NESTS AND EGGS OF AUSTRALIAN ACCIPITRES. 
419 
in Victoria. Lately the Messrs. Brittlebank found a nest of this 
species in their crop near Myrm'ong, Victoria. But it is evident the 
Spotted Harrier does not always nest upon the ground, as the following 
interesting information, furnished by Mr. Harry Barnard, shows : — 
His notice was first attracted by a pair of these line Harriers examin- 
ing magpies’ ( Gi/mnorhina ) old nests, and mating. Soon afterwards 
they commenced building in a silver-loafed ironbark (Eucalyptus 
melanophloia ) , at intervals extending over six weeks, a nest which at 
best was only a frail, flat structure lined with leaves. When the 
clutch reached the number of three the eggs were taken, the date 
being the end of September, 1893. Locality : Coomooboolaroo, 
Queensland. 
Breeding month probably same as refer to C. Gouldi. 
Astur cineeeus, Vieillot. 
(Grey Goshawk.) 
Figure. — Gould : “ Birds of Australia,” fob, vol. i., pi. 14. 
Previous Descriptions of Eggs. — Campbell: Southern Science 
Becord (1883) ; North : Catalogue Nests and Eggs Australian Birds, 
p. 2 (1889). 
Geographical Distribution . — Australia in general. 
Nest. — Stick-made structure, lined with leaves, usually green, and 
placed in a lofty tree. 
Eggs. — Clutch, 2-3; oval in shape; shell slightly rough or 
porous, with surface lustreless ; colour white, witli a perceptible bluish 
or greenish tinge, sparingly marked with a few smudges and other 
smaller markings of reddish-brown. The markings may be easily 
removed bj moisture. Dimensions in centimetres of a clutch: (1) 
5*13 x 3*85*; (2) 5*11x3*84. 
Observations. — Our knowledge of the breeding habits of this 
beautiful Goshawk is not very extensive, nor are its eggs found in many 
collections. Those I first described (now redescribed above) were 
taken (1880) by a son of my deceased friend, the enthusiastic collector, 
Mr. H. A. Smith, of Batesford, near Geeiong. 
Mr. A. J. North informs us that “ the nest of Astur cinereus (the 
large continental form of the White Goshawk) is an open structure, 
composed of thin sticks and lined with twigs and leaves. One found 
near the Cape Otway Forest, Vicotria (18(55), was placed in the top- 
most boughs of a lofty eucalyptus, and contained two eggs ; in form 
nearly oval; slightly swollen at one end; of a dull, bluish-white, 
smeared and blotched with faded markings of reddish and reddish- 
brown, particularly towards the larger end, and which, were it not 
for the size, might be easily mistaken for those of Astur approximans y 
which they greatly resemble.” 
Astur Nov^e Hollandi^, Gmelin. 
(White Goshawk.) 
Figure . — Gould : “ Birds of Australia,” fol., vol. i., pb 15. 
Previous Descriptions of Eggs. — Campbell : “Victorian Naturalist” 
(1888). 
Geographical Distribution. — Queenslaud, New South Wales, 
Victoria, South Australia, and Tasmania. 
