238 BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 



Sp. 134. RHIPIDURA ALBISCAPA, Gould. 

 White-shafted Eantail. 



Rhipidura flabellifera, Vig. and Horsf. in Linn. Trans., vol. xv. p. 247. 

 Rhipidura albiscapa, Gould in Proc. of Zool. Soc, part viii. 1840, 

 p. 113. 



Rhipidura albiscapa, Gould, Birds of Australia, fol., vol. ii. pi. 83. 



Specimens of this bird from Tasmania are always much 

 darker than those of the continent, and have the tail-feathers 

 less marked with white ; others from Western Australia, again, 

 are somewhat lighter in colour, and have the white markings 

 of the tail more extensive than in those I collected in South 

 Australia or New South Wales ; the bird from Western Aus- 

 tralia has been characterized as distinct, and named B. Preissi 

 by M. Cabanis. 



In Tasmania I have seen the White-shafted Fantail in the 

 depth of winter in the gullies on the sunny sides of Mount 

 Wellington ; and it is my opinion that it only retires at this 

 season to such localities as are sheltered from the bleak 

 south-westerly winds which then so generally prevail, and 

 where insects are still to be found. The bird is also subject 

 to the same law on the continent of Australia ; but as the 

 temperature of that country is more equable, its effects are 

 not so decided ; and in support of this opinion I may adduce 

 the remark of Caley, who says, " The species is very common 

 about Paramatta ; and I do not recollect having missed it at 

 any period of the year." 



It is generally found in pairs, but I have occasionally seen 

 as many as four or five together. It inhabits alike the top- 

 most branches of the highest trees, those of a more moderate 

 growth, and the shrouded and gloomy foliaged dells in the 

 neighbourhood of rivulets : from these retreats it darts out a 

 short distance to capture insects, and in most instances 

 returns again to the same branch it had left. While in the 

 air it often assumes a number of lively and beautiful positions, 



