^10 NESTS AW EGGS OF AUSTRALIAN BIRDS. 



Oh^ervfitions. — Although I never enjoyed the opportunity of taking 

 the nest and eggs of this equally handsome western variety, on the 

 1st November, 1889, I shot a lovely male bird from among some karri 

 saplings at the rear of the stables at Kanidale (West Australia). It 

 now adorns our National Museum, Melboiu'nc. 



Gilbert took a nest of the Wliite-bellied Shrike Tit duiing the month 

 of October. He describes the bird as shy, but when breeding, it becomes 

 bolder and more familiar. 



252. — Oheoica cRiSTATA, Lewiu. — (131) 

 BELL BIKD. 



Figure. — Gould : Birds of Australia, fol., vol. ii,, pi. 8i. 



Reference. — Cat. Birds Brit. Mus., vol. viii., p. 174. 



Previous Dcscrif lions of Eggs. — Gould: Birds of Australia (1S4SJ; also 



Handbook, vol. i., p. 233 (1S65) ; North: Austu, Mus. Cat.. 



p. 70., pi. 8, fig. 6 (1889). 



Geiiijraphical Distribution. — Whole of Australia. 



Xe.<t. — Somewhat resembles that of the CoUi/riociiirlce, cup-shaped, 

 deep, composed of strips of bark and leaves, lined inside with fine dried 

 grass, rootlets, ifcc. and generally placed in a hollow stump, among 

 suckers, between dead, hanging bark and a tree ti-unk, or if where grass- 

 trees ( Xanthorrluta ) are numei'ous, in the fork or amongst the nish-like 

 foliage of that tree. Tlie nest is usually situated low, but sometimes 

 at a height of 20 feet from the ground. Dimensions over all. 4i inches 

 by 3 inches in depth ; egg cavity, 3 inches across by 2 inches deep. 



Er/g.i. — Clutch, three to four, occasionally five ; roimdish oval in 

 shape ; texture of shell fine ; surface glossy ; colour varies much, but 

 usually bluish-white, sparingly but boldly blotched with sepia or dark- 

 oUve (abnost black) and grey. Dimensions in inches of a clutch : 

 (1) 1-1 X -81, (2) 1-09 X -82. (3) 1-03 x -8; of a more lengthened set: 

 (1) 1-15 x -8, (2) Mix -8, (3) M2 x -82. rPlate 12.) 



Observations. — The Bell Bird is commonly distributed over Australia, 

 especially in the more inland and drier portions. I have seen the bird 

 in such places as the Bendigo district, the Wimmera district (Victoria), 

 and Riverina ; while I have received eggs from Queensland and North- 

 west Australia. 



The Bell Bird is one of the most singular species we possess. It is 

 an accomplished ventriloquist. Some of its notes resemble the ringing 

 tone of a bell, hence its vernacular name. Travellers tell me many 

 times have they been duped, when looking for horses, by following this 

 bird, supposing its call to be the sound from the bells attached to their 

 animals. The usual breeding months are included from August to 



