BY A. F. BASSET HULL. 685 



Dr. Metcalfe gives September as the regular breeding month 

 of this species (North). I was not fortunate enough to find any 

 nests with eggs, but during the month of November found two 

 containing young birds. These nests were both built in introduced 

 pine-tr^s growing close to a residence, and were open cup-shaped 

 structures of moss, larger and more substantial than the nest of 

 Lalage tricolor. I have since received two clutches of eggs, both 

 taken in the township of Kingston, on the 20th February, 1909. 

 The months of November and December, 1908, were exceptionally 

 wet, and many of the land-birds took advantage of the abundant 

 food-supply, and bred again from January to March, 1909. 



Eggs, clutch two, occasionally three. Pale green ground- 

 colour, slightly tinged with grey, with thick, irregularly shaped, 

 longitudinal markings of different shades of olive-brown, and a 

 few minute freckles scattered over the surface of the shell; on 

 the larger end several obsolete markings of dull bluish-grey 

 appear. Dimensions : 088 x 0'67(North). 



(l)a,0-9 X 0-66; 6,0-86 x 066(20th February, 1909). 



(2)a and 6,0-87 x 0-67(20th February, 1909). 



(3)a,0 92 X 0-66; 6,0-82 x 0-66; c was broken, but was interme- 

 diate between a and 6(1 1th December, 1908). 



540(M). 68.MERULA vinitincta Gould. 



Yinous-tinted Ouzel; Doctor Bird(L.H.I.). 



Merula vhiitincta Gould, p. 59; Ramsay, p. 37; North, 'Nests 

 and Eggs,' p.412; Seebohm, Mon. Tuididte, ii., p.l37(1902). 



Hab. — Lord Howe Island. 



A very common and exceedingly tame species, peculiar to Lord 

 Howe Island, the " Doctor Bird " is seen everywhere, scratching 

 amongst the dead leaves with the industry of a barnyard fowl, 

 or perched on the low shrubs, emitting its sharp whistling chirp. 

 Its local name is said to be derived from a sharp double knocking 

 sound uttered when the bird is alarmed. Though so tame that 

 one can approach quietly within a few feet, any sudden appear- 

 ance of a human being, or a loud noise, will send it scolding away 

 for a short flight, but it soon stops to reconnoitre, curiously 



