34 THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. 



these vicious insects, consequently the snake was shot. These 

 reptiles have the habit of climbing under the eaves of the roof, 

 catching rats if there are any, but if not, taking pigeons, poultry, 

 &c. In a tree not far from the house was found the nest and 

 fresh egg of the Larger Bower Bird, C. orientalis. These birds 

 seem to lay one egg more often than two for a clutch. 



Early next morning, at 3 a.m., I left in the s.s. Aramac for 

 Melbourne. 



The following marine shells were collected on the Hope 

 Islands, and have been identified by Mr. J. Kershaw, of the 

 National Museum, Melbourne : — Obeliscus maculosus, Lam. ; 

 Strombus variabilis, Sow. ; S. gibberulus, Lin. ; S. elegans, P. 

 (small white var.) ; S. urcues, Lin. (young, light var.) ; Ricinula 

 fiscellum, Chemn. ; Cerithhim variegatum, Quoy ; C. op. (broken) ; 

 Nerita albicilla, Lin. ; JV. histrio, Lin. (waterworn) ; Nassa ther- 

 sites ; Nassa coronata, Brug. ; Pleurotoma carinata, Gray ; Turbo 

 Japonicus ; Trochus noduliferus, Lamk. ; Stomatia (sp.) ; Bulla 

 ampulla ; Sigaretus (sp ) ; Vertagus (sp., young). 



The White-faced Xerophila. — The following facts with 

 reference to the nesting of the White-faced Xerophila, Xerophila 

 leucopsis, Gould, seem to me to be worthy of record. For years 

 past several pairs have, along with the common sparrow, occupied 

 portions of the verandah, &c, of a wayside inn at Lake Boga, 

 Swan Hill district. The nest is loosely constructed, rather 

 smaller than that of the sparrow, and generally contains four or 

 five eggs at a sitting, several broods being reared in the season. 

 The birds are generally considered insectivorous, but here they 

 seem quite partial to crumbs and refuse from the house, as well 

 as to the company of man, for one nest was built within a few 

 feet of the business door of the establishment. Had the birds 

 been living among the timber in their natural way dried grass 

 would have been chosen for the nesting material, but in the case 

 under notice a great variety of material was brought together, 

 such as portions of lace veils, wool, cloth, string, grass, and 

 feathers, which often lie about the doors of country houses. 

 Perhaps the most peculiar action of these birds was the choice, 

 last September, by a pair of them, of the end of a loosely rolled 

 up curtain of a waggonette in which to build their nest. The 

 vehicle had not been used for some weeks, but before they could 

 have sat long upon the eggs the waggonette was used for a 

 couple of short journeys on alternate days without the birds 

 being noticed or disturbed. However, five days after, the trap 

 was sent a journey of twenty-two miles, and on its return the 

 curtain was lowered, when, to the surprise of the owner, down fell 

 a nest with five eggs, far incubated, as they contained living chicks. 

 — Robert Hall. 



