80 Order Pasxeriformefi, Family M >.isciciipidae. 



feathers, almost whito, others tipped with white; throat and 

 under surface, grey, sliading- into white on tlie abdomen. 



Distribution. — ^Tlie greater part of Australia and Tasmania 

 and the type came from Norfolk Island and <lescri))ed by 

 Gosselin. 



Habitat. — The birds are to be found in the open forest 

 country as well as in the fairly thick brush of the ranges and 

 they rather like the orchards of the settlers, where they do much 

 good in destroying many moths and grubs harmful to the fruit 

 culture. In the autumn these birds very often come out upon 

 the Adelaide plains and remain in the gardens for several 

 weeks, but seldom stay more than two or 'three months. 



Habits. — If not molested become very confiding, watching 

 the gardener from a twig close by and darting almost under the 

 spade after grubs and worms. They sit upon a twig or bough 

 almost motionless (with wings drooping, a habit so comn-on to 

 the Genus) watching the ground intently, and upon the sight 

 of a. moving insect, they tiit to the ground, caphirc it. and back 

 to the perch again. 



Flight. — Not long sustained, rather jerky, and in most 

 eases flitting from one tree to the other. 



Call. — One can hardly say it possesses a song but it 

 twitters in a low soft way as if warbling to it.self. It ftossesses 

 quite a funny little call when alarmed or when one approaches 

 the nest. I have also heard it give this call when a snake or 

 cat has been near. Many of the notes given* in spring-time or 

 warm days in the winter are very sweet but low. 



Food. — Purely in.sectivorous and will prey upon almost all 

 small moths, flies, beetles, bugs, etc. 



Nesting Season. — Extendi from the latter end of July to 

 the end of November, this depends upon the season, if it be 

 early or late. 



Nest. — Cup-shaped beautiful sti-ucture, composed of pieces 

 of 'dry grass, strips of bark, moss, lichens, and often flower 

 heads ; this is bound togetlier by means of cobwebs, the lining 

 is composed of hair, feathers, fur, and down, the nest is often 

 lined very neatly with rabbit fur. Nest is often jtlaced in a 

 horizontal fork and also in an upright one, sometimes in an old 

 stnmj» or l»ehind bark. They are fond of a fruit tree covei'ed with 

 lichens, and by attaching these to the outside of the nest it is 

 almost impossible to detect It. 



Eggs. — Three or four in number, almost white, the ground 

 colour greenish with spotting of brown and greyish, purple 

 spots in some cases forming a zone at one end. Dr. Morgan 

 gives measurements as follows — 



