THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. 161 



hollow, in the splinters and cracks ; and when food is abundant 

 some of the Httle carcasses are there left to dry up like mummies. 



At this time I am pleased to be able to add two descriptions 

 of owls' eggs to our oological lore, especially as many species of 

 these birds have been brought prominently under our notice by 

 their presence in great numbers in Victoria this season. It has 

 been conjectured that the wonderful migration of mice that took 

 place in the interior, or the prevailing dearth in the more northern 

 parts, or both, are the cause. In parts, I understand, they were 

 observed " as thick as bats," hawking all night round haystacks 

 for mice. 



By way of reminder, I should like to mention that all these 

 useful vermin destroyers are perpetually protected in Victoria, and 

 partially in Queensland and South Australia. It is to be hoped 

 that the other colonies will immediately follow suit. 



132. Chibia bracteata— (Spangled Dronga-Shrike). Locality 

 — Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria (1885), Tasmania 

 (1888). Egg — Longish and gracefully shaped, colour of a deli- 

 cate pinkish blush or tint, sparingly speckled with pinkish red and 

 purple and a few spots of chestnut, except upon the apex, or 

 larger end, where the markings thicken, and in some instances 

 amalgamate. 



The eggs are exceedingly pretty, and at first sight resemble a 

 light variety of the better known eggs of the Friar Bird (Philemon 

 corniadaius ). Dimensions of a clutch — (i) i inch 3 lines x 105 

 lines; (2) i inch 3 lines x lO;^; (3) i inch 2f lines x \o\\ 

 and (4) I inch 2f lines x 10^ lines. 



According to Mr, Coles' collector, the nest containing the above 

 was taken at Wonga Wallan, Southern Queensland. It was very 

 loosely constructed of vinelets (so much so that the eggs were 

 visible from below) and placed in a " stringybark " tree. 



480a. TuRNix sciNTiLLANs — (Speckled Turnix, or Quail). 

 Locality — West Australia. Egg — Inclined to be pear-shaped in 

 form. Colour, " pepper and salt," or very finely and uniformly 

 speckled over the whole surface with light brown, grey, and 

 dark purple or black. In some specimens the brown and grey 

 speckles prevail. Length, i inch i line; breadth, loA-ii lines. 



546. Ardea sumatrana — (Great-billed Heron). Locality— 

 North Australia, Queensland, and New South Wales. Egg — An 

 example from Dr. Kutter's collection, taken in the Moluccas, is 

 light bluish green, a very long oval, and measures 2 inches 8 lines 

 X 1 inch 7 J lines. 



564. Porphyrio bellus — (Azure-breasted Porphyrio-Coot). 

 Locality— \NQst. Australia. Egg — Form, ovaj slightly swollen 

 towards the larger end. Colour, deep warm s 'one, fairly marked 

 with spots and patches or blotches of purplis^h brown of various 



