INSESSORES. 321 



the winter season it is equally tame and familiar. It is 

 subject to the same changes of plumage, and its whole 

 economy is so similar as to render a separate description 

 unnecessary. Its nest is also similarly constructed, but is 

 of a rather larger size, is usually composed of grasses and 

 leaves, warmly lined with feathers, and in some instances with 

 the fur of the Kangaroo and Opossum, and is placed either in 

 a small bush near the ground, or artfully built in a tuft of 

 grass. The season of reproduction commences in August 

 and lasts until January, during which time two or three 

 broods are reared. Like the M. cyaneus, it is also the foster- 

 parent of the Bronze Cuckoo {Chrj/sococct/x lucidics). The 

 eggs, which bear a similar character, but are proportionally 

 larger than those of the M. cyaneus, are four or five in 

 number, of a flesh-white, blotched and spotted with markings 

 of reddish brown, particularly at the larger end, where these 

 form an irregular zone : they are nearly nine lines long by 

 six and a quarter broad. 



The long legs of this species admirably adapt it for the 

 ground, and for traversing the fallen trunks of trees, along 

 which, with tail erect, it passes with the utmost activity : it is 

 also frequently to be observed among the low trees and bushes, 

 the male often selecting a small prominent bare twig, whereon 

 to perch and warble forth his animated song. 



The male in summer has the crown of the head, ear-coverts, 

 and a broad lunar-shaped mark on the upper part of the back 

 metallic blue ; lores, line over the eye, occiput, scapularies, 

 back, rump, and upper tail -coverts velvety black ; throat and 

 chest bluish black, bounded below by a band of velvety black ; 

 tail dark blue, indistinctly barred with a darker hue and finely 

 tipped with white ; wings brown ; under surface bufFy white, 

 tinged with blue on the flanks ; irides blackish brown ; bill 

 black; feet brown. 



The female has the lores and a circle surrounding the eye 

 reddish brown ; upper surface, wings, and tail brown ; under 



