256 SYLVIID.E. 



Megalurus gramineus. 



LITTLE GEASS-BIRD. 

 Sphencfacus graviineus, Gould, Proc. Zoo). Soc , 1845, p. 19; id., Bds. Austr., fol., Vol. III., pi. 36 



(1848); id., Handbk. Bds. Austr., Vol. I., p. 400 (1865). 

 Megalurus gramineus, Sharpe, Cat. Bds. Brit. INIus., Vol. VII, p. 125 (1883). 



Adult male General colour above fulvous-brown, streaked with dull black, the latter colour 



being more pronounced on the featliers of the back which are broadly centred u-ilh dull black: rump 

 and upper tail-coverts of a clearer fulvoiisbrozvn, and less conspicuously streaked with black; upper 

 wing-coverts like the back; quills dark brown margined externally ivith fulvous-brotvn, the innermost 

 secondaries blackish-brown distinctly bordered tvith straw-white and tinged with fulvous-brown ; tail 

 feathers broken, margined with fulvous-brown ; forehead, crown, and nape fulvous-brown, tinged tvith 

 rufous and streaked with black; lores and a distinct eyebroiv dull white; a spot in front of the eye 

 and a line along the upper portion of the ear-coverts broivn; throat and all the under surface dull 

 white, slightly tinged with fulvous-brown on the fore-neck and breast, and passing into fulvous-brown 

 on the sides of the body; the apical portion of the feathers on the throat and/ore-neck being narro'dy 

 streaked with dark brotvn, and those on the sides of the body broadly streaked with blackish-bro^vn ; 

 thighs fidvousbroivn ; under tailcoverts pale fulvous-broivn tvith slightly darker centres; bill olive- 

 brotvn, paler on the sides; legs and feet olive-brotvn ; iris brotvn. Total length in the flesh 6-25 

 inches, iving 2 3, tail 2;5, bill 01,, tarsus OS. 



Adult feu ale— Sitnilar in plumage to the male. 



Distribution.— "Sew South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, Tasmania. 

 /-r^^^HE Little Grass-bird is abundantly distributed in favourable situations over the south- 

 J_ eastern and southern portions of the continent, it is likewise found in Tasmania and on 

 some of the islands of Bass Strait. Although occurring inland, it evinces decided preference 

 for the coastal districts. It frequents dense grass-beds growing in swampy localities, the rush 

 or reed-bordered margins of watercourses, and near the coast the mangrove fringed estuaries or 

 sides of rivers. 



There is but little variation in a number of specimens now before me from different 

 localities, but two examples, sexed as females, and which I take to be very old birds, are 

 almost pure white on the throat and breast, which is entirely devoid of blackish-brown streaks. 

 The wing-measurement of adult males varies from 2-i to 2-3 inches. 



In the neighbourhood of Sydney it is seldom seen or heard during the late autumn and 

 winter months. Usually its plaintive call is first heard about the same time as that of the 

 Reed-Warbler in August, and not later than the end of April. It is extremely shy and one 

 does not often see it except when it utters its note from the top of some tall reed or grass-stem, 

 or flies over a clear expanse of water from one clump of rushes to another. 



The usual note of this species is a low mournful whistle repeated three times, which is 

 immediately similarly answered by another bird, but it is pitched in a different key. Its 

 plaintive note is easily imitated, and frequently in the summer months it may be heard during 

 the night. Occasionally it is varied with a low and rapidly uttered "chu, chu, chu, chu," 

 especially when one approaches near the nest of this bird. 



Stomachs of two examples of this species I have examined, obtained at Long Bay, near 

 Sydney, in March, 1899, contained in addition to the remains of small aquatic insects, perfect 

 specimens of a small fresh-water shell, Isidora, sp. 



Writing from Mossgiel, in the Central District of New South Wales, in 1886, the late Mr. 

 K.H. Bennett xem&rks:—'' Megalurus gramineus is rather plentiful here during the spring months 

 of a wet season, when the 'cane-swamps,' which are its exclusive habitat, contain shallow but 



