SPHENCEACUS GALACTOTES. 



TAWNY GRASS BIRR 



mHE eastern and northern portiona of Australia are inhabited by this Bpecies, which dwells among 

 I tlu- loni; grass ami reeds on the borders of Lagoons and swamps. 



I, ,, , ,|, on in t8, but, as it can obtain those among the rushes, and is, moreover, very shy, 



I leldoni ventures out, and thus it is wry difficult to obtain specimens. It Hies only when pursued 

 closely, and then for a very short distance. 



| t no jong, hut emits B harsh note several times repeated. 



Crown of the head, rufous; upper surface and tail, brown, the feathers having dark brown 

 centres; wings, blackish-brown, margined with pale brown; throat and under surface, grey, becoming 

 darker on the abdomen and flanks, the feathers of the chest having a small spot of dark brown 

 ii, t | lr centre of each; rump, rufous; hides, lighi brown; bill, blackish-brown; legs and feet, brownish- 

 Hesh colour. 



Habitats: ECastern and northern portions of Australia. 



SPHEN(EACUS GRAMINEUS (Gould.) 



LITTLE < ill ASS-BIRD. 



nnHE Little Grass Bird is distributed over all the southern and western portions of Australia, and 

 1 is also found in New South Wales, but as it remains almost entirely among the reed-beds in swamps 

 it is very little known. 



It is a very difficult matter to obtain specimens, as it is effectually hidden by the thick rushes, 

 and will allow itself to be almost trodden upon before vising. When disturbed, it Hies to a short 

 distance, and then once more conceals itself among the reeds and grass. 



During A.ugus1 and September four eggs are laid in a riest made of fine grasses lined with 

 feathers, which is suspended from two or three upright reeds. The colour of the eggs is white, tinged 

 with flesh colour and spotted with reddish-purple. 



The sexes are alike both in size and appearance. 



All the upper surface brown, each feather having a darker centre ; wings, brown, margined with 

 buff; tail, brown; stripe over the eye, white; throat and under surface, grey; irides, yellowish-brown; 

 bill, h gs and feet, fleshy-brown. 



Total length, 5] inches : bill. § inch : wing, 2\ inches ; tail, 2| inches : tarsi, % inch. 



Habitats: New South Wale-. Victoria. South Australia, Western Australia and Tasmania. 



