154 



NESTS AND EGGS OF AUSl'RALIAN BIRDS. 



Woodwai'd, Perth Museiun, I liave also received skins taken in Western 

 Australia. 



Regai-ding the Short-billed Tree Tit, which Mr. Lau calls by the high- 

 sounding vernacular title, " Eucalyptian Linnet, " he says ; " There are three 

 little eucalyptus blossom searchers, of wliich tliis is the smallest. It is gi'ey 

 in coloiu'. Its neatly-formed nest has the shape of a sedan chair, the 

 loophole being nearly in the middle of the frame, and is constnicted of 

 iine grass, the bedding being soft feathers, wherein four very small greyish- 

 brown clouded eggs rest. Nest taken at Pike's Creek (Darling Downs), 

 in a eucalypt sapling, five feet above the giound." 



Some sonsons iu Queensland this Sniicrornis, or Tree Tit, lays as early 

 as Jimc or July. The set of eggs I now possess was taken by 

 Ml-. W. B. Barnard, at Crowesdale, 28th June, 1897. 



However, the chief breeding months may be stated as September 

 to November. Once a nest was found early iu Maxch. 



127. — Smicroenis flavescens, Gould. (162) 



YELLOW-TINTED TREE TIT. 



Figure. — Gould : Birds of Australia, fol., vol. ii., pi. 104. 

 Reference. — Cat. Birds Brit. Mus., vol. iv., p. 210. 



Previous Description of Eggs — North : Kept. Horn Scientific Exp., p. 84 

 (1896). 



Geographical Di^frihution. — Northern Tcrritor}', North Queensland, 

 South (Central), and North-west AustraUa. 



Nest. — No doubt resembUng that of S. breviroatris, and built in a 

 eucalypt.* 



Eggs. — Clutch, three probably ; inclined to an ellipse in shape ; te.xture 

 of shell fine ; surface glossy ; colour, vinaceous or Ught pui-plish-buff, with 

 drab and pui'plish-grey markings, chiefly on the apex. Dimensions in 

 inches : (1) -58 x -41, (2) -58 x -4, (3) -57 x -42, (4) -56 x -41. 



These eggs are from Central Australia (Mr. Keartland's collection), 

 and are exactly similar to those of .S'. hrevirnstris, except being smaller 

 and the markings perhaps a little more pronounced. The original 

 specimens, described by Mr. North, if referable to tliis species at all, 

 would appear not to be typical. 



Obse.rvafion.s. — This, the tiniest (total length only 2i inches) of our 

 Australian avi-faima, is a dweller chiefly of the north and centi-al portions 

 of Australia ; and from the circumstance of its confining itself almost 

 exclusively to the topmost branches of the trees, where its diminutive 

 size prevents it being seen, as Gilbert no doubt found out, it is not easily 

 seciu'ed. 



Dm'ing the Horn Scientific Expedition, the Yellow-tinted Tree Tit 



" See .Appendix. 



