GEOBASII/EUS. 
141 
GEOBASI LETTS CHRYSORRHCEA, Quoy el Gaimard. 
Yellow-rumped Geobasileus. 
Gould, Handblv. lids. Aust., Yol. L, sp. 229, p. 374. 
“ I found this bird one of the most common upon the banks of 
the Hunter River, also in the Wellington and Lachlan districts. 
Its nest is a bulky, rough, oblong structure, composed of grasses 
and strips of bark interwoven in a loose ragged manner, with a 
little cobweb and wool; it is lined with feathers and fine grasses. 
The entrance is about half-way down the side, with rounded and 
thickened edges but without any hood. The most peculiar 
characteristic of the nest is a cup-shaped framework placed upon 
the top (often a little to the one side), as if formed for the 
commencement of another nest; this I found is made when the 
framework of the true nest is formed ; but I believe it is added 
to after the nest is lined and while the bird is still laying. The 
whole structure is eight inches high by four wide, the frame¬ 
work on top being two inches by three wide. The breeding 
season commences sometimes as early as July and ends in December 
during which time three broods are often reared; the most usual 
months are from August to November. Three or feur eggs are 
the number laid for a sitting : they are of a beautiful pure-white 
colour, having brownish-red dots, centred with a deeper hue and 
sprinkled over the surface or forming an indistinct zone upon the 
larger end. Eggs of this species are often found without any 
markings whatever.* Length 067 inch by 05 inch in breadth. 
Almost any bushy tree or bough affords a safe place for the nest 
of this species : the ends of mangrove boughs overhanging a stream 
or even those of the Casuarina, the branches of the Ti-trees as 
well as orange trees are resorted to. The birds may frequently 
be found in the gardens and orchards, and not unfrequently 
hopping over the roofs of the houses.” ( Ramgcnj , P.Z.S., 1 EGG, 
p. 575.) 
A set in the Australian Museum Collection measure as follows : 
length (A) 068 x 048 inch ; (B) 0'67 x 048 inch; (0) 07 x 
0-49 inch. 
* In Victoria the latter variety is the rule. 
