NESTS AND EGGS OF AUSTRALIAN BIRDS. 



591 



Egffs. — Clutch, three to five ; loundisli in form ; texture of shell 

 somewliat coarse ; surface glossy, but sometimes rough or limy ; colour, 

 dull or dirty white. Dimensions in inches of a clutch: (1) 1'67 x 1'18, 

 (2) 1-5 X 1-2, (3) 1-45 X 1-21. 



Oljstrvafions. — Tlic Coucal is the only member of the Australian 

 Cuculidre that imdertakes the responsibility of rearing its own family. 

 Its range is tropical and sub-tropical, where it loves to dwell in the 

 moister tracts, amongst coarse rank grass and other vegetation. 



In the matter of diet the Coucal is a ferocious creature. It is 

 reported that it devours small snakes and birds, and is addicted to 

 robbing nest-s in fowl-yards. 



Mr. Charles Barnard, through Mr. North, has added an interesting 

 note to the nidilication of the Coucal. He says: — "On the 15th 

 Februarj', 1891, I found a nest with three eggs of Ceiitropus 2'J'asianus. 

 The nest was built about fifteen inches above the gi-ound in some high, 

 broad-bladed grass, the tops of which were drawn down and loosely 

 interwoven into the shape of a ball of about eight inches internal 

 diameter, with a round hole in one side for entrance, and another at 

 the opposite side as a means of exit (as mentioned in Gould — A. J. C). 

 The bottom of the nest was tluckly padded with bloodwood ( Eiim!i/j)fiis 

 corxjmhosa) leaves, which extended through the entrance, and on to the 

 bent down grass outside the nost^ in the shape of a platform." 



Again, another brother (Mr. Harry Barnard), in chatting with me 

 about birds in general, mentioned that the Coucal's nest is not unfre- 

 quently placed on a fallen log or other support, such as a short bush 

 or long grass- — the sutTounding gi-ass being woven together, with the 

 addition of twigs. 



Mr. S. W. Jackson (South Grafton, New Soutli Wales) has kindly 

 forwarded me a verj' curious note respecting the Coucal laying in an 

 old nest of the Babbler ( Poinntorhinin^ temporaliii). He states: — 

 " I flushed the Coucal off the nest, which was built on a horizontal 

 branch of a low tree, and not more than twelve feet from the ground. 

 The foiu- eggs were simply laid on tlie top of the Babbler's nest, and 

 the Coucal had made a neat receptacle for them by pulling the sticks 

 and twigs away, and leaving a foundation of soft, paper-like bark." The 

 date on wluch the eggs were taken was the 16th September, 1895. 

 Mr. Jackson infoi-ms me he has since found other sets of Coucals' eggs 

 similarly situated. 



I have hiuited the pheasant-like Coucal in Queensland, where they 

 are sometimes erroneously called Grass Owls. I have also heard them 

 called Swamp Pheasants. The eggs, however, in my collection, were 

 taken by Mr. W. T. Bailey, in Southern Queensland, on 19th Februaiy, 

 1891. 



The breeding months would appear to be from September to 

 Februai-y or March. 



