i8o 
THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 
Notes. — Numerous in porcupine grass and rocks in the ranges and 
high sandstone country ; is very shy, hiding among the rocks. 
Nest. — A bulky, dome-shaped structure (in shape much like the nest 
of a Finch), composed of the dry seed stems of spinifex and dry stringy- 
bark leaves; lined with soft dead leaves of spinifex; the whole structure 
well bedded into the top of a bunch of spinifex. 
Eggs. — Three, white, with faint shades of pinkish markings scattered 
all over the surface, but more numerous at the larger end. Breeding- 
season: January (McArthur River, Northern Territory). 
20. Black Grass-wren Amytornis house • Milligan 
housei — Dr F. M. House, Western Australia. 
Distribution. — North-western Australia (north-western Kimberley). 
Notes. — Only recorded from exceedingly rough country, strewn with 
piled-up masses of sandstone, which in colour varies from red to black. 
It runs over the boulders with its head and tail lowered. Food: insects. 
The female differs from the male in having the breast and under-parts 
chestnut. 
Nest. — Undescribed. 
Eggs. — Undescribed. 
21. Eastern Bristle-bird Dasyornis brachypterus Latham 
Das-y-orn-is — Gk, dasys, hairy ; Gk, ornis, bird : brach-yp( -er-us — Gk, 
brachys, short; Gk, pteron, wing. 
Distribution. — Eastern New South Wales and eastern Victoria. 
Notes. — Usually in pairs, frequenting swampy heath-lands and rank 
undergrowth. It is shy, and seldom exposes itself, spending much of its 
time on the ground among the thick vegetation ; it is very active in all its 
movements, and carries its tail erect. Food: insects of various kinds, and 
seeds. 
Nest. — A dome-shaped structure with a side entrance, very loosely 
constructed and composed of dry bark, leaves, long grasses, and stalks of 
plants; warmly lined with soft materials. It is usually placed near the 
ground in a mass of grass, ferns, or a low bush. 
Eggs. — Two, dull white or whitish-brown, with minute freckles and 
dots of slaty-brown, wood-brown, and purplish-brown, the markings being 
prominent at the larger end, sometimes forming a zone. Breeding-season : 
September to December. 
22. Western Bristle-bird Dasyornis longirostris Gould 
lon-gi-ros-tris — L., longus, long; L., rostrum , bill. 
Distribution. — South-western Australia. 
Notes. — Also known as the Long-billed Bristle-bird ; is very rare, there 
being no recent records. Searches made during the past few years have 
proved fruitless. It was once found frequenting the reed-beds and scrubby 
