PANDION. 23 



Sub-Order PANDIONES. 



Genus PANDION, SavUjmj. 



•3 PANDION LEUCOCEPHALUS, Gould. 



White-headed Osprey. 



Gould, Handhk. Bds. Aust., Vol. i., sp. 6, p. 22. :ET / 5, 



This species constructs a large nest of sticks lined with twigs 

 and seaweed, and is sometimes placed on the summit of a rock, 

 but more often in the top of some high tree. Mr. John S. 

 Rajnsay took a nest of this species, containing two eggs, (Var. A.) 

 in the Wide Bay district, on the 15th of August, 1880, and 

 another with three eggs (Var. B.) at lindali, on the Mary River, 

 Queensland, in 1882. 



Var. A. Eggs two in number, elongated in form, of a deep 

 yellowish-white ground colour, heavily blotched and spotted with 

 rich reddish-brown markings, but particularly on the larger end, 

 where they form a coalesced patch. Length (A) 2-56 x 1-73 

 inches j (B) i-?)l x 1-72 inches. 



Var. B. Eggs three in number, oval in form, of a rich flesh- 

 white ground colour, spotted and blotched with deep reddish- 

 brow-n, and minutely freckled with small dots of the same colour, 

 intermingled with obsolete splashes of purple appearing as if 

 beneath the surface of the shell. Length (A) 2'27 x 1'7 inches; 

 (B) 2-27 X 1-68 inches; (0) 2-31 x 1-68 inches. 



The breeding season which commences early in July, continues 

 during the three following months. 



Hob. Derby, N. W. Australia, Port Darwin and Port Essington, 

 Gulf of Carpentaria, Cape York, Rockingham Bay, Port Denison, 

 Wide Bay District, Richmond and Clarence Rivers Districts, 

 New South Wales, Victoria and. South Australia, Tasmania, 

 West and South- West Australia, South Coast of New Guinea. 

 {Rainsaij.) 



