32 NATURAL HISTOHT. 



Gardens in the Regent's Park, where the Common Flycatcher sometimes takes up its abode in 

 summer, informed the writer that on one occasion he found the ground strewn with little blue pellets, 

 which, on being examined, turned out to be the hard shells of the bodies of bluebottle flies, which had 

 formed a large portion of the food of these birds. The nest is generally placed against a wall, or the 

 trellis-work on a verandah, or on the side of a house, the last being a very favourite situation. The 

 birds are very tame in their nature, and the female will often sit close while the nest is being 

 inspected. When the young have flown, both parents labour to supply them with food ; and the 

 nestlings may often be seen perched in a row, and taking food in turn from the old ones. As they 

 get older they will follow their parents about the trees ; and it is at this time of year particularly that 

 the Flycatchers somewhat abandon their habit of catching insects on the wing, and search for their 

 food under the leaves of the trees. The Common Flycatcher is about five inches and a half in length ; 

 the wing three inches and a quarter ; the general colour is dark brown, with lighter brown marks in 

 the middle of each feather ; the forehead hoary ; the wings and tail darker brown, with pale margins 

 to the secondaries and wing-coverts ; the under surface of the body is white, with streaks of brown on 

 the throat, breast, and flanks ; the upper breast being washed with light brown, the flanks tinged with 

 yellowish-brown, and the under wing-coverts and axillaries pale fawn colour. 



Other species of true Flycatcher, very similar to the English bird, are found in Africa and in 

 Eastern Asia ; and like 31. yrisola, the Chinese Flycatcher is migratory, proceeding in winter to the 

 Philippine Islands, and even to some of the Moluccas. 



THE FANTAILS (Mipidura).* 



All the Fantails are remarkable for a very broad and wide-spreading tail, which spreads out like 

 a fan when the bird is in motion. Commencing in India, the range of the genus extends through the 

 Indo-Chinese countries, all over the Malayan Peninsula and the Malayan Archipelago, to Australia, 

 and even to Oceania. The number of species is very large, and it is especially represented in the 

 Malay Archipelago, where every little island or group of islands possesses a peculiar species. Mr. 

 Gould gives an accountt of the White-shafted Fantail (Rhipidwa albiscapa) in Australia : " In 

 Tasmania I have seen the White-shafted Fantail, in the depth of winter, in the gullies on the sunny 

 sides of Mount Wellington ; and it is my opinion that it only retires at this season to such localities as 

 are sheltered from the bleak south-westerly winds which then so generally prevail, and where insects 

 are still to be found. The bird is also subject to the same law on the continent of Australia; but as 

 the temperature of that country is more equable its effects are not so decided. And in support of this 

 opinion, I may adduce the remark of Caley, who says : ' This species is very common about Paramatta, 

 and I do not recollect having missed it at any period of the year.' It is generally found in pairs, but 

 I have occasionally seen as many as four or five together. It inhabits alike the topmost branches of 

 the highest trees, those of a more moderate growth, and the shrouded and gloomy foliaged dells in the 

 neighbourhood of rivulets. From those retreats it darts out a short distance to capture insects, and in 

 most instances returns to the same branch it had left. While in the air it often assumes a number of 

 lively and beautiful positions, at one moment mounting almost perpendicularly, constantly spreading 

 out its tail to the full extent, and frequently tumbling completely over in the descent ; at another it 

 may be seen flitting through the branches, and seeking for insects among the flowers and leaves, 

 repeatedly uttering a sweet twittering song. This Fantail is rather a late breeder, scarcely ever com- 

 mencing before October, during which and the three following months it rears two and often three 

 broods. Its elegant little nest, closely resembling a wineglass in shape, is woven together with ex- 

 quisite skill, and is generally composed of the inner bark of a species of Eiicalyptus, neatly lined with 

 the down of the tree-fern intermingled with flowering stalks of moss, and outwardly matted together 

 with the webs of spiders, which not only serve to envelop the nest, but are also employed to 

 strengthen its attachment to the branch on which it is constructed. The situation of the nest is much 

 varied. I have observed it in the midst of dense brushes, in the more open forest, and placed on a 

 branch overhanging a mountain rivulet, but at all times within a few feet of the ground. In its dis- 

 position this little bird is one of the tamest imaginable, allowing of a near approach without evincing 

 the slightest timidity, and will even enter the houses of persons resident in the bush in pursuit of 

 * purt's, a fan; oupa, a tail. + " Handbook to the Birds of Australia," Vol. I., p. 238. 



