126 THE ZOOLOGIST. 



sheaths of grasses, and stalks of other plants. Sometimes only 

 two or three minutes elapse between their disappearance in 

 search of material and their return to the nesting-site. About 

 the same time is spent in adding the material to the nest. 



17th. — Eucalyptus globulus in flower. 



18th. — The Tits begin to line their nest with feathers. Swift 

 Lorikeets appear. 



25th. — Small brown Lizards (? Hinulia sp.) appear. One of 

 these seizes and carries off a grape-skin which is dropped over 

 the verandah-railing. 



30th. — Wattle-birds (Acanthochcera inauris) are heard. These 

 birds, when seen in outline against the sky, present a singular 

 appearance, owing to the crouching attitude which they assume, 

 their long tails, and relatively small bodies. Pallid Cuckoos 

 appear. 



Septembee. 



2nd. — Acacia melanoxylon in flower. A male Flame-breasted 

 Eobin (Petrceca phoenicea) is seen ; the first I have observed since 

 last autumn. 



8th. — A nest of the Brown Scrub Wren (Sericomis humilis) 

 is received. It was found under a gorse-bush. Shreds of moss 

 (a Campylopus) cling to the under side of it. It consists of the 

 stems of grasses and other plants, and is thickly lined with 

 feathers, amongst which those of the Grey-tailed Thickhead and 

 the Ground Thrush can be discerned. A few feathers are also 

 interwoven with the outer layers of the building materials, 

 probably in order to obtain additional warmth, for snow is lying 

 on the foothills of Mount Wellington. One egg which I have 

 received is purplish brown ; the large end is covered with a 

 round spot of a darker tint. The long diameter measures, in 

 inches, 0*87, and the short diameter 0"65. 



14th. — Welcome Swallows are at Kingston (Brown's Eiver). 



18th. — Showers of snow fall, and the temperature is unusually 

 low— 36° F. at 3 p.m. 



19th. — A Magpie (Gymnorhina hyperleuca) is collecting wool 

 for a nest-lining. 



20th. — An immature male Grey-tailed Thickhead (Pachy- 

 cephala glaucura), in the flesh, is received. There is a wash of 

 yellow on its breast, and a tinge of olive on the marginal wing- 



