.VESTS AND EGGS OF AUSTRAtlAN BIRDS. 



2S.^ 



Although nests were obtained by Dr. Ramsay's collectors in the 

 Richmond River scnibs, in 1865-6, the Doctor did not describe the 

 eggs till twenty years aftenvaxds. 



For the pair of eggs in my collection I am indebted to the indomi- 

 table scrub himter, Mr. W. T. Bailej', who took a nest near Pimpama 

 Creek, Queensland, 17th August. 1890. 



Tlie Spine-tailed Orthony.x would appear to have two laying seasons, 

 principally the months July and August, and again Fobniai-y and 

 March. However, eggs have been found during other months, becnu.so 

 Mr. H. R. Elveiy informs me he has taken eggs in January, April, 

 May and Jime. But as Mr. Elvciy has been veiT assiduous in his 

 attentions to Log Runners in his locality, possibly some of the birds 

 may have laid again, on account of their previous eggs having been 

 robbed. On one occasion Mr. Elvery found a Log Runner's nest in a 

 clump of lawyer canes, about six feet from the groimd — a rather unusvial 

 place for the site of this bird's nest. 



A capital illustration of a Log Runner's nest is given from a photo- 

 glyph by Mr. S. W. Jackson. 



When Mr. Jackson and liis party visited the Bullabulah cedar 

 scrubs, seventy miles from South Orafton. in October, 1898, upwards 

 of twenty nests were examined, but the majority were old. However, 

 some contained eggs, several sets being perfectly fresh, notwithstanding 

 the lateness of the .season for tliis bird. The nests, which were beau- 

 tiful stnictures of mostly green moss, were found in a variety of 

 situations-^some at the foot of trees, neatly concealed between the 

 roots, others built in long grass in the scrub, others again against an 

 old log or luider a fern, &e., &c. 



205. — Orthonyx sp.\ldingt. Ramsay. 



BLACK-HEADED LOG RUNNER. 



Figure.— Gould : Birds of Australia, fol., supp., pi 53. 



Reference.— Czl. Birds Brit. Mus.. vol. vii.. p. 331. 



Previous Descrtption of Eggs . -tionh : Aus Mus. Cat , app (1890I. 



Geographical Distrihution. — North Queensland. 



Neit. — Large, dome-shaped, with side entrance; loosely constructed 

 of sticks, roots, &c. ; lined inside with mos-ses : placed at the base of 

 a tree, usually in a gully or depression in the scnib, but occasionally 

 situated on the top of an clk-iioni feni ( Pliili/reriiDii iiraiulf) .some 

 distance from the ground. 



E'lU"- — Clutch, one ; long oval or elliptical in shape ; texture of shell 

 fine; surface glossy, and in some instances slightly uneven about the 

 larger end ; colour, pure white. Somewhat large" compared with the 

 size of the bird. Dimensions in inches of single examples • (\\ 1-4 x -95 

 (2) 1-38 X -98. 



