NESTS A.VP ECGS OF AUSTRAUAN R/KPS. 2-\ 



Ohservatinns. — This smaller-sized Babbler has a wider distribution 

 than the common variety, being found in both Eastern and Western 

 Australia. 



Like its lai-ger cousin, it may be seen, even in the same locality, 

 seven or eight in a flock hopping over the gi-ound like rats, pulling 

 away at the short grass or Icvci-ing over lumps of bark or sticks with 

 its boak or head. When distuilKMl, with spread tail and wings, these 

 birds leap actively from branch to branch tluough the trees, uttciing 

 chattering noises, but not quite so loudly as the Temporal or Common 

 Babbler. 



The eggs of this species in my collection I took in the Mallec, end 

 of October, 1884 — two nests, two and three eggs respectively. The 

 nests were lined with giM-ss, fur and diy cattle manure. 



Mr. James G. McDougall infonns me he has taken the eggs of this 

 species in South Australia, where it is in some pl.aces called the 

 Kangaroo Bird, early in July. 



Gilbert observed in Western Australia that the breeding season 

 commences in September, and continues during the three following 

 months. The nest is usually constructed in a dead jam-tree (species of 

 acacia), and it often happens that three or four pairs of birds build 

 their nests in the s,ime clump of trees. 



Like the Temporal Babbler, the Wliite-browed uses one of its nests 

 as a sleeping place. At mid-wint<!r I have witnessed a troupe filing 

 into their dormitory at dusk. 



Breeding months according to the season, from Mav to the end of 

 the vear. 



222. — PoM.VTouHiNus uuFirEPS. TTartlaid). — (29.')) 



CHESTNUT-CROWNED BABBLER. 



Figure. — Gould : Birds of Australia, fol., supp , pi. 38. 

 Reference. — Cat. Birds Brit. Mus., vol. vii., p. 420. 



Previous Description of Eggs. — Ramsay: Proc. Linn Soc, NS. Wales, 

 vol. vii.. p. 46, pi. 3, fig. 12 (1882). 



Gengraphiral Distribution. — Interior of Queensland (prob.ably), 

 New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia. 



Nest. — Similar to those of the other members of the genus, bidky, 

 built of sticks ; lined inside vrith a thick ply of grasses, including their 

 roots, wool, and dr}' cattle dimg. Circumference about 50 inches. 



Eggs. — Clutch, four, occa.sionally a larger number, probably a com- 

 bination clutch ; nearly oval in shape ; texture of shell fine ; surface 

 glossy ; coloiu', buffy, clouded vrith piu^plish or brownish-grey, and 

 s]3otted more or less round the apex with sepia, or sometimes marked 

 with blackish hair-like markings, as seen on the eggs of the other 

 18 



