124 
THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 
with crest erect. It is a wonderful ventriloquist, and its call of “Reep- 
reep-reephok,” with the final bell-like notes, is difficult at times to locate. 
Food: insects and seeds. 
Nest .—A deep, cup-shaped structure, composed of strips of bark 
twigs, and leaves; lined with dried grasses and rootlets. Frequently 
caterpillars are found in the nest. Usually placed among a mass of 
upright suckers near the ground, in a thick fork of a tree, or in a hollow 
stump. 
Eggs .—Two to four, pale bluish-white, spotted and blotched, chiefly 
at the larger end, with sepia and black. Breeding-season: July to January, 
and in the northern part of its range as late as March. 
4. Wedgebill Sphenostoma cristatum Gould 
Sphen-o-stom-a —Gk, spJien , wedge; Gk, stoma, mouth: cris-ta-tum- 
L., crist at us, crested. 
Distribution. —The interior of Australia generally 
Notes. —Usually in pairs or family parties, frequenting low scrubs 
growing in gullies and watercourses. It is a shy and wary species and 
has a very pleasing song. Some of its notes are said to be'ventriloquia! 
Food: insects and seeds. 
Nest. —An open, shallow, cup-shaped structure, composed of times 
and grass ; lined with grass, fur, bark-fibre, or fine rootlets. Usually 
placed in a low bush within a few feet of the ground. 
, f^.-Two or three, bluish-green, marked with blackish spots here 
and there. Breeding-season: August or September to January. 
5 " Gre fidd 10Wne<1 Babbler Pomat ostomus temporalis Vigors and Hors- 
P fiorTiis 0 '' T°"t^r G r ( -. pomatos ')’ Gk, stoma, mouth: tem- 
por-a-hs—Ltemporalis, belonging to the temple. 
Distribution. Eastern and south-eastern Australia. 
bird^clt J iT^ IS nn? I l I ^ A ? ?S m‘ bird ’ Chatterer ' Cackler, Barker, Pine- 
Dird, Cat-bird, Dog-bird, Codhn-moth-eater, Honner liminer Vnhm 
£ a SuTwelve Apostles, andTareoibW.' <£% 
open fol t ^ulv' *° 'r 1V f bWs ' T'equenting the sattb J 
considerable uart nY it- t’ excee dmgly noisy and active, and spends a 
nS Owfn*tn 1? time ,°\ the g. r °und, hopping about in search of 
habTts it ha il t, qUain chattering or cackling notes and playful 
are difficult toSL buT^ Sd^Ya i* * ^ ^ ° f & ra,ls 
call. Food: insects of Jario^s kffids. °°’ 15 a ^ 
entrance, ouAvardrv C Vn^nip e i" Sl f ap f- d i. StrUC i tUle -’ w ‘ tb a narrow spout-like 
with bark-fibre trasses ml. i tlCCS an _ cl tw *£ s loosely interwoven; lined 
extremity of a forked “ Cl *ng, or wool. Usually built near the 
or more from tl^ ^munch 2011 ^ '**** ° f a tree at ^ts up to 20 feet 
buff, covered al^over udth hmrffi/™" 1 bro i vn to purplish-brown and 
season: August to December markln ^ of dark brown. Breeding- 
