OHTHONIOOLA. 149 



grass, the bird allowed itself t6 be trodden upon before leaving its 

 eggs, which were in an advanced state of incubation. Eggs oval 

 in form varying in tint from a light chestnut to pale chocolate- 

 brown, finely freckled all over with nearly invisible markings of a 

 darker tint, particularly towards the larger end where in some 

 instances they form a perfect zone. Dimensions of a set taken 

 17th June 1880, length (A) 0'81 x 0-58 inch ; (B) 0-78 x 0-57 inch; 

 (C) 0-8 X 0-58 inch. 



A set taken at Albert Park, Melbourne, during July 1875 

 measure as follows :— length (A) 0-77 x 0-58 inch ; (B) 0-79 x 0-6 

 inch; (C) 0-8 x 0-6 inch. 



Hah. Victoria and South Australia, West and South-west 

 Australia. ( Ramsa-i/. ) 



Genus CHTHONICOLA, Gould. 



'-* CHTHOISriCOLA SAGITTATA, Latham. 



Little Chthonicola, 

 Gould, Handbk. Bds. Aust., Vol. i., sp. 239, p. 390. 



This species constructs a dome-shaped nest, well concealed 

 underneath a tuft of overhanging grass ; it is built throughout of 

 d>ried grasses. Eggs in form swollen ovals and four in number 

 for a sitting, of a uniform bright chocolate-red. Dimensions of a 

 set taken at Macquarie Fields in October 1860, by Dr. Ramsay : 

 length (A) 0-74 x 0-6 inch ; (B) 0-76 x 0-6 inch ; (C) 0-76 x 0-61 

 inch ; (D) 0-76 x 0-59 inch. 



A set taken at Oakleigh, Victoria, November 1879 measure as 

 foUows :— length (A) 0-75 x 0-59 inch ; (B) 0-76 x 0-6 inch ; (C) 

 0-76 X 0-61 inch. 



In New South Wales this bird is often the foster parent of 

 C. Jlahelliformis. The breeding season commences in September, 

 and continues the three following months. 



