164 *HE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. 



specimens approach in their type those of the GallinulincB, and are 

 very hke miniature examples of the eggs of Erythra phmiicura. 

 Dimensions, between i inch i^ Hnes x \o\ lines and i inch 2| 

 lines X 11^ lines. 



It is of great interest and importance that the eggs of all these 

 diminutive waders are now known, because " doctors differ," and 

 the birds have been placed under six or more genera. Gould, 

 who was dubious of his own classification, and, alluding to one of 

 the crakes, stated — " I can assure them (the rising ornithologists 

 and, I may add, oologists of Australia) that the study of the eggs 

 will greatly assist them in assigning the birds to which they 

 belong to their proper genus." 



The eggs of the Little Crake {P. pahistris) and the Tabuan {P. 

 tabiiensis) undoubtedly appear to be typical of the true Porzance, 

 as contrasted with Spotted Crake {P. flumifiea) and White-eye- 

 browed {P. anereiis), which appear oologically different ; or, 

 as Dr. Kutter remarks, with reference to the last-named, they 

 approach in their type those of the Galiiniilince, and form a well- 

 defined oological sub-group of the family Rallidtz, or Rails. 



627. Pterodroma macroptera — {gouldii), (Great-winged 

 Petrel). Locality — New South Wales and Tasmania. Egg — An 

 example taken in July at Cape Maria Van Diemen, the extreme 

 north of New Zealand, is white, well proportioned in shape, with 

 a somewhat broad apex, in contrast with the smaller end, which 

 is sharper, but gradually rounded off. Texture of shell rather 

 fine, except at the smaller end, where it is slightly granulated. 

 Length, 2 inches 8|- lines 3 breadth, i inch io| lines. 



The egg of this petrel is mentioned in the " Manual of the 

 Birds of New Zealand" (BuUer) ; one egg is laid in a burrow, 

 with a few leaves and grass for a nest. In the Hauraki Gulf, 

 Reischek found them breeding in colonies in the beginning of 

 September j the young are full grown in February. 



It is interesting to record the occurrence of the egg of the 

 Bronze Cuckoo {Chakites basalis) in the nest of the Grass 

 Warbler {Cisticola ruficeps). This curious combination clutch, 

 which is exhibited here to-night, was taken on King Island. I 

 also take this opportunity of recording the White-fronted Chat 

 {Ephthianura albifrons) amongst the foster parents of this Bronze 

 Cuckoo, undoubted evidence of which I received a season or two 

 ago. 



Note. — The following new eggs have been described by Mr. A. J. North, 

 ■F.L.S. : — Eopsaltria capita (Large-headed Robin), Stictoptera annidosa (Black- 

 rumped Finch), AihircEdus wa'c/^^wo' (Queensland Cat-bird)— reference, P.L.S., 

 N.S.W., vol. iii., part i ; and Rhipidura priessi (Priess's Fantail) — same vol., 

 part 2. By Mr. R. D. Fitzgerald, jua., Sphccotheres maxillaris (Southern 

 Sphecotheres)— F.L.S. , N.S.W., vol. ii., part 4. 



