EMU-WREN. 
observed while at my camp at the north-west corner of the island, but a 
few were seen on the west coast, and when riding across the island on May 5th, 
back to the east coast, more Emu-Wrens were seen than at any subsequent 
date. On one part of the track the dense growth of low thick scrub matted with 
creepers and also patches of dwarf Ti-tree ( Melalenea ) seemed full of them, 
and as these birds are extremely unobtrusive, many more would be passed 
unseen. They creep about in a very mouselike way, and do not fly much, but 
when they do, the flight is straight, with tail extended horizontally, and 
in bright sunlight the tail-feathers sometimes glisten in the sun, so that these 
tiny birds might be mistaken for large dragon-flies. At times they simply 
dart (run) across any patch of open ground between bushes at an extra- 
ordinary speed for their size, and then resemble mice more than birds. By 
keeping quiet, one may readily watch them, and they can be 4 chirped 5 close 
up, but do not come out much from the actual shelter of the bushes. The 
male birds always appeared to be bolder, or more inquisitive, than the 
females. In strong winds they naturally keep under cover, and are not 
seen much. They appeared to be very local in their distribution on the island, 
none being observed at some camps, although the scrub appeared to be 
suitable for them. They do not seem to have any song, and were not heard 
to utter any notes unless it was a faint mouse-like squeak, that to the 
writer (who is rather deaf), appeared to emanate from them. No breeding 
notes were obtained, and no young birds were seen. None of the specimens 
examined either on the first or second visits (April to May and October to 
November) showed any signs of breeding, but some were moulting in October.” 
44 S. m. westernensis. Westralian Emu- Wrens were common about 
Augusta and Cape Leeuwin, 1916-19. S. m. media. The type specimen 
of this Emu-Wren was obtained by me a few miles east of Gnowangerup 
(thirty miles south-east of Broome Hill) on 12th February, 1919. Several 
small parties of these birds, from three to six in number, were sebn in 
scrubby sand-plain country, which is practically always dry, and devoid 
of any surface water. In general plumage this subspecies is lighter in 
colour than Stipiturus m. westernensis, and distinctly smaller in size. It 
comes midway between that bird and S. m. hartogi, and is a good subspecies. 
The habits of all three are similar. On 20th July, 1908, I shot a similar bird 
on a sand plain a few miles east of Broome Hill, but never saw any other 
there. Although the Stirling Ranges are only about twenty miles distant 
to the south of where the type was secured, Whitlock does not record 
having seen any Emu- Wrens there in his 1911 expedition (see Emu , Vol. XI.), 
and Milligan in his account of his trip there in 1902 ( Emu Vol. III.) only 
records having seen one bird, that was not secured.” 
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