THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. 69 



face. Some markings which appear under the surface are very 

 faint and light purple in colour. They measure — (a) .99 x .71, 

 (b) I.I X .71 inch. 



Pachycephala falcata, Northern Thickhead. 



The range of this bird is also across the northern portion 

 of the continent, as I have secured specimens at Cooktown, and 

 it has also been found at Derby, on the north-west coast, besides 

 in the intervening country. It is a lively bird, with a clear, loud 

 note. Its nest was found on nth October; it was open, and 

 lightly built of tendrils, with an occasional cobweb to fasten it 

 on to a branch ; it is lined with fine grass fibres, and measures — 

 external depth, 2 inches ; internal, i^ inches ; external diameter, 

 3 inches ; internal, 2 inches. The eggs are olive, with an irregular 

 zone nearly round the centre of the egg of burnt umber 

 markings, with a few other spots scattered over the shell, and 

 some very faint ones of a purplish hue beneath the surface. 

 They measure — (a) .81 x .63, (b) .82 x .64, (c) .81 x .63 inch. 



Artamus melanops. Black-faced Wood-Swallow. 



These birds have a wide range, being found over the greater 

 portion of Australia, but seldom nest in the south. Its nest was 

 found on 9th November, built on the branch of a eucalyptus 

 tree, about 10 feet from the ground ; it is very lightly put 

 together, and is composed of tendrils and lined with fine grass 

 seed-stalks, and measures— external depth, 4 inches; internal, 

 I finches; external diameter, 4^ inches; internal, 3 inches. The 

 eggs are cream colour, with large markings of burnt umber, 

 which are more plentiful on the larger end and coalesce. The 

 markings beneath the surface are of a light purplish hue. They 

 measure — (a) .82 x .65, (b) .79 x .67, (c) .83 x .68 inch. 



(Generally in flocks. Seven or eight settle on a limb close 

 together. They fly at the intruder if their nest is being disturbed, 

 several birds joining in. The sitting bird will not leave her nest 

 until almost forced off. They were plentiful.) 



Neochmia phaeton, Crimson Finch. 



These beautiful birds are plentiful in North-West Australia. 

 Mr. Olive found a nest on 30th December, built in a Pandanus 

 Palm, about 15 feet from the ground ; it is dome-shaped, and 

 and composed outwardly of shreds of dried rushes and rootlets, 

 and the inner portion of coarse grass and seed-stalks. It 

 measures — external depth, 6^ inches; internal, 4^ inches; 

 external diameter, 4^ inches ; internal, 3 inches. The eggs were 

 four in number, elongate in form, and pure white. They measure 

 — (a) .61 x .44, (6) .6^ x .42, (c) .62 x .43, (d) .63 X .44 inch. 



(These birds are plentiful, but were only found near water- 

 courses. They travel in numbers, and the males fight with each 

 other while building. They are quiet birds, and fly about a 



