Vol. X. 

 igio 



1 Ingle, Birds of Merriman's Creek, South Gippsland. 123 



Blue Wren (Malurus cyaneus, Ellis). — Very plentiful everywhere, 

 and breeds in great numbers. Frequently victimized by Chalcococcy x 

 basalts, Hors. 



White-shafted Fantail {Rhipidura albiscapa, Gould). — Common 

 along all creeks and gullies ; many nests are noted every season. 



Rufous Fantail (Rhipidtira rufifrons, Lath.) — This species is only 

 an occasional visitor, arriving usually in the autumn. 



Black-and-White Fantail {Rhipidiira tricolor, Vieill.) — Very plenti- 

 ful, and breeds freely. 



Restless Flycatcher (Sisura inqiiieta, Lath.) — A few pairs arrive 

 here in the beginning of October ; they breed and leave before the 

 loth of January. 



Reed-Warbler {Acrocephalus australis, Gould). — Plentiful in the 

 reeds growing in Merriman's Creek. One nest I noticed placed in a 

 tea-tree contained fresh eggs and was 4 feet from the ground. 



Mountain-Thrush (Geocichla lunulata, Lath.) — Not very plentiful, 

 owing to their breeding grounds being almost all cleared and burnt off. 



Satin Bower-Bird {Ptilonorhynchus violacens, Vieill.) — Not plenti- 

 ful ; only one nest has been seen, in a thick patch of gums growing on 

 a main road, and placed 35 feet from the ground. 



Emu-Wren (Stipiturus malachurus, Lath.) — This Wren is becoming 

 rare. Some years ago I knew of scrubs that were alive with them ; 

 now only a pair or two remain. 



Grass- Warbler (Cisticola exilis, Vig. and Hors.) — Only twice have 

 I known this bird to arrive here. In both cases nests were built on a 

 rough grassy fiat. 



Little Tit {Acanthiza nana, Vig. and Hors.) — Found only in limited 

 numbers. It remains the whole winter, and frequents the open country 

 studded with casuarinas and odd peppermint gums. 



Brown Tit {Acanthiza pusilla. Lath.) — This Acanthiza is numerous, 

 and nests along every creek and gully. 



Striated Tit {Acanthiza lineata, Gould). — Very common. Numbers 

 of nests are seen every year. Sometimes found fostering the young 

 of Chalcococcyx plagosiis. 



Buff-rumped Tit (Acanthiza regiiloides, Vig. and Hors.) — Nearly 

 as common as A . chrysorrhoa. I have in my possession a clutch of 

 eggs with an egg of Chalcococcyx basalis. 



Yellow-rumped Tit {Acanthiza chrysorrhoa, Quoy and Gaim.) — The 

 common Acanthiza of this district. Hundreds of nests are seen every 

 year ; some contain the egg of Chalcococcyx plagosus. 



White-browed Scrub-Wren {Sericornis frontalis, Vig. and Hors.) 

 — Common. Numbers of nests containing eggs are found each season ; 

 sometimes an egg of Cacomantis flabelliformis is found with those of 

 the Scrub-Wrens. 



Spotted Babbling-Thrush {Cinclosoma punctatum. Lath.) — Not 

 common. A few pairs are known to frequent the rough country, but 

 the species is gradually becoming rarer. 



Chestnut-rumped Ground-Wren {Hylacola pyrrhopygia, Vig. and 

 Hors.) — Rarely seen now. During the spring of 1909 I searched, but 

 only succeeded in seeing a single specimen. 



