Cornell Mniversity Library
BOUGHT WITH THE INCOME
FROM THE
SAGE ENDOWMENT FUND
THE GIFT OF
Henry W. Sage
1891
5931
RETURN TO
ALBERT R. MANN LIBRARY
ITHACA, N. Y.
AUSTRALIAN MUSEUM, SYDNEY.
(CATALOGUE No. 12.)
DESCRIPTIVE CATALOGUE
OFr THE
NESTS & EGGS OF BIRDS
FOUND BREEDING
IN
AUSTRALIA AND TASMANIA,
vo ow
x
A. J. NORTH, F.LS.
a
Printed by order of the Trustees of the Australian Museum.
Dr. E. P. Ramsay, Curator.
SYDNEY:
¥. W. WHITE, GENERAL PRINTER,
1889,
wt
~~ DRE. REY #
LEIPZIG
“f Flossplatz Ul 3
390
VAULT
Gk
642
Nvb
N20 yy
PREFACE.
TuE present Descriptive Catalogue of the Nests and Eggs of
Australian Birds, has been prepared by Mr. A. J. North, who
has been engaged by the Trustees as an Assistant in the Zoological
Department of the Museum. It contains a careful description of
such authentic eggs of each species as have been accessible to the
author, wherever there was any doubt as to the authenticity
of the eggs of any species they have been discarded, typical
specimens have always been selected, supplemented with descrip-
tions of such other distinct varieties as occasionally occur. No
egg is here described of which the history is unknown, with the
exception of a few taken from Gould’s “ Handbook to the Birds
of Australia.”
Ep. P. RAMSAY,
CuRATOR.
INTRODUCTION.
THE object of this Catalogue is to give authentic descriptions of
the Nests and Eggs, as far as are known, of the Birds found breeding
in Australia, Tasmania and on the adjacent islands, and especially
of such specimens as are to be found in the Collection of the
Australian Museum.
In the preparation of this work Iam deeply indebted to Dr.
Ramsay the Curator, and Messrs. Ramsay Bros. of Dobroyde, who
kindly placed their MS. notes, which have been kept since 1858
up to the present time, and the whole of the Dobroyde Collection
at my disposal; and it isa matter for congratulation that the
work so ably done by the late Mr. Gould, should have been
followed up in the same accurate and systematic manner by
these gentlemen. Of later years, Mr. K. H. Bennett of
‘“Yandembah,” whose name frequently occurs through these
pages, has by a series of close observations, contributed largely to
our knowledge of the habits and nidification of many species
which had previously been unobserved, and it is to the perusal of
his MS. notes taken on the spot, together with the use of his
collection, which he kindly placed at my disposal, that I am
enabled to give additional information regarding the breeding of
, many birds in the interior of New South Wales, and more
particularly as to the members of the Accipitres and Psittacide.
Through the courtesy of the Hon. William Macleay, who has
always been the foremost to assist the advancement of Natural
History in Australia, I have been enabled to examine and describe
a number of nests and eggs in the collection of the Macleayan
Museum, and I am also indebted to Mr. George Masters, the
Curator, for supplying me with information relative to the same,
and for a knowledge of the nidification of many of the Western
vi.
Australian birds, collected by him during his visits to that colony
in 1863, and in 1868.
Mr. George Barnard of Coomooboolaroo, Queensland, and his
sons, have contributed largely towards a knowledge of the
nidification of a number of the birds of Central Queensland, and
I have to acknowledge the assistance.and the loan of specimens
for description from Dr. James C. Cox, and Dr. George Hurst of
Sydney, and Mr. E. D. Atkinson of Tasmania.
It must be borne in mind that this is a Descriptive Catalogue
of the Nests and Eggs of Australian Birds, remarks therefore
on each species are necessarily very brief, but in order to some-
what relieve the monotony of one technical description following
another, and where the eggs have been previously described, I
have given in full in some instances, papers contributed at various
times by Dr. Ramsay to the “Ibis,” entitled “ Notes on Birds
breeding in the Neighbourhood of Sydney,” and in addition given
extracts, which I thought might prove of interest, from other
papers furnished. by the same author to kindred societies and
publications.
Of the 469 species here described, with the exception of those of
34 taken from Mr. Gould’s “Handbook to the Birds of Australia,”
I have personally examined those of every species, and need
hardly state that they have been taken only from thoroughly
authentic specimens.
Appended is a list of those birds of which, as far as is known,
no authentic information has been recorded of their having been
found breeding in Australia or Tasmania, but which have been
found in other parts of the world, and fully described by different
authors ; these being only visitors or stragglers to Australia, are
not included in this work.
For the nomencldture I have followed the authors of the
Catalogues of Birds in the British Museum, and Dr. Ramsay’s
List of the Birds of Australia, the habitats also being taken from
the latter work. No systematic arrangement has been adopted
vii.
except that used by Mr. Gould in his Handbook to the Birds of
Australia, and to which reference is made.
In conclusion I would ask those favourably situated, to add to
our knowledge of the nidification of those birds which are still a
desiderata, and by the contribution of any new or rare specimens
to the Museum, to assist in completing as far as possible, the
National Collection.
Order ACCIPITRES.
Sub-Family ACCIPITRINZA.
Genus CIRCUS, Lacepéde.
4-3, CIRCUS ASSIMILIS, Jardine and Selby.
(C. Jardinii, Gould.)
Allied Harrier.
Gould, Handbk. Birds Aust., Vol. i. sp. 27, p. 60. HF.
The nest of this species is a flat structure, outwardly composed
of small sticks and twigs, lined inside with a few green
Eucalyptus leaves, and usually placed among the thick branches
of a low tree. Eggs two to three in number for a sitting, white,
with a bluish-green tinge on the inner surface of the shell.
Two specimens taken on the 30th September, 1884, measure in
length (A) 2 x 1°‘5 inches; (B) 2°05 x I1- oe inches.
30,8 38,3 52)
This species breeds during September et the tw) following
months.
Hab. Derby, N. W. Australia, Port Denison, Wide Bay,
Richmond and Clarence River District, New South Wales,
Interior, Victoria, South Australia, Western Australia, Cobar
and Bourke Districts, Dawson River. (Ramsay.)
A
2 FALCONIDE.
3. CIRCUS GOULDI, Bonaparte.
(C. assimilis, Gould, non Jardine and Selby.)
Gould’s Harrier.
Gould, Handbk. Bds. Aust., Vol. i., sp. 26, p. 58. Z, 3
This species is found breeding in swampy localities, or in the
inlets and bays of the coast, constructing a nest of sticks and
twigs on the top of a low thick bush, or clump of rushes. A set
of eggs, three in number, taken from a nest built in some low
bushes at Western Port Bay, Victoria, on the 15th November,
1884, are white with a bluish-green tinge inside. Length (A) 1:98
x 1'5 inches, (B) 2:03 x 1:53 inches, (C) 2-1 x 1:56 inches.
33,/- $),6 38,9. $13, Ub.
The breeding season of this species extends during September
and the three following months.
Hab. Derby, N.W. Australia, Rockingham Bay, Port Denison,
Wide Bay District, Dawson River, Richmond and Clarence River
District, New South Wales, Interior, Victoria and South
Australia, Tasmania. (Ramsay.)
Genus ASTUR, Lacepéde.
‘2 ASTUR CINEREUS, Vieiillot.
Grey-backed or New Holland Goshawk.
Gould, Handbk. Bds. Aust., Vol. i., sp. 14, p. 37.
Some naturalists consider that the Tasmanian bird, which is
purely white in both sexes, is a distinct species from the
continental form, in which the male alone is white, the females
having an ashy-grey back, and in the young stage both sexes
have ashy-grey bars on the under surface of the body. As the
Tasmanian form is purely white it will perhaps be better to
- distinguish these varieties (or species?) under the names of the
ASTUR. 3
Tasmanian Goshawk, and the continental form the New Holland
Goshawk, (the name of the Australian Goshawk being retained for
Astur approximans ) which is distributed over the whole continent.
A smaller variety of White Goshawk, the female of which has a
ashy-grey back and a few bars of the same colour on the under
surface of the body has been separated by Mr. R. B. Sharpe
under the name of Astur leucosomus. It appears to be confined to
Cape York and the southern portions of New Guinea, the adult
male in this case is also purely white.
The nest of Astwr cinereus (the large continental form) is an
open structure composed of thin sticks, and lined with twigs and
leaves. One found near the Cape Otway Forest, Victoria, in
October, 1865, 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 markings of yellowish and reddish-brown, particularly
towards the larger end, and which, were it not for their size,
might be easily mistaken for those of Astur approximans which they
closely resemble. Length (A) 1:97 x 1:48 inches; (B) 2°05 x
1:51 inches. oe aa ed
33,4.
Hab. Derby, Rockingham Bay, Port Denison, Wide Bay
District, Dawson River, Richmond and Clarence River District,
New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia. (Hamsay.)
wi ASTUR APPROXIMANS, Vigors and Horsfield.
Australian Goshawk. ’
Gould, Handbk. Bds. Aust., Vol. i, sp. 17, p. 41.
The nest of the Australian Goshawk is comparatively a large
structure, composed of sticks and lined with Eucalyptus leaves,
and placed ina lofty tree, usually a Eucalyptus or Casuarina, The
4 FALCONIDA.
eges are three in number for a sitting, nearly oval in form, being
but slightly swollen at the larger end. The eggs (set A) are of
a long narrow oval; colour dull white, smeared with yellowish-
buff; averuge length 1-74 x 1-3 inches. A second set (B) shows .
smears to a less extent, and there area few scattered spots of a
deep reddish-brown ; form a round-oval ; average lengeh 5 x14
inches in breadth. (Ramsay, Note-book, 1880-1, p. 53” P.L.S.,
‘WS. W., 2nd Series, Vol. i. p. 1141.)
This species commences to breed in August and continues
through the three following months.
Hab. Derby, N.W. Australia, Cape York, Rockingham Bay,
Port Denison, Wide Bay District, Dawson River, Richmond and
Clarence River District, New South Wales, Interior, Victoria
and South Australia, Tasmania, W. and S. W. Australia.
(Ramsay.)
ASTUR RADIATUS, Latham.
Radiated Goshawk.
Gould, Handbk. Bds. Aust., Vol. i., sp. 16, p. 40. Z #4.
The following description is from Dr. Ramsay’s note-book,
under date 11th October, 1884, p. 25 :—
“The egg of Astur radiatus, just received from Mr. Barnard, of
Coomooboolaroo, in the Dawson River District, Queensland, is
much like a large egg of Astur approwimans or that of Aquila
morphnoides. It is of a dull white, roundish, with a few
blackish-brown smears and blotches, and irregular markings and
dots of a slightly darker shade; the shell is slightly rough.
Length 2-2 inches, diameter 1°8 inches.” (P.L.S., WS.W., 2nd
Series, Vol. i., p. 1141. Ramsay.)
Hab. Wide Bay District, Dawson River, Richmond and
Clarence River Districts, New South Wales, Interior. (Ramsay. )
ACCIPITER—AQUILA. 5
Genus ACCIPITER, Brisson.
(2)-3 ACCIPITER CIRRHOCEPHALUS, Vivillut.
(A. torquatus, Vig. and Horsf.)
Collared Sparrow-Hawk.
Gould, Handbk, Bds. Aust., Vol. i., sp. 19, p. 45. DT. 6.
é
The nest is a scanty structure of a few sticks generally
placed crosswise over a horizontal bough, where twigs spring
to support it, and is lined with leaves. Being often at a
considerable distance from the ground and near the extremity of
the boughs it is difficult to get at. The eggs are usually three for
a sitting but sometimes only two, and are the smallest of any of
our Australian Hawk’s eggs. The ground colour is greenish-
white, with smears and specks of yellowish-buff, with here and
there an irregular shaped spot of the same tint. Length (A)
1-74 x 1:43 inches, (B) 1°8 x 1:42 inches. (Dobr. Alus. P.LS.,
N.S.W., Vol. vii, p. 53. Ramsay.)
Hab. Derby, N.W. Australia, Cape York, Rockingham Bay’
Port Denison, Wide Bay District, Dawson River, Richmond and
Clarence River Districts, New South Wales, Interior, Victoria
and South Australia, Tasmania, W. and 8.W. Australia, South
Coast New Guinea. (Ramsay.)
Sub-Family AQUILIN.
Genus AQUILA, Brisson.
2. AQUILA AUDAX, Lath.
Wedge-tailed Hagle.
Gould, Handb. Bds. Aust., Vol. i., sp. 1, p. 8. Le wh
“The nests of this species are easily found, for, indeed, they are
large and conspicuous. They are often three feet high, and
consist of a mass of sticks piled up between the forks of the
6 FALCONID2,
topmost branches of the larger Eucalypti, or placed at the end of
a leaning bough. The lower part of the nest is made of thick
sticks, smaller ones being used for the top, and the whole lined
with twigs and grasses. The first eggs I obtained were taken in
August, 1860, and were given to me by Mr. James Ramsay, at
Cardington, a station on the Bell River, near Molong. They
were taken from the nest by a black boy who had “stepped” the
tree. The nest was placed upon a fork near the end of
one of the main branches of a large Eucalyptus. It was
fully 70 feet from the ground, and no easy task to get to it.
The structure was about 34 feet high by 4 or 5 broad, and
about 18 inches deep, lined with tufts of grass and with down
and feathers plucked from the breasts of the birds, upon which
the eggs were placed. The eggs were two in number, nearly
round, and very thick and rough in the shell. One egg is
3 inches long by 22 broad; the ground colour white, thickly
blotched and minutely freckled with rust-red, light yellowish
brown, and obselete spots of a lilac tint. The other egg is nearly
all white, having only a few blotches of light yellowish brown,
and some fine dots of light rust-red ; it is 2% inches in length by
2% in breadth.’”’ (Zbis, 1863, Vol. v., p. 446, Ramsay.)
Two eggs of this species in the Australian Museum Collection
measure as follows :—length (A) 3-01 x 2°18 inches; (B) 3-02 x
2-22 inches.
Hab. Derby, N.W. Australia, Gulf of Carpentaria, Cape York,
Rockingham Bay, Port Denison, Wide Bay District, Dawson
River, Richmond and Clarence River District, New South
Wales, Interior, Victoria and South Australia, Tasmania,
W. and S.W. Australia. (Ramsay.)
2. AQUILA MORPHNOIDES, Gould.
Little Eagle.
Gould, Handbk. Bds. Aust., Vol. i., sp. 2, p. 11. Zs
The nest of this Eagle is about the size of that of Corvus
coronoides, and composed of similar materials, sticks and twigs,
HALIAETUS. 7
and lined with Eucalyptus leaves ; sometimes the birds take
possession of an old crow’s nest of the previous year. The eggs
are two in number for a sitting, but not unfrequently only one
is found ; the ground colour is dull white, with a few smears of
buff; length (A) 2-2 x 1:8 inches, (B) 2-2 x 1:83 inches; each
taken from different nests of one each. (Jr. Bennett's Coll.)
(P.L.8., NS.W., Vol. vii, p. 412. Ramsay.)
Specimens of these eggs in my collection, taken by Mr. Geo.
Barnard, of Coomooboolaroo, Queensland, in 1883, are similar in
colour but not quite as rounded in form ; they measure as follows :
length (A) 2°22 x 1-7 inches; (B) 2°17 x 1-7 inches.
Hab. Port Denison, Wide Bay District, Dawson River,
Richmond and Clarence Rivers Districts, New South Wales,
Interior, W. &8.W. Australia, South Coast N. Guinea. (Ramsay.)
Genus HALIAETUS.
2 HALIAETUS LEUCOGASTER, Gel.
White-bellicd Sea Hagle.
Gould, Handbk. Bds. Aust., Vol. i, sp. 3, p. 13. De 8;
The White-bellied Sea Eagle is found at intervals all along the
coast-line of Australia frequenting the bays, inlets, and estuaries
of rivers. Its nest is a large flat structure composed of sticks,
and lined with finer twigs, the site chosen for its situation is very
variable, at times being placed on a lofty Eucalyptus, the top of
a thick mangrove, and on the summit of a rock. Although
finding several nests of this species, I was never fortunate enough
to have the pleasure of taking the eggs myself, the nests I saw
at all times being placed out of the way of any one desirous of
taking them. Two eggs taken by Mr. Ralph Hargrave, at
Wattamolla, New South Wales, from different nests, are white
smeared with light yellowish buff, or stained with dull light
brownish yellow, one specimen (B) has only light yellowish smears
8 ‘ FALCONIDE.
in the centre, the texture of the shell is rough and slightly
granular. Length (A) 2°98 x 2°16 inches, taken 9th August,
1875; (B) 2:72 x 2-06 inches, taken in August, 1870.
The breeding season commences in July in New South Wales,
and I have seen young birds in the nest in Victoria, during the
month of November.
Hab. Port Darwin and Port Essington, Gulf of Carpentaria,
Cape York, Rockingham Bay, Port Denison, Wide Bay District,
Dawson River, Richmond and Clarence Rivers Districts, New
South Wales, Interior, Victoria and South Australia, Tasmania,
W. and 8.W. Australia, South Coast New Guinea. (Ramsay.)
Genus HALIASTUR, Selby.
HALIASTUR INDUS, Bodd.
Sub-Species H. GIRRENERA, Vieillot.
(ZZ. leucosternus, Gould.)
White-breasted or Red-backed Fish Eagle.
Gould, Handbk. Bds. Aust., Vol. i., sp. 4, p. 17.
Upon the authority of Mr. Rainbird, Dr. Ramsay gives the
following account of the nidification of this interesting species :—
“The nest of the Red-backed Fish Eagle is by no means
so bulky a structure as that of many of its allies, nor is it
so large as one would expect from a member of the family to
which it belongs. In almost every instance the examples found
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 Port Denison. They were
composed of twigs and dead branches of mangrove, lined with a
finer material. One, from which that gentleman shot the bird,
and brought me the egg upon which she was sitting, was lined
with tufts of lichen ; and in this instance the egg was placed on
HALIASTUR, 9
various fish-bones, shells and claws of crabs, &c. ; the edges and
sides were beautifully ornamented with long streamers of bleached
seaweed, which gave the nest a novel and pleasing appearance.
The egg has a rough ground of a bluish-white color, with a few
minute spots of brownish-red near the larger end ; it is of an oval
form 2 inches by 1 inch 6 lines in breadth. Mr. Rainbird states
that this species of Hawk is far from rare about Port Denison.
Throughout the whole year many may be seen hovering over the
water near the mouth of the creeks, and over the salt-marshes
which are invariably edged with dense belts of high mangroves.”
(Ramsay, Ibis, 1865, Vol. i, New Series, p. 83.)
Hab. Derby, N.W.A., Port Darwin and Port Essington, Gulf
of Carpentaria, Cape York, Rockingham Bay, Port Denison,
Wide Bay District, Richmond and Clarence River Districts, New
South Wales, and South Coast New Guinea. (Ramsay.)
a HALIASTUR SPHENURUS, Viezilot.
Whistling Eagle.
Gould, Handbk. Bds. Aust., Vol. i., sp. 5, p. 20. TE /,24.
With the exception of the extreme southern portions of the
continent, this bird is distributed over the whole of Australia,
and is found both on the open plains and in the timbered country.
The nest is a large open structure composed of sticks and twigs,
lined with a few Eucalyptus leaves, and is generally placed
on the horizontal branch of a tree at a great height from the
ground. Eggs two in number for a sitting, varying in form from
true- to rounded-ovals, of a faint bluish-white, some specimens
being heavily blotched with irregular shaped markings of reddish-
chestnut, similar to those of Lophoictinia iswra, others being but -
slightly marked with dull yellowish-brown, and in some instances
almost devoid of markings of any kind, with the exception of a
few fine scratches and smears hardly discernible on the smaller
end of the egg.
10 FALCONIDE.
Dimensions of two eggs taken by Mr. K. H. Bennett at Ivanhoe,
in October, 1884, length (A) 2:17 inches x 1:68 inch; (B) 2°15
x 1-71 inch.
Three eggs in my collection, taken by Mr. Geo. Barnard of
Coomooboolaroo, Duaringa, Queensland, during 1881, measure
as follows: length (A) 2:22 inches x 1:68 inch; (B) 2°07 inches
x 165 inch; (C) 2:3 inches x 1°67 inch; B and C are from the
same nest.
This bird commences to breed about the middle of September,
and continues the two following months.
Hab. Derby, 'N.W.A., Port Darwin and Port Essington, Gulf
of Carpentaria, Cape York, Rockingham Bay, Port Denison,
Wide Bay District, Dawson River, Richmond and Clarence River
Districts, New South Wales, Interior, Victoria and South
Australia, W. and 8. W. Australia, South Coast New Guinea.
(Ramsay.) .
Genus MILVUS, Cuvier.
3 MILVUS AFFINIS, Gould.
Allied Kite.
Gould, Handbk. Bds. Aust., Vol. i. sp. 21, p.49. Ze. © 6
Eggs three for a sitting, of a dull white ground colour, with
reddish irregular spots and dots. No. 1 has rather large spots,
rather evenly dispersed over the surface. No. 2 has only a few
spots and smears. Length (1) 1°84 x 1:48 inch; (2) 1-75 x 15
inches. (Dobr. Mus. P.L.S., NS.W., Vol. vii., p. 413. Famsay.)
Hab. Derby, N.W.A., Cape York, Rockingham Bay, Port
Denison, Wide Bay District, Dawson River, Richmond and
Clarence River Districts, New South Wales, Interior, Victoria
and South Australia, W. and S.W. Australia, South Coast New
Guinea. (Jamsay.)
LOPHOICTINIA—GYPOICTINIA. 11
Genus LOPHOICTINIA, Kaup.
»»
t
w
LOPHOICTINIA ISURA, Gould.
Square-tailed Kite.
Gould, Handbk. Bds. Aust, Vol.i., sp. 22, p.51. ZF. 3. %
Nest, of sticks and twigs rather loosely constructed, and lined
with a few Eucalyptus leaves, placed in a fork of some of the
higher branches of the trees, or in the interior where the trees are
stunted and low, in any suitable branch that will bear its weight.
Eggs two to three in number, the ground colour white, on the
thicker end are blotches, smudges and scattered irregular spots of
reddish-brown or rusty-red, with minute dots here and there
sprinkled over the surface, frequently one egg in a set is blotched
at the thin end, some are more heavily and deeply marked than
others, one specimen is covered (more numerously at the thin end)
with irregular freckles only, in many places superimposed. Length
(A) 2-03 x 1:57; (B) 1:97 x 1-76 ; (C) 2-06 x 1:67 inches. (Alus.
Dobr. P.LS., N.S.W., Vol, vii., p. 53, Ramsay.)
Hab. Wide Bay District, Dawson River, Richmond and
Clarence River Districts, New South Wales, Interior, Victoria
and South Australia, W. and 8.W. Australia. (Ramsay.)
Genus GYPOICTINIA, Kaup.
2 GYPOICTINIA MELANOSTERNON, Gould.
Black-breasted Buzzard.
Gould, Handbk. Bds, Aust., Vol. i., sp. 20, p.47. “Z. 3. %
Respecting the nidification and habits of this species Mr. K.
H. Bennett writes as follows :—
“The range of this bird—so far as my experience goes—is
confined to the plains which border the banks of the Murrumbidgee
and Lachlan Rivers, and the wide expanse of open country on
the north bank of the latter stream appears to be its especial
12 FALCONIDE.
habitat, for it is most frequently seen in that locality, and here
also on several occasions J have discovered its nests. Its prey to
a great extent, consists of various reptiles—such as snakes, frill-
necked and sleepy lizards—it also has the singular 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 I was inclined to disbelieve their assertion though the
same story was told by blacks from all parts of the district, as it
was so contrary to my experience of the Accipiter family. At
length, however, I was compelled to alter my opinion, for I
subsequently found portions of Emu egg shells in the nest of one
of these Buzzards. The manner in which they effect 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 discovering a nest, the Buzzard
searches about for a stone, or what is much more frequently found
here, a hard lump of calcined earth. Armed with ,this the
Buzzard returns (and should the Emu be on the nest) alights on
the ground some distance off, and approaches with outstretched
flapping wings, the Emu alarmed at this, to it, strange looking
object, hastily abandons the nest and runs away, the Buzzard then
takes quiet possession, and with the stone breaks a hole in the
Side of each egg into which it inserts its claw and carries them off
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 that
in August last, (1881) he found the nest of an Emu containing
five eggs, and that all of them had a broken hole in the side, and
that the fracture had been done quite recently, and in the nest
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 Bustards’
eggs. In this nest were a couple of young Buzzards lately hatched.”
GYPOICTINIA, 13
“T think after all this testimony there can be little doubt of its
nest-robbing proclivities, a habit which I think is peculiar to this
bird, and is not shared by any other member of the Accipiter
family so far as I know. Ihave often asked the blacks, if the
‘Wedge-tailed Eagle robs nests, but they always say no.”
“The nest of this bird is arough structure, generally placed on
a forked horizontal branch, and is often quite as large as that of
the Wedge-tailed Eagle. It lays two eggs, which in colour and
shape resemble those of the above mentioned bird, but are much
smaller. Length 2:16 x 1°85, being strongly blotched with bright
rust-red, with spots and dots of the same colour.”
“Tt usually lays about the middle of August, and the young
birds 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 birds of the same species again, although other species
of hawks, notably the Brown Hawk—/( Hieracidea orientalis )
sometimes takes possession. I have never known the Buzzard to
touch carrion, or to feed upon anything it did not capture, and
except at the nest I have never seen them perch on a tree, but I
have often seen them alight on the ground. The note which is
something between a whistle and a scream is only uttered when
visiting the nest.” (P.L.8., V.S.I., Vol. vi., p. 146, Bennett.)
T have a series of these handsome eggs now before me, taken by
Mr. K. H. Bennett at different times, they vary considerably,
some being heavily and richly blotched with reddish-brown and
lilac, others with bright rust-red, and a few being but sparingly
marked with freckles and hair lines of purplish-brown. The
measurements are as follows :—One specimen taken in September
1884, at Mossgiel, length 2:6 inches x 1:96 inch. Two eggs taken
in October 1884, length (A) 2°42 inches x 1°89 inch; (B) 2°42
inches x 1:91 inch (dark var.) An egg taken from a nest which
contained a young bird also, measures length 2°36 inches x 1:9
inch. Three light varieties taken from different nests, during
November 1885, measure length (A) 2°35 inches x 1°67 inch ; (B)
2:27 inches x 1°68 inch ; (C) 2:5 inches x 1°8 inch,
14 °=~« FALCONIDE.
Hab. Derby, N.W.A., New South Wales, Interior, Victoria
and South Australia, W. and 8.W. Australia, (Ramsay.)
Genus ELANUS, Savigny.
Soy ELANUS AXILLARIS, Latham.
Black-shouldered Kite.
Goull, Handbk. Bds. Aust. Vol. i, sp. 23, p. 53. ZZ. 6.
Dr. Ramsay writes in the Proceedings of the Linnean Society
of New South Wales as follows :—
“ During the last six years several pairs of these hawks have
been known to breed on the Iindah Estate, on the Mary 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, which was not lost.”
“ Thenest in question was placed among the topmost forked
branches of a Flindersia, and as usual, composed of sticks and
twigs ; it was not, however a bulky structure, as is often the case
with the Australian hawk’s nests. The eggs were three in number
but my brother assures me that four is the correct number for a
sitting. The ground colour, where visible, is of a dull white, but
it is mostly obscured by blotches and smears of a dark reddish-
chocolate. Length (A) 16 x 1:25 inch; (B) 1:72 x 1:25 inch;
(C) 1:58 x 1-27 inch. Onespecimen (A) is reddish rusty chocolate
smeared and clouded with a darker tinge.” (P.L8., N.S.W.,
Vol. ii, p. 109, Ramsay.)
Dr. Cox has a very handsome set of the eggs of this bird in his
collection ; taken on the Hawkesbury River, New South Wales,
they are heavily blotched all over with rich, reddish-chocolate
markings, and measure as follows. Length (A) 1:65 x 1-23 inch;
(B) 1:67 x 1:24 inch; (C) 1:66 x 1:23 inch...
Hab. Gulf of Carpentaria, Cape York, Rockingham Bay, Port
Denison, Wide Bay District, Dawson River, Richmond and
Clarence River Districts, New South Wales, Interior, Victoria
and South Australia, W. and 8,W. Australia. (Ramsay.)
BAZA, 15
3 ELANUS SCRIPTUS, Gould.
Letter-winged Kite.
Gould, Handbk., Bds. Aust., Vol. i., sp. 24, p. 55.
The Letter-winged Kite was at one time common on the Keilor
Plains near Melbourne ; the last specimen I procured was a fine
male, it was hovering at dusk in a paddock at Moonee Ponds,
catching the field mice which constitute its food.
The mode of nidification, and the colour and disposition of the
markings of the eggs are similar to the preceding species. Eggs
three in number for a sitting. An average specimen in my own
collection, taken at Keilor in September 1881, is of a dull white
ground colour, heavily blotched with chocolate-brown markings,
the only part of the ground colour clearly visible being at the
smaller end. Length 1-7 inch x 1:27 inch in breadth.
This species breeds during the months of September and October.
Hab. Wide Bay District, Richmond and Clarence: Rivers
District, New South Wales, Interior, Victoria and South
Australia. (Ramsay.)
Genus BAZA, Hodgson.
2. BAZA SUBCRISTATA, Gould.
Crested Hawk.
Gould, Handbk. Bds, Aust., Vol. i., sp. 25, p. 56. LF,
The nidification of this species, the single representative of the
genus found in Australia is described by Dr. Ramsay, as follows :
“ During my recent trip to the North Richmond River, via
Grafton, I met with this rare species upon several occasions. I
found it giving preference to the edges of the scrubs on the
Richmond and Clarence Rivers, whence it would sally out to the
more open parts in the mornings and evenings in search of food,
and not unfrequently visit the slaughtering establishments in the
vicinity of the townships.”
16 FALCONIDE.
“T was fortunate enough to procure three eggs of this species,
taken by Mr. Macgillivray’s blackfellow “Daddy.” Mr.
Macgillivray informs me that, when Daddy was taking the eggs,
the female dashed so close to him that he killed it with his
tomahawk, The male bird belonging to the nest had been shot
the day before. The nest was a comparatively small structure of
sticks placed upon a horizontal bough, at a considerable distance
from the ground. It contained three eggs, much smaller than I
expected to find them. They have the peculiarity of being very
much rounded at the larger end, are short upon the whole, and
have the thin end pointed abruptly. Their average length is 133;
by 1ys inch in breadth; the ground colour greenish-white (the
inside of the shell being of a pale sea-green), very sparingly
smeared and blotched or spotted with light brown ; one specimen
has but two or three spots of a light brownish tint.’ (P.Z.S.,
1867, p. 392, Ramsay).
Mr. Geo. Barnard of Coomooboolaroo, has been successful in
taking sexeral nests of this species in the Dawson River District.
Two eggs received from him in 1884, measure as follows :—length
(A) 1:73 x 1-41 inch ; (B) 1:75 x 1:4 inch.
Hab. Port Darwin and Port Essington, Cape York, Rockingham
Bay, Port Denison, Wide Bay District, Dawson River, Richmond
and Clarence Rivers District, New South Wales.
Genus FALCO,
2-3 FALCO MELANOGENYS, Gould.
Black-cheeked Falcon.
Gould, Handbk. Bds. Aust., Vol. i., sp. 8, p. 26. MW %
This species builds its nest upon the side of a cliff or precipitous
rock. Mr. K. H. Bennett found a nest of this species at Mount
Manara, in the Wilcannia District on the 9th September, 1885,
which contained three eggs, the nest was about 70 feet from the
FALCO. 17
ground, and very 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, he 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, aud built a new nest afew yards higher up,
out of reach, the rock on which it was placed completely
overhanging the site of the old nest.
The eggs are two to three in number for a sitting, of a warm
flesh or ruddy ground colour, almost obscured by freckles, spots,
and confluent patches of a rich reddish-brown, in a few places the
spots are nearly black. Length (A) 2-1 x 1-64 inch; (B) 1:97 x
0°65 inch ; (C) 2-1 x 1:57 inch.
An egg taken by Mr. Bennett from the same nest the following
year, and which he kindly gave me, is of a very light variety, the
ground colour being pinky-white, with reddish-brown or light
chestnut markings, confined to the smaller end of the ege. Length
2-1 x_:6 inch.
The eggs of this species are usually laid during the months of
August and September.
Hab. Derby, N.W.A., Port Denison, Wide Bay District,
Richmond and Clarence Rivers Districts, New South Wales,
Interior, Victoria and South Australia, Tasmania, W. and S.W. .
Australia. (Ramsay.)
3 FALCO HYPOLEUCUS, Gould.
Grey Falcon.
Gould, Handbk. Bds. Aust., Vol. i, sp. 7, p. 24. ZZ. 3,
“This is a rare species not plentiful in any part of Australia,
but occasionally obtained in the northern portion 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.”
B
18 FALCONIDA.
“The nest, from his description is like that of an Hieracidea,
composed of sticks and twigs, and placed on a horizontal bough ;
the eggs were three in number, length (A) 2-07 inches x 1°51
inch ; (B) 2 inches x 1°52 inch; they are oblong ovals, the whole
of the ground colour obscured by minute dots and freckles of
rusty-ved ; there is in one an indistinct band on the larger end,
the shell is smooth and slightly glossy ; the bird was seen on the
nest. (Mus. Dobr., from Mr. 7. B. Whites Collection.”) P.LAS.,
N.S.W., Vol. vii. p. 414, Ramsay.
Hab, Gulf of Carpentaria, Wide Bay District, Dawson River,
Interior, W. and S.W. Australia. (Ramsay.)
4 FALCO SUBNIGER, G. R. Gray.
Black Falcon.
Gould, Handbk. Bds. Aust., Vol. i., sp. 9, p. 28. a
“Ttis through Mr. K. H. Bennett’s exertions and liberality that
I am enabled to describe the eggs of this rare species, taken by
himself on the 27th of September, 1884. There were four laid
for a sitting, which closely resemble large specimens of the
Merlin’s, and are not unlike finely freckled eggs of Jieracidea
orientalis, but of a richer or brighter red, the ground colour being
obscured with rich reddish dots and freckles all over the surface ;
in some these dots form con luent markings on one end of the egg,
or patches on the side ; they are almost identical in colour and shape
with those of J. hypoleweus, but larger ; the shell is of finer grain
than is shown in those of the HWieracidew. In form they are
almost true ovals, being but slightly swollen at the thicker end ;
one is rather elongate in form. Length (A) 2:1 x 1:6 inches;
(B) 2:13 x 1-58 inches ; (C) 2:18 x 1°55 inches.” (PLS, MSW,
2nd Series, Vol. i., p. 1146, Hamsay.)
From a most interesting and exhaustive account of the habits
of this bird, given by Mr. K. H. Bennett in the P.L.S., N.S.W.,
Vol. x., p. 167, I also extract the following :—
FALCO. 19
“The Black Falcon sometimes breeds here in the interior of New
South Wales, but not often, for during my long residence (over
20 years) in this locality, I have only met with their nests on four
occasions, (one only a few days since). It breeds in September,
and lays four eggs which much resemble those of Hieracidea
orientalis.”
“The nest I recently found was a clear case of appropriation,
as last year it was occupied by a pair of G'ypoictinia melanosternon,
the Falcons had possession however this year, and the nest
contained four eggs. Immediately beneath the edge of the nest
a pair-of Xerophila leucopsis had constructed theirs, which
contained young, and the old birds were flying in and out,
apparently quite unconcerned at the proximity of their dangerous
neighbours, well knowing that the interstices between the large
sticks of which the upper nest was composed, afforded them a
secure asylum.”
Hab. Wide Bay District, New South Wales, Interior, Victoria
and South Australia. (Ramsay.)
3 FALCO LUNULATUOUS, Latham.
White-fronted Falcon.
Gould, Handbk. Bds. Aust., Vol. i, sp. 10, p. 29.
This species is almost entirely dispersed over the continent of
Australia, specimens having been recently received in the collec.
tions formed by the late Mr. T. H. Boyer-Bower, from the vicinity
of Derby, North Western Australia ; the only districts it has not
yet been reported from being Port Darwin and Port Essington.
The nest is rather a large structure, outwardly composed of
sticks securely woven together, and lined with fine strips of
fibrous bark, and usually placed in the topmost branches of a lofty
Eucalyptus.
Eggs three in number for a sitting, oval in form, buffy-white,
thickly freckled and blotched with very light reddish-brown
20 FALCONIDE.
markings, which in some places are confluent, not unfrequently
being on the smaller end of the egg. Specimens received from
Mr. Geo. Barnard of Coomooboolaroo, Queensland, in 1883,
measure as follows, length (A) 1:83 x 1:33 inch ; (B) 1:85 x 1:34
inch.
Hab. Derby, N.W. Australia, Gulf of Carpentaria, Cape York,
Rockingham Bay, Port Denison, Wide Bay District, Dawson
River, Richmond and Clarence Rivers Districts, New South
Wales, Interior, Victoria and South Australia, Tasmania, West
and South-West Australia. (Ramesay.)
Genus HIERACIDEA, Gould,
2-9 HIERACIDEA ORIENTALIS, Schlegel.
-(H. berigora, Gray.)
Brown Hawk.
Gould, Handbk. Bds. Aust., Vol.i. sp. 11, p.31. ZZ. 2.
The Brown Hawk is without exception, the most common
species of the Falconide inhabiting New South Wales and
Victoria. It builds its nest sometimes in the topmost branches
of a Eucalyptus or Casuarina, or at other times within a
few feet of the ground; it isan open structure composed of
sticks, lined with fine twigs, leaves, de. The eggs are two to
three in number for a sitting, and are very variable, both in their
size and markings ; from a number of sets now before me, I give
the description of two, which are of the most usual form.
Var. (A). Eggs two in number, nearly oval in form, being
slightly swollen at the larger end, of a warm reddish-white ground
colour, minutely freckled, spotted, and blotched with rich reddish-
brown, insome places these markings are confluent, on one specimen
HIERACIDEA. 21
(A) a coalesced patch of markings extends nearly over half the
entire surface of the egg on the larger end ; in the other specimen
‘ (B), the markings are more uniform and evenly dispersed over the
surface of the shell. Length (A) 2 inches x 1-45 inch; (B) 1:94
x1-47inch. Taken at Mossgiel, by Mr. K. H. Bennett, September
9th, 1885.
Var. (B). Eggs two in number, oval in form, of a buffy-white
ground colour, with minute freckles of reddish-brown, all over
the surface, in one specimen (A) intermingled with dark reddish-
black blotches, closely resembling the markings of Pandion
leucocephalus, in the other (B) the markings are neither so large,
dark, nor numerous, and are confined entirely to the smaller end
of the egg. Length (A) 2 inches x 1-47 inch; (B) 1:97 x 1:46
inch. Taken at Mossgiel, by Mr. K. H. Bennett, September
16th, 1885.
This species breeds during the months of September, October,
and November.
Hab. Derby, N.W. Australia, Port Darwin and Port Essington,
Gulf of Carpentaria, Cape York, Rockingham Bay, Port Denison,
Wide Bay District, Dawson River, Richmond and Clarence
Rivers Districts, New South Wales, Interior, Victoria and South
Australia, Tasmania, West and South-West Australia. (2amsay.)
SS HIERACIDEA BERIGORA, Vigors and Horsjield.
(H. occidentalis, Gould.)
Western Brown Hawk.
Gould, Handbk. Bds. Aust., Vol. i., sp. 12, p. 33.
The nidification of the Western Brown Hawk is similar to that
of the preceding species. Eggs two to three in number for a
sitting, usually more rounded in form than those of Z. orientalis,
the ground colour being almost obscured with small rich reddish-
22 FALCONIDE.
brown markings, uniformly dispersed over the whole surface of
the shell. A set taken by Mr. Joseph Hill, at Kewell, in the
Wimmera District, Victoria, on the 9th September, 1887, measures
length (A) 1:98 x 1:55 inch; (B) 2 inches x 1:6 inch.
The breeding season commences during the latter end of August
and continues the two following months.
Hab. Derby, N.W. Australia, Interior, Victoria and South
Australia, West and South-West Australia, (Ramsay)
Genus TINNUNCULUS, Vieillot.
TINNUNCULUS CENCHROIDES, Vigors and Horsfield.
+
Nankeen Kestrel.
Gould, Handbk. Bds. Aust., Vol. i., sp. 13, p. 35. . s&
This species usually deposits its eggs, four in number for a
sitting, on the decaying wood in a hollow limb of a tree. The
eggs vary in form, from short to rounded ovals, and are of a reddish-
white ground colour, minutely freckled, and heavily blotched all
over with rich reddish-brown markings; in some instances the
blotches are confined entirely to the smaller end. On two occasions
I have seen eggs of this species nearly white. A set taken at
Cardington, on the Bell River, New South Wales, in September
1867, measure as follows :—length (A) 1:55 x 1-15 inch; (B)
1-48 x 1:18 inch ; (C) 15 x 1-2 inch; (D) 1:48 x 1-19 inch,
The breeding season comprises the months of September
October, and November.
Hab. Derby, N.W. Australia, Port Denison, Wide Bay District,
Dawson River, New South Wales, Interior, Victoria and South
Australia. (Runsay.)
PANDION. 23
Sub-Order PANDIONES.
Genus PANDION, Suviyny.
3 PANDION LEUCOCEPHALUS, Gould.
White-headed Osprey.
Gould, Handbk. Bds. Aust., Vol. i., sp. 6, p. 22. TE 74 2.
This species constructs a large nest of sticks lined with twigs
and seaweed, and is sometimes placed on the summit of a rock,
but more often in the top of some high tree. Mr. John S8.
Ramsay took a nest of this species, containing two eggs, (Var. A.)
in the Wide Bay district, on the 15th of August, 1880, and
another with three eggs (Var. B.) at Iindah, on the Mary River,
Queensland, in 1882.
Var. A. Eggs two in number, elongated in form, of a deep
yellowish-white ground colour, heavily blotched and spotted with
rich reddish-brown markings, but particularly on the larger end,
where they form a coalesced patch. Length (A) 2°56 x 1:73
inches ; (B) 2:57 x 1:72 inches.
Var. B. Eggs three in nuinber, oval in form, of a rich flesh-
white ground colour, spotted and blotched with deep reddish-
brown, and minutely freckled with small dots of the same colour,
intermingled with obsolete splashes of purple appearing as if
beneath the surface of the shell. Length (A) 2°27 x 1/7 inches ;
(B) 2-27 x 1-68 inches ; (C) 2°31 x 1:68 inches.
The breeding season which commences early in July, continues
during the three following months.
Hab. Derby, N.W. Australia, Port Darwin and Port Essington,
Gulf of Carpentaria, Cape York, Rockingham Bay, Port Denison,
Wide Bay District, Richmond and Clarence Rivers Districts,
New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia, Tasmania,
West and South-West Australia, South Coast of New Guinea.
(Ramsay.)
24 STRIGIDA.
hat Ciedes go MS
sub Orgs: 2 Pa. 2 Es
Family STRIGIDAL.
Genus STRIX, Linneus.
(2) STRIX CANDIDA, Tickell.
Grass Owl,
Gould, Suppl. Bds. Aust., Pl. i. zz. 6.
Respecting this rare Australian Owl, Dr. Ramsay remarks :—
“T am indebted to my friend Mr. J. A. Boyd, for a set of the
eggs of this species, taken in the Herbert District, Queensland ;
like those of all others of the genus, they are white, but have a
slight bluish tinge ; in form oval, rather swollen about the centres;
length (A) 1:68 x 1-25 inches in breadth ; (B) 1:7 x 1:25 inches.”
(P.LS., NSW, Ind Series, Vol. i., p. 1060, Ramsay.)
Hab. Rockingham Bay, Wide Bay District, New South Wales.
(Ramsay.) r
STRIX FLAMMEA, Linneus.
Sub-Species STRIX DELICATULA, Gould.
Delicate Owl.
Gould, Handbk, Bds. Aust., Vol. i., sp. 31, p. 66.
On two occasions, Mr. K. H. Bennett found nests of this
species at Ivanhoe, in the interior of New South Wales. The
eggs were in both instances six in number, of a dull uniform
white, and were deposited on the decayed wood in the hollow
limb of a Box tree. An average specimen measures 1:55 inch in
length x 1:28 inch in breadth,
Hab. Derby, N.W. Australia, Gulf of Carpentaria, Cape York,
Rockingham Bay, Port Denison, Wide Bay District, Richmond
and Clarence River Districts, New South Wales, Interior, Victoria
NINOX, 25
and South Australia, West and South-West Australia, South
Coast New Guinea. (Ramsay.)
Sub-Family BUBONINA.
Genus NINOX, Hodgson.
3, NINOX BOOBOOK, Latham.
Boobook Owl.
Gould, Handbk. Bds. Aust., Vol. i., sp. 36, p. 74. WE 6.
This species makes no nest, but lays its eggs, three in number,
on the decayed wood, in some hole or spout of a Gum tree. Egg
white, the shell minutely pitted as if with the point of a pin ; one
of a set of three taken in South Gippsland, measures :—length
1°42 inch x 1:2 inch in width.
The breeding season commences in October and lasts during
the two following months.
Hab. Port Darwin and Port Essington, Cape York, Rockingham
Bay, Port Denison, Wide Bay District, Dawson River, Richmond
and Clarence Rivers Districts, New South Wales, Interior,
Victoria and South Australia, West and South-West Australia.
(Ramsay.)
NINOX CONNIVENS, Latham.
Winking Owl.
Gould, Handb. Bds, Aust., Vol. i., sp. 34, p. 71.
‘Gilbert procured an egg of this species in Western Australia,
it was pure white, somewhat round in form, and large for the
size of the bird, measuring two inches in length by one and five-
eights in breadth.” (Gould.)
26 CAPRIMULGIDA.
Hab. Gulf of Carpentaria, Cape York, Rockingham Bay, Port
Denison, Wide Bay District, Richmond and Clarence Rivers
Districts, New South Wales, Interior, Victoria and South
Australia. (Ramsay.)
Order INSESSORES.
Family CAPRIMULGID.
Grnus AGOTHELES, Vigors and Horsfield.
AEGOTHELES NOV A-HOLLANDIA, Viyors and Horsfield.
The Owlet Nightjar.
Gould, Handbk, Birds Aust., Vol. i, sp. 38, p. 79. RTE 4.
This species deposits its eggs, which are white and from three
to four in number on the debris at the bottom of a hollow branch
of a tree, usually a Eucalyptus. A set of three taken at Cardington,
in December, 1867, by Mr. John 8. Ramsay, measure as follows :-—-
length (A) 1:15 x 0°87 inch ; (B) 1:1 x 0°85 inch; (C) 1:15 x 0-87
inch. The shell is thick and hard in texture.
The breeding season commences in October and lasts. during
the three following months.
Hab. Rockingham Bay, Wide Bay District, Dawson River,
Richmond and Clarence Rivers Districts, New South Wales,
Interior, Victoria and South Australia, Tasmania, West and
South-West Australia. (Aamsay.)
Genus PODARGUS, Cuvier.
PODARGUS STRIGOIDES, Latham.
Tawny-shouldered Podargus.
Gould, Haudbk. Bds. Aust., Vol. i, sp. 40, p. 84, ZZ. 3.
This bird is universally dispersed throughout New South Wales
and Victoria ; it builds a flat nest of sticks loosely placed together
PODARGUS—EUROSTOPODUS. 27
on the horizontal branch of any suitable tree. Eggs three in
number for a sitting, perfectly white, elongated in form, shell
finely granulate. Dimensions of a set taken at Dobroyde,
October 16th, 1862. Length (A) 1:88 x 1:32 inch; (B) 1°85 x
1:35 inch ; (C) 1:94 x 1°32 inch,
The breeding season commences in September, and is at its
height in October, and continues the two following months.
Hab. Port Denison, Wide Bay District, Dawson River,
Richmond and Clarence Rivers Districts, New South Wales,
Interior, Victoria and South Australia. (Ramsay. )
PODARGUS CUVIERI, Vigors and Horsjieli.
Cuvier’s Podargus.
Gould, Handbk. Bds. Aust., Vol.i, sp. 41, p. 87. ZZ 4%.
The nidification of this species is similar to that of 1’, strigoides,
but the nest is more compactly and securely built. Eggs
white, of a uniform size at both ends; specimens taken in
Tasmania, in October, 1885, measure as follows :—length (A)
1-71 x 1-23 inch ; (B) 1°73 x 1-23 inch.
Hab. Victoria and Tasmania. (Ramsay.)
Grenus EUROSTOPODUS,
/ EUROSTOPODUS GUTTATUS, Vigors and Horsfield.
Spotted Nightjar.
Gould, Handbk. Bds. Aust., Vol. i. sp. 49, p. 98. 2Z 9.
“Tts single egg is laid on the ground without any preparation for
it, usually near some stone or stump on the side of a stony ridge ;
the ground colour is of a light greenish creamy-white, sparingly
28 CAPRIMULGID2.
marked all over with dots and oval spots of blackish and slaty-
brown, a few markings appearing as if beneath the surface of
the shell. Length 1:38 x linch in breadth, both ends nearly equal.”
(P.Z.8., 1875, p. 581, Ramsay.)
An egg of this species in my possession taken by Mr. George
Barnard in 1886, measures 1:31 inch in length by 0°97 inch in
breadth.
Hab. Derby, N.W. Australia, Port Darwin and Port Essington,
Gulf of Carpentaria, Cape York, Rockinghain Bay, Port Denison,
Wide Bay District, Dawson River, Richmond and Clarence
Rivers Districts, New South Wales, Interior, Victoria and South
Australia, West and South-West Australia. (Ramsay.)
EUROSTOPODUS ALBIGULARIS, Vigors and Horsfield.
White-throated Nightjar.
Gould, Handbk. Bds. Aust., Vol. i, sp. 48, p. 96. XZ 3
“ The egg resembles that of #. guttatus, without the greenish
tinge on the ground-colour, which is of a rich, light cream-colour,
spotted sparingly all over with round dots and oval-shaped marks
of black, blackish-brown, and slaty-black, which latter appear as if ,
beneath the surface of the shell; length from 1-41 to 1:5 inch, —
breadth from 1:03 to 1:13, equal at both ends.”
“T found this species breeding both at Brisbane and on the
Mary River. My brother, Mr. James Ramsay, of Nanama,
forwarded to me authentic eggs from the Merule in the Riverina
district, of New South Wales.”
“The Australian Museum having recently received from Mr.
A. Clarke, a very fine specimen of the egg of this species, which
differs in size and colour from all I have before examined, I
cannot let the occasion slip by without describing so fine a
specimen, The eggs taken at Gootchy by Mr. D. Helsham, were
CAPRIMULGUS. 29
evidently quite authentic, as the birds were flushed off them, and
several specimens shot by myself at the time, The Gootchy eggs
are smaller than the present specimen, but slightly larger than
those of F. guttatus. The egg at present under consideration, in
size is almost as large as that of Podargus humeralis. An egg
from Gootehy is 1:53 x 1:05 inch; colour light cream with black
round dots. That received from Mr. A. Clarke, is of a rich deep
cream-yellow, having on one side a cluster of round black spots,
which touch one another here and there, and a few similar dots
sprinkled over the remaining surface ; length 1-55 inches x 1:15
inches in breadth. In consequence of the great width of the ege
it appears to be larger than it really is.” (Ramsay, P.ZS., 1875,
p. 581; and P.L.S., VS.W., Vol. i, 2nd Series, p. 1142.)
Hab, Wide Bay District, Dawson River, Richmond and Clarence
Rivers Districts, New South Wales, Interior, Victoria and
South Australia. (Hamsay.)
Genus CAPRIMULGUS, Linneus.
2 CAPRIMULGUS MACRURUS, Aorsjield.
Large-tailed Nightjar.
Gould, Handbk. Bds. Aust., Vol. i., sp. 50, p. 100.
“T am indebted to Inspector Robert Johnstone for a fine pair
of these eggs; they were found on the ground on the side of a
ridge near the Herbert River, Queensland ; and are of a light
rich cream colour, fading to whitish after being emptied, clouded
all over with fleecy markings of pale slaty lilac, which appear as if
beneath the surface of the shell ; length 1-1 x 81 inch in breadth.
(Ramsay, P.Z.S., 1875, p. 581.)
Hab. Port Darwin and Port Essington, Gulf of Carpentaria,
Cape York, Rockingham Bay, Port Denison, Wide Bay District,
New South Wales, Interior, Victoria and South Australia, West
and South-West Australia, South Coast New Guinea. (Ramsay.)
30 HIRUNDINIDE.
Family HIRUNDINIDA.
Genus HIRUNDO, Linneus.
iS HIRUNDO NEOXENA, Gould.
(IT. frontalis, Quoy et Gaimard.)
Welcome Swallow.
Gould, Handbk., Bls. Aust., Vol. i, sp. 53, p. 107.
* Although this species is strictly migratory, yet it is no easy
task to determine the exact date of its arrival in the neighbourhood
of Sydney, or its departure therefrom, owing to the number of
stragglers which remain with us during the whole of the year.
I believe however, that the visitants arrive early in July, or
perhaps late in June, and leave us again in the end of January
and February. After their arrival, and again just before their
departure, they may be seen in great numbers flying to and fro
over the fields, and often skimming over the water-holes and
lagoons ; but keeping very high sometimes almost out of sight,
during the middle of the day.”
“T have frequently observed them, in company with the Fairy
Martin (Lagenoplastes ariel) flying over the lawn of the inner
Domainin Sydney. Tree Swallows (/etrochelidon nigricans ) also
accompany this species in search of food. We met withall three
species mixed up in one immense flock during December 1864, at
Lake Bathurst; here they were following in our wake as we
walked through the rushes on a small island, obtaining a rich
feast on the small Libellula, which flew up in countless numbers
at every step we took. The pupa-cases of these insects were
lying piled up between the rushes to the height of two, and even
three feet, while the edges of the island at dusk were alive with
the pupe crawling out of the water. The proper breeding season
of Hirundo neoxena is during the months of August and throughout
to the end of December; stragglers, however, may be found
breeding at almost any time. I have found them building in the
Dobroyde stables, both in the months of February and June; and
HIRUNDO. 31
on April 17th, 1864, I took a nest with fresh eggs from the same
buildings.”
“Tn choosingasite for the nest they seem to beeven less particular
than in their time of breeding. Almost any building will serve
them where they can obtain a horizontal beam or ledge. On this
they place their round bowl-shaped nest, the wall of which is
composed of pellets of mud, mingled with grass, and securely
fastened on the beam. As soon as the mud-work is dry, it is
warmly lined with grasses, horsehair, or feathers ; and the nest
is then ready for the eggs, which are usally from three to five in
nuniber, 0°75 irich in length by 0°5 in breadth. The ground colour
is of a delicate white, having numerous dots and freckles of
yellowish-brown and faint lilac sprinkled over the whole surface,
but more thickly at the larger end. The nests are + to 6 inches (
wide by 2°5 inches deep.”
“Tn 1858, while fishing off a small steamer, which having been
out of use for some months, was moored a few hundred yards from
the North Shore, in the Sydney Harbour, I observed a pair of these
Swallows fiy round the boat, and frequently dive underneath the
paddle-box. After a long search I discovered their nest, which
was composed of black pitchy mud, lined with seaweed and
feathers. It was placed upon one of the horizontal beams of the
paddle-box, and contained three young ones about half fledged.
The man in charge informed me that the nest had been made when
the steamer was lying lower down the harbour, and upon its being
tugged to where it then lay the birds flew round and round it the
whole time, evidently in a great state of excitement.” (Ramsay,
Ibis, 1868, Vol. iv., New Series, p. 275.)
A set of the eggs of this species in the Australian Museum
Collection measures as follows :—length (A) 0°73 x 0°5 inch ; (B)
0-74 x 0-59 inch ; (C) 0°72 x 0-58 inch ; (D) 0-76 x 0-6 inch ; (I)
0-73 x 0°58 inch.
Hab. Gulf of Carpentaria, Cape York, Rockingham Bay, Port
Denison, Wide Bay District, Dawson River, Richmond and
Clarence Rivers Districts, New South Wales, Interior, Victoria
and South Australia, Tasmania, West and South-West Australia,
(ltamsay.)
32 HIRUNDINIDE.
Genus PETROCHELIDON, Cabanis.
> PETROCHELIDON NIGRICANS, Vieillos.
Tree Swallow.
Gould, Handbk. Bds. Aust, Vol. i., sp. 55, p. 111. BZ. 7%
This species is to be found throughout the whole of Australia,
Tasmania, and southern portions of New Guinea. It arrives in
New South Wales and Victoria in August, and leaves again at
the latter end of February. It deposits its eggs three in number,
on the decayed wood, in a hollow branch, or hole in a tree; the
ground colour being of a pinky-white, covered with minute freckles
of light rusty-brown, particularly towards the larger end, where
in some instances, intermingled with lilac spots they form a zone,
others again are of a pure white, with a few fine dots of light red
at the larger end.
A set taken by Mr. K. H. Bennett, at Mossgiel on the 16th of
September, 1885, measure as follows :— (A) 0:73 x 0°55 inch 3 (B)
0:72 x 0°54 inch ; (C) 0-68 x 0°54 inch. “
Hab. Gulf of Carpentaria, Cape York, Rockingham Bay, Port
Denison, Wide Bay District, Dawson River, Richmond and
Clarence River Districts, New South Wales, Interior, Victoria
and South Australia, Tasmania, West and South-West Australia,
South Coast New Guinea, (Ramsay.)
Genus LAGENOPLASTES, Gould.
LAGENOPLASTES ARIEL, Guild.
Fairy Martin.
Gould, Handbk. Bds. Aust., Vol. i, sp. 56, p. 113.
vw
“ About the end of November 1860, I discovered a large batch
of nests of this species fastened under an overhanging rock upon
the banks of the Bell River. I counted upwards of one hundred
nests, all built so closely together, that of many, the entrances
were alone visible.”
gh,
CHERAMCA, 33
The Martins were flying to and from the nests in great numbers,
some carrying in grass for the linings, others busily employed in
repairing the old, and building new nests with the mud from the
river's bank. Many also I found brooding their eggs, and this
gave me a good opportunity of procuring some specimens, which
Idid not fail to seize. There were usually from three to five
eggs, but some nests contained seven. Many of the eggs were
altogether white, others were-spotted with light brownish-yellow
occasionally all over, in other instances only at the larger end.
They vary in length from 7 to 8} lines, and from 6 to 6} lines in
breadth.” (Ramsay, Ibis 1865, Vol. i., New Series, p. 299.)
On September 29th, 1886, in company with Mr. Geo. Masters
we took a number of the nests of this species at Chatsworth, on
the Eastern Creek, the eggs varied both in size, shape, and colour,
some being white without markings of any kind, others being
elongated and heavily marked with yellowish-brown spots, they
measure as follows :—length (A) 0°67 x 0°47 inch; (B) 0-69 x
0-48 inch ; (C) 0°75 x 0:49 inch ; (D) 0-73 x 0-48 inch ; (E) 0-68
x 0°47 inch.
During a visit to Dubbo in August 1887, these birds arrived
in great numbers, commencing to build on the 17th, and covering
the eaves of the schools, churches, and public buildings with their
curiously retort-shaped nests.
Hab. Port Denison, Wide Bay District, Dawson River,
Richmond and Clarence Rivers Districts, New South Wales,
Interior, Victoria and South Australia. (Ramsay.)
Genus CHERAM(CECA, Cabanis.
CHERAMCCA LEUCOSTERNUM, Gould.
White-breasted Swallow.
Gould, Handbk. Bds. Aust, Vol. i, sp. 57 p.115 2HE. A
I extract the following from Mr. K. H. Beunett’s MS. notes
on the nidification of this bird :-- -
¢
34 MEROPIDA.
“This species of Swallow is the only one with which I am
acquainted, that is not migratory, being found in this locality,
(Mossgiel New South Wales) and to the same extent as regards
numbers all the year round, It is widely distributed throughout
the timbered or “ back ” country, but is never found on the plains,
and is generally seen in small flocks of five or six in number. It
breeds here during the month of October, in holes in the sides of
the entrances to the burrows of either the Bettongia, or Peragales
whether inhabited by these animals or not. I have never yet
found more than four eggs in a nest.”
A set of three taken by Mr. Bennett on October 19th, 1885, at
Mossgiel, are pure white, and measures as follows :—(A) 0-64 x
0-48 inch ; (B) 0°63 x 0°48 inch; (C) 0°64 x 0°47 inch.
Specimens in my possession taken by Mr. Gardner in South
Australia, give the same measurements. .
Hab. New South Wales, Interior, Victoria and South Australia,
West and South-West Australia. (Ramsay.)
Family MEROPIDZ.
Genus MEROPS, Linneus.
si MEROPS ORNATUS, Latham.
Australian Bee-eater.
Gould, Handbk. Bds, Aust. Vol. i., sp. 58, p. 117.
This bird is universally dispersed throughout the whole of
Australia, and tunnels a narrow hole in the sandy bank of a river
or creek at the extremity of which it lays its eggs, five in number.
Eggs, beautiful pearly-white ; a set taken at Buldery, measures as
follows :—(A) 0°87 x 0-72 inch; (B) 0-85 x 0:70 inch; (C) 0:85
x 0°73 inch ; (D) 0°85 x 0-72 inch ; (E) 0°84 x 0°73 inch.
EURYSTOMUS. 35
It breeds in New South Wales during October and the two
following months.
Hab. Derby, N.W.A., Port Darwin and Port Essington, Gulf
of Carpentaria, Cape York, Rockingham Bay, Port Denison,
Wide Bay District, Dawson River, Richmond and Clarence River
Districts, New South Wales, Interior, Victoria and South
Australia, W. and 8. W. Australia, South Coast New Guinea.
(Ramsay.)
Family CORACIDAE.
Genus EURYSTOMUS, Vieillot.
as EURYSTOMUS PACIFICUS, Latham.
Australian Roller.
Gould, Handbk. Bds. Aust., Vol. i. sp. 59, p. 119. a, 4
‘“‘T found this bird nesting in the hollow Eucalyptus boughs on
the Richmond River, in October, 1867; they make no nest but
lay their eggs on the dust formed by the decayed wood—not
unfrequently they fight with, and dispossess the Dacelo gigas, and
I have seen them take the young of this bird and throw them out
of the nest The eggs are two or three in number, of a dull white,
rather glossy, and sometimes variable in form, some being oval
and pointed, others almost round. Length (A) 1:45 x 1:05,
oblong ; (B) 1°34 x 1:1, roundish.” (Dodr. Mus. P.L.S., N.S. W.,
Vol. vii., p.46. Ramsay.)
Hab. Derby, N.W.A., Cape York, Rockingham Bay, Port
Denison, Wide Bay District, Dawson River, Richmond and
Clarence River Districts, New South Wales, Victoria and South
Australia, South Coast New Guinea: (Ramsay.)
36 ALCEDINIDE.
Family ALCEDINID:.
Genus DACELO, Leach.
3-%. DACELO GIGAS, Bodd.
Great Brown Kingfisher.
Gould, Handbk. Bds. Aust., Vol. i., sp..60, p. 122, ZZ.
This well known bird deposits its eggs on the decaying wood in
a hollow branch or hole in a tree, usually a Eucalyptus. 4 Eggs
three or four in number for a sitting, of a beautiful pearly-white.
Dimensions of a set taken at Cardington, on the Bell River, New
South Wales, in October, 1860. Length (A) 1-68 x 1-4 inch ;
(B) 1°72 x 1:41 inch; (C) 1:8 x 1:45 inch; (D) 1-72 x 1:4 inch.
On one occasion, on Ash Island, a nest of this species was found
formed in the side of a clump of Stag-horn fern.
When the young birds are fully fledged they crowd to the entrance
of the aperture, in their eagerness to obtain the coveted morsel,
which the parent bird procures for them, usually a lizar or field
mouse, and their united and incessant clamourings for the same
can be heard a considerable distance away.
This species breeds during the months of August, September,
and October.
Hab. Wide Bay District, Dawson River, Richmond and Clarence
Rivers Districts, New South Wales, Interior, Victoria and South
Australia. (Ramsay.)
4. DACELO LEACHII, Vigors and Horsfield.
Leach’s Kingfisher.
Gould, Handbk. Bds, Aust., Vol. i., sp. 61, p. 124. 22 2.
“This species takes the place in the North of D. gigas in the
South. Eggs four in number for a sitting, placed in a hollow
bough, or at the end of tunnels excavated in the nest of the
Termites. Colour of a pure pearly-white. Length(A) 1:72x 1:3
inch, oval in shape ; (B) 1:6 x 1:34, rather round.”
HALCYON, 37
“They breed during the months of September, October, and
November.” (Ramsay, P.L.S., N.S.W., Vol. vii., p. 45.)
Hab. Port Darwin and Port Essington, Gulf of Carpentaria,
Cape York, Rockingham Bay, Port Denison, Wide Bay District,
Dawson River, South Coast New Guinea. (Ramsay.)
Genus HALCYON Swainson.
ee HALCYON SANCTUS, Vigors and Horsfield,
Sacred Kingfisher.
Gould, Handbk. Bds. Aust., Vol. i., sp. 63, p. 128.
This bird is now known to be universally dispersed throughout
the continent of Australia, it having lately been received from
North-western Australia, in the collection formed by Mr. Cairn
in the vicinity of Derby last year (1886), being the only portion
of the continent from which specimens had not been previously
received.
The Sacred Kingfisher deposits its eggs which are pearly-white
and usually five in number, on the decaying wood in a hollow
branch, or hole of a tree, usually a Eucalyptus. A set taken in
October 1870, measure as follows :—length (A) 1-03 x 0°88 inch ;
(B) 1:03 x 0°89 inch ; (C) 1:03 x 0°87 inch ; (D) 1:02 x 0°82 inch ;
-(E) 1:05 x 0°88 inch.
The breeding season commences in September, and lasts the two -
following months.
Hab. Derby, N.W. Australia, Port Darwin and Port Essington,
Gulf of Carpentaria, Cape York, Rockingham Bay, Port Denison,
Wide Bay District, Dawson River, Richmond and Clarence
Rivers Districts, New South Wales, Interior, Victoria and
South Australia, Tasmania, W. and 8.W. Australia, South Coast
New Guinea. (Ramsay.)
38. ALCEDINIDE.
s HALCYON PYRRHOPYGIUS, Gould.
Red-backed Kingfisher.
Gould, Handbk. Bds. Aust., Vol. i, sp. 64, p. 130.
This species breeds in the Bourke and Cobar districts during
October and November, it nests in hollow boughs of trees, but on
one occasion Mr. James Ramsay took five eggs from the end of a
tunnel in the bank of a recently made dam or tank; these
specimens, accompanied by a skin of the parent bird, were sent to
me, and measure as follows :—(A) 1-02 x 0°88; (B) 1:02 x 0°88; .
(C) 1:02 x 0-88; (D) 1-02 x 0:78; (E) 1:04 x 0°87 inch ; they are
a pure glossy white colour. (Dobr. Mus. P.L.S., N.S.W., Vol.
vii. p. 45, Ramsay.)
Hab. Derby, N.W. Australia, Port Darwin and Port Essington,
Gulf of Carpentaria, Cape York, Rockingham Bay, Port Denison,
Wide Bay District, Dawson River, New South Wales, Interior,
Victoria and South Australia. (Ramsay.)
s HALCYON MACLEAYI, Jardine and Selby.
Macleay’s Kingfisher.
Gould, Handb. Bds. Aust., Vol. i., sp. 66, p. 133.
This beautiful Kingfisher has an extensive range of habitat,
being found in the northern provinces of New South Wales, and
the whole of Queensland, and has lately been received from North
Western Australia, in the collection formed by the late Mr. T. H.
Boyer-Bower. It often deposits its eggs in the hollow branch of
a tree, at other times, digging a tunnel in the nest of the White
Ants, it lays them in a rounded chamber at the extremity.
During Dr. Ramsay’s visit to Queensland in 1874 a nest was
TANYSIPTERA. 39
found in the grounds of Mr. Coxen, near Brisbane, on the 6th of
January ; it was a narrow tunnel about twelve inches or less in
length, made ina White Ant’s nest ona treea few yards from the
ground, it contained five fresh eggs of a clear pearly white,
somewhat transparent shell, and abruptly pointed at the smaller
Length (A) 1 inch x 0°83 inch ; (B) 1-01 x 0°82 inch; (C) 1:03 end.
x 0°83 inch ; (D) 1:05 x 0-82 inch; (E) 1-05 x 0°85 inch.
This species breeds during the months of November, December,
and January.
Hab. Derby, N.W.A., Port Darwin and Port Essington, Gulf
of Carpentaria, Cape York, Rockingham Bay, Port Denison,
Wide Bay District, Dawson River, Richmond and Clarence Rivers
Districts, New South Wales, South Coast New Guinea. (Ramsay.)
Genus TANYSIPTERA, Vigors.
. TANYSIPTERA SYLVIA, Gould.
White-tailed Kingfisher.|
Gould, Handbk. Bds. Aust., Vol. i., sp. 68, p. 187.
Mr, J. A. Thorpe of the Australian Museum, informs me that
he found this species breeding plentifully during the months of
September and October, in the hills or nests of the White Ants
(Termites ) situated in the dense scrubs in the neighbourhood of
Cape York. It tunnels a hole a few feet from the ground in
one of these hills, about fifteen inches in length, and lays four or
five pure white eggs near the extremity, where it is hollowed out in
the form of a chamber. 74 MIMETA VIRIDIS, Latham.
New South Wales Oriole.
Gould, Handbk. Bds. Aust., Vol. i, sp. 283, p. 462.
“The nest of this birdislikethat of the Friar-bird(Tropidorhynchus
corniculatus), differing only in the size, which is a little smaller,
being from four to five inches in diameter, three to four inches
184 ORIOLIDE.
wide inside, and about three inches and three-quarters deep. It
is cup-shaped, composed of shreds of bark of the Stringy-bark tree
(Hucalypius obliqua) strongly interwoven; the inside is made
thick and more compact by addition of the white paper-like bark
of the Ti-tree, or, in its absence, any other material adapted for the
purpose ; lastly, it is lined with the narrow leaves of the native
oak, or with grass and hair. The nest is usually suspended between
a fork at the very end of a horizontal bough of Lucalyptus,
Melaleuca, Syncarpia, &c., and often in very exposed situations.
The eggs are two or three in number, usually three. In two
instances only did we find four—the first of these being in 1860,
and the second in 1861. In length the eggs “are from one inch
two lines to one inch four lines; in breadth from nine lines to
one inch. The ground colour varies from a rich cream to a dull
white or very light brown, minutely dotted and blotched with
umber and blackish-brown, with faint lilac spots which appear
beneath the surface, all over in some; but generally the spots are
more numerous at the larger end, where they form ay indistinct
band.” (Ramsay, Ibis, 1863, Vol. v., p. 179.)
A set taken at Dobroyde in 1860, measures as follows :—length
(A) 1:35 x 0°98 inch ; (B) 1:35 x 0-93 inch ; (C) 1°35 x 0:95 inch.
Hab, Wide Bay District, Richmond and Clarence Rivers
Districts, New South Wales, Interior, Victoria and South
Australia. (Ramsay.)
2 MIMETA AFFINIS, Gould.
Allied Oriole.
Gould, Han/lbk. Bds. Aust., Vol. 1, sp. 284, p. 465. XE 79.
The nest of this species is similar to that of JZ viridis, and
is built in like situations. The eggs, three for a sitting, are
of a very light creamy-buff with dark olive-brown spots, and
afew of a pale lilac or slaty tiut, appearing as if beneath the
shell ; the spots are sprinkled all over the surface rather widely
apart. Length (A) 13 x 0-9 inch ; (B) 1:22 x U'88 inch. They :
SPHECOTHERES, 185
breed from the beginning of September to the end of December.
(Ramsay, P.LS., NS.W., Vol: vi, p. 576.)
Hab. Derby, N.W. Australia, Port Darwin and Port Essington,
Gulf of Carpentaria, Cape York, Rockingham Bay, Dawson River.
( Ramsay.)
Genus SPHECOTHERES, Vieillot.
3 SPHECOTHERES MAXILLARIS, Latham.
Gould, Handbk. Bds. Aust., Vol. i., sp. 286, p. 467. ZL. VW.
Mr. R. D. Fitzgerald writes as follows regarding the nidification
of this bird :—“This remarkable species, which appears to be
somewhat gregarious in its habits, I found breeding during the
latter part of October and the beginning of November in the
brushes of the Richmond River, where the birds are plentiful.
The nests, of which several were discovered in adjoining trees,
are rather slight and shallow, constructed of small thin twigs
interwoven loosely, notunlikealargenest of Pachycephalagutturalis,
and are usually placed at the extremity of a horizontal branch
about twenty feet from the ground ; the tree most favoured being
the Flindersia. Three nests obtained on the 4th of November
1886, contained each three fresh eggs, which appears to be the
regular number for a sitting, all quite fresh. An average-sized
pair of these eggs measure as follows :—length (A) 1:25 x 0°88
inch ; (B) 1:25 x 0-9 inch. The ground colour varies from olive-
brown to dull apple-green ; the spots sometimes confluent and
forming small irregular blotches, are of a reddish-brown, in some
brighter and redder, in others very like those on the eggs of
Cracticus destructor; the markings are distributed over the whole
surface, but are usually closer together on the thicker end, where
in some they form an irregular zone.” (Fitzgerald, P.L.S., NS.
W., Vol. ii., Second Series, p. 970.)
186 CORVINE.
Hab. Gulf of Carpentaria, Rockingham Bay, Port Denison,
Wide Bay District, Dawson River, Richmond and Clarence Rivers
Districts, New South Wales. (Hamsay.)
Family CORVID:.
Sub-Family CORVIN A.
Genus CORVUS, Linneus.
are CORVUS CORONOIDES, Vigors and Horsfield.
(C. australis, Gmelin.)
White-eyed Crow.
Gould, Handbk. Bds. Aust., Vol. i., sp. 290, p. 475. ZZ. &
“The nests of this species are large bulky structures of
sticks and twigs, some often half-an-inch thick. These form
the ground work of the nest, which is usually placed in the
most inaccessible trees. Finer materials are used for the
inner parts, and it is lastly lined with grasses, stringy-bark, and
tufts of hair from various dead animals. The eggs are four or
five in number for a sitting, of a bright green, strongly blotched
with deep black and brown, with a tinge of yellowish wood-brown
in some places ; they are from 194 to 21 lines in length by 14 or ‘
15 lines in breadth. They usually have two broods a year,
beginning to breed in August, and continuing until November, or
even later in some instances, according to the locality.”
It was in a paper to the Ibis from which the above is extracted,
that Dr. Ramsay first drew attention to there being two distinct
birds described under the name of C. coronoides, a fact since
recognized by Mr. Sharpe, who has separated them under the names
of Corone australis, and Corvus coronoides.
C. coronoides can easily be distinguished from Corone australis
by being the smaller bird of the two, and having the bases of the
CORONE. 187
feathers snow white. C\. australis has long greenish-black plumes
on the throat; bases of feathers dusky-brown or black. The nest
of C. coronoides is built at the extremity of a long, naked, slender
branch terminating in a thick bunch of twigs and leaves, and
are in most instances impossible to get at, thus the eggs are very
difficult to obtain.
I give the measurements of a set of eggs of C. coronoides, taken
by Mr. K. H. Bennett, a gentleman who has paid particular
attention to this and the following species: a set of four taken
at Ivanhoe on the 1st of September 1885, are elongated in form,
of a pale greenish ground colour, finely, but thickly freckled with
scratches of light umber ; length (A) 1-43 x 1-01 inch; (B) 1:62
x 1:03 inch; (C) 1:63 x 1 inch; (D) 1°63 x1 inch.
Hab. Derby, N.W. Australia, Port Darwin and Port Essington,
Gulf of Carpentaria, Cape York, Rockingham Bay, Port Denison,
Wide Bay District, Dawson River, Richmond and Clarence Rivers
Districts, New South Wales, Interior, Victoria and South
Australia. (Ramsay.)
Genus CORONE, Kaup.
ap ae CORONE AUSTRALIS, Gould.
Australian Raven.
Sharpe, Brit. Mus. Cat. Bds, Vol. iii., p. 37. THE. #s.
From a most interesting and exhaustive account by Mr. K. H.
Bennett in his MS. notes, of the nidification of this species, I extract
the following :—‘“The breeding season of this species is during
the months of September and October; the nest is composed
outwardly of sticks, and lined with soft bark fibre, wool, &c., and
is placed ina variety of situations from the highest tree in a clump
to bushes of the giant or “old man” saltbush not more than four
feet high. Scattered over the plains, singly or in clumps of five
or six in number, are numerous small trees from six to twelve feet
188 FREGILINE.
in height, these are favourite situations, and one or more nests
will be found in each of these trees, where possible of construction;
the eggs are generally four, sometimes five in number.”
A set of four eggs now before me, taken by that gentleman at
Mossgiel on the 31st of August 1815, are of a dull green, thickly
freckled, spotted, and blotched with umber, wood-brown, and
blackish-brown markings, but more particularly towards the larger
end ; length (A) 1:72 x 1:19 inch; (B) 1:7x1-16 inch ; (C) 1:68
x 1:22 inch; (D) 1:68 x 1:17 inch.
This species is also found breeding in the low trees in the
vicinity of Laverton and the Werribee, near Melbourne, Victoria.
Hab. Derby, N.W. Australia, Port Darwin and Port Essington,
Gulf of Carpentaria, Cape York, Rockingham Bay, Port Denison,
Wide Bay District, Dawson River, Richmond and Clarence
Rivers Districts, New South Wales, Interior, Victoria and South
Australia, West and South-West Australia, Tasmania. (Ramsay. )
Sub-Family FREGILIN 4.
Genus STRUTHIDEA, Gould.
3-4 STRUTHIDEA CINEREA, Gould.
Grey Struthidea.
Gould, Handbk. Bds. Aust., Vol. i., sp. 289, p. 472. MM = &
—_—
“ The nest'is a round cup or basin-shaped structure, composed
of mud or clay, about four inches inside diameter ; it is lined with
grasses, and placed on a horizontal bough, often only a few feet
from the ground, but occasionally at a height of about twenty to
thirty feet; the eggs are three or four in number, but sometimes
five and seven have been taken by Mr. James Ramsay from a
single nest. They are of a milky-white, sometimes of a skimmed
milk colour, with spots, and here and there a blotch of blackish-
umber and blackish-slate colour, or occasionally streaked—some
CORCORAX, 189
altogether without markings, or with only one or two blackish
specks. A set of four measure as follows :—length 1:26 x 0-85
inch; 1:18 x 0:85 inch; 1:27 x 0-88 inch; 1:18 x 0:85 inch.”
(Ramsay, P.L.S., NS.W., Vol. vii., p. 406.)
I found these birds in great numbers on the Bell and Macquarie
Rivers, during August 1887, congregating in small companies of
six or seven in number, making the bush resound with their
peculiar harsh grating cries when flying.
Hab. Gulf of Carpentaria, New South Wales, Interior, Victoria
and South Australia. (Ramsay.)
Genus CORCORAX, Lesson.
4. CORCORAX MELANORHAMPHUS, Vieillot.
White-winged Corcorax.
Gould, Handbk. Bds. Aust., Vol. i, sp. 288, p. 470.
This bird is plentifully distributed throughout New South
Wales, building its large bowl-shaped structure of mud on the
horizontal branch of a tree, in any convenient situation. The
usual number of eggs for a sitting is four, but as many as eight
have been taken from one nest, it would therefore appear 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. Ground colour of eggs dull-white, blotched all over
beneath the surface of the shell with deep bluish-black markings ;
on the outer surface the blotches become larger, but fewer, and
vary from olive-brown to blackish-brown in tint; the shell of
the eggs being rough. Size of a set of four taken at Macquarie ,
Fields ; length (A) 156 x 1:16 inch; (B) 15x 1:18 inch; (C) :
151 x 1:18 inch; (D) 1°53 x 1:13 inch.
The breeding season commences in August, and lasts during
the three following months.
190 STURNIDE.
I found these birds very plentiful in the neighbourhood of
Wellington and Dubbo, in New South Wales.
Hab. Rockingham Bay, Port Denison, Wide Bay District,
Dawson River, Richmond and Clarence Rivers Districts, New
South Wales, Interior, Victoria and South Australia. (Ramsay )
Family STURNIDA.
Genus CALORNIS, G. R. Gray.
3-4 CALORNIS METALLICA, Temminck.
Shining Calornis.
Gould, Handbk. Bds, Aust., Vol. i., sp. 291, p. 477.
“Thisisoneof the most common birds in the scrubsofthe Herbert
River. They breed in companies, seemingly all through the year,
making large bulky nests of grass and fine twigs with a side
opening, hanging from the ends of the leafy boughs in clusters
or singly ; at times the branches break off with the weight of the
nests and their contents. On the Herbert River I noticed they
gave preference to a small-leaved species of fig resembling Ficus
syringifolia; and before «1 colony began to build the twigs on
many of the branches were broken and began to wither, and
hanging down, at a distance resembled in colour the brown nests
of this species. I noticed this on two occasions, and remarked to
Inspector Johnstone that the birds were building near his camp.
However, when examining the trees through our field-glasses, we
found nothing but bunches of dry leaves swinging about with the
wind. A few days afterwards we noticed a neighbouring fig-tree
“in a similar condition, and as both trees were resorted to by these -
birds, I was under the impression that it was caused by the ravages
of some insect which the birds came to feed on; however, about
a month afterwards, Mr. Johnstone informed me that these trees
had been taken possession of by colonies of Weaver-birds (or
MELIORNIS. 191
“Starlings” as they are called in those parts), and this bulk of
brown nests was forming quite a new feature in the landscape.
The eggs are three or four in number, variable in form, some
roundish, others elongate, of a greenish-white colour, with bright
reddish-brown spots and dots, more numerous towards the larger
end. Length (A) 1-1 x 0:78 inch; (B) 0:99 x 0-79 inch; (C)
11x 0-75 inch.” (Ramsay, P.Z.S., 1875, p. 594.)
Hab. Gulf of Carpentaria, Cape York, Rockingham Bay, Port
Denison, South Coast New Guinea. (Ramsay.)
Family MELIPHAGIDA.
Genus MELIORNIS, G. BR. Gray.
2-3 MELIORNIS NOVA-HOLLANDIA, Latham.
New Holland Honey-eater.
Gould, Handbk. Bds. Aust., Vol. i., sp. 296, p. 486.
This showy and attractive bird is the most commoff species of the
genus in New South Wales and Victoria ; it is very abundant in
thescrubby undergrowthand stunted Banksiasin the neighbourhood
of Botany and La Perouse in the former colony ; it is also found
in our public parks and gardens both in Sydney and Melbourne,
where it may be seen extracting the nectar from various flowers,
with its brush-like tongue so well adapted for the purpose.
A nest of this species now before me, in the Australian
Museum Collection, is rather roughly but compactly formed on the
exterior with fine twigs, strips of bark and grasses, neatly lined
on the inside, which is cup-shaped, with dried portions of the soft
Flannel Fower, Actinotus helianthus, and downy tufts of the
Banksia cones. Exterior measurement four inches in diameter
by two inches and a-half in depth, cavity two inches and a-quarter
in diameter by one inch and a-half in depth. The position of the
nest varies with the locality in which it is built, sometimes being
192 MELIPHAGIDE.
placed in a low tree about six or seven feet from the ground but
more often in a bush close to the ground. Eggs two or three in
number for a sitting, usually two.
Two eggs taken by Dr. Ramsay at Bondi, on the 25th of August
1875, are of acreamy-buff ground colour, spotted, and minutely
freckled with markings of a rich reddish-brown, and a few of
reddish-black, more particularly towards the larger end. Length
(A) 0°8 x 0°58 inch ; (B) 0°81 x 0°58 inch.
A set taken by Dr. Hurst, near Botany, on the 21st of July
1888, give the following measurements :—length (A) 0:77 x 0°63
inch ; (B) 0°77 x 0°6 inch.
A nest of this species taken by myself at Melbourne, and
several others found subsequently, each contained three eggs of
M. nove-hollandie and one of Chalcites basilis. July and the
four following months constitute the breeding season of this species.
Hab. Wide Bay District, Richmond and Clarenée Rivers
New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia, Tasmania.
(Ramsay.)
Qa-9 MELIORNIS LONGIROSTRIS, Gould.
Long-billed Honey-eater.
Gould, Handbk. Bds. Aust., Vol. i., sp. 297, p. 488.
This species is an inhabitant of Western Australia, and differs
but slightly, if anything atall, from the eastern representative J.
novee-hollandice. Mr. George Masters procured a number of the
birds, also nests and eggs, while at King George’s Sound in 1868,
but failed to find the distinction made by Mr. Gould between
the birds from the eastern and western ortions of the continent,
specimens having been received from eastern Australia with the
bill equally as long and robust as in that of IW. longirostris.
A nest of this species now before me, taken by Mr. Masters on
the Ist of October 1868 is very much neater in appearance on the
outside than that of the preceding bird; it is cup-shaped, outwardly
MELIORNIS. 193
composed of fine strips of bark, fibrous roots and grass, lined
inside with the soft downy tufts of the Banksia cones; the rim
of the nest is thick and rounded. Exterior measurement four
inches in diameter by two inches and a quarter in depth, cavity
two inches and a-quarter in diameter by one inch and a-half in
depth ; rim about one inch in thickness. This nest, Mr. Masters
informs me was built in a Banksia close to the ground. Eggs two
or three in number for a sitting, of a pale buff, minutely but
thickly freckled and spotted with chestnut and reddish-brown, in
some instances forming a well defined zone, in others the markings
are nearly obsolete and appear as if beneath the surface of the
shell. Dimensions of a set in the Australian Museum Collection,
taken October 1st 1868, length (A) 0-77 x 0°57 inch; (B) 08x
0°58 inch.
The breeding season of this species commences in August and
lasts till the end of November, but early in October the greater
number of eggs were procured.
Hab. Wide Bay District, New South Wales, West and South-
west Australia. (Ramsay.)
2 MELIORNIS SERICEA, Gould.
White-cheeked Honey-eater.
Gould, Handbk. Bds. Aust., Vol. i., sp. 298, p. 490. XZ /9.
This bird is found breeding in the neighbourhood of Sydney; a
nest of this species now before me, taken by Dr. Ramsay at
Dobroyde on the 18th of September 1864, is cup-shaped, outwardly
composed of fine twigs, strips of bark and coarse grasses, lined
inside with the nests of spiders, and the soft downy tufts of
Banksia cones ; exterior diameter three inches and a-half, depth
three inches, inside cavity two inches in diameter by one inch and
three-eighths in depth ; another nest in the Australian Museum
Collection is almost entirely composed of strips of bark, with a
lining of dried portions of the Flannel flower, Actinotus helianthus.
The nest is usually placed in the fork of a Banksia or Hakea
M
194 MELIPHAGIDE.
partly resting with the rim of the nest attached to the branches
holding it in position, but it is often found in orange trees in
gardens, in which case the nest is always slung by the rim.
Eggs two in number for a sitting, of a beautiful flesh colour before
being blown ; when emptied of their contents, the ground colour
approaches to a very pale yellowish-buff, finely but distinctly
spotted with reddish-chestnut, in some instances forming a zone
towards the larger end, in others scattered over the surface of the
shell. Length (A) 0-81 x 0-57 inch; (B) 0°81 x 0°56 inch. Taken
at Dobroyde by Dr. Ramsay, 18th September 1864. Another set
taken in the same locality in 1858 give the same measurements.
Two eggs taken by Dr. Hurst on the 28th of June 1884, at
Sandringham, near the mouth of the George’s River, New South
Wales, are of a reddish-buff ground colour; one specimen being
thickly freckled with nearly obsolete markings of chestnut-brown;
the other is more boldly marked with the same colour, particularly
towards the thicker end, where the markings become larger, and
form an irregular shaped zone. Length (A) 0°8 x 0-58 inch; (B)
0-8 x 0°59 inch.
The breeding season of this species commences in June and
continues during the four following months.
Hab. Rockingham Bay, Wide Bay District, Richmond and
Clarence Rivers Districts, New South Wales, Victoria and South
Australia. (Ramsay.)
2 MELIORNIS MYSTACALIS, Gould.
Moustached Honey-eater.
Gould, Handbk. Bds. Aust., Vol. i., sp. 299, p. 491.
“The Meliornis mystacalis is a native of Western Australia, it
beautifully represents the M. sericea of New South Wales. It is
a very early breeder, young birds ready to leave the nest having
been found on the 8th of August; it has also been met with
breeding as late as November; it doubtless, therefore, produces
more than one brood in the course of the season. The nest is
M—2
LICHMERA. 195
generally built near the top of a small, weak, thinly branched bush
of about two or three feet in height, situated in a plantation of
seedling mahogany or other Eucalypti ; it is formed of small dried
sticks, grass, and narrow strips of soft bark, and is lined with
Zamia wool, but in those parts of the country where that plant is
not found, the soft buds of flowers, or the hairy flowering parts of
grasses, form the lining materials, and in the neighbourhood of
sheep-walks, wool collected from the scrub. The eggs are usually
two in number. They are nine lines long by seven lines broad,
and are usually of a dull reddish-buff, spotted very distinctly with
chestnut and reddish-brown, interspersed with obscure dashes
of purplish-grey.” (Gould, Handbk. Bds. Aust., Vol. i., p. 491.)
Hab. Wide Bay District, New South Wales, West and South-
West Australia, (Ramsay.)
Genus LICHMERA, Cabanis.
a 3 LICHMERA AUSTRALASIANA, Shaw.
Tasmanian Honey-eater.
Gould, Handbk. Birds Aust., Vol. i., sp. 300, p. 493. 2Z.- .
This bird is distributed over the whole of Tasmania and portions
of Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, and South Australia,
In Gippsland the nest of this species is a round cup-shaped structure,
outwardly composed of fine strips of bark, lined inside with ‘grasses
and the downy covering of the young fronds of the Tree
Fern, Dicksonia antarctica; it is generally placed in a low tree or
thick bush not far from the ground. Eggs three in number for a
sitting, of a light saturnine buff becoming darker towards the larger
end, where they are marked with spots of a deeper tint of the same
colour and chestnut-brown, with a few obsolete spots of dark lilac.
In some instances the markings are indistinct, and not well
defined ; in others they form a well defined zone. Dimensions of
a set taken at South Gippsland, October 1879. Length (A) 0-76
x 0°58 inch ; (B) 0-74 x 0°58 inch ; (C) 0°75 x 0-56 inch,
196 MELIPHAGIDE.
A set taken near Hobart, Tasmania, in October 1885, measures
as follows :—length (A) 0°75 x 0°56 inch; (B) 0°75 x 0°58 inch ;
(C) 0:74 x 0°57 inch.
The breeding season of this species commences in August,
and continues until the end of December.
Hab. Wide Bay District, Richmond and Clarence Rivers
Districts, New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia,
Tasmania. (Rumsay.)
Gexus GLYCIPHILA, Swainson.
2 GLYCIPHILA FULVIFRONS, Lewin.
Fulvous-fronted Honey-eater.
Gould, Handbk. Bds. Aust., Vol. i., sp. 301, p. 495. BZ ¢
This bird is plentiful on the sterile and low scrubby Banksia
covered tracts of land near the coast in the neighbourhood of
Sydney, particularly at Botany and La Perouse. A nest of this
species in the Australian Museum Collection, taken among others
at Heathcote on the Illawarra Line by Dr. Hurst and myself on
the 30th of October 1886, is a deep cup-shaped structure, outwardly
composed of strips of bark and dried grasses, warmly lined with
feathers, downy grass seeds, and velvety tufts from the Banksia
cones ; it measures exteriorly three inches and a-half in diameter
by three inches in depth, inside cavity two inches in diameter by
two inches in depth. It was built close to the ground, beneath
some ferns (Pteris aguilina), to which the rim of the nest was
attached. The bird as is usual with this species, allowed itself to
be nearly trodden upon before leaving the nest. Eggs two in
number for a sitting, usually elongated in form, and varying
considerably in the disposition of their markings. The eggs
taken from the above nest are pure white with a zone of reddish-
chestnut spots towards the larger end. Length (A) 0°85 x 0°59
inch ; (B) 0°84 x 0°6 inch.
Two eggs in the Australian Museum Collection are elongated
in form, white with a very few spots of chestnut-brown on the
largerend. Length (A) 0°87 x 0°6 inch ; (B) 0°85 x 0°63 inch.
GLYCIPHILA. 197
A pair in the Dobroyde Collection taken at Bondi, in September
1865, are in form rounded ovals, white with a few minute spots
of chestnut-brown scattered over the surface. Length (A) 0°79 x
0°64 inch; (B) 0°85 x 0-63 inch.
In New South Wales this species commences to breed in July
and continues the five following months.
Hab. Wide Bay District, Richmond and Clarence Rivers
Districts, New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia,
Tasmania, West and South-West Australia. (Ramsay.)
a GLYCIPHILA ALBIFRONS, Gould.
White-fronted Honey-eater.
Gould, Handbk. Bds. Aust. Vol. i., sp. 302, p. 497.
This bird is found in the Mallee country of Victoria and South
Australia, and also in the interior of New South Wales, over which
it is very sparingly distributed. A nest of this species now before
me taken by Mr. K. H. Bennett, together with the eggs, in
October 1886, at Ivanhoe, is a very flat structure, the base being
composed of very thin dried stems of a climbing plant, and grasses,
matted together with a little wool, over which is placed a
layer of wool intermingled with a few wiry blades of dried grass.
Diameter of base, four inches ; the layer of wool, two inches and
three-quarters ; and the whole structure one inch and a-half in
thickness. There is just sufficient depression in the centre of the
nest to keep the eggs in position. Eggs two in number for a
sitting, of a light saturnine red ground colour ; on the larger end
they are thickly spotted, and in a few places blotched with irregular
shaped markings of reddish-chestnut and chestnut-brown, but over
the remainder of the surface the markings are much smaller, and
very sparingly distributed ; on the larger end are obsolete spots
of purplish-grey. Length (A) 0°78 x 0°57 inch; (B) 0°82 x
0°58 inch.
Hab. New South Wales, Interior, Victoria and South Australia,
West and South-West Australia. (Ramsay.)
198 MELIPHAGIDE,
GLYCIPHILA MODESTA, Gray.
(G. subfasciata, Ramsay.)
Plain-coloured Honey-eater.
Gray, P.Z.S., 1858, p. 174. Xi 10.
“This species, although possessing nothing in its sombre plumage
to recommend it, is certainly very interesting on account of its
peculiarly shaped nest, being the only one of the Australian
Meliphagidee that I have met with which constructs a dome-shaped
nest. It is a neat structure, composed of strips of bark, spiders’
webs, and grass, and lined with fine grasses kc. The opening
at the side is rather large; but the nest itself is deep. The
eggs I did not obtain; but one taken from the oviduct of a bird
is 0°75 inch in length and 0-5 inch in breadth, pure white, with a
few dots of black sprinkled over the larger end. The nests were
invariably placed among the drooping branches of a species of
Acacia, always overhanging some creek or running water.”
(Ramsay, P.Z.S., 1868, p. 365.) *
Hab. Cape York, Rockingham Bay, South Coast New Guinea.
( Ramsay.)
Genus STIGMATOPS, Gould.
2 STIGMATOPS OCULARIS, Gould.
Brown Honey-eater.
Gould, Handbk. Bds. Aust., Vol. i, sp. 304, p. 500. BLL. Jy.
For the nest and several sets of eggs of this bird I am indebted
to Mr. George Barnard of Coomooboolaroo, Duaringa, Queensland.
The nest is a very neat cup-shaped structure, outwardly composed
of strips of bark and grasses, held together with the nests of spiders
and lined inside with finer grasses, the downy seeds of some
composite plant, and hair. The one now before me was attached
to the thin twigs of an orange tree in Mr. Barnard’s garden,
within a few feet of the ground. It measures exteriorly two inches
in diameter by one inch and a-half in depth, internal diameter one
PTILOTIS. 199
inch and a-half, depth one inch and a-quarter. Eggs two in
number for a sitting, white, minutely freckled with reddish-brown
and greyish-lilac, the latter colour appearing as if beneath the
surface of the shell ; in some instances these markings form a zone,
in others they are confined to a few nearly invisible spots on the
larger apex. An average set measures as follows :—length (A)
0°67 x 0°52 inch ; (B) 0-67 x 0:48 inch.
Hab. Port Darwin and Port Essington, Rockingham Bay,
Port Denison, Wide Bay District, Dawson River, Richmond and
Clarence Rivers Districts, New South Wales, West and South-
West Australia. (Ramsay.)
Genus PTILOTIS, Swainson.
2 PTILOTIS LEWINII, Swainson.
Lewin’s Honey-eater.
Gould, Handbk. Bds, Aust., Vol. i, sp. 306, p. 503. WH. /.
“The nest of this species is like that of P. chrysops, cup-shaped,
open at the top, and slung by the sides of the rim between the
twigs of some leafy bough or vine; it is composed of shreds of
bark and grasses, webs of spiders, &c., and lined with similar
material of a finer texture, or occasionally, when found in the
neighbourhood of dwellings, with feathers, wool, or other soft
substances. The eggs are two in number, pearly white with
deep reddish dots.” (Ramsay, P.Z.S., 1875, p. 595.)
Two eggs taken by Dr. Ramsay on the 29th of December 1871,
on the Mary River, Queensland, are nearly oval in form, white,
with circular spots and dots of reddish-black confined to the larger
end. Length (A) 1: x 0-7 inch; (B) 0:99 x 0°68 inch, In
specimens taken at Port Macquarie, the markings assume the
form of a zone.
They breed during the months of October, November, and
December.
Hab. Rockingham Bay, Port Denison, Wide Bay District,
Dawson River, Richmond and Clarence River Districts, New South
Wales, Victoria and South Australia. (Ramsay.)
300 MELIPHAGIDA.
2 -( PTILOTIS VITTATA, Cuvier.
(P. sonora, Gould.)
Sonorous Honey-eater.
Gould, Handbk. Bds. Aust., Vol. i., sp. 307, p. 504.
This bird is distributed over a wide expanse of country,
specimens having been received in nearly every collection formed
in different parts of Australia ; it is particularly plentiful on the
Lachlan and Darling Rivers, and in the interior of NewSouth Wales,
being the most common of all the species of Honey-eaters in that
locality. According to Mr. K. H. Bennett the nests of this bird
in the neighbourhood of Mossgiel are round, cup-shaped and
somewhat scanty structures of dried grasses dsc., matted and held
together with spiders’ webs, lined inside with fibrous roots, and
attached by the rim to suitable twigs in some low bush. Eggs
two, or occasionally three in number for a sitting. ss
A set in the Dobroyde Collection, taken by Mr. James Ramsay
on the Bogan River in 1880, are of a light yellowish-buff, with a
clouded band of reddish-buff towards the larger end. Length (A)
0-89 x 0-6 inch; (B) 0-92 x 0°63 inch. In some specimens the
markings are confined to a faint clouded patch on the larger end,
others closely resemble small eggs of Cuculus inornatus, Latham.
A set taken by the late Mr. W. Liscombe, on the Darling in
October 1883, are of a pale yellowish-buff, finely freckled with
minute dots of reddish-brown particularly on the larger end.
Length (A) 0°95 x 0°65 inch ; (B) 0-91 x 0°63 inch, ‘
September and the three following months comprise the breeding
season of this species.
Hab. Derby, N.W. Australia, Gulf of Carpentaria, Rockingham
Bay, Port Denison, Wide Bay District, New South Wales, Interior,
Victoria and South Australia, West and South-west Australia.
(Ramsay.)
PTILOTIS. 901
2-3 PTILOTIS FLAVICOLLIS, Vieillot.
(P. flavigula, Gould.)
Yellow-throated Honey-eater.
Gould, Handbk. Bds. Aust., Vol i. sp. 310, p. 508. XZ 73.
I have never seen the nest of this species, but extract the
following description from Mr. Gould’s Handbook, Vol. i,
p- 508 :—“The nest of this species, which is generally placed
in a low bush, differs very considerably from those of all the other
Honey-eaters, with which I am acquainted, particularly in the
character of the material forming the lining ; it is the largest and
warmest of the whole, and is usually formed of ribbons of stringy-
bark, mixed with grass and the cocoons of spiders; towards the
cavity it is more neatly built, and is lined internally with opossum
or kangaroo fur; in some instances the hair-like material at the
base of the large leaf stalks of the tree-fern is employed for the
lining, and in others there is merely a flooring of wiry grasses and
fine twigs.”
Eggs two or three in number for a sitting, of a pale fleshy-buff,
spotted and blotched on the larger end with round deep chestnut-
red markings, together with irregular-shaped spots of very faint
chestnut-brown, in other specimens the markings are of the
latter colour very minutely and evenly dispersed over the surface
of the shell, together with a few obsolete spots of dark lilac on the
larger end.
Two specimens in the Dobroyde Collection taken near Hobart,
in September, measure as follows :—length (A) 0-96 x 0-67 inch ;
(B) 0:95 x 0°67 inch.
Hab. New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, Tasmania.
(Ramsay.)
2 PTILOTIS LEUCOTIS, Latham.
White-eared Honey-eater.
Gould, Handbk. Bds. Aust., Vol. i, sp. 311, p. 510. XZ >
’ This bird is widely distributed over the eastern and southern
portions of the continent of Australia, and is likewise found in the
202 MELIPHAGID
interior and in Western Australia, but in these places it is by no
meansa common bird. I found it particularly plentiful among the
low saplings in the neighbourhood of Mount Buninyong in Victoria,
and also in the scrubby undergrowth bordering portions of the
shores of Western Port Bay.
The nest is a neat cup-shaped structure composed of bark and
grasses, and warmly lined inside with opossum fur, or cow hair ;
it is slung by the rim to the small horizontal twigs of a bush, and
placed within a few feet of the ground. Eggs two in number for
a sitting, of a uniform delicate flesh colour, with a few minute
freckles of a darker tint on the larger end, but in some instances
I have obtained specimens with small but very distinct spots ;
others are nearly devoid of markings.
A set taken by Mr. James Ramsay at Merule, measure, length
(A) 0°84. 0-62 inch; (B) 0°84 x 0°61 inch. Sets from Mr. K.
e
H. Bennett’s and my own collection, give the same average
measurements.
Two eggs taken by Dr. Hurst at Newington on the Parramatta
River, New South Wales, differ somewhat from each other ; one
specimen (A) is perfectly white, with a few minute reddish-
chestnut markings towards the larger end, the other is of a fleshy-
buff ground colour, with irregular shaped markings of reddish-
chestnut evenly dispersed all over, some of which appear as if
beneath the surface of the shell. Length (A) 0°8 x 0°63 inch ;
(B) 0-81 x 0°63 inch.
September and the four following months constitute the breeding
season of this species.
Hab. Derby, North-West Australia, Port Darwin and Port
Essington, Gulf of Carpentaria, Wide Bay District, Richmond
and Clarence Rivers Districts,. New South Wales, Interior,
Victoria and South Australia, West and South-West Australia,
(Hamsay,)
PTILOTIS. 203.
2 PTILOTIS AURICOMIS, Latham.
Yellow-tufted Honey-eater.
Gould, Handbk. Bds. Aust., Vol. i., sp. 312, p. 511, AZ. 4
“This species remains with us in the neighbourhood of Sydney,
throughout the whole year, breeding earlier than the generality
of Honey-eaters. We have eggs in our collection taken early in
June, and as late as the end of October, during which month they
sometimes have a third brood. August and September seem to
be their principal months for breeding. Upon referring to my
note book, I find that I captured two young birds, well able to
fly, on the 18th of July 1863, but during some seasons birds breed
here much earlier than in others. The nest is a neat but somewhat
bulky structure, open above, and composed of strips of the Stringy-
bark tree (Hucalyptus obliqua ). The total length of the nest is
about four inches by from two inches and a-half to three inches
wide, being two inches deep by one inch and a-half inside. The
eggs which are usually two in number, are of a pale flesh-pink,
darker at the larger end, where they are spotted and blotched with
markings of a much deeper hue, inclining to salmon-colour ; in
some the markings form a ring upon the thick end, in others, one
irregular patch with a few dots upon the rest of the surface.
When freshly taken, they have a beautiful blush of pink, which
they generally lose a few days after being blown. Their length
is from ten to eleven lines by seven to eight in breadth. Some
varieties have a few obsolete dots of faint lilac ; others are without
markings, save one patch at the top of the larger end: like most
of our Australian bird’s eggs, they vary much in shape and in tint
of colour. The site selected for the nest is usually some low bushy
shrub, among the rich clusters of Z’ecoma australis, or carefully
hidden in the thick tufts of Blechnum (B. cartilagineum), which
often covers a space of many square yards. In these clumps, where
it clings to the stems of the ferns, I have several times found
two or three pairs breeding at the same time within a few yards
of each other. The ferns and Tecome seem to be their favourite
places for breeding, although the nests may often be found placed
suspended between forks in the small bushy oaks (Casuarine ).
904 MELIPHAGID.
In the nest of this Honey-eater I have several times found the
egg of Cuculus inornatus.” (Ramsay, [bis, 1864, Vol. vi., p. 243.)
Two sets taken at Dobroyde measure as follows :—No. 1, length
(A) 0°89 x 0°65inch; (B) 0:85x 0°68 inch; (C) 0°88 x 0°65 inch.
No. 2, length (A) 0:87 x 0°67 inch; (B) 0°86 x 0°65 inch; (C)
0:89 x 0:68 inch.
In company with Dr. Hurst I obtained several nests of this
species on the 6th of August 1887 at Newington, on the Parramatta
River, each of which contained young ones.
Hab. Port Denison, Wide Bay District, Dawson River, Richmond
and Clarence River Districts, New South Wales, Interior, Victoria
and South Australia. (Ramsay.)
a-3 PTILOTIS ORNATA, Gould.
Graceful Ptilotis.
Gould, Handbk. Bds. Aust., Vol. i., sp. 314, p. 515.
This species is found rather plentifully in the Mallee Scrubs,
which skirt the edges of the Murray River in Victoria and South
Australia, As usual with the genus Péilotis, the nest is suspended
by the rim to the horizontal twigs of a tree, the Mallee gum,
(Eucalyptus oleosa) being particularly favoured in this respect.
The nest is an open cup-shaped structure, composed of dried
grasses, bark fibre &c., neatly woven together with spiders’ webs,
and lined inside with a little wool, and similar soft substances.
The eggs are two or three in number for a sitting, of a pale reddish-
buff, becoming a rich salmon colour towards the larger end, where
they are minutely freckled and spotted with irregular shaped
markings of reddish-brown, but very sparingly distributed over
the rest of the surface. There is very little material variation in
a number of sets of the eggs of this species taken during October
and November at Gunbower on the Murray River; an average
set measures as follows :—length (A) 0-75 inch x 0°54 inch; (B)
0°77 x 0°56 inch. ; (C) 0°74 x 0°54 inch.
PTILOTIS, 205
The months of September, October, November, and December
constitute the breeding season of this species.
Hab, Victoria and South Australia, West and South-West
Australia. (Ramsay.)
2 PTILOTIS PLUMULA, Gould.
Plumed Ptilotis.
Gould, Handbk. Bds. Aust., Vol. i., sp. 315, p. 516.
“The small, elegant, cup-shaped nest of this species, is suspended
from a slender horizontal branch, frequently so close to the ground
as to be reached by the hand ; it is formed of dried grasses lined
with soft cotton-like buds of flowers. The breeding season
continues from October to January; the eggs being two in number,
ten lines long by seven lines broad, of a pale salmon colour, with
a zone of deeper tint at the larger end, and the whole freckled
with minute spots of a still darker hue.” (Gould, Handbk. Bds.
Aust., Vol. i., p. 516.)
Hab. Port Darwin and Port Essington, Gulf of Carpentaria,
Interior, Victoria and South Australia, West and South-West
Australia. (Ramsay.)
_- 4-0 PTILOTIS PENICILLATA, Gould.
White-plumed Honey-eater.
Gould, Handbke. Bds, Aust., Vol. i., sp. 318, p. 519. AZ #%
This is the most common species of Honey-eater in the
neighbourhood of Melbourne, in Victoria, and Wellington and
Dubbo, in New South Wales, and is equally plentiful throughout
South Australia. The nest of this species is a neat cup-shaped
structure, outwardly composed of grasses, spiders’ nests, and the
woolly portions of the dead flowers of the “‘ Cape weed,” lined inside
with the same material and horsehair ; in some instances a few.
feathers being worked into the side; it is usually suspended by
206 MELIPHAGIDE.
the rim to the fine drooping leafy twigs of a Hucalyptus, or to the
horizontal fork of an Acacia; Ihave taken the nest of this species
within hand’s reach of the ground, and at other times at a height
of fifty or sixty feet. This Honey-eater always betrays the position
of its nest upon the approach of any intruder in its vicinity by its
loud and frequent notes of displeasure. Eggs two or three in
number for a sitting; of thirteen sets now before me the ground
colour varies from buffy-white to a light saturnine-yellow, the
majority of them being minutely freckled and spotted uniformly all
over with irregular shaped reddish-chestnut markings ; a few have
on the largerend nearly round deep reddish-purple spots, with others
of a deep lilac appearing as if beneath the surface of the shell.
A set in the Australian Museum Collection measures (A) 0-78 x
0-55 inch ; (B) 0°79 x 0:55 inch; (C) 0°76 x 0°58 inch. This set
is marked uniformly all over with reddish-chestnut markings.
A set taken in Albert Park, near Melbourne, September 14th
1878, measure as follows :—length (A) 0°83 x 0°57 inch; (B) 0:8
x 0°57 inch; (C) 0°82 x 0°54 inch.
Ihave found this species breeding in Victoria as early as the
middle of July, and as late as the end of February.
Hab. Wide Bay District, Dawson River, Richmond and
Clarence Rivers Districts, New South Wales, Interior, Victoria
and South Australia. (Ramsay.)
2 PTILOTIS FUSCA, Gould.
Fuscous Honey-eater.
Gould, Handbk. Bds, Aust., Vol. i., sp. 319, p. 520.
“The Fuscous Honey-eater breeds in September and the three
‘following months, making a neat cup-shaped nest of stringy-bark,
strengthened by the addition of a great quantity of cobweb ; it is
lined with fine shreds of bark, hair, and sometimes the silky down
from the seed-vessels of the wild cotton, (Gomphocarpus fruticosus ).
It is usually placed among the twigs at the end of some horizontal
PTILOTIS. 207
bough, or among the bushy tops of the young: Hucalypti. The
Turpentine trees (Syncarpia) also afford favourite sites for their
nests, which are two inches and a-half across by two inches deep.
The eggs are two in number, from eight and a-half to ten lines
long, by six to seven lines in breadth ; the ground colour is of a
deep yellowish-buff, with spots of a deeper and more reddish hue,
and a few of faint lilac, in some sprinkled equally over the whole
surface, in others crowded, or forming a zone at the larger end.”
(Ramsay, Proc. Phil. Soc., Sydney, 1865, p. 321, pl. i. fig. 4.)
Two sets taken at Dobroyde measure as follows:—No. 1, length
(A) 0-76 x 0°54 inch ; (B) 0°76 x 0-55 inch ; No. 2, (C) 0:8 x 0°6 _
inch ; (D) 0°78 x 0°58 inch.
Hab. Rockingham Bay, Port Denison, Wide Bay District,
Dawson River, Richmond and Clarence Rivers Districts, New
South Wales, Interior, Victoria and South Australia. (Ramsay.)
ae PTILOTIS CHRYSOPS, Latham.
Yellow-faced Honey-eater.
Gould, Handbk. Bds. Aust., Vol. i., sp. 320, p. 521. a Ph.
This Honey-eater is distributed over the whole of the southern
portion of the Australian continent ; I found it breeding in great
numbers on the shores of Western Port Bay in Victoria, and in the
neighbourhood of Sydney it is one of the most common species of the
genus Ptilotis, inhabiting also all the parks and gardens in the
City. A nest of this species in the Australian Museum Collection
taken by Dr. Ramsay at Dobroyde, in September 1865, is a round
cup-shaped structure, outwardly composed of fine strips of stringy-
bark and moss, lined inside with grasses, and thin wiry bark fibre.
Exterior measurements two inches and a-half in diameter, by one
inch and three-quarters in depth ; internal diameter two inches, by
one inch and.a-half in depth. The rim of the nest is worked over
a thin forked horizontal branch of a Eucalyptus. The nests of this
species I found in the Gippsland Ranges were very beautiful
structures, being built of fibrous bark, and the whole exterior
208 MELIPHAGID2.
thickly covered with a very fine bright-green moss, and neatly
lined inside with the soft downy covering of the young
fronds of the Tree Fern (Dicksonia antarctica), The nests of this
bird are placed in a variety of situations, sometimes being built
at the top of atree, but more often within about six feet of the
ground, any suitable tree being selected for the purpose according
to the locality in which it is found. At Western Port I frequently
found that the nests of this species were placed in prickly Acacia
hedges around gardens.
The eggs of this species, are subject to much diversity in their
tints of colour, and in the disposition of their markings. Var. A.
two eggs in the Australian Museum Collection, taken at Dobroyde
in October 1868, are of a fleshy-buff ground colour, with round,
deep, reddish-black markings confined to the larger end of the egg.
length (A) 0:77 x 0°55 inch ; (B) 0°8 x 0°58 inch.
Var. B. Another set taken in the same locality on July 5th
1860, are of a light saturnine-yellow, heavily blotched with
markings of a deeper tint, intermingled with others of a purplish-
grey. Length (A) 0°8 x 0°57 inch; (B) 0°82 x 0-58 inch; (C)
0-81 x 0-56 inch.
Var. C. A set taken at Hastings, Western Port, on the 30th
October 1883, are of a reddish-white ground colour, minutely but
thickly freckled all over with chestnut-brown and purplish-grey,
particularly towards the larger end where the markings become
confluent, and form a well defined zone. Length (A) 0°82 x 06
inch ; (B) 0°8 x 0°57 inch ; (C) 0°8 x 0:58 inch.
The two last are the most usual varieties found. A reddish or
chestnut-brown tint seems more or less to pervade through most
of the eggs of this species, but Dr. Ramsay informs me that he has
occasionally taken a set with an almost white ground sprinkled
with darkish red dots. The breeding season commences in July
and continues during the four following months.
Hab. Rockingham Bay; Port Denison, Wide Bay District,
Richmond and Clarence Rivers Districts, New South Wales,
Victoria and South Australia. (Ramsay.) »
PLEOTORHYNCHA. 209
PTILOTIS NOTATA, Gould.
Yellow-spotted Honey-eater.
Gould, Suppl. Bds.. Aust., Pl. 41. a, #.
“The eggs of this species are very similar to those of the other
members of the genus, being of a pinkish-white ground colour,
with rich dark spots on the thicker end, some confluent, forming
blotches larger than usual. They come nearest to those of Ptilotis
awricomis, and measure (A) 0:9 x 0°65 inch ; (B) 0-91 x 0°64 inch.
Taken by Mr. Boyer-Bower near Cairns, Northern Queensland.
(Ramsay, P.L.S., N.S.W., 2nd Series, Vol. i, p. 1150.)
Hab. From Port Denison northward to New Guinea. (Ramsay.)
Genus PLECTORHYNCHA, Gould.
3-4 PLECTORHYNCHA LANCEOLATA, Gould.
Lianceolate Honey-eater.
Gould, Handbk. Bds. Aust , Vol. i., sp. 323, p. 525. WZ. 2
This bird is widely distributed throughout the interior of New
South Wales, and is also found on the borders of the Mallee
country of Victoria and South Australia. A beautiful nest of
this species, taken in the Wimmera District, Victoria, by Mr.
James Hill, together with the eggs in September 1881, is a deep
cup-shaped structure, being nearly as wide at the bottom as
at the top; it is composed of fibrous roots and grasses, which are
completely hidden with an almost snow-white covering of sheep's
wool; the bottom of the nest inside being neatly lined with
very fine grasses and a small quantity of horsehair. It measures
internally three inches in diameter, by four inehes in depth, and
was attached by the rim to the thin pendant branches of a
Casuarina, hanging within a few feet of the ground. Mr. K.
H. Bennett also found this bird breeding plentifully in the
neighbourhood of Ivanhoe and Mossgiel, in the interior of New
South Wales. Eggs three or four in number for a sitting, usually
three, elongated in form,
N
210 MELIPHAGIDE.
Two eggs of this species in the Australian Museum Collection,
are fleshy-white, minutely but thickly and uniformly freckled all
over with reddish-brown markings, intermingled with others of a |
pale lilac. Length (A) 0-95 x 0-65 inch ; (B) 0-95 x 0°65 inch ;
(C) 0:96 x 0°65 inch.
- ‘There is usually very little variation in the form or distribution
of the markings on the eggs of this species, but in one exception
a set taken by Mr. K. H. Bennett at Mossgiel in November, is
much more rounded in form, and has large bran-like markings
of faint chestnut and -yellowish-brown intermingled with freckles
and spots of pale lilac, the markings being mostly confined to the
larger end. Length (A) 0:85 x 0-65 inch; (B) 0°86 x 0°67 inch ;
(C) 0-82 x 0°67 inch.
The months of September, October, and November constitute
the breeding season of this species.
Hab. Rockingham Bay, Wide Bay District, Dawson River,
New South Wales, Interior, Victoria and South Australia.
(Ramsay.)
Genus MELIPHAGA, Lewin.
a-3 MELIPHAGA PHRYGIA, Latham.
Warty-faced Honey-eater.
Gould, Handbk. Bds. Aust., Vol. i., sp. 324, p.527. XZ 8.
“ The nest of this species is a neat cup-shaped structure composed
of stringy-bark, and lined with finer shreds of the same material.
It is two inches and a-half across inside, by one inch and a-half
deep, and placed between the upright forks of some tall sapling,
or upon a horizontal bough. They breed from October to
December, or perhaps earlier in some localities, and lay two or
three eggs, ten to eleven lines and a-half long, by eight lines and
a-half to nine lines in breadth. These, when freshly taken, are
certainly among the most beautiful I have ever met with; but
N-2
CERTHIONYX. 211
unfortunately, as in most bird’s eggs, the bloom goes off, and the
bright tint soon fades. From my note book, I find that when
first taken from the nest they are of a deep saturnine buff, spotted
with irregular markings of a deeper hue in some, evenly distributed
over their surface, in others, or crowded at the larger end;
there are also a few indistinct dots of greyish lilac dispersed over
the surface ; but these lilac dots aré not visible in all specimens,
I have one however, in which greyish-lilac spots predominate.
This species of Honey-eater was one of the first known, and was
described under various names, and placed in several genera by as
many different authors; but as its habits and economy became
more perfectly understood, and ornithologists began to classify
their birds more from their habits, &c., this species was finally
placed among the Honey-eaters, and a new genus formed for its
reception.” (Ramsay, Proc. Phil. Soc., Sydney, 1865, p. 319
pl. i., fig. 3.)
A set taken at Dobroyde on the Ist of October 1865, measures
as follows :—length (A) 0°95 x 0°72 inch ; (B) 0:97 x 0°71 inch.
This is a very common species in the neighbourhood of
Wellington, New South Wales.
Hab. Rockingham Bay, Wide Bay District, Richmond and
Clarence Rivers Districts, New South Wales, Interior, Victoria
and South Australia. (Ramsay.)
Genus CERTHIONYX, Lesson.
2 CERTHIONYX LEUCOMELAS, Cuvier.
(Melicophila picata, Gould.)
Pied Honey-eater.
Gould, Handbk. Bds. Aust., Vol. i., sp. 325, p. 529.
“Mr. K. H. Bennett informs me that this species constructs a
nest very similar to that of Meliphaga phrygia, but of much finer
materials, and resembles that of a Rhipidura,; it is placed ona
horizontal’ branch, and is cup-shaped, composed of strips of fine
212 MELIPHAGIDE:
bark and lined with fur and hair, it is about 1:5 inches high and
three inches in diameter. The eggs taken in the Lachlan district
were two in number, of a beautiful pale greenish-blue, with rich
reddish dots, which cluster and form irregular patches towards the
thicker end, but do not form a zone. Another specimen (2) has
only a few faint reddish spots and a black dot here and there,
very sparingly sprinkled over the surface, length (1) 0°82 x 0°6
inch ; (2) 0°82 x 0°62 inch. From Mr. K. H. Bennett's Coll.”
(Ramsay, P.L.S., N.S.W., Vol. vii., p. 414.)
Hab. New South Wales, Interior, Victoria and South
Australia, West and South-west Australia. (Hamsay.)
Genus ENTOMOPHILA, Gould.
_ ENTOMOPHILA ALBIGULARIS, Gould. ~
White-throated Honey-eater.
Gould, Handbk. Bds. Aust., Vol. i., sp. 327, p. 532.
Gilbert remarks on the nidification of this species as follows :—
“Its small pensile nest is suspended from the extremity of a weak
projecting branch in such a manner that it hangs over the water,
the bird always selecting a branch bearing a sufficient number of
leaves to protect the entrance from the rays of the sun ; in form
the nest is deep and cup-like, and is composed of narrow strips of
the soft paper-like bark of the Melaleuca, matted together with
small vegetable fibres, and slightly lined with soft grass. I found
a nest in the latter part of November, and another in the early
part of December which contained three eggs in each, while a third
procured towards the end of January had only two; the eggs are
rather lengthened in form and not very unlike those of Malurus
cyaneus in the colour and disposition of their markings; their
ground colour being white, thinly freckled all over with bright
chestnut-red particularly at the larger end; they are nine lines
long and six broad.” (Gould, Handbk, Bds. Aust., Vol. i., p. 532.)
ACANTHOGENYS, 913
Hab, Derby, N.W. Australia, Port Darwin and Port Essington,
Gulf of Carpentaria, Cape York, South Coast New Guinea.
(Bamsay.)
g-(%) ENTOMOPHILA RUFIGULARIS, Gould.
Red-throated Honey-eater.
Gould, Handbk. Bds. Aust., Vol. i., sp. 328, p. 533.
“This species is found commonly dispersed all over the Gulf of
Carpentaria country. It has been found breeding in the
neighbourhood of Normanton and Georgetown, during the months
from September to March. The nest is a round, open, and neat
cup-shaped structure, usually slung by the rim between forked
twigs. The one before me, sent by Mr. Armit, was taken from a
branch of an Erythrina. It is composed of fine grasses, matted
outside with white ‘cobwebs,’ and lined with fine grasses alone.
It is rather a deep nest, being three inches and a-half long by two
inches in diameter. The eggs are usually two, but sometimes three
in number, of a pearly-white, rather thickly spotted with bright
reddish-brown. Length 0-64 x 0°49 inch in diameter at the thicker
end. The young on leaving the nest have all the upper surface
brown, and all the under surface white ; the outer webs of the
wing quills margined with olive-yellow.” (Ramsay, P.L.S., N.S.
W., Vol. ii., p. 111.)
Hab. Derby, N.W. Australia, Port Darwin and Port Essington,
Gulf of Carpentaria, Cape York. (Ramsay.)
Genus ACANTHOGENYS, Gould.
2 ACANTHOGENYS RUFIGULARIS, Gould.
Spiny-cheeked Honey-eater.
Gould, Handbk. Bds. Aust., Vol. i., sp. 329, p. 534. ML 70.
This bird is a lover of the scrubby portions of the interior of
Australia, and the Mallee country of Victoria and South Australia,
214 MELIPHAGIDZ.
A nest of this species in the Australian Museum Collection
presented by Mr. K. H. Bennett of Mossgiel, is a round, cup-
shaped, and somewhat scanty structure, composed of long dried
grasses, and stalks of plants, the latter bent into position when
green, and held together with spiders’ webs ; a peculiarity in this
and in all the nests that Ihave seen of this species, being that
many of the grasses and stalks are not worked in horizontally
around the structure, but perpendicularly, though not necessarily
straight, from the rim to the bottom of the nest where they cross
and recross each other. Exterior diameter, three and three-
quarters of an inch, by two inches and a-half in depth ; internal
diameter three inches by two inches in depth. The nest is
attached by the rim to the thin branch of a tree, usually at no
great height from the ground. Eggs two in number for a sitting.
Two eggs taken by Mr. K. H. Bennett, at Mossgiel, in the month
of October, are of a very pale yellowish-brown ground colour
becoming darker towards the larger end, where they are deeply
marked with dark umber-brown and slaty-brown spots, intefmingled
with others of a wood-brown and dark lilac tint, appearing as if
beneath the surface of the shell. Length (A) 1:02 x 0-75 inch ;
(B) 1:01 x 0°71.
Specimens taken in the Wimmera District, Victoria, and on the
Lachlan River, New South Wales, are all alike in colour and in
the disposition of their markings. The breeding season commences
in September and continues during the two following months.
Hab. Dawson River, New South Wales, Interior, Victoria and
South Australia, West and South-west Australia. (Ramsay.)
Genus ACANTHOCHAERA, Vigors and Horsfield.
4-3 ACANTHOCH AERA INAURIS, Gould.
Tasmanian Wattled Honey-eater.
Gould, Handbk. Bds. Aust., Vol. i., sp. 330, p. 536.
This bird is generally dispersed over the whole of Tasmania,
and is found breeding in the vicinity of Hobart. The nest
ACANTHOCHZERA. 215
is slightly larger, but in other respects similar to that of the
Australian species, A. carunculata, Latham. Eggs two or three
in number for a sitting. A set taken near Hobart in September
1885, are of a very pale salmon, or reddish-buff ground colour,
one specimen (A) being spotted all over with rich reddish-brown
markings, while appearing as if beneath the surface of the shell
are others of a deep bluish-grey, particularly towards the larger
end ; specimen B, has a fewirregularly shaped markings of yellowish-
red and light chestnut-brown, sparingly distributed over the
surface of the shell, together with numerous sub-surface spots and
blotches of deep bluish-grey. Length (A) 1:37 x 0:94 inch ; (B)
1:35 x 0-93 inch.
Hab. Tasmania.
% ACANTHOCHARA CARUNCULATA, Latham.
Wattled Honey-eater.
Gould, Handbk. Bds. Aust., Vol. i., sp. 331, p.538. XZ £
The Wattled Honey-eater is widely dispersed over all the
eastern and southern portions of the continent of Australia. The
nest is an open one, rather roughly but compactly formed
outwardly of twigs, and lined inside with dried grasses; it is
placed on the horizontal branch of a tree, often in a low gum
sapling, but not unfrequently in a Eucalyptus thirty or forty feet
from the ground. The eggs are usually three in number for a
sitting. A setin the Australian Museum Collection, are elongated
in form, of a light saturnine-red, becoming slightly darker in tint
towards the larger end, where they are spotted and blotched with
irregular shaped markings of chestnut and yellowish-brown,
intermingled with sub-surface spots of deep bluish-grey. Length
(A) 1:27 x 0°84 inch ; (B) 1:3 x 0°83 inch.
A set taken in the Albert Park, near Melbourne, in October 1878,
are of a rich flesh colour, thickly spotted all over with roundish
markings of dark chestnut-brown, a few spots of deep violet
216 ‘MELIPRAGIDEE.
appearing as if beneath the surface of the shell. Length (A) 1:25
x 0°88 inch ; (B) 1:3 x 0°86 inch.
This species commences to breed in August and continues
during the three following months.
Hab. Wide Bay District, Richmond and Clarence Rivers
Districts, New South Wales, Interior, Victoria and South Australia,
West and South-West Australia. (Ramsay.)
Genus ANELLOBIA, Cabanis.
a3 ANELLOBIA MELLIVORA, Latham.
Brush Wattle-bird.
Gould, Handbk. Bds. Aust., Vol. i., sp. 332, p. 541. BRE. C.
The Brush Wattle-bird is found throughout the eastern and
southern portions of Australia, and the whole of Tasmania. I
found this species breeding in great numbers during October 1882
near-Hastings, at Western Port. The nest is an open one, outwardly
composed of fine twigs, lined inside with roots, and placed in the
fork of a tree, not far fromthe ground, low Eucalyptus saplings,
being especially favoured in this respect. The eggs are two or
three in number for a sitting.
A set in the Australian Museum Collection are of a rich salmon
colour, spotted and blotched with irregularly shaped clouded
markings of dark chestnut-brown, and a few of reddish-brown,
together with sub-surface markings of deep bluish-grey, particularly
towards the larger end, where they assume the form of a zone.
Length, (A) 1°04 x 0°75-inch ; (B) 1-02 x 0-76 inch.
There is very little variation shown in a number of sets taken at
Dobroyde by Dr. Ramsay during. 1858-60, and those-procured by
myself at Hastings in 1882.
The bréeding season of this speeies extends during the months
‘of September, October, November, and December.
TROPIDORAYNCHUS. 217
Hab. Wide Bay District, Richmond and Clarence Rivers
Districts, New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia,
Tasmania. ( Ramsay.)
/ ANELLOBIA LUNULATA, Gould.
Lunulated Wattle-bird.
Gould, Handbk. Bds. Aust., Vol. i., sp. 333, p. 543.
“A remarkable circumstance, says Gilbert, connected with the
incubation of this bird is that it appears to lay but a single egg
and to have no regular time of breeding, its nest being found in
abundance from August to November. It is rather small in size,
and is deposited in the fork of a perpendicular growing branch:
the tree most generally chosen is that called by the colonists of
Swan River the.stink-wood, .but it has been found in the parasitic
clump of a Banksia, and also in a small scrubby bush two or three
feet from the ground ; but it is more frequently constructed at a
height of at least eight or twelve. It is formed of dried sticks,
and lined with Zamia wool, soft grasses or flowers, and sometimes
with sheep’s wool. The egg is rather lengthened in form, being
one inch and two lines long by nine and a-half lines broad ; its
ground colour is a full reddish-buff thinly spotted and marked
with deep chestnut-brown and chestnut-red, some of the spots and
markings appearing as if beneath the surface of the shell, and
being most thickly disposed near the larger end.” (Gould,
Handbk. Bds. Aust., Vol. i., p. 543.)
Hab. West Australia.
Genus TROPIDORHYNCHUS, Vigors and Horsfield.
TROPIDORHYNCHUS CORNICULATUS, Latham.
Friar Bird.
Gould, Handbk. Bds,. Aust., Vol. i., sp. 334, p. 545.
This bird is plentifully dispersed over the eastern and south-
eastern portions of the continent of Australia. A nest of this
species in the Australian Museum Collection, is an open cup-
218 MELIPHAGIDE.
shaped structure outwardly composed of long, narrow, strips of
stringy-bark, wool, and grass, firmly matted together, and lined
inside with fine dried grasses, it is attached by the rim to a thin
forked branch of a Eucalyptus, which is entirely hidden by the
materials of which the nest is composed being worked over it ; it
measures exteriorly six inches and three-quarters in diameter, by
four inches in depth ; internal diameter three inches and a-half,
depth two inches and a-quarter. Another nest in the same
collection, measures one inch deeper, externally and internally.
The nest is always built at the extremity of a thin branch, some-
times within a few feet of the ground, but not unfrequently at an
altitude of forty or fifty feet.
Eggs three in number for a sitting, usually elongated in form ;
among a number of sets now before me, no two have exactly the
same tints of ground colour or markings; and fade, very much
after being exposed to the light for any length of time. Two
eggs in the Australian Museum Collection, are of a rich salmon
colour, heavily blotched with chestnut-red and deep bluish-grey ;
the latter colour appearing as if beneath the surface of the shell.
Length (A) 1:26 x 0:9 inch ; (B) 1:22 x 0-9 inch.
A set in the Dobroyde Collection taken by Mr. James Ramsay at
Cardington, in December 1867, are elongated in form, of a dull,
light pinkish-salmon colour, spotted and blotched with faint
chestnut, and intermingled with obsolete markings of slaty-lilac,
particularly towards the larger end. Length (A) 1-37 x 0:9 inch;
(B) 1:44 x 0°92 inch ; (C) 1:38 x 0°92 inch.
The breeding season commences in October and extends over
the months of November and December.
Hab. Rockingham Bay, Port Denison, Wide Bay District,
Dawson River, Richmond and Clarence Rivers Districts, New
South Wales, Interior, Victoria and South Australia. (Ramsay.)
PHILEMON. 219
Genus PHILEMON, Vieillot.
3 PHILEMON CITREOGULARIS, Gouwld..
Yellow-throated Friar Bir.d
Gould, Handbk. Bds. Aust., Vol. i., sp. 337, p. 549.
This bird is universally dispersed throughout the whole interior
of Australia, along the banks of rivers and water courses, from
which it is seldom found far away. The nest is a cup-shaped
structure, outwardly composed of dried grasses, lined inside with
wool or fur, and placed at the extremity of a drooping branch,
near or overhanging water. The eggs are three in number for a
sitting. A set taken by Mr. K. H. Bennett, on the Lachlan
River, in October 1882, are of a reddish-salmon ground colour,
which is nearly obscured by very faint, clouded and streaky
markings of reddish-purple, and purplish-grey, the latter colour
appearing as if beneath the surface of the shell, the markings
becoming darker towards the larger end. Length (A) 1:15 x 0°8
inch ; (B) 1-12 x 0°8 inch ; (C) 1:03 x 0°75 inch.
This species breeds during the months of September, October,
and November.
Hab. Cape York, Rockingham Bay, Port Denison, Wide Bay
District, Richmond and Clarence Rivers Districts, New South
Wales, Interior, Victoria and South Australia. (Ramsay.)
2-3 PHILEMON SORDIDUS, Gould.
Sordid Friar Bird.
Gould, Handbk. Bds. Aust., Vol. i., sp. 338, p. 550. XT 3.
“The nest of this species is very similar to that of the members
of the genus Z'ropidorhynchus, being a cup-shaped structure of
bark and grass, slung by the rim to the forks of twigs at the
end of some horizontal or drooping branch. It is about half the
size of that of Tropidorhynchus corniculatus, and equal to that of
Philemon citreogularis, of which this species is but a northern
220 MELIPHAGIDE,
form. The eggs are two or three in number, of a rich salmon-
red, spotted with a darker tint, some of the spots fleecy, confluent,
and distributed alike all over the surface of the shell, rather closer
near the thicker end, but not forming a zone there; in A., a few
are confluent on the thick end forming a blotch on the top of the
egg. In B. the spots are more scattered and obsolete markings
of pale lilac are dispersed here and there over the surface. Length
(A) 1:04 x 0-7 inch ; (B) 1:05 0°75 inch. From Mr. Barnard’s
Collection. (Ramsay, P.LS., N.S.W., Vol. vii, p. 52.)
Hab. Derby, N.W. Australia, Port Darwin and Port Essington,
Gulf of Carpentaria, Dawson River. ( Ramsay.)
Genus ACANTHORHYNCHUS, Gould.
2 ACANTHORHYNCHUS TENUIROSTRIS,’ Latham.
Spine-bill.
Gould, Handbk. Bds. Aust., Vol. i., sp. 339, p. 551. XT. 22.
This pretty bird is widely distributed over the eastern and
southern portions of the continent of Australia, it is a tame and
familiar species being found alike in our public and private gardens
where it may be seen extracting its food from the various flowers
with its long slender spine-like bill. The nest of this species is
placed in a low tree, or thick bush; one found at Heathcote on
the Jllawarra Line, on the 30th of October 1886, was built in the
dead leafy twigs of a gum sapling ; it was cup-shaped, and rather
roughly formed on the exterior with fine twigs and grasses, and
lined inside with feathers, it contained two eggs in an advanced
state of incubation. Eggs two in number for a sitting, somewhat
-pyriform, of a pale ‘buff, becoming deeper in tint and
approaching-a light: saturnine-red at the larger end, where they
are marked with dark reddish-brown spots, intermingled with
others of a deep bluish-grey, in some instances forming a zone, in
others: scattered over the surface of the shell, but-always becoming
ACANTHORHYNCHUS. 231
more numerous on the larger end. Two eggs in the Australian
Museum Collection measure as follows :—length (A) 0-77 x 0°57
ineh ; (B) 0-76 x 0:54 inch.
A set taken at Dobroyde in September 1860, give the
following measurements :—length (A) 0°73 x 0-54 inch; (B)
0°75 x 0°55 inch.
In New South Wales this species commences to breed in August
and continues during the four following months.
Hab. Wide Bay District, Richmond and Clarence Rivers
New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia. (Ramsay.)
2 ACANTHORHYNCHUS DUBIUS, Gould.
Gould, P.Z.S., part v., p. 25.
“Some ornithologists do not consider this a good species, Mr.
Gould himself, who first pointed out its difference from the
northern and eastern Australian continental forms, inclining to
believe them identical; but as the Tasmanian bird is smaller in
all its admeasurements, and much richer and deeper in the tints
of the under surface, I give the deseription of a set of eggs taken
near Hobart in October 1885. Eggs two in number for a sitting
of a pale buff, approaching a light saturnine-yellow on the larger
end, where they are minutely spotted with irregularly shaped
matkings of deep chestnut-brown, and a few nearly obsolete
spots of bluish-grey. Length (A) 0-73 x 0°53 inch ; (B) 0°75 x 0-54 ©
inch.” (North, P.L.8.,-N.S.W., Ind Series, Vol. ii, p. 408.)
Hab. Tasmania, (Gould. )
2 ACANTHORHYNCHUS SUPERCILIOSUS, Gould.
White-eyebrowed Spine-bill.
Gould, Handbk. Bds, Aust., Vol. i., sp. 340, p. 553.
“The nest, which is constructed among the large-leaved Banksias,
is of a round conipact-form, and: is composed of dried fine grasses,
222 MELIPHAGIDA.
tendrils of flowers, narrow threads of bark, and fine wiry fibrous
roots matted together with Zamia wool, forming a thick body,
which is warmly lined with feathers and Zamia wool mingled
together ; the external diameter of the nest is three inches, and
that of the cavity about one inch and a-quarter. The eggs are
two in number, nine lines long by six and a-half broad ; their
ground colour in some instances is a delicate buff, in others a very
delicate bluish-white, with afew specks of reddish-brown distributed
over the surface, these specks being most numerous at the larger
end, where they frequently assume the form of a zone. The
breeding season isin October.” (Gould, Handbk. Bds. Aust., Vol.
i, p. 553.)
Hab. West and South-West Australia. (Ramsay )
Genus MYZOMELA, Vigors and Horsfield.
2~(3) MYZOMELA SANGUINOLENTA, Latham.
Sanguineous Honey-eater.
Gould, Handbk. Bds. Aust., Vol. i., sp. 341, p. 555. XZ. 22.
“The Sanguineous Honey-eater breeds during the months of
October, November, and December, making a neat but somewhat
scanty nest of stringy-bark, seldom with any other lining. It is
suspended between a fork or twigs at the end of some bough in
a bush, or among the upright and topmost branches of the
Melaleuca, The nest is perhaps smaller than that of any other
Australian bird, being in some instances scarcely one inch and a-
half in diameter by one inch in depth. The eggs are two, seldom
three, in number, of a delicate white strongly marked with reddish-
and yellowish-brown spots, more numerous at the larger end.
They are from six to seven lines in length, and from five to six
lines in breadth.” (Ramsay, Ibis, 1865, p. 304.)
The markings on these eggs frequently become confluent on the
larger end, and assume the form of a zone. Two sets taken at
ENTOMYZA. 223
Dobroyde in Séptember 1861, measure as follows :—No. 1, length
(A) 0°58 x 0:46 inch; (B) 0°61 x 0-47 inch. No. 2, length (A) -
0°59 x 0-47 inch ; (B) 0-58 x 0-46 inch.
Hab, Rockingham Bay, Port Denison, Wide Bay District,
Dawson River, Richmond and Clarence Rivers ‘Districts, New
South Wales, Victoria and South Australia. (Ramsay )
2 MYZOMELA NIGRA, Gould.
Black Honey-eater.
Gould, Handbk. Bds, Aust , Vol.i., sp. 344, p. 558.
“The nest is a shallow cup-shaped structure of fine shreds of
bark or similar material, usually placed between the horizontal fork
of a branch. Mr. K. H. Bennett informs me that some years ago
this species was found to be plentiful near Mossgiel, feeding in the
Sandalwood trees (Myoporum platycarpum). Eggs two for a
sitting, they are of a dull white or cream-white with an indistinct
zone, which in some consists of distinct dots of dull brown near
the thicker end, in others clouded markings of light brown.
Length (A) 0°6x 0°47 inch; (B) 0°63 x 0:48 inch.” (Ramsay,
P.LS., N.S.W., 2nd Series, Vol. i., p. 1151.)
Hab. Port Darwin and Port Essington, New South Wales,
Interior, Victoria and South Australia, West and South-West
Australia. (Ramsay.)
Genus ENTOMYZA, Swainson.
2 2-0) ENTOMYZA CYANOTIS, Swainson.
Blue-faced Honey-eater.
Gould, Handbk. Bds. Aust., Vol. i., sp. 346, p. 560. XZ. /.
This bird has an extensive range over the eastern portions of
Australia from Rockingham Bay in the north to the vicinity of
224 MELIPHAGIDA.
the Murray River in Victoria and South Australia in the south.
I have never heard of this bird constructing a nest for itself, but it
re-lines the deserted tenements of Myzantha garrula, Acanthochera,
carunculata, or a depression in the top of the dome-shaped nest of
Pomatostomus temporalis. The eggs are two in number fora
sitting, but sometimes a third is added. Among a number of sets
of the eggs of this species now before me, taken in Queensland,
New South Wales, and Victoria, there is some variation in the tints
and disposition of their markings, even when from the same
locality, although they are nearly uniform in their measurements.
A pair in the Australian Museum Collection are of a rich salmon
colour boldly blotched, but particularly towards the larger end,
with deep reddish markings, where a few obsolete spots of bluish-
grey appear as if beneath the surface of the shell. Length (A)
1:24 x 0-87 inch ; (B) 1:24 x 0°86 inch,
A set in the Dobroyde Collection, taken by Mr. J ohn Ramsay
at Cardington on the Bell River, on the 2nd of December 1867,
are of a deep salmon colour, with a zone of small irregular shaped
markings of reddish-brown, intermingled with others of bluish-grey
appearing as if beneath the shell ; the remainder of the surface
being but sparingly marked. Length (A) 1:25 x 0°85 inch ; (B)
1:3 x 0°86 inch.
A set taken at Gunbower on the Murray River, in September
1883, are of a rich flesh colour, with a zone of roundish clouded
spots of dark reddish-brown, together with subsurface markings
of different shades of lilac and bluish-grey. Length (A) 1:23 x
0-87 inch ; (B) 1:18 x 0°86 inch.
The breeding season of this species commences in September
and lasts until the end of February.
Hab. Rockingham Bay, Port Denison, Wide Bay District,
Dawson River, Richmond and Clarence Rivers Districts,
New South Wales, Interior, Victoria and South Australia,
(Ramsay. )
MELITHREPTUS. 225
Genus MELITHREPTUS, Vieillot.
3 MELITHREPTUS VALIDIROSTRIS, Gould.
Strong-billed Honey-eater.
Gould, Handbk., Bas. Aust., Vol. i., sp. 347, p. 565.
The nest of this species is an open cup-shaped structure composed
of dried grasses and the flowering portions of. plants, matted
together and slung by the rim usually to the fine twigs of a
Eucalyptus. Eggs three in. number for a sitting, of a fleshy-buff
ground colour, becoming darker towards the larger end, where they
are thickly spotted with purplish-brown and superimposed markings
of deep greyish-lilac. Length (A) 0-89 x 0°64 inch ; (B) 0°87 x 0°65
inch ; (C) 0-87 x 0°66 inch.
A set in the Collection of Dr. James C. Cox measure as follows :—
length (A) 0°84 x 0°62 inch; (B) 0°83 x 0°61 inch; .(C) 0°81x
0°63 inch.
Hab. Tasmania.
3 MELITHREPTUS BREVIROSTRIS, Vigors and Horsfield.
Short-billed Honey-eater.
Vig. and Horsf., Trans. Linn. Soc., Vol. xv., p. 315.
This bird ranges over the eastern, south-eastern, and interior
portions of the continent of Australia. Inthe Dobroyde Collection
are the nest and eggs of this species, together with the birds shot
therefrom, they were obtained by Mr. J. Ramsay at Cardington,
on the Bell River, in November 1867. Like those of the other
members of the genus, the nest was suspended by the rim to the
thin twigs, at the extremity of a branch of a Eucalyptus ; it is
outwardly composed of grasses matted together with a little wool,
and lined inside with opossum fur. Eggs three in number for a
sitting, of a pale salmon ground colour, rather indistinctly marked
with short wavy lines and spots of reddish-chestnut, but particularly
towards the larger end, where together with subsurface markings
9
226 MELIPHAGIDA.
of a deeper tint, they form an ill-defined zone. ‘Length (A) 0°78
x 0:57 inch ; (B) 0°76 x 0-54 inch ; (C) 0°75 x 0°54 inch.
Hab. Rockingham Bay, Port Denison, Wide Bay District,
Richmond and Clarence Rivers Districts, New South Wales,
Interior, Victoria and South Australia. (Ramsay.)
2 MELITHREPTUS GULARIS, Gould. °
Black-throated Honey-eater.
Gould, Handbk. Bds. Aust , Vol. i., sp. 348, p. 566.
In a list of birds met with in Worth-eastern Queensland,
published in the Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London,
Dr. Ramsay writes as follows regarding this bird :—
“ This species appears to be plentiful, but not in the ifnmediate
vicinity of the coast. It is not rare about Maryborough,
and is also found on the Upper Herbert. It has considerable
powers of song, which may be heard often at daylight in the
morning. While camped on the banks of the Gregory, a pair of
these birds frequented a Wattle-tree (Acacia) near to our ‘tent’
(a sheet of bark /), and delighted us every morning for many days
by pouring out their varied and pleasing song, which often lasted
for ten or fifteen minutes without ceasing. J have since heard
their song under more comfortable circumstances ; and my brother
and I at once recognized our old friends. The nest and eggs are
similar, but slightly larger than those of MZ. lunulatus,; eggs two
in number, pale salmon-pink with deep reddish-salmon dots on the
larger end; length 0°73 x 0:55 inch. The nest is cup-shaped,
slung by the rim between twigs at the end of a leafy bough, and
composed of fine grasses and strips of bark webbed together with
spiders’ nests.” (Ramsay, P.Z.S., 1876, p. 118.)
Hab. Rockingham Bay, Port Denison, Wide Bay District,
New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia. (Ramsay.)
O-2
MELITHREPTUS. 227
Q-3 MELITHREPTUS LUNULATUS, Shaw.
Lunulated Honey-eater.
Gould, Handbk. Bds. Aust., Vol. i., sp. 349, p. 568.
This bird is found breeding plentifully in New South Wales,
Victoria, and South Australia. Amongst a number of nests
presented by Dr. Ramsay to the Trustees of the Australian
Museum, is one of this species, taken in October 1864; itis a
deep cup-shaped structure outwardly composed of shreds of stringy-
bark (Eucalyptus obliqua), closely matted and held together
with cobweb, wool, &c., and lined inside with hair ; it is slung by
the rim to the leafy twigs of a Eucalyptus, exterior measurements
two inches and a-quarter in diameter, by two inches and a-half in
depth ; internal diameter one inch and a-half across by one inch
and a-half in depth. Eggs two or three in number for a sitting,
of a yellowish-buff ground colour, with spots of a deeper and more
reddish hue; some specimens being uniformly spotted all over,
but more often assuming the form of a zone.
A set taken at Dobroyde in July 1861, measure as follows :—
length (A) 073 x 0-54 inch; (B) 0-7 x 0:55 inch; (C) 0-75 x
0-52 inch.
Two eggs of this species in my collection, taken at Hastings
in October 1883, measure as follows :—-length (A) 0:8 x 0°6
inch; (B) 0°81 x0-59inch. I also procured an egg of Cacomantus
pallidus, from the same nest.
This bird usually breeds during August and the three following
months in Victoria, but there are eggs of this species in the
Dobroyde Collection taken at Dobroyde, New South Wales, in
June 1859, and July 1861.
Hab. Wide Bay District, Richmond and Clarence Rivers
Districts, New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia.
(Ramsay)
228 MELIPHAGIDE.
3 MELITHREPTUS CHLOROPSIS, Gould.
Swan River Honey-eater.
Gould, Handbk. Bds. Aust., Vol. i., sp. 350, p. 570.
“The nest of this species is usually suspended from the small
branches near the top of the gum-trees, where the foliage is
thickest, which renders it extremely difficult to detect. A nest
found by Gilbert in October, was formed of sheep’s wool and small
twigs; another found by him in November was attached toa
small myrtle-like tree, in a thick gum forest, not more than three
feet from the ground ; both these nests contained three eggs, nine
and a-half lines long by six and a-half lines broad, of a deep
reddish-buff, thinly spotted all over, but particularly at the larger
end with dark reddish-brown, some of the spots being indistinct,
while others were very conspicuous.” (Gould, Handbk. Bds. Aust.,
Vol. i, p. 570.
Hab. Western Australia.
2 MELITHREPTUS ALBIGULARIS, Gould.
White-throated Honey-eater.
Gould, Handbk. Bds. Aust , Vol. i, sp. 351, p. 571.
“This species, which inhabits the northern and eastern parts
of Australia, is very abundant on the Cobourg Peninsula. The
nest, which is always suspended to a drooping branch, and which
swings about with every gust of wind, is formed of dried narrow
strips of the soft bark of the Melaleuca. The eggs which are
generally two in number, are of a light salmon colour, blotched
and freckled with reddish-brown, and are about nine lines long by
six lines broad.” (Gould, Handbk. Bds. Aust., Vol. i., p. 571.)
Hab. Derby, N.W. Australia, Port Darwin and Port Essington,
Gulf of Carpentaria, Cape York, Rockingham Bay, Port Denison,
Wide Bay District, South Coast New Guinea. (Ramsay.)
MYZANTHA. 229
Genus MYZANTHA, Vigors and Horsfield.
_" 3 MYZANTHA GARRULA, Latham.
Garrulous Honey-eater.
Gould, Handbk. Bds. Aust., Vol. i., sp. 353, p. 574. XL. 2.
This bird is universally distributed over the open forest lands
of the eastern and southern portions of the continent of Australia,
and the whole of Tasmania. The nest is cup-shaped, outwardly
composed of long thin twigs, and lined inside with fibrous roots,
grasses, wool &c.; one now before me measures exteriorly six
inches in diameter, by four inches and three-quarters in depth ;
internal diameter three inches and a-quarter by two inches and a
quarter in depth. It is usually placed in the thin upright forks
at the top of a small gum sapling, but not unfrequently in the
branch of a Eucalyptus thirty or forty feet from the ground.
The eggs are usually three in number for a sitting, and vary
both in their size and markings, I give descriptions of the
most usual varieties found.
Var. A. Ground colour buffy-white, thickly freckled and spotted
all over, but particularly towards the larger end with reddish-brown
and a few indistinct markings of pale lilac. Length (A) 1:02 x
0-75 inch; (B) 1:04 x 0-75 inch; (C) 1:04 x0°75 inch. Aust.
Mus. Coll.
Var. B. Ground colour light saturnine-red, boldly blotched all
over with irregular shaped markings of deep reddish-chestnut
and pale bluish-grey. Length (A) 1:02 x 0°75 inch; (B) 1:04 x
0-75 inch. * Taken at Nanama near Yass, by Mr. James Ramsay,
October 1860.
Var. CO. Ground colour buffy-white, nearly obscured by bran-
shaped markings of reddish-brown, which at the larger end form
an irregular shaped coalesced patch. Length (A) 1:13 x 0°8 inch ;
(B) 1:18 x 0°8 inch ; (C) 1:18 x 08 inch. Taken near Hastings
October 1883,
230 MELIPHAGIDE.
August and the five following months constitute the breeding
season of this species.
Hab. Wide Bay District, Richmond and Clarence Rivers
Districts, New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia,
Tasmania. (Ramsay )
MYZANTHA OBSCURA, Gould.
Sombre Honey-eater.
Gould, Handbk. Bds. Aust., Vol. i., sp. 354, p. 576.
“This species inhabits Swan River and the south-western
portion of Australia generally, where it beautifully represents the
Myzantha garrula of New South Wales. The nest is built onan
upright fork of the topmost branches of the smaller gum-trees,
and is formed of small dried sticks lined with soft grasses and
feathers. The eggs are eleven and a-half lines long by*nine lines
broad, of a rich orange-buff, obscurely spotted and blotched with
‘a deeper tint, particularly at the larger end.”- (Gould, Handbk.
Bds. Aust., Vol. i., p. 576.)
Hab. West Australia,
es MYZANTHA FLAVIGULA, Gould.
Yellow-throated Miner.
Gould, Handbk. Bds. Aust., Vol. i., sp. 356, p.578. 22 4,
“The nest is a neat round structure of fine twigs, occasionally
ornamented with wool and the egg-bags of spiders &c., giving the
outside a beautiful white appearance ; the inside is lined with
hair of different kinds and wool, the inside diameter is three inches,
the depth two and a-quarter inches; it is placed among the
branches of trees and shrubs frequently near the ground. The
eggs are four or five for a sitting, of a rich salmon colour with
dark salmon-red spots and dots all over the surface of the shell,
MANOREINA, 231
but larger and closer on the thicker end. Length (A) 1:02 x 0-75
inch ; (B) 1:02 x 0-76 inch ; (C) 1:02 x 0-75 inch; (D) 1 inch x
0-75 inch.” (Ramsay, P.LS., N.S.W., Vol. vii. p. 52.)
Hab. Gulf of Carpentaria, Dawson River, New South Wales,
Interior, Victoria and South Australia. (Ramsay.)
Genus MANORHINA, Vieillot.
2-3 MANORHINA MELANOPHRYS, Latham.
Bell Bird.
Gould, Handbk. Bds, Aust., Vol. i., sp. 357, p. 579.
This species is confined to the eastern and south-eastern portions
of the continent of Australia, and is very local in its habits. I
have frequently observed it ina belt of scrub on swampy ground,
about a quarter of a mile in diameter in South Gippsland where
it used to breed, but during my many visits to the locality,
extending over a period of nine years, I have never seen it elsewhere
in that district, either in the ranges or any where in the vicinity.
The nest is a frail structure, suspended by the rim to the thin twigs
of a low bush or tree, it isan open cup-shaped structure, composed
of roots, grasses, and lichens loosely matted together. Eggs two
or three in number fora sitting. A set in the Australian Museum
Collection are of a light saturnine-red ground colour, with a few
bold blotches and spots of reddish-chestnut and purplish-brown,
but more particularly towards the larger end, where a few sub-
surface markings of purplish-grey also appear. Length (A) 0-88
x 0°67 inch ; (B) 0°87 x 0-64 inch.
A set in my collection, taken at South Gippsland in August
1881, are similar in tint and markings. Length (A) 0-87 x 0-67
inch ; (B) 0-86 x 0°66 inch.
This bird breeds during the months of August, September, and
October.
Hab. NewSouth Wales, Victoria and South Australia. (Ramsay.)
232 MELIPHAGIDE.
Genus NECTARINIA, Illiger.
2 CINNYRIS FRENATA, Jill.
(Nectarinia australis, Gould.)
Australian Sun-bird.
Gould, Handbk. Bds. Aust., Vol. i., sp. 359, p. 584.
“ According to Mr. Rainbird, numbers of this beautiful little
Sun-bird may be seen on bright mornings, among the leafy tops
of the mangrove-belts near Port Denison. They are ever
darting out to capture some insect on the wing, returning and
disappearing again in the thick foliage, or perching upon some
topmost twig to devour their captures, and show their shining
purple breasts glittering in the sun. During the hottest part of
the day the Sun-birds betake themselves to the thick scrub, which
in many places runs down to the water’s edge. They breed in the
months of November and December. One pair chose a little break
in the scrub within a few yards of the water, where facing the
rising sun, they constructed their nest (which J now have)
suspending it by the top from the dead twig of a small shrub, at
the foot of a large “ Bottle tree” (Sterculia rupestris). The nest
is of an oval form, much resembling and suspended in the same
way.as that of Acanthiza lineata, with a small hood over the
opening, which is near the top. It is composed of fibrous roots
and shreds of cotton-tree (Gomphocarpus fruticosus) bark, firmly
interwoven with the webs and cocoons of various spiders, and a
few pieces of white sea-weed ornamenting the outside. Itis lined
with feathers and the silky native cotton, and is about five inches
long by three inches and a-half in diameter.” (Ramsay, Ibis,
1865, Vol. i, New Series, p. 85.)
Eggs two in number for a sitting, oval in form somewhat pointed
at the smaller end, of a greenish-grey ground colour, which is
almost obscured by freckles and dashes of light brown. Two
specimens in the Australian Museum Collection measure as follows:
length (A) 0-66 x 0°42 inch ; (B) 0°67 x 0°44 inch,
ZOSTEROPS, 233
A pair in the Macleayan Museum Collection, taken on the
Endeavour River, Queensland, give the following measurements :—
length (A) 0-7 x 0°43 inch ; (B) 0-67 x 0-43 inch.
Hab, Cape York, Rockingham Bay, Port Denison, South Coast
New Guinea. (Ramsay)
Sub-Family ZOSTEROPIN A.
Genus ZOSTEROPS, Vigors and Horsfield.
a 3-4. ZOSTEROPS CAZRULESCENS, Latham.
Grey-backed Zosterops.
Gould, Handbk. Bds. Aust , Vol. i., sp. 360, p. 587.
This bird is universally dispersed over the eastern and southern
portions of the continent of Australia, and the whole of Tasmania,
A nest of this species in the Australian Museum Collection, taken
at Dobroyde in September 1860, is a round cup-shaped structure,
outwardly composed of bark fibre, dried grasses, and mosses,
and neatly lined inside with fine fibrous roots and grasses ;
it measures exteriorly three inches in diameter, by one inch
and three-quarters in depth; internal diameter two inches,
by one inch and three-eighths in depth. The nest of this species
is attached by the rim to the thin twigs of a tree and is usually
placed about six or seven feet from the ground, the top of a
Melaleuca or Leptospermum being especially a favourite situation
for it, although I have found it in a number of different trees, both
native and acclimatized, when it resorts to our public gardens to
breed. Eggs three or four in number for a sitting of a uniform pale
blue. Dimensions of a set in the Australian Museum Collection,
taken with the above described nest :—length (A) 0°65 x 0-49
inch; (B) 0:67 x 0:47 inch; (C) 0°64 0-5 inch; (D) 0°65 x
0:47 inch.
The breeding season of this species commences in September
and continues during the four following months. I have several
234 ZOSTEROPINE,
times taken the eggs of Chalcites basalis from nests of the above
species.
Hab. Rockingham Bay, Port Denison, Wide Bay District,
Dawson River, Richmond and Clarence Rivers Districts, New
South Wales, Interior, Victoria and South Australia. (Ramsay.)
ZOSTEROPS WESTERNENSIS, Quoy et Gaimard.
Quoy et Gaimard, Voy. de (Astrolabe, p. 215, pl. 11, fig. 4.
This species differs from 7. ceerulescens only in having the throat
wax-yellow and the flanks not being so deeply tinged with rich
buff or chestnut-brown. At Manly I have shot the two species
in company with each other. The nest and eggs so closely
resemble those of the above species that a second description is
hardly required, some eggs are slightly more pointed than others,
but are of the same pale blue or bluish-green tint ;, an average
set measures, length (A) 0:66 x 0°47 inch; (B) 0-66 x 0-47 inch ;
(C) 0-66 x 0:48 inch. ;
Hab. Rockingham Bay, Port Denison, Wide Bay District,
Dawson River, Richmond and Clarence Rivers Districts, New
South Wales, Interior, Victoria and South Australia. (Ramsay.)
ZOSTEROPS GOULDI, Bonaparte.
Green-backed Zosterops.
Gould, Handbk. Bds. Aust., Vol i. sp. 381, p. 568.
Gilbert writes as follows of this species :—“ The Zosterops gouldi
is an inhabitant of the western coast of Australia, where it
constitutes a beautiful representative of the Z. cerulescens of the
southern and eastern coasts, The breeding season commences in
August and ends in November ; those nests that came under my
observation during the earlier part of the season, invariably
contained two eggs; but in October and November I usually
found the number to be increased to three, and upon one octasion
ZOSTEROPS, 235
to four. The nest is small, compact, and formed of dried wiry
grasses, bound together with the hairy tendrils of small plants
and wool, the inside being lined with very minute fibrous roots ;
its breadth is about two inches, and depth one inch ; the eggs are
greenish-blue without spot or markings, eight lines long by six
lines broad.” (Gould, Handbk. Bds. Aust., Vol. i, p. 588.)
Hab. West Australia.
2 ZOSTEROPS FLAVOGULARIS, Masters.
Masters, P.L.S., N.S.W., Vol. i., p. 56.
“This very distinct and well marked species was found tolerably
abundant at Cape York and the adjacent islands, by the members
of the Chevert Expedition in 1875. A nest of this species now
before me, taken by Mr. George Masters, at Warrior Island on
the 27th of June 1875, is a deep cup-shaped structure, composed
of the dried skeletons of leaves, held together with spiders’ webs
and neatly lined inside with fine wiry grasses, the whole exterior
surface being covered with thin, broad strips of perfectly white
semi-transparent paper-like bark of a Melaleuca, which gives it a
very beautiful appearance. Exterior diameter three inches and
one-eighth, depth two inches; internal diameter one inch and
three-quarters ; depth one inchanda-half. The nest was attached
by the rim to the thin branches of a shrub about five feet from
the ground. The eggs were two in number, but four is the full
complement for a sitting, of a uniform pale bluish-green both
specimens giving exactly the same measurements, viz., 0°72 inch
in length, by 0°5 inch in breadth.” (Worth, P.L.S., N.S.W., Vol.
ii., 2nd Series, p. 408.)
Mr. Sharpe, (Brit. Mus. Cat. Bds. Vol. ix., p. 164) considers
this species identical with Zosterops 4 ventre blanc, Homb. et
Jacq., Voy. Péle Sud. Atlas, pl. 19, fig. 3, (1842).
Hab. Cape York, Islands of Torres Straits.
236 DIOMIDA,
Family DICAXID As.
Genus DICMIUM, Cuvier.
DICHUM HIRUNDINACEUM, Shaw.
Swallow Diczum.
Gould, Handbk. Bds. Aust., Vol. i., sp. 358, p. 581.
No bird seems to have a wider range over the continent of
Australia than the present species, specimens having been received
from all portions of it where collections have been formed.
Especially is it to be found inhabiting the trees where the
Loranthus and other parasitical plants abound ; berries of various
kinds constituting its food. Mr. J. A. Thorpe found this
bird breeding at Cape York in 1866-67, and obtained both nests
and eggs. One of the nests now before me, is a beautiful pear-shaped
structure with an entrance on one side close to ths top, and is
suspended to the thin Teaty branch of a Eucalyptus. It is
composed. throughout of the soft downy seeds of plants, beautifully
woven together, closely resembling felt, and has quite an
elastic tendency ; total length three inches and a-half, breadth
two inches and a-quarter; length of aperture which is pear-shaped,
one inch and a-quarter, breadth one inch, meeting at a point at
the top. Another nest from the same locality is slightly larger,
and is ornamented on the outside with Portions of the woolly buds
of some flowering plant.
Dr. Hurst who obtained a nest and eggs of this bird in the
grounds of Newington College, on the Parramatta River near
Sydney, informs me that it took six weeks from the time the nest
was first commenced, till it was finished and the full complement
of eggs, three in number, laid therein. Eggs perfectly white ;
the above set measure as follows :—length (A) 0-65 x 0-45 inch;
(B) 0°68 x 0°47 inch; (C) 0°66 x 0-45 inch.
Measurements of a set in the Macleayan Museum, taken at
Cairns, Northern Queensland, in 1886, length (A) 0-7 x 0°44 inch ;
(B) 0-7 x 0:43 inch,
CLIMACTERIS. 237
Hab. Derby, N.W. Australia, Port Darwin and Port Essington,
Gulf of Carpentaria, Cape York, Rockingham Bay, Port Denison,
Wide Bay District, Dawson River, Richmond and Clarence
Rivers Districts, New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia,
Tasmania. (Ramsay. /
Family CERTHIIDA.
Sub-Family CHRTHIINA.
Genus CLIMACTERIS, Temminck.
2. CLIMACTERIS SCANDENS, Zemminck.
Brown Tree-creeper.
Gould, Handbk. Bds. Aust., Vol. i., sp. 366, p. 598. XD. 7
This bird is to be found breeding freely throughout New South
Wales, Victoria and South Australia; constructing a nest of
grasses, fur, &c., usually in the hole of some decayed branch or
spout of a Eucalyptus, and occasionally out of arms reach. The
eggs two in number for a sitting are of a reddish-white ground
colour, closely freckled all over with rich reddish markings
towards the larger end, where in some instances they form a zone.
Two eggs taken by Mr. James Ramsay at Tyndarie, on the 24th
of August 1879, measure as follows :—(A) 0-93 x 0-74 inch; (B)
0-95 x 0°73 inch.
The breeding season commences in August and lasts till the
end of December.
Hab. Rockingham Bay, Port Denison, Wide Bay District,
Dawson River, Richmond and Clarence Rivers Districts, New
South Wales, Interior, Victoria and South Australia. (Ramsay,)
238 CERTHIINE.
3 CLIMACTERIS RUFA, Gould.
Rufous T'ree-creeper.
Gould, Handbk. Bds. Aust., Vol. i., sp. 367, p. 600.
“ This species makes a very warm nest of soft grasses, the down
of flowers and feathers in the hollow part of a dead branch,
generally so far down that it is almost impossible to reach it, and.
it is, therefore very difficult to find. I discovered one by seeing
the old birds beating away a Wattle-bird that tried to perch near
their hole ; the nest, in this instance, was fortunately within arm’s
length ; it contained three eggs of a pale salmon colour, thickly
blotched all over with reddish-brown, eleven lines long by eight
and a-half lines broad: this occurred during the first week in
October.” (Gould, Handbk. Bds. Aust., Vol. i., p. 600.)
Hab. Derby, N.W. Australia, Western Australia. (Ramsay.)
*
2 CLIMACTERIS ERYTHROPS, Gould.
Red-syebrowed Tree-creeper.
Gould, Handbk. Birds Aust., Vol. i., sp. 368, p. 602. -Z&. 1.
The nest of this species, like all other members of the genus, is
built of grasses, lined with feathers and placed in one of the
numerous spouts or hollow branches of the Eucalypts.
“Tam indebted to Mr. K. H. Bennett, of Mossgiel for a fine
set of the eggs of this species, the first I had seen; they closely
resemble some of the varieties of those of Ptenedus rufescens, but
have a climacterine look about them, and a smooth shell. The
ground colour, apparently white, is obscured with evenly dispersed
dots and freckles of a rich red, which, occasionally confluent,
form elongated spots here and there; some have a zone formed
by confluent spots of red intermixed with slate or lilac-brown, and
here the spots are largest, and the lilac marks appear beneath the
shell. The following are the measurements :—(A) 0:83 x 0-65
inch; (B) 0:85 x 0°63 inch; (C) 0:82 x 0°63 inch.” (Ramsay,
P.LS., N.S.W., 2nd Series, Vol. i, p. 1149.)
CLIMACTERIS. 239
The above eggs were taken by Mr. K. H. Bennett in November
at Ivanhoe. ‘T'wo eggs only are laid for a sitting, the other egg
(C) was addled and was taken from a nest containing also a
young bird. This bird breeds from September to December.
Hab. Wide Bay District, Richmond and Clarence Rivers
Districts, New South Wales, Interior. (Ramsay )
2 CLIMACTERIS MELANURA, Gould.
Black-tailed Tree-creeper.
Gould, Handbk. Bds. Aust., Vol. i., sp. 370, p. 604. ZX 79.
The only eggs of this species I have yet seen, were taken by
Mr. James Ramsay at Tyndarie, on the 19th of September 1880,
from a nest built of grasses, &c., in the hollow branch of a
Eucalyptus. The eggs two in number are of a light reddish ground
colour, almost obscured by heavy longitudinal blotches of rich
reddish-brown, and a few obsolete spots of lilac. Length (A)
0-9 x 0°73 inch ; (B) 0-89 x 0°73 inch.
Hab. Derby, N.W. Australia, Port Darwin and Port Essington,
Gulf of Carpentaria, New South Wales. ( Ramsay.)
cs CLIMACTERIS LEUCOPHGA, Latham.
White-throated Tree-creeper.
Gould, Handbk. Bds. Aust., Vol. i., sp. 371, p. 605. Xt 3.
This, like all other members of the genus Climacteris constructs
a nest of grasses, feathers, &c., in the hollow part of a dead
branch. A set of two taken by Mr. John Ramsay at Macquarie
Fields in 1861, are of a dull white, marked with round spots of
reddish-brown towards the larger end, with very minute dots of
the same colour scattered over the rest of the surface. Length
(A) 0°85 x 0-67 inch ; (B) 0:89 x 0°66 inch.
This species breeds during September and the two following
months.
240 SITTINE.
Hab. Port Denison, Wide Bay District, Dawson River,
Richmond and Clarence Rivers Districts, New South Wales,
Interior, Victoria South Australia. (Ramsay.)
Sub-Family SITTIN A.
Genus SITTELLA, Swainson.
any SITTELLA CHRYSOPTERA, Latham.
Orange-winged Sittella.
Gould, Handbk. Bds. Aust., Vol. i., sp. 373, p. 609.
The Orange-winged Sittella is universally dispersed over the
eastern and south-eastern portions of the continent of Australia.
It breeds freely in the neighbourhood of Sydney, and there are
several of its singular and beautifully formed nests in the
Australian Museum Collection. A nest now before me is placed
at the junction of an upright forked branch of a Eucalyptus ; it
is of an inverted cone shape, with a cup-like cavity at the top,
the rim of the nest being sharp and thin, it is constructed of the
downy tufts of Banksia cones interwoven together with cobwebs,
but they are entirely hidden by the whole exterior surface being
covered with short pieces of bark perpendicularly and neatly
fastened on with cobwebs, which gives it a “shingled” appearance
and renders it most difficult of detection : the inside is beautifully
lined with soft mosses and mouse-eared lichens. It measures
exteriorly, four inches and a-half in length, by two inches and a-
quarter in diameter; cavity, one inch and seven-eighths in
diameter, by one inch and a-quarter in depth. The nest of this
bird is usually built on the side of a dry upright forked branch of
a Eucalyptus, Casuarina, or Acacia, varying according to the kind
of tree in which it is placed, from fifteen to fifty or sixty feet from
the ground. Eggs three or four in number for a sitting, usually
the former,
SITTELLA, 241
A set in the Dobroyde Collection are of a greenish-white ground
colour, heavily blotched all over with irregular shaped markings
of slaty-black, but more particularly towards the larger end, where
they become confluent, together with a few spots of a lighter tint
appearing as if beneath the surface of the shell. Length (A) 0°68
x 0°52 inch; (B) 0-65 x 0:5 inch; (C) 0°68 x 0-52 inch. Taken
at Dobroyde, October 1860.
Another set in the same collection, taken September 1861, are
of a bluish-white ground colour, minutely freckled all over with
slaty-grey, and slaty-black markings, with a few faint subsurface
blotches of slaty-lilac ; length (A) 0°68 x 0°53 inch; (B) 0°66 x
0:5 inch ; (C) 0°68 x 0°52 inch,
September and the three following months constitute the
breeding ‘season of this species.
Hab. Port Denison, Wide Bay District, Richmond and Clarence
Rivers Districts, New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia.
(Ramsay. )
> 4) SITTELLA TENUIROSTRIS, Gould.
Gould, Handbk. Bds. Aust., Vol. i. p. 610.
“This is a somewhat doubtful species, and Dr. Hans Gadow,
who has presumedly examined the type from Mr. Gould’s collection,
has made it still more doubtful by placing it as identical with
Sittella pileata, Gould ; but on reference to Mr. Gould’s Handbook,
Vol. i, p. 610, it will be seen that that author considered the
bird a variety of S. chrysoptera. As I have specimens agreeing
very well with Mr. Gould’s description, from the interior provinces
obtained by Mr. James Ramsay, I prefer to consider it more
nearly allied to S. chrysoptera than to any other. The length of
the bill is 0-7 inch. The nest is a very beautiful structure placed
often between the upright forks of a dead branch ; it is very deep,
open above, the edges sharp not rounded, and composed of fine
shreds of bark, lichens, and cobweb, the outside felted or ‘ shingled ’
with small scales of bark fastened on with cobwebs, and made to
P
242 SITTINE
so resemble the sides of the forked branch between which it is
placed, as to be most difficult of detection ; the interior is usually
lined with ‘ mouse-eared.’ lichen, and the colour of the eggs closely
resembles that of the lichen itself. The eggs are three, seldom
four in number, of a delicate greenish-white, with dots and
confluent irregular markings of slaty-lilac, and slate-black, the
lilac freckles appearing beneath the shell, in some forming a zone
of larger spots near the thicker-end, in others the spots are nearly
evenly dispersed over the whole surface. Length (A) 0°63 x 0:55
inch ; (B) 0°68 x 0°55 inch ; (C) 0°66 x 0°53 inch ; (D) 0°62 x 0°52
inch.” (Ramsay, P.L.S., N.S.W., Vol. i., 2nd Series, p. 1149.)
Hab. New South Wales, Interior. (Ramsay.)
SITTELLA LEUCOCEPHALA, Gould.
White-headed Sittella.
Gould, Handbk. Bds, Aust., Vol. i., sp. 374, p. 610. =
This bird is found in New South Wales and Queensland. The
nest is similar to that of other members of the genus. Two eggs
taken by Mr. George Barnard of Coomooboolaroo, Duaringa,
Queensland, during 1885, are of a delicate greyish-green ground
colour, minutely freckled and spotted all over with slaty-grey and
slaty-black markings, a few of a lighter tint appearing as if
beneath the surface of the shell; one specimen A, has a- large
coalesced slaty-grey patch on the larger end. Length (A) 0°63 x
0-51 inch ; (B) 0:65 x 0°5 inch, .
Hab. Wide Bay District, Dawson River, New South Wales,
Interior. (Ramsay.)
3 SITTELLA PILEATA, Gould.
Black-capped Sittella.
Gould, Handbk. Bds. Aust., Vol. i., sp. 376, p. 612.
“ For the nest and eggs of this species, together with the bird
shot therefrom, I am indebted to Mr. James Hill, of Kewell,
P-2
CACOMANTIS. 243
Victoria, who procured them on the outskirts of the Mallee
country in the Wimmera district, in September 1882. The nest
was built in the upright fork of a Casuarina about fifteen feet
from the ground, and is similar in every respect to that of S.
chrysoptera; hence its description would be merely a repetition of
that of the nest of the latter species. Eggs three in number fora
sitting, the ground colour darker, and the blotches heavier, than
in 8. chrysoptera, being a deep bluish-white, with long slaty-black
markings, while appearing underneath the surface of the shell are
large superimposed blotches of dark lilac, which in some instances
are confluent ; the markings on the under surface are much larger
and more numerous than on the outer surface of the shell. Length
(A) 0°66 x 0°51 inch ; (B) 0°66 x 0°53 inch ; (C) 0°67 x 0°54 inch.”
(North, P.L.S., N.S.W., Vol. ii, 2nd Series, p. 409.)
Hab. New South Wales, Interior, Victoria and South Australia,
West and South-West Australia. (Ramsay.)
Family CULCULIDA.
Genus CACOMANTIS, Miiller.
CACOMANTIS PALLIDUS, Latham.
(Cuculus inornatus, Vigors and Horsfield.)
Pallid Cuckoo.
Gould, Handbk. Bds. Aust., Vol. i, sp. 378, p. 615.
“In the neighbourhood of Sydney this species usually deposits
its egg in the nests of Péilotis auricomis, and occasionally in
those of Ptilotis chrysops, but rarely in those of Melithreptus
lunulatus; in other districts, doubtless, in any nests suitable for
the purpose. I have frequently observed that whenever the eggs
of Cuckoos have been deposited in open nests, there is manifested
a decided preference for those of birds which lay eggs similar to
their own. The eggs of the Unadorned Cuckoo (C. inornatus )*
*= C. pallidus, Latham.
244 CUCULIDE,
closely resemble the large and almost spotless variety of that of the
Yellow-tufted Honey-eater (Ptilotis auricomis); they are, however
somewhat more rounded, and of a much lighter tint, being of a
pale flesh-colour, sprinkled with a few dots of a deeper’ hue, but
often without any markings at all. In length they vary from
eleven to twelve and a-half lines, being from eight and a-half to
nine lines in breadth.
Eggs taken from the nests of Ptilotis auricomis and P. chrysops
measure as follows:—length (A) 0:97 x 0°67 inch; (B) 0:99 x
0-68 inch.
Hab. Derby, N.W. Australia, Gulf of Carpentaria, Cape York,
Rockingham Bay, Port Denison, Wide Bay District, Dawson
River, Richmond and Clarence Rivers Districts, New South
Wales, Interior, Victoria and South Australia, Tasmania, West
and South-West Australia. (Ramsay.)
CACOMANTIS FLABELLIFORMIS, Latham.
(Cuculus cineracews, Vigors and Horsfield.)
Fan-tailed Cuckoo.
‘Gould, Handbk. Bds. Aust., Vol. i., sp. 379, p. 618. XT 7.
“ Among those species, the nests of which are favoured by
visits from this ‘parasite,’ is Acanthiza pusilla, from a nest of
which, in September 1863, we took no less than four eggs—two
laid by the rightful owner of the nest, the other two by Cuckoos.
One of these was a very fine specimen of Chalcites plagosus, the
other an egg of the present species, Cacomantis flabelliformis. The
entrance of this nest was greatly enlarged, being in width fully
two inches ; and the hood, which usually conceals the entrance
(which is near the top of the nest, and not generally wider than
one inch across), was pushed back to such an extent that the eggs
were rendered quite visible. I have now before me ten nests of
Acanthize and four of Maluri, the former comprising Acanthiza
CACOMANTIS. 245
lineata, A. nana} ‘A. pusilla, and A. reguloides,; the latter, Malurus
cyaneus, and M. lamberti. Now, having compared the greatly
enlarged entrances of those nests from. which we have taken
Cuckoo’s eggs with the entrances of those which did not contain
the egg of a Cuckoo, and which we took as soon as the bird had
laid its full number of eggs for a sitting, I cannot but feel convinced
more than ever that the eggs of these parasites are laid in the
nests, and not deposited in any other manner. The average width
of the entrances of the nests of Acanthiza lineata which have not
been visited by a Cuckoo is one inch, while those which have,
contained Cuckoo’s eggs vary from two to two inches and a-half.
In addition to the nests of Acanthiza pusilla, we have known this
Cuckoo (C. flabelliformis) deposit its eggs in the nest of A,
reguloides and Chthonicola minima. How great is the difference
between the Cuckoo’s eggs and those of this last bird (Chthonicola
minima), which are of a bright reddish-chocolate! The eggs of
Cacomantis flabelliformis are from ten to ten lines and a-half in
length by seven to seven lines and a-halfin breadth. The ground
colour is a delicate white, spotted and dotted with wood-brown,
deep brownish-lilac, and faint lilac dots, which appear beneath the
surface. Some specimens are faintly sprinkled all over, and the
dots have a washed-out appearance; others are marked more
strongly, and in these the markings formed are in a distinct zone
at the larger end, which is sometimes broken by a batch of very
deep coloured dots.” (Ramsay, P.Z.S., 1865, p. 463.)
Two eggs of this species taken from the nests of Acanthiza
pusilla and Chthonicola minima, measures as follows :—length (A)'
0°88 x 0°6 inch ; (B) 0°83 x 0°6 inch.
Hab. Gulf of Carpentaria, Cape York, Rockingham Bay, Port
Denison, Wide Bay District, Dawson River, Richmond and
Clarence Rivers Districts, New South Wales, Interior, Victoria
and South Australia, Tasmania, West and South-west Australia
(Ramsay)
246 CUCULIDA.
Genus LAMPROCOCCYX, Cabanis et Heine.
LAMPROCOCOYX PLAGOSUS, Latham.
‘Bronze Cuckoo.
Gould, Handbk, Bds, Aust. Vol. i., sp. 383, p. 623. 2. 73.
The Bronze. Cuckoo is universally found over the whole of
Australia and Tasmania, depositing its single egg in any convenient
nest, principally in those that are dome-shaped. I have taken
most of the eggs of this species from the nests of Geobasileus
chrysorrhea. The eggs are in form elongated ovals, being rounded
and nearly equal in size at both ends, varying in colour from a
uniform light ashy-grey to a rich dark olive-brown or bronze ;
four average specimens, taken from the nests of A. lineata, G.
chrysorrhea, G. reguloides, and 4. temporalis, are as follows :—
length (A) 0°73 x 0°51 inch ; (B) 0°72 x 0-5 inch; (C) 0:72 x 0°52
inch ; (D) 0:73 x 0°52 inch.
Dr. Ramsay paid particular attention to the working out
of this and the following species, by procuring the eggs of the
Cuckoo’s and placing them in nests convenient for observation,
and when hatched obtaining the young birds in all the various
' stages of plumage, from the nestling upwards, thus enabling him
to correctly identify the species to which the eggs belonged, and
published the result of his labours in a series of interesting papers
in the Proc. Zool. Soc. of London, (see P.Z.8., 1865, p. 460, and
P.Z.S., 1869, p. 359), and also supplied Mr. Gould with the eggs
and birds of both species at the same time.
A coloured plate of the eggs of L. plagosus, L. basalis, Cacomantis
pallidus, and C. flabelliformis, also of those birds which are
usually the foster-parents of the two former species in the
neighbourhood of Sydney is given in the Proc. Zool. Soc. for 1869
see pl. xxvii, p. 358. Among the latter are the eggs of Acanthiza
lineata, A. pusilla, A. nana, Geobasileus reguloides,. Sericornis
brevirostris, and Stipiturus malachurus.
Hab. Port Darwin and Port Essington, Gulf of Carpentaria,
Cape York, Rockingham Bay, Port Denison, Wide Bay District,
LAMPROCOCCYX. 247
Dawson River, Richmond and Clarence Rivers Districts, New
South Wales, Interior, Victoria and South Australia, Tasmania,
West and South-west Australia. (Ramsay.)
LAMPROCOCCYX BASALIS, Horsjield.
Narrow-billed Bronze Cuckoo.
Gould, Handbk, Bas, Aust., Vol. i, sp. 385, p. 626. XIZ 73.
The range of this bird does not extend so far as that of L.
plagosus, not being found in either Northern or Western Australia.
Like the preceding species, it is one of the first harbingers of
Spring, and takes its departure again about the middle of Autumn.
It deposits its single egg in the nest of any of the smaller birds,
the first I found being in the nest of Meliornis nove-hollandic,
and I have also at various times taken it from the nests of the
following species:—Malurus cyaneus, Ephthianura albifrons,
Zosterops caerulescens, Petreeca leggti, Lstrelda temporalis,
Geobasileus chrysorrhea, Smicrornis brevirostris, and Acanthiza
lineata; it will be seen from the above, that this species evinces
no decided preference for either those nests that are open or dome-
‘shaped, but seems to bestow its favours pretty equally in the choice
of a foster parent for its young.
From a nest of Acanthiza nana, Dr. Ramsay in 1856 took no
less than six eggs, three of them being Bronze Cuckoo's, two of
Lamprococcyx plagosus, and one of L. basalis. (See P.Z.8., 1865,
p. 461).
The egg of this species is pinky-white minutely freckled all over
the surface with light brownish-red or pinkish-red dots and spots,
in some instances these markings are confluent forming coalesced
patches on the egg but on no particular portion of it, sometimes
being on one side only, at other times ontheend. The dimensions
of six eggs are as follows:—length (A) 0°68 x 0-48 inch ; (B) 0-76
x 0°5 inch ; (C) 0°72 x 0°5 inch ; (D) 0:71 x 0°5 inch ; (E) 0:66.x
0°47 inch ; (F) 0°68 x 0-48 inch. The colouring matter of the
248 OUCULIDE..
eggs of both this and the preceding species is easily rubbed off
when moisture is applied to them.
Hab. Derby, N.W. Australia, Port Denison, Wide Bay District,
Richmond and Clarence Rivers Districts, New South Wales,
Interior, Victoria and South Australia, Tasmania. (Ramsay.)
Genus SCYTHROPS, Latham.
SCYTHROPS NOV A-HOLLANDIA, Latham.
Channel-bill.
Gould, Handbk. Bds, Aust., Vol. i, sp. 386, p. 628. ZZ. 3.
“This bird is universally distributed over the whole continent
of Australia, and one or two stragglers have even been found in
Tasmania. Dr. Hurst has kindly permitted me to describe an
egg of this species from his collection, which, he informs me was
taken from the oviduct of a bird shot at Kempsey, on the Macleay
River, during the first week in November 1884, and which he
exhibited at a meeting of this Society inthe same month. Ground
colour dull white, with faint washed-out pinkish spots and minute
dots, also some of a light yellowish-brown tinge; appearing as if
beneath the surface of the shell at the apex of the thick end are
others of a light purplish-brown, becoming confluent, and forming
a very indistinct patch, intermingled with some of a brownish
shade. All the markings are very ill-defined, and the egg closely
resembles a very large and washed-out specimen of the egg of
Grallina australis. Length 1:5 x 1:05 inch.” (Worth, P.L.S.,
N.S. W., Vol. ii., 2nd Series, p. 410.)
Hab. Derby, N.W. Australia, Port Darwin and Port Essington,
Gulf of Carpentaria, Cape York, Rockingham Bay, Port Denison,
Wide Bay. District, Richmond and Clarence Rivers Districts,
New South: Wales, Interior, Victoria and South. Australia,
Tasmania, South Coast New Guinea. (Ramsay.)
EUDYNAMIS—~CENTROPUS, JA9
Gznus HUDYNAMIS, Vigors and Horsfield.
EUDYNAMIS CYANOCEPHALA, Latham.
(E. flindersi; Gould.)
Australian Koel.
Gould, Handbk. Bds. Aust., Vol. i., sp. 387, p. 632.
“Mr, Geo. Masters obtained an egg of this species at Gayndah,
Queensland, on the 25th of November 1870. Having shot ata
female and broken her wing, while pursuing her on the ground the
egg was dropped. It is a pointed oval in form, of a dull white
minutely spotted with light brown, together with a few faint
blotches here and there of purplish-brown, the smaller end being
entirely devoid of markings. Whether this is the normal colour
of the egg is yet to be proved, as the egg being dropped by the bird
when wounded and the markings very faint, it is probable that it
may not have been quite ready for laying. Long diameter 1:4
inch, short diameter 1:05 inch. A photograph of this egg sent
by Dr. Geo. Bennett, F.Z.5S., of Sydney, was exhibited at the June
meeting of the Zoological Society of London, 1873, see P.Z.S., p.
519.” (P.LS., V.8.W., Vol. ii, 2nd Series, p. 554.)
Hab. Derby, N.W. Australia, Port Darwin and Port Essington,
Gulf of Carpentaria, Cape York, Rockingham Bay, Port Denison,
Wide Bay District, Dawson River, Richmond and Clarence Rivers
Districts, New South Wales, South Coast New Guinea. (Ramsay.)
Genus CENTROPUS, Illiger.
3-4. CENTROPUS PHASIANUS, Latham.
Pheasant-Coucal.
Gould, Handbk. Bds. Aust., Vol. i., sp. 388, p. 634.
This bird is found in the dense coastal brushes, and is very
plentiful on the Herbert. River, in Queensland, and the scrubby
grass-lands of the Richmond and Clarence Rivers districts of.
250 PSITTACIDE,
New South Wales. The nest is a bulky structure of dried leaves
and grasses rounded and covered over above, with an opening on
both sides, from which the head of the female on one side, and her
tail on the other protrudes while sitting. It is usually placed ina
tussock of long coarse grass. Eggs three or four in number for a
sitting, an average specimen in the Dobroyde Collection taken by
Mr. John Macgillivray, near Grafton on the Clarence River, in
October 1864, is rounded in form, and of a dull dirty-white, having
a thin coating of lime on it, one side showing scratches as if done
by the bird while sitting. Length (A) 1:35 x 1:13 inch.
Hab. Cape York, Rockingham Bay, Port Denison, Wide Bay
District, Richmond and Clarence River Districts, New South
Wales, and North-West Australia. (Ramsay.)
Order SCANSORBES.
Family PSITTACID.
Genus CACATUA, Vieillot.
2 CACATUA GALERITA, Latham.
Great Sulphur-crested Cockatoo.
Gould, Handbk. Bds. Aust., Vol. ii., sp. 391, p. 2.
This bird is universally dispersed over the whole of Australia.
It resorts to the hollow branches or boles of trees to nest and
deposit its eggs, which are two in number, on the decaying wood
usually found in such places, they are pure white, and vary in
form from oval to pointed oval. Length (A) 1:65 x 1-21 inch;
(B) 1:63 x1:19 inch. A pair in the Dobroyde Collection measure :_
length (A) 1°62 x 1:18 inch ; (B) 1°61 x 1:2 inch.
August and the three following months constitutes the breeding
season of this species.
CACATUA, 251
Hab. Port Darwin and Port Essington, Gulf of Carpentaria,
Cape York, Rockingham Bay, Port Denison, Wide Bay District,
Richmond and Clarence Rivers Districts, New South Wales,
Interior, Victoria and South Australia, Tasmania, West and
South-West Australia, South Coast New Guinea. (Ramsay.)
3 CACATUA LEADBEATERI, Vigors.
Leadbeater’s Cockatoo.
Gould, Handbk. Bds. Aust., Vol. ii., sp. 392, p.5. “XJE .
Mr. K.H. Bennett found this handsome bird breeding plentifully
in the interior of New South Wales, between the Lachlan and the
Darling Rivers. Like all other members of this genus it breeds
in the hollow limbs of trees, usually of a lofty Eucalyptus. The
eggs are three in number for a sitting, oval in shape, white ; a set
taken on September the 5th 1884, measures as follows :—length
(A)1°38 x 1:1 inch ; (B) 1°39 x 1 inch ; (C) 1-41 x 1-12 inch.
This species breeds during the months of August, September,
and October.
Hab. New South Wales, Interior, Victoria and South Australia,
West and South-West Australia. (Aamsay.)
3 CACATUA ROSEICAPILLA, Vieillos.
Rose-breasted Cockatoo.
Gould, Handbk. Bds. Aust., Vol. ii., sp. 394, p. 8. oY. 3.
“Like all the members of this section the Rose Cockatoo nests
in the hollow branches of large trees, laying its eggs on the débris
of decaying wood usually found in such places, they are three in
number, white, rather oblong in form and slightly granular ;
length (A) 14x 1:05 inch ; (B)1:4.x 1-04 inch.” (Ramsay, P.L.S.,
N.S.W., Vol. vii. p. 53.)
Hab. Derby, North-West Australia, Port Darwin and Port
Essington, Gulf of Carpentaria, New South Wales, Interior,
Victoria and South Australia. (Ramsay.)
252 PSITTACIDE.
Genus LICMETIS, Wagler.
3 LICMETIS NASICA, Zemminck.
(L. tenuirostris, Wagler.)
Long-billed Cockatoo.
Gould, Handbh. Bds. Aust., Vol. ii., sp. 395, p. 11. XIE 4
The Long-billed Cockatoo usually exercises great care in placing
its nest out of the way of human enemies, choosing one of the
most inaccessible trees in the dead branch of which it deposits its
eggs, which are white and three in number, oval, and rather
pointed at the smaller end ; shell inclined to be rough, an average
specimen measures :—length 1:4 x 1:1 inch.
The breeding season commences in August and lasts during the
two following months.
Hab, Gulf of Carpentaria, New South Wales, Interior, Victoria
and South Australia. (Ramsay.) .
Genus CALYPTORHYNCHUS, Vigors and Horsfield.
CALYPTORHYNCHUS NASO, Gould.
Western Black Cockatoo.
Gould, Handbk. Bds. Aust., Vol. ii., sp. 899, p. 17.
“This species breeds in the holes of trees, where it deposits its
snow-white eggs on the soft dead wood. They are generally
placed in trees so difficult of access that even the natives dislike
to climb them. Those given to Gilbert by the son of the colonial
chaplain were taken by a native from a hole in a very high white
gum, in the last week of October; they are white, one inch and
eight lines long by one inch and four lines broad.” (Gould,
Handbk. Bds, Aust., Vol. p. 17.)
Hab. West Australia,
CALYPTORHYNCHUS. 253
2 CALYPTORHYNCHUS FUNEREUS, Shaw.
Funereal Cockatoo.
Gould, Handbk. Bds. Aust., Vol. ii., sp. 401, p. 20.
“The eggs of this species are white and two in number about
one inch and five-eights long by one inch and three-eighths broad,
are deposited on the rotten wood in the hollow branch of a large
gum.” (Gould, Handbk. Bds. Aust.. Vol. ii, p. 20.)
Hab. Wide Bay District, Dawson River, Richmond and
Clarence Rivers Districts, New South Wales, Victoria and South
Australia, Tasmania. (Ramsay.)
2 CALYPTORHYNCHUS XANTHONOTUS, Gould.
Yellow-eared Black Cockatoo.
Gould, Handbk. Bds. Aust., Vol. ii., sp. 402, p. 22.
“This bird lays two white eggs in some large rotten gum-tree,
generally where one of the large branches has rotted off at the
fork ; inside this hole, which occasionally extends five or six feet
down the bole of the tree, the bird scrapes and clears away some
of the rotten wood until a sort of seat is formed ; for it is a very
rude attempt at making a nest. The laying commences about the
latter end of October or beginning of November. The eggs are
one inch and eight lines long by one inch and four lines broad.”
(Gould, Handbk. Bds. Aust., Vol. ii. p. 22.)
Dr. Ramsay, who has examined one of the types of this species
considers it identical with C. funereus.
Hab. Tasmania.
2 CALYPTORHYNCHUS BAUDINII, Vigors.
Baudin’s Cockatoo.
Gould, Handbk, Bds. Aust., Vol. ii., sp. 403, p. 25.
“ This species breeds in the holes of the highest white gum-trees,
often in the most dense and retired part of the forest. The eggs
254 PSITTACIDE.
are generally two in number, of a pure white; their average
length being one inch and three-quarters by one inch and three-
eighths in breadth. The breeding season extends over the months
of October, November, and December.” (Gould, Handbk. Bds.
Aust., Vol. ii, p. 25.)
Hab. Western Australia.
Genus MICROGLOSSUM, Geoffroy.
MICROGLOSSUM ATERRIMUM, Gmelin.
Great Palm Cockatoo.
Gould, Handbk. Bds. Aust., Vol. ii., sp. 404, p. 27.
“An egg of this species was taken from the débris at the
bottom of a hollow branch or bole of a tree about twenty-five feet
from the ground, the bird was seen to fly from the nest, and when
shot proved to be the female. The tree was situated in the open
forest country onthe Astrolabe Range. The egg is white, pointed
at the thin end, rounded at the thicker end. Length 2 inches ;
diameter near the thicker end 1:4 inch.” (Ramsay, P.L.S., N.S.
W., Vol. viii., p. 27.)
Hab. Cape York in Australia, and the North-west, South and
East Coasts of New Guinea.
Genus CALOPSITTA, Lesson.
4~6 CALOPSITTA NOV.A-HOLLANDIA, Wagler.
Cockatoo-Parrakeet.
Gould, Handbk. Bds. Aust., Vol. ii., sp. 440, p.84, *22 7.
.This species, the only one of the genus known, breeds in the
hollow limbs or spouts of trees, depositing its eggs on the dry dust
or decaying wood contained therein, the eggs are four to six in
number, white, and in shape oval, pointed somewhat at the smaller
APROSMICTUS—PTISTES. 255
end. Three eggs of a set taken in October 1886 at Ivanhoe,
measure as follows :—length (A) 1:1 x 0°8 inch; (B) 1-03 x 0-78
inch; (C) 1:09 x 0°8 inch.
This bird breeds during September and the three following
months.
Hab. Derby, N.W. Australia, Port Darwin and Port Essington,
Gulf of Carpentaria, Wide Bay District, New South Wales,
Interior, Victoria and South Australia, West and South-West
Australia. (Ramsay)
Genus APROSMICTUS, Gould.
APROSMIOTUS SCAPULATUS, Bechstein.
King Lory. ;
Gould, Handbk. Bds. Aust., Vol. ii, sp. 409, p. 35.
The hollow spouts of the lofty Eucalyptus trees in South
Gippsland are frequently tenanted by these birds for the purpose
of breeding, also in the same locality, others are taken possession of
by.the Gang-gang Cockatoo, Callocephalon galeatum, but always
at such a height that rendered it impossible to take the eggs of
either species ; on one occasion only was a nest of the former taken
during my stay there, and this unfortunately contained four young
birds. An egg of this species in Mr. George Masters’ collection,
is in form a swollen oval, pure white. Long diameter 1:27 inch
short diameter 1-04 inch.
Hab. Port Denison, Wide Bay District, Richmond and Clarence
Rivers Districts, New South Wales, Victoria, and South Australia.
(Ramsay.)
Genus PTISTES, Gould.
% PTISTES ERYTHROPTERUS, Grmelin.
Red-winged Lory.
Gould, Handbk. Bds. Aust., Vol. ii. sp. 410, p. 37. XZ OS,
The Red-winged Lory is found both on the north-eastern and
‘north-western coast of Australia, and inland as far as the Dawson
256 PSITTACIDA.
River, Queensland ; a set of eggs taken from the hollow branch
in a lofty Eucalyptus, by Mr. George Barnard in 1882 at the
latter place, are four in number, white, and measure as follows :—
length (A) 1:19 x 1 inch ; (B) 1:25 x 0-98 inch ; (C) 1:13 x 0°95
inch ; (D) 1:15 x 0-92 inch.
This bird commences to breed in October, and continues the three
following months.
Hab. Rockingham Bay, Port Denison, Wide Bay District,
Dawson River. (Ramsay.)
Genus PLATYCERCUS, Vigors.
5 ‘PLATYCERCUS BARNARDI, Vigors and Horsfield.
Barnard’s Parrakeet.
Gould, Handbk. Bds. Aust., Vol. ii., sp. 412, p. 40. xT 7.
“This beautiful Parrakeet is distributed over the southern
portions of the interior of Australia, and is found frequenting
alike the neighbourhood of the Lachlan and Darling Rivers in
New South Wales, as well as the dense Mallee districts of
Victoria and South Australia. In the cultivated portions of the
country the birds assemble together in small flocks, and commit
great depredations on the crops, consequently a merciless warfare
is waged against them by the farmers. For a set of the eggs of
this species I am indebted to Mr. Joseph A. Hill, of ‘Pine Rise,’
Kewell, Victoria, who obtained them, after carefully watching a
pair of birds for some time in the vicinity, on September 15th,
1887. They were deposited on the decaying wood, about two
feet. down the hollow limb of a Eucalyptus, at a height of thirty
feet from the ground. The eggs are five in number for a sitting,
pure white, oval in form, nearly equal in size at both ends,
measuring as follows :—length (A) 1:11 x 0:9 inch; (B) 1-2 x 0:92
inch; (C) 1:16 x 0-91 inch ; (D) 1:17 x 0-9 inch; (E) 1:18 x 0-92
inch.” (North, P.LS., N.S.W., Vol. ii., 2nd Series, p. 985.)
PLATYCERCUS. 957
This species breeds during September and the three following
months.
Hab. New South Wales, Interior, Victoria and South
Australia. (Ramsay.)
PLATYCERCUS SEMITORQUATUS, Quoy et Gaimard.
Yellow-collared Parrakeet.
Gould, Handbk. Bds. Aust., Vol. ii., sp. 413, p. 42.
“The Platycercus semitorquatus begins breeding in the latter
part of September or beginning of October, and deposits its eggs
in a hole in either a gum- or mahogany-tree, on the soft black
dust collected at the bottom; they are from seven to nine in
number and of a pure white. In most instances these eggs have
a pinky blush before being blown.” (Gould, Handbk. Bds. Aust.,
Vol. ii, p. 42.)
An average specimen measures, 1:23 x 0°98 inch.
Hab. West Australia.
sib PLATYCERCUS PENNANTII, Latham.
Pennant’s Parrakeet.
Gould, Handbk. Bds, Aust., Vol. ii., sp. 415, p. 44. XT 6.
This bird is found plentifully throughout New South Wales
and Victoria, and especially in the heavy timber clad ranges of
South Gippsland. Splendid specimens of both sexes in fully adult
plumage can be obtained in August, and in’ April the immature
birds of the previous season may be flushed at every few steps in
walking through the scrubs. It breeds in the holes of the lofty
gum-trees depositing its eggs from four to six in number on the
rotten wood, the eggs when first laid are white, but soon become
stained with the decaying wood’ or dust on which they are placed;
in form they are rounded ; length (A) 1-14.x 0-95 inch ; (B) 1:17
x 0°97 inch ; (C) 1:16 x 0-96 inch,
Q
258 PSITTACIDZ,
This species breeds during the months of September, October,
and November.
Hab. Rockingham Bay, Richmond and Clarence Rivers Districts,
New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia. (Ramsay.)
bn? PLATYCERCUS FLAVIVENTRIS, Temminek.
—ae
Yellow-bellied Parrakeet.
Gould, Handbk. Bds. Aust., Vol. ii., sp. 417, p. 48.
The Yellow-bellied Parrakeet is found throughout Tasmania,
and the adjacent islands in Bass’s Straits, where it deposits its
eggs, six or seven in number, on the decaying wood in the hole of
a gum tree. Eggs white, oval, length (A) 1:2 x 0°91 inch; (B) ,
1:17 x 0-92 inch ; (C) 1:23 x 0-96 inch,
The breeding season lasts from September until January.
' Hab. Victoria and South Australia, Tasmania. (Ramsay )
a-e PLATYCERCUS PALLIDICEPS, Vigors.
Pale-headed Parrakeet.
Gould, Handbk. Bds. Aust , Vol.i., sp., 419, p. 51.
“The eggs of the Moreton Bay Rosella are from three to five
in number, white, rounded or oblong-oval in shape ; length 1 inch
x 0°88 inch to 1:06 x 0-9 inch, they are laid in the hollow boughs
of trees during the months of August to December.” (Ramsay,
P.LS., NS.W., Vol. vii. p. 53.)
Hab. Port Denison, Dawson River, Wide Bay District, New
South Wales, Interior. (Ramsay.)
a PLATYCERCUS EXIMIUS, Shaw.
Rose-hill Parrakeet.
Gould, Handbk. Bds, Aust., Vol. ii., sp. 422, p. 55.
This bird is found breeding plentifully in New South Wales
and Victoria ; ; it lays its eggs which are five to seven in number
Q-2
PURPUREICEPHALUS. 259
in the hollow branch ofa Eucalyptus: Eggs white, measuring as
follows:—length (A) 1:08 x 0:9 inch; (B) 1:06 x 0:9 inch; (C)
1-05 x 0-87 inch ; (D) 1:03 x 0°85 inch.
This species breeds during September and the three following
months.
Hab. Wide Bay District, Richmond and Clarence Rivers
Districts, New South Wales, Interior, Victoria and South
Australia, Tasmania. (Ramsay.)
L-7 PLATYCERCUS ICTEROTIS, ZTemminck.
Yellow-cheeked Parrakeet.
Gould; Handbk. Bds, Aust , Vol. ii., sp. 424, p. 58.
“The eggs, which are white and six or seven in number, are
eleven lines long and nine and a-half lines broad; they are
deposited in the holes of large trees without any nest.” (Gould,
Handbk. Bds. Aust., Vol. ii., p. 58.)
Hab, South Australia, and West Australia. (Ramsay.)
Genus PURPUREICEPHALUS, Bonaparte.
7-9. PURPUREICEPHALUS PILEATUS, Vigors.
(Platycercus spurius, Kuhl.)
Red-capped Parrakeet.
Gould, Handbk. Bds. Aust., Vol. ii., sp. 425, p. 60.
“The Red-capped Parrakeet is an, inhabitant of Western
Australia, where it is rather numerously dispersed over the
country about King George’s Sound. The breeding season extends
over the months of October, November, and December. The
hollow dead branch of a gum- or mahogany-tree is the place usually
chosen by the female for the reception of her eggs, which are
milk-white and from seven to nine in number, about an inch and
sa A
260 PSITTACIDE,
an eighth long by seven-eighths of an inch broad.” (Gould,
Handbk. Bds. Aust., Vol. ii., p. 60.)
Hab. West and South-West Australia. (Ramsay.)
Genus PSEPHOTUS, Gould.
ad PSEPHOTUS HAMATOGASTER, Gould.
Red-bellied Parrakeet.
Gould, Handbk. Bds, Aust., Vol. ii., sp. 426, p. 62.
“For a full set of the eggs of this bird I am indebted to Mr. J.
Hill, who obtained them at ‘Pine Rise,’ Kewell, Victoria, from
the hollow branch of a Eucalyptus, on September 15th, 1887.
They are seven in number for a sitting, and when found were in
a very advanced state of incubation. In form they ‘ure rounded
ovals, a single specimen only (F) being somewhat sharply pointed
at one end, pure white, and the shell very smooth but without
any gloss. They measure as follows :—length (A) 0°94 x 0°8 inch;
(B) 0:95 x 0°8 inch; (C) 0:94 x 0°78 inch; (D) 0:97 x 0-76 inch ;
(E) 0:95 x 08 inch; (F) 0:97 x 0°78 inch; (G) 0:97 x 0°8 inch.”
(North, PLS, NS.W., Vol. ii., 2nd Series, p. 986.)
Hab. New South Wales, Interior, Victoria and South Australia,
West and South-west Australia. (Ramsay.)
PSEPHOTUS HMATOGASTER, Gould.
Var. XANTHORRHOUS, Gould.
Yellow-bellied Parrakeet.
Gould, Handbk. Bds, Aust., Vol. ii., sp. 427, p. 63.
A set of the eggs of this variety taken from the hollow spout
of a tree by Mr. James Ramsay at Tyndarie, on the 2nd of
September, 1868, are similar to those of the preceding species P.
hematogaster, being rounded in form, pure white, and the texture
PSEPHOTUS. 261
of the shell very fine, but lustreless. Length (A) 0:93 x 0:77 inch;
(B) 0°87 x 0°79 inch ; (C) 0-94 x 0-8 inch. (Dobr. Mus. Coll.)
Hab. New South Wales, Interior, Victoria and South Australia,
West and South-West Australia. (Ramsay.)
3-4 PSEPHOTUS PULCHERRIMUS, Gould.
Beautiful Parrakeet.
Gould, Handbk. Bds. Aust., Vol. ii., sp. 429, p. 67.
The Beautiful Parrakeet is found breeding in the neighbourhood
of Maryborough, Queensland, in the hollow branches of trees ;
occasionally it resorts to a deserted burrow of Dacelo leachii, or of
Halcyon macteayt in the nests of the Termites. Eggs white and
three or four in number ; a set taken in September 1883 measure
as follows ;—length (A) 0°88x 0°73 inch; (B) 0°86 x0°71 inch;
(C) 0°9 x 0°74 inch.
Specimens from the Dawson River, taken by Mr. Geo. Barnard,
measure as follows :—(A) 0°86 x 0°71 inch; (B) 0°87 x 0-7 inch;
(C).0:87 x 0°71 inch.
Hab. Port Denison, Wide Bay District, Dawson River, New
South Wales. (Ramsay.)
Y PSEPHOTUS MULTICOLOR, Jemminck.
Many-coloured Parrakeet.
Gould, Handbk. Bds. Aust., Vol. ii., sp. 430, p. 68.
This bird is plentifully dispersed throughout the open forest
country of the interior of New South Wales and South Australia,
which may be considered the stronghold of this species. It breeds
like most of the other members of the genus, during the months
of August, September, and October, in the hollow trunk or branch
of a tree, usually of a Eucalyptus or Casuarina. A set of eggs
taken by Mr. K. H. Bennett, on the 24th August 1884, are
262 PSITTACIDE.
four in number, white, and measure as follows :—length (A)
0-88 x 0°75 inch ; (B) 0:9 x 0°78 inch ; (C) 0:84 x 0°73 inch ; (D)
0°88 x 0°75 inch.
Hab. New South Wales, Interior, Victoria and South Australia.
(Ramesay.)
4 PSEPHOTUS HAMATONOTUS, Gould.
Red-rumped Parrakeet.
Gould, Handbk. Bds. Aust., Vol. i., sp. 431, p. 69.
The Red-rumped Parrakeet is dispersed throughout New South
Wales, Victoria, and South Australia, it is chiefly found in the
belts of trees skirting the margins of rivers and creeks. This
bird lays its eggs, which are white, upon the dry dust in a hole or
spout usually of a Casuarina or Eucalyptus.