PLATE 



XII. 



ACANTHIZA APICALIS {Gould). 



WESTERN ACANTHIZA. 



ALL the forests in Western Australia abound in specimens of this bird, which is closely allied to 

 Acanthiza Pusilla, from which, however, it differs in its comparatively large size, and also in 

 some respects in the plumage. 



It is arboreal in habits, and while on the trees displays great activity, leaping from branch 

 to branch, and all the time keeping its tail erect. 



It feeds on insects, obtained among the branches and foliage of the trees. 



During September and October, it makes a dome-shaped nest of grass and strips of bark, 

 lined with feathers, and having an entrance in the side. The nest is placed either in a low bush or in 

 a tea-tree. . Either three or four eggs are laid, in color, white, tinted slightly with tlesh colour, and 

 speckled irregularly, especially at the larger end, with reddish-brown. They are eight lines long and 

 six lines broad. 



The female is smaller than the male, but as far as plumage is concerned, they do not differ. 



The upper surface, wings, and tail are olive-brown ; the upper tail-coverts, light brown ; under 

 surface, grey ; the feathers of the throat and chest margined with black ; hides, light red ; bill, legs 

 and feet, blackish-brown. 



Total length : 4 inches ; bill, ^ inch ; wing, 2 inches ; tail, '1 inches ; tarsi, |- inch. 



Habitat : Western Australia. 



ACANTHIZA PYRRHOPYGIA {Gould). 



HED-RUMPED ACANTHIZA. 



IN habits and general economy this species assimilates very closely to the Acanthiza Apicahs, but 

 differs somewhat in appearance from that bird, particularly in the reddish colouring of the 

 rump and tail-coverts. 



It inhabits Victoria and South Australia, beino- found in considerable abundance in the wooded 

 country bordering the river Murray. 



The stomach is fairly muscular, and, on dissection, is found to contain nothing but insects of 

 various kinds. 



The sexes do not differ either in colouring or in size.' 



