The species enjoys a very extensive range, although on my own personal observations, as well as from authenticated records, I cannot yet admit the extent of range mentioned or suggested by Mr. Campbell in his work on "The Nests and Eggs of Australian Birds," page 296. (But it is just possible that his more northerly range may turn out to be occupied by my new species'.) The farthest limits, so far as I have observed or have records of, are as follow:—
| Southern | Cape Naturaliste, distant 150 miles from Perth |
| South-Eastern | Stirling Range, distant 274 miles from Perth |
| Eastern | Kellerberrin, distant 133 miles from Perth |
| North-Eastern | Jack's Well (Lake Way), distant 815 miles from Perth |
| Northern | Moore River, distant 79 miles from Perth |
I believe, however, that the above limits will in time require to be enlarged, more especially in the North. The birds are dwellers of the woodlands and open country and appear to shun the forests. In the south of this State the karri forests appear to act as the line of demarcation.
Descriptions of the Nests and Nestlings of Certain Acanthizæ.
(Honorary Ornithologist, Perth Museum, W.A.)
Acanthiza robustirostris (Milligan), (Thick-billed Tit).
Nest.—In considering this species previously to describing it,[1]
it appeared to approach nearer to Sericornis (Pyrrholæmus) brunnea (Gould) than any other member of its genus, by reason of its sombre upper surface and its bill. In the latter respect and in its general contour it looks like that species in miniature. The nest (which Mr. Fred. Lawson only discovered after hours of patient and vigilant search) supports in a degree my early impressions. The structure itself is globular in form, but with the upper portion elongated and gathered to a point at the top. The same portion also is very fragile, and upon its being held up at the height of the eyes daylight may easily be seen through it. The lower portion is of a stronger and closer structure. The nest, in size, form, and materials, very much resembles that of Malurus leucopterus, except that the lipped threshold present in the latter is wanting in the former. The materials of which the nest is composed are old stems of grasses, with which are interwoven a few spiders' webs, the latter still bearing the body cases of devoured insect prey. The outside of the lower portion of the nest is profusely adorned with spider cocoons and with what
- ↑ The Emu, vol. iii., p. 71.
