74 
nORX EXPEDITION—AVES. 
[This is one of our most widely-dispersed hii'ds, and was found in all parts 
visited. It is also plentiful throughout Victoria and New South "Wales. It is 
very active, and runs rapidly over the ground or fallen logs. The male is easily 
distinguished from his mate by the black band which crosses his white breast, 
whilst the female is plain brown above and lighter on the breast. In the north 
they are freqently called “ Bell-birds,”* but bear no resemblance to Manoi'hina 
7neIa7iophrys in plumage, shape, or note. The Oreoica is such an accomplished 
ventriloquist that it is difficult to find. Pei’ched on a low bush clo.se at hand, its 
note often seems to come from several directions in the course of a minute.] 
No. 32. Sphenostoma cristata, Gojtld. Crested Wedge-bill. 
Sphenostoma cristatum, Gould, Proc. Zool. Soc., 1837, p. 150; id., Bds. Austr., 
fob, Vol. IIP, pi. 17 (1848); Gadow, Brit. Mus. Cat. Bd.s., Vol. VIII., p. 74 
(1883). 
Sphenostoma cristata, Sturt, Exped. Centr. Austr., Vol. II., App. p. 25 
(1849); North, Nests and Eggs Austr. Bds., p. 71, pi. viii., tig 5 (1889). 
A. d ad. sk., Idracowra. 
B. $ ad. sk., Hermaiinburg. 
C. P ad. sk., Charlotte Waters. 
D. ? ad. sk., Charlotte Waters. 
E. S' ad. sk., Charlotte Waters. 
F. ? ad. sk., Charlotte Waters. 
[Like Oreoica cristata, this bird is also endowed with ventriloquial powers, 
and his beautiful bell-like note often appears to come from a totally diflerent 
direction from that occupied by the bird. They are also often heard singing at 
all hours of the night. They are generally very wary, and although many were 
seen and heard, it was some time before a pair was secured. The Wedge-bill 
builds an open cup-shaped nest of fine twigs or coarse grass very similar to that 
of Psophodes crepitans, and the eggs of these birds also bear a striking resemblance 
to each other in colour and markings. Although the Wedge-bill usually lays two 
eggs for a clutch, there was oply one hard set in the nest found by Mr. Pritchard 
whilst clearing scrub for Mr. Winnecke to take a survey. Whilst near Charlotte 
Waters great numbers of these birds were found in companies of three (two old 
* From some of its notes resembling the ringing of a bell. All over the interior and western districts of New 
South Wales the Oreoica is known by the vernacular name of Bell-bird.— A. J. A'. 
