NESTS AND KGGS 01' AVSTKALIAN lilHDS. gi 



67- — COLLVUIOCINCLA BRINNEA, Goulcl. (125j 



BROWN SHRIKE THRUSH. 



Figure. — Gould : Birds of Australia, fol , vol. ii., pi. 76. 



Reference.— Ca.i. Birds Brit. Mus., vol. iii , p. 2gi 



Previous Desciif lions 0/ Eggs —Gould : Birds of Australia (1848), also 



Handbook, vol. i., p. 223 (1865); North: Austn. Mus. Cat.. 



p. 81 (i88g); Le Souef : Victorian Naturalist, vol. xvi . p 64 



(.890) 



Gtijyraphical Distribution. — North-west Australia, Northern Territory, 

 aud North Queensland, also New Guinoa. 



Xtft. — Outwardly composed of narrow strips of tea-tree (Melaleuca J 

 bark, lined inside with fine twigs, and built in the upper part of a hollow 

 stump (Gould). 



Eggs. — Clutch, two to three ; pearly bluish-white, spotted and blotched 

 with markings of olive-brown and grey, the latter colom- appearing as if 

 beneath the surface of the shell; their medium length is one inch and 

 two Uncs by ten lines in breadth (Gould). Dimensions in inches of two 

 sets in Mr. D. Le Souef's collection — (elongated ovals) : (1) 1-24 x '75, 

 (2) 1-23 X -76, (3) 1-2 X -74; (stout ovals): (1) 1-07 x -8, (2) 1-05 x -8. 



Obsertations. — According to Gould a nest of this robust species was 

 foimd (probably bj' Gilbert) on the 2nd Febniary, wliich would be about 

 the termination of the breeding season in the biz'd's nortliern habitat. 

 The breecUng months may be included from September to Februan-. 

 During the latter month (1896) a pair of these birds hatched their brood 

 near the camp of the Calvert Expedition on the Fitzroy River, and 

 afforded considerable amusement by the manner in which the old birds 

 used to flutter near a dog to divert attention from their young. 



Of two other and extremely doubtful species Dr Ramsay states: — 

 " C. siiperciliosa (Masters) may be a very old bird of C. brunnea (Gould), 

 and probably the same applies to C. po/li/lirosfri.? (Sharpe).* It has a 

 distinct broad white stripe over the eye and extending beyond it, and is 

 a fully adult bird; the young of C. bruimea have a buff line over the eye." 



68. — COLLYIUOCINCLA RUFIVENTHIS, Gould. — (124) 



BUFF-BELLIED SHRIKE THRUSH. 



Figure. — Gould : Birds of Australia, fol , vol. ii., pi. 75. 

 Reference. — Cat. Brit. Mus., vol. iii., p. 292. 



Previous Descriptions of Eggs. — Gould: Birds of Australia (1848), also 

 Handbook, vol. i. p. 222 (1865). 



Geographical Distribution. — South, West, and North-west Australia. 



Nest. — Geinerally placed in the hollow part of high trees, and formed of 

 dried strips of gum-tree (Eucahjpt) bark very closely packed ; it is deep, 

 and sometimes lined with soft grasses (Gould). 



* Cat. Birds Brit Mus , vol. iii , p. 293. 



