ACANT1IIZA MAG N A (Gould). 



GREAT Ac AS II II/. A. 



rp \^M \ \l \ possesses the largest Bpeoies yet discovered of this genus, in the person of the 

 I appropriately named Acanthiza Magna. 



Uthouffh jomewhat larger than its congeners, it resembles them in its structure, the character 

 of ,t> plumage, and ill its mode of tlidification. As in the other oases also, the sexes arc alike in 

 plumage and size. 



T head, back, and flanks are olive-brown; wings and tail, blackish-brown, washed on the 

 external webfl with olive; ear-coverts and patch in front of the eye, olive-grey; throat and under surface, 

 greyish-white, tinged on the centre bf the abdomen and on the vent with olive-brown; irides, orange; 

 bill, blackish-brown; lege and feet, light brown. 



Total length, l| inches; bill, | inch; wing, 2| inches; tail, 2 inches; tarsi, \ inch. 

 I labil.it : Tasmania. 



( ; I :< HJASI L E US CHEYS( )RE SOUS. 



YELLOW -RUMP ED dEOBASILEUS. 



''MllIS is one of the two birds to whom the name of Geobasileus was given by Cabanis to distinguish 

 J- flu hi from the true Acanthiza, among which they were placed by Gould, but from which they 

 differ in being terrestrial instead of arboreal in their habits. 



This particular species is found in Tasmania, and in all the continent of Australia except 

 the north. 



It remains mostly on the ground, where it is seen in small flocks of from six to ten. Whilst 

 procuring it- food of insects, it utters a very pretty song, something like that of the European Goldfinch. 

 When disturbed it flies off to a short distance, then again descends, but on account of its tameness it is 

 | — ible to approach within a few yards without causing it to rise. 



The nest, which is dome-shaped, is constructed of grass and leaves, and lined with wool and 

 feathers. It is, however, different from the nests of all the AcanthizcB in having a depression, like 

 another nest, on top. The use of this is not exactly known, but it is thought to be a roosting place 

 for the male. The nest is placed either on one of the branches of a tree or in a small bush or shrub. 

 The eggs, of which there are four or five, are nine lines long and six lines broad, and are flesh 

 colour, speckled with chestnut-red. Three, and sometimes more, broods are reared in the year. 



Besides rearing its own progeny, it frequently performs the duty of foster-parent to the 

 Bronze Cuckoo. 



The forehead, throat, and cheeks are buffy white, with a spot of black at the tip of each 

 feather; upper surface and wings, olive; rump and upper tail-feathers, yellow; base and tip of the 

 tail-feathers, light-buff, the middle portion blackish-olive ; under-surface, greyish-white ; irides, light grey; 

 bill, legs, and feet, black. 



Habitat- : Tasmania. Xe\v South Wales. Victoria, South Australia, and Western Australia. 



