BIRDS OF TASMANIA. 43 



Nest. Bowl-shaped; rather loosely constructed of strips of 

 bark, leaves, and a little grass; lined with similar materials, only 

 finer. Usually situated under the shelter of a log or a large stone 

 on the ground. 



Eggs. Clutch two to three or even four; somewhat lengthened 

 oval in shape ; texture of shell fine ; surface glossy ; colour white ; 

 spotted and blotched, especially about the stouter end, with umber 

 and dull grey. Dimensions in mm. of a clutch : (1) 37 x 24, (2) 

 36 x 24, (3) 36.5 x 25. 



Breeding Season. August to September. 



Geographical Distribution. Tasmania, New South Wales, Vic- 

 toria, South Australia, and South Queensland. 



Observations. The distribution of this species is fairly general 

 in Tasmania, being the most plentiful in those districts best suited 

 to its habits. But in no locality is it as plentiful as it was before 

 the country was opened up as it is now. Lightly timbered slopes 

 are greatly favoured by this species, but it also may be found in 

 heavily timbered tracts. It keeps almost exclusively to the ground, 

 although occasionally it may be seen perched on a bough some 

 distance from the ground. Its powers of flight are nowise strong, 

 and are seldom used except when the bird requires to traverse any 

 unusual distance. Great agility is displayed in running along fallen 

 trees and over the ground when searching for food, which consists 

 of insects, seeds, and small berries. When suddenly disturbed 

 it rises from the ground with a whirring noise very much like that 

 made by a quail; only a short distance is traversed, as it quickly 

 descends and is lost to sight in the scrub. A somewhat long-drawn 

 whistling note is practically the only sound uttered by this bird. 



In Gould's day this species was extremely plentiful, and he 

 mentions having seen large numbers exposed for sale in Hobart 

 shops. Under the Game Act of 1907 this bird is afforded total 

 protection. 



STRIATED FIELD-WREN 



(Calamanthus fuliginosus, Vig. and Horsf .) 



Male. Upper surface greenish-olive, all the feathers centred 

 with black ; tail feathers olive-brown, the central pair streaked with 

 black along the shafts ; on the rest a subterminal band of black, 

 except on the extreme outer webs, which are pale ashy-brown, 

 as also are the extreme tips; primaries and secondaries blackish- 

 brown; the outer primaries are margined externally with ashy- 

 white, and the remainder of the quills with greenish-olive ; chin 

 and throat white, streaked with black; centre of abdomen white 

 to buffy -white; rest of under surface yellowish-buff, streaked with 

 black; bill brown, tip blackish. Dimensions in mm.: Length, 

 142; bill, 11; wing, 58; tail, 54; tarsus, 23. 



