ii 4 
THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 
cocoons, and lined with these materials. Placed among the slender 
branches of a small bush. 
eggs. Three, white, with a very faint tinge of pink, finely speckled 
with minute markings of reddish-brown, forming a well-defined zone 
at the larger end. Breeding-season: July to October. 
18. Brown Thornbill Acanthiza pusilla Shaw 
pu-sil'-la—h ., pusillus , very small. 
distribution. Southern Queensland to Victoria, South Australia, 
and the interior; and Tasmania. 
notes. Also called Brown Tit and Scrub Thornbill. Usually in 
small parties, frequenting thickets and low scrub; it also visits gardens 
and orchards, where it does much useful work in destroying insects 
and their larvae. 
nest. A dome-shaped structure with an entrance near the top, com¬ 
posed of bark, coarse grasses, and spiders’ webs matted together; lined 
with feathers and other soft materials. Usually placed near the ground 
and attached to bracken fern or a low bush. 
eggs. Three, white, freckled with dull red, reddish-brown, or 
purplish-red markings, forming a zone at the larger end. Breeding- 
season: August to December 
19. Broad-tailed Thornbill Acanthiza apicalis Gould 
a-pic-af-lis— L., apicalis, tipped. 
distribution. Western Australia (Swan River). 
notes. Similar in habits and economy to the Brown Thornbill. 
nest. An oval-shaped structure with an entrance at the side, com¬ 
posed of soft dried grasses, matted together with spiders’ webs and 
e gg'bags; lined with feathers. Attached to the stems of a low bush, 
close to the ground. 
eggs. Three, white, with minute freckles and dots varying from 
dull red to pinkish and faint chestnut-red, the markings predominating 
on the larger end, often forming an irregular-shaped zone. Breeding 
season: July to October, probably to December. 
20. Red-tailed Thornbill Acanthiza hamiltoni Mathews 
hamiltoni— Hamilton, brother of Gregory M. Mathews. 
distribution. North-western Victoria, South Australia, and 
central Australia. 
notes. Also called Rufous-rumped Thornbill. Similar in habits and 
economy to the Brown Thornbill and other scrub-frequenting species 
of the genus. 
nest. An oval-shaped structure with an entrance near the top, com¬ 
posed of bark, wool, dried grasses, and spiders’ cocoons matted 
