Insectivorous Birds of Neio South Wales. 29 



thickly freckled and spotted with different shades of reddish and chocolate 

 Drown, some specimens having underlying spots of deep bluish-grey, in 

 others the markings being confined to the larger end, and forming a well- 

 defined zone ; length, 0*72 x 055 inch. 



96. Chthonicola sagittata, Latham. " Speckled Ground Lark." 



Chthonieola minima, Gould, Birds Austr., fol. ed., Vol. ill, pi. 72 (181S). 



Chthonicola sagittata, North, Nests and Eggs Austr. Bds., p. 149 (1889). 



This is a resident species, and with the exception of the western portions of 

 the Colony, is found in most parts of New South Wales. It passes most of its 

 time on the ground, and is usually met with in open forest country, 

 especially where the Casurinee abound, or in the grassy glades of the lightly- 

 timbered undergrowth near the coast. The nest of this species is a domed- 

 shaped structure, built underneath or at the side of a tuft of overhanging 

 grass, and is constructed throughout of dried grasses, and lined with fur or a 

 few feathers at the bottom. Eggs, three or four in number for a sitting, of a 

 uniform bright chocolate red, and easily distinguished by the depth and 

 intensity of their colouring from those of any other Australian bird; length, 

 0"76 x 0'6 inch. The Speckled Ground Lark commences to breed in August, 

 and continues the four following months. Frequently this species is the 

 foster-parent of the Ean-tailed Cuckoo (Cacomantis flabelliformis) . 



97. Anthus attstealis, Vigors and Horsfield. Australian Pipit, " Common 



Ground Lark." 



Anthus australis, Gould, Birds Austr., fol. ed., Vol. nr, pi. 73 (1S18) ; 

 North. Nests and Eggs Austr. Bds., p. 158 (1889). 



A well-known and useful species, found all over Australia. It is common 

 on grassy plains, partially-cleared lands, and cultivation paddocks. The 

 nest of this bird is formed in a hollow scraped in the ground, usually under 

 some overhanging tuft of grass or among low rushes. Eggs, three in 

 number for a sitting, of a dull, white ground colour, which is almost 

 obscured with freckles of slaty-brown, umber-brown, and ashy-grey ; 

 length, 0*80 x 0'65 inch. The food of this species consists of insects and 

 small seeds, principally the former. The sexes are alike in plumage. 



98. Cincloeamphus cetjealts, Vigors and Horsfield. " Brown Skylark." 



Cincloramphus cruralis, Gould, Birds of Austr., fol. ed., Vol. in, pi. 74 

 (1848) ; North', Nests and Eggs Austr. Bds., p. 152 (1889). 



A migratory species, arriving in New South Wales about August, and 

 departing again at the end of February. Its appearance, however, is greatly 

 influenced by the state of the seasons, for in periods of drought it is seldom 

 seen, while after an abundant rainfall, and when the paddocks are clothed 

 with luxuriant grasses and herbage, it is often met with. It breeds in 

 September and October, constructing a nest of dried grasses in a slight 

 hollow in the ground, and usually sheltered by a tuft of long grass. The 

 eggs are four in number for a sitting, of a dull white ground colour, which 

 is almost obscured by very fine isabelline or salmon-coloured freckles and 

 spots ; in some instances zones of indistinct markings appear on the thicker 

 end ; length, 0*95 x 07 inch. This bird is possessed of powers of ven- 

 triloquism in addition to its loud and pleasing song. It is more frequently 

 met with in the inland districts of the Colony than near the coast. 



