180 Mr. E. P. Ramsay on the Birds of Sydney. 
they pair off and seek for breeding-places, each pair taking a 
locality to themselves, which they keep during the whole of that 
season; and, like the Grallina australis , if the nests are taken, 
they will continue building, and near the same place, until the 
season has expired. 
In all respects the nest is like that of the Friar-bird ( Tropi - 
dorliynchus corniculatus ), differing only in the size, which is a little 
smaller, being from 4 to 5 inches in diameter, 3 to 4 inches 
wide inside, and about 3f- inches deep. It is cup-shaped, com¬ 
posed of shreds of the bark of the Stringy-bark tree ( Eucalyptus , 
sp.), strongly interwoven; the inside is made thick and more 
compact by addition of the white paper-like bark of the Tea-tree, 
or, in its absence, any other material adapted for the purpose; 
lastly, it is lined with the narrow leaves of the native oaks, or with 
grass and hair. 
The nest is usually suspended between a fork at the very end 
of a horizontal bough of Eucalyptus , Tea-tree, Turpentine-tree, 
&c. &c., and often in very exposed situations. 
The eggs are from two to three in number, usually three. In 
two instances only did we find four—the first of these being in 
1860, and the second in 1861. In length the eggs are from 
1 inch 2 lines to 1 inch 4 lines; in breadth, from 9 lines to 1 inch. 
The ground-colour varies from a rich cream to a dull white or 
very light brown, minutely dotted and blotched with umber and 
blackish brown, with faint lilac spots which appear beneath the 
surface, all over in some; but generally the spots are more 
numerous at the larger end, where they form an indistinct band. 
The note of this Oriole is very melodious and varied. It may 
often be seen perched in some shady tree, with its head thrown 
back, showing to perfection its mottled breast, singing in its low 
tone, and imitating the notes of many other birds, including the 
Zosterops australis , and particularly the Black or Fruit-eating 
Magpie. It also indulges in a harsh guttural sort of squeak, 
which it frequently emits while feeding. During the breeding- 
season (which commences at the end of September, and ends with 
January), it confines itself to a very monotonous although me¬ 
lodious cry, the first part of which is quickly repeated and which 
ends in a lower note. 
