INSESSORES. 259 



highest gum-trees bemg alike resorted to. It is certainly 

 one of the least ornamental of the Australian birds ; for it is 

 neither gaily coloured, nor is it characterized by any con- 

 spicuous markings ; these deficiencies, however, are, as is 

 usually the case, amply compensated for by the little sombre 

 tenant of the forest being endowed with a most cheerful and 

 pleasing song, the notes of which much resemble, but are 

 more clear and powerful than the spring notes of the Chaffinch 

 {Fringilla Ccelebs), and which are poured forth at the dawn of 

 day from the topmost dead branch of a lofty gum-tree, an 

 elevated position which appears to be frequently resorted to 

 for the purpose of serenading its mate, its usual place of abode 

 being much nearer the ground. It is mostly met with in pairs, 

 and may be frequently seen perched on the low bushy twigs of 

 a thistle-like plant, occasionally on the gates and palings and 

 in the gardens of the settlers. Mr. Caley states that " it has 

 all the actions of the British Robin Red-breast, except coming- 

 inside houses. When a piece of ground was fresh dug it was 

 always a constant attendant." It appeared to me that its 

 actions resemble quite as much those of the Flycatchers as of 

 the Robins, and at the same time are sufficiently distinct from 

 either to justify the bird being made the type of a new genus ; 

 I may particularly mention a singular lateral movement of the 

 tail, which it is continually moving from side to side. 



Its food consists of insects, w^liich it captures both among 

 the foliage of the trees and on the wing, frequently flying forth 

 in pursuit of passing flies, and returning again to the branch it 

 had left. 



It generally rears two broods in the course of the year. 



The nest, which is built in October, is a slight, nearly flat, 

 and very small structure, measuring only two inches and a 

 half in diameter by half an inch in depth ; it is formed of fine 

 fibrous roots decorated externally with lichens and small flat 

 pieces of bark, attached by means of fine vegetable fibres and 

 cobwebs, and is most artfully placed in the fork of n dead 



