94 Mr. G. L. Bates on the 



14. Muscicapa lugens (Ibis, 1904, p. 623). 



The habits of this bird, which is called " Kula " or 

 " Okulebe," are exactly like those of the little Alseonax 

 epidata with the same native name, except that its look-out 

 station is always some projecting snag or log over a stream, 

 while that of Alseonax is some bare twig in a glade in the 

 depths of the forest. Both birds seem to avoid thick foliage, 

 requiring a small open space for their fly-catching evolu- 

 tions ; but while the little Alseonax finds open spaces in the 

 forest, the larger Muscicapa keeps to the more spacious and 

 better-lighted openings over water. 



15. DlAPHOROPHYIA CASTANEA (t. C. p. 625). 



These fluffy little birds belong to the dark forest, though 

 they come also into the thickest part of the growth around 

 the villages. Sometimes they make a great noise with their 

 wings as they flit from branch to branch among the trees, 

 and sometimes they make a sharp snapping noise like the 

 cracking of a whip. I ascertained at last that the latter 

 noise was made with the bill and not with the wings, as I saw 

 a bird making it while sitting still on a twig. Occasionally, 

 when near enough, I could hear a vocal sound accompanying 

 the snap. The snapping sound is perhaps made by the male 

 alone, as it is only the black-and-white bird that I have 

 observed producing it. 



16. Bias musicus (t. c. p. 626). 



While it is true that the name of " musicus " does more 

 than justice to this little fellow's vocal efforts, the " Kulityan " 

 appears to try to deserve the name, for he is continually 

 uttering his " kuli-tyaii ! tyan ! " ; he begins slowly, then 

 repeats the notes faster and faster till they become jumbled 

 together. His brown mate, at least, regards it as a first- 

 rate performance, for she may always be heard answering 

 with her little harsh " churr ! " 



Both male and female have a peculiar way of flying, with 

 much fluttering of wings and little progress — a sort of 

 mincing flight. The male is especially fond of doing this, 



