A'ESrS AND EGGS OF AUSTRALIAN BIRDS. 



I2Q 



The eggs of both A. kriupi and A. InreaJix, on account of tlioir reddish 

 colouring, most resemble those of the genus Monnrrlin. Tlie two genera 

 arc probably closely allied. 



104. — PiEZORHYNCHUs NiTiDUS, Gould. - (142) 



SHINING FLYCATCHER. 



Figure.— GonXd: Birds of .Australia, fol , vol. ii., pi. 88. 



Rejereiue. — Cat. Birds Brit. Mus., vol. iv., p. 416. 



Previous Descriptions of Eggs. ~Gou\d: Birds of Australia (1848), also 



Handbook, vol. i., p. 251 (1865): North: Austn. Mus. Cat. 



p. 90 (i88g). 



Geographical Distribution. — Northern Territory and North Queens- 

 land ; also Aru Islands. 



Neat. — Cup-shaped, somewhat largo, deep, and firmly built ; constructed 

 of strips of bark, outwardly ornamented with a few poi'tions of greyish 

 bark and a small quantity of spiders' web ; inside lined with dark or dull- 

 coloured rootlets. Dimensions over all, 3J inches by 2i inches in depth ; 

 egg cavity, 2^ inches across by 1;] inches deep. 



Eggs. — Clutch, two usually, tliree occasionally; of the usual Flycatcher 

 type, prominently rounded at one end ; texture of shell fine ; surface glossy ; 

 colour, faint greenish -white, spotted and blotched, more particularly in the 

 fonn of a belt round the upper quarter, with sepia and grey. Dimensions 

 m inches of a full clutch : (1) -84 x -61, (2) -82 x -6, (3) -8 x -59 ; of a 

 pair : (1) -87 x -63, (2) -84 x -62. (Plate 9.) 



Observations. — This Flycatcher is remarkable for its rich shining 

 plumage of greenish-black, while the female differs by the top of her 

 head only shining, the rest of her dress being rusty-brown, with the under 

 surface white. Total length, 7J inches. 



The Shining Flycatcher enjoys a northern habitat, which includes 

 islands beyond Austraha. The Herbert River is regarded as its most 

 southern Umit. During an excursion to the Cardwell district, a splendid 

 pair of these birds was shot near oiu' camp, in August, 1885. Two of us 

 were one beautiful afternoon strolling along the creek in a thick pocket 

 of scnab, when we heard a peculiar croaking noise, and soon discovered 

 that it was uttered by a Shining Flycatcher. A half-charge of dust-shot 

 from each barrel soon sufficed to lay male and female low. They were 

 in perfect plumage. Both specimens now adorn our National Museum, 

 Melboiu^ne. 



Gilbert, who first took the nest, informs us that it is either built 

 among the mangioves or on the verge of a thicket near an open spot. 

 Gilbert further states : — " One that I found among the mangi-oves was 

 built on a seedling tree, not more than three feet from the ground ; 

 another was on a branch overhanging a small stream, within reach of the 

 hand ; while a third, constructed on the branches of the trees bordering 

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