Page:The Emu volume 2.djvu/230

 later a second clutch was laid, of a fainter brown. These also were extracted. A third clutch was laid, with a much fainter layer of pigment upon them.

The Kingfishers referred to are Dacelo gigas, Halcyon sanctus, and H. macleayi. Of D. gigas, the eggs were placed in the open space of a spout, fully exposed to light. Two clutches, each three, were taken, and both showed brownish-grey markings upon them. Locality, Box Hill, Victoria Of H. sanctus, five eggs formed the sitting, and they were placed in the darkness of a tree hollow. Locality, Clayton, Victoria. (Collected per Mr. F. W. Munt.) Of H. macleayi, three constituted the sitting. All were spotted upon the sides rather than upon the ends. Locality, Richmond River District, New South Wales.

In D. gigas and H. macleayi the tendency of a portion of the colour is to appear as if beneath the surface, but there needs to be a further layer or superficial series of blotches to show a contrast in layering. In H. sanctus the pigment is all superficial.

The colouration of birds' eggs abounds with theory, and, rather than add to it, I simply add a new fact or two.

the last issue of The Emu I described a new Melithreptus which I discovered in an expedition to the Stirling Ranges, in the South-East Division of this State. Since then I have gone carefully through all the skins collected, with the result that I have to add a new Calamanthus to the list of Australian birds. Also I have to add a new Megalurus, from Lake Yanchep, which I obtained during the last Christmas holidays.

, n. sp.

General colour above dingy greyish-brown, streaked with black, the feathers being distinctly centred with this colour, but not so broadly as in C. fuliginosus, the streaks running in more defined longitudinal lines than in that species; rump and upper tail coverts uniform, tinged with a faint greenish shade; uppermost pair of tail feathers uniform dingy brown, and without subterminal black bar; forehead faintly washed with rufous; lores whitish; eyelid and a narrow eyebrow white; ear coverts brown, resembling feathers of forehead, and showing the faintest tinge of rufous; cheeks, chin, throat, and chest ashy-white, boldly streaked with black down the centre of the feathers; remainder of under surface light yellowish-buff, becoming almost white on abdomen. The sides only of the body streaked with black; axillaries and under wing coverts