200 INSECTIVOROUS BIR3S OF VICTORIA. 



this bird is rather fond of stealing canaries when it is making 

 its autumn tour of the outskirts of suburbs. In a few- 

 words, it pounces upon the cage, disconcerts the domesticated 

 bird, and subsequently gets it out piecemeal, if not whole. 

 I have the knowledge of at least a dozen cases, though I 

 say so without prejudice because of its other good qualities. 



Nest. — Cup-shaped, made of twigs and lined with grasses 

 or rootlets. It is placed in any trees of the district, with- 

 out a preference being shown. 



£^ggs. — Three or four to a sitting; the ground colour 

 may be olive-green or tawny brown, spotted with dull 

 chestnut and nondescript black. Length, 1*25 inches; 

 breadth, 1 inch. 



