220 OOLOGICAL NOTES. 



successful in finding its nests and eggs near Mathoura. Mr. 

 Kershaw, to whom I am also indebted for the loan of the eggs of 

 this species for description, has kindly sent the following note 

 relative to the taking of them: — "Mr. H. G. Evered found the 

 nest of the Minute Bittern, containing four fresh eggs, in a swamp 

 near Mathoura, New South Wales, during November, 1893. It 

 was an open nest, composed of dead leaves of aquatic plants, and 

 grasses and herbage growing about the swamp, and was fastened 

 to several reeds just above the surface of the water. The bird 

 was seen on the nest, and one was captured alive." 



The eggs of the Minute Bittern are oval in form and pure 

 white, the texture of the shell being very fine and the surface 

 dull and lustreless. Length, (A) M3 x 0-98 inch; (B) 1-26 x 

 1 inch. Like the eggs of all birds laid in similar situations, they 

 soon become dirty and nest-stained. 



