.g.r'J !•: i-i.loTT, Bird Life a/ Dumhleymig, W .A . i8l 



contained three eggs, white, elongated, and with daik red spots 

 towards the larger end. 



These birds are somewhat scarce, shy, and difificult to approach. 

 They seem to remain about the same patch of scrub for some 

 time ; in fact, 1 am not sure but what they make it their permanent 

 abode unless interfered with, when they quickly depart. Of 

 course, I cannot be sure whether they are the same pair, but in 

 the patch of scrub referred to above I have seen a couple for over 

 two years. You may travel for two miles round, and will not find 

 another bird. They favour thick scrub of the stunted variety, 

 and, while uttering a peculiar little note or call, hop and flit from 

 point to point in a most amusing fashion. So small do the birds 

 appear, and so quick are their movements, that they remind one 

 of mice. They will .suddenly cock up their tail, so that one 

 obtains a glimpse of its red base. While flying they also exhibit 

 it, but when annoyed or alarmed they spread the tail, and then 

 it is that one obtains the best view of the colour. 



In most patches of scrub there are clear spaces, sometimes 

 15 feet across, and when a Ground-Wren wishes to cross this it 

 does so at a most astonishing rate, almost as though it were afraid 

 of being seen in the open. I have never yet seen one of these 

 birds in open country. Whether the Ground-Wren hops or runs 

 I will not definitely say, because I have not satisfied myself on 

 that point ; but I believe that it hops. When it does rise from 

 the ground it is only high enough to clear any bushes in the line 

 of flight, and then the bird suddenly dives to earth again. 



In addition to the note uttered while flitting among the scrub, 

 these birds have a beautiful song— or rather, I presume, the male 

 has. The song is very soft, but very sweet, with a considerable 

 range of notes. One must be within a few feet of the singer to 

 hear it, and, although it is difficult to get so close at the proper 

 time, the trouble is well repaid. Recently I managed to get within 

 three feet of a Ground-Wren by crawling to a clump of suckers. 

 The bird stood pecking at the ground. It was early morning, 

 and the bird, after ])reening its feathers, burst into a song. 

 Suddenly it flitted back to the scrub, and at that moment down 

 came a Honey-eater (P. ornata) again. The Ground-Wren 

 brought its wings forward, spread its tail, and ruffled its feathers, 

 until it looked like a ball, giving me a fine view of the red tail. 

 The next instant the bird dived over a piece of scrub, and was 

 lost to view. 



Purple-crowned Lorikeet [Glossupsifta purphyrocepJiala, Dietr.) — 

 These birds \'isit us in flocks in large numbers on the approach 

 of winter. They favour especially the salmon gum blossoms, 

 though I have seen them pecking at the flowers of the niallee. 

 Never have I noticed them on a white gum, although they may 

 frequent it. They appear to be making their way gradually 

 northwards. I have ne\-er found nests, neither have I ever seen 

 the birds on the ground. 



