THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 
This species and genus was discovered by Gould, who “ first saw it in the 
streets of Adelaide, where it was hopping about and presenting the appearance 
of the Sparrow in London.” 
Gould later wrote : “I found this species tolerably abundant in all parts 
of the colony of South Australia that I visited, both in the interior and in 
the neighbourhood of the coast. It was generally met with in small flocks 
of from six to sixteen in number, and more frequently on the ground than 
among the trees. It hops over the surface very quickly and appears a busy 
little bird, prying among the herbage for its food, which principally consists 
of the seeds of the grasses and small annuals which abound on the plains and 
low' hills of South Australia, In disposition it is so remarkably tame that 
it will allow" of a very near approach before it will rise, and then it merely 
flies to the nearest bush or low tree. The male offers no external difference 
by which it can be distinguished from the female, neither do the young exhibit 
any contrast to the adults in their plumage ; it has in fact little to recommend 
it to the notice of the general observer either in its colouring or in the quality 
of its song.” 
At the present time Captain S. A. White writes : “ This was once a common 
bird on the Adelaide plains but has practically disappeared. It is still to be 
met with in numbers along the coast line ; from 200 to 300 miles inland a 
much lighter form takes its place which is distributed all over the interior.” 
Mr. J. W. Mellor has written me : “ The range of this little Titmouse is 
vei T great as I have seen it in several of the States, but in South Australia 
I have had the most opportunity" of studying its habits and watching it in its 
various moods. It loves the more open land, where the trees are not too 
thick, and here it may be seen hopping over the ground in small lots of ten or 
a dozen, pecking up the small insects found amongst the short grass; it is 
also seen in small bushy" trees and shrubs, peering into the foliage for insects 
which form the greater part of its food, but it is probable that it will also eat 
a few grass seeds when these are softened by the rain or heavy" dew. 
I noticed these birds very plentifully" distributed through the far north-west 
in the Tarcoola and Wilgene districts ; they had a slightly ashy" tinge over 
the plumage, being duo to the presence of the red clay" earth and dust in all 
directions met with, the young being especially rusty in coloration, but other 
than this they were identical with the southern examples about the Adelaide 
districts. I saw large young in the Wilgene district in May", showing that 
they must lay just when a little rain comes, as they had had a small downpour 
in the previous March, the first for two years, and these little birds had bred 
at once, although but few birds had followed suit, as the weather had again 
set in dry and hot.” 
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