IP Xj .a. t IE XXIII. 



GENUS AMYTIS (Lesson). 



T j^HREE species are known of this strictly Australian genus, which is nearly related to the Maluri. 



AMYTIS STRIATUS (Gould). 



STRIATED WREN. 



THE habitat of this bird is the interior of New South Wales, more especially about the Namoi 

 River, where it frequents scrubby and grassy places almost devoid of trees. 



In habits it resembles greatly the Maluri, like them feeding on insects obtained on the 

 ground, and only flying as a last resort to escape pursuit. 



It breeds in the Spring months, building a dome-shaped nest of various grasses. 



The upper surface is red, with a line of white down each feather ; ear-coverts, black, striated 

 with white wings and tail, dark brown ; chin and throat, white ; chest, buffy-white ; abdomen 

 brownish-grey ; irides, light brown ; bill, black ; legs and feet, yellowish-brown. 



Total length, 6^ inches ; bill, f inch ; wing, 2f inches ; tail, 3^ inches ; tarsi, 1 ' inch. 



Habitat : New South Wales. 



AMYTIS TEXTILIS (Quay and Gaim). 

 TEXTILE WREN. 



THIS is another inhabitant of the interior of Australia, but has a much greater range than its 

 congener Amytis Striatus, being found not only in New South Wales, but also in Queensland, 

 Victoria, and most probably in South Australia, 



It associates in small troops from four to six in number, and runs over the ground, and 

 among fallen logs with great rapidity, all the time keeping its tail erect. 



It feeds on insects of various kinds. 



The nest, which is dome-shaped, contains four, and sometimes five eggs of a flesh-white colour, 

 spotted with reddish-brown. 



