124 
THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 
with crest erect. It is a wonderful ventriloquist, and its call of “Reep- 
reep-reephok,” with the final bell-like notes, is difficult at times to locate. 
Food : insects and seeds. 
Nest. — A deep, cup-shaped structure, composed of strips of bark, 
twigs, and leaves; lined with dried grasses and rootlets. Frequently 
caterpillars are found in the nest. Usually placed among a mass of 
upright suckers near the ground, in a thick fork of a tree, or in a hollow 
stump. 
Eggs . — Two to four, pale bluish-white, spotted and blotched, chiefly 
at the larger end, with sepia and black. Breeding-season: July to January, 
and in the northern part of its range as late as March. 
4. Wedgebill Sphenostoma cristatum Gould 
Spheri-o-stom'-a — Gk, sphen, wedge; Gk, stoma , mouth: cris-ta-tum — 
L., cristatus , crested. 
Distribution. — The interior of Australia generally 
Notes. — Usually in pairs or family parties, frequenting low scrubs 
growing in gullies and watercourses. It is a shy and wary species and 
has a very pleasing song Some of its notes are said to be ventriloquial. 
Food : insects and seeds. 
Nest. — An open, shallow, cup-shaped structure, composed of twigs 
and grass ; lined with grass, fur, bark-fibre, or fine rootlets. Usually 
placed in a low bush within a few feet of the ground. 
Eggs. — Two or three, bluish-green, marked with blackish spots here 
and there. Breeding-season : August or September to January. 
5. Grey-crowned Babbler Pomatostomus temporalis Vigors and Hors- 
field 
Po-mat-o-storn-us — Gk, poma ( pomatos ), lid; Gk, stoma , mouth: tem- 
p or -a -Us — L., temporalis , belonging to the temple. 
Distribution. — Eastern and south-eastern Australia. 
Notes. — Also called Apostle-bird, Chatterer, Cackler, Barker, Pine- 
bird, Cat-bird, Dog-bird, Codlin-moth-eater, Hopper, Jumper, Yahoo, 
Happy Family, Happy Jack, Twelve Apostles, and Parson-bird. Usually 
in small flocks of from eight to twelve birds, frequenting the scrub and 
open forest country. It is exceedingly noisy and active, and spends a 
considerable part of its time on the ground, hopping about in search of 
insects. Owing to its quaint chattering or cackling notes and playful 
habits, it is a general favourite wherever it is found. Many of its calls 
are difficult to describe, but the loud “Ya-hoo, Ya-hoo” is a very familiar 
call. Food: insects of various kinds. 
Nest. — A large, dome-shaped structure, with a narrow spout-like 
entrance, outwardly formed oi sticks and twigs loosely interwoven; lined 
with bark-fibre, grasses, cow-dung, or wool. Usually built near the 
extremity of a forked horizontal branch of a tree at heights up to 20 feet 
or more from the ground. 
Eggs. — Three to six, varying from pale brown to purplish-brown and 
buff, covered all over with hair-like markings of dark brown. Breeding- 
season : August to December. 
