AN9EBANAS. 335 



contained three eggs of a dirty-white colour ; the shell of which was 

 rather rough. Dimensions of the eggs are as follows : — length (A) 

 2-93 X 2-12 inches ; (B) 2-94 x 2-12 inches ; (C) 3-15 x 2-11 inches. 

 Both birds vigorously defended their nest, and showed every sign 

 of resentment at the intrusion on their domain. Dr. Ramsay who 

 had them breeding at Dobroyde for several years informs me that 

 five is the full number of eggs for a sitting. 



A specimen received from Mr. E. D. Atkinson taken on Flinders 

 Island in Bass's Straits, is much finer in the texture of the shell, 

 and measures 3 -02 x2'2 inches. 



A specimen in the Macleayan Museum Collection, taken on 

 one of the islands of Bass's Straits, is of a pale creamy-white and 

 measures, long diameter 3'63 inches, short diameter 248 inches. 



Hah. Victoria and South Australia, Tasmania. (Mamsay.J 



Genus ANSERANAS, Lesson. 



^ ANSERANAS MELANOLEUCA, Latham. 



Semipalmated Goose. 

 Gould, Handhk. Bds. Aust, Vol ii., sp. 579, p. 352. 



This bird is found plentifully dispersed over the northern, 

 eastern, and southern portions of the Australian continent, and 

 is also found inhabiting the large swamps and reed beds found in 

 the back-waters of many of the rivers of the interior during the 

 wet seasons, where it resorts to breed in great numbers in 

 September and the three following months. The nest is composed 

 of sedges and other aquatic herbage, and is built in the rushes 

 that fringe the edge of rivers and watercourses ; at other times 

 being placed in the marshes and lagoons. Eggs usually five in 

 number for a sitting, but sometimes as many as eleven have been 

 taken, probably the result of two birds laying in the same nest; 

 they are of a creamy or dull white colour, the surface of the shell 

 being smooth and slightly glossy. 



