GROUND THRUSH. 
stones occur covered with green moss and lichens, particularly if there be 
much humidity ; rocky gulleys and the sides of water-courses are also among 
its favourite places of resort. In Tasmania, the slopes of Mount Wellington 
and other similar bold elevations are situations in which it may always be 
seen if closely looked for. During the summer it ascends high up the mountain 
sides, but in winter it descends to the lower districts, the outskirts of the forests, 
and occasionally visits the gardens of the settlers. In New South Wales, 
the Cedar Brushes of the Liverpool Range and all similar situations are 
frequented by it ; I also observed it on the islands at the mouth of the Hunter ; 
and I possess specimens from the north shore near Sydney and the banks of 
the Clarence. Its chief food is helices and other mollusks, to which insects 
of many kinds are added ; and it is most likely that fruits and berries 
occasionally form a part of its diet. It is a solitary species, more than two 
being rarely observed together, and frequently a single individual only is to 
be seen noiselessly hopping over the rugged ground in search of food. Its 
powers of flight are seldom exercised, and so far as I am aware it has no song.” 
Captain S. A. White’s notes read : “ These birds are sparingly distributed 
through the Mount Lofty Ranges and confined to the deep timbered and damp 
gullies ; they are timid and retiring, very suspicious, and should you only look 
at their nest containing young or eggs they will pull the nest to pieces and 
destroy the contents. It is a rare bird on Kangaroo Island and I have not 
been able to secure specimens ; the immature specimen from which Mr. A. G. 
Campbell suggested a new species is not sufficient material to work upon.” 
Mr. Edwin Ashby has written me : “I only find this Thrush in the quiet 
of deep damp gullies in the Adelaide hills ; it is not a shy bird and does not 
resent intrusion in its secluded haunts, but will go on feeding or searching for 
food on some moss-covered log while one watches provided one keeps quiet 
and still. I have found it in similar situations on Mt. Dandenong in Victoria 
and on Mt. Wellington in Tasmania. I shot a specimen in the semi-tropical 
brush of the upper waters of the Richmond River, New South Wales, and was 
surprised to find it belonged to the northern russet form ; its short tail and 
russet colour easily distinguished it from South Australian birds.” 
Mr. J. W. Mellor wrote me : “ This Thrush is seen along the Mount Lofty 
Ranges but never in numbers ; it goes either singly or in pairs and is a cautious 
and somewhat shy bird, loving to keep near to the ground and where the 
bushes afford good shelter from observation. It is not seen usually on the 
Adelaide Plains, but this morning, Feb. 11th, 1912, I saw one at the reedbeds, 
scratching amongst the dry leaves, etc. ; this is the first bird that I have seen 
in this district and was quite tame and allowed me to approach to within a 
few yards of it. Insects are its chief food.” 
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