GASUABIS. 



feeding-trees, yet- the birds theinselves are now seldom seen. 

 During the day they remain in the most dense parts of the scrubs 

 wandering about the sides of the watercourses and cj-eeks, diving 

 in through the bushes and vines at the slightest noise. Towards 

 evening and early morning they usually visit their favourite 

 feeding-trees, such as the native figs, Leichhardt-tree (S. 

 leichhardti), and various species of Aomena, Jawhosa, Davidsonia 

 &c. ; they appear to be particularly fond of the astringent fruit of 

 a species of Ma/ranta, which produces bunches of large seed-pods 

 filled with juicy pulp, resembling in appearance the inside of a 

 ripe passion fruit (Passijlora edulis). They breed during the 

 months of August and September. The first nest procured was 

 found by some of Inspector Johnstone's black troopers, from whom 

 Mr. Miller, a settler on the Herbert River, purchased some of the 

 eggs. One which he kindly presented to me is of the light-green 

 variety mentioned hereafter. The nest consists of a depression 

 among the fallen leaves and debris with which the ground in the 

 scrubs is covered, with the addition of a few more dry leaves. The 

 place selected is always in the most dense part, and well concealed 

 by entangled masses of vegetation. The eggs were five in number 

 in the two instances recorded ; and in both cases one of the eggs 

 in each set differed from the others, being of a light-green colour, 

 and having a much smoother shell. The others all have a rough 

 shell, covered rather sparingly with irregular raised patches of 

 dark but bright green on a lighter green and smooth ground. In 

 the pale (No. 1) variety, the raisings on the shell are close together 

 and not so well developed ; in both varieties they are more thinly 

 spread over the central portion than at the ends. On the whole 

 they closely resemble the eggs of Casuaris hennetti, in which 

 similar variations are noticeable ; but they are larger, and of a 

 greater diameter, being greatest in the middle. I am indebted to 

 Inspector Robert Johnstone for the fine series of the eggs of this 

 species, which at present grace my collection. The following are 

 measurements of some of the specimens of the eggs : No. 1 

 Light-green, smooth shell, length 5-33 x 3-73 inches; N"o. 2, 

 Dark-green, rough shell, length 5-3 x 3-88 inches." (Bamsaij, 

 P.Z.S., 1876, p. 119.) 



