DASYORNIS AUSTRALIS, Vig. & Horsf.
Bristle-bird.
Dasyornis Australis, Vig. & Horsf. in Linn. Trans., vol. xv. p. 232.—Jard. and Selb. Ill. Orn., vol. ii. pl. 73.
This 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 of those who have been long resident in the colony. I killed it at Illawarra, 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 of 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 Maluri carrying the tail erect, as also in many other of its actions. I had no opportunity of ascertaining whether or not it be 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 of 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 Long-billed Bristle-bird of 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 of 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 of the upper surface; over the eye an indistinct buffy stripe; irides brown; bill brown, becoming much lighter on the lower mandible; legs greyish brown.
The Plate represents a male of the natural size.