48 
THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 
20. Rufous Scrub-bird Atrichornis rufescens Ramsay 
ru-fes-cens — L., rufescens , reddish. 
Distribution. — South-eastern Queensland and north-eastern New 
South Wales, from the Macpherson Range to the Chichester River. 
Notes . — Usually in isolated pairs, inhabiting the dense tangled under- 
growth of the big scrubs and brushes. An extremely shy bird, rarely ex- 
posing itself, creeping mouse-like among the debris and rotting leaves. 
It is a wonderful mimic and ventriloquist, and for its size possesses the 
loudest call-notes of all the birds of the scrubs. Its “Chip-chip-chip” call, 
rapidly repeated with crescendo , is deafening, and is the one call in which 
its ventriloquial powers are not used. Its food consists of insects of vari- 
ous kinds and small land crustaceans. The female differs from the male 
in not having the black feathers on the breast. 
Nest. — Like a coco-nut with an entrance at the side ; instead of fibre, 
the outside covering is composed of dead leaves, ferns, twigs, and broad 
grass-stems ; lined with a curious material like papier mache or wood- 
pulp, and perfectly smooth inside. Usually built in a clump of grass or 
mass of ferns at about 6 inches from the ground. 
Eggs. — Two, pinkish-white or pinkish-buff, spotted and blotched with 
pinkish-red or reddish-brown and purplish-brown markings, chiefly near 
the larger end. Breeding-season : October is the only month recorded. 
21. White-throated Nightjar Eurostopodus mystacalis Temminck 
Eu-ro -sto-pod' -us — Gk, eurostos, strong ; Gk, pous , podos, foot : mys-ta- 
ca-lis — L., mystacalis , moustache. 
Distribution. — Eastern and southern Australia and New Guinea. 
Notes. — Also called Night Hawk, Moth Hawk, and Fern Owl. Usu- 
ally met with singly during the day, resting on the ground ; at night num- 
bers may be seen “hawking” for insects. It has an extraordinary call, 
difficult to describe. Prefers open forest country, keeping to the ridges 
separated by thickly timbered gullies. Its food consists of insects, prin- 
cipally large moths. 
Nest. — None, the single egg being deposited on the ground. 
Egg . — Buff, stone, or cream-coloured, sparingly spotted and blotched 
with black and underlying markings of bluish-grey. Breeding-season: 
October to December or January. 
22. Spotted Nightjar Eurostopodus guttatus Vigors and Horsfield 
gut-ta-tus — L., guttatus , spotted. 
Distribution. — Australia generally ; also occurs in the Aru Islands and 
New Ireland. 
Notes. — Usually singly, at rest on the ground during the day ; when 
flushed, it rises and flies off to settle again on the ground. At twilight num- 
bers may be seen “hawking” insects above the tree-tops or over the grass- 
lands. It has a peculiar call like “Caw, caw, caw, gobble, gobble, gobble,” 
