OF VICTORIA. 95 



to have a trace of the black pectoral collar only and the 

 merest speck of abdominal yellow. The male of this pair 

 of breeders, when first seen, while selecting a covert in 

 which to build (lObh October approx.), appeared uniform 

 grey and darker upon the crown. The pectoral collar could 

 only be faintly distinguished on the lObh of December. To 

 watch a pair that is not in nuptial plumage is easy and 

 pleasant work when it has selected the portion of dense 

 covert it intends to occupy with a nest. Like many birds, 

 they have a way of letting you know the place is sacred to 

 them for a season. 



Nesting Habits. 



Observation I. — September-October, 1899. Heytesbury, 

 Victoria. 



25th September. — First egg laid in nest. 



26th September. — Second Qgg laid in nest 



12th October. — Young hatch out, having a little reddish 

 down on body. 



16th October. — Grey quills rise from wings, tail, and 

 along ridge of back. 



20th October. — Rufous feathers growing rapidly on wings 

 and back. 



21st October. — Eyes of young open ; feathers forming on 

 breast and neck. 



23rd October. — Young leave nest ; feathers formed on 

 crown. 



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

 Victoria. 



15th October. — Building of nest commenced tlie female 

 alone doing the work from stait to finish. 



28th October. — Nest completed and first egg deposited 

 in it. 



