296 



Chisholm, Bell-Birds and Caterpillars. 



U 



Emu 

 April 



cristata, are examples of three distinct kinds— viz., (i) Kershaw's 

 Painted Lady (Pyrameis kershawi), three specimens ; (2) Teara, 

 sp. (related to Teara tetropis, the white cedar moth), three speci- 

 mens ; (3) Agalosoma, sp. (related to A. laiita, Scott), three 

 specimens. The two last-mentioned kinds of caterpillars 

 evidently are members of the family Lymantriidce. No. 3 is 

 separated from No. 2 in having the head glal:)rous. The butterfly 

 caterpillars (i) were evidently transferred to the nest by one of 

 the birds, the specimens being flattened throughout their entire 



Nest and Eggs in situ of the Crested Bell-Bird (Oreoica cristata). 



FROM A PHOTO. BY A. H. CHISHOLM, R.A.O.U , BRISBANE. 



length, suggestive of compression by a bird's beak. The hairy 

 caterpillars (2 and 3) may have been similarly conveyed, but 

 exhibit no marks of injury. Botli insects are nocturnal in their 

 habits, and during the day remain congregated in some place 

 of concealment. A bird's nest occurring in a tree where these 

 caterpillars fed would afford the necessary shelter, but arguments 

 miglit be available to dispose of this possible explanation of their 

 occurrence where met with. I merely mention this point, and 

 do not advance it as an adequate explanation of the presence of 

 the larvae in the Bell-Birds' nest." 



