OF SOUTHERN AUSTRALIA. 147 



have little chance of eluding the close scrutiny of the hunter, 

 though perhaps some may escape if the spiral course be too 

 wide. The Tree-runners (Sittellse) may complete the work as 

 they pursue their downward course (see p. 141). 



I saw, on one occasion, a representative of each of these 

 species thus working a single tree, though such must not be 

 taken as a rule ; mutual aid between individuals of different 

 species is seldom practised. 



The cry of the White- throated Tree-creeper is shrill and 

 piping, easily distinguishable from that of other birds with 

 which it may be found associating. 



Nest.— Kt the bottom of the shallow hollow in a tree 

 branch ; built of grasses, and lined with feathers. 



Eggs. — Three to a sitting ; dull white, w^ith spots of reddish- 

 brown. Length, 0.8 inch ; breadth, 0.65 inch. 



COACHWHIP-BIRD 



(Whip-bird), 



Psophodes crepitans, Vig. and Hors, 



So-fodes kre-p i-taris. 

 Fsophod, an inarticulate noise {psophodes, noisy); crepitus, a bursting 



noise. 



Psophodes crepitans, Gould, " Birds of ^Australia," fol., vol. iii., pi. 15. 



Geographical Distribution. — Areas 2, 3, 4. 



Key to the Species. — General appearance olive-black ; breast has 

 white mottling upon it ; lateral feathers of tail tipped white ; lower 

 flanks ashy-brown ; head crested. 



This genus is strictly Austrahan. In it there are two species, 

 one inhabiting the eastern, and the other the western portions 



