THE TITS 313 



Genus Ghthonicola. 

 Tail quite even. Tarsus scutellated. First primary long, 

 half the length of the whole wing. 



The Little Field Lark. 



Ghthonicola sagittata. 

 The genus, this being the only species, is confined to Australia, 

 except North and West. General plumage above olive-brown, the feathers 

 with darker centres; the under-surface pale-yellow, each feather with a 

 dark stripe down the centre, except the middle of the abdomen, which is 

 white, without stripes. Length 4.75 inches. 



Found in little companies of five or six on the ground in the 

 grassy glades of the open forest, and very tame, only flying a 

 short distance away if disturbed. The nest is domed, with an 

 exceedingly small entrance near the ground, in a depression of 

 which, overhung with withered grass, it is usually placed. 

 Being constructed of dried grasses just like those of the sur- 

 roundings, it is hard to find. The eggs, three or four, are 

 remarkable in colour, being bright chocolate red, uniform, or 

 with a zone of blackish-brown spots on the larger end, .76 x .6 

 inch. 



Genus Acanthiza. Tits. 

 Tail quite even. Tarsus scutellated. First primary short, 

 half the length of the second primary. Confined to Australia 

 and Tasmania. Little olive-brown or olive-green birds, four 

 inches or under in total length, with a broad dark-brown band 

 across the hind tail, reaching nearly to the tip. They are found 

 in small flocks, busily hunting for insects in the leafage of the 

 trees, saplings and larger shrubs, clinging and prying among 

 the smaller branches after the fashion of the true Titmice, 

 and, if disturbed, flying off in a body to a neighbouring tree-top. 

 As several of the species will visit the fruit trees of the orchards, 

 these birds are most useful in attacking and destroying the 

 insect pests. The notes varj^ with the species, but mainly 

 amount to a constant twittering. The nests are oval, dome- 

 shaped structures, with a side entrance, and the little eggs, 

 three in number, are white spotted with red. Too frequently 

 foster parents of Cuckoos. 



