146 HABITS OF BLACK BREASTED BUZZARD, 



Peduncles one to three in the axils, the upper branches about 

 eight lines long, each bearing an umbel of usually five pedicellate 

 flowers. Bracts three or four obtuse small ones on the lower half 

 of the peduncle and an involucre of similar ones close under the 

 pedicels. Pedicels about six lines long, articulate just below the 

 calyx. Calyx two lines long, teeth nearly equal, slightly 

 pubescent inside. Standard flabelliform, emarginate, yellow 

 with purple centre about three lines wide. Wings nearly as long 

 as standard. Keel shorter, yellowish with purple tips. Pod flat 

 about five lines long. Seeds usually solitary, oblong, mottled, 

 with large strophiole. Plowering in September and November. 



Hal. Eight Mile Plains, Logan Poad. 



The specific name is in honour of Dr. Wm, Wyatt, a great 

 promoter of Botany and Horticulture in South Australia. 



Notes on toe habits of the Black Breasted Buzzard, 

 Gypoictinia melanostemon, Gould. 



By K. H. Bennett, Esq. 



The range of this bird — so far as my experience goes — is 

 confined to the plains which border the banks of the Murrumbidgec 

 and Lachlan Pivers, and the wide expanse of open country on 

 the north bank of the latter stream appears to be its especial 

 habitat, for it is most frequently seen in that locality, and 

 here also on several occasions I 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 Wild Turkeys (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 



