IS2 



NESTS AND EGGS OF AUSTRALIAN BIRDS. 



Hf/ffs. — Clutch, two ; inclined to an ellipse in shape ; texture of shell fine ; 

 surface glossy ; colour, gi'eenish-white, blotched moderately, but particularly 

 round the apex, with dull reddish-brown and purplish brown. Similar 

 to those of P. cnpitu, but smaller. Dimensions of a proper clutch : 

 (1) -ISx-bS, (2) -ISx-bl. 



Ohservatiuns. — Dr. Ramsay states : — " I first noticed this species on the 

 Lower Herbert, and afterwards obtained it in the dense scrubs of Dal- 

 rymple's Gap, about fourteen miles from Cardwell ; but it was not until 

 Mr. Broadbent had forwarded to me adult specimens, shot from the nest, 

 that I became aware of its being a distinct species ; and although very 

 closely aUied to EopsaJtria (Paciludryas) capito, Gould, of our New South 

 Wales bushes, it may be at once distinguished by the nifous tint on the 

 lores and aroimd the eyes," which parts are white in capito. 



Dr. Sharpe, who by the way has only examined one skin, says that 

 the iTifous tint would seem to indicate a sign of immaturity, and " the 

 species is certainly doubtful." 



However, like the two Rufous-breasted Shrike Thrushes, the two 

 Pittas, and other cases I could cite, there is no doubt, to the field 

 collector's mind, that the Little Robin and the Large-headed Robin are 

 northem and southern representatives of each other. 



Tlie nest of the Little Robin, as described by Dr. Ramsay, is 

 a facsimile of the nest of the larger bird I took in the Richmond River 

 district, even to its situation upon a Calamus leaf and against the upright 

 cane. Mr. D. Le Souef, to whom I am indebted for my specimens, secured 

 one of two sets of eggs of the Little Robin from the Bloomfield 

 River district. All these eggs can at once be recognised by their smaller 

 size compared with those of the southern bird or Large-headed Robin. 



The eggs I possess were taken 20th October, 1894. I have others 

 dated 24th August, 1898. 



125- — PCECILODRYAS ALBIFACIES, ShalTpe. 



WHITE-FACED ROBIN. 



Figure. — Gould — Sharpe ;— Birds of New Guinea, vol. ii., pi. i8. 

 Reference. — Journ. Linn. See. (Zool.). vol. xvi , p. 318. 432. 

 Previous Description of Eggs. — 'Ramsay ; Proc. Linn. Soc, N.S. Wales, 

 vol. viii., p. 25 (1883). 



Geographical Distribution. — Northern Queensland (Cape York); also 

 New Guinea. 



Nest. — Cup-shaped, like that of all the genus, inside very deep; 

 composed of wiry rootlets, pieces of dry palm leaves, &c., the margins 

 being ornamented with gi-een mosses ; it is placed between upright forks 

 of a branch. Dimensions over all, 2^ inches across by '21 inches in depth ; 

 egg cavity, a trifle over 1^ inches deep (Ramsay). 



* No dimensions given. 



