I020 f^ESTS AND EGGS OF AUSTRALIAN BIRDS. 



was furnished witli fcatliers. Fiutlier research mnj' prove that this 

 pigmy Goose, hke the Goose Teal of India, may, in some instances, 

 breed in hollow trees. 



Mr. T. A. Gulliver, Tovmsville (Queensland), with whom tliis little 

 Goose was a siDecial favovrnto, from observations made at Normanton, 

 Gulf of Cai-pentaria, came to the conclusion that the bird breeds in the 

 large fresh-water lakes some distance inland, and migrates to the shores 

 of the Gulf as soon as the young can fly. About the middle of 

 February, or as soon as the water in the lagoons at Normanton gets 

 low, and consequently brackish, the little Goose makes its exit, and is 

 not seen again until the beginning of the next wet season. On their 

 first arrival, numbers of them are of a dull colour, and proved to be 

 yoimg birds. Before they take their departure they are all full 

 plumaged. 



744. — Nettopus Albipennis, Gould — (r)S2) 

 WHITE-QUILLED GOOSE TEAL. 



Figure. — Gould : Birds of Australia, fol., vol. vii., pi. 5. 



Reference. — Cat Birds Brit. Mus., vol. xxvii., p. 72. 



Previous Descriptions oj Eggs. — Campbell : Southern Science Record 

 (1883); North: Austn. Mus. Cat., p. 337 (iSSy). 



(Trixjriiphlcdl Dixtriliution. — Queensland and New South Wales. 



Nest. — In the hollow spout of a tree near water. 



Ecjcja. — Clutch, eight to ten probably ; oval in shape ; texture of 

 shell comparatively fine ; surface glossy ; colour, creamy-white. Dimen- 

 sions in inches : r95 x 1-49. 



Observations. — The White-quilled Goose Teal resembles the pre- 

 ceding, and may be distinguished by its white pinions, and it,s tuider 

 surface being more freckled about the flanks. This more soulliern 

 species of diminutive Goose is found in Quoeiislaiid and New South 

 Wales, chiefly frequenting the rivers and swamp.s of tiie coa-stal region. 



Like its northern ally, not much is known of its habits. I possess 

 a single egg, received from Dr. A. E. Cox. Save that it was taken in 

 the Clarence River district, it was without data. Its description coin- 

 cides with a specimen sidjsequently described (1889) in the " Catalogue " 

 of the Australian Museum, which was taken from the oviduct of a bird 

 shot by Mr. J. Macgillivray, at South Grafton, during October, 1801. 



In answer to a question of mine, Mr. .I.iines C Wikox, of (he same 

 district, has kindly sent me the following note : — " One of the birds had 

 its nest in the spout of a gum-tree, about seventy feet from the groinid. 

 in my garden at South Grafton, and, from what I remember, there were 

 seven or eight young ones, which she carried out in her bill after they 

 were h.atched. The .spotit almost overhangs a small creek. I recollect 

 a j'Otuig one falling out. of the ne.st. into the w.iter, but it swam away 

 unconcerned. I know of other nests in trees about our swamps." 



