NESTS AND EGGS OF HONEY-KATERS. 607 
spotted Honey-eater, at Brown’s Lagoon, on the 30th December, 
1844, when travelling with Leichhardt from Moreton Bay to Port 
Essington. 
During the Scientific Expedition to Bellenden-Ker Range (1889), 
the Yellow-spotted Honey-eater was found at all heights up to 
4,000 feet. 
Mr. A. J. North, who has accurately described the nest and 
eggs of this bird, states :—‘‘ Mr. Boyd (Herbert River) has also 
from time to time supplied me with the following information. 
A nest of this species he had under close observation from the 
time it was started until the young left the nest. It was a most 
curious position selected, the nest being built upon the frond of a 
fern 18 inches from the ground, growing in a fernery attached to 
Mr. Boyd’s house, and opposite his office, to which people were 
constantly coming through the day; a piano also, that was in 
frequent use by the children, being within 15 feet of the nest. 
During the period of incubation the female sat steadily, and did 
not attempt to fly when looked at by one only 3 feet away, the 
nest being so deep that the whole of the bird’s body was invisible 
except the bill. The bird was quite tame, and used to fly back- 
wards and forwards through the dining-room when a number of 
persons were seated at dinner. The nest was commenced on the 
7th December, and contained three eggs on the 15th ; two young 
ones were hatched on the 28th, and a third next day—the period 
of incubation being fourteen days. The young birds left the nest 
on the 12th January.” 
Breeding season, September to March. 
The following are the nests, each containing two cggs, taken at 
Cape York, by Mr. Harry Barnard, 1896-7, viz.:—In October, 1; 
November, 2; January, 2; February, 3; and March, 1. 
PrILoTIs GRACILIs, Gould. 
“ Little Yellow-spotted Honey.eater.” 
Figure.— 
Reference.—Gould, P.Z.8., 1866, p. 217. 
Previous Description of Eggs.—(?) Ramsay, P.L.S.N.S.W., 
2nd ser., vol. i, p. 1150 (1886). 
Geographical Distribution.—N orthern Queensland. 
Nest.—Cup-shaped ; comparatively small and roundish ; com- 
posed of chiefly moss, ornamented outwardly with small pieces of 
grey bark, sometimes with a darker coloured bark and insect 
cocoons ; neatly lined inside with a white silky substance ; usually 
situated about 10 or 12 feet from the ground, in scrub. Dimen- 
sions over all, 24-3 inches by 17-3 inches in depth; egg cavity, 
24 inches across by 1} inches deep. 
Liggs.——Clutch, 2 ; oval, slightly compressed towards one end ; 
texture fine, surface slightly glossy ; colour, rich fleshy tint or 
