BY E. P. RAMSAY, F.R.S.E., M.R.I. A., &C. 1151 



Myzomela nisra, Gould. 



The nest is a shallow cup-shaped structure of fine shreds of bark 

 or similar material, usually placed over a horizontal fork of a 

 branch. Mr, K. H. Bennett informs me that some years ago this 

 species was found plentifully near Mossgiel feeding in the Sandal- 

 wood trees, (Myoporum platycarpum). 



Eggs two for a sitting ; they are of a dull white or cream-white 

 with an indistinct zone, which in some consists of distinct dots of 

 dull brown near the thicker end, in others clouded markings 

 of light brown. Length (A) 0-6 inch x 047 inch ; (B) 0-63 

 inch x 048 inch. 



Ptilopus superbus, Temm. 



The egg of this fruit-dove is remarkably small, in comparison 

 with eggs of other pigeons of a similar size. I have received 

 a specimen taken by Mr. Boyer-Bower in the brushes near 

 Cairns, Queensland, and although I may have previously described 

 the egg of this species taken out of Australia, I think it not 

 out of place to give a description of a truly authentic Austra- 

 lian specimen. Eggs white, oval, rather elongated and pointed, 

 1*2 x 0*83 inch ; two only are laid for one sitting. 



Anas gibberifrons, Mull. 



There has been much discussion about this species which had 

 always been looked upon in Australia until the last few years, as 

 the female of A. castanea {A. punctata, of Gould's Bds. Aust.) 



I have not been able to find any good characteristics between 



the females of these species up to the present time. But the males 



may at once be known, as in A. gibberifrons, the sexes are alike in 



plumage ; in A. castanea the male has a rich chesnut-red breast 



and a glossy green head when adult, and even in the young male 



the chest is tinged with rufous. The eggs are usually 6 to 10 in 



number, and are laid in the hollow branches of trees, &c. Creamy 



white. Length 2-15x1-45 inches. The eggs of A. castanea, 



Eyton, are similar in size and colour, 

 74 



