276 BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 



Sp. 163. ERYTHRODRYAS RHODINOGASTER. 

 Pink-breasted Wood-Robin. 



Saxicola rhodinogaster, Drap. Ann. Gen. des Sci. Phys. de Bruxelles. 

 Muscicapa laihami, Vig. in Zool. Journ., vol. i. p. 410, pi. 13. 

 Petroica rhodinogaster, Jard. and Selb. 111. Orn. Add., vol. ii. 

 Erythrodryas rhodinogaster, Gould in Proc. of Zool. Soc, part x. p. 112. 

 Pink-hreasted Robin, Colonists of New South Wales. 



Erjrthrodryas rhodinogaster, Gould, Birds of Australia, foL, vol. iii. 

 pl.l. 



The principal habitat of this species is Tasmania, where I 

 shot several specimens in the gullies under Mount Wellington ; 

 it is also abundant on the Hampshire Hills of that island. 

 In one instance only did I meet with it on the continent, in a 

 deep ravine under Mount Lofty in South Australia ; I shot 

 the specimen, which on dissection proved to be a young male. 



In habits and disposition this and the following species 

 differ considerably from the Red-breasted Robins {PetroicoB), 

 and are much less spirited in all their actions. They prefer the 

 most remote parts of the forest, particularly the bottoms of 

 deep gullies, the seclusion of which is seldom disturbed by the 

 presence of man, and where animal life is almost confined to 

 aphides and other minute insects. There are times, however, 

 especially in winter, when they leave these quiet retreats, 

 and even enter the gardens of the settlers ; but this is of rare 

 occurrence. 



The food of the Pink-breasted Wood-Robin consists solely 

 of insects, which it generally procures by pursuing them in 

 the air. 



The nest is formed of narrow strips of soft bark, soft fibres 

 of decaying wood, and fine fibrous roots matted and woven 

 together with vegetable fibres, and old black nests of spiders. 

 The eggs are three in number, of a greenish white, thickly 

 sprinkled with light chestnut and purplish brown; eight 

 lines and a half long, by six lines and a half broad. 



