274 Jackson, In the Barron River Valley, N.Q. \ ni'"] 



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tion. Fire-flies quite illuminated the environs of the camp 

 last night ; they were very numerous. 



After lunch we start for another nest (No. 3) of the 

 Tooth-bill, about a mile from the camp. The nest is placed 

 fully 90 feet from the ground, in a mass of dense vegetation at 

 the top of a bean or scrub chestnut-tree {Castanosperinum 

 ausirale). The climb is an awkward one, and our best black, 

 who had examined the nest in the first instance, is again chosen 

 to tackle the task. Strapping the egg-pouch around his waist, 

 I say " Good luck! " and up he goes. Placing the perpendicular 

 and suspended vines between the first and second toes of each 

 foot, he simply walks up, with marvellous and untiring agility. 

 Making his way through the masses of vines and foliage near 

 the top, he at last gains the rare nest, and suddenly exclaims 

 — " Two pfeller heg sit down ! " This is really splendid news, 

 following on the success of yesterday. With the glasses I see 

 the bird fly from the clump where the nest is so securely hidden. 

 It goes through the same fuss and noises and darting actions 

 close to the climber as we noticed at the other two nests. Mr. 

 Frizelle now climbs nearly half-way, meeting the darkie and 

 taking the pouch from him containing the treasured " brown 

 ^ggs," while the latter brings down the nest. The nesting tree 

 is photographed, and by nightfall all reach camp safely. This 

 set is also very dark, and quite different from those of the Cat- 

 Bird. In fact, these eggs photograph quite dark, owing to their 

 deep yellowish or creamy-brown tinge. Spotted Cat-Birds' eggs 

 photograph lighter in tone because they are paler in colouration 

 compared with those of the Tooth-bill. These important facts 

 are clearly demonstrated in the photographs accompanying this 

 article. Of this clutch (from No. 3 nest) the following are the 

 measurements in inches : — {a) 1.63 x 1.08 ; {b) 1.59 x 1.08. 

 Nest, as usual, loosely constructed of dead twigs, and measuring 

 nearly 9 inches across. The centre or egg-cavity is deep and 

 saucer-shaped, and the lining consists of thin dry twigs, inter- 

 woven with the thicker ones on the outside. 



We find another nest (No. 4) of the Tooth-bill to-day 

 (loth December) belonging to one of our already located and 

 long-watched pairs of birds. It is placed at the summit of a 

 crow's-foot elm ( VerbenacecB ?) near the bank of the Barron 

 River, and at an altitude of over 50 feet. Nest about half built. 

 Proceeding, and carefully watching another long-located pair, 

 we find their nest (No. 5). Wonderful success! This is 

 placed unusually low down, being within 45 feet of the ground. 

 A climb of inspection is made, and a slight disappointment is 

 experienced. The darkie cried out " One pfeller picaninnie 

 (young bird) sit down." The nest, as usual, frail and well hidden, 

 the nestling being covered with brown down and precisely 

 similar to the first young one which we discovered on 5th 



