DISHWASHER FANTAIL. 139 



like that caused by a razor-grinder when at work. 

 I hare frequently seen it alight on the ridge of my 

 house and perform the same evolutions. I have 

 often considered it, when I witnessed these man- 

 ners, to he the Wagtail of the colony. The stumps 

 of trees on which it alights are those which have 

 been left standing where the ground has been 

 cleared, the trees themselves having been cut down 

 about a yard from the ground." So far we have 

 the testimony of an eye-witness, corroborating all 

 those analogical inferences to be drawn from its ge- 

 neral structure, illustrating its relation to other 

 tribes. It is truly, as Mr. Caley observes, the re- 

 presentation of the Motacillce or Wagtails, not only 

 in the colony, but in that natural circle into which 

 it enters. 



The colouring is very simple, being unbroken 

 by any spots or markings. The upper plumage, 

 excepting the quills, which are brown, is of a uni- 

 form glossy blue -black, darkest upon the head, 

 where the feathers are somewhat scale-shaped ; this 

 colour advances so far on the sides of the head as 

 to include the lores, eyes, and ears; the inner 

 wing-covers are also black. The whole of the un- 

 der plumage, from the chin to the tail -covers, is 

 white, in one specimen I possess, and tinged with 

 buff on the breast of another; this difference is 

 probably sexual. The bill and feet are black. 



Total length, 7i inches; bill, gape, T %; front, 

 ft; wings, 3^; tail beyond, 1^; base, 4; tar- 

 us, ft. 



