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AN AUSTRALIAN BIRD ROOK. 



4 273*Gray-crowned Babbler, Chatterer (e), Cackler, Bar- 



34 ker, Pine (Cat (e), Dog) Bird, Codlin-Moth-eater, 



Hopper, Jumper (e), Yahoo, Happy Family, Happy 



Jack, Twelve Apostles (e), Apostle-Bird (e), Poma- 



torhinus frivolus (temporalis), B.A., S.A. 



Stat, flocks, c. open timber 

 Dark brown; crown light-gray; brow white; throat, breast 

 white; tail tipped white; bill long black, curved; runs; 

 f., sim. Insects. Many peculiar notes, noisy. 



11 



at it. Almost as rare are the closely-similar Chestnut-rumped 

 and Red-rumped Ground-Wrens. Few will see these birds, as 

 they live only in the drier parts. 



That interesting bird — the Coach whip Bird — is far more often 

 heard than seen. Along the densely-scrubbed creeks of Eastern 

 Australia, the interesting whip-crack of this bird is very often 

 heard. An exact representative lives in West Australian scrubs. 

 I was surprised to hear, in several places lately, the Rufous- 

 breasted Whistler (Thickhead) called the Coachwhip Bird. It 

 has been found that both birds take part in the peculiar call 

 which has a loud crack very like that of a whip. This bird 

 dwells in the dense eastern scrubs, and uses its short wings but 

 little for flight. It was seen, however, recently at Sandringham, 

 a few miles from Melbourne. 



The Australian Babblers are of interest from all points of view. 

 Their habits are peculiar; their calls are varied and usually 



