78 BIRDS OF TASMANIA. 



parts of the tree facing to the soutli, from which quarter the wind 

 was blowing a gale. The rain, which was about the heaviest I 

 have ever seen, came down in torrents, and lasted for about 20 

 minutes, during which 1 could not see the birds, but when it cleared 

 a httle they were seen still clinging closely to the tree. When the 

 rain ceased they threw themselves into the air in much the same 

 fashion as they had pitched, and went their way.' " 



FAMILY— PODARGID/E (2 species). 



Sub-Family — Podarginae. 



*TAWNY FKOGMOUTH (Mopoke) 



{Podargiis strigoidcs, Lath.) 



Male. — Upper surface grey, the feathers with black sliait- 

 streaks and shaded with brown, many tipped with white; forehead 

 paler than crown; tail irregularly banded with brown, grey, and 

 buff, small subterminal spot of black ; shoulders and wings more or 

 less tawny; primaries dusky-black, outer webs conspicuously 

 spotted with white and tinged with tawny ; inner webs with irregu- 

 lar bands of pale buff; secondaries likewise banded; under surface 

 grey, paler and tinged with tawny on abdomen, all feathers with 

 black shaft-streaks; bill black; legs and feet bxcwnish-black. 

 Dimensions in mm. : — Length, 470; bill, 30; wing, 260; tail, 215; 

 tarsus, 38. Much difference in colouring exists in different 

 individuals, especially as regards the tawny tinge. A specimen 

 now before me is distinctly ferruginous on the whole of the upper 

 surface. 



Feinale. — Similar to male. 



Nest. — A somewhat frail platform of twigs, with a few fine root- 

 lets and pieces of grass. Usually placed in the fork of a horizontal 

 limb of a tree in open forest country. 



Eggs. — Clutch two usually; elliptical in shape; a little coarse 

 in texture ; surface somewhat glossy and very minutely pitted ; 

 colom* white. Dimensions in mm. of a clutch: — (1) 48 x 34, (2) 

 47 X 38.5. 



Breeding Season. — September to December. 



Geographical Distribution. — Tasinania, New South Wales, Vic- 

 toria, South Australia, and Queensland. 



Observations. — For some unknown reason this bird is generally 

 credited with uttering the cry that has been translated into the 

 words "More Pork," on which account the bird is often known 

 under the names of " More Pork," " Mopoke," or " Mope-hawk." 

 But, as I have already pointed out, it is the Spotted Owl (Ninox 

 macidata) that utters the weird cry. This can easily be verified by 

 anyone who takes the trouble. The Tawny Frogmouth is distri- 

 buted over nearly the whole of the island. In some districts it is 



