OF VICTORIA. 57 



small birds. From five nests of this species a fox extracted 

 the young birds, and it has become a pest to the observer 

 and to young Laughing Jackasses {Dacelo gigas)^ which it 

 will snatch from low stumps. 



A tit that bears a general likeness to this species is the 

 Chestnut-rumped {A. itropi/gialis, Gld.^, and two much rarer 

 ones are .4. pyrrhopygia, Gld., the Red-rumped Tit, and 

 A. inornata^ Gld., the Plain-coloured Tit. The first is found 

 in western Victoria, but the latter two only in the north- 

 west of the colony. 



Nest. — Dome-shaped and suspended in grasses or near the 

 ground. In a})pearance it is like that of the preceding 

 species, with a slight funnel or overmantle to the entrance. 

 Length, nearly four inches, slightly narrower than long. 



Eggs. — Three to the clutch ; similar to that of the pre- 

 ceding species, and generally bearing a zone on the broadest 

 portion. The eggs of young birds may be quite spotless. 



LITTLE TIT 



(Yellow Tit), 



Acanthiza nana, Vig. and Hors. 



A-kan'thi'za nd-na. 

 Ahanthis, a linnet ; nanos, a dwarf. 

 Acanthiza nana, Gould, " Birds of Australia," fol., vol. iii., pi. 60. 

 Geographical Distribution. — Areas 3, 4, 6. 



Key to the Species. — Upper surface uniform olive green ; under 

 surface pale yellow; throat rufescent, streaked with whitish 

 shaft lines ; band on tail strictly subterminal ; tail quite even ; 

 tarsus scutelldted. " 



The Little Tit should perhaps be recorded as an occasional 

 visitor to rather than a resident of the south-east districts. 



