NESTS AXD EGGS OF AO'STKAL/AA' HIKPS. 



159 



AV/f/s. — Clutcli. throe ; inclined to oval in shape ; texture of shell 

 fine ; surface glossy ; colour, wann-whitt', rather boldly blotched and 

 spotted, especially on the apex, with rcddish-browii and piu'plish-brown. 

 Dimensions in inches of a proper clutch: (1) -68 x '48, (2) '68 x ■47, 

 (3) -67 X -47. 



Observations. — The Large-billed Gcrygone, or Fly Eater, is a Northeni 

 Queensland species, and may there be considered a common one. It also 

 ranges westward across the Northern Territory. In some localities it is 

 known as the " Flood Bird," on accoiuit of its nest having the appearance 

 of long bunches of flood debris or nibbish left hanging from the branches 

 by receding water. 



I have no doubt that the nests secured by Dr. Ramsay and hiss party 

 in the belts of mangroves near Cardweil, and described as G. flavida* 

 (persoiiata), should be referable to the Large-billed Fly Eater. The 

 Doctor accurately describes the fashion and situation of the nest of 

 G. magnirnstris, whereas G. personata builds an entirely different nest, 

 hidden away in palm scrubs, and usually in the proximity of a hornet's 

 nest. 



Mr. W. B. Barnard writes : — " The little Flood Bird makes a nest from 

 a foot to eighteen inches in length, with a side entrance near the top, 

 the hole is about four inches down, lined with feathers ; the rest of the 

 nest is composed of weeds, &c., matted together, and is generally built in 

 a, vine overhanging a creek. Builds from August to December." 



In two or tlu'ee instances Mr. Barnard found an egg of a Bronze 

 Cuckoo in the nest of the Large-billed Gerygonc. 



Januar}' and February may be included in the breeding months. 



133.^ — PSEUDOGERYGONE FUSCA, Gould. (156) 



BROWN FLY EATER. 



Figure.— Gou\d: Birds of Australia, fol., vol. ii., pi g8. 



Reference —Ca.U Birds Brit. Mus., vol. iv , p 223. 



Previous Descriptions of Eggs.—Go\\\A ; Birds of Australia (1848). also 



Handbook, vol. i, p. 267 (18C5) ; North: Austn. Mus. Cat., 



p. 99 {1889). 



Geograpliical Distribution.- — Queensland, New South Wales, and 

 Victoria. 



iVes^. — Elongated or oval, with top and bottom extensions (the top 

 being woven into its holding-place, the bottom terminating in a beard-like 

 point), and with side entrance semi-spouted or with a projection above 

 it resembling the peak of a cap ; composed entirely of fine golden-green 

 moss, strengthened with long thread-like, black rootlets, covered with 

 white webs, and ornamented with roimdish pieces of lichen, greyish-green 



• Proc. Zool. See, p. 587 (1S75). 



