Bird-Notes

Abstract

THE April number of The Emu contains an interesting account, by Mr. S. W. Jackson, of the nesting haunts of the rufous scrub-bird (Atrichornis rufescens), which, together with A. clamosa of Western and Southwestern Australia, represents a peculiar family group. The expedition, which took place in September, 1910, was directed to the high Dorrigo scrubs at the head of the Bellinger River, New South Wales, where the first known nest and eggs were taken twelve years earlier. In addition to obtaining a second nest and eggs, it was the object of the expedition to. procure a female, of which no example was then known. The nest finally discovered, of which photographs are given, was a large dome-shaped structure, with a tubular entrance, built amid thick bush in a tussock of dead carex grass. It was constructed of this grass and leaves, with a lining of a hard dry material made of wood-pulp, upon,.which the two eggs rested. The latter were removed by constructing a kind of extemporary ladle, but were eventually returned for a time to the nest as a lure to the female, who, however, eluded all attempts at her capture. A pair of lyre-birds had their nest and playground a short distance away.