128 
The Kmu. 
leaving a fall of about 3 feet. In this the holes were 
made. A pair of Mangrove Kingfishers {Halcyon sordidus) 
were at these cliffs, but I failed to find a nest. A pair of Reef 
Herons had a nest containing four eggs on a shelf of the cliff. 
Apparently a blue bird and white were mated, the blue bird 
coming off the nest. Curlews arrived about 31st August, and 
Oriental Dottrel {OcJitliodroinus veredus) loth September. On 
3rd October I shot a Common Sdcnd^i^^r {Tringoides hypoleucus)^ 
on the beach, the first noted here. 9th November. — A female of 
the Stubble Quail {Coturnix pectoralis) was flushed and shot 
close to the house, also a first record here ; the Brown and Little 
Quails have only been previously noted. 21st November. — 
Saw an Emu with four young, in down, about as large as 
domestic fowls. This must have been a very late brood, the 
usual laying season being end of May, but I have noted in 
other dry seasons, as this is, that Emus seem to delay their 
breeding. 
Protective Colouration of Australian Birds and 
Their Nests. 
Part 11. 
By D. Le Souef, C.M.Z.S., &c. 
{^Read before the Aiist. O. U., Adelaide Sessio7i^ ind November^ 1901.) 
Honey-eaters vary much in colour, but the males and females 
do not as a rule vary much in markings, but by far the larger 
majority of hen birds have greenish or dull-coloured backs. 
Their nests are mostly hanging, and built in varying situations, 
accordinf^ to the colour of the bird, and you can generally make 
a good guess at the shade of the owner's back by the place it 
builds its nest in ; if among green leaves at the end of a branch 
the bird will probably be greenish, as for instance Ptilotis 
penicillata (White-plumed Honey-eater) ; if lower down among 
the dead branches, grey or brown ; and if in very thick vegetation 
low down, the markings will be fairly conspicuous, like in 
Meliornis novc^-/iollandl(^ {yVhite-hQd.rdQd Honey-eater). Honey- 
eaters are a large group, but if notice is taken it will soon be 
seen how the various kinds are protected, mostly by the birds 
building in places which assimilate with the colour of their backs, 
as before stated. 
The Ground-Lark (Anl/ius aiistralis) is well known, but how 
often its open nest is passed by without being detected, it being 
made of dry grass and containing three dark grey eggs. The 
bird itself is as inconspicuous as its nest and egg, and would 
rarely be seen if it only had the courage to remain on its nest 
when danger threatened. Nightjars {Caprimiilgus, 8ic.) are 
wonderfully protected by colouration, and would seldom be seen 
