46 i i\[r. J. Lewis Boiihote on Moult 



the larger eiul. Tliey measure : A OGG x OoO, B 0-63 X 046 

 inch. 



11. Geocicula heinii (Cab.). (Russet-tailed Ground- 

 Thrush.) 



This species has an extensive range on the north-east coast 

 of Australia, from Cape York to the Clarence River district. 

 It inhabits the gloomy cedar-scrubs near the coast, and is 

 generally seen near water, hopping about on the ground in 

 search of its food, which consists principally of insects. 

 From its colour it is difficult to detect this bird, and when I 

 have been sittingstill in the scrub I have often heard it turning 

 over the dry leaves before seeing it. Its nest is an open 

 structure, very similar to that of a Blackbird [Turdus merula). 

 It is usually situated in the first and thick fork of a scrub- 

 tree, the bird generally choosing one that has moss growing 

 on its trunk. On the outside it is constructed of moss from 

 the tree, which makes it very difficult to detect. It is 

 lined with rootlets and dark-coloured fibres. The eggs 

 number from two to three. 



Mr. H. Lan found a nest of this bird on December 4th, 

 1886, in the Bunga Bunga Mountains, South Queensland. 

 It contained one fresh egg, which may be described as 

 follows : — Ground-colour greenish white, speckled with small 

 light-coloured rusty-brown dots of varying sizes, and more- 

 numerous at the larger end, a few appearing as if beneath 

 the surface, and being elongated and of a very faint purplish 

 colour. The egg measures I'10x0v8 inch. 



XXVI. — On Moult and Colour-change in Birds. 

 By J. Lewis Bonhote, B.A. 

 Being greatly interested in moult and colour-change, I have 

 read very carefully and with much pleasure three recent 

 papers on the subject which have appeared in American 

 periodicals, one* of which upholds the theory of change of 

 colour in the feather, while the other twof are against it. 



* Chadbourne, 'Auk,' xiv. 1897, p. 1-37. 



t Allen, Bull. Am. Mus. Nat. Hist. viii. 1896, pp. 43, 44 ; Sloiie, 

 Proc. Ac. Xat. tici. Phil. 189G, p. 108. 



