128 INSEGTIVORQUS BIRDS 



The Case Moth has been figured and described in the 

 handbook issued by the Victorian Department of Agricul- 

 ture (" Destructive Insects of Victoria," C. French). 



In New Zealand the "Transactions N.Z. Institute" 

 renders a very praiseworthy account of the good done by 

 this bird as an aphis destroyer. 



Silver-eyes dread the tyrant Butcher-bird {Cracticus 

 destructor), and I have found that one or two kept in the 

 gardens with cut wings serve the purpose of good police 

 when the grapes are ripening. Their voices are a terror 

 to the Silver-eyes. 



Nesting. — I have observed the callow young as late as 

 10th Februar}', 1895, at the head of the Ovens River, 

 where spring at a late hour follows winter. The eggs are 

 laid on alternate days, and at an early age the young 

 assume the general plumage of the adult, and then go 

 through the details of the seasonal changes. The nest 

 near grazing areas is formed of fibres, lined with the hair 

 of the horse, cow, or other animal, and externally covered 

 with mosses. 



Nest. — Cup-shaped and deejD, suspended ; made of grasses 

 and surrounded more or less with green mosses. It is 

 seldom more than 6 feet from the ground. The accom- 

 panying figure shows a typical cup-shaped nest. 



Eggs. — Three or four to the clutch ; unifor:u pale blue. 

 Length, 0-6 inch ; breadth, 0'5 inch. 



