176 
THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 
Notes. — Also called Chestnut-rumped (or tailed) Ground-wren and 
Scrub-warbler. In pairs or small parties, according to the seasons, fre- 
quenting heath-lands. It is shy and retiring, moving along the ground or 
among the undergrowth with great rapidity. Has a melodious song and 
is a wonderful mimic. Food: insects of various kinds, procured on the 
ground or in the vegetation. 
Nest . — A dome-shaped structure with a side entrance, composed of 
grasses and bark; lined with feathers; placed on or near the ground in a 
low bush. 
Eggs. — Two or three, pinkish-white to buff, spotted with shades of 
purplish-brown, more so at the larger end where a zone is formed. 
Breeding-season: July to December. 
7. Shy Heath-wren Hylacola canta Gould 
caul -a — L., cautus, shy. 
Distribution . — New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia to south- 
western Australia and Kangaroo Island. 
Notes. — Also called Shy Ground-wren and Shy Scrub-warbler. Simi- 
lar in habits to the Heath-wren. 
Nest. — A dome-shaped structure with a side entrance, composed of 
bark and grasses; lined with finer grasses, sometimes with feathers or 
other soft material; placed near the ground. 
Eggs. — Two or three, faint purplish-brown, minutely freckled with 
purplish-brown markings, slightly deeper at the larger end, often forming 
a zone. Breeding-season : September to November or December. 
8. Striated Field-wren Calamanthus fuliginosus Vigors and Horsfield 
Cal-am-antli-us — Gk, calamos, reed; Gk, antJios, bird: fu-li-gin-o-sus — • 
L., fuliginosus t sooty. 
Distribution. — New South Wales, Victoria, south-eastern South Aus- 
tralia, and Tasmania. 
Notes. — Also called Striated Reed-lark and Mock Quail. Usually in 
pairs or small parties, frequenting heath-lands and low stunted scrub-lands. 
A shy bird, spending most of its time on the ground, over which it hops or 
moves among the undergrowth with great celerity. Has a very pleasing 
song, usually uttered while perched on the topmost twig of a low bush. 
Food: insects of various kinds, procured on the ground or among the 
vegetation. All the species of this genus carry their tails erect. 
Nest. — A dome-shaped structure with an entrance at the side, com- 
posed of moss, dried grasses, and leaves; lined with feathers; placed on 
or near the ground. 
Eggs. — Three, of various shades of brown, clouded with darker 
shades of the ground colour, often forming a zone at the larger end. 
Breeding-season: July or August to December. 
