OWLET NIGHTJAR. 
it wall frequently retire again to its hiding-place, and there remain until the 
annoyance be repeated, when it flies ofi to a place of greater security. In these 
holes, without forming any nest, it deposits its eggs, which are four or five in 
number, perfectly white, nearly round, and about one inch and a line in length 
and eleven lines in breadth. At least two broods are reared by each pair of 
birds during the year. I have known the young to be taken in Tasmania in 
October, and in New South Wales I have procured eggs in January. 
“ Specimens from Tasmania, Swan River, South Australia, and New South 
Wales present considerable difference in the colour and markings of the 
plumage, but none, so far as I have yet seen, of sufficient importance to justify 
their separation into distinct species ; in some the nuchal band and the circular 
mark on the head are very conspicuous, while in others scarcely a trace of these 
markings is observable ; these variations do not appear to occur in certain locali- 
ties only, but are generally found in all.” Gould differentiated as a distinct 
species the Northern Territory form, of which he wrote : “ This is altogether a 
larger and more powerful bird than the Mgoiheles ^lovoehollandice ; besides 
which, the white colouring of the lower part of the belly will at all times serve 
to distinguish it from that species.” Gilbert states that it is abundant in most 
parts of the settlement at Port Essington, “ where it is frequently seen flying 
about at twilight, and occasionally during the day. On the approach of an 
intruder it flies very heavily from tree to tree, and on alighting invariably turns 
round on the branch to watch his approach, moving the head all the time, after 
the manner of the Hawk tribe.” 
Mr. T. P. Austin has kindly forwarded me the following note from Cobbora, 
New South Wales : “ The Owlet Nightjar is a species which might appear to 
be uncommon, but as it passes the day in hollow trees, naturally escapes notice 
to a great extent, but I really think they are fairly numerous in the district. 
Although strictly a nocturnal species, they have a peculiar habit of calling 
from their hiding-places during the day, more especially in dull or rainy weather. 
I often hear them, but seldom see them, as they just utter three notes, and 
that is all that is heard : this might happen at any time of the day. If their 
roosting-hollow is low down, sometimes they will flush at the least sound of 
approaching danger. I have often seen them fly from stumps, lov^\ hollow 
branches, etc., as I rode by. Others will allow themselves to be handled 
rather than take wing. I once just caught sight of one as it came to the 
entrance of a hollow ; at once it went back tail first ; before I could make it 
flush I struck the hoUow branch with a stick about a dozen times. One bird 
calls quite close to my house nearly every night, although I have never looked 
for it during the day ; I think it lives in a large dead hollow box-tree, as that 
is where the call note always appears to come from, and it is most regular in 
VOL. vn. 
57 
