20 DESCRIPTIONS OF OUR NATIVE BIRDS. 



WHITE-FRONTED CHAT. 

 (Ephthianura albifrons.) 



OTHER SPECIES ) ,. n , u i.,f ■> x 



( Orange-fronted Chat {tphthianura aurijrons). 



SOUTH AUSTRALIA ( 1'ri-colored Chat {Epkthianura tricolor). 



Size. — From beak to tail this pretty little bird is about 4|in. in length. 



Bill. — The beak is black. 



Feet and Legs. — The feet and legs are dull black. 



Plumage. — The face, forehead, throat, and under surface of the male bird are 

 white. A black band crosses the chest, and, running up each side of the 

 neck, expands to form a black patch on the crown of the head. The 

 back is dark grey, slightly tinged with brown. The wings and tail feathers 

 on the upper surface are very dark brown to nearly black, and tipped with 

 white. The female is more soberly colored, the face, head, and back 

 being greyish brown. The throat, chest, and abdomen are dull white, 

 and a black crescent crosses the lower chest. 



Movements. — ^When disturbed the chat cries " Tang," and moves away by a series 

 of short, low flights and rapid runs, its tail bobbing as it goes. 



Habitat. — This little bird likes open grass land, where it feeds. 



Food. — Its food consists chiefly of insects and other minute animals. 



Nest. — It makes its nest close to the ground, and for preference in a bunch of 

 rushes on the edge of a watercourse. The nest is open, and cup shaped. 

 It is made of grass and lined with wool or feathers. 



Eggs. — The eggs, which number three or four, are of a flesh-pink color, speckled 

 at the broad end with brown spots, which form a zone. 



