OF VICTORIA. 27 



In 1895 I noted this species did not appear to build 

 as early as the following, and nature favoured the deposit- 

 ing of two eggs as a clutch in the majority of cases. Of 

 eighteen nests personally observed, five contained each 

 three eggs, eleven contained each two eggs, two con- 

 tained each one egg. The young were as a whole well 

 advanced in the eggs, and other nests with plumaged 



young had two in each. 



Fig. 5. Nest and Eggs of Masked Wood-S-wallow. One- fifth 

 natural size. 



Just as the manner is with many other birds so is it 

 with these, that of flying angrily and boldly at you as you 

 observe the perfect quiet of their young in the nest. 

 The mother bird is more retiring in her fear, and the per- 

 sistent darting flights, almost direct to the intruder, de- 

 volve upon the male. The interest in watching their 

 movements is about as keen as in many other families. 



