524 BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 



rewarded Gilbert's researches at Port Essington ; where he 

 states it was seldom met with in the immediate vicinity of 

 the harbour, but that it gradually increased in number as he 

 approached the narrow neck of the peninsula and the main- 

 land about Mountnorris Bay. The situations in which it was 

 usually observed were those adjacent to swampy thickets, and 

 here it was generally seen in pairs : it appears to be of a most 

 lively disposition, being always in motion ; its actions much 

 resemble those of the Tropidorhynchus argenticeps, with which 

 bird it often fights severe battles. When among the trees its 

 movements are very amusing, and its agility in running upon 

 and creeping round the branches in search of insects is fully 

 equal to that of the Sitella. Its flight is very short, feeble, 

 and peculiar, rarely extending to a greater distance than from 

 branch to branch, or from tree to tree, and is performed with 

 a very rapid motion of the wings ; the tail being at the same 

 time much retroverted over the back, gives the bird a most 

 ludicrous appearance. It emits a great variety of notes and 

 calls; frequently giving utterance to a loud chattering cry, 

 much resembling that of the Mayzanthas, but more often a 

 note so similar to the well-known chirrup of the common 

 Enghsh Sparrow, that it might be easily mistaken for the 

 note of that bird. 



The stomach is diminutive but muscular, and the food 

 consists of honey, insects of various kinds, seeds, and berries. 



Lores and orbits deep brown ; all the plumage brownish 

 olive; the under surface paler than the upper; primaries 

 margined with brighter olive than the other parts of the body ; 

 under surface of the shoulder pale buff; irides obscm'e red; 

 bill dark olive-brown ; naked gape fleshy white, passing into 

 yeUow at the corner of the mouth ; legs and feet light ash 

 grey. 



Total length 7 inches ; biU 1 ; wing 3 J; tail 3 J ; tarsi 1. 



