NESTS AND EGGS OF AUSTRALIAN BIRDS. 653 



Nest. — In a crevice of a I'ock or under shelving stones, usually on 

 islets adjacent to the mainland. 



Eggs. — Clutch, four to five; some roundish, others eUiptical in 

 shape; textui-e of shell fine; surface glossy; colour, pure white. 

 Dimensions in inches of a proper clutch; (1) 1-0 x -75, (2) -98 x '78, 

 (3) -96 X -75, (4) 95 x -76. The eggs of the Rock Panakeet appear to 

 be the largest of the genus. 



Observations. — This is a romantic little Parrakeet, which prefers to 

 live on the rocky islets off the coast of South and Western Australia. 

 Altliough Gould mentions he received specimens of the Rock Parrakeet 

 from Port Lincoln, it is somewhat unaccoimtable that the bird is not 

 indicated for South Australia on Dr. Ramsay's " Tabular List." 



All that is recorded in Gould respecting the nidification of the Rock 

 Pan-akeet is the information supplied by Gilbert, who, speaking of Rott- 

 nest Island, stated the bird breeds in holes of cliffs there, and, according 

 to the testimony of the natives, lays seven or eight eggs. Tlie natives 

 overstated the number of eggs, but for the nesting among the rocks 

 I can vouch, because I enjoyed, during November, 1889, the most 

 pleasant experiences respecting these little Parrakeets on the identical 

 island mentioned by Gilbert. 



It is a rare pictiu'e to witness a pair of these lovable little creatui'es 

 in their golden-green plumage, perched on the face of a limestone crag, 

 amidst such romantic and rugged surroundings. I was singularly suc- 

 cessful in securing a series of their eggs at Rottnest Island, where the 

 birds invariably select rocky islets off the main island for breeding 

 pui^poses, notably Green and PaiTakeet Islands. 



By a cuiious coincidence the fii-st person on the island to present 

 me with specimens of both eggs and live birds was Mr. A. H. Courderot, 

 a corresponding member of the Society before which I described the 

 eggs, viz., the Royal Society of Victoria. Other eggs I took myself. 

 The birds make no nest, but simply deposit four or five eggs under 

 the slabs of indurated sand or limestone, where the eggs are sometimes 

 very difficult to reach, especially if a crevice on a steep side sloping to 

 the water's edge be selected. 



According to the " Records " of the Australian Miiseum, the Trus- 

 tees received specimens in 1891 from the Adelaide Museum, prociu'ed by 

 Mr. A. H. C. Zeitz, of the latter institute. Birds as well as eggs were 

 collected in September, 1890, on Spilsby, one of the Sir Joseph Banks 

 Group, in Spencer's Gulf. 



In describing one of these eggs, Mr. North veiy properly was 

 careful to acknowledge that Gilbert found the Rock Parrakeet breeding 

 in the holes of the most precipitous cliffs on Rottnest Island, but he 

 (Mr. North) overlooked the fact, published in the Royal Society of 

 Victoria's " Proceedings, " that I had given a detailed description of 

 these nesting places on outlying rocks, also of the eggs, which Gilbert 

 was unable to secure, from the same quarter. 

 Breeding season September to December. 



