130 ON THE BREEDING OF SOME SEA BIRDS. 



never attempting to attack the intruder, thougli it will 

 swoop down at Mm, delivering its hard clanking note. 



Efphemia Cheysogastea, Latham, 



It is probable that the orange-billed Grass Parrakeet breeds 

 on the Actseon Islands, it is always there in more or 

 less numbers during November and December, I flushed 

 it frequently from among the long grass and bushes, 

 but could not find its nest. Gould was equally unsuccessful 

 many years ago when he found it in abundance on the Island 

 It probably nests in holes in the ground, a very abnormal, 

 habit if it does breed there, and this fact makes it very 

 desirable that its nesting-place should be found. 



ACANTHOEHYNCHTJS TENtTIROSTEIS, Lath. 



I saw several " Spinebilis " on the Great Actseons, and I 

 have no doubt that this honey-eater breeds there. 



Anthtjs Atjstealis, Vig. and Horsf. 



The Titlark was observed on Southport and Actaeon Islands 

 and would have been breeding at that season of the year. 

 The nest of this species, like that of all the Pipets, is a neatly 

 formed cup-shaped structure, firmly built into a depression 

 in the ground. It is made of grass stalks, and dry 

 blades, and is thinly but carefully lined with hair and very 

 fine grass, the interior measuring 3 inches across. The eggs 

 vary from two to four (I have found a bird incubating the 

 lesser number), and are of a greyish-white ground when 

 fresh. 

 H^MATOPUS UNicoLOE, Wagler. 



The Sooty Oyster-catcher was nesting on Great Actseon on 

 the 28th November, but I could not find its eggs. Several 

 pairs frequented the island, which were breeding, this being 

 easily seen by their manner, but they baffled my search for 

 their nests. The eggs of this species are among the 

 handsomest that are found on the Australian Coasts, the 

 markings excelling that of other eggs in richness and beauty. 

 The ground colour is generally rich creamy, or yellowish 

 stony, and the markings consist of large blots and clouds of 

 sepia black, running, in some eggs, into a hieroglyphic form 

 either at the large end or all over the shell, over light sepia 

 and almost grey clouds, spots, and markings. In shape they 

 are much like the eggs of the Laridce, as are all Oyster- 

 catchers ; they are very shapely ovals, narrowed at the small 

 end, but not in any way pointed. They measure from 2'23 to 

 2'55 inches in length, and from 1-6 to 1*7 inches in width. 



Steena polioceeca, Gould. 



This handsome Tern breeds at the Little Actseon, where its 

 eggs have been taken by Mr. Hinsby, our well-known collector. 



