342 BIRDS OF AUSTllALIA. 



Genus SPHENURA, Lichtensfein. 



A group of birds adapted for situations covered with an 

 impenetrable vegetation, reed-beds, &c. Two species are all 

 that are at present known ; of these one is from the eastern, 

 and the other from the western part of Australia. 



Sp. 202. SPHENURA BRACHYPTERA. 



Bristle-bird. 



Turdus brachtjpterus, Lath. Ind. Orn., Supp. p. xliii. 



Sphenura hrachyptei-a, Licht. Verz. der Doubl., p. 40. 



Malurus pecturalis, Steph. Cont. Shaw's Gen. Zool., vol. xiii. part i. 



p. 224. 

 Dasijornis australis, Vig. and Horsf. in Linn. Trans., vol. xv. p. 232. 



Dasyornis australis, Gould, Birds of Australia, foL, vol. iii. pi. 32. 



This bird inhabits reed-beds and thickets, particularly such 

 as are overgrown with creepers and rank vegetation ; I be- 

 lieve it to be found throughout New South Wales in all places 

 suitable to its habits, although, from the recluse nature of its 

 disposition, it is a species familar to few, even of those who 

 have been long resident in the colony. Its powers of flight 

 are very limited, but it threads the thickets and runs over the 

 ground with the greatest facility. It resembles the true 

 Makiri in carrying the tail erect, and in many other of its 

 actions. My own impression is that it is a stationary species, 

 since its powers of flight are inadequate to enable it to pass 

 over much extent of country, and the thick brushes near the 

 coast afford it ample shelter in winter. 



I did not succeed in finding its nest, but in its nidifica- 

 tion it doubtless closely assimilates to the next species, the 

 Long-billed Bristle-bird of the western coast. 



The sexes present no difference in plumage, and but little 

 in size ; the female, however, is rather the smaller. 



The food consists of insects of various orders. 



