NESTS AND EGGS Of AUSTRALIAN BIRDS. 2^7 



^Xest. — Similar in shape to that of tlie prccediug spucius, composed 

 of dry gi'asscs; hncd inside with line grasses, sometimes entirely with 

 horse-hair ; usually placed in a hole in the ground, sheltered by a tussock 

 of grass or the dead fohage or a fallen limb or tree. Dimensions over 

 all, 4 to 5 inches by 3 inches in depth ; egg cavity, 2i inches across 

 by 2 inches deep. 



E</ijs. — Clutch, three to foiu' ; roimd oval or are roundish in fonu, 

 more pointed at one end ; texture of shell fine ; surface glossy ; 

 colour, beautiful, being pinkish-white boldly spotted or blotched wth 

 rich pinkish-red or reddish-chestnut and purple, the markings being 

 thickest round or on the apex. These eggs are rounder, smaller and 

 much richer in colouring than those of the Black-breasted Song Lark 

 (C. crural ix). Dimensions in inches : oval pair (1) '88 x -62, (2) -88 x '61 ; 

 round pair (1) -84 x 65, (2) 8 x 63 ; small clutch (1) -81 x -62, (2) -8 x 

 •62, (3) -Tex -61. (Plate 11.) 



Oljstrvdtiijits. — Tliis melochous songster, like the C crtira/is, is, 

 according to the time of season, found throughout Australia and is the 

 more common bird of the two species. In September* it is a visitor to 

 the southern part of the Continent, where it breeds diuing October, 

 November and December, when their delightfid songs are most 

 animated. While the Black-breasted or Brown Song Lark appears 

 partial to grassy plains, the Rufous loves the grassy glades of the forest 

 or lightly timbered couutiy. 



The coat of the Rufous Song Lark is dark-brown, with the upper t<iil 

 coverts rufous; under surface pale greyish-brown; eyes hazel, bill lead- 

 colour in summer, in winter brown ; length 7h inches, wing 3 A inches, 

 tail 3J inches, bill g inch, tarsus 1 inch. 



The most beautiful set of eggs I ever found of tliis bird was on a 

 Prince of Wales' birthday at what is now Murrumbeena. Imagine the 

 set of riclily coloured pinkish-red eggs reposing in a neat nest low down 

 where the green gi-ass gi'ew through a dead purplish-brown branch of 

 a fallen Wattle (Acacia) tree. 



My son Archie found a nest in the Ricluiiond Park containing foui' 

 eggs quite fresh, 12th November, 1896. In consequence of the dij 

 season that year this Lark, as well as the other Song Lark, was more 

 numerous than usual in Victoria. Another nest discovered the 



following season (on the 23rd November) in the Horticultural Gardens, 

 Burnley, was snugly sheltered by a tuft of Kangaroo grass and was 

 completely lined with long black horse-hair, the dark lining enhancing 

 the beauty of the three red mottled eggs. This nest was photographed. 



In Februai-y the bii'ds commence to retui'n northwards. 



In Central Australia dming winter (1894) Mr. G. A. Keartland 

 found the Rufous Song Larks flying from bush to bush and working 

 amongst the blossoms in a manner that at first led him to believe 

 they were Honeycaters. Although these birds were frequently seen, 

 it was not often their pleasant song was heard in the interior solitudes. 



' .Vn instance — season iSgO — first bird heard in Botanical Gardens, Melbourne, 

 middle of the month. (C. F., Jr.) 



