LONG-BILLED BRISTLE BIRD. 
Eggs. “ Clutch two. Dull white, minutely freckled and spotted with wood-brown and 
purplish-brown, especially at the larger end where a zone is formed. 23 mm. by 18 . 
(West Australia.)” (ib.) 
Breeding-season. October to January. 
Another of many discoveries, made on Gould’s account, by the fine 
ornithologist Gilbert, as recorded by Gould : “ The present species assimi- 
lates very closely in the character and colouring of its plumage to its 
eastern analogue, the Sphenura brachyptera ; but differs from that bird in 
being of a smaller size and in having a longer bill. It is a native of Western 
Australia, and is very generally distributed over the colony of Swan River, 
where it inhabits reed-beds and long grasses, and is occasionally seen in 
scrubby places.” “ It is so remarkably shy,” says Gilbert, “ that it is 
extremely difficult to get even a glimpse of it ; it appeared to feed on the 
ground, where its actions are extremely quick, running over the surface with 
its tail erect. The only chance of procuring specimens is when it ascends 
to a small branch on the top of a scrub to sing. Its notes are loud, clear 
and extremely varied. It flies very low ; in fact, the bird scarcely ever 
rises more than a few yards above the scrub or long grass it inhabits ; it is 
consequently very rarely seen on a tree. Its food consists of seeds and 
insects.” 
Mr. Tom Carter has recently written : “No signs of Long-billed Bristle 
Birds were seen or heard in any of the coastal scrubs that were visited in 
the south-west area, although I spent several days at the place where the 
last known birds were seen some years ago ; but the localities where these 
birds may still be living extend along such a great stretch of the coast, and 
are so densely clothed in scrub, that it is very easy to miss seeing such a 
very shy and seclusive species.” , 
Captain S. A. White has recorded : The writer made a determined effort 
to locate this bird, but, other than noting a call which he feels sure was that of 
this bird, and the tracks on the sand in the low scrub south of Cape 
Naturaliste (the tracks were identical with those made by the South 
Australian form), nothing more was recorded ; but there is little doubt the 
bird is still there.” 
I cannot trace any recent record, but Masters apparently found it, and 
its nest and eggs, at King George’s Sound, and Witmer Stone has recorded 
that the specimens (supposedly typical) in the Museum at Philadelphia 
are labelled “ King George’s Sound,” and hence this was given as the type 
locality in my 1913 “ List.” At present I see no reason for differing from 
the original statement that it came from the Swan River District. 
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