l66 DoDD, Description of a New Cuckoo. risr"f"n 



to a certain extent of that of the Podargi. It is noticeable that, 

 while the feathers of the head are chiefly black, the general colour 

 of the rest of the feathers is not black, but a dark shade of olive- 

 green. The colour at first sight appears blackish-brown, but a 

 closer examination shows that there is a green tinge in it, as well 

 as a sub-metallic lustre. Another thing worth noticing is that 

 the bars on the feathers of the back and on the upper wing coverts 

 are light buff, while on the feathers of the head and throat, and on 

 the upper tail coverts and tail feathers, they are rufous. 



This beautiful and elegant Cuckoo was first observed devouring 

 caterpillars on low bushes in forest country near Nelson. I had 

 no gun handy, but, returning to the place the same day, I 

 fortunately secured the bird. This was during the first week of 

 September, 191 2. About the same time there appeared to be 

 three other specimens, but they probably belonged to the Square- 

 tailed species (C. flabelliformis, Lath.), which could easily be 

 mistaken for C. lineatus at a distance, though there is little 

 resemblance between them when seen at close quarters. With 

 the exception of the members of the genus Chalcococcyx, 

 Cacomantis lineatus is the most beautiful of Australian Cuckoos, 

 and it is somewhat remarkable that so distinct a bird has not been 

 discovered sooner. The new bird was secured close to the town 

 of Nelson, and within 12 miles of the port of Cairns. 



Description of New Grass-Wren. 



By J. W. Mellor, R.A.O.U., Adelaide. 

 Amytornis merrotsyi (Chestnut-mantled Grass-Wren), sp. nov. 



Specimens of a new species of Grass- Wren [Amytornis) have been 

 forwarded to me by Mr. A. L. Merrotsy, who collected them in 

 the spinifex or porcupine-grass country to the north-east of 

 Lake Torrens. The male, female, and eggs have all been secured. 

 From its striped appearance it is nearly related to the Striated 

 Grass-Wren [A. striatus). The most conspicuous character, apart 

 from the striation, is a light rufous or chestnut colouration of the 

 head and mantle. The bird can be at once distinguished 

 from the Striated Grass- Wren by the large amount of rusty - 

 chestnut on the head and mantle, the absence of black beneath 

 the eye and on the ear coverts, and by its much shorter tail. 

 The feet and legs are larger and stouter. 



Descriptions are as follow : — 



Male. — Upper surface bright rusty-chestnut, especially on 

 the head and mantle, all the feathers having a con- 

 spicuous line of white down the centre, the white being 

 bordered on each side by a narrow line of black, which 

 throws the white streak more into prominence. Feathers 

 of forehead short, stiff, narrow and bristle-like, white striped 



