12 NESTS AND EGGS OF AUSTRALIAN BIRDS. 



coloiu-, wannish-white, blotched and spotted with rusty-red or chestnut, 

 intermingled with dull cloudy purplish markings, which underlie the suiiacc 

 of the shell. In another pair the dull purplish markings predominate, one 

 example having the whole of the smaller end covered with a large patch 

 of didl or light purple. lu a third clutch the dull markings predominate 

 in one egg, while the other is so lichly marbled or mottlLd with the rusty- 

 red (in large patches in places) and puiplish markings as to obliterate 

 nearly the entire white surface. In some instances specimens have 



been known to be devoid of any marldngs, or one wlutc egg in a pair. 



Dimensions in inches of pi'oper clutches, namely : — 

 rp ,,.,,., . ( A (1) a-'j;^x2-24; (2) 2-81 x 2-22. 



Two taken m Victona [^ J^^^ 2-91 x 2-42 ; (2) 2-88x2 36. 



One taken in Tasmania (i)3-00x2-I; (2j 2-88 x 2-26. 



One taken in Western Australia ... (i) 2-71x2-2G; (2) 2-62 x 2-24. 

 (Plate 1.) 



Oliscri'dtliiiis. — The readers of Anthony Trollope may regard the state- 

 ment ;i.s Australian " blow " when I say that um Eagle, or as Austrahaus 

 call it, the Eagle Hawk, is larger than the famous Golden Eagle of Europe 

 and elsewhere. Nevertheless, that is the fact, and any person who doubts 

 may see both birds side by side in that well-ordered and instrtictive insti- 

 tution, the Zoological Garden, at Royal Park, Melbourne. It is somewhat 

 remarkable that, in his Handbook, Gould has not recorded detailed 

 dimensions for so large and important a bird as the Wedge-tailed Eagle. 

 Diggles gives figiu'es as follows: Total length, 38 inches; wing, 24 inches; 

 tail, 17i inches; bill, 2| inches; and tarsi or legs, 5 inches. The measure- 

 ments of the Golden Eagle are: — Length, 32 inches; wing, 24| inches; 

 tail, 13 inches. He does not give the expanse between tips of the wings, 

 but I should say the meastu'ement in an average specimen would be about 

 six or seven feet. We are all familiar- with the garb of the Wedge-tailed 

 Eagle, which is dai-k-brown, almost black in some specimens. The 

 difference between the brown and black plumage may be accomited for by 

 age. The wedge-shaped tail, which first stiggested the vernacular name 

 of the bird, is generally black. The cere — i.e., the naked space between 

 the feathers of the forehead and the bill proper — ^is yellowish, tlie bill 

 yellowish-horn colour, passing into black at the tip, and feet also 

 yellowish. Taken altogether, it is a noble and imposing bird, with 

 searching hazel eyes set in a flat>crowned head. 



The Wedge-tailed Eagle enjoys a wide range throughout the length 

 and breadth of Australia and Tasmania. It is, however, becoming rare 

 in parts, and in the near future may be as scarce as the Golden Eagle in 

 Europe, consequent upon the war waged against the bird by squatters and 

 others for smidry pastoral depredations, wluch the splendid bird is tempted 

 by natiu-e to commit. If we only reflect for a moment, we shall learn 

 that the good Eagles perfoi-m considerably overbalances the hann they do. 



Most of my experiences amongst Eagles' nests have been with the 

 Messrs. Brittlebank in that romantic locality known as the Weii-ibee 

 Gorge, and the adjacent ironbark forest ranges beyond Bacchus Marsh, 

 Victoria. Since the gold et-a. these wild localities have remained prac- 

 tically undisttu-bed for years. In some of the more secluded gullies we 



