li*2 
THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 
nest. A domed structure with a side entrance near the top, com¬ 
posed of swamp grasses and plant down; lined with feathers and plant 
down. The nest was placed in a clump of small bushes in a dry swamp 
at about 2 feet 6 inches from the ground. (Only one record.) 
eggs. Two? white, sparsely spotted with pink all over, with fewer 
spots towards the smaller end, and a decided ring of spots about one- 
third of its length from the larger end. Breeding-season: October. 
12. Varied Thornbill Acanthiza squamata Dc Vis 
squa-ma'-ta— L., squamatus, scaled. 
distribution. Northern and eastern Queensland. 
notes. Also called Scaly-breasted Tit-warbler. Frequents mountain 
ranges; probably similar in habits and economy to the Buff-tailed 
Thornbill. 
nest. Similar to that of the Buff-tailed Thornbill. 
eggs. Similar to those of the Buff-tailed Thornbill. 
13. Yellow-tailed Thornbill Acanthiza chrysorrhoa Quoy and Gaimard 
chrys-orr(h)'-o-a— Gk, chrysos, golden; Gk, orrhos, tail. 
distribution. Australia (except north-western Australia and 
Northern Territory) and Tasmania. 
notes. Also called Yellow-rumped Tit, Yellow-rumped Tit-warbler, 
and Yellow-tail. Usually in pairs or flocks, frequenting open forest and 
partly cleared lands; it is also common in orchards, vineyards, parks, 
and gardens. It spends much of its time on the ground, and when 
flushed, rarely flies any distance. Its song is a succession of soft, sweet 
notes, following a sharp “Chip, chip". Food: insects and their larvae. 
nest. A double nest, consisting of a dome-shaped structure with a 
narrow entrance at the side, with a roughly formed, open, cup-shaped 
addition built on top; composed of dried grasses, plant-stalks, cob¬ 
webs, spiders* egg-bags, wool, or other soft materials, all matted 
together; lined with fine dried grass, hair, wool, fur, and feathers. The 
upper compartment is believed to be used by the male at night. 
Generally built in the bushy end of a drooping branch, or in some 
thickly foliaged tree. 
eggs. Three or four, white or pale flesh-colour, sometimes speckled 
with pale red or reddish-brown markings at the larger end. Breeding- 
season: July to December, and often until May. 
14. Buff-tailed Thornbill Acanthiza reguloides Vigors and Horsfield 
reg-u-ldi'-des— L., regulus, European genus = kinglet; -oides from Gk, 
eidos, form = like. 
distribution. Southern Queensland to Victoria and South Aus¬ 
tralia. 
notes. Also called Buff-rumped Tit, Buff-rumped Tit-warbler, and 
Bark-tit. Usually in pairs or flocks, frequenting open scrub-lands, lightly 
