my researches on the island the previous October. I landed this time much earlier in the year—viz., 15th July—and at once got to work. My first day in its haunts proved that pairs had commenced nesting some weeks previously. After a few hours' search near the tide-line amongst the innumerable tussocks of sea-grass (Spinifex longifolius) and the common harsh spinifex (Triodia), I found the remains of a nest recently torn out, also a nest containing newly-hatched young, and lastly a nest containing three fresh eggs.
The first nest had been placed right on the top of a very solid clump of spinifex, where it can hardly be said to have been concealed. The other two nests, on the contrary, were well hidden, and both placed two feet or so from the ground in masses of the less harsh but coarse Spinifex longifolius. The nest containing eggs was discovered by flushing the sitting bird; that containing young was found by close search, and through the materials of the nest not harmonizing with the grass surrounding it. Though I waited near for some time, and, as I thought, well concealed from view, neither of the parent birds ventured near the nest; but on rising to change my post of observation I caught sight of a male in nuptial plumage and two brown companions in a bush some 50 yards away. I subsequently found it the rule that whilst an intruder is near a nest the proprietors keep away, even should they be feeding the young. On the other hand, once the young have left the nest, but are still under the care of their parents, both male and female will come fearlessly within a few feet of the observer to convey food to their young concealed in the scrub near at hand. Under these circumstances, they take little flights vertically into the air, and until they find out the exact position of the enemy will not venture nearer. I watched young being fed under these conditions several times, but could never see what the parents were carrying. Probably it was small insects, as it was quite concealed in the closed bill. During the ensuing six weeks I saw much of the nesting habits of this species.
Other nests found were either in harsh spinifex (Triodia) or in the coarse sea-grass; but later on a very prickly herbaceous plant, with seeds like the well-known "double G." was selected. This plant also grows on the mainland, and in the Upper Coongan River district is resorted to by the Blue White-winged Wren (M. cyanotus) for nesting purposes. Nests built in this plant were not difficult to see, but every plant had to be examined. This was best done by stooping down on the opposite side to the filtering rays of sunlight. A nest on the top of a large clump of particularly harsh spinifex (Triodia) was very well concealed. When at some distance I thought I saw a "streak of brown" leave the clump and instantaneously disappear into cover. On reaching the clump I could for a minute or two make out nothing, and had it not been for a small piece of nesting material catching my eye I might have overlooked the nest. I found it was placed in a natural cavity in the spinifex, and so effectually was it hidden that only the entrance—which this time was right at the top—was visible. This nest contained newly-hatched young. Another nest was placed on the side of a large clump of spinifex. When found this was not quite completed, and on being visited a week later showed unmistakable signs of having been disturbed. I imagined the eggs had been devoured by a lizard or other plunderer. Judge of my surprise, on passing the nest several days later, to find it contained three fresh eggs, easily visible, in the tumbled state of the nest, without a close inspection. I had a similar ex-
