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The Birds of Australia, Vol. 3 of 7 cover

The Birds of Australia, Vol. 3 of 7

Chapter 63: ACANTHIZA REGULOIDES, Vig. & Horsf. Regulus-like Acanthiza.
By John Gould
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About This Book

A richly illustrated, taxonomic natural history volume cataloging numerous Australian bird species through detailed descriptions and plates. It combines morphological notes on plumage and variation with field observations of behavior, vocalizations, diet, nesting, eggs, and habitat preferences, and records geographic distribution across mainland regions, islands, and Tasmania. The author synthesizes specimen-based taxonomy with reports from collectors, distinguishes closely related forms, and documents occurrence and abundance, providing practical information on localities and natural history useful to both scientific readers and informed amateurs.

ACANTHIZA REGULOIDES, Vig. & Horsf.
Regulus-like Acanthiza.

Acanthiza Reguloides, Vig. & Horsf. in Linn. Trans., vol. xv. p. 226.

Dwarf Warbler, var. β? Lath. Gen. Hist., vol. vii. p. 135. No. 161.—Less. Man. d’Orn., tom. i. p. 283.

Many of the actions of this little bird offer a close resemblance to those of the Yellow-tailed Acanthiza (A. chrysorrhœa); like that species, it resorts to the ground for its food; moves about in small flocks of from eight to fifteen in number; when flushed shows the yellow or buff of the rump very conspicuously; always spreads its tail while flying; flits along with a jerking motion, and is very tame. It is extremely common in South Australia, where I observed it in every part of the country I visited, and in New South Wales I even found it in the interior beyond the ranges, and also on the bare ridges between Patrick’s Plains and the Liverpool range. I did not meet with it in Van Diemen’s Land. It evinces a decided preference for the open country or hills slightly covered with brush, where it can feed on the ground and fly to the low shrub-like trees when disturbed; I have also seen it busily engaged among the branches, apparently in search of insects, in the pursuit of which, like the other members of the genus, it displays unusual alertness and address.

Its domed nest is placed among the foliage of the gum, swamp oak and other trees, and is composed of fine grasses interwoven with cobwebs and slightly lined with feathers. The breeding-season comprises the months of September, October and November, and the eggs are four in number.

Crown, back of the neck, upper surface and wings olive-brown, the feathers of the forehead tipped with a lighter colour; rump, upper and under tail-coverts pale ochre; throat and chest white, each feather with a very slight, broken margin of brown; base of all the tail-feathers pale buff, the external margin of the outer feathers and the tips of all brownish buff, the central portion blackish brown; bill brown, the under mandible paler than the upper; feet olive-brown; irides beautiful straw-yellow.

The Plate represents the two sexes of the natural size.