328 BALLID^. 



The eggs are four in number ; and the nest, which is composed of 

 sedges, grass, and aquatic plants, is placed close to the water's 

 edge, or upon any bunches of weeds or grass growing in the water 

 which may be sufficiently strong enough to bear its weight. This 

 Parra is tolerably abundant throughout the swampy regions 

 which abound over the eastern portion of Queensland and north- 

 eastern parts of New South Wales. I have obtained specimens 

 as far south as the Clarence River in New South Wales, its most 

 southern limit, and as far. north as the Herbert River, in the 

 Rockingham Bay district. It is found most plentiful in the 

 Rockhampton district wherever the swamps and lagoons occur ; 

 the leaves of the gigantic N'ymphcea a,nd JVelumbium affording a safe 

 retreat for this species. I know of few more interesting or more 

 pleasing sights than a troop of this handsome Parra wandering 

 among the bright blue and crimson blooms of the giant waterlilies 

 which abound in almost every sheet of water of any extent in 

 North-eastern Queensland." (Ramsay, Ibis, 1865, Vol. i., p. 306, 

 iid. 1867, Vol. iii.. New Series, p. 417, pi. viii., fig. 3.) 



Count Salvadori states that the Parra from New Guinea is the 

 true P. gallinacea of Temminck, upon Dr. Ramsay pointing out 

 distinction. Count Salvadori described the Australian species 

 under the name of P. novce-hoUandice. (See Salvad., Orn. Pap. et 

 Mollucc. III., 308-9.) 



Sab. Rockingham Bay, Port Denison, Wide Bay District, 

 Richmond and Clarence Rivers Districts, New South Wales. 



Genus HYPOT^NIDIA, Reichenbach. 



HYPOT^NIDIA PHILIPPENSIS, Linnmus. 

 Pectoral Bail. 

 Gould, Handbk. Bds. Aust,, Vol. ii., sp. 570, p. 334. 



The nest of this species, when built in swampy localities, is 

 generally composed of the debris left from floods ; it is slightly 



