PLATE ZXXIX. 



GENUS SPHENURA (Lichtenstein). 



OF the three members of this group, two inhabit the eastern portion of Australia, and the other the 

 west coast. 



SPHENURA BRACHYPTERA (Lioht.) 



BRISTLE-BIRD. 



THE present species inhabits scrubby places in New South Wales, especially where there is abundance 

 of long grass and creeping plants. 



It runs along the ground very swiftly, seldom exercising its powers of flight, but eluding pursuit 

 with great ease by threading its way through the undergrowth. Its food, which is obtained on the 

 ground, consists of insects of various kinds. 



The nest is formed of dried grasses, and is placed in a tuft of grass or a small bush. 



The female is smaller than the male, but resembles it in plumage. 



The upper surface is dark brown ; the centre of the back, the wings, and tail, ' are rufous- 

 brown, the wings and tail feathers being margined with darker colour ; under surface, greyish-white ; on 

 the crown of the head and back of the neck are short lines of greyish-white ; irides, brown ; bill, dark 

 brown ; legs and feet, dark grey ; a line over the eye is pale buff. 



Habitat : New South Wales. 



SPHENURA LONGIROSTRIS (Gould). 



LONG-BILLED BRISTLE-BIRD. 



riMHIS, the western representative of the species, is found in reed-beds, and in places overgrown with 

 -L thick vegetation and long grass. 



Although fairly abundant, it is very difficult to obtain specimens, on account of its shyness, which 

 leads it to remain almost entirely among the underbrush and grass. It very seldom flies, and never 

 at any considerable height from the ground. When running along the ground, it keeps its tail erect, 

 after the manner of the Maluri. 



