336 Jackson. The Haunt of the Rufous Scrub-Bird. [isf "^"ni 



western side of the narrow timber track, as the heaps of debris 

 it daily frequented were on the eastern side, and are all shown on 

 the plan and marked " A," " B," " C," " D," and " E," and these 

 include Nos. i and 2 masses. I obtained a still better view of the 

 male Atrichornis to-day, when it was feeding on the ground in 

 No. 2 mass of debris, and I watched it for 3 or 4 moments, ready 

 if the female appeared. The spot is shown on the plan by the 

 figure g. 



I still continued to visit the locality, and examined numerous 

 places and turned over numbers of large sheets of loose curled 

 pine bark (see plan), in hopes of finding No. 2 nest. I often sat 

 on top of the remaining parts of No. 2 mass of debris and other 

 heaps for hours with gun ready, sometimes in pouring rain, 

 waiting to get a shot at the female Atrichornis ; but I never saw 

 her again during my visit. Failing to procure her after having 

 seen her several times was very tantalizing, and it was now my 

 painful duty to shoot the male in order that my find of the nest 

 be thoroughly authenticated, because there are sceptics even 

 amongst naturalists. On the 4th December the opportunity 

 came, and I have the body of this wonderful feathered mimic 

 preserved in formalin. The eyes are dark brown, with a jet black 

 centre. The wings are unusually small, and when folded have 

 the same appearance as those of the Lyre-Bird. The legs are 

 strong, and, strange to say, the three front toes of the right foot 

 were missing, evidently having been lost for some time by 

 accident. 



From personal observations, and from the evidence of other 

 persons who have also investigated the matter, this remarkable 

 bird is fast becoming scarcer. What is to be learnt of its natural 

 economy should be done soon, or it will be too late. 



[Members will appreciate the art and technique of Mr. Jackson's 

 excellent illustrations. Thanks are also due to Mr. H. L. White 

 for his goodness in defraying the cost of the blocks, so finely 

 engraved by Messrs. Patterson, Shugg and Co. — Eds.J 



Notes on the Mallee Emu^Wren. 



By F. E. Howe, F.Z.S., Melbourne. 



The Mallee Emu-Wren {Stipitiii us inallee, Campbell) is an in- 

 habitant of the vast tracts of porcupine grass in the Mallee, in 

 the north-west corner of Victoria, and doubtless extends its range 

 to similar country in South Australia. The species was described 

 by Mr. A. J. Campbell.* In company with Messrs. J. A. Ross, 

 A. Mattingley, and C. MT,ennan, I first made its acquaintance 

 near Wonga, about 25 miles east of Hopetoun, on 22nd September, 

 1907. A nest was noticed in the heart of a dead porcupine bush, 

 from which the young had already flown. Mr. Ross and I again 



* Emu, vol. viii., page 34. 



