INSESSORES. 313 



abundant in many parts of New South Wales, to which por- 

 tion of the AustraHan continent it appears to be confined. 

 It is to be found only in dense brushes, such as those at 

 Maitland, Manning, Illawarra, and the cedar-brushes of the 

 Liverpool range ; in fact, the localities that are suitable to the 

 Menura and the Wattled Talegalla are congenial to the 

 habits of the Coach-whip-bird. Its loud full note ending 

 sharply like the cracking of a whip, with which the woods 

 are constantly reverberating, appeared to me to be analogous 

 to the peculiar call of the Menura; besides this peculiar 

 whistle, it also gives utterance to a low inward song of con- 

 siderable melody. 



It is a shy and recluse species, rarely exposes itself to view, 

 but generally keeps in the midst of the densest foliage and 

 among the thickest climbing plants, frequenting alike those 

 that have intertwined themselves with the branches of the 

 tallest trees, and those that form almost impenetrable masses 

 near the ground. It is extremely animated and sprightly in 

 all its actions, raising its crest and spreading its tail in the 

 most elegant manner. These actions become even more 

 animated during the spring, when the males may often be 

 seen chasing each other, frequently stopping to pour out their 

 notes with great volubility. 



The food consists of insects of various kinds, obtained 

 almost entirely from the ground, and sought for by scratching 

 up the leaves and turning over the small stones, precisely 

 after the manner of the Menura superha. 



The sexes are much alike in colour, but may be readily 

 distinguished by the more obscure plumage and smaller size 

 of the female. The young of the first year are of a much 

 browner hue, a character of plumage that soon gives place to 

 adult livery. On its nidification the late F. Strange sent me 

 the following note : — '' I found a nest on the 26th of Novem- 

 ber ; it was placed in a small bush surrounded with a great 

 number of weeds, at about two feet from the ground. It con- 



