120 THE USEFUL BIRDS 



My last visit to certain timber frequented by the Seri- 

 cornis enabled me to witness an interesting little scene. It 

 showed me that the forms of gallantry on the part of the 

 male Sericornis in his courtship are as intense as in the most 

 chivalrous of other birds. How those two males courtesied 

 before the lady bird. one could not witness without a good- 

 natured smile, bowing, as they did, deeply, stately, and con- 

 tinually, like any old-fashioned knight of early times trying 

 to win the favour of his lady. How the momentous matter 

 terminated I was not able to discover. Doubtless the knight 

 of better points won the day, and the other went afield for a 

 second trial of his strength. 



The Spotted Scrub-V\^ren is the species inhabiting Western 

 Australia. The habits are similar to those of S. frontalis. 



Nest. — Oval, side entrance, made of grasses and lined with 

 feathers, &c. It is placed in low, rank vegetation, and 

 always well hidden. 



Eggs. — Three or four to a sitting ; deep fleshy white, with 

 a zone of purplish-brown spots about the larger end. Length, 

 0.75 inch ; breadth, 0.6 inch. 



