120 BIRDS OF AUSTKALIA. 



basin, and that it became very numerous about the head of 

 the Lynd. It arrives early in spring, and, after having 

 brought forth its progeny, retires northwards on the approach 

 of winter. It appeared to be most active about sunrise and 

 sunset ; in sultry weather it was generally perched upon 

 some dead branch in a state of quietude. It is a very bold 

 bird at all times, but particularly so during the breeding 

 season, when it attacks with the utmost fury any intruder 

 that may venture to approach the hole in the tree in which 

 its eggs are deposited. 



When intent upon the capture of insects it usually perches 

 upon the dead upright branch of a tree growing beside and 

 overhanging water, where it sits very erect, until a passing 

 insect attracts its notice, when it suddenly darts off, secures 

 its victim, and returns to the same branch ; at other times 

 it may constantly be seen on the wing, mostly in pairs, flying 

 just above the tops of the trees, diving and rising again with 

 many rapid turns. During flight the silvery-white spot in 

 the centre of each wing shows very distinctly, and hence the 

 name of Dollar Bird bestowed upon it by the colonists. 



It is a very noisy bird, particularly in dull weather, when 

 it often emits its peculiar chattering note during flight. 



It is said to take the young Parrots from their holes and kill 

 them, but this I never witnessed ; the stomachs of the many I 

 dissected contained the remains of Coleoptera only. 



The breeding-season lasts from September to December ; 

 and the eggs, which are three and sometimes four in number, 

 are deposited in the hole of a tree without any nest ; they are 

 of a beautiful pearly white, considerably pointed at the smaller 

 end ; their medium length is one inch and five lines, and 

 breadth one inch and two lines. 



The sexes are alike in plumage. 



Head and neck dark brown, passing into the sea-green of 

 the upper surface, and deepening into black on the lores ; 

 spurious wing, outer webs of the basal half of the quills, outer 



