APPENDIX II. 



The delay caused in printing off the Plates has been instrumental 

 in furnishing additional information on the nidification of some of 

 the foregoing species, and descriptions of nests and eggs of others 

 not previously given ; as heretofore the names of correspondents 

 or collectors from whom the specimens were obtained will be 

 found prefixed to each description. The early and exceptionally 

 wet period in New South Wales during last year (1889) rendered 

 it one of the best seasons for collecting since 1870, an advantage 

 which Mr. K. H. Bennett, of Yanderabah, availed himself of, 

 and procured the nests and eggs of several rare species of water- 

 fowl, as well as making some interesting notes relative to their 

 breeding habits. The nests and eggs of two species were also 

 obtained last year which had not been previously recorded from 

 Australia, viz.. Ibis fcdcinellus, and Sternula siriensis. 



In some parts of Australia the breeding time is greatly influenced, 

 either by periods of excessive drought, when many species do 

 not visit their usual breeding grounds at all, or by the rainy 

 season being early or late, the birds, more especially waterfowl 

 commencing to breed immediately after the autumnal rains ; 

 the breeding season however is more constant in the southern 

 portions of Australia. In every instance where the breeding 

 time is given in the preceding pages unless otherwise stated it 

 applies only to the normal season. 



