THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 
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notes. Also called Chestnut-rumped (or tailed) Ground-wren and 
Scrub-warbler. In pairs or small parties, according to the seasons, fre¬ 
quenting heath-lands. It is shy and retiring, moving along the ground 
or among the undergrowth with great rapidity. Has a melodious song 
and is a wonderful mimic. Food: insects of various kinds, procured 
on the ground or in the vegetation. 
nest. A dome-shaped structure with a side entrance, composed of 
grasses and bark; lined with feathers; placed on or near the ground 
in a low bush. 
eggs. Two or three, pinkish-white to buff, spotted with shades of 
purplish-brown, more so at the larger end where a zone is formed. 
Breeding-season: July to December. 
7. Shy Heath-wren Hylacola cauta Gould 
cant-a— L., cautus, shy. 
distribution. New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia to 
south-western Australia and Kangaroo Island. 
n otes. Also called Shy Ground-wren and Shy Scrub-warbler. Similar 
in habits to the Heath-wren. 
nest. A dome-shaped structure with a side entrance, composed of 
bark and grasses; lined with finer grasses, sometimes with feathers or 
other soft material; placed near the ground. 
eggs. Two or three, faint purplish-brown, minutely freckled with 
purplish-brown markings, slightly deeper at the larger end, often 
forming a zone. Breeding-season: September to November or December. 
8. Striated Field-wren Calamanthus fuliginosus Vigors and Horsfield 
CaLam-anth f -us— Gk, calarnos, reed; Gk, anthos, bird: fu-li'-gin-d'-sus — 
L., fuliginosns , sooty. 
distribution. New South Wales, Victoria, south-eastern South 
Australia, and Tasmania. 
notes. Also called Striated Reed-lark and Mock Quail. Usually in 
pairs or small parties, frequenting heath-lands and low stunted scrub¬ 
lands. A shy bird, spending most of its time on the ground, over 
which it hops or moves among the undergrowth with great celerity. 
Has a very pleasing song, usually uttered while perched on the top¬ 
most twig of a low bush. Food: insects of various kinds, procured on 
(he ground or among the vegetation. All the species of this genus 
carry their tails erect. & 
nest. A dome-shaped structure with an entrance at the side, com¬ 
posed of moss, dried grasses, and leaves; lined with feathers; placed on 
or near the ground. 
eggs. Three, of various shades of brown, clouded with darker shades 
of the ground colour, often forming a zone at the larger end. Breeding- 
season: July or August to December. 
