The present season I found a nest of the previous year, with remains of the hatched eggs, and was also fortunate, after a long and weary search, in securing three fine and freshly-laid eggs from a nest sheltered, as before, by a prickly ( (?) Hakea) bush. This was on 20th November—just a month later than the previous season. I flushed the female from this nest at a distance of about 10 feet away, and, though I made several attempts to see her sitting on her eggs, I was unsuccessful in this respect. The eggs were well sheltered by the overhanging bush, and the nest was very neatly lined with fine dead grasses, the latter being arranged in a true circular manner. When flushed the female flew a short distance away, and uttered no sound. I saw nothing of the male. As far as I can judge, he spends the day at some distance from the nest, lying concealed in low, thick scrub, from which he will not emerge until nearly trodden upon.
In searching for a nest of this species I may state that I examined no less than nine nests of the Emu-Wren (Stipiturus westernensis)—all this season's. It is a curious fact that such a small and feeble-flying species as the Emu-Wren can hold its own when larger species like the Noisy Scrub-Bird (Atrichia clamosa) and the Western Bristle-Bird (Sphenura longirostris) are, in this coastal district, verging upon, if not quite, extinct.
The eggs from this nest were described by Mr. H. L. White in The Emu, January, 1914. They now form part of his fine collection.
Birds of the Brunnette Downs, (N.T.)[1]
(Observed during February, March, and April, 1913.)
By Harry G. Barnard, R.A.O.U.
Uroaëtus audax. Wedge-tailed Eagle (Eagle-Hawk).—A few odd birds were observed flying high in the air, and some old nests were seen in gidgea trees at heights of from 7 to 10 feet from the ground.
Hieraetus morphnoides. Little Eagle.—A few birds seen, generally on the wing.
Haliastur sphenurus. Whistling Eagle—Very plentiful; found breeding in March and April in the gidgea trees growing near watercourses.
Gypoictinia melanosternon (decepta). Black-breasted (Northern) Buzzard.—Occasionally seen flying over the plains.
Milvus affinis (napieri). Northern Allied Kite.—Very common, breeding freely in the gidgea. About 70 nests were examined, but only in two instances were clutches of three eggs obtained, the other nests containing either two eggs or two young birds or one egg or one young bird.
- ↑ Skins of any birds mentioned in this list, about which any doubt existed, were identified by Mr. G. M. Mathews, and are shown in his sub-specific names in parentheses.
