264 i\i.srs Axv /u,as oi^ wstkalian hinds. 



dome-shaped in form, aud a littlu larger than that of Malurus lamberti, 

 and usually hidden at the base of a clump of bushes and grass, or in 

 some bushy scnib neax the ground, sometimes restiug on the giound, 

 and at all times vci-y difficult to find (Ramsay). 



Eggs. — Clutch, tluee ; inclined to oval in shape ; texture of shell 

 fine ; surface glossy ; coloui', hght purplish-buff, moderately and finely 

 spotted with umber, the niai-kiugs being thickest and in the form of a 

 small belt round the apex. Most resemble those of Large-billed Scrub 

 Tit ( Sericurnu inayniroxtria). Dimensions in inches of a pair : 

 (1) -TSx-ST, (2) -TTx-be. 



Observations. — This rare Ground Wren is a lover chiefly of such 

 dry scnibby tracts as are suitable to its habits in Eastern Australia, 

 lb is also said to be found in the west. 



Of its nidifieation Gould had nothing to communicate, its nest not 

 having been discovered either by himself or by any of his party. 



Dr. Ramsay, however, fu'st foitnd them breeding at Dobroyde, near 

 Sydney, as far back as 1860, when he procured both adults and yoimg. 



Mr. W. Wliite (South Austraha), Idndly sent me the followuig data 

 with two eggs: — " Hyhicola pyrrhojyygia. — Kangaroo Island. — Domed 

 nest, flat top, rather rough, composed of grass and fine twigs, projecting 

 hole near the top, placed in a thick prickly acacia growing in a gully ; 

 date October, 1893.— A. and W. White." 



216. — Hylacola cauta, Gould. — (206) 



RUFOUS-RUMPED GROUND WREN. 



Figure. — Gould: Birds of Australia, fol , vol. iii., pi 40 



Reference. — Cat. Birds Brit Mus., vol. vii , p 347 



Previous Description oj Eggs. — Campbell : Geelong Naturalist (1898). 



Geographical Distribution. — Victoria and South Australia (including 

 Kangaroo Island). 



Nest. — Resembles that of the other species — H. pyrrhopyyia — 

 dome-shaped side enti'ance ; loosely composed of gi'asses, rootlets, &c., 

 and placed close to the ground in a scrubby bush. 



Eggs. — Clutch, three ; nearly oval in shape ; texture of shell fine ; 

 siu-face slightly glossy ; colour, chocolate or purpUsh-browu, hghter in 

 shade on the smaller end, but with a ring, in some instances a patch, 

 of indistinct and darker-coloured markings about the larger end. Not 

 unhke those of the Red Throat (Pyrrholcemus), but proportionally 

 larger. Dimensions in inches of a proper clutch : (1) '86 x •61, 

 (2) -85 X -62, (3) -84 x •62. (Plate 11.) 



