CHTHONICOLA. 
149 
grass, the bird allowed itself to be trodden upon before leaving its 
eggs, which were in an advanced state of incubation. Eggs oval 
in form varying in tint from a light chestnut to pale chocolate- 
brown, finely freckled all over with nearly invisible markings of a 
darker tint, particularly towards the larger end where in some 
instances they form a perfect zone. Dimensions of a set taken 
17th June 1880, length (A) 0'81 x 058 inch ; (B) 0'78 x 0-57 inch; 
(C) 0-8 x 0-58 inch. 
A set taken at Albert Park, Melbourne, during July 1875 
measure as follows :—length (A) 0 77 xO‘58 inch ; (B) 0-79 x OG 
inch; (C) 0'8 x 0'G inch. 
Hah. Victoria and South Australia, West and South-west 
Australia. ( Ramsay .) 
Genus CHTHONICOLA, Gould. 
CHTHONICOLA SAGITTATA, Latham. 
Little Chthonicola. 
Gould, Handbk. Bds. Ausl., Vol. i., sp. 239, p. 390. 
This species constructs a dome-shaped nest, well concealed 
underneath a tuft of overhanging grass ; it is built throughout of 
dried grasses. Eggs in form swollen ovals and four in number 
for a sitting, of a uniform bright chocolate-red. Dimensions of a 
set taken at Macquarie Fields in October I860, by Dr. Ramsay : 
length (A) 0-74 x 0-G inch ; (B) 0-7G x 0-6 inch; (C) 0-76 x 0-G1 
inch; (D) 0-7G x 0-59 inch. 
A set taken at Oakleigh, Victoria, November 1879 measure as 
follows length (A) 0-75 x 0-59 inch ; (B) 0-76 x 0-G inch ; (C) 
0'76 x O’Gl inch. 
In New South Wales this bird is often the foster parent of 
C. Jlabelli/orniis. The breeding season commences in September, 
and continues the three following months. 
