THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. 71 



(These birds are scarce on the Katherine River and shy, not 

 coming near their nest when it is being dug out. In making the 

 burrow in the bank for their nest they make a considerable 

 upward angle at the start.) 



Halcyon sanctus, Sacred Kingfisher. 



This bird is found all over the continent, being plentiful in 

 many localities. The one in the north-west is similar in plumage 

 to that found in the south, but its note is slightly different ; but 

 the same thing applies to other birds. They make their nest in 

 hollow spouts, and Mr. Olive found one on 17th December in a 

 eucalyptus tree, about 2 feet down the hollow and 15 feet from 

 the ground ; it contained two eggs, which were white, rounded in 

 form, and slightly glossy. They measure — (a) i x .84, (b) .95 x .86, 

 (c) I X .85 inch. 



Dacelo cervina. Fawn-breasted Kingfisher. 



These birds are only found in Northern Australia. They are 

 somewhat similar to Dacelo leachii. One of their nests was found 

 on 7th December, situated in a hollow branch, the eggs being 

 laid on the decomposed wood at the bottom; they are pure white, 

 glossy, and rounded in form, and measure — (a) 1.56 x 1.45, 

 (b) 1.49 X 1.28 inch. 



Trichoglossus rubritorquis. Red-collared Lorikeet. 



North-Western Australia is the habitat of these birds, their 

 range being rather restricted compared with tliat of the Tricho- 

 glossus novce-hollandice, but they have similar habits to the latter 

 bird. They nest in hollow spouts of the eucalyptus trees. Mr. 

 Olive found a clutch on 5 th December in a hollow branch about 

 20 feet from the ground ; it contained two eggs — the full clutch. 

 They are dull white, but much stained, and measure — {a) 1.4 x 

 .82, (6) 1.8 X .84 inches. 



(These were very plentiful, travelling about in flocks, except 

 those nesting. When the female is sitting on her nest the male 

 generally remains in the same tree, or in the immediate neighbour- 

 hood, and they get very excited if anyone attempts to rob them of 

 their eggs.) 



Ptistes coccineopterus, Crimson-winged Lory. 



These beautiful parrots are only found in North-Western 

 Australia, and are considerably smaller than Ptistes erythropterus. 

 A nest was found on 2nd January 10 feet down a hollow spout 

 of a eucalyptus tree and 12 feet from the ground. The eggs 

 were deposited on the rotten wood at the bottom, and were a 

 dull white colour and much stained. They measure — (a) 1.18 x 

 I.I, (6) 1. 21 X I.I inch. 



(These birds were plentiful, generally in pairs, sometimes 

 threes, or in numbers. They build in large girth trees. The 



