NESTS AND EGGS OF AUSTRALIAN BIRDS. 287 



Observatiiinx. — This beautiful Ephthianura, which was discovered by 

 my friend Mr. T. A. Gulliver on the Norman River, near the Gulf of 

 Cai-pentaria, is an inhabitant of Northern Australia. It is smaller in size 

 and the vellow more intense in colour than K. tiurifntns, and moreover 

 may be readily distinguished from that species by the black mark on the 

 chest. 



In the neighbourhood of the Gulf of Cai-pcntiria, Mr. Price Fletcher 

 tells us it usually frequents marshy and long gi-assy swamps, instead of 

 dry plains, as do the other Eptliiainnns or Bush Chats. 



FAMILY— PARIDyE: TIT-MICE. 



Sun-FAMII.Y — P.vuiN,*:. 



234. — XEnopiiiLA i.Erropsis, Gould. — (234) 

 WHITE FACE. 



Figure — Gould : Birds of .'\iisiralia. fol., vol iii,, pi 67 



Reference. - Cat. Birds Brit Mus., vol viii , p 73 



Previous Descriptions of Eggs— Ra.ms3.y : Free. Linn. Soc, N.S. Wales, 

 vol. vii , p. 407, pi 3, fig. 7 (1882) ; Campbell : Southern Science 

 Record (1883) ; North : Austn. Mus. Cat., pi. 9, fi?. 14 (1889). 



Geographical Distribution. — Queensland, New South Wales, Vic- 

 toria, South and West Australia. 



Neat. — Bulky, covered in, with side entrance ; composed of coarse 

 grass; Uncd with feathers, hair, etc.; usually situated in a low, thick 

 bush, but sometimes in holes of trees, eaves of outbuildings, etc., on 

 plains or open timbered country. 



Ecjg.'^. — Clutch, four to five ; roundish or stout oval in shape ; 

 texture of shell fine ; surface sUghtly glossy ; colour, buff or pinkish- 

 white, more or less smudged and spotted with umber or reddish-brovim 

 and pui-plish-grcy. In instances some of the markings fonn a belt 

 round the apex. Dimensions in inches of a large pair: (1) -TG x '57, 

 (2) -72 X -57 ; of a small pair : (1) -71 x -53, (2) -7 x -52. (Plate 11.) 



Oh.tervations. — This curious little bird is found in nearly all the 

 interior provinces of the States, where it is fairlv numerous. Mr. 

 C. French, Junr., reported one season having seen the White Face on 

 the Werribee plains, near Wyndham, Victoria. It has since been 

 observed as near Melbourne by other field naturalists. 



The Xerophila or Wliite Face may be recognised by its lively 

 actions and sweet chirping notes. 



