:6 7



alike are resorted to ; still I have never known the Spotted

Pardalote to breed in the hollow branch of a tree, or take

possession of the nests of a Fairy Martin ( Lagenoplastes arid )

as P. affinis and P. st 7 'iahis are wont to do.


The eggs of Pardalotus punctatus are four in number, of a

beautiful pearl}'- white after being emptied, but pinkish before,

rather roundish, being in length o-6 inch by 0-5 inch in breadth.

The breeding season, which sometimes commences as early as

July, lasts until the end of December, during which time three

broods are often raised.”


It will be seen from the foregoing accounts how closely

this and the other species of Panther-birds approach our

Kuropeau Titmice in their actions, food, and nidification, for

although our Tits frequently only line the bottom of a hole

selected as a nesting-site, I have sometimes found their nests as

perfectly formed as those of a Wren : it is true that they usually,

though not invariably, lay spotted eggs; but this is a detail of

little real importance.


It is sincerely to be hoped that those who are in communi¬

cation with Australian dealers will exert themselves in trying to

induce them to send over consignments of these extremely

beautiful little birds. What man has done, man may do ; and as

the species has once been imported there is not the least reason

why the experiment should not be repeated.


With Mr. Roberts’ characteristic drawing before us it is,

in my opinion, not at all necessary to give a description of this

bird. The size may be gathered from the fact that Ratham

believed it to be a Mannikin.



NOTES ON THE SPOTTED PANTHER BIRD.


Pardalotus punctahis.


By Norman B. Roberts.


It is quite impossible to describe the overwhelming

delight and keen enjoyment of a true lover of birds, upon

waking up one morning in a country new to him, where each

bird he sees is different from any he has previously met with.

Never shall I forget the morning of my first day in the

Australian bush. I had travelled late into the night, and

snatched as much sleep, in an up-country shanty, as my too

numerous bed-fellows would permit. I, however, needed no

disturbing influence to make me leave my bed. There were



