^Ib^^-] H. L. WHITE, Abnormal Combination Clutches. 167 



eggs, which I could just reach without cutting out the hollow. 

 Did not disturb the nest, as I thought the bird might lay again 

 in same nest. Composed of short grass, cattle-hair, and pieces 

 of bark; could not see any snake scales in it (as was the case 

 with my nest found on 2/9/21); several small pieces of char- 

 coal in with the eggs." 



The latter data refers to clutch taken on 30/10/21. In his 

 notes referring to the clutch of two taken on 1st November, 

 1921, he states; — "Saw likely looking hollow in direction from 

 which the bird came, so went and examined it. Nest there right 

 enough; contained two fine eggs; secured them and also nest. 

 Hollow 15 feet from ground in a mountain ash. Went away 

 about 100 yards and watched what the birds would do. Both 

 returned to nest in a few minutes, one carrying quite a large 

 piece of charcoal in its bill ; it went into the hollow, and the 

 other flew off." 



Geophaps scripta pcninsulcr (H. L,. White). Northern Part- 

 ridge-Pigeon or Squatter-Pigeon. 



Clutch, 2 eggs ; stout ovals in shape, very pale creamy-white, 

 surface of shell rather smooth and glossy. Dimensions — A, 1.16 

 ^ .88; B, 1.12 ^ .85 inches. Nest situated amongst short grass, 

 and consisted of a shallow depression in ground, lined with few 

 leaves, and pieces of grass. 



Collected by Mr. W. McLennan, at Coen, Cape York Penin- 

 sula, North Queensland, 15th September, 1921. 



Podargus strigoides capensis (Mathews). Tawny Frogmouth. 



Clutch, 2 eggs ; pointed ovals in shape ; colour, pure white ; 

 surface of shell slightly coarse, and almost without gloss, while 

 under the lens numerous small pittings are noticeable. Dimen- 

 sions—A, 1.52 X 1.08; B, 1.47 x 1.09 inches. 



Nest a flat structure of small sticks, placed 18 feet from 

 ground on thick horizontal fork of ironwood tree. 



Collected by Mr. W. McLennan at Coen, Cape York Penin- 

 sula, North Queensland, 28th September, 1921. 



Abnormal and Curious Combination Clutches 



By H. L. WHITE, M.B.O.U., C.F.A.O.U., "Belltrees," N.S.W\ 



Abnormal Clutches of Eggs or Nestlings observed, 

 Season 1921 



Probably the good season experienced generally throughout 

 Australia has been the cause of so many clutches, containing an 

 unusually large number of eggs, or young being noted. Men- 

 tion of a few may be the means of bringing other records from 

 various observers. Following are some records that have come 

 under my personal notice. 



