116 THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. 



The nest of the Atrichia, which is a dome-shaped structure, is 

 constructed of dead leaves, ferns, roots, &c., and lined with a 

 most peculiar composition, resembling cardboard very much, 

 both to the touch and in appearance. Not a leaf or feather was 

 to be found in the nest, and it looked very strange to observe the 

 two eggs resting on this hard, cardboard-like lining. The whole 

 of the interior of the nest was lined with this very peculiar 

 material. The nest resembles somewhat that of the Lyre Bird, 

 Mennra sfiperba, only a great deal smaller. 



A description of the nest and eggs, by Mr. A. J. Campbell, 

 appeared in the last (December) issue of the Victorian Naturalist. 



PROVISIONAL DESCRIPTION OF A NEW EMU-WREN. 



Bv A. J. Campbell. 

 Female. — Forehead and crown of head, rufous-brown ; rest 

 of upper surface, brownish, with a dark stripe down each feather ; 

 under surface, sandy or ochraceous buff, lightest on the throat. 

 The curious tail feathers are not quite so lengthened and so 

 filamentary or loose in structure as in the eastern variety. 

 Dimensions in inches : — Length, 3.9 ; wing, 1.4 ; tail, 1.95 ; bill, 

 .3; tarsus, .55. Habitat, North-West Cape. Collector, Mr. 

 Tom Carter. Date, 14/4/98. 



This apparently new bird I have provisionally named Stipiturvs 

 rrificefs, or the Rufous-crowned Emu-Wren, until an opportunity 

 is afforded of examining a male bird. 



Black-cheeked Falcon. — Some particulars of the capture of a 

 Black-cheeked Falcon, Falco melanogenys, at Rockbank, by Mr. 

 Donald Macintosh, are worthy of record as showing the persist- 

 ence of the bird in attempting to secure its prey- Mr. Macintosh 

 saw his pigeons coming home, followed by the falcon, which 

 presently struck one of the pigeons to the ground, flew past about 

 thirty yards, and then struck again, and settled upon it. Mr. 

 Macintosh ran out with his gun and four cartridges and fired two 

 barrels at a long range. The falcon dropped its prey, circled 

 round a few hundred yards, and alighted in a tree. A stone 

 weighing at least a pound was tied to the pigeon, and as soon as 

 Mr. Macintosh turned away the falcon returned, and carried oft' 

 both pigeon and stone for about a quarter of a mile, and then 

 commenced eating. Two more shots were fired, hitting it hard. 

 The pigeon was again dropped, but again the falcon returned, 

 determined not to lose its meal, and in its boldness ventured 

 within twenty-five yards of Mr. Macintosh. Having no more 

 cartridges, he fastened a much larger stone to the pigeon, also a 

 rat-trap, set, and next morning found the bird caught in the trap. 

 When the bird was skinned six shots were found embedded in 

 the flesh. — A. Coles. 



