BROWN TIT. 
immediately allied to it, A. diemenensis and A. pusilla , by its large size, by its 
larger and rounder tail, by the broad and distinct band of Black which crosses 
the tail-feathers near their extremities, and by their being largely tipped with 
white. It occurs in great abundance in the colony of Western Australia, both 
at Swan River and King George’s Sound, and is to be met with in all wooded 
situations. Like the other members of the genus, it is active and sprightly 
in its actions, leaping about from branch to branch with its tail erect, and often 
repeating a note which very much resembles the syllables Gee-wo-wut. Its 
stomach is somewhat muscular, and the food consists of small insects of various 
kinds. It breeds in September and October. The sexes are alike in plumage 
but the female is somewhat smaller than the male.” 
Mr. Tom Carter has written : “ The Broad-tailed Tit (A. apicalis) is 
widely distributed through the southern half of West Australia, and was noted 
at Mullewa in the Geralston district (Mid-west) and also at Kellerberin. It is 
very common about Broome Hill, and is not nearly such an obstrusive species 
as master si, as these birds ( apicalis ) move about openly in low scrub and 
‘ sucker ’ growth with tails erect, and constantly uttering a rather loud double 
note. The breeding season is from July to end of October. The nests are 
bulky for the size of the birds, and built in a low bush or other growth, usually 
about two feet above the ground and dome-shaped. Nesting material is coarse 
grass, strips of bark and wool and lined with silver- or other fine grass with a good 
amount of feathers. This species (and several other small birds) seems to like 
the bright coloured blue-green and red feathers from Parrots, and make a point 
of having the entrance to nest margined with bright colours. One nest found 
Oct. 21, 1912, had the entrance lined all round with bright green feathers. Nests 
average about four inches in height, three wide and aperture an inch across. 
Several nests were observed with white cocoons of spiders worked in material 
on the outside. The clutch of eggs is usually three, and Bronze Cuckoos (Chat, 
plagosus ) seem rather fond of laying an egg in nests of this species. Sept. 4, 1908. 
Nest, 3 eggs, two feet above ground, in Marlock scrub. Oct. 28, 1903. Three 
eggs. Nov. 1. One egg and one of Bronze Cuckoo. Oct. 20, 1912. Nest, two 
small young, 18 inches above ground. The eggs and young of this species are 
frequently eaten by Lace Lizards (usually called Go-annas, Varanus varius .”) 
Mr. J. W. Mellor wrote : “ Although I have not been to West Australia, 
I have seen the western form in South Australia as it is plentiful in Eyre 
Peninsula, at Stokes in the centre of the Peninsula, over on the eastern shores 
on the Spencer’s Gulf side, at Arno Bay. I have also noted it at Port Lincoln, 
and at Warunda Creek about thirty miles due north of the latter place.” 
Mr. Edwin Ashby has sent me the following important note regarding this 
species, which I reproduce in full : “ It is not easy to write notes on the various 
vol. ix. 417 
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