OF VICTORIA. 21: 



GRASS-BIRD 



(Little Grass-bird), 



lUegaliirus gramineiis, Gld. 



Meg-a-lurus yra-min'e-iis. 

 Megan, great ; oura, tail ; gramineus, pertaining to the grass. 



Sphenceaccjs gramineus, Gould, "Birds of Australia," fol., 

 vol. iii., pi. 36. 



Geographical Distribution. — Areas 3, 4, 6, 7, 9. 



Key to the Species. — General appearance brown ; fore-neck and 

 lower throat more or less clearly streaked with dark brown ; 

 secondaries black, edged with buff; tail feathers graduated. 

 Tail 2*5 inches, longer than wing. Total length, 5*75 inches. 



This species, recognized by a few people as the Little Grass- 

 bird, is not a well-known form. Although well dispersed 

 in our continent it appears scanty in number because of 

 its retiring disposition. Its habits are quite reserved, and 

 its life is that of a recluse. Unless you go through the low 

 scrub or rank grass, and actually force them to rise and 

 fly a few yards beyond, you will not see any. I have 

 waded into creeks and explored for many of their nests, yet 

 I have never seen a bird except under those circumstances. 

 In fact, it was years before I traced correctly the weird call 

 of the little bird. Sportsmen who hunt swamps, and cow- 

 lassies w^ho bring in their kine from them hear the uncanny 

 monotone of some little animal in the distance. Of course 

 the lassies know all about it, but very few others do. To 

 further demonstrate the quiet life of the species I have 

 examined thousands of birds' eggs in boys' collections, and 

 on one or two occasions only have I met with the eggs of this 

 bird. I use the present opportunity to tell the boys it is a 

 barbarous habit to take birds' eggs unless they are collect- 



