.VESTS A.VD EGGS OF AUSTRALIAN BIKDS. 



31; 



" Its nearest ally is the A'. Jeucognxter (gularis), of Western 

 Australia; but it differs from that species in its being of larger size, 

 and in the basal portion of the fine outer tail feathers on each side being 

 wliitc. " 



However, in the interim between the discoveiy of this species by 

 poor Gilbert and Gould's description from Mr. Cockerell's specimens, 

 Prince Bonaparte described the bird as E. 2)ulveru/eiifa, whieli name 

 now stands. Nevertheless, the bii'd, like the E. (jiilaris, may not bo 

 a tiiie Eopxd/trifi. I think the fact will be proved on the discovery of 

 its nest and eggs, which is being looked forward to with interest. 



I had the opportunity of examining several skins of White-tailed 

 Shrike Robins whieli were obtained at Cape York by Mr. Harry Barnard, 

 season 1896-7. 



257. IIeteuomyias cinereifrons, Ramsay. 

 FLY ROBIN. 



Figure. — Gould-Sharpe : Birds of New Guinea, vol. ii, pi. 15. 



Reference.— Ca.t. Birds Brit. Mus., vol. iv., p. 239. 



Previous Description of Eggs. — North : Austn. Mus. Cat., app. (i8go). 



Geographical Distrihwtinn. — North Queensland. 



Nest. — Open or cup-shaped ; composed outwardly of twigs, tendrils 

 and moss, with a few skeleton leaves at the base, lined inside with a 

 mixture of yellowish grass and dark brown or black fibres. Usually 

 situated amongst lawyer palm (Valuvimt) canes. Dimensions over all, 

 4i to 5 inches by 2 to 3 inches in depth ; egg cavity, 2| inches by 1 i 

 inches deep. (See illustration.) 



Eggs. — Clutch, one usually, two rarely ; oval or roundish oval in 

 form ; texture of shell fine ; sm-facc glossy ; colour, dull yellowish- — 

 or gi-eenish — wliite, blotched and spotted, particularly on the apex, 

 where the markings coalesce or fonn a patch, with reddish-brown or 

 umber and pui-plish-brown. Dimensions in inches of single examples : 

 (1) 1-08 X -72, (2) -96 X -73. The eggs of the Fly Robin appear to vary 

 much in size. (Plate 12.) 



Observations. — This apparently rare and singular bird, half Robin, 

 half Flycatcher, which inhabits portions of the northern scrabs, was 

 described by Dr. Ramsay, 1875, but nothing wa.s known with regard to 

 its nidification till 1889, when Messrs. Cairn and Grant, wliilo collecting 

 for the Australian Museum dming September and October of that year, 

 found several nests of this species in the scrubs of the Herberton Table- 

 land. In every instance they were foimd in the lawyer-palm (Calamus) 

 canes about four or five feet from the ground. Some were placed upon 

 interlacing canes, others were at the base of the leaves on their tliin, 

 horizontal stems, to which the nest was attached. 



