OF VICTORIA. 67 



RESTLESS FLYCATCHER 



(Scissors Grinder), 



Sisiira inqiiicta, Lath. 



Sl-surd in-quiel'd. 

 Seio, to shake ; oura, tail ; inquietu'i, restless. 

 Seistjra inquieta, Gould, "Birds of Australia," fol., vol. ii., pi. 87. 

 Geographical Distribution. — Areas 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 9. 



Key to the Species —Under surface white, no black on throat ; 

 at times a rufous tint on breast ; upper surface shining bluish- 

 black. Wing, 4 inches ; tail, 3 inches. 



There appear to be two " Black and White Fantails " in 

 Yictoria. Such there certainly are, but until the fact tliat 

 one has a black throat and the other a white one is noted 

 they are considered one. Beyond this, the question of 

 vocal differences come in for consideration. While this 

 species is the " Scissors Grinder," the Rhipidura tricolor 

 has a series of notes like " sweet-pretty-creature " uttered 

 at lengthened period.^. There are also other calls which 

 may be heard principally in the spring season and in the 

 stronghold of its habitat, the north-west of the colony. 

 Mr. Gilbert speaks of its vocal powers in the foUowino- 

 way :— 



" The general note is a loud, harsh cry several times re- 

 peated. It also utters a loud, clear whistle, but its most 

 singular note is that from which it has obtained its col- 

 onial name, and which is only emitted while the bird is in 

 a hovering position at a few feet above the ground. This 

 noise so exactly resembles a grinder at work that a person 

 unaware of its being produced by a bird might easily be 

 misled. Its mode of flight is one of the most graceful and 



