SUPPLEMENT TO^NESTsAnD EGGS OF AUSTR. BIRDS — NORTH. 17 
palliduSy C. JlabelliformiSy L. plagosus , and L. basalis, so as to 
conclusively determine to which species they belong ; but there 
can be no doubt Dr. Hurst was right in ascribing the eggs obtained 
by him and his friends to Cuculus insperatus , as it is the only 
other species of Cuckoo found near Sydney, the eggs of which 
we were until then unacquainted with. The eggs of this Cuckoo 
are not unlike large specimens of those of Rhipidura albiscapa , 
but the bluish-grey sub-surface markings predominate more than 
in those of the White-shafted Fantail ; they are a thick ovoid in 
form, of a creamy white ground colour, thickly spotted and blotched 
with yellowish-brown markings, intermingled with others of a 
dull bluish-grey, becoming larger on the thicker end of the egg, 
where they are confluent and form a well defined zone. Length 
(A) 0*72 x 0-53 inch j (B) 0*7 x 0*58 inch ; (C) 0*73 x 0*58 inch ; 
(D) 0*73 x 0-56 inch ; (E) 0*7 x 0*53 inch. 
With the exception of Northern Australia, this species is very 
sparingly dispersed over the remainder of the Continent in favour- 
able situations. 
Centropus phasianus, Latham . Swamp Pheasant. 
Gould , Ilandbk. Bds. Austr ., Yol. i., sp. 388, p. 634. 
Mr. Charles Barnard, of Coomooboolaroo, Dawson Elver, 
Queensland, has kindly sent the following notes : — 
“ On the 15th of February, 1891, I found a nest and three 
eggs of Centropus phasianus. The nest was built about fifteen 
inches above the ground in some high broad-bladed grass, the tops 
of which were drawn down and loosely interwoven into the shape 
of a ball of about eight inches internal diameter, with a round 
hole in one side for entrance and another at the opposite side as 
a means of exit. The bottom of the nest was thickly padded with 
“ Blood-wood*” leaves, which extended through the entrance and 
on to the bent down grass outside the nest in the shape of a 
platform. The nest was built against the stem of a small tree, I 
think for protection, as the grass all round appeared equally suit- 
able for nesting in.” 
Mr. J . A. Boyd of the Herbert Eiver, Queensland, informs me 
that a nest of this species was obtained on his plantation on the 
16th of December, 1891, containing five eggs, and another on the 
30th instant, with five young ones in it. In both instances these 
nests were constructed in the lower leaves of the Screw Palm, 
(Pandanus aquatieus ). 
Three of the above set of eggs are rounded in form, white, and 
nest-stained, the shell having a thin calcareous covering making 
the surface perfectly smooth, which is dull and lustreless ; in some 
places are scratches which appear to have been done by the parent 
bird while sitting, revealing the true character of the shell under- 
B 
# Eucalyptus corymbosu. 
