The Insectivorous Birds of N.S. W. 13 



and dense brushes of the coast to breed early in October. It resembles the 

 preceding species in its habits, but is far less frequently met with. Eggs 

 creamy-white, with a zone of dull blackish-brown and violet-grey markings on 

 the thicker end ; length, 0*72 x 053 inch. 



45. Sattloprocta motacilloides, Viq. and Horsf. " Black and White 



Eantail," " Water Wagtail." 



Bhipidura motacilloides, Gould, Birds of Austr., fol. ed., Vol. II, pi. 86 (1848). 

 Siuloprocta ■motacilloides, North, Nests and Eggs Austr. Bds., p. 88 (1889). 



A resident and well-known species found over most parts of New South 

 Wales. It frequents the vicinity of farms, outbuildings, gardens, and 

 orchards, and may be often seen perched on the backs of cows, or securing 

 the insects disturbed by them while feeding. Erom this bird's habit of 

 constantly swaying its lengthened tail feathers from side to side it is locally 

 known in many districts as the "Willy Wagtail." It breeds in September 

 and the three following months, constructing a remarkably neat cup-shaped 

 nest of thin strips of bark and dried grasses beautifully held together and 

 woven round with cobwebs, and lined inside with thin wiry grasses or 

 fibrous roots. The eggs are three or four in number for a sitting, of a pale 

 yellowish or creamy-white ground colour, spotted and dotted with yellowish- 

 brown and ashy-grey, principally at the thicker end, where the markings 

 frequently assume the form of a zone; length, G"8 x 6 inch. The nest of 

 this species is usually built on the branch of a tree overhanging water, but 

 may be sometimes found a considerable distance from any stream. Its call 

 note resembles the sound of the w r ords, " Sweet Pretty Creature." 



46. Seisura ijs"quieta, Latham. " Restless Elycatcher." "Bazor-grinder." 



Seisura inqirieta, Gould, Birds of Austr., fol. ed., Vol. ir, pi. 87 (184S) j 

 North, Nests and Eggs of Austr. Bds., p. 89. 



A resident species ; although widely distributed, it is not so frequently met 

 with as the Black and White Eantail, which bird it somewhat resembles. 

 Its curious note, however, which is uttered generally when hovering a few 

 feet above the ground, and the pure white throat as well as the remainder 

 of the under surface of the body, will at once serve to distinguish it from 

 the preceding species. The nest of this bird is usually built at the end of 

 a dead bough, and is outwardly composed of strips of bark, grasses, and 

 cobwebs ; the inside being neatly lined with rootlets, grasses, and hair. The 

 eggs are three in number for a sitting, of a dull white ground colour blotched 

 and spotted with dull chestnut-brown, principally towards the larger end, 

 where, intermingled with underlying markings of pale slaty-grey, they 

 frequently form a well-defined zone ; length, - 75 x 0'6 inch. The breeding 

 season commences in September, and continues until the end of December. 



47. Myiagra rubecula, Latham. "Lead-coloured Elycatcher." " Erog- 



bird." 



Myiagra plumbea, Gould, Birds of Austr., fob, Vol. IT, pi. 89 (1848). 

 Myiagra rubecula, North, Nests and Eggs of Austr. Bds., p. 92 (1889). 



A migratory and by no means common species arriving in New South 

 Wales during September, and leaving again about the end of March. It is 

 usually met with in pairs in the secluded gullies of the coastal districts of 

 the Colony. The nest is a very beautiful structure, composed of small 



