10 
THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 
Eggs. — Two or three, varying from almost pure white to pale choco- 
late-brown or chocolate-pink ; generally they are lighter in colour on the 
smaller end, but some have slaty tinges in the ground colour, and almost 
invariably have clouded zones. Breeding-season: August to December. 
3. Grey Whistler Pachycephala griseiceps Gray 
PacJi-y-cepJi-al-a — Gk, pachys , thick; Gk, cephale , head: gris-e-i-ceps — 
L., griseus, grey ; - ceps , from L., caput, itis, head. 
Distribution. — Northern Queensland, from Cape York to Rocking- 
ham Bay; also occurs in the Aru Islands and New Guinea. 
Notes. — Usually in pairs, inhabiting the big scrubs, where it is 
mostly observed seeking insect-life in the outer foliage of the largest 
trees, or among the tangled vines. Its song is a loud, clear whistle, com- 
posed of from five to ten notes; also two short call-notes. Food: insects, 
mostly small beetles. 
Nest. — A somewhat loosely made, cup-shaped structure, composed of 
fibre and dead leaves, interwoven with rootlets and tendrils; sparsely 
lined with dead grass and tendrils ; on the outside are webs and castings of 
insects. Usually placed in the upright fork of a small sapling. 
Eggs. — Usually two, white, well marked all over, particularly at the 
larger end, with spots of dark and light umber and purplish-grey, the latter 
appearing as if beneath the shell. Breeding-season: October. 
4. Magnificent Rifle-bird Ptiloris magnificns Vieillot — 4A. Female 
Ptil'-o-ris — Gk, ptilon, feather ; Gk, ris, rinos — rhis, nose : mag-nif-i-cus 
— L., magnificus, magnificent. 
Distribution. — Northern Queensland, from Cape York to the Claudie 
River; also occurs in New Guinea. 
Notes. — Usually in pairs, frequenting the big scrubs. It is similar 
in habits to the Paradise Rifle-bird; its call, however, is quite different, 
being a loud insistent whistle, following two sharp whistles. Food: 
chiefly native fruits; also insects. 
Nest. — A loosely and scantily built, open, cup-shaped structure, com- 
posed of dead leaves, vine tendrils, and fibre; lined with vine tendrils and 
plant-fibre. Often placed in a pandanus palm, within 7 feet of the ground ; 
sometimes built on top of a dead spout of a tree or similar situation, 
as high as 40 feet from the ground. 
Eggs. — Two, creamv-white, beautifully marked with longitudinal 
streaks and spots of brownish-olive, rufous-brown, and slate, the long 
brush-like streaks becoming more numerous at the larger end. Breeding- 
season : October to early February; May. 
5. Victoria Rifle-bird Ptiloris victories Gould — 5 A. Female 
victories — Queen Victoria. 
Distribution . — N orthern Queensland. 
Notes. — Also called Lesser Rifle-bird. Usually in pairs, frequenting 
