OF VICTORIA. 121 



of the species I quote from observations on a domesticated 

 bird to which I made experimental visits. 



A neighbour has a bird which has shown a weakness for 

 a variety of animate things, besides home luxuries. A 

 bandicoot, as large as itself, was the first trial of strength I 

 knev/ of. The bird occupied three-quarters of an hour in 

 pounding it to a jelly appearance, then the anterior end 

 disappeared. A day was occupied in the digestion and 

 recovery. A rat, later in the week, was similarly pounded 

 and devoured as a whole. On two successive days, within 

 the same month of experiments, sixteen lizards (Hinulia, sp.) 

 and seven bloodsuckers (Amphibolurus, sp.) were successfully 

 managed, as if the undertaking was quite a pleasure through- 

 out. A Copper-headed Snake, two feet in length and having 

 the head dismembered, was a third banquet, and it was 

 similarly managed. The same bird in November killed its 

 cage mate, a Collared Crow-Shrike, and of course swallowed 

 it. This was a case of the biter bit. The last note was 

 sufficient to satisfy me of its indifference as to what comes 

 first, providing it is substantial. 



Nest. — Simply a hollow of a tree with decayed wood 

 upon which to deposit the eggs. 



Eggs. — Two or three to a sitting ; pearly white. Length, 

 1'8 inches; breadth, 1-4 inches. 



