214 Flktchkk, Fiirthef field Notes on the Emu-Wren. [jst'^Aprii 



In autumn and winter Emu-Wrens in the Springfield district 

 occasionally leave the shelter of the rushy swamp and wander 

 among the blackberries, the adjacent paddocks, and, once in a 

 way, venture into gardens. The young of the last brood remain 

 with their parents until May or June, when they are driven off 

 to seek companions and a haunt of their own. They are not 

 permitted to remain in the area which their parents inhabit. 

 Though generally considered to be weak flyers, I find that, should 

 occasion arise, these birds are capable of sustained flight. 

 Particularly is this the case with the female. The angle at which 

 the tail is held previous to alighting rather gives the impression 

 that its owner is exhausted, but this is not so. The stems of the 

 big reeds {/uncus pallidus) are one of their chief sources of food 

 supply. These reeds the birds split open, and devour the many 

 forms of insect life which shelter therein. 



The male Emu- Wren — or " Bluebeard," as he is called locally 

 — retains his blue throat throughout the year, and is never seen 

 ragged and unkempt as are the males of the Wren-Warblers 

 {Mai urns). The manners and habits of the birds under notice 

 appear intermediate between those of the Acanthizas and the 

 Maluri. In the strain of their feeble song, which is, however, 

 uttered by both sexes, and also in the mode of nest-building, they 

 resemble the Wren-Warblers. Again, their alarm notes, their 

 calls to one another, their method of capturing some of their food, 

 the female's manner of dropping from the nest when disturbed, 

 and the attaining by the young of the full plumage from the nest, 

 all indicate kinship with the Tit-Warblers. Having had ample 

 chance of studying them during the nesting season, I can speak 

 with confidence on their habits at that time. 



The nest is placed in a variety of situations — from the dense 

 reed-beds of our boggy swamps to the dry, open spaces of recently 

 burnt off reeds a few inches in height ; from near the top of a high 

 clump of blackberries to the base of a rushy sag almost on the 

 ground. When seeking for the nests, I generally examine small 

 isolated clumps first, as these are more often preferred. The 

 opening of the nest may face north, south, east, or west. 

 Probably an easy drop for the bird is the first consideration. The 

 female does all the work of nest-construction, and, being a wise 

 Httle creature, stops work at ii a.m. and does not resume until 

 nearly 4 p.m. The interval is spent in " Bluebeard's " company, 

 feeding and resting. The male takes the lead, and until the 

 female assumes control of their movements the watcher need not 

 hope to find the nest. When leisure time is over she returns to 

 work in real earnest, either flitting from clump to clump or 

 taking long flights back. She waits in the rushes for " Bluebeard," 

 and, as soon as he comes nearer, away she goes again. When 

 nearing the nesting site, if l)uilding, she gathers material before the 

 last flight, then, overflying the nest, creeps back to the chosen spot. 



The eggs are generally laid by 11 a.m. When sitting the female 

 returns to her duties at the same hour, having quitted the nest 



