.VESTS AiVD EGGS Of AiSTRALlAN BIRDS. 349 



iu number. I apprehend quartets were rarely found, and only refer 

 to the Large-billed Scnib Wren. 



The breeding season extends from June to Februaiy, the principal 

 months being November and December. 



199. — Seurounis l«vigasth.\, Gould. — (217) 



BUFF-BREASTED SCRUB WREN. 



Figure. — Gould; Birds of Australia, fol , vol. iii., pi. 50. 

 Reference. — Cat Birds Brit. Mus., vol. vii.. p. 307. 



Geographical Distrihutinn. — Northern Territoi^ and Queensland. 



Nest and Eggs. — Undescribed. 



Observations. — This northern Scrub Wren, Gould states, is nearly 

 allied to <S'. maculatus, but may be distinguished by the entire absence 

 of spots on the throat and chest, and by having the tail feathers largely 

 tipped with white. 



The type specimens, male and female, were procm-ed by poor Gilbert, 

 30th November, 1844, the year he was treacherously iiiiu-dercd by the 

 aborigines during Lcichhardt's overland cx|ie(litioii from Moreton Bay 

 (Brisbane) to Port Essington. 



200. — -Sericornis maculata, Gould. — (218) 

 SPOTTED SCRUB WREN. 



Figure — Gould: Birds of Australia, fol, vol. iii , pi. 51. 



Reference. — Cat. Birds Brit. Mus., vol. vii., p 307. 



Previous Descriptions of Eggs. — Gould : Birds of .\ustralia (1848). also 



Handbook, vol. i., p. 362 (1865); North: Austn. Mus. Cat, 



p. 133 (1889). 



Geographical Distrihution. — New South Wales, Victoria, South and 

 West Australia. 



3V.^■^ — Round, with side entrance ; constructed of leaves, grass. &c. ; 

 warmly lined inside with feathers, and usually situated low iu scrub. 



Eggs. — -Clutch, three ; almost oval in shape ; textiuc of shell fine ; 

 surface glossy ; colour, light purplish-bufF, with an indistinct baud of 

 purplish-brown round the apex ; sometimes minutely freckled with the 

 same colour. Dimensions in inches of a pair : (1) -79 x -58, (2) •78 x '58. 



Oliservations.—This, smart Scrub Wren possesses chiefly a western 

 distribution, although its range is extended to all the eastern provinces 

 (excepting Queensland). 



