30 A'ESTS AXD EGGS OF AVSTRAUAN BIRDS. 



Next. — Somewhat flat, constructed of dead sticks, lined with a thick 

 layer of green leaves (Eucalypt) ; usually situated high (from sixty to 

 oue hundred feet) in a tall tree. Dimensions over all, 15 inches ; egg 

 cavity, Ij inches deep. 



Eggs. — Clutch, three to four, rarely five ; roundish in shape, but 

 sometimes inchned to be pointed at one end ; siu-face of the shell comparar 

 tively fine ; in other examples, rough and granulated, with a slight trace 

 of lustre ; colom', usually imiform bluish-white, but in some instances very 

 meagrely blotched and spotted with light-brown. Dimensions in inches 

 of odd eggs: 1-7 x 1-42 (round example); 1-75 x 1-39 (pointed example); 

 of a pair: (1) 1-69 x 1-36, (2) 1-65 x 1-34. 



Observations. — For the eggs of this fine and singular Hawk I am 

 indebted to the late George Barnard, of Coomooboolaroo, from whom 

 I received them in 1883. They talhed with the description of the single 

 egg furnished by Gould. However, Dr. Ramsay redescribed other eggs 

 of the Crested Hawk, in 1867, with the following information: — "I was 

 fortunate enough to procui'e three eggs of tliis species taken by 

 Mr. MacgilUvi-ay's blackfellow, ' Daddy.' Mr. Macgilh\Tay informs me 

 that, when ' Daddy ' was taking the eggs, the female dashed so close to 

 liim that he killed it with his tomahawk. The male bud belonging to the 

 nest had been shot the dav before. The nest was a comparativelj' small 

 stnicture of sticks, and placed upon a horizontal bough, at a considerable 

 distance from the ground. The eggs have the pecuUarity of being very 

 much rounded at the large end, are short upon the whole, and have the 

 thin end pointed abruptly." 



I extract the following from notes Mr. S. W. Jackson, South Grafton, 

 has kindly furnished me on the Crested Hawk : — " I have found ten 

 nests of this species dui'ing the past four seasons. There were eggs in five 

 of them, and the remaining five contained three birds (young) each. The 

 Crested Hawk generally builds vei-y liigh, being at an altitude of ninety 

 to one himdred feet, but I have found some of the nests as low down as 

 fifty-five feet. I have never experienced any trouble robbing their nests, 

 as the birds are very quiet, and fly to a ti-ee a few himdi-ed yards away, 

 retiu'ning to nest after our climbing operations are finished, and 

 showing no signs of fight. The trees usually selected for their nests are, 

 viz.: — (1) spotted gum CEucalyptusj ; (2) apple tree ( Angophora); 

 (3) bloodwood (Eucalyptus). I never found nests in any other trees. 

 Tlie Crested Hawk seems to procure most of its food from the tops of 

 eucalyptus saphngs, which contain many ginibs. beetles, &c." 



However, " exceptions prove the rule. " Tiiis Hawk has been seen 

 flying with a snake in its talons. Therefore, it occasionally procures its 

 food upon the ground, imless the reptile seen was a tree-snake. 



Usual breeding months September to November. 



