THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 
of Kangaroo Island and tlie habits seem identical with those of the mainland 
forms. A. p. hamiltoni is dispersed over the whole mallee country east of the 
Murray River and is to be found in the middle of the summer when all the waters 
have dried up. A. p. arno was only found in the vicinity of Arno Bay and it was 
not over plentiful there. A. p. consobrina has a very wide range in the interior.” 
Mr. L. G. Chandler wrote me: “ A. pusilla is thoroughly useful and insecti- 
vorous and is a perfect mimic. On Oct. 11, 1908, I found a nest of this species 
with young ; the squeaking of the young quickly brought the parent birds 
on the scene. I was surprised when I heard one of the parent birds mimicking 
perfectly the short chipping notes of the White-shafted Fantail (R. albiscapa). 
The young had ceased squeaking, so I imitated a young bird in distress. The 
poor parents became violently agitated, flying within a foot or two of my head, 
at the same time mimicking to perfection and in repetition the notes of the 
following species : Rhipidura albiscapa, Malurus cyaneus, Ptilotis leucotis, 
Artamus sordidus, Pachycephala pectoralis, Climacteris picumna, and Platy- 
cercus eximius. I had my note-book in hand and took down the calls as I 
recognised them. Other calls were given which I could not clearly identify. 
It was singular that the birds did not use their ordinary calls between the 
other calls. The principal ones imitated were the M. cyaneus, R. albiscapa 
and P. pectoralis. Undoubtedly the calls were given to deceive me, and if 
possible decoy me from the nest.” 
Mr. F. E. Wilson has written confirming Chandler’s account, and adds: 
“ I have heard A. pusilla imitating the bell-like tinkle of Pardalotus punctatusP 
Mr. F. E. Howe wrote: “ Is very fond of the creeks and is very common 
through the district. It is an early breeder and both birds help in building nest.” 
Mr. Frank Littler’s notes read: “The Tasmanian Tit (A. diemenensis) 
is more bulky and has a slightly larger bill than the Brown Tit of the mainland. 
During certain seasons of the year it congregates in medium-sized flocks and 
then in company seeks its food. This comprises insects of all kinds, especially 
flies, beetles, young caterpillars and grubs, all of which are obtained on the 
ground, among decaying vegetation or from under loose bark of the eucalypts. 
It is no uncommon sight to see this bird right out on the extreme tips of the 
twigs of a eucalypt, and hanging suspended back downward to the pendant 
leaves, picking off spiders and flies from their under-surfaces. It has a few 
whistle-like notes. It is agile on the wing, darting with great rapidity from 
tree to tree, or from bough to bough when hunting in a big eucalypt.” 
Mr. H. Stuart Dove some time ago wrote me : “I had the opportunity 
of examining three supposed skins of ewingii in my friends’ possession, one from 
Russell Plains and two from Mount Arthur, all in Northern Tasmania. The 
distinctness, on comparison with the common A. diemenensis, appeared w T ell 
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