254 NESTS A.VP IiGGS OF AUSTRALIAN BIRDS. 



Observations. — This is the larger and northern representative of the 

 Log Riinncr of more southern scnibs, from which it differs in respect 

 to its nidifu-ation on two points: firstly, it frequent I3' builds its nest 

 off the ground, and secondly, lays but a single egg. 



The species is pecuUar to the districts between Cardwell and Cook- 

 town, and was named by Dr. Ramsay in honour of Mr. Edward Spalding, 

 taxidermist and collector. 



According to the " Records " of the Australian Museum, Mr. Cairn 

 one of the collectors of that excellent institution, foimd several nests 

 of the Black-headed Log Runner, placed in the tangled roots of lawyer 

 canes. One nest foiuid 20th June, 1889, contained a single egg in an 

 advanced state of incubation. Others were found in tlie middle of 

 August. Therefore, the Orthonyx would appear to be a winter breeder. 

 Mr. North suggests it is from May till end of September, young birds 

 having been procured in June, but the breeding season is greatly 

 influenced by the rains. 



Mr. Broadbent, who has observed the Black-headed Log Runner 

 at home in its native scnibs, observes it is exceedingly noisy and is one 

 of the first birds heard in the morning; it is also, in a degree, a mimic. 

 He met with troupes of sometimes thirty or more in the winter. 

 The male birds are extremely pugnacious, a trait that frequently costs 

 them their lives, for when engaged in battle it is an easj' matter to 

 approach close to them and thus get a successful shot. 



Mr. Broadbent describes a nest he found built amongst lawyer 

 canes, which somewhat resembled the nest of the Lyre Bird ( Menura), 

 in having sticks laid lengthways as an approach to the entrance. The 

 nest was large and loosely piit together. 



In the account of his tripi to Northern Queensland, November, 1893, 

 pubhshed in the " Victorian Naturalist," Mr. Dudley Le Souef 

 records : — " Near the top of the ranges we secured a Spalding's Orth- 

 onyx, and were fortunate in finding its nest and one white Qgg." A 

 photograph he took of the nest gives a good idea of its position. On a 

 subsequent trip he observed several unfinished nests cither built on 

 the ground or on a rock against some object. They were lined 

 plentifully with moss. 



I have imfortunately mislaid the dates of the two specimens in my 

 collection, but both those in Mr. D. Le Souef's collection were taken 

 during the month of November. 



206. — CiNCLOsoMA PUNCTATUM, Latham. — (271) 

 SPOTTED GROUND BIRD. 



Figure. — Gould : Birds of Australia, fol , vol. iv., pi. 4. 



Reference.— Cat. Birds Brit. Mus., vol. vii., p. 332. 



Previous Descriptions nf Eggs. — Gould: Birds of Australia (1848) ; also 



Handbook, vol. i, p. 434 (1865); North: Austn. Mus, Cat, 



p. 152. pi. II, fig. 10 (1889). 



Geographical Distribution. — South Queensland, New South Wales. 

 Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania. 



