42 BIRDS OF TASMANIA. 



rootlets, leaves, grass, and moss, lined with fur and feathers. 

 When not built right on the ground at the foot of a thick shrub or a 

 clump of broad-leaved cutting-grass, it is placed a little way up. 

 In some districts the nest has been found in a clump of black- 

 berries. 



Eggs. Clutch three to four; somewhat stoutish oval; texture 

 fine; surface fairly glossy; colour light purplish-buff, marked, 

 especially about the apex, with umber and purplish-brown. 

 Dimensions in mm. of a clutch : (1) 21.5 x 17, (2) 21 x 15.5, (3) 

 21 x 16, (4) 21.5 x 16.5. 



Breeding Season. August or September to the end of the 

 year. 



Geographical Distribution. Tasmania, King Island, Furneaux 

 and Kent Groups. 



Observations. Although it may be stated that as a general 

 rule the Sombre Sericornis frequents localities clothed with dense 

 to moderately dense undergrowth, yet in some districts where the 

 only cover is among the blackberry and gorse hedges the 

 species is surprisingly plentiful. I may instance the Scottsdale 

 district in this respect. Its diet consists almost exclusively of 

 insects, which are gathered from among the fallen leaves and 

 branches, and from under the bark of the trees strewn about its 

 haunts. It seldom ascends to the top of the scrub, preferring to 

 remain among the undergrowth. Its progress through the 

 thickets is "on foot," and it displays a marvellous nimbleness. 

 During certain seasons the male utters a series of rather pretty 

 low and sweet notes. 



"SPOTTED GROUND-BIKD (GROUND-DOVE) 

 (Cinclosoma punctatum, Lath.) 



Male. Upper surface brown to rufous-brown, the feathers on. 

 the back with distinct black centres ; on the other parts the 

 black is somewhat obscure ; upper wing coverts glossy black tipped 

 with white; primaries and outer secondaries brown, the former 

 margined externally with ashy-grey to whitish, the inner series 

 of the latter chestnut, broadly striped with black on the outer 

 web ; two central tail feathers greyish-brown, rest black broadly 

 margined with grey on their inner webs and tipped with white; 

 "stripe over the eye, a nearly circular spot on the side of the neck, 

 and the centre of the abdomen white" (Gould); throat and a 

 narrow band across the chest glossy black ; chest ashy-grey ; flanks 

 and under tail coverts reddish-buff; each feather has a broad 

 stripe of black down the centre ; bill black ; legs and feet pale flesh 

 colour. Dimensions in mm.: Length, 278; bill, 16; wing, 114; 

 tail, 130; tarsus, 31. 



Female. Upper surface lighter than in male; throat greyish- 

 white ; spot on the neck rufous ; no pectoral band. 



