418 
PROCEEDINGS OF SECTION D. 
hay-like swamp or other grass, structure is somewhat flat, about 17 
cm. (7 inches) high by 40 cm. (16 inches) across. Situation, usually 
upon the ground amongst rank herbage, in rushes, or in grain crops, 
but sometimes on a low bush. 
Eggs. — Clutch, 3-5 ; inclined to oval in shape ; texture of 
shell somewhat coarse or porous, with the surface lustreless; in some 
clutches rough with small limy excrescences ; colour pure white, 
except in cases of dirt stains received in the nest during incubation. 
"When emptied and held up to the light the interior of the shell 
possesses a beautiful sea-green appearance. Eggs are apparently 
small for the size of the bird. A clutch taken on Pental Island, 
Murray district, Victoria, 4th December, 1890, measures in centimetres: 
(1) 5-33 x 3*85, (2) 5*29 x 3*83, (3) 5*0 x 3*85. The fourth egg is 
abnormally small, being only 3*75 x 2*85 cm. 
Observations. — Of the birds of prey, probably the eggs of tl 
Swamp-hawk are the most common in our collections, for the reasoi 
that the nests being on or near the ground are easily taken, whereas 
the general run of our Ealconidse breed aloft in some tall forest 
tree. Moreover, Swamp-hawks enjoy an extensive range, including 
many extra- Australian localities. Sir Walter Buller records that 
the Harrier or Swamp-hawk often returns to the same nesting- 
place for several successive seasons, the old nest forming a foundation 
for the new one, and that the young are very savage when molested, 
throwing themselves on their backs and striking out vigorously with 
their talons at the intruder. 
The late Mr. T. H. Potts sent the following New Zealand note to 
the Zoologist : — “ In November, 1884, in one of the large swamps in 
the Hind district of the Canterbury Plains, a nest of the Harrier, 
built on a large tuft of coarse growing rushes, was knocked over by a 
mob of cattle. The nest being set up again and the eggs put back, the 
hawk returned and resumed incubation. The nest contained five eggs. 
Another nest in the Hororaki district also contained five eggs.” 
Clutches of five have been taken also by Tasmanian collectors. 
Principal breeding months include September to December. 
Circus assimilis, Jardine and Selby. 
(Spotted Harrier.) 
Figure. — Gould : “ Birds of Australia,” fob, vol. i., pi. 27. 
Previous Descriptiojis of Fggs. — Gould : “ Birds of Australia” 
(1848), also Handbook, vol. i., p. 60 (1865); North: Catalogue 
Nests and Eggs Australian Birds, p. 1 (1889). 
Geographical Distribution. — Australia in general and Tasmania ; 
also Celebes. 
Nest . — Somewhat flat, loose structure, composed of sticks and 
twigs, and lined sparingly with leaves. Usually situated in a tree, 
but sometimes on the ground amongst herbage, when it is built after 
the manner of that of Circus Gouldi . 
Fggs . — Clutch, 3-4; similar to those of Circus Gouldi; inclined to 
oval in shape ; surface lustreless ; colour pure white. Dimensions 
in centimetres: (1) 5*23 x 3 81 ; (2) 5*23 x 3*81 ; (3) 5*08 x 3*96. 
Observations. — This handsomely marked hawk, although plenti- 
fully dispersed over some interior localities, is not so frequently 
noticed as the more familiar Swamp-hawk. It is seen occasionally 
