NESTS AXD EGGS OF AU ST KALI AN BIRDS. (^5 



of the other species of the genus, they are sprinkled over with bkiish 

 markings, which appear- as if beneatli the surface of the shell ; their 

 medium length one indi, and breadtli nine lines (Gould). 



Specimens in the Dobroyde collection, taken at Port Darwin, are nearly 

 oval in fomi. Dimensions in inches : (1) 105 x -75, (2) r03 x •72 (North). 



Observations. — This species is interesting because it is possibly the 

 smallest of its genus, and moreover it would appear to be rare, for up to 

 the present it has never been recorded outside the locality (Northern 

 Territory), where Gilbert first discovered it. 



A nest and eggs were brought to Gilbert by a native. They were 

 taken from the hollow part of a tree, about four feet from the ground. 

 The nest, which was too much injured to be preserved, was formed of 

 small twigs and narrow strips of melaleuca bark. 



71. PiNAROLESTES RUFIGASTER, Gould. (128) 



RUFOUS-BREASTED SHRIKE THRUSH. 



Reference. — Cat. Birds Brit. Mus., vol. iii., p. 296. 

 Previous Descriptions 0/ Eggs. — Ramsay ; Proc. Linn., N. S. Wales, vol. 

 viii., p. 23 (1883) ; North : Austn. Mus. Cat., p. 83 (1889). 



Geographical Distribution. — Queensland and New South Wales. 



Nest. — Cup-shaped, somewhat neat, with well-rounded rim, composed 

 of broad portions of bark, bound with twigs and tendrils of climbing 

 plants, mixed with greenish and brownish coloured spiders' cocoons. Lined 

 inside with very fine twigs and a few rootlets, through which the bai'k of 

 the exterior or foimdation is visible, and usually placed in a bushj' tree. 

 Dimensions over all, 4^ inches by 3 inches in depth ; egg cavity, 2^ inches 

 across by 2 inches deep. 



Eygs. — Clutch, two to three ; roundish oval in shape ; texture of shell 

 fine ; siu'face very glossy ; colour, beautiful pearly or warm-wliite, sparingly 

 spotted and blotched with olive and warmish-grey, the majoiity of the 

 markings being about the apex, and confluent in some instances. 

 Dimensions in inches of a pair: (1) 1-01 x -75, (2) 1-0 x -75. (Plate 7.) 



Ohisfrvations. — Respecting tliis small species, on the 3rd October, 

 1885, I had the pleasiu-e of taking from a bushy tree near the Fitzroy 

 River (Q.), a nest resembling a Tliickhead's. and not much larger. The 

 bird was sitting upon a pair of fresh eggs. 



Again I renewed the Little Thrush's acquaintance in the Richmond 

 River district, New South Wales, about its most southerly limit. In 

 Nortliorn Queensland (about the Herbert River) it merges into a smaller 

 race — the Lesser Rufous-breasted Thrush (C. porvissimaj. 



