THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 
white with a black subapical mark to each feather; axillaries drab-grey; lesser 
under wing-coverts blackish, the greater series white ; under-surface of flight-quills 
dark brown with a patch of cinnamon-chestnut; lower aspect of tail similar to its 
upper-surface. Ey r es leather-yellow, feet light yellow, bill fleshy-liom. Total 
length 112 mm. ; culmen 13, wing 81, tail 36, tarsus 16. Figured. Collected at 
Parwan in Victoria on the 20th of May, 1910, and is the type of N. c. latliami. 
Adult female. Entire top of head, nape, hind-neck, and sides of face dusky-black; back, 
rump, and scapulars drab-grey with blackish longitudinal centres to the feathers; 
upper tail-coverts white with a black subapical mark on each feather ; upper wing- 
coverts blackish-brown, becoming paler on the inner greater series and innermost 
secondary 7 quills ; flight-quills black with pale edgings at the tips and a cinnamon- 
rufous band across the inner webs ; tail black with white tips to the lateral feathers; 
throat white with dark bases to some of the feathers; breast and abdomen white; 
sides of breast and flanks greyish-white with dark shaft-lines ; under tail-coverts 
white with a broad subapical mark of black ; axillaries drab-grey 7 ; under wing- 
coverts black, the greater series white ; under-surface of flight-quills dark brown 
with a patch of cinnamon-rufous ; lower aspect of tail similar to its upper-surface. 
Eyes light ochre-brown, ring round ey 7 e light ochre, feet ochre, bill brown. Total 
length 106 mm. ; culmen 10, wing 80, tail 35, tarsus 16. Figured. Collected at 
Melton, Victoria, on the 6th of June, 1910. 
The female differs in having the head black not brown. 
Eggs. Three to four form the clutch, usually 7 three. They are subject to much variation 
in shape, size, general colouring and markings. A rather typical clutch of three 
eggs taken at Blacktown, near Sydney, New South Wales, on the 14th of October, 
1906, is of a very pale greyish-white ground-colour, well spotted and blotched all 
over, and particularly at t he larger end of each egg, with dark olive and slate 
markings. Rather roundish in shape and slightly 7 pointed towards one end ; surface 
of shell smooth and slightly glossy 7 . 15-16 mm. by 12-13. Another clutch of three 
eggs, taken at Five Dock, near Sydney, New South Wales, on the 18th of September, 
1904, is of a pale greyish-white ground-colour, minutely speckled all over with 
dark olive and slate markings. Ovals in shape ; surface of shell smooth and rather 
glossy 7 . 17-18 mm. by 12. 
Nest. A beautiful, neat, cup-shaped structure, placed in the upright, dead, forked limb 
of a tree at heights varying from 10 to 50 feet or more. The greater portion is 
composed of spiders’ webs and cocoons, neatly interwoven, and give the nest quite 
a spongy feeling to the touch. If the top portion is bent out of position it corrects 
itself immediately 7 , owing to the strong elastic tendency of the material used. The 
edges of the nest are thin. The outside is decorated with small pieces of bark 
(and sometimes lichen) which are very neatly glued or fastened on perpendicularly, 
and frequently 7 overlap and resemble the maimer in which slates or shingles are 
secured on a house roof. The nest is wonderfully protected owing to the very 
remarkable maimer in which it harmonises with the surroundings. Measurements 
are 2\ to 3| inches in height over all by 7 2| to 3 inches across over all. Egg cavity 
nearly 7 2 inches across by 7 about 1J inches deep. 
Breeding-months. September to January. 
Through Latham’s choice of the genus Sitta his description was at once 
recognised, also in consequence of his reproduction of the figure upon which 
his name was based, and reference to “ Mr. Lambert ” was given. 
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