western side of the narrow timber track, as the heaps of débris it daily frequented were on the eastern side, and are all shown on the plan and marked "A," "B," "C," "D," and "E," and these include Nos. 1 and 2 masses. I obtained a still better view of the male Atrichornis to-day, when it was feeding on the ground in No. 2 mass of débris, and I watched it for 3 or 4 moments, ready if the female appeared. The spot is shown on the plan by the figure 9.
I still continued to visit the locality, and examined numerous places and turned over numbers of large sheets of loose curled pine bark (see plan), in hopes of finding No. 2 nest. I often sat on top of the remaining parts of No. 2 mass of débris and other heaps for hours with gun ready, sometimes in pouring rain, waiting to get a shot at the female Atrichornis; but I never saw her again during my visit. Failing to procure her after having seen her several times was very tantalizing, and it was now my painful duty to shoot the male in order that my find of the nest be thoroughly authenticated, because there are sceptics even amongst naturalists. On the 4th December the opportunity came, and I have the body of this wonderful feathered mimic preserved in formalin. The eyes are dark brown, with a jet black centre. The wings are unusually small, and when folded have the same appearance as those of the Lyre-Bird. The legs are strong, and, strange to say, the three front toes of the right foot were missing, evidently having been lost for some time by accident.
From personal observations, and from the evidence of other persons who have also investigated the matter, this remarkable bird is fast becoming scarcer. What is to be learnt of its natural economy should be done soon, or it will be too late.
[Members will appreciate the art and technique of Mr. Jackson's excellent illustrations. Thanks are also due to Mr. H. L. White for his goodness in defraying the cost of the blocks, so finely engraved by Messrs. Patterson, Shugg and Co.—Eds.]
Notes on the Mallee Emu-Wren.
By F. E. Howe, F.Z.S., Melbourne.
The Mallee Emu-Wren (Stipiturus mallee, Campbell) is an inhabitant of the vast tracts of porcupine grass in the Mallee, in the north-west corner of Victoria, and doubtless extends its range to similar country in South Australia. The species was described by Mr. A. J. Campbell.[1] In company with Messrs. J. A. Ross, A. Mattingley, and C. M'Lennan, I first made its acquaintance near Wonga, about 25 miles east of Hopetoun, on 22nd September, 1907. A nest was noticed in the heart of a dead porcupine bush, from which the young had already flown. Mr. Ross and I again
- ↑ Emu, vol. viii., page 34.
