382 DIOMEDKILhE. 



brought away unblown, so as to obtain their respective weights. ( )ne turned the scale at a trifle 

 over eight ounces, the other nine ounces. The eggs taken were in a very advanced stage of 

 incubation. On this occasion there was nothing shy aiiout these birds, except in name ; they 

 would not e\en move out of our way, they were clumsy, too, and awkward in their movements, 

 and walking seemed a trouble to them ; they were out of their element. To see one at its best 

 is when, from olf the edge of a steep cliff, it sails into space." 



The nest, as will be seen by the preceding figure, reproduced from a photograpli taken by 

 and received from the late Mr. H. P. C. Ashworth, of Melbourne, is composed of soil and 

 excrement mixed with roots and grasses, and is resorted to for many years, until it becomes 

 of mound-like form, broader at the base, narrower at the top, where there is a shallow basin- 

 shaped depression, the rim of the nest being thick and rounded. 



Only one egg is laid for a sitting. Typically it is an elongate-oval in form, the shell being 

 coarse-grained and minutely pitted all over, dull and almost lustreless. They are of a dull, 

 almost chalky-white, and have washed-out looking faint red or reddish-brown markings, 

 chiefly on the larger end, where some have an indistinct cap or zone, while others are 

 almost devoid of markings. They are variable in size, as will be seen by the following 

 measurements :--Length (A) 4-24 x 2-85 inches; (B) 372 x 2-38 inches; (C) 4-22 x 2-62 

 inches. Six eggs in Mr. ]. Gabriel's collection measure respectively: — Length (A) 4-4 x 2-67 

 inches; (B) 4 x 2-55 inches; (0)4-25 x 27 inciies ; (D) 476 x 2-36 inches; (E) 4-15 x 

 2'55 inches; (F) 4-12 x 2-51 inches. 



The breeding season usually commences in September, and continues during the four 

 following months. Mr. H. P. C. Ashworth found young birds full grown, but unable to fly, 

 early in March. 



The accompanying picture shows the method adopted by the old bird of feeding the young, 

 by the latter placing the bill between the distended mandibles of the adult, who regurgitates 

 the food into the mouth of the young. 



