170 \N\\ 9,0^ , Description of the Winiam Tit-Warbler [,5U,T:ui 



maigiiud with black. Thr dark throat feathers terminate abruptly 

 in a pale i)ect()ral band, thus giving the appearance ol a distinct 

 gular patch. Breast, abdomen, and Hanks greenish-white. Legs 

 and bill black. Irides creamy-coloured. 



This description refers to an adult female. 



Measurements. — ^Total length, 3.75 inches ; tail, 1.5 inches ; 

 tarsi, 0.63 inch ; culmen, 0.25 inch. 



The above bird was collected by me on the 12th October, igi6. 

 in a desert south of Winiam East, a district lying about 12 miles 

 south-east of Nhill, Victoria. Its nearest relation is the Small- 

 billed Tit-Warbler {Acanthiza morgani), Mathews, but from which, 

 apart from other minor differences, it may be easily distinguished 

 by the dark gular patch above mentioned. The birds are ex- 

 tremely, shy, and when disturbed usually fly fully two hundred 

 yards before alighting ; I thus found it very difficult to secure 

 specimens. 



The type specimen was obtained when in company with its 

 mate and two immature birds, one of which was also secured. 

 I saw many of them on the desert, and, with the one exception 

 mentioned, there were always three birds in company. A 

 partially constructed nest was found, situated about 4 inches 

 from the ground in a dwai-fed Banksia. The materials utilized 

 in building the outer portion of the nest were dried desert grass, 

 an occasional spider cocoon, and quantities of the epidermis from 

 the back of Banksia leaves. Whether this epidermis separates 

 from the leaf when dead, or is raised by the attacks of insects, 

 I am unable to say. The quantity used, however, is remarkable, 

 and it would be interesting to know whether Acanthiza morgani 

 likewise uses such material. 



According to Mr. Mathews's system of nomenclature, this bird 

 would be known as Acanthiza iredalei winiamida. I propose the 

 vernacular name of Winiam Tit- Warbler for the new bird. 



Type in collection of F. Erasmus Wilson, Melbourne. 



The Acanthizae or Tit^ Warblers. 



By F. E. Howe, C.M.Z.S., R.A.O.U., Canterbury (Vic.) 



{Read before the Bird Observers' Club, 21st June, 1916.) 



The genera Acanthiza and Geobasileiis form one of the most inter- 

 esting groups of the family Sylviidce. The following notes 

 regarding the distribution of these birds in Australia refer more 

 particularly to the species inhabiting Victoria and Tasmania. 



This group of birds has puzzled ornithologists since they were 

 listed by (iould. Most authors have used the genera Acanthiza 

 and Geobasileiis. Gould admitted Acanthiza (Vig. and Hors., 

 Trans. Linn. Soc. London, vol. xv., page 224, 1827) and Geobasileiis 

 (Quoy and Gaimard, " Voy. de V Astrolabe, 1830). North ("Nests 



