PALCO. 19 



"The Black Falcon sometimes breeds here in the interior of New 

 South Wales, but not often, for during my long residence (over 

 20 years) in this locality, I have only met with their nests on four 

 occasions, (one only a few days since). It breeds in September, 

 and lays four eggs which much resemble those of Hieracidea 

 orientalis.'' 



" The nest I recently found was a clear case of appropriation, 

 as last year it was occupied by a pair of Gypoictinia melanosternon, 

 the Falcons had possession however this year, and the nest 

 contained 'four eggs. Immediately beneath the edge of the nest 

 a pair • of Xerophila leucopsis had constructed theirs, which 

 contained young, and the old birds were flying in and out, 

 apparently quite unconcerned at the proximity of their dangerous 

 neighbours, well knowing that the interstices between the large 

 sticks of which the upper nest was composed, aflForded them a 

 secure asylum." 



Hob. Wide Bay District, New South Wales, Interior, Victoria 

 and South Australia. (^Ramsay.) 



^ FALCO LUNULATUS, Latham. 



■White-fronted Falcon. 



Gould, Eandhk. Bds. Aust., Vol. i., sp. 10, p. 29. 



This species is almost entirely dispersed over the continent of 

 Australia, specimens having been recently received in the collec- 

 tions formed by the late Mr. T. H. Boyer-Bower, from the vicinity 

 of Derby, North Western Australia ; the only districts it has not 

 yet been reported from being Port Darwin and Port Essington. 



The nest is rather a large structure, outwardly composed of 

 sticks securely woven together, and lined with fine strips of 

 fibrous bark, and usually placed in the topmost branches of a lofty 

 Eucalyptus. 



Eggs three in number for a sitting, oval in form, bufiy-white, 

 thickly freckled and blotched with very light reddish-brown 



