THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 
Messrs. F. E. Wilson and L. G. Chandler have forwarded me the following 
fine account : “In the open heathy scrubs around Frankston, Vic., this bird 
is fairly numerous. Wherever a certain species of dwarf Casuarina grows you 
are almost certain to find them. This bush affords excellent hiding-places and 
a shade from the heat of the sun. The birds are also partial to bayonet-grass 
country. Although generally frequenting damp, swampy country, w r e have 
frequently observed them in the summer months on a dry treeless hillside. 
However, during the winter these hillsides are wet and slippery, through 
numerous small springs that bubble and ooze through the soil. In the month 
of April 1909, several days were spent studying the habits of these shy little 
birds. In one paddock about five pair of birds were located and their warbling 
songs could be heard from bush-tops in all directions. Some of the notes are 
very sweet, but one or two are a little harsh and therefore the effect of the 
song as a whole is spoilt. Some time was spent in the endeavour to get the 
correct phonetic pronunciation on paper. As the song seems to vary slightly 
this was not an easy task. With one bird it sounded ‘ Rike-rike-richee-richet- 
ru-keer,’ while the notes of another resembled ‘ Rike-rike-richet-to-reck-it-qu, 
to-reek-it-qu.’ These notes are repeated several times in quick succession. 
When mounting a bush-top to sing the birds are extremely wary. They often 
converse their song in a low key and continue in this strain for some time. 
By actual count one shy little fellow sang so for twenty seconds. The effect 
is curious, the song seeming to come from a bird hundreds of yards away. 
Having satisfied themselves that no danger is lurking at hand they break into 
the full-throated song. As they sing they restlessly move the head from side 
to side, ever on the look-out for an enemy. Creeping close to a singing bird, 
you quickly notice the vibrating tail. This is caused through the intensity 
of the bird’s singing. At almost any time of the day you may hear the song 
of this species, and when it has been too dark to distinguish the bird we have 
heard one pouring forth its joyous song on the evening air. The bird will 
allow you to approach to about thirty yards and then the song suddenly ceases. 
It wags the tail swiftly from side to side, swaying the body in the process, 
and darts suddenly into the bush below. If you are lucky you may flush it, 
but generally several yards from where it alighted. The speed with which 
these birds run along the ground is amazing. We noticed they almost in- 
variably alight on the ground after a flight. On the wing the tail is lowered 
to the plane of the body. For a second or two when the bird settles, the tail 
is elevated over the back, but immediately lowered as they dart into cover. 
In the curious crouching attitude they assume this species resembles a mouse 
when running quickly through the grass. On account of the splendid protec- 
tive coloration of their plumage, they are very adept in the art of hiding. 
280 
