Vol. XI 1 1. J Campbell,^ Commomvealth Collection. yi 



For illustrations and remarks by Mr. A. F. Basset Hull on varied 

 types of eggs of G. tibicen see ante, p. 15, pi. v., figs, i to g. 



Among the Butcher-Birds (Cractici), the Black (or Brown) 

 species. C. quoyi (rufescens), varies most — from light olive to a 

 bluish-grey ground, with bold, roundish spots — and resemble those 

 of a variety of Gymnorhina, but, of course, are smaller in size (pi. 

 xii., fig. I). 



A good chapter could be well written on the Cuckoos and their 

 long and varied list of foster-parents. In many instances the 

 eggs assimilate in colouring ; but it is a pretty contrast where the 

 red-speckled Bronze-Cuckoo's {Chalcococcyx basalts) is seen in 

 combination with the uniform bluish eggs of the White-eye 

 {Zosterops dorsalis), or with a greenish set of Grass-Warblers' 

 [Cisticola exilis). The large Channelbill Cuckoo (Scythrops) is 

 supposed to be partial to Crows' nests, but there is a pair of 

 Channelbill eggs in a set of Strepera gracitlina, which the great 

 Cuckoo's eggs much resemble in colour and in size. Apparently 

 the Belltrees collection contains many foster-parents not yet 

 recorded. Perhaps Mr. White, at some early date, will compile 

 a complete list for The Emu. Such a list would be as interesting 

 as it would be valuable. The collection at present contains the 

 magnificent number of 250 different combination clutches, not 

 including duplicates. 



Many cabinets gleam with the white eggs, showing considerable 

 variation in shape and size, of the long list of Cockatoos and 

 Parrots, which need only be mentioned. The same applies to 

 Pigeons. 



Coming to the more terrestrial forms, the CharadriidcB, or Plover 

 family, are most fascinating, especially the richly-coloured 

 quartets, such as, for example, those of Avocets and Stilts 

 (sub-family Himantopodince). Then there appear the remarkable 

 peg-top-shaped Sandpipers', &c. (Totanince), stone-coloured and 

 variously marked, suggestive of sand and shingle surroundings. 

 One notices at once the comparatively large and heavily-marked 

 (purplish-brown) eggs of the Snipe {Gallinago australis), which 

 breeds in far-off Japan ; likewise those of the Painted Snipe 

 {Rhynchcea australis), from the interior provinces, dark-coloured 

 and curiously daubed, as if with sepia or Chinese ink (pi. xii., 

 fig. 7). Mention should also be made of the numerous pairs of 

 Stone-Curlews {Qidicnemus grallarius), tinted according to soil and 

 situation where found — beautiful studies of environment — olive, 

 from the alluival plains of Riverina ; red, reddish-brown, or 

 chocolate, from other localities ; while smallness of markings 

 indicates sandy regions. 



In the examples of eggs of the " Native Companion," or Crane 

 {Antigone), usually a pair, slightly spotted, there is one set of 

 three, while some of the Queensland eggs are uniformly white. 



The various Herons' (Ardeidce), in full sets of fours or fives, 

 furnish the cabinets with exquisite shades of light greens or blues. 

 The largest and strongest (though light green) are the eggs of 



