NESTS AND EGGS OF AUSTRALIAN ACCIPITRES. 
439 
Length: (A) 2*07 x 1*51 inches; (5*25 x 3*83 cm.); (B) 20 x 1*52 
inches ; (5*08 x 3 86 cm.)” — Ramsay. 
Observations. — Dr. Ramsay further adds : — “ This is a rare species 
not plentiful in any part of Australia, but occasionally obtained in 
the northern portion of the interior of Queensland, and Mr. Gould 
records it from Western Australia. I am indebted to Mr. J. B. 
White for specimens of the eggs taken on the Upper Thomson River, 
in Queensland.” 
A pair of Grey Falcon’s eggs in Mr. G. A. Keartland’s collection, 
taken in the interior, 1894, measure, in centimetres: (1) 505 x 3*88 ; 
(2) 5*1 x 3*96. 
Falco subniger, Gray. 
(Black Falcon.) 
Figure. — Gould: “Birds of Australia,” fol., vol. i., pi. 9. 
Previous Descriptions of Fggs . — Bennett: P.L.S., N.S. W., vol. x., 
p. 167 (1885); Ramsay: P.L.S., N.S.W., 2nd ser., vol. i., p. 1142 
(1886). 
Geographical Distribution. — Northern Territory, Queensland, New- 
South Wales, Victoria, and South Australia. 
Nest. — Usually a stick-built home of another bird of prey or other 
large bird, and situated in a tree, or, in the far interior, sometimes 
placed on a bush. 
Fggs — Clutch, 4. “ Closely resemble large specimens of the 
Merlins, and are not unlike finely freckled eggs of Hieracidea oriental is, 
but of a richer or brighter red, the ground colour being obscured with 
rich reddish dots and freckles all over the surface ; in some these dots 
form confluent markings on one end of the egg, or patches on the 
side. They are almost identical in colour and shape with those of 
F. hypoleucus , but larger. The shell is of finer grain than is shown in 
those of the Sieracidece. In form they are almost true ovals, being 
but slightly swollen at the thicker end. One is rather elongate in form. 
Length: (A) 2*1 x 1*6 inches (5 33 x 4*06 cm.) ; ( B ) 2*13 x 1*58 inches 
(5*41 x 4 01 cm.) ; (0) 2*18 x 1*55 inches (5*53 x3 93 cm.).” — Ramsay . 
Observations. — 1 have never been fortunate enough to see, in a 
state of nature, this bold and audacious Falcon, which has been 
significally called by a bush naturalist “ Death on the Wing.” The 
Black Falcon is a rare interior species. 
Dr. Ramsay, in describing the eggs, states that he is enabled to do 
so through the exertions and liberality of the late Mr. K. H. Bennett ; 
at the same time Dr. Ramsay refers us to Mr. Bennett’s own most 
interesting and exhaustive account of the habits of this Falcon, the 
reference to which is given above. 
We infer from the authorities above quoted that the breeding 
season usually includes September and October, and, in the far interior, 
December to February. 
Falco lunulatus, Latham. 
(Little Falcon.) 
Figure . — Gould : “ Birds of Australia,” fol., vol. i., pi. 10. 
Previous Descriptions of Fggs. — Gould: “Birds of Australia” 
(1848), also Handbook, vol. i., p. 30 (1865) ; North: Catalogue Nests 
and Eggs Australian Birds, p. 19 (1889). 
