70 
P ACHY CEPH ALIN JE. 
tree, and lined with fine grasses, the whole matted together 
externally with cobwebs; the eggs, which are three or four in 
number, are of a glossy white, witli numerous minute speckles of 
dark olive, most thickly disposed at the larger end ; they are 
seven-eighths of an inch long by five-eighths of an inch in breadth.” 
(Gould, ITandbk. lids. A uni., Vol. i., p. 229.) 
/lab. West and South-West Australia. ( Humani/.) 
Genus OEEOICA, Gould. 
OREOICA CRIST AT A, Lewin. 
Crested Oreoica 
Gould, Handbk. /ids. Aunt., Vol. i., sp. 131, p. 231. 
This bird appears to be almost universally dispersed over the 
continent of Australia, specimens having been recently received 
from the North Western Coast and the Gulf District; and it is also 
found in the most southern parts of Victoria and South Australia. 
The powers of ventriloquism of this bird are truly wonderful, 
when perched on the thick branch of some lofty gum-tree, 
commencing with its singularly low, mournful, and plaintive note, 
it appears a long way off, and it is not until it has reached its 
fullest and highest bell-like tones, that you are aware it is in the 
tree perhaps underneath which you are standing, and even after 
ascertaining which tree it is in, it remains so motionless that it is 
most difficult of detection. 
The nest of this species is a deep cup-shaped structure, composed 
of strips of bark, and Eucalyptus leaves, some pieces of the former 
measuring three-quarters of an inch across, neatly lined with finer 
strips of bark, fibrous roots, and grasses; outside measurement 
four and a-half inches across, depth three inches ; inside measure¬ 
ment three inches in diameter by two in depth. Eggs two or 
three in number for a sitting, usually the former, and varying a 
