THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 
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and through the undergrowth with great speed. It has a low plaintive 
song uttered while at rest, also a faint high-pitched call-note. Food: 
insects and seeds, procured on the ground and among the vegetation. 
The female is distinguished from the male by the rufous patches at 
the sides of the breast. 
nest. An open, cup-shaped structure, composed of bark and long 
portions of a soft white flowering plant; lined with short, soft pieces 
of flat grass and plant-stems, also a quantity of soft white vegetable 
matter. Placed in the centre of a low bush close to the ground. 
eggs. Two or three, white or reddish-white, sprinkled over with 
dots and small irregular spots, with a few blotches of rich red or 
pinkish-red and a few underlying markings of lilac-grey, becoming 
confluent and forming an irregular zone at the larger end. Breeding- 
season: August to October. 
13. Dusky Grass-wren Amytornis purnelli Mathews 
purnelli— H. A. Purnell, ornithologist, Geelong, Victoria. 
distribution. Central Australia (Macdonnell, Musgrave, and 
Everard Ranges). 
notes. Inhabits the porcupine grass growing on the foothills of the 
ranges; it is extremely shy and possesses a sweet, twittering song. Food: 
insects and seeds. The female has rufous patches on the sides of the 
breast. 
nest. Not described. 
eggs. Not described. 
14. Thick-billed Grass-wren Amytornis modestus North 
mod-est'-us— L., modestus , modest (in colour). 
distribution. Interior of New South Wales, western Victoria, 
South Australia, and central Australia. 
notes. In pairs or small parties, inhabiting spinifex, blue-bush, and 
dry sandy watercourses. Similar in habits to other Grass-wrens. 
nest. Similar to that of the Western Grass-wren. 
eggs. Two, dull creamy-white, well marked all over, more particu¬ 
larly at the larger end, with spots and blotches of brown, as well as 
dull to reddish and rusty-brown markings. Breeding-season: after 
rain, early in the year. 
15. Striped Grass-wren Amytornis striatus Gould 
stri-a'-tus— L., striatus , striped. 
distribution. Interior of New South Wales, Victoria, and South 
Australia. 
notes. More often called Striated Grass-wren; usually in pairs or 
small partes, frequenting low scrub and sandy areas. Simliar in habits 
to other Grass-wrens. The female has rufous patches on the sides of 
the breast. 
