Vol. XIII. 



1914 



1 Whitlock, spotless Crake and Western Ground-Parrot. 205 



The present season I found a nest of the previous year, with 

 remains of the hatched eggs, and was also fortunate, after a long 

 and weary search, in securing three fine and freshly-laid eggs 

 from a nest sheltered, as before, by a prickly ( (?) Hakea) bush. 

 This was on 20th November — just a month later than the previous 

 season. I flushed the female from this nest at a distance of about 

 10 feet away, and, though I made several attempts to see her 

 sitting on her eggs, I was unsuccessful in this respect. The eggs 

 were well sheltered by the overhanging bush, and the nest was 

 very neatly lined with fine dead grasses, the latter being arranged 

 in a true circular manner. When flushed the female flew a short 

 distance away, and uttered no sound. I saw nothing of the 

 male. As far as I can judge, he spends the day at some distance 

 from the nest, lying concealed in low, thick scrub, from which he 

 will not emerge until nearly trodden upon. 



In searching for a nest of this species I may state that I 

 examined no less than nine nests of the Emu-Wren [Stipiturus 

 westernensis) — all tliis season's. It is a curious fact that such 

 a small and feeble-flying species as the Emu-Wren can hold its own 

 when larger species like the Noisy Scrub-Bird {Atrichia clamosa) 

 and the XVestern Bristle-Bird {Sphenura longirosiris) are, in this 

 coastal district, verging upon, if not quite, extinct. 



The eggs from this nest were described by Mr. H. L. White in 

 The Emu, January, 1914. They now form part of his fine 

 collection. 



Birds of the Brunnette Downs, (N.T.)* 



(Observed during February, March, and April, 1913.) 

 By Harry G. Barnard, R.A.O.U. 



Uroa'etus audax. Wedge-tailed Eagle (Eagle-Hawk). — A few odd 

 birds were observed flying high in the air, and some old nests were 

 seen in gidgea trees at heights of from 7 to 10 feet from the ground. 



Hieraetus morphnoides. Little Eagle. — A few birds seen, generally 

 on the wing. 



Haliastur sphenurus. Whistling Eagle — Very plentiful ; found 

 breeding in March and April in the gidgea trees growing near water- 

 courses. 



Gypoictinia melanosternon (decepta). Black-breasted (Northern) 

 Buzzard. — Occasionally seen flying over the plains. 



Milvus affinis (napieri). Northern Allied Kite. — Very common, 

 breeding freely in the gidgea. About 70 nests were examined, but 

 only in two instances were clutches of three eggs obtained, the other 

 nests containing either two eggs or two young birds or one egg or 

 one young bird. 



* Skins of any birds mentioned in this list, about which any doubt existed, 

 were identified by Mr. G. M. Mathews, and are shown in his sub-specific 

 names in parentheses. 



