272 Jackson, In the Barron River Valley, N.Q. [isf'jiine 



when he was removing the nest, which was hidden in a dense 

 mass of vines and other vegetation at an altitude of 75 feet, 

 and, of course, absolutely invisible from the ground. We took 

 the young bird to camp, where it was well cared for and fed 

 on bruised scrub-figs and sugar for several days, when it was 

 photographed. ( Vide Plate XXII.) Unfortunately, it died one 

 wet night, notwithstanding all our careful nursing ; I then 

 preserved it. I could not detect any serration in the bill, which 

 was then too young and soft. The nest was scrupulously clean, 

 which seems rather remarkable, considering that it contained a 

 young bird. But we discovered the reason when we had kept 

 the youngster in camp for a few days. The nest was frail and 

 comparatively small, and had to be handled with great care. 

 Diameter of nest, 7 inches. It somewhat resembled the nest 

 given to me by Mr. Geo. Sharp, only ours was very much more 

 saucer-shaped and deeper. Fire-flies are plentiful around the 

 camp. The natives have constructed a sleeping place for 

 themselves about 100 yards from our camp. During my 

 absence two nests of the Rifle-Bird were discovered, both 

 containing young birds. 



6th and 7th December. — Fever again very bad on me, con- 

 sequently not much work done, except getting in readiness for 

 my oological and photographic work. 



8th December. — Success at last. Mr. Frizelle, our best black, 

 and myself march in a hopeful procession to the tabooed scrub 

 at the rear of our camp. On arriving at the tree in which we 

 found No. I nest being built on the 14th November, we sit on 

 the ground for some time looking up into the mass where our 

 long-looked-for trophy rests at an altitude of nearly 80 feet. 

 At last we see a Tooth-bill arrive, alight on a limb, and gradu- 

 ally hop along until it vanishes into the treasured clump. We 

 wait patiently, but so excitedly that minutes seem like hours. 



Now we prepare for our climb, the native keeping a few feet 

 ahead of me until I am abreast of the nest, when off" flies 

 Mrs. Tooth-bill, nearly striking me in the face. She then hops 

 and flies excitedly about in the limbs close by, with all her 

 feathers puffed, and uttering a peculiar and unusual cry. The 

 male bird acts likewise, having put in an appearance almost as 

 soon as the female quitted the nest. After carefully watching 

 this arboreal and excited dance, I slowly lift my head, and at 

 last ! — yes, at last ! — my eyes actually rest upon the frail stick 

 nest, which contains two lovely very dark cream-coloured eggs. 

 I can scarcely realize the situation, my excitement being so 

 great. I am trembling like a leaf from head to foot. That which 

 has haunted me day and night — the principal object of my 

 mission to North Queensland — has been at length discovered, 

 albeit through honest toil and perseverance. All I can see of 

 Mr. Frizelle when I look down from my high perch is his 



