140 INSECTIVOROUS BIRDS 



COACHWHIP-BIRD 



(Whip-bird), 



Psopliodes crepitans, Vig. and Hors., 



Sd-fodes krep'i-tans. 

 Psoplios, an inarticulate noise ; crepitus, a bursting noise. 



PsoPHODES CREPITANS, Gould, "Birds of Australia," fol., vol. iii., 



pi. 15. 



Geographical DistributiOxN.— Areas 2, 3, 4. 



Key to the Species. — General appearance olive-black ; breast has 

 white mottling upon it ; lateral feathers of tail tipped white ; 

 lower flanks ashy-brown ; head crested. 



This genus is strictly Australian. In it there are two 

 species, one inhabiting the eastern and the other the 

 western portions 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 whip-like, the nearest 

 approach being that of the Pachycephala, though the latter 

 is weak in comparison. The clear, strong note finishing like 

 the crack of a whip, the clank of the Lyre-bird, and the toll 

 of the Bell-bird are strange sounds in a wild and solitary 

 glen. The Whip-bird has a low inward series of sweet 

 notes in addition to the ordinary ventriloquial note which 

 seems to come from a bird in the far distance, finishing up 

 a few yards in front of you with a powerful bursting crack, 

 as its classical name implies. 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 is insects, which are 

 obtained by scraping amongst the debris, the feet of the 

 bird being strong and specially fitted for such an 

 occupation. 



