^LURCEDLS. 



71 



coverts yrass-yreen ; the median and greater tviny-coverls, also the secondaries ivith a spot of wltite at 

 the lip of their outer webs; inner irehs oj the outer secondaries and 0/ the primaries blackish-bro/rn, 

 the apical portion 0/ the outer webs 0/ the primaries except the two innermost feathers bhiish-green ; 

 tail grass-green, all but the two central feathers tipped with white, the lateral feathers blackish-brown 

 on their inner webs, and increasing in extent towards the outermost feather, which is only slightly 

 washed with green on the outer web; sides of the face and ear-coverts dull olive-yreen minutely 

 spotted with black; the tips of the earcoverts blackish; on the sides of the neck a small patch of ivhite 

 feathers; throat dull grey ivashed with olive, and spotted with white; remainder of the under surface 

 olive-green with a lanceolate yellowish-white marking in the centre vf each feather on the cliesf and 

 breast, and which lengthens out into a narrow lanceolate shaft stripe on the feathers on the lower 

 sides of the body ; centre of the abdomen and under tiil coverts yellow slightly tinged with olive; 

 bill light bluish-horn colour, whitish at the tip: legs and Jeet fleshy-brown; iris reddish-brotvn. 

 Total length in the fesh 12--'> inches, rcing G 6, tail 'rl, hill I'l, tarsus IS. 

 Adult female — Similar in plumage to the male. 



Distribution. — South-eastern Queensland, Eastern New South Wales. 

 (»\ LTHOUGH found in the south-eastern portions of Queensland, the luxuriant brushes of 

 -l\. New South Wales are the stronghold of this species. It is abundantly distributed 

 throughout tlie northern coastal districts of the Tweed, Brunswick, Richmond, Clarence, and 

 Bellinger Rivers. Farther south it is sparingly dispersed in favourable situations as far as 

 that rich belt of sub-tropical vegetation which commences near Lake Tuggerali and suddenly 

 ceases a few miles north of the Hawkesbury River. It is not met with in the adjoining counry 

 of Cumberland, except near its southern boundary where a similar vegetation is found, in 

 the neighbourhood of Waterfall, Otford, and Bulli. Gradually its numbers increase, and it is 

 again very plentiful in the damp scrubs at Cambewarra and Kangaroo \'alley in the Illawarra 

 District, its range extending throughout the coastal districts to very near the southern boundary 

 of the State. During the winter months, at Ourimbah and \\'yong, it congregates in large 

 flocks to feast upon the wild fruits and berries, and is often seen feeding in company with 

 the Satin Bower-bird. Unlike the Satin l^ower-bird, however, whose range extends inland as 

 far as the western slopes of the Blue Mountains, the Cat-bird, which frequents similar situations, 

 is entirely restricted to the coastal brushes. 



The food of this species consists of wild fruits and berries. It is very fond of the seeds of 

 the Bangalow Palm (Scaforthia clegans), and of the Cabbage Palm (Livistona aitstralis); also of 

 the berries of the introduced ink- weed (Phytolacca octandra). 



At Ourimbah these birds are occasionally caught in the traps or 'cribs' set for the Little 

 Green Pigeon (Chalcophaps chrysochloya), They are also shot for food, and their flesh is said to 

 be white and tender like that of the Wonga Pigeon. 



The peculiar and extraordinary notes of this species resemble more than anything else, the 

 long drawn out plaintive cries of the domestic cat. 



Although the Cat-birds are usually included in the family of bower-building birds, I liave 

 never heard of any species, either in Australia or New Guinea, constructing a bower, or even 

 decorating a cleared space in the scrub with leaves like Scenopcvetcs dentirostris. There is a 

 marked difference, too, between the nests and eggs of the Bower-birds and Cat-birds inhabiting 

 Australia. The nests of the former are scanty and somewhat primitive structures formed of 

 sticks or twigs, and only in one instance— that of the Satin Bower-bird— are they lined at the 

 bottom with leaves. Their eggs, howaver, are noted for the beauty of their markings, especially 

 those of the different species of the genus Chlamydodcra, and Sericnlus melinns. The nests of the 

 two species of Cat-birds are compact bowl-shaped structures, beautifully formed of twigs, stems 

 of climbing plants, and long broad leaves. On the other hand their eggs are almost colourless. 



