228 !^ESTS AXD EGGS OF AUSTRALIAN BIRDS. 



remain during the winter in Victoria. During May one year (1895) 

 I saw many about the rushy flats of the Latrobe River, Gippsland, and 

 my friend, Mr. A. W. MilHgan, wi-iting to me the following July, stated 

 the Cisticolce were " still in evidence there." 



On the grass flats bordering the Yarra, near Heidellserg, I had two or 

 three field days during September, 1888, especially amongst the Grass 

 Warblers. The little birds proved exceedingly shy, and considerable 

 patience had to be exercised before the bird indicated even the where- 

 abouts of its grass-hidden nest. The following are the rough data 

 regarding the nest-finding. 



"No. 1 nest found Heidelburg, 11th October, 1888, in tuft of rushes 

 few feet from water. Entrance eastward. Eggs, four, half incubated. 

 Saw female bird. 



"No. 2 found near No. 1, 11th October, 1888, just a few bits of down 

 placed in weed. 23rd, found weeds sewn together and foundation made. 

 Saw Rufovis-headed bird carrying down. 30th, foiu' eggs. Shot female. 

 She had striated bead. 



"No. 3, at Heidelberg. Saw pair birds at well-made nest 17th. Nest 

 appeared completed, but on 23rd found three eggs and bird still carrying 

 material. Shot female 30th ; striated head. No more eggs. 



" No. 4, near Burke Road, Kew. Nest few feet from water. Com- 

 pleted in a tussock of grass 23rd October. Four eggs 3rd November. 

 (For this nest see illustration.) 



" No. 5, opposite side of lagoon to No. 4. Foundation just made, 

 23rd October. Completed and three eggs 3rd November." 



The Uttle Cisficola, when enjoying itself in mid-air singing, makes a 

 hissing noise preceding "tweet" sounded two or three times. Ifhave 

 noticed this bird in Victoria, mostly from September to March. 



Tlie little Grass Warbler must be included in the list of the foster- 

 parents of the Bronze Cuckoo /C. hasoJis), since a nest was found on King 

 Island containing eggs of the Warbler together vrith an egg of the Cuckoo. 

 This interesting combination was exhibited at the Field Naturalists' Club, 

 January, 1889, by Mr. G. A. Keartland, and recorded by me at the time. 



183. — AcANTHizA NANA, Vigors and Horsfield. — (226) 

 LITTLE TIT. 



Figure. — Gould: Birds of Australia, fol., vol. iii., pi 6o. 



Reference. — Cat. Birds Brit. Mus., vol. vii., p. 292. 



Previous Descriptions of Eggs. — Ramsay: P. Z. S., p. 573 (1866): 



Campbell : Southern Science Record (1882) ; North : Austn. 



Mus. Cat., pi. 13, fig, 16 (iSSg). 



Geographical Dktrihution. — South Queensland, New South Wales, 

 Victoria, and South Aiistraha. 



