INSESS0RE3. 377 



interwoven with cobwebs, and slightly hned with feathers. 

 The breeding-season comprises the months of September, 

 October, and November, and the eggs are four in number. 



Crown, back of the neck, upper surface, and wings olive- 

 brown, the feathers of the forehead tipped with a lighter 

 colour ; rump, upper and under tail-coverts pale ochre ; throat 

 and chest white, each feather with a very slight broken 

 margin of brown ; base of all the tail-feathers pale buff, the 

 external margin of the outer feathers and the tips of all 

 brownish buff, the central portion blackish brown ; bill brown, 

 the under mandible paler than the upper ; feet olive-brown ; 

 irides beautiful straw-yellow. 



Genus EPHTHIANURA, Gould. 



The three species of this form at present known inhabit the 

 southern part of Australia, where they frequent open districts 

 studded with bushes and low trees. 



Sp. 231. EPHTHIANURA ALBIFRONS. 



White-fronted Ephthianura. 



Acanthiza albifrons, Jard. and Selb. 111. Orn., vol. ii. pi. 56. figs. 1 



and 2. 

 Ephthianura albifrons, Gould, Birds of Australia, vol. i. Introd. p. xlvii. 

 Cynura torquata, Brehra (Cabanis). 



Ephthianura albifrons, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. iii. 

 pi. 64. 



This species appears to range over the whole of the southern 

 portion of the Australian continent, for I have specimens in 

 my collection which were killed at Swan River, in South 

 AustraUa, and in New South Wales. It does not inhabit 

 Tasmania ; but is very common, and breeds, on some of the 

 islands in Bass's Straits. 



It is a most sprightly and active little bird, particularly the 



