Af£SrS A.VD F.GGS OF AUSTRAL/AN BINDS. 327 



numerous around the apex. Dimensions in inches of a proper chitch : 

 (1) 113X-79, (2) 113X-78, (3) 112x-78; a pair from Kent Group: 

 (1) 1-06 X -75, (2) 1-05 X -75. (Plate 12.) 



Observations. — This Tliickhead, of modest garb, may be considered 

 nixc on the mainland, but Tasmania and the intermediate islands arc 

 its strongholds. Dui'ing the expeditions of the Field Naturalists' Club 

 of Victoria, frequently alluded to in this work, we either procured 

 the bird or lieard its jioculiar song on King Island, Deal Island 

 (Kent Group), and Flinders Island (where Gould also saw it), nests 

 being observed in the densest tea-tree (Melaleura ) scrub on Deal Island. 

 On that island, on 21st November, 1890, we found one made chiefly 

 of tea-tree f Mrlaleuca J bark and a few twigs, and lined inside with gr;iss. 

 It contained three eggs. Another apparently ready to receive eggs 

 was principally composed of twigs and bark, and lined inside with 

 dry grass blades and dead leaves. Both nests were situated low in 

 tea-tree forks in thick scnib. I subsequently received a nice clutch of 

 eggs from that island, dated January 4th, 1891, collected by 

 Mr. Frank Brown. 



In a note forwarded to me, Mr. Brent states: — " On 14th October, 

 1894, at Glenorchy (Tasmania), I took from a low prickly bush in a 

 dense forest a nest of this rare bird, containing four beautiful eggs. 

 This bird raorely lays more than three, and often only two, but I have 

 had the good fortune to take several nests containing four eggs. " To 

 quote Mr. Hinsby's experience in reference to the number of eggs laid 

 by the Olivaceous Thickhead, he says, " Two most frequently, three 

 sometimes." 



I have observed the OUvaceous Thickhead as near Melbourne as 

 the Dandenongs, where also Mr. C. French reported a collector of his 

 took a nest October, 1895. 



Tlic original description, by Dr. Ramsay, of the fine eggs of this 

 species was taken from specimens in my collection. 



Breeding months September to January. 



266. I'.VCHYCEPHALA PENINSUL/E, Ilartci-t. 



CAPE YORK THICKHEAD. 



Re/cnncc — lhis, p 312 (iSgg). 



GeographirnI Dixfrihutioii. — North Queensland (Cape York). 



Xest and Eijija. — Undcscribed. 



Ohxervntinnx. — Tliis newly discovered Tliickhead, with its pale, 

 whitish-yellow undersurface, is said to closely resemble P. griseJceps of 

 New Guinea and adjacent parts. 



