24 M'Clymont, Notes on Some Familiar Birds. [is? juiy 



liking for bees. I have watched them in the garden of a bush 

 homestead picking off bee after bee with great dexterity and 

 pertinacity, both bird and insect being on the wing. After each 

 successful catch the Wood-Swallow returned to a neighbouring 

 blue gum, and when clinging to the strips of bark which were 

 becoming detached from the trunk it was extremely difficult to 

 detect it, so nearly did the colour of the bird resemble that of 

 the fresh bark of the eucalypt. 



The weak flight of the Fantail {Rkipidura dicnioiensis) is in 

 marked contrast to the exquisite curves oftentimes described 

 by the Wood-Swallow. The perpetual jerky movements of this 

 Flycatcher, both when on the perch and when on the wing, 

 suggest a limited range of vision and the need of extending it. 

 The young birds of the first year have a white line across the 

 throat above the black throat-mark, and white spots on the head 

 above the eyes and behind the ears. The remainder of their 

 plumage is grey, except the breast, which is pale buff. Could 

 a prize be offered for the handsomest nest, it would probably be 

 awarded to the Humming-Birds, whose nests are marvels both 

 of structural beauty and of ornamentation. The nest of 

 RJiipidura diemejiensis somewhat resembles the Humming-Bird's 

 model, but is, of course, larger, and has a short stem added to 

 the cup or bowl. 



Late in January last a nest of the White-bearded Honey- 

 eater {Mehornis novcE-JiollandicE) was taken in a briar bush close 

 to a public road, a few miles from Hobart, The nest is con- 

 structed externally of shreds of bark, chiefly that of Eucalyptus 

 obliqua, and is lined with downy seed-stems of a clematis and a 

 it.'v^ horsehairs. It is 3^ inches across and 2 inches deep. 

 The Q^^ cavity measures 2]/^ inches in diameter and i y^ inches 

 in depth. Of the three eggs in the clutch the ground colour 

 of one was decidedly paler than that of the others. 



The Native Hen {Tribonyx mortieri) has a place amongst 

 Rails which swim occasionally. In crossing a running stream 

 it loses but little owing to the current. 



I do not know if Cormorants are generally accounted 

 swimmers under water. On one occasion I remember seeing 

 one swim a little below the surface for a distance of 40 or 

 50 yards. Its wings were partly opened, as those of a 

 bird preparing for flight.* This was in a sheltered bay 

 and near the shore. I think the species was P. gouldi 

 (leucogaster). 



* Although ihe wings are semi-expanded locomotion is effected by the feet — Eds. 



