STRIATED FIELD- WREN. 
still is the abandonment of its shy nature, as shown when flushed from the 
original growth of the country. For, as an inhabitant of our lanes, hedges, 
and evergreen fences, it is by no means a timid species, and when affecting 
thoroughfares is to some extent a familiar roadside bird. Here it reminds 
one of the Hedge-Sparrow ( Accentor ) in England, although its wonderful 
agility as a ground bird is not possessed by the latter species. It is very fond, 
too, of old roadside fences, the base of which is lined with patchy undergrowth, 
out of which it will dart to a top rail or post and then quickly disappear to a 
lower panel, darting to the ground and hopping with lightning speed along 
the further side of the fence to a clump of briar or rushes. Thus we have 
here an instance, in a small degree, of the evolution of new or abnormal habits 
which have, in some instances, become so noteworthy in Australasia and New 
Zealand. The breeding-season here extends over a long period. This year 
(1907) a young bird was noticed in one of our lanes early in July. Usually 
the young are not about before the end of August or beginning of September 
on these uplands, but this is early, as newly-fledged individuals are about 
this month (December). On the coast belts, where the bird much frequents 
the tussocky hollows and stretches among sand dunes, the breeding-season 
appears to be mostly in the month of July. When flushed among the natural 
vegetation of the sheep-runs the Bush Warbler rises at one’s feet from among 
saggs or thatch -grass ( Poa caespiiosci), and suddenly alights, darting along 
the ground with extraordinarily agile hops, so that, however quickly one may 
rush up to its supposed position, it is never to be found anywhere near it, and 
is flushed again with difficulty. It is in such localities much shyer than among 
its aforementioned exotic shelters.” 
Milligan’s notes on his description of Calamanthus montanellus read : 
“ The new bird was found in the sterile stony tracts on the north or sheltered 
side of the Stirling Ranges. Its song is a series of musical warbling notes, 
which it utters either on the ground or in a low bush. It runs along the ground 
like a mouse, and is very difficult to flush. Apparently it does not leave a 
body scent as C. fuliginosus is said to do, as my Quail bitch did not show any 
disposition to follow it, neither did she show any canine signs of pleasure when 
the dead bird was placed near her nose. The birds were very numerous in 
the sterile places indicated, but very difficult to secure.” 
Later, from the Wongan Hills, he wrote : “ Owing to the running, secretive 
habits of the species, specimens were hard to get, although the birds were 
numerous in every part. Their beautiful, clear, warbling notes, uttered 
usually whilst perched on the top of a low bush or running along the ground, 
were always charming.” 
Whitlock’s observations made on the Stirling Ranges read : “ This is 
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