BY H. K. BENNETT, ESQ. 167 



As another instance, a friend of mine (who is a keen observer) 

 told me that he was driving a small lot of sheep, and a falcon had 

 made several ineffectual efforts to catch a lark, and whilst in pursuit 

 of it some distance ahead of the sheep, they disturbed a black duck, 

 Amis superciliosa, from her nest under a cotton bush, and she flew 

 off in the direction the falcon had gone ; the latter caught sight of 

 her, and leaving the lark turned and made for the duck, and so 

 great was the concussion when they met that they fell to the 

 ground, and my friend on riding up found both dead. 



The black falcon sometimes breeds here but not often, for during 

 my long residence (over 20 years) in this locality I have only met 

 with their nests on four occasions (one only a few days since). It 

 breeds in September and lays four eggs which much resemble those 

 of Hieracidea orientatis. 



The nest I recently found was a clear case of appropriation, as 

 last year it was occupied by a pair of Gypoictinia melanosternum, 

 the falcons had possession however, this year, and the nest contained 

 four eggs. Immediately beneath the edge of the nest a pair of 

 Xerophila leucopsis had constructed theirs, which contained young, 

 and the old birds were flying in and out apparently quite uncon- 

 cerned at the proximity of their dangerous neighbours well knowing 

 that the intercices between the large sticks of which the upper 

 nest was composed afforded them a secure asylum. 



The habit of builing beneath the large nests of the hawk 

 family is common with several species of small birds, but although 

 the raven Corone australis, constructs a nest as large as many 

 species of hawks, yet these small birds nests are never found 

 beneath them, instinct teaching the builders that their eggs or 

 young would not be safe even there from this cunning bird, and 

 in instances where they have built their nests beneath those of 

 hawks, I have noticed that none are tenanted except in cases 

 where the upper structure has also- been occupied by the hawk, the 

 presence of whom effectually keep the crows away. 



A large flat-winged Dipterous parasite infests the black falcon. 

 I have seen a somewliat similar insect on the other birds but not 

 nearly so large as that infesting the falcon, it moves about sideways 

 under the feathers with extraordinary rapidity. 



