22 Insectivorous Birds of New South Wales. 



75. Stipitueus malacuetts, Latham. Emu "Wren. 



St iju turns malachurus, Gould, Birds Austr , fol. ed., Vol. in, pi. 31 (1848) ; 

 North, Nests and Eggs of Austr. Bds., p. 124 (1889). 



A resident species evincing a decided preference for marshy districts 

 covered with rushes near the coast ; and less sparingly distributed throughout 

 the low contiguous scrubby undergrowth. The nest which is nearly spherical 

 in form with an entrance in the side, is usually built under the shelter of a 

 tuft of rank grass or overhanging rushes ; it is constructed of grasses and 

 rootlets, and is lined with feathers, mosses, or other soft and warm materials. 

 Eggs, three in number, for a sitting, white, sprinkled over with minute dots 

 and spots of light reddish-brown ; length, 0'64 x 0"5 inch. This bird is 

 strictly insectivorous, but it is seldom seen on cultivated lands. 



76. Htlacola ptrehoptgia. Bed-rumped Wren, " Scrub Wren." 



Hylacola pyrrliopyqia, Gould, Bds. of Austr., fol. ed., Vol. in, pi. 39 (1848) ; 

 North,' Nest and Eggs of Austr. Birds, p. 127 (1889). 



This species is sparingly distributed in favourable situations over most 

 parts of the Colony. It frequents low scrubby undergrowth, and more 

 particularly those portions in which the Epacris and stunted Banksia 

 abound. Near Hornsby and Thornleigh on the northern line it may be met 

 with in the bush, but it seldom ventures into the neighbouring orchards. 

 The nest of the Bed-rumped Wren is a dome-shaped structure with a narrow 

 protruding entrance in the side, and is composed of strips of bark, grasses, 

 and wiry rootlets, slightly lined inside with feathers or other soft material; 

 it is usually built in a thick bush w r ithin a few inches of the ground. Eggs, 

 two or three in number for a sitting, varying in ground colour from a warm 

 pinky-white which becomes darker at the larger end, to a light clove brown ; 

 the surface of the shell being sparingly marked with different shades of 

 chocolate-brown, but predominating as usual towards the thicker end. 

 Some specimens are entirely free from markings, but usually the ground 

 colour is much darker on the thicker end ; length, - 77 x O'oS inch. 



77. Atrichia rufescens, Ramsay. Eufous Scrub-bird. 



Atrichia rtifescens, Gould, Suppl. Birds, Austr., fol. ed., pi. 26 (IS69). 



A rare species inhabiting the dense brushes of the Eichmond Eiver. This 

 bird is a perfect mimic and ventriloquist, and may he heard imitating the 

 notes of many species frequenting the same situations, but seldom exposes 

 itself to view. Its food consists of insects, which are procured chiefly among 

 fallen and decaying timber. Nothing is known of its nidification, and its 

 nest and egcrs would be a welcome addition to the Museum collection. 



-oo'- 



78. PrcNOPTiLUS ELOCcostrs, Gould, Downy Pycnoptilus, " Pilot-bird.'' 



Bijcnoptihts floccosus, Gould, Suppl. Bds., Austr., fol ed., pi. 27 (1S69) ; 

 North, Nests and Eggs of Austr. Bds., p. 128, pi. 9, fig. 6 (1889). 



This species is an inhabitant of the thick uudergrowth of the humid gullies 

 and ranges of the Illawarra district, and the scrubs that clothe the sides of 

 the Blue Mountains. It passes most of its time upon the ground hopping 

 about the tangled masses of luxuriant vegetation or among the fallen and 

 decaying timber in search of insects and seeds of various kinds, which 

 constitute its food, stopping ever and anon to pour forth its rich and clear 

 notes which can be heard a considerable distance away. Although never 



