THE USEFUL BIRDS 



bird of more heavy build and darker plumage. The sexes 

 differ very much in size. Both mount into the air, but it 

 is the male that sings so enthusiastically when his mate is 

 beneath upon the nest. 



It is a pleasant sight to see the tremulous mount made 

 high into the air, and to hear the rich and voluble singing of 

 the bird. Such a flight may be maintained for a long time, 

 or the bird may prefer to make several voyages, coming each 

 time to one or other tree in the vicinity of its nesting mate. 



It is what we call a migratory bird, going north a few 

 hundred miles after summer, and returning south with the 

 early notices of spring. 



In the Murray River district it will breed from September 

 on to November; in the more southern portions, from 

 October to December. 



Nest. — A small cup-shaped structure, made of grasses, and 

 placed in a slight depression of the ground. This may be 

 covered with bushes or grass as a protection. 



Eggs. — Clutch, three, or possibly four; pale purple-white, 

 with spots of chestnut evenly and freely distributed over the 

 whole surface. Length, 0.75 inch; breadth, 0.6 inch. 



