BIRDS OF THE HEATH-LANDS 
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9. Rock Field- wren Calamanthus montanellus Milligan 
tnon-tan-eir -us — L., montanellus , of the mountains. 
Distribution. — Mid-western Australia (Dirk Hartog Island) to south- 
western Australia (Stirling Ranges). 
Notes . — Usually in pairs or small parties, inhabiting low scrub- 
lands as well as the rocky or stony foothills of the Stirling Ranges. Simi- 
lar in habits to the Striated Field- wren. 
Nest. — Similar to that of the Striated Field-wren. 
Eggs . — Similar to those of the Striated Field-wren. 
10. Rufous Field-wren Calamanthus campestris Gould 
cam-pes -tris — L., campestris, of the fields. 
Distribution. — Interior of New South Wales, from Broken Hill to 
Eyre’s Peninsula (South Australia). 
Notes. — Usually in pairs or small parties, inhabiting open plains cov- 
ered with salt-bush, blue-bush, and low scrub-lands. It is shy and very 
cautious, running mouse-like over the ground among the herbage. Call- 
note, a sweet and melodious song. Food : insects of various kinds, pro- 
cured on the ground or among the vegetation. 
Nest. — Globular in form with an entrance at the side, composed of 
dried grasses ; lined with feathers. Placed beneath a low bush or on the 
bare ground. 
Eggs. — Three or four, uniform pale chocolate, darker on the larger 
end, sometimes having an indistinct zone. Breeding-season: July, or after 
rains in summer or winter. 
11. Rusty Field-wren Calamanthus isabellinus North 
is-a-bell-V -nus — L., isabellinus, isabelline (i.e. drab) in colour. 
Distribution . — Interior of South Australia, central Australia, to 
Western Australia. 
Notes . — Inhabits heath and low scrub-lands, also dry sandy waste- 
lands. Similar in habits to the other Field-wrens. 
Nest . — Similar in construction and shape to those of other species of 
the genus ; often placed on the bare ground as well as under low bushes 
and in tufts of grass. 
Eggs. — Similar to, but slightly paler generally than the Rufous 
Field-wren. Breeding-season: after rains, both in summer and winter. 
12. Western Grass- wren Amy tornis textilis Dumont 
A-my-torn-is — Gk, amytis, daughter of Astyages; Gk, ornis, a bird: tex- 
til-is — L., textilis, woven. 
Distribution. — Central Australia to Western Australia. 
Notes. — Usually in pairs or small parties, frequenting salt-bush, 
spinifex, and low scrub-lands ; is almost always on the ground ; carries its 
tail very erect, and runs and hops over the surface of the ground and 
