CHESTNUT-RUMPED TIT. 
Captain S. A. White has written : “ The Chestnut-ruinped Tit was numerous 
throughout the ranges, and in great numbers round the shores of Lake Gairdner ; 
they were nesting freely. We took eggs on the 9th of August, 1912, at the 
south-east end of the Gawler Ranges, incubation well advanced, while nearly 
a month later we took fresh eggs on the shores of Lake Gairdner, several hundreds 
of miles to the north-west. The favourite nesting site was in the hollow boles 
of dead trees, and we often found them placed in a hollow log lying on the ground, 
clutch consisting of three or four ; and the nest is constructed of dry grasses 
(often clover) lined with feathers. The birds are most restless in their habits, 
always on the move, with a quick, hopping movement, uttering a bright little 
twittering note as they search over the ground or in the bushes for insects. 
Sometimes they would break out into a plaintive little song.” 
The very few notes above given suggest that this is a bird of the interior, 
following the dry country almost to the coast line in South Australia, but never 
frequenting the wet country, and from the accounts seems to have somewhat 
differentiated habits, though superficially there is little difference to be seen when 
this form is contrasted with the normal Acanthiza , as exemplified in A. pusilla. 
The technical history of this species is very short and clear. Although 
with a wide range and showing variation the species was never critically examined 
until the preparation of my “ Reference List ” ten years ago. Upon comparing 
my series it was obvious that half a dozen subspecific forms were easily 
distinguishable and these I named as follows : 
Acanthiza uropygialis uropygialis Gould. 
New South Wales. 
Acanthiza uropygialis ruthergleni 
“ Differs from A. u. uropygialis in its paler rump and basal half of tail, and 
darker on the flanks and breast. Victoria (Rutherglen) ” 
Victoria. \\ 
Acanthiza uropygialis mellori 
“ Differs from A. u. ruthergleni in its greyer upper coloration, only the head 
and lower back being greenish. South Australia (Eyre’s Peninsula) ” 
South Australia. 
Acanthiza uropygialis augusta 
“ Differs from A. u. mellori in having a lighter back and upper tail-coverts. 
Port Augusta.” 
South Australia (Port Augusta). 
Acanthiza uropygialis nea 
“ Differs from A. u. mellori in lacking the green on the head and lower back. 
West Australia (Burracoppin).” 
West Australia. 
453 
