BY A. J. NORTH. 1051 



in some instances they are more clearly defined and boldly blotched, 

 and have markings of deep bhiish-grey appearing as if beneath the 

 surface of the shell. A set taken on the 18th of September 

 measures as follows: — Length (A.) 1-05x0.75 inch; (B.) 1-07 

 X 0-77. 



Orthonyx spaldingi, Ramsay. Spalding's Orthonyx. 



" Chowchilla^^ Aborigines of Cairns District. 



This species, has recently been met with rather freely dispersed 

 through the dense brushes of the coastal range, chiefly in the 

 neighbourhood of the Mulgrave and Russell Rivers, in North- 

 eastern Queensland. Mr. Cairn who found several nests of this 

 species, states they are usually built in the tangled roots of 

 " Lawyer vines," but not unfrequently on the top of a stag-horn 

 fern, as high as twelve feet from the ground. The nest is a large 

 bulky dome-shaped structure with an entrance on one side ; it is 

 composed of twigs, roots, and mosses, chiefly species of Hypnum, 

 so loosely put together that it will not bear removal. Unlike its 

 southern ally 0. spinicaiodus, it appears that only one egg is laid 

 for a sitting. A nest found on the table land near Boar Pocket, 

 on the 20th of June last, contained but one egg in an advanced 

 state of incubation ; others were found as late as the middle of 

 August. The breeding season this year would appear to be from 

 May till the end of September, young birds being procured in 

 June, but as in other parts of Australia the breeding season of 

 birds is greatly influenced by the rains. 



The eggs which are pure white, vary from elongated to swollen 

 ovals, some being equal in size at each end. Two average-sized 

 specimens measure (A.) 1*45 inch x 1, (B.) 1-38 x 1-1. 



