18 INSECTIVOROUS BIRDS 



at the base of a eucalypt trunk, the birds commenced 

 additions as early as the 6th August, and by the 13th 

 a new tier of plaster, one inch thick, was laid. Imme- 

 diately following this an inner lining of rabbit's fur, feathers, 

 «fcc., was fixed in ample time for the first egg. First egg 

 deposited in nest 23rd August, second egg 24th August, 

 third egg 25th August, fourth egg 26th August, fifth egg 

 27th August. The birds immediately sat, and brought out 

 five young on the 11th September. On the 4th October 

 young left the nest for the first time. 



Observation II. — September, 1899, Heytesbury, Vic- 

 toria. To experiment, the old nest was broken away and 

 taken quite out of sight of the birds. This gave an oppor- 

 tunity to find the time required to build a complete nest. 

 The operation commenced on 7th September, and by the 

 19th instant the earthen cup was finished. By the 30th 

 instant the lining was fixed and an egg was laid. Without 

 giving any clear explanation the owners made no further 

 advance with this nest, and the single egg remained un- 

 incubated. 



Observation III. — October-November, 1899, Heytesbury, 

 Victoria. The first egg was deposited in nest on 12th 

 October, and a second on the following day. Several days' 

 watching showed no further development. Considering 

 the nest was abandoned the observation ceased. Passing 

 the nest some weeks later two young were found to be 

 progressing favourably. 



Observation IV. — October-December, 1899, Heytesbury, 

 Victoria. Nest in bole of eucalypt. The second egg was 

 deposited on 18th October, the third on 19th, and fourth 

 on 20th. By analogy with this species the first egg was 

 aid on the 17th October. On 5th November the young 

 hatched out, their bodies being rather nude and the down 



