134 BELLCRAMBEB8— Notes ou the Mtdlee Fowl. 



is lined with dry grass, tine twigs, or leaves, and generally a 

 few feathers. Occasionally it is built of wet cow dung. An 

 average sized nest measures 3£ inches high, cavity 5 inches 

 in diameter by 2\ inches deep. 



Eggs. — Two to five are laid for a clutch, usually three, 

 but four is common. They vary much in shape and' colour, 

 some being short and rounded, and others much elongated. 

 Two common types are, (1) ground colour, white to pinkish 

 white, with irregular blotches of brick red forming a zone at 

 the larger end; (2) ground colour white, with a zone of dull 

 purplish red spots and splashes at the larger end, sometimes 

 wavy, semicircular or spiral streaks occur in this type. 



Average measurement of 17 egs, 2.90 cm. x 2.10 cm. 

 Largest egg, 3.00 cm. x. 2.15 cm. 

 Smallest egg, 2.70 cm. x 2.15 cm. 



Notes on the Malice Fowl. 



Leipoa ocellata rosinae. 



By T. P. Bellchambers. 



For many years I have taken a special interest in these 

 beautiful birds, and as I have had many opportunities of 

 observing their habits, both in the wild state and in captivity, 

 a few remarks from my note book may be of interest. They 

 are fast disappearing in consequence of the destruction of 

 scrub lands and the keen hunt for their eggs (which are of 

 large size and fine flavour), and the introduction of the fox. 

 During the season 1908-09 I found several mounds, which I 

 examined at intervals. Every one was visited by foxes, and, 

 so far as I could discover, only three chicks hatched out. The 

 eggs are very thin shelled, and when fresh are of a beautiful 

 pink colour. They measure 3f inches in length by 8 inches 

 in circumference, and weigh about S ozs. There is generally 

 on interval of about six days between the laying of each egg. 

 The chicks begin to hatch in about eight weeks. This limits 

 the number of eggs in a mound to about eight or nine, unless, 

 as often happens, some eggs are infertile, when, naturally, 

 there would be more. The birds are of a gentle and playful 

 disposition, but very shy. Their highly developed sense of 

 hearing enables them to catch the least sound, consequently 



