PLATE XXV 
BIRDS OF THE HEATH-LANDS 
1. Redthroat Pyrrholcemus brunneus Gould 
Pyr-rho-lcem'-us— Gk, pyrrhos, fire-coloured; Gk, laimos , throat: brun'- 
tie-us— L., brunneus , brown. 
distribution. Central Australia, including the inland areas of 
New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, and Western Australia. 
notes. Usually singly or in pairs, inhabiting low stunted scrub-lands. 
Spends much of its time on the ground, over which it moves rapidly; 
it is extremely shy and possesses a very sweet and melodious song, 
frequently uttered while perched on the topmost twig of a low bush; 
it is also a splendid mimic. Food: insects of various kinds, procured on 
the ground or among the herbage and undergrowth. 
nest. A round structure with an entrance at the side, composed of 
bark-fibre and grasses; sometimes lined with feathers. Uusually built 
in a low bush close to the ground. 
eggs. Three or four, of various shades of purplish-brown with a 
clouded zone or cap of a darker shade of the ground colour at the 
larger end. Breeding-season: August to November (March, April). 
2. Spinif ex-bird Eremiornis car ter i North 
E-rem'-i-orn'-is— Gk, eremia, desert; Gk, ornis, bird: carteri —'Tom 
Carter, British ornithologist, who resided in Western Australia for 
many years. 
distribution. Mid-western and north-western Australia and 
Monte Bello Island and Barrow Island. 
notes. Also called Desert-bird. Usually in pairs, inhabiting spinifex 
(Triodia ) and low scrub; it is shy and retiring in habits, spending most 
of its time on the ground. The song of the male is likened to the 
French words, Je suis, a vous, and the notes of the female to “Thrio- 
beedes ^°°^ : * nsects °* var * ous kinds, chiefly small grasshoppers and 
nest. Cup-shaped, substantially built of finely shredded grass or 
herbage, lined with fine roots, and placed in a bunch of spinifex. 
eggs. Two, pinkish-white, closely covered all over, particularly at 
the larger end, with minute markings of pale lilac and purplish- 
August (B^uitf “ d " k rcdai!h br ° Wn - 
