150 MATESHIP WITH BIRDS 



in placing Gilbert's species next in the group to our 

 familiar friend, P. rufiventris. 



The late Mr. A. J. North, of the Australian Mu- 

 seum (Sydney), described the Gilbert Whistler as 

 "the rarest species of the genus inhabiting the 

 southern portion of the continent." Its range ex- 

 tends from the north-west of Victoria across to 

 West Australia, branching southwards to the centre 

 of the former State. 



It may be that this southern extension is a semi- 

 migratory movement of the Springtime; for that 

 was the only period in which I met the sweet-voiced 

 bird outside the barren portions of the Mallee coun- 

 try. My acquaintance with the species "at home" 

 dates back to 2nd October, 1912. Cycling slowly 

 along an old bush road in central Victoria on that 

 day, I glimpsed a large bright eye of a bird peering 

 over the rim of a nest tucked into a bush-covered 

 stump about three feet in height. It suggested the 

 Grey Thrush, but closer inspection showed the bird's 

 bill to be comparatively small. When flushed from 

 the nest the stranger's identity became apparent. 



The home was finely built, chiefly of grass, most 

 compactly and neatly matted into a round wall. 

 Presently the male bird appeared, uttering a low, 

 plaintive whistle of alarm. Then both birds, 

 anxious for the safety of the two pretty eggs, kept 

 flitting around from bush to bush, each emitting an 

 exceedingly sweet call, sounding as "Wee , woo ," 

 the second syllable dropping with a pretty mourn- 

 fulness. Certain other notes resembled some 

 used by the Rufous Whistler, the whip-like crack 

 being even stronger. It was preceded and followed, 



