4 6 
THE BIRDS Of AUSTRALIA 
over the surface or under rocks and fallen logs, seeking insects of all 
kinds. Its clear call-notes, some of which resemble those of the White- 
browed Scrub-wren, are uttered at intervals. 
nest. A dome-shaped structure with an entrance at the side hooded 
over, composed of bark-fibre and grasses, coated with fine green moss 
and also cobwebs and spiders’ egg-bags; lined with fine bark-fibres and 
feathers. The upper portion of the nest, where it is attached to the 
ceiling of the cave, is formed almost entirely of cobwebs. Nests are 
built in all maimer of situations—sheds, out-houses, under culverts, 
in drains or shafts, but mostly in caves. 
eggs. Three, pure white, occasionally marked with very fine spots. 
Breeding-season: July to December. 
15. Pilot-bird Pycnoptilus floccosus Gould 
Pyc-nop'-til-us—Gk, pycnos , thick; ptilon, feather: flocc-d'-sus— L., //oc- 
cosus , downy. 
distribution. South-eastern New South Wales to eastern Victoria 
(Dandenong Ranges). 
notes. Also called Downy Pycnoptilus. Usually in pairs, inhabiting 
heavily timbered mountain ranges and dense scrubs. It is more often 
heard than seen; its beautiful notes, resembling "Glinea-a-wcek”, are 
heard above the songs of most other birds. It is very active while 
seeking insect-life among the debris and fallen leaves. 
nest. A dome-shaped structure with an entrance at the side, com¬ 
posed of strips of bark and bark-fibre, with which are interwoven 
leaves, fern rootlets, and grass; lined with bark-fibre and feathers. 
Built on the ground. 
eggs. Two, varying from drab to smoky-brown and dusky-grey, 
darker at the larger end, usually forming a zone. Breeding-season: 
August to February. 
16. Ground-thrush Oreocincla lunulata Latham 
Or'-e-o-cinc'-la— Gk, oros, oreos, mountain; Gk, cinclos , bird: lu-nu-la'-ta 
—L., marked with little moons (crescents). 
distribution. Eastern Australia (from northern Queensland to 
Victoria), South Australia, Kangaroo Island, and Tasmania. 
notes. Also called Mountain Thrush and King Thrush. Usually in 
pairs or family parties. Inhabits chiefly the floors of dense scrubs and 
brushes, where large moss-covered rocks and logs abound. Its food is 
procured on the ground among fallen leaves and debris, and consists 
of insects of various kinds, worms, land crustaceans, and molluscs. Its 
notes resemble the noise made by a ratchet-drill boring a metal plate. 
nest. A round, open, cup-shaped structure, composed of strips of 
bark, green mosses, or wiry rootlets. Usually placed in a fork of a low 
tree, wedged between a thick forked trunk of a tree, or on a horizontal 
moss-covered branch. 
