86 SinSCIGAFID^. 



but more particularly towards the larger end. Length (A) 0"61 

 X 047 inch ; (B) 0-6 x 0-47 inch." (North, P.L.S., N.S. W., Vol. 

 ii., 2nd Series, p. 406.) 



Hob. Tasmania. (Bamsay.) 



^ RHIPIDURA PREISSI, Cabanis. 



Preiss's Fantail. 



Gould, Handbk. Bds. Aust., Vol. i., sp. 135, p. 240. 



When collecting in North-western Australia, Mr. W. Proggatt 

 found a nest of this species built in a climbing plant growing on 

 the banks of the Fitzroy River, about twenty-five miles inland 

 from Derby, on the 25th September, 1 887 ; it is very likely that 

 of its near ally R. albiscapa, of the eastern and southern portions 

 of the continent, but much smaller, resembling in shape a miniature 

 wine glass with the base broken oflF. The nest is composed of 

 shreds of thin fibrous bark and fine grasses, held together on the 

 outside with spiders' webs, which are neatly wound round the 

 exterior surface of the nest, also the thin branch on which it is 

 placed, the stem of the nest having a somewhat ragged appearance 

 at the extremity. Exterior diameter 1-7 inch, depth 1'67 inch, 

 length of stem from the bottom of the nest proper and branch on 

 which it is placed 2'25 inches. Interior diameter 1-58 inch, depth 

 1-2 inch. The rim of the nest is very thin. Eggs two in number 

 for a sitting, of a creamy-white ground colour, spotted and blotched 

 with duU wood-brown, intermingled with obsolete markings of 

 slaty-grey which are more thickly disposed towards the larger end 

 where an ill-defined zone is formed. Length (A) 0-6 x 0-48 inch j 

 (B) 0'63 X 0-5 inch. From the Macleyan Museum, Collection. 

 (North, Proa. Linn. Soc, N.S. W., Vol. iii., 2nd Series, part ii., 

 April, 1888.) 



Hub. Derby, N.W. Australia, West and South-west Australia. 

 (Hamsay.) 



