12 Order Passeriformes, Family Sylvudae, Genus Mcdurus. 



change at the same time, and the period in winter plumage be- 

 ing short the moult, as it were, overlaps. Old males in winter 

 plumage are distinguishable from the females by the black bill 

 and the absence of the brown feathers about the lores and 

 eyes. 



Adult Female. — The whole of the upper surface, wings 

 and tail brown, under surface greyish white; rufous feathers 

 encircling the eye. Bill and legs reddish brown. 



Total length, 4. 85 inches. Wing, 2.05; tail, 2.45; tarsus, 

 .9; bill, .49. 



Distribution. — All the southern coastal parts of South 

 Australia, as far west as Warrow, but nowhere extending far 

 inland and never found in salt bush country. Favourite 

 situations are well-wooded gullies, with thick undergrowth. 

 They are also common on the Adelaide Plains and coastal 

 sandhills, where there is good cover for them. Most gardens 

 of any size in the city and suburbs have a resident pair or two. 

 They are very local, each family having its own particular run, 

 from which they drive away all intruders of their own species. 



Habits. — Early in spring they are to be found in small 

 docks, generally consisting of a full-plumaged male and four 

 to seven females and young males. From this fact they have 

 gained an undeserved reputation for polygamy. The males 

 are pugnacious and fight one another whenever they meet. 

 They will even fight their own reflections in a mirror or win- 

 dow. They will sometimes band together for mutual protec- 

 tion. On one occasion three newly-fledged young were dis- 

 turbed from some bracken, and at once three fully plumaged 

 males appeared, and each went to the assistance of a fledgling. 

 At mating time the male shows much excitement, puffing 

 out the ear coverts, erecting the feathers of the crown and the 

 back and shoulders, with the wings half spread and the tail 

 depressed, displaying all his beauties for the captivation of the 

 female, who for her part does not appear to be much im- 

 pressed. 



Food. — This consists of ants, aphides, small moths and in- 

 sects. When semi-domesticated they will eat bread and cake 

 crumbs. The greater part of the food is taken on the ground 

 or in the branches of the undergrowth. Occasionally a flying 

 insect is taken on the wing. The tail is carried erect and 

 vibrated up and down and from side to side when moving 

 slowly. When chasing an escaping insect it is carried horizon- 



