DESERT CHAT. 
becoming paler on the under tail-coverts ; axillaries and under wing-coverts pale 
buff, like the inner edges of the quills below, remainder of the quill-lining pale 
brown ; lower aspect of tail similar to its upper-surface but rather paler. Bill 
leaden-black, feet ashy-grey ; eyes white. Total length. 122 mm. ; culmen 11, 
wing 72, tail 39, tarsus 21. Figured. Collected at Mary’s Well, 12 miles east 
of Todmorden, Australia, on September 6th, 1914. The sexes are practically 
alike. 
Nest. A deep, neat structure built in a comparatively deep hole, the rim extending 
or overlapping all round and slightly higher than the level of the ground. Con- 
structed with small twigs and dry grass, neatly lined with rootlets.” (S. A. White.) 
Eggs. Clutch, three. Ground-colour yellowish-white, reddish-brown spots are clustered 
round the larger end and sometimes these are scattered over the smaller end, 
20 mm. by 15.” ( ib .) 
Breeding-season. May to October or after rain. 
The describer of this new species to whom the genus was later dedicated, 
Mr. Edwin Ashby, has sent me the following note : “ The type specimens were 
sent down to me by Mr. J. R. B. Love, B.A., from Leigh’s Creek, South 
Australia, in December 1910, with the note that several of these strange birds 
had visited the Creek, and that they ran about the ground continually wagging 
their tails in a similar manner to that of the Australian Pipit. One specimen 
when chased by a schoolboy ran into a rabbit burrow. In describing the 
bird I pointed out that I only provisionally placed it under the genus 
Ephthianura, as it seemed nearer allied to that genus than to any other of our 
Australian genera. There is little doubt that it comes as far south as 
Leigh’s Creek, but rarely. Mr. J. N. McGilp informs me that they are always 
on their station, Moolawatana, Lake Frome, and that the birds nest in little 
groups, having found as many as six nests quite near to one another, whereas 
there might not be any nearer than some miles. He also found that on his 
taking the first clutch of eggs that was laid all the birds in that group deserted 
their nests.” 
Captain S. A. White has written me : “ This is a lover of the stony table- 
lands of the dry interior ; the coloration of their upper-surface harmonises 
so wonderfully with the gibber stones which are stained with oxide of iron. 
I have traced their range from 60 miles west of Oodnadatta to Lake Frome. 
They are much like the Pipit in habits.” 
The nest and eggs were discovered by the members of an exploring 
expedition from the South Australian Museum and were described by Captain 
S. A. White and also by Edgar Waite, the latter being the actual finder. 
Waite s notes read : “ The Desert Chat was found only in the gibber 
country, and was nowhere very common. Though the breast of the bird 
is bright yellow, the colour is not specially noticeable, while its brown back 
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