212 BIRDS OP AUSTRALIA. 



Sp. 116. PACHYCEPHALA RUFIVENTRIS. 



Rufous-breasted Thickhead. 



Sylvia I'ufiventris, Lath. Ind. Orn. Supp., p. lix. 

 Rufous-vented Warbler, Lath. Gen. Syn. Supp., vol. ii. p. 248. 

 Oranye-hreasted Thrush, Lewin, Birds of New Holland, pi. 8. 

 Pachycej)hala pectoralis,Yig. and Horsf. in Linn. Trans., vol. xv. p. 239. 



striata, Vig. and Horsf. in Linn. Trans., vol. xv. p. 240, female or 



young male, 

 rujiventris, G. R. Gray, Ann. & Mag. Nat. Hist., vol. xi. p. 193. 



Lanius macularius, Quoy et Gaim., Voy. d' Astrolabe, p. 257, pi. 31. 



f. 1, young male. 

 Rufous-vented Honey-eater, Lath. Gen. Hist., vol. iv. p. 183. 



Pachycephala pectoralis, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., voL 11. 

 pi. 67. 



This very common species ranges over the whole of the 

 southern portion of the Australian continent, from Swan 

 River on the west to Moreton Bay on the east ; but the 

 extent of its range northwards has not yet been determined. 

 During the spring and the earlier months of summer there 

 are few birds that give utterance to a more animated and 

 lively song — a loud continuous ringing whistle, frequently 

 terminating in a sharp smack, which latter note is peculiar to 

 most members of the group. In New South Wales and South 

 Australia it is abundantly dispersed over all the thinly- 

 timbered forests, keeping among the leafy branches of the 

 highest trees. I do not recollect having met with it in the 

 cedar-brushes of New South Wales ; in Western Austraha the 

 thick scrubs are said to be its favourite places of resort. 



Although it does not migrate, it makes a slight change in 

 the situations it frequents, according to the state of the 

 seasons, or the more or less abundant supply of food, which 

 consists of insects of various kinds, caterpillars, and berries : 

 like the other members of the group, it creeps and hops about 

 the branches in a gentle and quiet manner. 



The breeding-season commences in August or September, 



