SAULOPROCTA. 133 



Adult male — General colour above black : lesser and median upper wing-coverls like the back, 

 tlie greater coverts and inner secondaries blackish brown ; quills brown; tail black; over the eye a 

 narroiu ivhite line; sides of the head, clnn, throat, and sides of the breast black; some of the feathers 

 of the throat narroivly tipped ivith white; remainder of the under surface white; bill black; legs and 

 feet black; iris black. Total length in thejiesh 8 inches, wing Jf, tail 4'3, hill 0;'i2, tarsus 1, 



Adult female — Similar in ^ylimiage to the male. 



Distribution. — Northern Territory of South AustraHa, yueensland, New South Wales, 

 Victoria, South Austraha, Western and North-western yVustralia, Central Australia, Moluccas, 

 Aru Islands, New Guinea, New Britain, New Ireland. 

 (WCLTHOIKjH differing but slightly in external characters, the terrestrial habits of this 

 ^JTjL. familiar and well known species are the reverse of those of the members of the genus 

 Jihipidiiya, who pass most of their time among the branches of trees. Count Salvadori,* who 

 has examined the types of the birds described under the three previously quoted names, regards 

 them as alike, but discards Vieillot's older specific name of tvicolor in favour of the appropriate 

 one of melaleiica of Quoy and Gaimard, as the former tends to give a false impression of its 

 characters. The specific name of iricolor is certainly a misnomer, and becomes more apparent 

 when associated with the vernacular name of "Black and White Fantail," which is commonly 

 applied to this species. 



It is distributed over nearly the whole of the Australian continent, and is also found in the 

 Moluccas, Aru Islands, New Guinea, New Britain, and New Ireland. 



The white line above the eye is broader and more distinct in some specimens than others ; 

 there is, too, a variation in size of adult birds procured even in the same district. The average 

 wing measurement of a number of adult males, obtained in the neighbourhood of Sydney, is 

 4 inches, but it varies from 3-85 inches to 4-1 inches. A semi-adult male is indistinguishable 

 in colour and size from one obtained in New Guinea, the wing measurement being alike 

 3-8 inches. The wing measurement of two adult males from the Solomon Islands measure 

 respectively 4-1 and 4-25 inches; these birds, however, can easily be distinguished from 

 Australian examples by the conspicuous broader white line above the eye and their larger and 

 more robust bills. Saulopvocta picata, Gould, from Northern and North-western Australia, 

 appears at most to be only a slightly smaller race of the present species. 



The Black and White Fantail is a permanent resident, frequenting chiefly open forest 

 lands, the timbered margins of rivers and creeks, and to a less extent the belts of timber on 

 the open plains. Its partiality for the companionship of man has made it a general favourite, 

 and it is encouraged, protected, and welcomed everywhere, haunting alike farms and orchards, 

 and the public parks and gardens of cities. Seldom more than a pair are seen together, except 

 when the adults are accompanied by their young. It is of a restless disposition, and from its 

 habit of swaying its fan-shaped tail from side to side is known in many parts of Australia by 

 the name of " Wagtail." 



The call-notes resemble the sounds of the words "sweet pretty creature," and frequently 

 they are uttered on bright moonlight nights, especially during spring and summer. Those of 

 alarm are like the noise made by a child's wooden spring-rattle. 



The greater portion of its food is secured upon grass lands, frequently hopping just in front 

 of cattle and horses and catching the insects disturbed by them while feeding, principally flies, 

 small moths, and beetles. I have also seen it eat worms, and pick up bread-crumbs about 

 houses. Like all the Flycatchers, this bird has the habit of watching the insects flying 

 around it while perched on a limb of a tree, or top of a post or fence. Suddenly it darts into 



• Orn. Pap. et Molucc, Pt. ii., p. 48 (1881). 

 Ee 



