40 INSECTIVOROUS BIRDS 



RED-CAPPED ROBIN, 



Petroeca goodeiiovii, Vig. and Hors. 



Fet-re-ka gud-e-nove-e. 



Petros, a rock ; oihos, a family ; Goodenough (proper name). 



Petroica goodenovii, Gould, " Birds of Australia," fol., vol. iii., 



pi. 5. 



Geographical Distribution. — Areas 6, 7, 9 ; occasionally 4 in 

 autumn. 



Key to the Species. — A/^f«7e— Forehead red ; throat black. 



Female — Body greyish ; forehead faintly marked with red ; 

 no red in young ; bill about equal in height and breadth at the 

 nostrils. 



There are two red-capped robins. This one, without a 

 red throat, and named before the other was discovered, 

 annually visits the southern and eastern parts of Victoria. 

 Its proper habitat is in the north-west of the colony. 

 From there it extends across the continent. I have 

 specimens of one " red-cap " from Port Darwin at one 

 corner, and of the other " red-cap " from Cape Leeuwin at 

 another. To us it is the Mai lee robin, although other 

 robins, without red breasts, also inhabit the same timber. 

 There is the Black and White Robin, as well as a grey 

 Scrub-Robin. This last species (Drymaoedus hrunneojnjgius) 

 belongs to another genus, and in more respects it differs 

 from Petroeca than the latter does from Saxicola, the 

 British robin. This beautiful and sprightly little creature 

 that is just vain enough in winter to fully show its coat of 

 brilliant colour, retires to the bush in early spring. There 

 it arranges to build a compact and elegant cup-like nest. 

 The time occupied in the building of this house will vary 



