90 THE USEFUL BIRDS 



textilis and A . striata) are occasionally found in the hot inland 

 country, occupying dry, rank grasses. Megalurus (Grass-bird) 

 is a common denizen of the swamps. Possibly the rarest of 

 all this group is the Rock- Warbler (Origma). 



With the advance of civiHzation the Emu-W>ens are finding 

 their swamps reclaimed, and, in consequence, are being driven 

 further back and reduced in numbers. Mr. Howitt tells us 

 " the men of the Kurnai tribe used to regard the Emu-Wrens 

 as their brothers, and the women of the tribe the Blue Wrens 

 as their sisters." The black brother and sister have almost 

 gone, the brown brother has his days numbered, but the blue 

 sister will remain while a rural aspect exists. 



Nest. — Dome-shaped, and made of grass. It is much more 

 compact than that of the Blue Wren {M. cyaneus) ; better 

 finished and more artfully concealed in the grass and scrub. 



Eggs. — Three to a sitting ; similar to those of M. cyaneus, 

 described above, but much smaller. Length, 6| lines ; 

 breadth, 4^ lines, — Ramsay, Ihis (1863). 



