THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 
168 
Notes .—In pairs or small parties, frequenting the brushes and humid 
scrubs. Similar in habits to the White-browed Scrub-wren. 
Nest .—A dome-shaped structure with a side entrance, composed 
chief!}'' of dried ferns; warmly lined with feathers. Usually situated 
near the ground in thick undergrowth. 
Eggs. —Two, pale brownish, with dark purplish-brown markings 
forming a zone at the larger end. Breeding-season: probably November 
to December. 
4. Little Scrub-wren Sericornis minimus Gould 
miri-i-rniiS ' — L., minimus, very small. 
Distribution — Cape York Peninsula (northern Queensland). 
Notes . — Is fairly common in the scrubs, where it searches for food 
among the fallen leaves and debris or among masses of fallen vines and 
trees. Food: insects. 
Nest . — A dome-shaped structure with a side entrance, composed of 
leaves and rootlets ; lined with fine tendrils and a few feathers. Placed 
a few feet from the ground in a scrubby tree. 
Eggs .—Usually three, faint reddish-brown, with a zone of fleecy 
markings of light brown on the larger end. Breeding-season: probably 
October to December. 
5. Spotted Scrub-wren Sericornis maculatus Gould 
mac-u-la -tus — L.,. ■maculatus , spotted. 
Distribution . — Western Australia, South Australia, Kangaroo Island, 
and the interior of New South Wales. 
Notes. In pairs, inhabiting the undergrowth, scrubby places, and the 
beds ot dry watercourses.^ It is shy and retiring in habits, seeking its food 
on the ground. Food: insects £ind worms. 
. Nest. A dome-shaped structure with a side entrance, composed of 
bark, leaves, and grass ; lined with feathers. Usually placed close to the 
ground in a scrubby bush. 
Eggs- Three, whitish, with a zone of purplish-brown and lavender 
January ^ ai ger end * Breedin g-season : September to December or 
6. Large-billed Scrub-wren Sericornis magnirostris Gould 
mag-ni-ros-tris L., magnus, great; L., rostrum, bill. 
Distribution—Ftom northern Queensland to Gippsland (Victoria) 
iv otes. Usually in pairs or small parties, frequenting the coasta 
rusies and contiguous areas. It procures its food among the branches 
crrnwfr^r 0 / 1C i * rees as well as on the ground or in the under¬ 
growth. Food: chiefly insects. 
of 
^ l ar ge, oval-shaped structure with a side entrance, composed 
leaves, moss, and grass; lined with feathers. Usually placed in a 
