RUFOUS BRISTLE BIRD. 
two of the bill. The birds rarely fly, but sometimes mount on to a pro- 
minent stick or bush to whistle. In the mornings it was noticed they were 
always very late with their song. Singing Honey-Eaters ( Ptilotis sonora ) 
were very plentiful, and welcomed the daybreak in all directions with their 
delightful notes, but they were an hour ahead of the Bristle Birds. ... A 
remarkable circumstance about the eggs is that one is as a rule infertile. 
This is probably accounted for by the great size of the egg in comparison to 
the bird, with the deficiency of some important element of food. No less 
than five old nests contained addled eggs, and two others contained a broken 
shell. ... As far as we could judge, the female alone builds the nest and sits 
upon the eggs, while the male brings her food and also helps to feed the young. 
The call of the male bird is loud and penetrating, and is always answered by 
the mate, wherever she may be. . . . The notes of the Bristle Bird have a great 
likeness to those of the Pilot Bird in being loud and melodious — the call song is 
almost identical in the two birds, except that one is in a sharper key.” 
Then Ross furnished a fairly complete account and I note the following 
additional information : “I saw a bird erect the feathers on its head like a 
crest. From the fact that I have found what appeared to be the nests for 
several seasons of the same pair of birds, within a few yards of each other, 
I conclude that a pair of birds will for years be faithful to a very limited 
area. . . . Another comparison made by Mr. Belcher was between the 
Bristle Bird and the Pilot Bird (Pycnoptilus floccosus ), and this, I think, 
was most apt. Seen at a little distance, the species are much alike in plumage ; 
both frequent dense scrubs, are nearly always on the ground, over which, 
when disturbed, they move at a very rapid rate, taking advantage of every 
bit of cover ; and some of the call notes are very similar. . . . Another 
habit I observed with one pair of Bristle Birds, when I was near a chick, was 
the frequent spreading of the tail in a manner similar to that adopted by a 
male Pigeon when courting his mate. . . . The call I most frequently 
heard consisted of about nine notes, the first six being those which resemble 
the squeak of the cart wheel, although, in justice to the birds, I must say 
that I do not like the simile. The odd numbers are all in one tone, and the 
even numbers all in another, slightly deeper, the three last being most 
musical, rich in tone, of greater volume than the earlier notes, and blending 
together so as to sound almost like one rolling sound. When one goes near the 
nest or a young bird, the parents will sometimes put in an appearance, and then 
they utter an alarm call, consisting of one note only. It is so keen and sharp 
and vicious, that I cannot describe it, unless I say that it seems to cut or stab.” 
Purnell has given a similar account, with a photo of the bird at the nest, 
and adds : “ I am of opinion that the Bristle Bird uses its nest for two seasons 
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