272 A MA NTT AT. OF THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 



back, somewhat darker on the inner webs ; tail black, grey at the base and crossed 

 by a buff band near the tip ; frontal crest grey, occipital portion chestnut, some of 

 the lateral feathers black ; feathers of the breast, hind -neck and upper mantle 

 trifurcated, showing black on the middle portion, more particularly on the upper 

 mantle, where it imparts a more or less streaked appearance ; remainder of under- 

 surface, including the under wing-coverts and axillaries pale ashy -grey ; bill rose- 

 red, inclining to lilac at the tip, fleshy part covering the nostrils and base of 

 lower mandible greenish-lead colour ; iris fiery orange, bare space round the eyes 

 red ; feet purplish-red, back of tarsus and soles of feet greyish-brown. Total 

 length 460 mm. ; culmen (exp.) 14, wing 283, tail 172, tarsus 29. 



Adult female. Scarcely different from the male. Bill vermilion, base slate 

 colour ; iris clear yellowish, with brownish stains round the pupil surrounded by 

 orange ; feet pinkish-purple. Total length 407 mm. ; culmen 14, wing 265, tail 170, 

 tarsus 25. 



Nest. A platform of fairly stout twigs placed in a tall tree. Dimensions 

 8 to 10 inches across by about 3 inches in thickness. 



Eggs. Clutch, one ; elliptical in form, sometimes with the ends peculiarly 

 pointed, especially the smaller ; texture of shell somewhat granular ; surface glossy ; 

 colour pearly-white. Dimension 42-45 mm. by 31. 



Breeding-season. October to December. 



Distribution and forms. Confined to eastern Australia but may occur in New 

 Guinea. Two subspecies have been distinguished : L. a. antarcticus (Shaw) from 

 New South Wales, Victoria, and Southern Queensland, and L. a. minor Mathews 

 from North Queensland, differing in smaller size and paler coloration. 



