AUSES KAUPI. 



(Kaups Flycatcher.) 



♦ 



Small spot on the chin, crown of tlie head, lores, line beneath the eye, ear coverts, broad crescentic band, across the back, and a band across 

 the breast, deep shining bluish black ; wings and tail, brownish black ; throat and a broad band across the back of the neck, white ; lower 

 part of the back and abdomen, white — the base of the feathers, black, which, occasionally showing through, give those parts a mottled 

 appearance ; bill, bluish horn color, becoming lighter at the tip ; feet, black. 



Length, 6^ inches ; wing, h\ ; tail, 3t ; bill, \ ; tarsus, f . 



This bird is figured by Mr. Gould from a solitary specimen killed on the north coast of Australia, and by him dedicated to 

 the celebrated ornithologist. Dr. Kaup, of Darmstadt. Mr. Grould remarks that an unwillingness to multiply Grenera has induced him to 

 place this species in the genus Arses, the one, in his opinion, to which it is the most nearly related, though showing some alliance to 

 Monarcha. Other species are found in the Aru and neighbouring islands. No information accompanied the specimen. 



MYIAGRA PLUMBEA. 



(Leaden-colored Fly catcher .) 



-^ 



Male. — Upper surface, wings, tail, and breast, lead color, glossed with green on the head, neck, and breast, and becoming gradually paler 

 towards the extremity of the body, and on the wings and tail ; primaries, slatey black ; secondaries, faintly margined with white ; under 

 surface of wing, abdomen, and under tail coverts, white ; bill, bluish lead color — the tip, black ; irides and feet, black. 



The Female is paler, less shining, and the throat and chest are reddish buff, gradually fading away into white on the abdomen 

 The wings also are brown. The young males are similar in appearance to the females. 



Length, 6i inches ; wing, 3i ; tail, 3 ; bill, | ; tarsus, |. 



It frequents New South Wales and the southern portions of Queensland in the summer, migrating to the northward for the 

 winter months. Specimens have been obtained at Cape York. Like its congeners its habits are marked by great restlessness and activity, 

 which it exemplifies even in a state of comparative repose, the tail constantly being on the move from side to side. It is usually seen in 

 pairs, and its frequently uttered low whistling note may be often heard in the neighborhood of creeks and woody situations, while engaged in 

 the pursuit of its insect food. It builds a deep cup-shaped nest, which is constructed of mosses and lichens, and lined with feathers, and is 

 usually fixed in the fork or horizontal branch of a tree. 



MYIAGEA CONCINNA. 



(Pretty Flycatcher.) 



♦ 



The description of the male of this bird would read exactly similar to that of M. Plumbea, and need not, therefore, be repeated. The female 

 may be easily discriminated from that of the former species by the rusty coloring of the breast not gradually blending with the white of the 

 abdomen, but in being sharply defined. The size wiU always enable an ornithologist to decide as to the species, it being as follows :— 



Length, 6 inches ; wing, 2| ; tail, 2| ; bill, | ; tarsus, i. 



Habitat, north-west coast. 



MYIAGUA NITIDA. 



(Shining Flycatcher.) 



-^ 



M.1LE.— Lores, deep velvety black ; upper surface, wings, and tail, rich deep metallic blackish green ; primaries, deep brown ; throat and 

 breast, similar to the upper surface ; the remainder of the under surface, pure white ; irides and feet, black ; bill, lead color— the tip, black. 



Female.— Less brilliant in the coloring of the upper surface ; the throat and chest, rich rusty red. The young males are 

 similar to the females in appearance. 



Length, 6i inches ; wing, 3i ; tail, 3i ; bill, I ; tarsus, |. 



This species is found during the summer season in the southern parts of Australia and Tasmania, during which time the work 

 of incubation is performed. The winter is passed in the northern portions of the continent, specimens being pretty common at Cape York at 

 that season. It is a very lively, active, little bird, pursuing its insect food with the greatest pertinacity, the tail being always on the move 

 from side to side. Its nest is usuaUy situated at the extreme end of a dead branch of a tree, at a considerable height from the ground, and is 

 variously constructed, some being formed of light green moss, others of stringy bark thread, but all are lined with the soft hair of the 

 opossum, the downy fibres of the tree fern or delicate blossoms of plants, and decorated on the outside with bits of lichen, the whole being 

 felted together with cobwebs. The eggs are three, rather round, greenish white, spotted and blotched all over with umber brown, yellowish 

 brown, and purplish grey. Size 9 lines by 7 lines. 



