THE BIEDS OF AUSTRALIA. 
always found a great collection of rabbit bones and castings of fur, etc. 
They do not object to carrion and will eat fish in an advanced state of 
putrefaction. They lay two or three eggs, which vary from almost white 
to white with a plentiful sprinkling of reddish spots : they have a green 
lining. Average size of 19 eggs 5.66 cm. X 4.35 cm. ; largest egg 6.10 x by 
4.50 : smallest egg 5.20 x 4.05 cm. Earliest date on which I have taken 
eggs Aug. 18th : latest date Sept. 24.” 
Mr. Thomas P. Austin writes : “ Very numerous throughout this district 
(Cobbora, New South Wales), and at certain times of the year its whistling 
cry can be heard almost the whole day long. I have never actually known 
this species to kill anything for food, as it is a carrion feeder, but last 
year (1914) one of these birds was always hovering about my fowl yard, 
and one of my men informed me that it did kill the chickens and young 
turkeys, so I shot it. They breed here in very large numbers, and at 
almost any time of the year ; I have taken their eggs in ten months 
of the year, January and February being the exceptions. From July 
1907 till June 1913 I took one hundred and ten sets of their eggs, and 
with the exception of four clutches they were all taken within the boundary 
of the above estate (8,000 acres). The following will show their principal 
breeding time during the above-mentioned period. I have taken them in 
sets as — March 6 sets, April 12 sets. May 6 sets, June 10 sets, July 19 sets, 
August 16 sets, September 16 sets, October 16 sets, November 7 sets, and 
December 2 sets. The usual clutch is only two eggs, but on thirteen 
occasions I have taken sets of three eggs. Mr. Sep Robinson informed me 
that he has twice taken clutches of five eggs, none of which were addled. 
I think this must have been the result of two birds laying in the same 
nest.” 
Mr. A. G. Campbell, concerning the Birds of North-eastern Victoria 
{Emu, Vol. II., p. 10, 1902) notes : “ The Goshawk {Astur approximans), 
Sparrowhawk {Accipiter cirrJiocephalus), Little Eagle {Nisaetus morphnoides) 
and Whistling Eagle {Haliastur sphenurus) are constant visitors during summer, 
autumn, and winter, but depart evidently for more suitable breeding grounds 
during spring. The last named species may often be seen, three, four or 
five together on a fine day, sailing roimd and upward in large circles, 
occasionally uttering their curious whistle-like cry. One often wonders 
what is the object of such soaring.” 
Berney {Emu,No\. V., p. 17, 1905) from Queensland observed: “These 
are always here — a common bird with us. They eat either offal or live 
prey, generally the former, for, not being very quick on the wing, they 
are unable to obtain the latter unless circumstances are very favourable. 
164 
