688 THE BIRDS OF LORD HOWE AND NORFOLK ISLANDS, 



from which the adult male may be distinguished bj the olive- 

 green tail, and the smaller and less distinct subterminal blackish- 

 brown band. In some specimens the band is formed by a large 

 oval spot in the centre of the web only, and which is entirely 

 lost on the outermost feathers." 



The notes of this Thickhead are heard in the lowlying scrubs 

 and thickets of the settled part of the Island from '* early morn 

 till dewy eve," and even late into tlie night. It has one frequently 

 repeated note resembling the words " Seed wheat," with a sharp 

 rising inflexion on the latter syllable, 



I was fortunate enough to find a nest and eggs of this species, 

 hitherto undescribed, Avhen strolling through the palm-glens, in 

 company with Mr. J. B. Waterhouse. 



The nest is an open cup-shaped structure, composed of strips of 

 the inner sheathing of Kentia palm-fronds and vine- tendrils, 

 lined with coarse dried grass, placed on a matted base of skeleton 

 leaves, in a shrub thickly overgrown with lawyer-vines, about 

 eight feet from the ground. Dimensions: 6 inches iti width by 

 2^ inches in depth; egg-cavity, 2 J inches in width by 1 J inches 

 in depth. 



Eggs, clutch two; oval in shape; texture of shell fine, surface 

 glossy; colour white, spotted with small blackish-brown freckles 

 sparsely distributed over the whole shell, and with large spots or 

 blotches of sepia, and suffused greyish or slate blotches forming a 

 distinct zone round the upper quarter. Dimensions : {a) 094 x 

 0-7; {h) 0-94 x 0-69 inch. These eggs very closely resemble the^ 

 pearly white ground type of P. pectoralis. 



678(M). 72.Pachycephala xanthoprocta Gould. 

 Norfolk Island Thickhead; Tamey(N.I.). 



Pachycephala xanthoprocta^ North, * Nests and Eggs,' p. 409. 



Hah. — Norfolk Island. 



The Norfolk Island Thickhead is a very plain and sad-coloured 

 bird, both sexes being alike in plumage. It is so remarkabl}^ 

 tame that, even in that island-paradise of fearless birds, it has- 

 earned the local name of " Tamey " Its rich, liquid notes may 



