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BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA,
COMPRISING
THREE HUNDRED FULL-PAGE ILLUSTRATIONS, WITH A DESCRIPTIVE ACCOUNT OF THE LIFE AND CHARACTERISTIC HABITS OF
OVER SEVEN HUNDRED SPECIES,
GRACIUS J. BROINOWSKLIL.
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PUGEISEED BY CHARLES STUART & CO., MELBOURNE, SYDNEY, ADELAIDE, BRISBANE, NEW ZEALAND, AND TASMANIA [All Rights Reserved. |
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vA. GENUS POEPHILA (Goui).
HIS class of Finches are distinguished for their grace and beauty. They principally inhabit the
northern portion of Australia.
POEPHILA MIRABILIS (Homb and Jacq). BEAUTIFUL GRASS-FINCH.
FYVHIS Finch is very often confused with the Po#phila Gouldia, which it resembles in many respects,
both in appearance and habits, and with which it often associates in large flocks. In fact, for a long time the two species were thought to be identical; but the error of this theory was _ pointed out by Mr. Elsey, who lived in the midst of them on the Victoria River for many years, and whose name is associated with many other discoveries.
It is found only about the north coast, especially on the Victoria River, where it is very
abundant.
“Head and cheeks, carmine, below which is a band of black, and below this again is a line of light blue; throat, black; back and wings, green, passing into black on the primaries; across the breast a patch of lilac; under surface, orange; tail and thighs, black; irides, light brown; bill,
fleshy-white ; feet, flesh-colour. ,
Habitat: North coast.
POEPHILA PERSONATA (Gould), MASKED GRASS-FINCH. HE present species was first procured by Gilbert on the north-west coast during an expedition from Port Essington to the exterior.
It inhabits. plains, being especially abundant near streams of water, where it congregates in
flocks of from twenty to forty. Its food consists of seeds, and sometimes berries.
Its note is generally a prolonged and mournful ery, but, when on the wing, it utters a
feeble twit, twit, twit.
The female is slightly smaller than the male, and her markings are not so distinct.
Crown of the head, upper surface and wings, cinnamon-brown ; lower part of abdomen, bounded with black; lower part of rump and under tail-coverts, white; tail, brownish-black; irides, red; bill orange: lees and feet, light flesh-colour,
Total length, 34 inches; bill, 2 inch; wing, 2} inch ; tail, 2 inch; tarsi, ' inch.
16
Habitat: Northern portion of Australia.
POEPHILA ACUTICANDA (Gould). LONG-TAILED GRASS-FINCH.
TYNHIS is yet another of the many species for which science is indebted to Mr. Bynoe, of the “ Beagle,” whose name will go down to posterity in connection with some of the most important discoveries in the ornithology of the northern portion of Australia.
It inhabits any grassy plains through which streams run, and is thus easily able to procure its food, which consists of the seeds of grass and various plants.
Nothing important has been discovered of its habits. The female is slightly smaller than the male, but the plumage is, in most respects, the same.
The crown of the head and cheeks are grey; upper and under surface, fawn-colour, becoming darker on the flanks and vent; throat, band across the rump, and tail, black; tail-coverts, wuite ; wings, blackish-grey; bill, legs and feet, orange ; irides, reddish-brown.
Total length, 5? inches; bill, ¢ inch; wing, 22 inches; tail, 32 inches; tarsi,
2 inch
Habitat: North-west coast of Australia.
POEPHILA CINCTA (Gould) BANDED GRASS-FINCH.
FYNHIS bird is so very seldom séen on the east side of the Great Dividing Chain, that it may be said to exclusively imhabit the interior. It is fairly abundant on the Liverpool Plains and other open, grassy country to the northward.
Like the other members of the genus, it is generally found near a stream, and like them, too, feeds on the seeds of various gYasses.
The sexes do not differ in size, but the markings of the female are not so well defined as those of the male.
The crown of the head, the neck and ear-coverts, grey; throat and lores, black; chest and abdomen, reddish-brown; upper surface and wings, a darker shade; lower part of the body, both above and below, surrounded by a black band; tail-coverts, white; tail, black; inides, light-brown ; bill, grey ; legs and feet, pink.
Total length, 42 inches; bill, 2 inch; wing, 23 imches; tail, 24 imches; tarsi, 2 inch.
Habitat: Interior of New South Wales and Queensland.
POEPHILA LENCOTIS. (Gould). WHITE-EARED GRASS-FINCH.
MONG other valuable discoveries made during Leichhardt’s various expeditions was the present species of Poéphila, which was procured south of Port Essington by Gilbert.
It is closely allied to Poéphila Personata, but differs, in some respects, in the plumage, particularly in the white on the ear-coverts, throat and _ flanks.
Its food and, as far as has been ascertained, its habits also, are the same as those of its
congeners. There is no material difference in the appearance of the sexes,
A band crossing the forehead, the throat, and a large patch on the flanks, black; the ear-coverts, a line beneath the black of the throat and a space surrounding the black patch on the flanks are white; crown of head, all the upper surface and the wings are deep brown; chest and abdomen, pale reddish-brown; upper and under tail-coverts, white; tail, black; itides, brown; bill, yellowish horn-colour; legs and feet, pale reddish-brown.
Total length, 42 inches; bill, 2 imch; wing, 21 inches; tail, 21 inches; tarsi, 2 inch.
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Habitat: The interior of the north of Australia.
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POEPHILA GOULDLA (Gould). GOULDIAN GRASS-FINCH.
OULD, in naming this bird after his wife, mentions that she accompanied him on _ his journey to Australia and assisted him in other respects, and also expresses a hope that all other ornithologists would sanction the dedication—a hope that has been fulfilled.
The first specimen was forwarded to Gould by Gilbert, who discovered it on Greenhill Island, in Van Diemen’s Gulf. It has also been procured by Mr. Elsey and others on the Victoria River.
It inhabits thickets and mangrove swamps, but, on being disturbed, flies to the top branches of any tall tree that may be in the vicinity.
The stomach, which is very muscular, is generally found, on dissection, to contain grass seeds.
The crown of the head, throat and ear-coverts, black; down the sides of the neck, a broad ine reenish-white ; r surfa nd wings, yellowish-green: across the breast, a band of pale line of greenish-white ; upper surface and gs, yellowish-g the breast band of pal
lilac; rest of the under surface, bright yellow; tail, black; bill, white at the base, red at the tip;
irides, light brown; legs and feet, flesh-colour. 5
Total length, 32 inches; bill, 2 inch; wing, 24 inches; tarsi, 2 inch.
Habitat: North coast of Australia.
GENUS ALDEMOSYNE ~ (Re:chenbach).
HE present genus was created for a bird which differs very considerably from all the other
Finches, especially in the extreme plainness of its colouring.
AIDEMOSYNE MODISTA (Gould). PLAIN-COLOURED FINCH.
HE plain-coloured Finch is found in considerable abundance in the interior of the northern part of New South Wales and the southern part of Queensland.
It is generally seen either in pairs or in small companies, seeking its food among the grass. .
The nest is composed of grass and fine fibres. he eggs are five or six in number, of a plain white colour. They are half an inch long, by three-eighths of an inch broad.
The sexes differ slightly in colouring, but the difference is scarcely noticeable, consisting merely
of the absence in the female of the black on the chin.
The fore part of the head, deep crimson; chin, black; upper surface, blackish-brown; wings, dark brown; rump and upper tail-coverts, with alternate bars of white and brown; tail, black; under surface, white, transversely barred with lines of brown; irides, red; bill, black; legs, brownish-black
Total length, 44 inches; wing, 24 inches; tail, 2 inches; tarsi, 2 inch.
Habitats: Interior of New South Wales and Queensland.
STAGONOPLEURA GUTTATA. SPOTTED-SIDED FINCH.
TYNHIS is one of the few species of Finch which is found in the southern part of the continent. It is rather plentiful in most parts of New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia.
In its food and general habits it does not differ from the other Finches, like them, subsisting chiefly on grass seeds.
Its manner of constructing a nest is certainly original and very strange. It builds it among the sticks composing the nest of some of the smaller eagles,‘ and the two species hatch their eggs and rear their progeny at the same time. Sometimes, however, the nest is placed on a small branch of a Eucalyptus or Apple-tree. In form it is round, with an opening in the side to admit the bird. Five or six eggs are laid, white in colour, and of an elongated form.
The crown of the head and back of the neck are brownish-grey; back and wings, dark brown; a line round the eye, a band across the chest, the tail and flanks, black, each feather of the Hanks having a spot of white near the tip; rump and upper tail-coverts, bright scarlet; throat, abdomen and under tail-coverts, white; irides, red; bill, red; legs and feet, purplish-brown.
Habitats: New South Wales, Victoria, and South Australia.
GENUS TANIOPYGIA (Reichenbach).
cy this form there are three species, one inhabiting Australia, and the others some of the East India islands.
TACNIOPYGIA CASTANOTIS (Gouid). CHESTNUT-EARED FINCH. VFENHIS is one of the smallest and, at the same time, one of the most beautiful of the Finches vet discovered in Australia.
It is found in the interior, its range extending from the Liverpool Plains to Western Australia, and northward to Port Essington.
It assembles in small companies, frequenting most those places where the erass is abundant.
Unlike most of this class of birds, the colouring of the two sexes differ considerably.
The male has the crown of the head, nape of the neck and back, brownish-grey; wings, brown ; tail-feathers, white, tipped with dark brown; ear-coverts, chestnut; throat and chest, grey, the feathers crossed by lines of black; a black patch in the middle of the chest; abdomen, white; flanks, reddish-chestnut, each feather marked near the tip with an oval spot of white; bill, orange; irides,
brown ; legs and feet, orange.
The female has the upper surface, ear-coverts, wings, tail and flanks, greyish-brown; throat
and chest, grey; abdomen, yellowish-brown. Total length, 44 inches; wing, 24 inches; tail, 14 inch; tarsi, § inch.
Habitat : Interior.
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Cems ZONAGINDTHUS (Cabanzs).
HE two members of this genus which inhabit Australia, resemble each other greatly, both in
appearance and_ habits.
ZON HGINTHUS OCULEUS. RED-EARED FINCH. ESTERN AUSTRALIA is the home of this species, which is generally found either in open
forest country studded with thickets, or in swampy situations and the borders of lakes and
rivers. Unlike its congener, it is a solitary species, more than one never being found in the same spot. On dissection the stomach, which is not very muscular, is found to contain seeds of various
grasses. Its powers of flight are not great, and are used only to enable it to pass between the different thickets, or from tree to tree.
Its cry consists of a single long drawn-out note, which, heard in the still forest, sounds most
melancholy. :
The lores, a line above the bill, and a circle round the eye are black, behind the eye is a patch of scarlet ; upper surface, wings and tail, olive-brown, crossed by numerous crescent-shaped bands of black ; rump and margin of the base of the central tail-feathers, scarlet ; throat and breast, light brown, crossed by crescent-shaped bands of blackish-brown ; abdomen, white, each feather edged with black; irides, red; bill, scarlet; legs and feet, yellowish-grey.
The sexes are alike in colouring.
Habitat : Western Australia.
LON AGINTHUS BELLUS. FIRE-TAILED FINCH. TYNHIS species of Finch inhabits the whole of Tasmania and some parts of New South Wales. — It
is generally seen in small flocks of from six to twelve, in the open forest, and very often in the gardens of the inhabitants, its tameness of disposition making it a great favourite.
The food consists of the seeds of various grasses and other small plants. While perched on one of the branches of a tree, it utters a single mournful note.
The breeding season Jasts from September to January, when a large dome-shaped nest is constructed of grass and the stalks of plants, and is placed among the branches of a low tree, generally in a very conspicuous position. The eggs are white, slightly tinted with pink. They are either five or six in number, and are eight and a half lines long by six and a half lines broad. Two or three
broods are reared in the season.
The lores, a line across the forehead and a circle round the eye are black; upper surface, wings and. tail, olive-brown, crossed by numerous narrow crescent-shaped marks of black; rump and base of tail-feathers, scarlet; throat and chest light brown; rest of under surface, grey, the whole heing crossed by erescentic black bars; irides, brown; bill, crimson; legs and feet, yellowish-grey.
Habitats: Tasmania and New South Wales.
GENUS AIGINTHA (Cabgas):
‘Ses created this genus for a bird called by Latham, Fringilla Temporalis. It is the only
species discovered in Australia.
AGINTHA TEMPORALIS. RED-EYEBROWED FINCH.
FYVHIS is a fairly common bird in nearly all the open grassy glades and settlers’ gardens of New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia.
It is very tame in disposition, and is easily reconciled to captivity.
During the breeding season it is mostly seen in pairs, but at other times assembles in large flocks.
During September and the two following months it builds a large nest of grass, lined with down, placing it in a low bush or small tree. Hither five or six eggs are laid, fleshy white in colour, and seven lines long by five and a half lines broad.
The crown of the head is bluish-grey ; upper surface, wings and tail, dark olive-brown; rump, patch over the eye and bill, crimson; under surface, grey ; irides, light brown; legs and _ feet,
vell yWwish-@ rey.
Habitats: New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia.
GENUS NEOCHMIA (Homb. and Facq.)
Sy aa one species is known of the present genus, which differs from the other Finches in its lone 7 tail and red colouring.
NEOCHMIA PHAETON (G4. &. Gray). CRIMSON FINCH.
fTFVHE honour of discovering this bird is due to two French naturalists, Messrs. Hombron and Jacquinot, who found it at Raftle’s Bay, near Port Essington, where Gilbert afterwards also procured specimens.
It frequents mostly grassy plains, especially those studded with the Pandanus (Screw-pine), in which trees it takes refuge when disturbed.
During the breeding season, which lasts from the end of November to February, it is seen in small companies, ranging in number from two to six, but at other times associates in large flocks, sometimes consisting of several hundreds.
The crown of the head and back ot the neck are black; lores, sides of the face, ear- coverts and wing-coverts, crimson; under-surface, crimson, spotted on the flanks with white; under tail-coverts, black; back and rump, grey; wings, grey, tipped with crimson; upper tail-coverts and tail, red; irides, light brown; bill, red, bounded at the base by a line of grey ; legs and feet, yellowish-grey.
The female differs in having the upper surface brown; the breast and flanks, greyish-brown ; and centre of abdomen, buff.
Habitat: North coast.
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GENUS SPIGTOPTERA (Reichenbach).
USTRALIA possesses two members of this genus, both of which are distinguished by a black zone
across the breast.
STICTOPTERA BICHENOVII.
BICHENO’S FINCH.
HE plains of the interior of Australia, particularly where small trees and bushes grow at intervals, abound in specimens of this species, but it is difficult to define its exact locality.
It is very tame, and when disturbed from the ground, merely flies off to a neighbouring bush, never going far. As a matter of fact, it would be impossible to go any distance, since its wings, from their form, are evidently not intended for long flights.
It is seen in small flocks of from four to eight, generally on the ground procuring the seeds which constitute its food.
The face, ear-coverts and throat are white, bounded all round by a band of black ; crown of the head and upper surface, dark brown; upper part of the rump, black; lower part of the rump and upper tail-coverts, white; wings, black; all the feathers except the primaries spotted with white; chest, buffy-white, bounded below by a broad line of black; rest of under surface, buffy-white ; tail, black ;
irides, brownish-grey ; bill, pale blue; legs and feet, blackish-erey. r) o d oD oD d
The plumage of the female is not so brillant as that of the male, but otherwise is the same.
Habitat: The interior of Australia.
STICTOPTERA ANNULOSA (Gould). BLACK-RUMPED FINCH.
HIS is the northern representative of Stictoptera Bichenovii, from which it differs slightly in colouring, though their habits are very much the same.
It is found on the north-west coast and on the Cobourg Peninsula, generally on the grassy banks of a river or small stream.
The throat, face, and ear-coverts are white, surrounded by a black band; chest, white, bounded below by a broad band of black; abdomen, buffy-white; crown of the head, dark brown; back and wings, blackish-brown, the wings spotted with white; rump, tail-coverts and_ tail, black ; irides, brown ;
bill, bluish-wrey ; legs and feet, grey.
Total length, 4 inches; bill ? inch; wing, 2 inches ; tail, 21 inches; tarsi, 4 inch,
Habitat: North-west coast of Australia.
GENUS BATHILDA (Reichenbach).
5 hee only species known of this form inhabits the» interior of Australia.
BATHILDA RUFICAUDA (Gould). RED-TAILED FINCH.
YOULD at first gave the present species the name of Estrelda Ruficauda, but further investigation NX showed that it differs from the Estrelde in several important particulars, and thereupon the
generic name “ Bathilda” was instituted for it.
It inhabits the interior of New South Wales, especially about the Namoi, where it is fairly
abundant on the grassy banks and among the rushes bordering this river.
In most of its habits it resembles the general body of Finches, like them feeding on various
Loy te) small seeds.
Face, bill and cheeks, scarlet, the feathers of the latter tipped with white; upper surface, bluish-grey ; wings, dark olive-brown; upper tail-coverts and tail, ecrimson-brown; throat, chest and Hanks, delicate blue, each feather having a large spot of white; centre of abdomen and under tail- coverts, yellowish-white ; irides, brown; legs and feet, yellow.
Total length, 45 inches; wing, 24 inches; tail, 12 inch; tarsi, 2 inch.
Habitat: Interior of New South Wales.
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GENUS CALAMOHERPE (Weyer).
> Europe and India contain members ef this genus, of which two species inhabit Australia.
CALAMOHERPE LONGIROSTRIS (Gould).
LONG-BILLED REED-WARBLER.
HE present species is found among the reed-beds on the banks of most of the rivers and lakes, near the coast of Western Australia.
It is very difficult to obtain specimens, as it is exceedingly shy, rarely showing itself above the tops of the reeds, and never going more than a few yards from the nest. Its presence, however, may be discovered by the beautiful song, which it pours forth incessantly, both in the day and _ night.
The food consists of insects obtained among the reeds.
It breeds in August and September, when it constructs a cup-shaped nest of dried rushes, lined inside with the soft skin of reeds. The eggs, four in number, are in length three-quarters of an inch, and in breadth five-eighths of an inch. They are greenish-white in colour, with patches of dark and hight olive irregularly distributed over the surface.
All upper surface and wings greyish-brown; tail, dark brown; under surface and line over the eye, fawn colour ; irides, light brown; bill, dark fawn colour; legs and feet, black.
The sexes are exactly alike both in plumage and size. Total length, 64 inches; bill, "/;, inch; wing, 3 inches; tail, 3 inches; tarsi, 1 inch.
Habitat : Western Australia.
CALAMOHERPE AUSTRALIS (Gould). REED-WARBLER.
HE Reed-Warbler may be found in most of the marshy places bordering the rivers and lagoons ot New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia, but never visits Tasmania.
It remains in Australia from September till about the end of May, when it migrates to a warmer climate, returning again when the winter is over.
Its food consists of coleopterous and other insects.
The breeding season extends over November and December. During that time it lays four eggs ‘ny a nest similar in character to that of the Long-Billed Reed-Warbler, and, like it, placed between several upright reeds, at about eighteen inches or two feet above the water. The eggs are greyish-white,
blotehed all over with yellowish-brown and_bluish-grey.
All the upper surface is olive-brown ; wings and tail, dark brown, margined with olive-brown ; under surface, light buff, becoming white in the chest and throat; irides, light brown; patch over the
eve, white; bill, legs and feet, black.
Habitats: New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia.
GENUS MIRAFRA (fforsfeld).
Bae one distinetly defined species of this form inhabits Australia, though some naturalists consider that there are two.
MIRAFRA HORSFIELDIL (Gould). HORSFIELDS BUSH-LARK. FYXHIS is the nearest approach in Australia to the Skylark of Europe; but there is a very large i difference between the two birds, both in appearance and _ habits.
The species under notice is pretty generally distributed over the plains of the interior of the eastern portion of Australia.
Specimens obtained in Queensland differ slightly from those of New South Wales, a fact which has led some naturalists to divide them into two separate species, though the difference is scarcely great enough to warrant that.
It is very seldom seen on trees, generally perching on a strong blade of grass, or remaining altogether on the ground, where it will allow itself to be almost trodden upon before rising.
Its song, which is very melodious, is uttered either while perched on a tree, or when on the wing.
The general plumage is brownish-grey, with a spot of dark brown in the centre of each feather ; wings and two centre tail feathers brown; rest of the tail white; over the eye is a patch of buffy- white ; chin, white; under surface, pale buffy-white; the throat crossed by a series of dark brown spots arranged in a crescentic form; irides, dark brown; legs and feet, brownish-grey ; bill, brownish-black.
The sexes do not differ either in size or in colouring.
Habitats: Interior of Queensland and New South Wales, and part of Victoria.
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GENWS PILENGE DUS (Cabanis).
HIS genus was instituted by Cabanis for a bird which was placed by Vigors and Horsfield among the Anthi, and by Gould among the Cincloramphi, but which differs from both those genera in several respects.
PTEN(GSDUS RUFESCENS (Cabanis). RUFOUS-TINTED CINCLORAMPHUS.
NHIS is one of the most widely distributed of the Australian birds, being found in all the colonies except Tasmania, though it only visits New South Wales and Western Australia in the summer months.
It chiefly frequents thinly-timbered plains, generally remaining on the ground, but now and again flying between the tops of the trees, or perching on one of the highest of them, all the time pouring forth its beautiful song, which greatly resembles that of the sky-lark. The female always remains on the ground.
During the breeding season, which lasts during October and the two following months, it lays four eggs in a nest composed of grass, lined with hair and feathers. The eggs are ten lines long by seven and a-half lines broad. Two broods are reared in the season.
The sexes are alike in plumage, but the male is almost double the size of the female.
The upper surface, wings and tail are dark brown, each feather margined with light olive- brown; stripe above the eye, and the throat, greyish-white ; ear-coverts and chest, grey, the chest having a spot of black on each feather; abdomen, white; flanks and vent, deep buff; rides, greyish-
brown; bill, lead colour; legs and feet, light olive-brown.
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Habitats.._All the colonies on the continent of Australia.
GENUS SPHENCEACUS (Strickland).
EMBERS of this genus are found in India and Australia, and in most of the islands between pt these countries.
SPHENGACUS GALACTOTES. TAWNY GRASS-BIRD.
FYVHE eastern and northern portions of Australia are inhabited by this species, which dwells among
the long grass and reeds on the borders of lagoons and swamps.
It feeds on insects, but, as it can obtain these among the rushes, and is, moreover, very shy, ‘¢ seldom ventures out, and thus it is very difficult to obtain speeimens. It flies only when pursued closely, and then for a very short distance.
It has no song, but emits a harsh note, several times repeated.
Crown of the head, rufous; upper surface and tail, brown, the feathers having dark brown centres: wings, blackish-brown, margined with pale brown ; throat and under surface, grey, becoming darker on the abdomen and flanks, the feathers of the chest having a small spot of dark brown in the centre of each; rump, rufous; irides, light brown ; bill, blackish-brown ; legs and feet, brownish-
Hesh colour.
Habitats: Eastern and northern portions of Australia.
SPHENCEACUS GRAMINEUS (Gowld.) LITTLE GRASS-BIRD.
TYVHE Little Grass Bird is distributed over all the southern and western portions of Australia, and is also found in New South Wales, but as it remains almost entirely among the reed-beds in swamps it is very little known.
It is a very difficult matter to obtain specimens, as it is effectually hidden by the thick rushes, and will allow itself to. be almost trodden upon before rising. When disturbed, it flies to a short distance, and then once more conceals itself among the reeds and grass.
During August and September four eggs are laid in a rest made of fine grasses lined with feathers, which is suspended from two or three upright reeds. The colour of the eggs is white, tinged with flesh colour and spotted with reddish-purple.
The sexes are alike both in size and appearance.
All the upper surface brown, each feather having a darker centre ; wings, brown, margined with buff; tail, brown; stripe over the eye, white; throat and under surface, grey; irides, yellowish-brown ; bill, legs and teet, tleshy-brown.
Total length, 5} inches; bill, 2 inch; wing, 21 inches; tail, 22 inches; tarsi, ? inch.
Habitats: New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, Western Australia and Tasmania.
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GENUS CINCLORAMPHUS (Gould).
HERE are two species of this genus, which is closely allied to the genus Megalurus. Its two most distinctive features are the great disparity in the size of the sexes, and the beautiful song
of the male.
CINCLORAMPHUS CRURALIS (Gould). BROWN CINCLORAMPHUS.
HIS is a fairly common bird during the summer months in most parts of New South Wales,
Victoria, and South Australia. It arrives in these localities in August and departs again in
February, after performing the duty of incubation. It is particularly numerous in the Hunter River district.
The male and female, when seen together, form a most curious contrast, the former being more than double the size of the latter. They may often be seen running along the ground side by side, the male all the time singing in a most animated manner. During the period of incubation he hovers about the nest, often mounting in the air and pouring forth his beautiful and lively song.
The nest is always made on the ground, generally in the midst of an open grassy plain. The eggs are four in number.
The male has the whole of the plumage brownish-grey, each feather margined with greyish- white ; irides, light brown ; bill, black; legs and feet, flesh-brown.
The plumage of the female is lighter.
Habitats : New South Wales, Victoria, and South Australia.
CINCLORAMPHUS CANTILLANS (Gould). BLACK-BREASTED CINCLORAMPHUS. TYNHE range of this species seems to extend round the Australian coast from Port Philip to Port
Essington by way of Western Australia. Specimens from the various localities present certain differences, but not enough to warrant their division into new species.
It resembles the Cincloramphus Cruralis in some of its habits, especially in being only a summer visitant to Australia, but is much more shy and wild, and has not the beautiful song of that bird. Its usual note is rather low and plaintive and not at all unpleasing, but when flying it
utters a harsh and disagreeable sound. When not on the ground, it perches on one of the topmost branches of a high tree.
The nest, in which four eggs are laid, is constructed of grass, and is placed on the ground.
The eggs are bluish-white in colour, with blotches of chestnut-brown.
The upper surface, wings and tail are brownish-grey, the feathers of the back having darker centres; in front of the eye is a triangular-shaped mark of black; throat and under surface, light brownish-grey, the chest with a small mark of brown in the centre of each feather; the centre and lower part of the abdomen darker than the rest of the under surface ; irides, red; bill, dark brown ;
legs and feet, brownish-flesh colour. Total length, 8 inches; bill 14 inch; wing, 4 inches; tail, 42 inches; tarsi, 14 inch.
Habitats : Victoria, South Australia, Western Australia, and north coast.
GENUS ANTHUS (Bechsteim),.
A Nee well known European form is represented in Australia by only one species.
ANTHUS AUSTRALIS (Vig. & Horsf) AUSTRALIAN PIPIT.
| Mees is the prototype of the European Pipit, which it resembles in most of its habits, and also
In its song.
It inhabits plains and open forest country in almost every part of Australia, except the
extreme north. It is also found in Tasmania. : It generally remains on the ground, where it obtains the insects and seeds which constitute
its food. When disturbed it flies to some little distance, when it again descends, either to a branch of a tree or to the earth.
During the breeding season, which lasts from the end of August to January, it rears two, and sometimes three broods. The nest is made of dried