64 THE USEFUL BIRDS 



deposited on alternate days. The young remained in the nest 

 eighteen days, which is a longer time than is usual with small 

 birds. 



From five nests of this species, known to myself, a fox 

 extracted the young birds. Indeed, the fox bids fair to do a 

 lot of damage to our avifauna, for even the Laughing Jackass 

 suffers at its hands, the young often being snatched from low 

 stumps. 



Nest. — Dome-shaped, and suspended in grasses or near the 

 ground. In appearance it is like that of the preceding 

 species, with a slight funnel or overmantel to the entrance 

 Length, nearly 4 inches, slightly narrower than long. 



Eggs. — Three to the clutch, similar to that of the preceding 

 species, and generally bearing a zone on the broadest portion. 

 The eggs of young birds may be quite spotless. 



LITTLE TIT 



(Yellow Tit, Yellow-breasted Thornbjll), 



Acaiithiza nana. Vig. and Hors. 



A-kan-tlii' zci nO'na. 

 Akantliis, a linnet ; nanus, dwarf. 



AcANTHiZA NANA, Gould, " Birds of Australia," fol., vol. iii., pi. 60. 



Geographical Distribution. — Areas 3, 4, 6. 



Key to the Species. — Upper surface uniform olive-gi'een ; under 

 surface pale yellow ; throat rufescent, streaked with whitish shaft 

 Unes ; band on tail strictly subterminal ; tail quite even ; tarsus 

 scutellated. 



From its close general resemblance to the other Acanthizse 

 the Little Tit is difficult to distinguish from other members 

 of the group when seen amid its natural surroundings. 



