PLATE YI 



GENUS PTENGEDUS {Cabams). 



THIS genus was instituted by Cabams for a bird which was placed by Vigors and Horsfield among 

 the Ant hi, and by Gould among the Cincloramphi, but which differs from both those genera 

 in several respects. 



PTENXEDUS RUFESCENS (Cabanis). 



RUFOUS-TINTED CINCLORAMPHUS. 



ri^HIS is one of the most widely distributed of the Australian birds, being found in all 

 the colonies except Tasmania, though it only visits New South Wales and Western 

 Australia in the summer months. 



It chiefly frequents thinly-timbered plains, generally remaining on the ground, but now and 

 again flying between the tops of the trees, or perching on one of the highest of them, all the time 

 pouring forth its beautiful song, which greatly resembles that of the sky-lark. The female always 

 remains on the ground. 



During the breeding season, which lasts during October and the two following months, it lays 

 four eggs in a nest composed of grass, lined with hair and feathers. The eggs are ten lines long by 

 seven and a-half lines broad. Two broods are reared in the season. 



The sexes are alike in plumage, but the male is almost double the size of the female. 



The upper surfaee, wings and tail are dark brown, each feather margined with light olive- 

 brown ; stripe above the eye, and the throat, greyish- white ; ear-coverts and chest, grey, the chest 

 having a spot of black on each feather ; abdomen, white ; Hanks and vent, deep buff; irides, greyish- 

 brown ; bill, lead colour ; legs and feet, light olive-brown. 



Habitats.- -All the colonies on the continent of Australia. 



GENUS SPHENCEAGUS {Strickland). 



MEMBERS of this genus are found in India and Australia, and in most of the islands between 

 these countries. 



