B A S Y O B ir a AID'S T Ü A M S : V^^Æorf.
DASYORNIS AUSTRALI S , vig. andHorsf.
B r is tle -b ird .
Dasyomis Australis, Vig. and Horsf. in Linn. Trans., vol. xv. p. 332— Jard. and Sett. IU. Om„ vol. ii. pi. 73.
T his bird inhabits reed-beds and thickets, particularly such as are overgrown with creepers and rank vegetation
; I believe it to be found throughout New South Wales in all places suitable to its habits, although,
from the recluse nature of its disposition, it is a species familiar to few, even o f those who have been long
resident in the colony. I killed it at Hlawarra, and other specimens were presented to me by Mr. Stephen
Coxen, which had been shot by him in New England, an extensive district to the eastward o f the Liverpool
Plains. Its powers of flight are very limited, but it threads the thickets and runs over the ground with the
greatest facility. It resembles the true Malttri in carrying the tail erect, as also in many other of its actions.
I had no opportunity o f ascertaining whether or not it is migratory; but my own impression is that it is
stationary, since its powers of flight are inadequate to enable it to pass over much extent o f country, and the
thick brushes near the coast afford it ample shelter in winter.
I did not succeed in finding its nest, but in its nidification it doubtless closely assimilates to the Longbilled
Bristle-bird o f the western coast.
The sexes present no difference in plumage and but little in size ; the female is, however, rather the least.
The food consists o f insects of various orders.
All the upper surface brown ; wings, tail-coverts and tail rufous brown, the latter indistinctly barred with
a darker tint; under surface grey, gradually passing into the brown o f the upper surface ; over the eye an
indistinct bufly stripe; ¡rides brown; bid brown, becoming much lighter on the lower mandiblgj legs
greyish brown.
The Plate represents a male of the natural size.