148 THE USEFUL BIRDS 



of the continent. It is a close associate of the Lyre-bird, and 

 may safely be regarded as one of the few recluse birds. 



The call is like the crack of a stockwhip, the nearest 

 approach to it being that of the Pachycephala, though the 

 latter is weak in comparison. The clear, strong note of the 

 Wliip-bird, the clank of the Lyre-bird, and the toll of the 

 Bell-bird are strange sounds in a wild and soHtary glen. The 

 Whip-bird has a low, inward series of sweet notes, in addition 

 to the ordinary ventriloquial note, which seejns to come from 

 a bird in the far distance, finishing up a few yards in front of 

 one with a powerful bursting crack, as its classical name 

 indicates. I have watched for twenty minutes before finding 

 the owner of such a call, so close is the tangle in which it 

 lives. 



The food consists of insects, which are obtained by scraping 

 amongst the debris of a gully, the feet of the bird being strong 

 and specially fitted for such an occupation. 



Nest. — Open, shallow, loosely constructed, and composed of 

 tvvigs, leaves internally. It is placed in a miniature jungle, 

 and close to the ground. 



Eggs. — Two to a clutch ; ground colour bluish-white, 

 marked over the surface by peculiarly shaped spots and 

 blotches of black. Length, 1 inch; breadth, 0.75 inch. 



