210 
THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 
species consists of birds and their young. The female is considerably 
larger than the male. 
nest. A small, flat structure, composed of sticks, and lined with 
leaves. Placed among the topmost branches or on a horizontal fork 
of a tree; in the interior districts it selects low trees, but resorts to 
taller ones in the coastal areas. 
eggs. Two to four, bluish-white, sometimes spotted and blotched 
with reddish-brown or lavender markings. Breeding-season: Septem¬ 
ber to January. 
12. Red Goshawk Erythrotriorchis radiatus Latham 
E-ryth'-ro-tri-orch'-is—G k, erythros, red; Gk, triorchns, bird of prey: 
rad-i-d'-tus— L., radiatus, barred. 
distribution. Northern and eastern Australia, from Kimberley 
(north-western Australia) to New South Wales. 
notes. Also called Rufous-bellicd Buzzard. It is a rare species, 
usually seen singly or in pairs, frequenting the margins of swamps and 
belts of timber bordering open country. Food: birds, reptiles and 
small mammals. 
nest. A large structure, composed of sticks, and lined with leaves. 
Placed among the branches of a tall tree. 
eggs. Two, bluish-white, occasionally faintly smeared with pale 
brown or lavender markings. Breeding-season: August to November. 
13. Spotted Harrier Circus assimilis Jardine and Selby 
Cir'-cus— Gk, circos, hawk: as-sim'-i-lis—L., assimilis, similar. 
distribution. Australia generally, and Tasmania; also occurs 
from the Celebes to New Guinea. 
notes. Also called Spotted Swamp-hawk and Jardine’s Harrier. 
Usually singly or in pairs, frequenting open country generally. It is 
mostly observed flying slowly above open plains, swamps and cul¬ 
tivated lands; procures its food both on the wing and on the ground. 
Food: birds, reptiles, and small mammals. 
nest. A loosely constructed platform, composed of sticks, and lined 
with leaves; usually well concealed in a bushy tree. 
eggs. Usually three, sometimes four, bluish-white, without gloss, 
the inside of the shell green. Breeding-season: August to October. 
14. Swamp-harrier Circus approxirnans Peale 
ap-prox'-i-mans— L., approxirnans, approaching. 
distribution. Australia generally, and Tasmania; also occurs in 
New Caledonia, Lord Howe Island, Norfolk Island, New Zealand, and 
Fiji. 
notes. Also called Gould’s Harrier, Allied Harrier, Swamp-hawk, 
Wheat-hawk, and Kahu. Usually singly or in pairs, frequenting 
