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APPENDIX. 



The MSS. for this volume were completed in 1899, but thi-ough the 

 unavoidable delay, chiefly caused in sending the proofs thereof between 

 England and Australia, another year has elapsed. The delay, however, 

 has enabled the Author to make a few impoitant additions of items 

 that have been overlooked in the bulk of the work, or of new descrip- 

 tions (some by other workers) wliich have recently come to hand. For 

 the sake of priority tlie general work may be quoted for 1899, the 

 Appendix for 1900. 



54. PtILORHIS PARADI8EA. 



RIFLE BIRD. 



Mr. S. W. Jackson, of Sydney, who camped in the scrubs of the 

 Richmond River district this season (1899), for the pui-pose of observing 

 Rifle and other scrub birds, has most thoughtfully sent me his advance 

 field notes respecting the finding of five nests of the Rifle Bird. These 

 nests were found at altitudes varying from fifteen to forty-five feet from 

 the gi'ound. all in " cheny " trees,* and, with one exception, in the massive 

 and thoniy lawyer (palm) vines, which enveloped the tree trunks. Firet 

 nest, containing two beautiful eggs, was taken 2nd November. Tlie nest 

 was exceedingly difficult to take on accoiuit of the troublesome lawyer 

 vines, which had to be negotiated by the aid of a pole secured to the 

 gi-oiuid by guys. 'lae nest was so completely hidden among the vines 

 that it could not be seen from the gi-ound. Tlie capital picture (given 

 elsewhere) of this nest, from a photograph by Mr. Jackson, shows the 

 remarkable ornamentation of snake-skins which completely cover's the 

 top and sides of the nest, Othei-wise the nest is composed of dead leaves, 

 twigs, and the gi-een, glossy fronds of a climbing fern (Foly podium), and 

 mea.siires about ten inches across. 



Second nest (two eggs) was taken 20th November. Tliis nest was 

 only about thirty yards from Mr. Jackson's tent, and wa.s fii-st obsei-ved 



• Mr. J. G. Luehmann, National Herbarium. Melbourne, informs me that 

 these trees are probably the Ela-odeiidron australe of botanists. {A. I. C.) 



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