6 
THE GEELONG NATTJEALIST. 
embrace tlie present opportunity of stating my reasons for so doing, 
and of pointing out the differences between these two species, 
" While lately examining a large series of PacliycephalcB from 
various parts of Australia, my attention was drawn by Mr Masters 
to the deep rufous tint on the under-surface of the females of the 
Western examples of the so-called P. gutturalis ; and after 
comparing a very large number of specimens from both N.S. "Wales 
and Western Australia, I have come to the conclusion that although 
closely allied, they are specifically distinct. Mr Grouid's description 
and the plate of the P. gutturalis in his work have evidently been 
taken from Western examples, from which the Turdus gutturalis of 
Latham may be easily distinguished." 
The nest and eggs of the Western Thickhead above described 
I took at Karridale (W.A.,) 28th October, 1889. The structure was 
securely placed amongst the curious seed pods of a Hakea branch. 
The chief breeding months are September, October, jVovember. 
PACHYCEPHALA G-LAUCUEA (Gould.) 
GEET-TAILED THICKHEAD. 
riGUEE.— aould: Eds. of Aust., fol., Vol. II, pi. 65. 
Eeeerence.— Cat. Bds., Brit. Mus., Vol. YIII, p. 194. 
PrEYIOTJS DESCRIPTIOIf OF EgGS. — 
Campbell; " Southern Science Eecord," (1882). 
North: Cat. Nests and Eggs, Aust. Bds., p. 66 (1889). 
Geographical Distribution. — Tasmania and some of the 
Islands in Bass Straits. 
Nest. — Larger and more bulky than those of the other Yellow- 
breasted Thickheads, composed of small twigs, sometimes strips of bark 
with dead leaves Csome skeleton) and Casuarina needles added, lined 
inside with line dry grass, rootlets, &c., and placed in a bush or low 
tree in thick scrub. Dimensions, over all 5 or 6 inches by 3 inches in 
depth. Egg cavity 2f inches across by li inches deep. 
Eggs. — Clutch, 2-3, occasionally 4. Inclined to oval in shape, 
diminishing in a pretty curve from the upper quarter to the apex which 
is, in some instances, sharper than the bottomendof theegg; textureof 
shell, fine, with surface slightly glossy; color, light greyish, or 
light yellowish- white of a darker tone round the upper quarter 
where is freckled a zone of small spots of umber and dull slate, the 
latter color as usual appearing as if beneath the surface of the 
shell. Dimensions in inches of two proper clutches. a. — (1) 
102 X -7 ; (2) 1 01 X -78. B.— (1) 95 x 69 ; (2) 93 x 71. 
Obseryations. — I have enjoyed many excursions into the 
secluded domains — some of them exceedingly romantic — of the 
Grey-tailed Thickhead of Tasmania and some of the intermediate 
islands in Bass Straits. It is extremely probable this variety has 
or may be found on the mainland opposite. 
During my brief sojourn in Tasmania, 1883, 1 was fortunate in 
finding three nests of this species ; the clutches were 3, 2 and 2 
