22 PALOONli)^. 



brown markings, uniformly dispersed over che whole surface of 

 the shell. A set taken by Mr. Joseph Hill, at Kewell, in the 

 Wimmera District, Victoria, on the 9tli September, 1887, measures 

 length (A) 1-98 x 1-55 inch ; (B) 2 inches x r6 inch. 



The breeding season commences during the latter end of August 

 and continues the two following months. 



Hah. Derby, N.W. Australia, Interior, Victoria and South 

 Australia, West and South-West Australia. (Ramsaij.) 



Genus TINNUNCULUS, Vieillot. 



TINNUNCULUS CENGHROIDES, Viyors and Eorsfiekl. 



Nankeen Kestrel. 



Gould, Handbk. Bds. Aust., Vol. i., sp. 13, p. 35. TZT. S- 



This species usually deposits its eggs, four in number for a 

 sitting, on the decaying wood in a hollow limb of a tree. The 

 eggs vary in form, from short to rounded ovals, and are of a reddish- 

 white ground colour, minutely freckled, and heavily blotched all 

 over with rich reddish-brown markings ; in some instances the 

 blotches are confined entirely to the smaller end. On two occasions 

 I have seen eggs of this species nearly white. A set taken at 

 Cardington, on the Bell River, New South Wales, in September 

 1867, measure as follows: — length (A) 1-55 x 1-15 inch; (B) 

 1-48 X 1-18 inch; (0) 1-.5 x 1-2 inch ; (D) 1-48 x M9 inch. 



The breeding season comprises the months of September) 

 October, and November. 



Hab. Derby, N.W. Australia, Port Denison, Wide Bay District, 

 Dawson River, New South Wales, Interior, Victoria and South 

 Australia. (Rainsay.) 



