132 THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. 



transferred their nest three times, and with a fourth move returned 

 to the original place ; eventually eggs were deposited. 



In November four nests were found, with a fifth built near the 

 apex of a tall, slim sapling, 25 feet from the ground, and contain- 

 ing three eggs. Although a nest was observed building during 

 the last week of December, another had young in October. 



18. Masked Wood Swallow {Artamus jjersonatus, Gould). 

 The first notice I had of this bird's appearance was on 14th 



December of the past year, when some dozen birds in all were 

 flocked with the White Eye-browed species, and both sexes of 

 each kind were easily secured. A pair completed their nest and 

 deposited eggs (two) by the fourth week in December. Although 

 so few were here nesting, hundreds were enjoying the bountiful 

 supply of grasshoppers on a hillside toward the end of February. 



19. White Eye-browed Wood Swallow (ir/a»ms superciliosus, 

 Gould). 



I saw nothing of this summer visitant until 12th December, 

 1894, when two pairs appeared flying in company. Next day one 

 pair commenced building. Nests of all are similar. 



20. Spotted Pardalote {Pardalotus pmictatus, Temm.) 



The little Diamond Bird has been obtained in pairs, but so far 

 I have not been fortunate enough to find a nest. 



21. Striated Pardalote (Pardalotus ornalus, Temm.)* 



If you are resting on a log and focussing the timber facing, all 

 may be quietness, but in a few minutes a rush of hurrying birds, 

 scampering through the timber, will attract your attention. They 

 are quickly visiting each tree in search of scale and other insects. 

 You may then notice the bird take off" each scale carapace, or 

 house, and one by one devour the tenant of each. The call is 

 a sound somewhat like " Pick it up." On 4th November, 1893, 

 ten inches in the bank of a creek, I extracted four eggs, with 

 the male bird close sitting. Of it I made a skin, to be sure that 

 both sexes take part in incubation. 



22. Allied Pardalote (P. affinis, Gould). 



Habits similar with previous one, but preferring to keep to 

 timber, in a hollow of which it makes its nest. 



23. White-backed Crow-Shrike {Gymnorhiua leuconota, Gould), 

 W.* 



In a paddock at Box Hill, familiar to fungi seekers of this 

 Club, on 26th July, 1894, I noticed, for the first time in the 

 season, two nests being lined for completion ; the an.xious 

 whir-r-r overhead was the adviser. On 13th August took first 

 egg; saw a juvenile essaying its first flight as late as ist Decem- 

 ber, and later on in the month observed flocks under the newer 

 circumstances. Amongst the Loranthus stems was a favourite 

 position for a nest, several of which were found at varying times. 

 August is a favourite month for incubation. 



