^'°''i^il^'"l D'Ombrain, Bird Notes from Neiv South Wales. 1^5 



leucogaster) frequented one of the branches of Middle Harbour, 

 G. Anderson and I went in search of their nest on 6th July, 1917, 

 and were rewarded by finding two nests, one evidently an old 

 one. Saw one of the birds fly on to the other nest, so concluded 

 this was to be used this season. The nest was situated in the 

 fork of a fairly stout eucalypt, some 60 feet up. On climbing up 

 an adjacent tree we found the nest was repaired, and apparently 

 ready for eggs. Re-examined nest on 21st July, and could see 

 one egg, which was left, in the hope of another being laid. Nest 

 visited again on 22nd ; still only one egg. 28th July. — G. Anderson 

 again climbed up, and, as only one egg was seen, he decided to 

 take it. Incubation had commenced. The nest was a huge 

 structure of sticks and lined with fresh eucalyptus leaves. 

 Dimensions : — Whole structure, 7 feet across by 5 feet deep ; 

 egg cavity, 18 inches in diameter by 9 inches in depth. In the 

 body of the structure, and just where the sticks were resting on 

 one of the branches of the fork, the nest of Pardalotus punctatus 

 was found — surely a curious site for this little bird. In connection 

 with the discovery of the Eagle's nest, a curious action of both 

 birds was noted. Whilst soaring around, the birds were seen to 

 suddenly " drop " one leg for a few moments. On one occasion 

 one of them was seen to reach one foot forward and scratch its 

 head. On another occasion we watched one of the birds make a 

 sudden drop from mid-air into the waters of the harbour, making 

 a great splash, and reappear with a fine mullet, which both birds 

 devoured on a reef close by. 



Shining Flycatcher {Myiagra nitida) is quite frequently seen 

 in this locality, and a specimen secured (Gordon, 2/3/15), and a 

 clutch of three eggs was secured in 1915 by G. Anderson. In con- 

 versation with the late Mr. North, he seemed to doubt the 

 identification of this bird for this locaHty. This was prior to my 

 son obtaining the specimen. In his last work, " Nests and Eggs 

 of Birds Breeding in Australia and Tasmania," the author states 

 that it is rarely found near Sydney, and that one specimen was 

 taken here in 1867. The birds are certainly not numerous, but, 

 as stated above, they are to be found here. 



Ptilotis Iciicotis (White-eared Honey-eater). — ^Whilst looking for 

 the nest of this bird among the heaths of Middle Harbour (Duffy's 

 Forest), 4/8/17, in company with Master E. Pratten, of Pymble, 

 we noticed the female bird fly almost to our feet, and we decided 

 she must have young ones close by. Suddenly, however, it 

 alighted on my stocking and began pulling out the wool ; then 

 it flew to the legs of my companion and did the same thing, and 

 flew away, only to return in a little while with the male bird. The 

 latter did not come close, but the female perched on our heads. 

 She then flew off and returned again and took material from our 

 caps, coats, and my woollen jersey and stockings. Again, she 

 perched on my ear and pulled hairs out of the back of my head, 

 which made me call out, but she took not the slightest notice of 

 this. At last she flew away about 50 yards, with us in pursuit. 



