27 
“ On the 15th of February, 1891, I found a nest and three 
eggs of Centropus pliasianus. The nest was built about fifteen 
inches above the ground in some high broad-bladed grass, the tops 
of which were drawn down and loosely interwoven into the shape 
of a ball of about eight inches internal diameter, with a round 
hole in one side for entrance and another at the opposite side as 
a means of exit. The bottom of the nest was thickly padded with 
“ Blood-wood*” leaves, which extended through the entrance and 
on to the bent down grass outside the nest in the shape of a 
platform. The nest was built against the stem of a small tree, I 
think for protection, as the grass all round appeared equally suit¬ 
able for nesting in.” 
Mr. J. A. Boyd of the Herbert River, Queensland, informs me 
that a nest of this species was obtained on his plantation on the 
16th of December, 1891, containing five eggs, and another on the 
30th instant, with five young ones in it. In both instances these 
nests were constructed in the lower leaves of the Screw Palm, 
(Pandanus aquations). 
Three of the above set of eggs are rounded in form, white, and 
nest-stained, the shell having a thin calcareous covering making 
the surface perfectly smooth, which is dull and lustreless; in some 
places are scratches which appear to have been done by the parent 
bird while sitting, revealing the true character of the shell under¬ 
neath, they measure as follows:—length (A) 1-53 x 1-23 inch; 
(B) 1-39 x 1-17 inch; (C) 1-48 x 1-2 inch. 
Specimens of this bird similar to those of the Eastern coast 
have been procured by Mr. E. H. Saunders at Roeburne, and the 
late T. H. Boyer-Bower at Derby in North-western Australia, 
it is also found at intervals throughout the coastal districts of 
Northern and Eastern Australia, and although common in the 
Northern portions of New South Wales, its range does not extend 
so far south as the southern boundary of the colony. 
* Eucalyptus corymbosa. 
