jQA. HowK, Notes on the Genus Pycnoplilus. [.sfApril 



observer says that, as the pilot-tish is always found in the 

 company of a shark, so the Pycnoptilus is always to be found 

 where there are Lyre-Birds {Mennra). Certain it is that, 

 wherever I met the Pilot-Bird, the Lyre-Bird, though seldom 

 seen, was always to be heard. 



The Pilot-Bird is terrestrial in habit, and only on one or two 

 occasions have we observed it at any height from the ground. 

 When we were examining a nest once the birds came, and, liying 

 and climbing into an Acacia, reached a height of perhaps 12 feet. 

 Sometimes I have seen them fly from the ground 5 or 6 feet into 

 the air after moths. 



The Pycnoptilus is found only in the dense and humid scrubs 

 of secluded gullies, particularly country covered with huge sword- 

 grass {Lepidosperma) and wire-grasses {Ehrharta). It is also 

 partial to large tracts of hop {Goodenia ovata) and bracken fern, 

 but these scrubs must be coveted with a larger and taller growth 

 of eucalyptus, or hazel and musk. The bird has greatly developed 

 its legs at the expense of the wings. Its food is almost entirely 

 obtained on the ground, and it covers much country in search 

 of it. Moreover, the bird will fly only when forced to, as, for 

 instance, when crossing a track or open part in the scrub, or if 

 alarmed, and even then it flies only a short distance, trusting 

 rather to its legs for safety. Its dexterity in getting through the 

 scrub is marvellous, and it often goes at such a pace that it 

 resembles a small-sized rat more than a bird. In its nidification, 

 habits, and plumage the Pilot-Bird perhaps resembles Hylacola 

 pyrrhopygia more than any other form, and is closely allied to the 

 Scrub-Wren, Sericornis frontalis {Sericornis longirostris longirostris). 

 but is considerably larger. The Pilot-Bird is insectivorous, but 

 occasionally varies its food. The contents of the stomachs of 

 a few birds were examined by Mr. T. H. Tregellas. He tells me 

 that in the majority of cases they were crammed with minute 

 mussels, taken from banks of water-courses, and the bodies of 

 small green beetles. The birds are also fond of the fruits of 

 Bur sarin spinosa. Often I have seen them devour worms, and 

 a pretty sight it was to see a bird perch on my companion's foot 

 and take mosquitoes. Often when eating lunch we have fed 

 Pilot-Birds with bread crumbs, and on one occasion a bird 

 allowed a serviette to be shaken over it without showing any sign 

 of fear. When in quest of food these birds have a strange habit 

 of " flicking " the tail with a smart up-and-down motion, and 

 often use their feet to turn over bark and leaves. Their actions 

 generally are very dainty. 



The song of Pycnoptilus is sweet and varied. There are at 

 least half a dozen different calls, the female generally joining in 

 at the latter end of the song with notes entirely different from 

 those of the male, just as the female of the Coachwhip-Bird, 

 Psophodes crepitans {P. olivaceus scrymgeouri) does. One note, 

 sounding like " Tui-wit " softly uttered, is often heard when the 

 nest is building, and is used by both birds. The description of 



