THE BIRDS OE AUSTRALIA. 
■with rounded markings of deep purple-brown and black, with a dull purplish tinge 
around the edge of many. They are chiefly confined to the larger end of each egg, 
where they form an irregular cap. In shape they are rather long ovals, very pointed 
at the smaller end. Surface of shell rather granulate ; but nevertheless glossy. 
The clutch measures 44 mm. by 29-30. Form No. 5 possesses a ground-colour of a 
rich reddish-brown, well spotted and blotched, particularly about the larger end, with 
light to rich reddish-brown, slate, and purplish-grey. The eggs are rather oval in 
form, surface of shell glossy. The clutch measures 40-41 mm. by 29. Form No. 6 
has a greyish ground-colour (a great contrast to Form No. 5) possessing a few hair- 
like markings, and small spots of pale umber, the four eggs being almost entirely 
without markings. In shape the eggs are swollen ovals. Surface of shell rather 
rough, and with very little gloss. The clutch measures 38-40 mm. by 30. Form 
No. 7 are very remarkable long narrow eggs, quite a contrast to Form No. 6. Ground- 
colour of a pale green, well marked with smudges, smears, and streaks of umber. 
Surface of shell fairly smooth, and slightly glossy. In shape the four eggs are 
very elongate or lengthened ovals. The clutch measures 44-45 mm. by 26-27. 
Form No. 8 are a very handsome and uncommon variety. Ground-colour of a pale 
apple-green, heavily spotted and blotched with rich reddish-brown, umber, purplish- 
grey, and slate. Eggs rather swollen ovals in shape, surface of shell somewhat 
granulate and slightly glossy. The clutch measures 40 mm. by 28. Form No. 9. 
Ground-colour grey, with a very pale tinge of yellow, boldly blotched with very 
dark olive-brown, blackish-brown, and slaty markings. Surface of shell rather 
granulate, and slightly glossy. The clutch measures 40-41 mm. by 28. 
Form No. 10. Ground colour very pale green, well-marked with spots, smears, 
and streaks of umber and slate. Eggs swollen ovals, rather pointed at the smaller 
end. Shell fairly smooth and slightly glossy. The clutch measures 40 mm. by 29. 
Form No. 11. Ground-colour pale greenish-grey, spotted with umber, and dull 
slate markings. Surface of shell smoothly granular, and very glossy. In general 
appearance this clutch very closely resembles (only, of course, much larger in size) 
some forms met with of the eggs of the Black-faced Cuckoo-Shrike ( Coracina 
novcehollandice). The clutch of five eggs measures 42 mm. by 29. Form No. 12. 
Ground-colour pale pinkish-white, well covered with small specks, hair-lines, and 
very great blotches and smears of rich brownish-red, and giving the eggs a very 
striking appearance. A very wonderful contrast when placed beside the eggs of 
the other forms here recorded. Surface of shell fairly smooth and rather glossy. 
Under the lens will be noticed, as is the case with all the eggs of this species, 
numerous minute pin-point pittings. The clutch measures 43 mm. by 29. 
Nest, which is a large dish-shaped structure, is subject to variation in size according to 
its situation and localitjr Outwardly constructed of dead sticks, bark, roots, and 
twigs ; inside of which is a neat and thick lining of strips of bark and grass, and 
finally feathers, fur, and hair ; frequently quite a “ pad ” of long horse-hair furnishes 
the lining, and is very neatly worked in for the purpose. Sometimes wire is found 
encircling and entangled in the outside structure of the nest, and instances have 
been recorded where the outside portion of the nest has been almost entirely con- 
structed of this old wire picked up by the birds. The nest measures across over all 
from 12 to 18 inches, by about 6 to 9 inches in depth. The egg cavity measures 
from 5| to 8|- inches across, and from 3 to 4 inches deep, though sometimes they 
are smaller. The nests are placed in a variety of situations ; usually in upright 
forks of saplings, and large trees, or in thick clusters of foliage, on horizontal limbs, 
and often in dead and leafless trees. The position of the nests vary from 10 to 50 feet 
or more from the ground. 
Eggs. In the Queensland bird eggs usually three to four for a setting, more often three ; 
and vary in general colour and markings, and also in shape and size. A rather 
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