RUFOUS SCRUB BIRD. 
hour searching the ground close to me and following the shrill notes of the bird 
as it moved slowly about, crossing and recrossing its tracks, and although the 
bird was never more than a few yards away, I was not able to detect a single 
movement among the short undergrowth it was traversing. A pair — or at least, 
two birds — were located close to the camp, and could be heard at regular times 
through the day, as they fed beneath a dense mass of 4 wild raspberry ’ bushes. 
As the ground beneath was fairly clear, tracks were cut through this, and, by lying 
flat, with chin on the ground and hat pulled over my eyes, I managed to watch 
them feeding. On one occasion both birds were so close to me that when they 
had gone I could easily rest my hand where they had passed. They moved by 
a series of short hops, putting their heads under the loose, dead leaves and forcing 
themselves along in such a manner that the leaves passed over their backs, so 
that at times they were completely hidden, and could only be detected by the 
slight movement of the leaves over them. On this occasion the second bird 
appeared to be slightly smaller and darker than the first, though neither made any 
note. At another time one bird was calling regularly at some little distance, and 
after each call there was a distinct squeaking chirp just ahead of where I lay. 
By 4 worming ’ myself quietly along I came within sight of a second adult bird 
sitting about 18 inches from the ground, and undoubtedly answering the first. 
It remained so for perhaps ten minutes, and then hopped down and commenced 
to feed. They may be heard very early in the morning, and are among the last 
to cease at night, like the Eopsaltria capito (Large-headed Robin), one of whose 
notes is very similar.” 
With a bird of such restricted range subspecies are not easily determinable, 
save for the fact that a bud of such diminished flight would more easily show 
variation than otherwise. I have separated a subspecies, but it is not certain 
whether series will ever be available to ascertain the constancy of the observed 
differences. As the female is still unknown, no conjecture is possible. 
Mr. H. L. White has just written me that the female is smaller than 
the male, with the under-surface much more rufous, and is without the 
grey throat. \\ 
27 
