18 BIRDS OF TASMANIA. 



tree; somewhat frailly constructed of fine twigs and fragments of 

 bark matted together with spider's web. 



Eggs. — Clutch three to four; oval in shape ; texture fine, surface 

 glossy; colour dark green, sometimes heavily and at other times 

 sparingly marked and blotched with various shades of umber; at 

 times the markings are chiefly around the larger end. Dimensions 

 in mm. of a clutch :— (1) 32.5 x 21.5, (2) 32 x 21.5, (3) 30.5 x 22. 



Breeding Season. — October to December. 



Geographical Distribution. — Tasmania, King and several other 

 of the more important islands in Bass Strait. 



Observations. — Some years ago I was under the impression 

 that this bird was a migratory species, as I knew from observation 

 that it forsook certain districts early in autumn and did not return 

 again until August or September. Like several other of our birds, 

 this species is nomadic during autumn and winter. Some winters 

 it is to be found in the bush round Launceston almost every day ; 

 other winters not a bird will be seen. The East and North-East 

 Coasts are its favourite winter resorts. After the nesting season 

 is over one hardly ever hears it utter its somewhat plaintive whir- 

 ring, whistling note, which is uttered both when flying and when 

 at rest; at the latter time the wings and tail are jerked slightly 

 upwards. It has a flight peculiarly its own, progress being made 

 in a series of wave-like motions, the wings being folded against 

 the body when arriving at the crest of a wave and kept motionless 

 for a few seconds and then a few more strokes are again given. 

 So the bird progresses, rising and falling the whole of the time. 

 The " Summer-Bird" is practically the only species that I have 

 seen feeding to any great extent on the small green larvae of a 

 chrysomelid beetle that is very destinictive to silver wattles (Acacia 

 dealbata) in many districts. In soixie parts of the northern end of 

 the island this bird suddenly developed fruit-eating proclivities in 

 1908 — a trait not before known. I have no knowledge of how this 

 Cuckoo-Shrike first received the name of " Summer-Bird," but 

 presume it was on account of its appearing only in some districts 

 to nest and rear its young. 



*WHITE-SHOULDERED CATERPILLAR-CATCHER 



(Lalage tricolor, Swainson). 



Male. — Upper surface glossy greenish-black; wing coverts 

 white; rump and upper tail coverts light grey; tail black, the three 

 outermost feathers tipped with white; cheeks, sides of the neck, 

 all the under surface, including under wing coverts and tail coverts, 

 white; bill, legs, and feet black. 



Female. — Upper surface brown; tail brown, with lateral 

 feathers tipped with white ; chin, throat, and centre of the abdomen 

 dull white ; rest of the under surface buffy-white ; sides of the 



