BY K. n. BEXXETT, ESQ. 327 



swimming, and thus got clear of the " llolej Poleys," and with 

 the exception of encountering a few snags and stumps made a 

 rapid and uneventful voyage to within a short distance of my 

 destination. Here again troubles commenced ; tlic water shallowed 

 and the dreaded "E-oley Poleys" Avere as thick as ever. ]My 

 naturalist's spirit, however triumphed, and I made my way to the 

 nearest tree ; which contained three nests, from each of which 

 a Spoonbill flew as I approached. Eager to secure my prize I 

 commenced climbing the tree ; but numbers of the large " Bull- 

 dog" ant had taken refuge in the branches, and of their presence 

 I was soon painfully aware by numerous stings ; but the Spoon- 

 bill's egg I was determined to have in spite of the ants, and wath 

 an occasional muttered imprecation at each additional sting, I 

 at last had the gratification of beholding my first Spoonbill's 

 eggs, which were rather long, and pointed, the colour white. 

 Each of the three nests contained four eggs, and from where 

 I stood, I could see into several other nests ; none of which con- 

 tained more than four. The Herons Inoticed, were also breeding, 

 their nests containing the same number of eggs. 



Having any quantity to choose from, I contented myself with 

 some half dozen of the best looking eggs of both Heron and 

 Spoonbill, taken from various nests. Whilst taking these eggs I 

 discovered the nest of a Whistling Eagle in a tree a short distance 

 away, and on which the female bird was sitting, doubtless with 

 the idea of reaping a rich harvest for herself and young, in the 

 not far distant future. In this — so far as her present embryo 

 family were concerned, she was mistaken, for I soon had her 

 fine pair of eggs transferred to my bag, and as there was nothing 

 else to be obtained just there, I continued my exploration by 

 visiting other parts of the lake, w^hich resulted in discovering 

 several additional species of nests and eggs, amongst which were 

 two nests of the Xankeen Heron — fNycticorax CaledonicusJ, each 

 containing four eggs, about the same size and colour as those o£ 

 Ardea pacijica, but of a paler tint. The nests were similar in 



