April.

Dr. Ramsay writes: — "I have never myself had the pleasttte of
finding the nest of tliis beautiful species, but perhaps the fact that very
few breed about Sydney may be sufficient for this seeming neglect. For
the nest and eggs which at present grace my collection I am indebted to
Ml'. George Masters, who procured them during a visit to Kiama, in
January, 1864. The only instance I know of tills bird's breeding in the
vicinity of Sydney was in December, 1860, when I observed a pair accom-
panied by two young ones scAi'cely able to fly."

Mr. Lau says of the Black-faced Flycatcher, or " Mask Bird," that it is
" a good-looking bird, belonging to the jimgle scrub, and not unlike
Pachycephalus rufiventris, at fir-st appearance, the fore part of the head
being black, hence the name. The handsome shape of the nest and place
is very conspicuous, about six feet from the ground. The green mossy
cup is held by three branching stems, just like that of the Reed Wai'bler
upon reed stems, and is also about the same size. The interior is adorned
by black fibres gathered from fem-trees, and wherein are placed three
eggs, rather glossy-white, with fine pink spots. — Cunningham Gap,
Toowoomba Range (Q), October, 1876."

Mr. Kendall Broadbent has also met with this Flycatcher breeding on
the Darling Downs, at Gowrie Creek ; while of late, several of their
lovely moss-made nests and finely-speckled eggs have been collected m
the Richmond and Clarence districts of New South Wales, where, according
to Mr. S. W. Jackson's observations, these pretty birds are frequently
seen in the open forest country near a dense scrub ; but they seem to
prefer the scrubs, because he has never found their nests elsewhere.
The birds geneiully build in the top fork of some small sapling, at an
altitude vai-ying from five to tlili-ty feet.

134

NESTS AND EGGS OF AUSTRALIAN BIRDS.

Mr. Jackson continues : • — " Dming my rambles in the scrubs in the
Clai-ence River district, I have found tliirteen clutches of these eggs;
I remember one day finding three sets and two more new nests. The tggs
vary a little in their shape, size, and marldugs, but not to any great
extent. These birds love to decorate their nests with beautiful gi'cen moss,
and thus render them more difficult to find. The cry or note of the male
bird is peculiar, for he says, ' Give us a chew,' and I always answer,
' yes, you show me the nest, and I shall give you a chew (of tobacco).' "

Breeding months October to Januaiy.

109. MONARCHA CANESCEN6, Salvadoh .

PEARLY FLYCATCHER.

Reference- — Cat. Birds Brit- Mus., vol. iv., p. 431.

Geographical Distribution. — North Queensland.

Nest and Eggs. — Undescribed.

Ohservafionx. — This Flycatcher takes its name from the general colour
of its upper surface — hglit, pearly grey. The bird has not been foimd
outside the Capo York Peninsula, where Salvadori's type specimen (a male)
was obtained.

110. — Petroeca leggii, Shaiise. — (1G5)
SCARLET-BREASTED ROBIN.

Reference. — Cat. Birds Brit. Mus.. vol. iv., p. 165.

Previous Descriptions 0/ Eggs. — Gould; Birds of Australia (1848), also

Handbook, vol. i., p. 280 (1865)'; North: Austn. Mus. Cat., p. 102

(1889).

Geographical Distribution. — South Queensland, New South Wales,
Victoria, South Australia, and Tasmania.

Nest. — Cup-shaped, neat and beautiful; constructed of soft bark,
covered with pieces of outer bark sttick on by spiders' web so as to resemble
the limb on wliich the nest is placed ; lined inside with fine inner bark
and finished warmly with fiu\, sometimes a feather or two in addition.
Usually situated in the strong, upright, forked branch of a sapling or
small tree in a retired locality- in oiDen forest. Occasionally the nest is
placed in the hollow part of a tree tnink. Dimensions over all, 3 inches
by 3 inches in depth; egg cavity, li inches across by 1| inches deep.

►'^^/'•fv

SCARLET-BREASTED ROBINS NEST
From a I'hoto by the Author.

.VESTS AND EGGS Of AUSTRALIAN BIKDS. 135

■^'.W- — Clutch, three to four; roundish in sliape, but more pointed
at one end ; tcxtiU'c of sliell fine ; surface sUghtly glossy ; coloui', light
greenisli-wliite, much spotted and speckled, especially round the upper
quarter, with uniber and dull-grey. Dimensions in inches of a proper
clutch : (1) -72 X -58, (2) -72 x -58, (3) -71 x -56. (Plate «.)

Observations. — This lovely-featliered forest gem is a great favourite
with collectors, and is fairly distributed from South Queensland round to
South Australia, its place being Uiken in Western Australia by an allied
species, P. campbelli (Shai'pe).

The dress of the Scarlet-breasted Robin is — upper surface, including
throat and lieatl, black, excepting conspicuous patch of white on forekeati,
and longitudinal white bauds on the wings ; breast and upper part of
abdomen scarlet, rest of under surface white. Length, 4^ inches;
wing, 1\ inches; tail, 2 inches; bill, § inch. The plumage of the female
is brownish, the breast sometimes being tinged with red.

One never forgets one's enthusiasm over the finding of the first Robin's
nest. I well recollect my first find, which happened to be a nest of the
Scarlet-brejisted species, that I discovered, with the hen bird sitting,
in the forked branch of a " uianua-gum " ( Eucalyptus j, that grew in a
secluded part of a bush paddock not far from what is now Murrumbeena,
Victoria.

Mr. A. J. North writes : — " On the partially cleared land in the dense
forest of South Gijipslaud (Victoria) I have often found the nest of tliis
species by seeing the bird fly into one of the huge, blackened, hollow
trunks of eucalyptus, that has been destroyed by fire. The nest is placed
about sLx or seven feet from the gi-ound, on a projecting piece of roughened
and charred wood ; it is composed of .strips of baik, gi'asses, and mosses,
securely held together by cob webs, and lined with hair, fur, feathers, &c.,
and sometimes with the soft downy fibre of the inner bark of the tree-fern
( D icksoiiia anta rcticaj . ' '

The Scarlet Robin's nest, for appearance and situation, is always a
picture, but one remarkably so was first brought under my notice by my
friend Mr. J. Gabriel. It was in a cleft in a small dead musk-tree
(Olearia) stem. A length of about fifteen inches, containing the nest,
was sawn off, and made a most beautiful photograph (see illustration). The
interesting exhibit was afterwards presented to the Australian Museum,
Sydney, where it has been set up with the instructive and ai'tistic " bird
groups."

I have foxmd the egg of the Narrow-billed Bronze Cuckoo (G. hasalis)
in the nest of the Scarlet-breasted Robin.

Gould states this Robin usually rears two or three broods in a year,
the period of nidification commencing in August, and ending in February ;
but we may infer that the chief breeding months are from October to
December.

1^6 NESTS AND EGGS OF AUSTRALIAN BIRDS.

111. — Petrceca campbelli, Sharpe.
WESTERN SCARLET-BREASTED ROBIN.

Riference.—lhis, p. 303 (1899).

Previous Descnj>tion of Eggs. — Le Souef : Ibis, p, 45S (1900).

Geographical Distribution. — West Australia.

Nest and Eggs. — Undescribed, but in all probability similar to those
of P. leggii. (Sec appendix.)

Observations. — Upon my return from a collecting torn- in Western
Australia, 1890, I forwarded to the British Museum a few birds' skins
for identification. Among them was a male Scarlet Robin which I shot
in the vicinity of Albany — tliis Dr. Sharpe has separated from the eastern
form, from wliich it diiicrs in minor points, chiefly in the smalhiess
of the wliitc cap upon tlie forehead and there being less white on the wings,
under the specific name of cainphelli. The aboriginal name is " goo-ba."
Gould himself pointed out that a slight difference existed in the depth of
colouring of specimens of Scarlet Robins from the western and eastern
coasts, those of the former, particularly the females, having the scarlet more
briUiant and to a greater extent than those from New South Wales and
Tasmania.

In Western Austraha I also saw a curious hisus riaturce of the Scarlet-
breasted Robin. Tlie breast remained red, but the rest of the plumage
was piu-e white, except a brown feather or two on the shoulders. The
bill and feet were oddly and conspicuously black.

112. — Petrceca phcenicea, Gould. — (167)
FLAME-BREASTED ROBIN.

Figure — Gould ; Birds of Australia, fol , vol iii., pi. 6.

Reference. — Cat. Birds Brit. Mus., vol. iv,, p. 166.

Previous Descriftions 0/ Eggs.— Goxdd: Birds of Australia (1848), also

Handbook, vol. i., p. 282 (1865); North: Aust. Mus. Cat.,

p 104 (1889).

Geographical Distribution. — South Queensland, New South Wales,
Victoria, South Australia. Tasmania, and intermediate islands in Bass
Strait.

Nest. — Cup-shaped, soft and pliable ; composed of grass and very fine,
dark, thread-like roots of plants, coated outwardly with patches of spiders'
web of soiled appearance ; hned inside with fine grass and rootlets
with other soft vegetable matter on the bottom. Usually situated in the
hollow of a tree, cleft of rock, or on an abrupt bank of a creek in retired
localities. Dimensions over all, 3}, to 4 inches by 2\ inches in depth;
egg cavity, 1| inches across by 11 inches deep.

Eggs. — Clutch, three, occasionally four ; inclined to oval in form ;
texture of shell fine ; surface without gloss ; colour, warm bluish or

■VESTS AXD EGGS OF AUSTRALIAN lilKDS.

137

greeiiisli-whitc, spotted, aud sometimes boldly blotched, more particularly
round the apex, with umber and dull grey. Dimeiisious in inches of a
proper clutch: (1) 76 x -56, (U) -75 x -56, (3) -75 x -56.

Dhsirviitions. — The Flamc-bi-easted Robin is well named, for its throat
aud breast, more especially in the breeding season, seem aflame with lich
scarlet. The rest of the pliunage is smoky or sooty-grey, except a small
spot on the forehead, a longitudinal patch ou each wing, aud the under tail
coverts, which are white. The female possesses a brownish coat, witli
greyish under sui-face.

The range of tliis splendid Robin extends from South Queensland,
where a few indiWduals have been noted, to South Austraha and
T;u>niania, and the greatest number are found, during the breeding season
it all events, in Tasmania, including many of the islands in Bass Strait.

On the mainland, ou a dewy April morning, after the first autumnal
rains, these Robins appear. How their breasts of flame shine out against
the dark clods of newly-ploughed fields ! In our cities they may be seen
perched on a fence or clothes -line.

Mr. J. Burton, on the schooner Grntifudc, when five or six miles oil
the land, between Wilson's Promontory and Cape Schanck, 21st April,
1896, noticed several (about six) Flame-breasted Robins flying, some of
wliich ahghted on the rigging of the vessel. No doubt the little birds were
making a voyage from some of the islands to the mainland.

On the '27th April, 1895, I watched, for a considerable time, a pair-
(male and female) of early birds hunting for insects In the rear of our
premises, darting from the groimd to the clothes line and thence to the
fence, and so on, all the while chirping and chattering, as if to themselves,
in their enjoyment.

On the approach of spring (September) they all disappear as mys-
teriously as they arrive. They, no doubt, go to their breeding haunts,
which would seem to be chiefly Tasmania aud the intermediate romantic
islands, where they love to nest by the sound of the wind and waves.
A few remain on the mainland, or retire to breed on the uplands of the
great Dividing Range and adjacent spurs.

The talented author of the Australian Museum " Catalogue of Nests
and Eggs " will, perhaps, pardon me for saying that the nest and eggs
he received and described from the Malice country need more authentic
proof. Moreover, it would be easy to mistake a female Scarlet-breasted
Robin (to which species Mr. North's nest and eggs appear to belong)
for a female Flame Robin.

The late Mr. F. W. Andrews, in the Pi'oceedings of the Royal Society
of South Australia, vol. vi. (1883), infers he has seen the Flame-breasted
Robin breeding in South Austraha, but he most imfortunately discounts
the value of the statement by saying, " The peculiar feature in the habits
of these birds is, when they have reared their young, say six or eight weeks
after their arrival (in April or May, as the case may be),* they make oS
ag;un, aud are no more seen until the following season." This means,
if I mistake not, that the Robins breed diuing midwinter, which is
scarcely correct.

• The words in parentheses are mine.

I ^8 iVESTS A\D EGGS Of AUSTRALIAN BIRDS.

However, I have mentioned that the Flame-breasted Robins occasion-
ally breed on the mainland. Mr. I. W. De Lany infonns me they
breed in the Alpine region of the Omeo district, above the 3,000 feet
level. Mr. De Lany kindly sent me a male bird for identification. He
has noticed that these Robins moult m December and January, and that
immediately afterwards the young males have donned their flaming scarlet
breast.

In the tall timber on the summit of the Dandenongs, my son and
Mr. Cluistie Smart noticed two pairs of Flame Robins on the 20th
November (1897). One paii- was apparently feeding young in a nest. A
bird was shot for identification and for the collection, not, however, of the
pan- belonging to the nest.

In all my lengthened experiences afield during the nesting season
I never found a nest of the Flame Robin^ nor do I recollect seeing one
foimd on the mainland ; but as soon as I visited Tasmania and the adjacent
Island.Sj I foimd the birds in evidence at once, and nesting.

During the three expeditions of the Field Naturalists' Club of Victoria,
viz., to King Island, Kent Group, and Furneaux Group, Flame-breasted
Robins were identified in each place, while nests and eggs were procured
in the two first-mentioned locahties. Especially on Kent Group cUd we
enjoy the presence of these homely and pretty birds roimd about our
camp. Right menily did they cheer us, especially at early mom, with
their antiphonal singing, so to speak, rapidly answering each other from
tree-top to tree-tgp, or from rocky eminence to grassy bank. Several
nests, with eggs or young, were observed either placed on a bank or in
low timber. A photograph taken represented a nest cleft in the side of
,1 blue-gu:n (eucalypt) tree, a few feet from the ground. (See illustration.)

Breeding months, end of September to December.

113. — Petececa ehodinogastra. Draper. —(163)

PINK-BREASTED ROBIN.

Figure. — Gould: Birds of Australia, fol , vol. iii., pi. i.
Reference— Ca.t. Birds Brit. Mus., vol. iv., p. 170.
Previous Descriptions of Eggs. — Gould: Birds of Australia (1848), also
Handbook, vol. i., p. 276 (1865).

Geograi)hical Distribution. — Victoria, South Australia, Tasmania, King
Island, and Fhnders Island.

Nest. — Cup-shaped, well-built, very beautiful and soft ; composed of
green moss and decorated outwardly with lichen and spiders' web ; lined
inside with fine moss and brown hair-hke substance gathered from fem
fronds, sometimes with fiu-. Usually placed in a mossy, forked branch
of some small tree in the dense scrub of gullies, or innermost recesses
of heavy forest. Dimensions over all, 3 inches by 2^ inches in depth;
egg cavity, li^ inches across by IJ inches deep.

FLAME-BKI-;.\STi;i> kolllNS NHST.
From a Photo lir llu A iitlior.

GREV-HKEASTKD SHRIKE KUHIN'S Ni:ST
From (I Photo by Ihe Author.

^'ESTS AND EGGS Oh AUSTRALIAN BIRDS. ijg

^'Jil"- — CluUli, three, occasionally four ; round oval in shape, or
more pointed at one end ; toxtiu'o of shell fine ; surface slightly glossy ;
colour, delicate greenish-wliitc, spotted, particularly in the fomi of a broad
belt about the upper quarter, with umber and grey. Dimensions in inches
of a pair: (1) "71 x -53, (2) -Tlx-oS; of a proper clutch: (1) -76 x -58,
(•J), 7G X -57, (3) -74 x -58.

Observations. — All the beauty and adornment are usually found in
male Robins, the females being plain, wee bodies in grey or drab dresses.
The male Piuk-brcastcd Robin on throat, head, and upper surface is
soft black, with a brownish shade on the wings ; brea.st and abdomen pink,
passing into white on the vent and under tail coverts. There is a small
white spot in the centre of the forehead, while, as in nearly all Robins,
the lustrous eyes are dark, with bill and legs to match. Total length,
4'( inches; wing, 2j; inches; tail, 2A inches; bill, ,',. inch.

The lovely Pink-breasted Robin, with its delicate nature and disposi-
tion, prefers to dwell in the " dim rehgious light " of heavy forest
solitudes. It may also be found in the dark shade of a gully, or in " some
secret glen, secluded from the sua," in more open timbered country.
Its geographical range is more southern than its compeer, the Rose-
breasted Robin, being limited to Victoria and South Australia, with
insular quarters in Tasmania and on some of the larger inteiinodiatc islands
iu Bass Strait, notably King Island and Flinders Island.

A nest with eggs which I received from Mr. G. K. Hinsby, Tasmania,
was taken by that collector in one of the gullies under Mount Wellington,
near where Gould procured his types both of birds and eggs.

The Rink-breasted Robin has been mentioned somewhat prominently
on two occasions in connection with expeditions of the Field Naturalists'
Club of Victoria. First, the Yan-a Falls' trip, when a nest and male bird
were procured in the shades of a beech forest near that out-of-the-way
locality, the eggs being the first authenticated examples taken on the
mainland. And again, iu connection with the ascent of Mount Strzelecki,
Flindei-s Island, when a Pink Robin was noted in a dewy f em-tree gully
near the summit of that double-headed peak.

On the authority of Mr. A. E. Brent, I state the Pink Robin lays four
eggs occasionally in Tasmania. Mr. Brent infonns me he has taken three
nests containing each a quartet, and particularises one — the last — when
he took a beautifully-made nest from the fork of a musk-tree, on the 15th
October, 1894.

Usual breeding months October to December.

114 — Petrceca rosea, Gould. — (164)
ROSE-BREASTED ROBIN.

Fi^KK.— Gould : Birds of Australia, fol., vol. iii., pi. 2.

Reference. — Cat. Birds Brit. Mus., vol. iv., p. 170.

Previous Descriptions of Eggs. — North : Victorian Naturalist (1896) ;
Campbell: Geelong Naturalist (1896).

Geographical Distribution. — Queensland, New South Wales, and
Victoria.

140 NESTS AMD EGGS OF AUSTRALIAN BIRDS.

Nest. — Resembles that of the Piuk-breasted Robin I P. rhodinogmtra);
cup-shaped, neat, beautiful ; tliick-walled, with well-rounded rim ; composed
of fine, greenish moss, covered outwai-dly, including the rim, with pieces
of silvei-y-gi-eon hchen, stuck by means of spiders' web ; lined inside with
a good ply of the brownish, soft, hair-like material off fern fronds, fur, &c. :
usually placed in the fork of a hazel, musk, or such Uke tree near a stream
in secluded forest retreats. Dimensions over all, 2| inches by 2^ inches
in depth; egg cavity, 1| inches across by li inches deep. (See illustration.)

Eggs. — Clutch, three ; roundish in shape ; shell exceedingly thin ;
surface without gloss; colour, wann greenish- wliite, spotted and blotched
with brownish and dull-purplish maikings, especially about the upper
quai-ter. Most resemble those of the Flame-breasted Robin (P. phcuniccn)
but smaller. Dimensions in inches out of a clutch of three : (1) -65 x -55,
(2) -62 X -51 ; of afull clutch : (l)-68 x -53, (2) -68 x -SS.iS) -67 x -53. (Plate 8.)

Observations. — Compared with the Pink Robin, the Rose Robin has
a lighter-colom-ed coat of slaty-grey, while the breast is rich rose-red.
It was somewhat remarkable that the nest and eggs of the lovely
Rose-breasted Robin remained imdiscovered for so many years.
These birds are fairly plentiful in the forests or scrubs of the eastern
coastal region from Rockingham Bay district down to the Cape Otway
forest, Victoria.

However, in Victoria the movements of the Rose Robins appear to
be migi-atory. According to the obsei-vations of my correspondent
Mr. I. \V. De Lan}% who is a good field and forest obsci'ver, these Robins
arrive in Gippsland (notably Omeo and Jumbunna districts) about the end
of September, leaving again for more northern quarters diuing April.

Apparently all the Rose Robins do not migrate, for during my excur-
sion to the Big Scrub, Richmond River, New South Wales, in November.
1891, I heard the deliglitful little songs of several of these birds among the
leafy i-aftors of the sciiib ; while Dr. Ramsay, during liis North
Queensland trip, wrote: — "One pair (of Rose Robins) noticed on the
margin of dense scrub : although frequently watched for horn's, no nest
was discovered."

Events proved that Rose Robins had been actually breeding nearer
Melbourne than had been supposed by collectors, and were beUeved to be
the Pink-breasted species, which they gi-eatly resemble, and for which the
Rose-breasted birds may be easily mistaken in the bush unless shot and
handled. Mr. J. Gabriel " sprang a mine '' on local collectors (including him-
self) by obtaining a pair of birds, together with their nest and eggs, and
foi-warding them to the Australian Museum, Sydney, where they were
prouoimced and described as the Rose-breasted Robins.

I had been working further afield, and the same season obtained,
through the goodness of Mr. De Lany, an authenticated nest and
eggs, also a skin of the dear little Robin, taken at Wombat Creek, in the
Glen Wills district (Victoria).

Mr. Dc Lany observed that these Robins take their food wliilc on the
wing, much after the fashion of Fantails and Flycatchers, and that the
female bird only sits, being fed on the nest by the male.

KOSE-HREASTED ROLUN S NICST
Irom a Photo by the Aiitl-or.

XESTS AND EGGS OF AUSTRALIAN BIRDS. \^\

Of all the beautiful lichcn-bcdcckcd, moss-made nests of Australkui
birds, I give the preference for perfection to that of the Rose-breasted Robin.
Perhaps I am biassed by the romantic places and situations where the bird
usually builds. The first nest I chanced to find, in the end of October,
1888 (but I then thought it belonged to its cousin, the Pink-breasted
Robin), wiis nearly ready for eggs, and was situated in a mossy fork of a
fr:igi'aiit musk-tree in a shady forest nook of the Dandcnongs. After
visiting the locality for three successive weeks, I was tempted to bring
the nest to Melbourne without the eggs, the birds evidently having
deserted their pretty home, perhaps on iiccoiuit of my wanton (to them)
inquisitivcncss, which was fortunate for them, for had there been eggs,

1 intended shooting a bird for identification. A second nest, discovered one
Christmas-tide, wa« an equally beautiful one, but larger outwardly, and
was placed within reach, on an overhanging branch bearded with bcautifiU
moss, of an aromatic-barked sassafras, which grow by a stream in the verj'
heart of the forest. Again I was disappointed, for, although the nest was
perfectly new and the owners near, there were no eggs.

When the Government of the day in its wisdom decided to throw open
the crown of the Dandenongs for a village settlement — in other words, to
barter away a glorious heritage of the people of Melbourne when more
suitable loeahties might have been chosen elsewhere — the sacred forest wa^
soon ravished by the woodman's axe, and despoiled by fire, and the " fem-
matted streams " polluted. Amid the general destruction it would be
little use to say " woodman spare that tree," but my friend, Mr. J. Gabriel,
persuaded some of the settlers to spare any of the beautiful Rose Robins'
nests they came across. The following arc some of the examples saved,
and, through Mr. Gabriel's t hough tfulness, passed on for my observation.
Example (a) On a fork of a dogwood, made of green moss with a plentifid
supply of cob-web, especially about the base, also decorated with beautiful
silvery -grey lichens stuck on as if growing naturally, lined with hair-like
material from fern-tree fronds, (h) On a. dead twig of a blackwood, or
some other acacia, lined with hair of feras and a few soft seeds, (c) In
fork of hazel limb, hned almost exclusively with opossum fur. Average
dimensions of the three examples, externally, 2J inches in diameter by

2 inches high; interior, IJ inches across by 1 inch deep.

The following are some observations taken from my note book : —
" With Mes.srs. Gillespie and Hill, and my son Archie, visited GriflBths'
Gully (Dandenongs), 5tli December, 1896. Found Rose Robin building in a
musk (this nest was afterwards found rifled, apparently by some other
bird). A second nest was foimd, building, in a blanket-tree. (The
following week, on the 12th, three eggs were taken therefrom.)

" Christmas Day. Archie and I visited a gully on the other side of
the Range. Found Rose Robin's nest, containing young, about seven feet
from the ground in a musk. Another nest observed at the height of
about twenty feet from the ground ; also in a musk, overhanging the creek,
saw birds feeding their young. Saw another (third nest) evidently
building, on a dead stick, caught in a musk.

" December 30th. Rose-breasted Robin's nest at the top of a tall
hazel, containing two large young. Another with young and an addled

142

NESTS AND EGGS OF AUSTRALIAN BIRDS.

egg — nest in curious position, being placed on a dead limb that was
suspended in a creeper (Tfcoma austra/isj."

Subsequently, in the same gully, several other nests of Rose Robins
were secured. It was the season (1898) after the fire-fiend had swept
wholesale through the ranges, and I was fearful that the dear birds would
for ever forsake the burnt and blackened tracts.

On the 19th November I sent Arcliic to prospect, and to my
delight, he returned with two sets of lovely eggs. A fortnight after we
(Mr. J. Gillespie, mj'sclf, and son) again \-isited the locality and found no
less than three nests building, and apparently nearly finished, the female
in each case being the sole builder. This may in some measure account
for the length of time it takes to complete a nest.

After the lapse of another fortnight (or on 17th Decembei')
Mr. Gillespie and I returned for the trophies. The first nest was situated
on a somewhat low hmb of a musk-tree, overhanging the stream, the
beautiful nest being protected by suckers, which threw theu- broad
and fragi'ant leaves around and over the nest. I ascended the adjacent
tree, and with the aid of the " monkey " (a sticky substance attached to
the end of a rod) I withdrew the eggs (tlu'ee) from the nest and passed
them down to my companion.

The next nest was in quite a different situation, being exposed on
the Umb of a dead tree (blackwood) on the side of the hill. Mr. Gillespie
essayed the task of taking tliis nest, but the " monkey " failed to hold
at the critical moment, and two out of the three eggs fell to the ground,
and were most unfortimately smashed. The tliird and last nest was down
again near the stream, on the dead portion of an arching branch of a
musk. We fastened a rope to the centre of the limb, and passed it over
another forked branch above, then, with a saw, severed from its trunk the
hmb upon wliich the nest was saddled, lowering it down. It seems
easy to describe the t-ask, but the exertion expended to lower the limb,
at the same time to keep the precious nest upright, made the pair of us
perspire at every pore. The nest contained a pair of eggs.

Never shall I forget the afternoon — that of a most delightful summer
day — because it was one of the last nesting-outs I enjoyed previous to
closing my manuscripts for the piibUsliing of this book.

It seems specially fitting that Rose Robins, on accoimt of the romantic
interest surrounding them, and the extraordinary beauty of their moss-
made nest, should be associated with the close of my life-long work. How
appropriate, too, a frontispiece for a book on Australian birds they form
may be seen by reference to that so beautifully executed by Mi-. C. C.
Brittlebank for this work.

Breeding months for Rose Robins have been proved to be from
October to January, during which time they possibly rear more than one
brood.

Jsfoi.) I.T-. S'--"li.-ll El.<

Rose -breasted Robins & Nest.

iVESTS AND EGGS OA AUSTRALIAN BIRDS. 143

115. — Petkceca goodknovii, Vigors and Horsfield. — (IGG)

RED-CAPPED ROBIN.

Figure. — Gould: Birds of Australia, fol., vol. iii., pi. 5
Rtfcrence. — Cat. Birds Brit. Mus., vol. iv., p. 171.
Previous Descriftiotts 0/ Eggs.— Gould: Birds of Australia, Handbook,
vol. i., p. 281 (1S65) ; North: Austn. Mus. Cat., p. 103 (1889).

Geographical Distribution. — South Queensland, New South Wales,
Victoria, South and West Australia.

Nest. — Cup-shaped, small, and exceedingly neat; constructed of soft
g^ass and bark, beautifully decorated outwardly with lichens and mosses,
and cosily lined inside with fur. Situated u.sually low in the upright
forked branch or elbow of a gnarled, lichen-covered limb of a tree in
native pine (Cd/litri^) or other waterless scrubs. Dimensions over all,
-A iudies by 2 A inches in depth; egg cavity, I^, inches across by 1] inches
deep.

Effffs. — Clutch, two to three, occasionally four; veiy round in fonn;
texture of shell exceedingly fine ; surface almost without gloss ; colour,
delicate pale-green, finely spotted, particularly round the apex, with umber
and grey. Dimensions in inches of a pair : (1) -62 x -52, (2) -62 x 'SI ;
of a proper clutch: (1) -64 x -51, (2) -64 x -5, (3) -64 x -5. (Plate 8.)

Observations. — The Red-capped Robin is a bright-feathered gem
dwelling in the thirsty and more interior tracts of the eastern provinces,
except North-west Australia and Northcni Territory, where its place is
taken by Dr. Ramsay's namesake (P. ramsayi ), the Red-throated Robin.

However, I have found indiv-iduals of the Red-capped Robin near the
coast in Victoria. Its glowing scarlet cap at once cUstinguishes it from
the other Robins. Nothing can exceed the dazzling brilliancy of its cap
and breast when seen conti'asted with its black coat as it flutters on the
wing facing the beholder, or as the bird is perched on a naked twig of a
dead fallen pine. When suiging, the pretty bird's whole body vibrates or
trembles. Tlie nests, too, are fit homes for such wee beauties — liclien-
bedecked and artfully situated on some lichen-covered limb. Two nests,
containing eggs, wliicli I took in the Wimmera district, wore in bull oaks
(Casufirina) — one a sapling. Another pair I found when in company with
Mr. Gabriel, in the Riverina, near Moulamein. One was placed in a pine
(f'liHitri'i), while the other was on another species of tree common to pine
ridges.

Mr. Lau's tribute of praise from the Darling Dovms (Queensland) to
the Red-capped Robin is, " A living jewel when seen on the margin of a
mixed scrub in summer time. At winter it approaches the liabitations
of man, always choosing conspicuous places to show itself off. Its httle
open nest is one of the loveliest of its kind, situated not more than five
feet from the ground, in the fork of a dry bush. Delicate lichens compose
the outside, and feathers, hau', &c., the inside. Two eggs are all it lays.
Rosenthal Creek, Warwick, November, 1879. "

144

NESTS AND EGGS OF AUSTRALIAN BIRDS.

Another Queensland item. My young correspondent, Mr. Ernest
Barnard, has kindly sent me a curious Coomooboolaroo note — a Red-capped
Robin fighting its own reflection in a window. The Robin attacked liis
shadow fierceh% not only once but on several occasions. 'i he pretty birds
winter about the station.

I find from my notes that in the Bendigo district, 3rd October, 1884,
I took an egg of the NaiTow-billed Bronze Cuckoo (C. hasnlis) from a nest
of this beautiful Robin.

Breeding season from August or September to January. About the
middle of the last-mentioned month (1899) my son noticed two or three
pairs of this Robin's nests about the Netherby Vineyard (Messrs. Graham
Bros.'), Ruthcrglen, Victoria, one of which had a nest containing two
eggs, in an apple-tree.

11 6. — Petrceca ramsayi, Sharpe.
RED-THROATED ROBIN.

Rejcrence. — Cat. Birds Brit. Mus., vol. iv,, p. 172.

Geographical Disfrihiitinn. — North-west Australia and Northern Terri-
toiy.

Nest and Eggs. — Undescribed.

Observations. — Dr. Ramsay's namesake may be distinguished from the
ordinary Red-capped Robin by the centre of its throat being scarlet
instead of black.

117. — Melanodryas (petrceca) bicolor, Vigors and Horsfield. — (168)
HOODED ROBIN.

Figure. — Gould: Birds of Australia, fol, vol iii, pi 7-

Rc/erc7ice. —Ca.t. Birds Brit. Mus., vol. iv., p. 173.

Previous Deseriptions of Eggs. — Gould : Birds of Australia (1848), also

Handbook, vol. i., p. 2S4 (1S65) ; North: Austn. Mus. Cat.,

p. 105 (18S9).

Geogrnphiral Distribution. — South Queensland, New South Wales,
Victoria, South, West, and North-west (?) Australia.

Nest. — Cup-shaped, ordinary size, and substantially constructed of strips
of bark, coated with sliields or pieces of outer bark stuck on with spiders'
web, in some instances composed of fine twigs and grass ; lined inside with
grass, rootlets, hair, &c. Usually placed in the dead forked branch of a
standing or fallen tree, in a hollow part of a tree, or sometimes in a thick
bush in open forest parts. Dimensions over all, 3 J inches by 2 J inches in
depth; egg cavity, 2J inches across by lA inches deep.

NESTS AND EGGS OF AUSTRALIAN BIRDS.

145

■^.'/.'/'•'- — Clutch, three, occasionally four; inclined to pyrifonn or
roundish, nuuh pointed at one end ; texture of shell fine ; surface glossy ;
colour, variable, usually a uniform dull-green or olive, with a darker shaidc
of the same colour or an indistinct belt round the apex. Dimensions in
inches of a pair: (1) -8 x -62, (2) -8 x -6. (riate 8.)

Observations. — The Hooded Robin takes its name from its black head,
tho rest of the plumage being pied or black and white. The female is
brownish-gi-ey. In both sexes the eyes, bill, and feet are blaclcish-brown.
Total length, 6 inches; wing, 3§ inches; tail, 1\ inches; bill, ;/ inch.

Tlic Hooded Robin is generally dispersed in pairs in the open forest
country over nearly tho whole of the Continent, but exhibits a preference
to the more interior portion, with intervening tracts of dwarf timber.

A nest of this species I observed in the open was at Mordialloc,
on tho shores of Port Phillip Bay. The nest was situated in a fork of a
thick, low bush (Ijepioxpermum), and contained a pair of fledglings, winch
were prettily streaked with grey, with under parts lighter in colour.
Date, 13tli October, 1888. Another nest, also containing young, was
noticed in the Mallee, in some short suckers on the base of a bull-oak
( C(i<uiiriti(i ).

On the Darling Downs, Mr. Lau says: — "The Black Robin is a lover
of little trees growing on sandy soil. There this bird is always to be found,
chirping in low, moumfid voice. The choice for site of nidification falls
cither to a three-forked stem or the upper hollow of a small stump, where
the nest, with skilful architeetui-e, is most securely placed. Situation
usually low; two eggs are laid. Western Creek, September, 1864."

As might have been expected, Hooded Robins were observed throughout
the jovmiey in the north-west by the Calvert Expedition. Mr. Keartland
remarks: — "On October 26th I found a nest of this Robin, containing
two eggs. It was placed on the horizontal branch of a desert gum-tree,
about six feet from the ground. It was a cup-shaped structure, built of
strips of bark, cob-webs and fine grass. Although tlie rope holding our
tai-paulin was tied to the branch, the birds visited and sat on the nest
several times during the day. The eggs were dark oUve-green, with a
reddish-brown tinge at the larger end. Other birds of this species were
subsequently seen near the Fitzroy River."

Tho following valuable note by Mr. Robei-t Hall, relating to the
Hooded Robin, appeared in the "Victorian Naturalist," June, 1897: —

" In a short paper on the plumage of Robins (" Victorian Naturalist,"
vol. xiii., p. 116) I mentioned, on the .authority of Mr. J. A. Hill, that
the Hooded Robin, P. hicolnr, V. and H., rears its first family wliile in
immature plumage. That observer has now furaishod me with further
details of the nesting, together with the skin of the male bird, which was
engaged in paternal attentions duiing nesting. In this the pronounced
black marldiigs of the adult are represented by grey in the young bud,
except the interscapulum, wliich has two longitudinal blotchings of black,
the upper tail coverts darker than the grey, but not an intense black,
and the scapulars an indefinite white, broadly tipped with grey instead of
the strong white of fuller age. All the remaining indistinct whites will
doubtless disappear with the next moult, except the under tail coverts,
10

146

iVESTS AXD EGGS OF AUSTRALIAN BIRDS.

wliich are already as strong as in the aged birds. Tlie nest was first
observed on the 17th September, 1896, and in construction and material
did not appear to differ from the usual one of the species. The first egg
was deposited between the 22nd and 23rd of September, and a second
between the 2.3rd and 24th of the same month, when the female bird
immediately began to sit. These two eggs, typical in evei^y respect,
constituted the clutch, and they hatched out on the 10th October. Thus
sixteen to seventeen days were occupied in incubation. The female on
each visit was foimd to be sitting, and on no occasion diuing the frequent
journeys to the nest was the male observed upon the eggs. Thus we are
led to beUeve that the female bird takes upon herself the task of sitting
throughout the period. The female, natm-ally a shy bird, did not show
any inclination to leave the eggs when approached, and only when within
a foot of her nest would she temporarily leave. The young birds were
able to fly in about fourteen days from the time of hatching, but the exact
day was not observed."

In every instance the female of the Hooded Robin does not solely
undertake the task of incubation, proved by the fact that my son Archie
observed a male bird leave a nest containing two fresh eggs, near
Springvale, Victoria, 23rd November, 1895.

Breeding months July to December. Both in Queensland and Victoria
nests with eggs of this species have been foiuid as early as the
fii-st-mentioned mouth (July).

118. — Melanodryas bicolor (sub-species) picata, Gould. — (169)
PIED ROBIN.

Reference. — Cat. Birds Brit. Mus., vol. iv , p. 174.

Previous Description of Eggs. — North: Proc. Linn. See, N S. Wales,
vol. ii., 2nd ser., p. 554 (18S7).

Geographical Distribution. — North-west Australia, Northern Territory,
and Interior.

Nest. — Small, shallow structure ; composed of strips of bark, gra.=;ses,
roots, (fee, held together on the outside with cob-webs, and placed on a
dead branch of a tree witliin a few feet of the ground (North.)

Eggs. — Clutch, two, and probably three. One specimen (1) is dark
asparagus-gi'een, faintly tinged with brown on the larger end; the other (2),
with the exception of the smaller end, which shows the asparagus-green
ground-coloiu', is shaded all over with rich browni, more particularly
towards the larger end, which is entirely capped with a darker tint of the
same coloiu-. Dimensions in inches : (1) -8 x "59, (2) -78 x -6 (North).

Observations. — For want of specimens of my own I am glad to adopt
Mr. A. J. North's description of the nest and eggs of th; Pied Robin,
wliich, it will be observed, resemble those of its compeer, the Hooded
Robin.

NESTS AND EGGS OF AUSTRALIAN BIRDS.

'47

Mr. North further remarks : — " Tliis bird has a wide range over the
Continent of Australia, specimens liaving been procured, together with
the nest and eggs, by Mr. James Uamsay, in October, 1876, near Bourke,
New South Wales; and last year (1888), both Mr. Cairn and the late
Mr. T. H. Bowyer-Bower obtained several specimens about eighty miles
inland from Derby, North-west Australia."

119.^ — Amaurodryas Petr<f,c\ vittata, Quoy and Gaimard. — (170)

DUSKY ROBIN.

FigKi-c— Gould ; Birds of Auslr.-ilia, fol , vol. iii , pi. 8.
Reference. — Cat. Birds Brit. Mus., vol. iv., p 177.

Previous Descriptions of Eggs.— Gould; Birds of Australia (i8<)8), also
Handbook, vol. i, p 286 (1865); North: Austn. Mus Cat.
p. io6 (1889).

Geographical Dintrihution. — Tasmania, King Island, and Fumeaux
Group.

Nest. — Cup-shaped, somewhat large ; outwardly composed of rough dead
portions of plants with an admixture of spiders' cocoons and other soft
substances, or ciu-ly, wire-Uke rootlets, then with bark (chiefly Melaleuca),
and lined inside with fine gi-ass or veiy light-brownish rootlets; sometimes
long horse-hairs, fur, or a feather or two are added. Usually situated low
in the hoUow of a stump, in a niclie of bark, or at the jimetion where a
crop of suckers sprout from the base of a tree, in scnib or forest.
Dimen-sions over all, 4 inches by 2| inches in depth ; egg cavity, 2\ inches
by 1| inches deep.

E(j(is. — Clutch, three, occasionally foiu- ; true oval in shape ; texture
of shell fine ; siu"face glossy ; colour, unifonn olive-green, of a darker shade
round the apex, where are also, in some instances, a splash or two of dai-k-
brown. Occasion