A large Malleefowl nest. The Malleefowl (Leipoa ocellata) is sometimes known as Mallee Hen, Brush pheasant, Lowan and Gnaw.

Its nest is about three metres in diameter and is a large pyramid of sand and gravel with a core of vegetable debris where the eggs are deposited and incubated. It is the male bird that builds the nest and regulates its temperature, testing it with its tongue (Cayley p. 100).

Alfred Sells was an Anglican clergyman from England who arrived in South Australia in May 1877 and became the Incumbent of Holy Trinity Church at Lyndoch and later the Incumbent at St Michael's Church at Mitcham for four years from February 1884. He returned to England in 1888. The paintings were done in England, presumably from sketches made while in Australia.