SPOTTED GROUND THRUSH . — Cmclosdma punct dius. 
Australia possesses a curious and valued specimen of this group, which is 
popularly called the Spotted Ground Thrush, or Ground Dove. 
This bird is found throughout the greater part of Australia and Van Diemen’s 
Land, and on account of the delicacy of its flesh it is greatly prized by both 
natives and colonists. Being always attracted by certain localities, it may be easily 
found by every one who is acquainted with its habits. Unlike the generality of 
birds, it cares little for trees or bushes, and seldom is known to perch upon the 
branches, preferring the tops of low stone-covered hills, or rude and rocky gullies, 
having a decided preference for those which are clothed with grass and scrubby 
brushwood. The spaces between fallen trees are a favourite haunt of this bird. 
The Spotted Ground Thrush is no great flyer, taking to wing with much reluc- 
tance, and seldom voluntarily raising itself in the air, except to fly from one side 
of a gully to another. When it does take to flight, especially if alarmed, it rises 
with a loud fluttering noise, and proceeds through the air in an irregular and 
dipping manner. To compensate however, for its imperfect power of wing, its 
legs are well developed, and render it an exceeding fast runner, so that it is able 
to conceal itself with great rapidity as soon as it finds cause of alarm. 
The nest of this species is a very loose and negligent kind of structure, made of 
leaves, the inner bark of trees, and various vegetable substances, laid carelessly 
together in some casual depression in the ground. 
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