220 
OOLOGICAL NOTES. 
successful in finding its nests and eggs near Mathoura. Mr. 
Kershaw, to whom I am also indebted for the loan of the eggs of 
this species for description, has kindly sent the following note 
relative to the taking of them : — " Mr. H. G. Evered found the 
nest of the Minute Bittern, containing four fresh eggs, in a swamp 
near Mathoura, New South Wales, during November, 1893. It 
was an open nest, composed of dead leaves of aquatic plants, and 
grasses and herbage growing about the swamp, and was fastened 
to several reeds just above the surface of the water. y The bird 
was seen on the nest, and one was captured alive." 
The eggs of the Minute Bittern are oval in form and pure 
white, the texture of the shell being very fine and the surface 
dull and lustreless. Length, (A) M3 x 0'98 inch; (B) 126 x 
1 inch. Like the eggs of all birds laid in similar situation*, they 
soon become dirty and nest-stained. 
