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SERICORNIS FRONTALIS (Vi 9 . and Horsf.) 



WHITE-FRi )NTED SERIC0RN1S, 



THE White-fronted Sericornis inhabits the whole of the south-eastern portion of Australia, from 

 Spencer's Gulf to the northern part of New South Wales. 



Like all its congeners it is found principally among the creeks and gullies, or in a dense and 

 secluded part of the forest. Its note is soft and pretty, and is uttered while hopping about in 

 search of food. 



The breeding season extends from August to the end of December. The outer portion of 

 the nest is constructed of leaves and moss, and the inner part of grass and fibrous roots, the whole 

 being warmly lined with feathers. The nest is dome-shaped, and is placed, sometimes in long grass or 

 undergrowth, and at other times beneath a shelving rock on the bank of a creek. The eggs are white, 

 tinged with red, and spotted irregularly with reddish-brown. They are three in number, and are in 

 length ten lines, and in breadth seven and a half lines. Two, and sometimes three broods, are reared 

 each year. 



The female is smaller than the male, but otherwise the sexes do not differ in appearance. 



Crown of the head, ear-coverts, back, wings, and tail, are olive-brown ; lores, blackish-brown ; 

 throat and chest, greyish-white ; abdomen, white, tinged with yellow ; flanks, yellowish-brown ; irides, 

 reddish-brown ; bill, brownish-grey ; legs and feet, brown. 



Habitats : New South Wales, Victoria, and South Australia. 



SERICORNIS LAEVIGASTER {Gould). 



BUFF-BREASTED SERICORNIS. 



rriHIS is the only species of this genus found in Queensland, where it was first procured by Gilbert 

 -L during Leichhardt's expedition from Moreton Bay to Port Essington. 



It inhabits gullies and scrubb\~ places, remaining altogether on the ground and feeding on insects. 



Of its mode of nidification nothing is definitely known : but it is not likely to differ in this from 

 Us congeners. 



The female, though smaller than the male, is the same in colouring. 



