178 
THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 
through the undergrowth with great speed. It has a low plaintive song 
uttered while at rest, also a faint high-pitched call-note. Food: insects 
and seeds, procured on the ground and among the vegetation. The female 
is distinguished from the male by the rufous patches at the sides of the 
breast. 
Nest. — An open, cup-shaped structure, composed of bark and long 
portions of a soft white flowering plant; lined with short, soft pieces of 
flat grass and plant-stems, also a quantity of soft white vegetable matter. 
Placed in the centre of a low bush close to the ground. 
Eggs . — Two or three, white or reddish- white, sprinkled over with 
dots and small irregular spots, with a few blotches of rich red or pinkish- 
red and a few underlying markings of lilac-grey, becoming confluent and 
forming an irregular zone at the larger end. Breeding-season : August 
to October. 
13. Dusky Grass-wren Amytornis purnelli Mathews 
purnelli — H. A. Purnell, ornithologist, Geelong, Victoria. 
Distribution. — Central Australia (Macdonnell, Musgrave, and Ever- 
ard Ranges). 
Notes. — Inhabits the porcupine grass growing on the foothills of the 
ranges ; it is extremely shy and possesses a sweet, twittering song. Food : 
insects and seeds. The female has rufous patches on the sides of the breast. 
Nest. — Not described. 
Eggs. — Not described. 
14. Thick-billed Grass-wren Amytornis modestus North 
mod-est’-us — L., modestus , modest (in colour). 
Distribution. — Interior of New South Wales, western Victoria, 
South Australia, and central Australia. 
Notes. — In pairs or small parties, inhabiting spinifex, blue-bush, and 
dry sandy watercourses. Similar in habits to other Grass-wrens. 
Nest. — Similar to that of the Western Grass-wren. 
Eggs. — Two, dull creamy-white, well marked all over, more particu- 
larly at the larger end, with spots and blotches of brown, as well as dull 
to rich reddish and rusty-brown markings. Breeding-season : after rain, 
early in the year. 
15. Striped Grass-wren Amytornis striatus Gould 
stri-a-tus — L., striatus , striped. 
Distribution. — Interior of New South Wales, Victoria, and South 
Australia. 
Notes. — More often called Striated Grass-wren; usually in pairs or 
small parties, frequenting low scrub and sandy areas. Similar in habits 
to other Grass-wrens. The female has rufous patches on the sides of the 
breast. 
