328 ON THE OOLOGY OF AUSTRALIA, 



MlCR^ECA MACROPTERA. 



The Brown Fly-catcher. (Gould, B., Ausfcr. Vol. III., pi. ii.) 

 PL I., Figs. 9 and 10. 



This bird, although one of our most common, and sombre- 

 colored, is one of our sweetest songsters. At day -break it may 

 be seen perched upon the dead top of some lofty Eucalyptus, 

 pouring forth a song of the most cheerful and pleasing strain : its 

 notes are varied, and may be heard at a considerable distance. 

 Mr. Gould remarks that they resemble those of the Chaffinch 

 (Frmgilla ccelebs). They have a decided preference for perching 

 while singing upon the very topmost boughs of the most lofty 

 trees, from whence they will dart off to capture some insect on the 

 wing, and then return to complete their song. They are very 

 tame, and fearless of man : and will frequently come and perch 

 beside you when walking in the fields or bush ; wagging their 

 tails from side to side as if perfectly sure that they were either 

 privileged birds, or, on account of their dull plumage, not worth 

 shooting. 



This the so-called " Tit-lark" of Australia, which is a general 

 favorite, is both a summer and winter resident. They are con- 

 stantly found about the fences and rails, and are not unfrequently 

 seen on the roofs of houses, always in pairs, and occasionally 

 seeking for spiders under the eaves, which they eagerly devour ; 

 and, if building at the time, will carry off the web to cement the 

 nest. Last year a pair took possession of a large Oak-tree, near 

 our dwelling-house, at Dobroyde, and afforded us much amuse- 

 ment in watching them : seeking for spiders and cobweb under 

 the eaves and corners of the stables. One day, by watching 

 one cany off a large piece of cobweb, my brother discovered 

 its nest, placed in a fork near the end of a horizontal bough. 

 While adding the cobweb, the bird sat in the nest, and, pushing 

 itself round and round, stuck the web on the edges. The 

 nest is small, but very neat and compact 1| inch across, by 

 ^ inch deep composed of grasses sunk in the fork of a 

 horizontal bough ; the edge is even with, or slightly raised above, 

 the branches, and ornamented with small scales of bark, securely 



