THE FLAME-BREASTED ROBIN. 169 



This species is found also in Southern Queensland, 

 New South Wales, South Australia, Tasmania, and on 

 other islands in Bass Straits. 



Mr. R. Hall, in his valuable little work, "Insectivorous 

 Birds of Victoria," says: 'Where they go in spring 

 and summer has been as great a mystery as where the 

 pelican lays its eggs ; but now we know they keep on 

 their bright colors, and simply retire to the forest to 

 rest! The Flame-breast goes away earlier and deeper 

 into the woods than the Scarlet-breast. While comparing 

 this bird with the conspicuous Blue Wren, it is interesting 

 to note that the male is always red ; while the Wren 

 moults its blue, and goes through the winter in a modest 

 brown dress, and, with the spring, dons the blue again. 

 It takes a Robin at least three years to secure a thoroughly 

 brilliant red. To see thirty-five male Robins of one 

 species close together in a field is a sight worth a deal 

 of trouble to see. This occurs in July, before the 

 breeding season in August and the following four 

 months. Two or three broods are reared in a season. 

 The male Flame-breast, P. Phoenicia, is a little musical. 

 It has a set bar containing some seven notes, very 

 sweet, varying, and occupying about two and a-half 

 seconds in production. The throat of the Flame-breasted 

 Robin is red, while that of the Scarlet-breasted is 

 black." 



