Sful'-U.l) GROUND THRUSH, OR GROUND DOVE.— Cuidosdiim puiictiilmiL 



In its habits this bird reminds the observer of the common English Thrush, and in its 

 mode of feeding it also bears a great resemblance to that sweet songster. Its food consists 

 chiefly of insects, which it captures principally on the ground, but it will vary its diet 

 with snails, slugs, and other similar creatures, and will also feed upon berries and fruits. 

 The bill is strong and thick, in order to enable the bird to capture and crush its food, and 

 to disLater it from beneath the surface of the earth. Its feet are employed for the same 

 purpose, and are consequently better developed than in the true Thrushes. The general 

 form of the bird is rather thick and short in proportion to its size. 



The colour of the Chestnut-capped Timalia is olive-brown on the upper portions of 

 the body, with the exception of the head, which is coloured on the crown with deep 

 chestnut. The under parts are of a lighter hue than the back. A white baud passes 

 over the eye. The throat and cheeks are pure white, and the breast is also white, but is 

 marked by a series of jetty black stripes. 



Australia possesses a curious and valued specimen of this group, which is popularly 

 called the Spotted Ground Thrush, or Ground Dove. 



This bird is found throughout the greater part of Australia and Van Diemen's Land, 

 and on account of the delicacy of its flesh is greatly prized by both natives and colonists. 

 Being always attracted by certain localities, it may be easily found by every one who is 

 acquainted with its habits. Unlike the generality of birds, it cares little for trees 

 or bushes, and seldom is known to perch upon the branches, preferring tlie tops of low 

 stone-covered hills, or rude and rocky gullies, having a decided predilection for those which 

 are clothed with grass and scrubby brushwood. The spaces between fallen trees are also 

 a favourite haimt of this bird. 



The Spotted Ground Thrush is no great flyer, taking to wing with much reluctance, 

 and seldom voluntarily raising itself in the air except to fly from one side of a guUy to 

 another. When it does take to flight, especially if alarmed, it rises with a loud fluttering 

 noise, and proceeds through the air in an irregular and dipping manner. To compeiisate, 

 liowever, for its imperfect power of wing, its legs are well developed, and render it an 



