WHITE-THROATED TREECREEPER. 
once from the male; the other is that it seems almost certain that the 
immature of this sex alone develop the bright rufous coloration on the rump 
and upper tail-coverts. Jolm Gould, like others, described the immature 
female of this species as a distinct species (C. pyrrhonota), but afterwards 
found liis mistake. On comparing adult specimens with those from South 
Australia, it is found that the latter birds are larger and lighter on the back, 
while those from Queensland are much darker above and below. The nest is in 
a holloiv branch, deep down, neatly constructed of grass, it usually contained 
three eggs. One nest observed contained two young and an egg ; both young 
birds showed the red coloration appearing with the first feathers on the rump.” 
Mellor added a note describing in detail the young and stated: “ A 
notable feature, and one that strikes the observer instantly, is the large patch 
of bright rufous-brown w'hich extends from a quarter way up the back right 
down the tail-coverts, and forms a conspicuous rufous rump ; this is noticeable 
even in the nestlings, but, I believe, is only found in the young females, for 
such is my experience with a number of specimens handled. This rufous rump 
lessens in size and intensity as the bird matures, until it finally disappears, giving 
place to the slaty-grey colour of the old bird. From specimens now before me I 
find that the process of changing does not come about by moulting, but by a fading 
away of the rusty colour and a gradual predominance of the slaty-grey coloration.” 
In his recent ‘‘Review” F. E. How r e WTote: “Both parents feed the young. 
The visits to the nest are frequent, fifteen being noted in as many minutes. 
Often a bird returned before the other had left, and the bird inside w'ould take 
the food from the waiting bird and return with it to the young. The birds 
brought out any excreta as did the Red-browed species. When building they 
approached the nest in the same manner—alighting a short distance below the 
hollow, remaining stationary a few seconds with the head back, and then creeping 
quickly up and disappearing rapidly within. The lowest nest found was fifteen 
inches from the ground, and the highest seventy feet up. From this nest a 
young bird, nearly fully fledged, flew. . . On October 31st, 1920, a nest 
contained tw r o young birds about ten days old. One had the orange cheek-patch 
and bright red rump. The other was minus the cheek-patch and the grey rump 
was slightly washed with rufous. Traces of the rufous rump and upper tail- 
coverts may be found more or less in birds otherwise in adult plumage. 
Is a young male with the rump grey . . probably two or three months 
old. . . At Bayswater on December 11th, 1920, a nest contained four young 
birds about a fortnight old, and all had a bright rufous rump. . . The breeding 
season in Victoria extends from August to January, and two broods are reared. 
When there is confusion between experts on matters of determination 
of related but distinct species the field ornithologist has to suffer, and 
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