BIRDS OF TASMANIA. 3 



Nest. — Composed of fine twigs broken from the extreme tips of 

 dry branches, and Hned with a few green eucalyptus leaves; 

 usually situated in a fairly lofty gum. 



Eggs. — Two to three usuallj', four sometimes; roundish oval 

 in shape ; texture somewhat coarse ; surface almost lustreless ; 

 colour bluish-white, more or less smudged and speckled with pur- 

 plish-brown. Dimensions in nmi. of a clutch: — (1) 46 x 38, (2) 

 48 X 38.5, (8) 46.75 x 37. 



Breeding Season. — September to November principally. 



Geographical Distribution. — Tasmania, King Island, New 

 South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, and Queensland. 



Observations. — Although frequenting many parts of the island, 

 it is by no means common anywhere. One reason for its scarcity 

 is the fact that whenever it appears close to civilization violent 

 efforts are made to shoot it, on account of its handsome appear- 

 ance. From information received, it appears to be more conmion 

 in the southern districts than in the northern. From districts 

 other than southern, I have records of it from Launceston, Lily- 

 dale, Wai-atah, Wilmot, Table Cape, ]\It. Balfour, Derby, and 

 Gladstone. 



GOSHAWK 



[Astur approxi)}ians, Yig. and Hors.) 



Male. — Whole of the upper surface blackish-brown; tail barred 

 with blackish; wing coverts outlined with brown, quills barred 

 with blackish ; cheeks finely streaked with white ; upper throat 

 nearly white ; lower throat buffy- white, each feather heavily marked 

 with dark brown; rest of under surface creamy-white, each feather 

 broadly barred with reddish-brown, lighter in shade towards the 

 vent; thighs light reddish, barred with bright reddish; inside of 

 wings creamy-buff, marked and barred with dark brown; under 

 surface of tail silvery- white, the blackish bars showing distinctly. 

 Dimensions in mm. : — Length, 510; bill, 26; wing, 314; tail, 274; 

 tarsus, 76. 



Female. — Similiar in plumage to male. 



Young. — Male. — Feathers on the upper surface narrowly out- 

 lined with reddish-brown; chest creamy-white, each feather heavily 

 marked with blackish ; markings on under surface more distinct 

 than in adult. Din:iensions in mm.: — Length, 510; bill, 26; 

 wing, 306; tail, 276; tarsus, 76. 



Young. — Female. — Upper surface similar to young male; under 

 surface much darker. Dimensions in mm.: — Length, 380; bill, 

 17; wing, 252; tail, 193; tarsus, 60. 



Nest. — A lofty eucalypt is usually chosen, and the nest con- 

 structed of sticks and twigs, the lining being leaves. 



Eggs. — Clutch two to three usually, four sometimes; in shape 

 stout oval, with one end somewhat sharp; texture fine, with very 



