166 DESTRUCTIVE INSECTS OF VICTORIA: 



which is usually placed a few feet from the ground in a 

 thick bush, is a cup-shaped one, and composed of dry 

 rootlets, grasses, etc., and is lined with a soft fibrous 

 material. The eggs are very variable, from a creamy 

 white to brownish buff, with dark lilac-colored spots, 

 the latter often appearing as if beneath the surface of 

 the shell ; some eggs have a distinct zone on the larger 

 end. Three eggs usually constitute the clutch for a 

 sitting. The breeding time is principally during 

 October, November, and December. The hen bird will 

 often remain on the nest till almost within reach of the 

 hand; when, like a flash, if will fly off the nest if a 

 person comes too near it, and will return again in a 

 few moments to the nest when one is out of sight. 

 Mr. A. J. Campbell gives the dimensions of the eggs as 

 follows : Dimensions, in inches, of a proper clutch : 

 (1) .91 x .68, (2) .9 x .67, (3) .9 x .68. Mr. Campbell 

 refers to this bird as follows: "The beautiful White- 

 throated Thickhead is a true scrub or forest-loving bird, 

 its clear, sweet voice being oftener heard amongst the 

 flowering eucalypts than the vocalist itself is seen." 



Mr. Robert Hall says: "A phase of this first 

 plumage is the throat of the rusty-brown bird becoming 

 greyish- white (February, 1897), w^hile, from what I 

 have seen in the field, another phase when handled 

 would, I believe, show the throat to be rusty-brown the 

 second-last place (wings last) to remain rusty-brown in 

 the complete change from phase one to phase two. An 

 example of the February phase, of bird above, was held 

 under observation by Mr. Graham until 25th July, 

 losing sight of it between the 18th and 25th July. This 

 inclines me to believe that the rusty-brown or first 

 plumage is retained for more than six months, and 

 that it gives way to the grey, or second phase, in time 

 for the first breeding season a season of immature and 

 very modest plumage. The want of competition, surely, 

 is the male bird's champion ! Phase three, of a male that 

 must be at least two years of age, is an elegant one." 



