SOME BIRDS OF THE HEATH AND UNDERGROWTH 167 
PLATE XXIV 
SOME BIRDS OF THE HEATH AND UNDERGROWTH 
1. Scrub-tit Acanthornis magnus Gould 
Ac-anth-orn -is — Gk, acantha, spine, thorn ; Gk, ornis, bird : mag'-nus — 
L., magnus, great. 
D is tributio n. — T asmani a. 
Notes. — Usually singly or in pairs, keeping to the undergrowth; 
similar in habits to the Scrub-wrens. It is a shy bird, and moves among 
the tree-ferns and fallen logs with great rapidity, searching for insect-life. 
Nest. — A dome-shaped structure, composed of green moss, shreds of 
bark, and fern down ; lined with fur or feathers. Usually built in a per- 
pendicular fork of a large tree, up to 6 feet from the ground. 
Eggs. — Three, white, blotched with purple markings, particularly at 
the larger end. Breeding-season: August to January. 
2. White-browed Scrub-wren Sericornis frontalis Vigors and Horsfield 
Ser-ic-orn-is — Gk, sericos, silken ; Gk, ornis, bird : front-a-lis — L, front - 
atus ( frons ), with conspicuous forehead. 
Distribution . — From southern Queensland to Victoria and South 
Australia, and the Kent Group (Bass Strait). 
Notes. — In pairs, inhabiting localities clothed with thick undergrowth, 
such as creek-banks and gullies. It is very active and fearless. Its food 
is procured among leaves and debris; call-note, a double whistle repeated 
many times ; it utters a harsh scolding note when one approaches its nest. 
Food : chiefly insects. 
Nest. — A dome-shaped structure with a side entrance, loosely com- 
posed of bark, leaves, and fine grass; lined with, feathers or other soft 
materials. Usually placed on the ground beneath thick undergrowth or 
under a heap of debris. 
Eggs. — Three, whitish-stone or grey, with a dark zone of purplish- 
brown at the larger end. Breeding-season: July to December. 
3. Buff-breasted Scrub-wren Sericornis laevigaster Gould 
laev-i-gas-ter — L., levis, light, meaning pale; Gk, gaster, belly. 
Distribution. — From Herberton (northern Queensland) to north- 
eastern New South Wales. 
