80 



large insect, beating it several times against its percli (kingfisher fashion) before 

 swallowing it ; have also observed the foot used as a claw when feeding on a 

 large fly. Oct. 1. — Found on a sapling Fagus, a union nest, on which was 

 the cock {R. flahelliferct) ; 2nd — the hen [R. fidiginosa) was on the nest ; it 

 contained three eggs ; these, together with the nest, were taken, with very- 

 great reluctance, but it was thought they might help to convince anyone who 

 was sceptical as to the two species breeding together ; a fact that could not be 

 established by the most assidiious study of preserved skins. So tame was the 

 hen bird that it permitted the nest to be cut out of the young tree, carried from 

 the bush over a gorse fence and ditch, without moving from her position till 

 gently pushed off her eggs with the finger, her pied mate fluttering near, 

 twittering what was doubtless a reproachful protest against such barbarous 

 cruelty ; 22nd — saw another nest similar in build to that noticed under date 

 Jan. 2, depth of cavity only 1 inch 3 lines ; from its situation at a hend in the 

 creek, it would appear rather to confirm the idea that has been suggested as 

 the reason which guided the little architects in making this curious addition to 

 their neatly-built home. As far as we have observed, this mode of nidification 

 is restricted to R. Jlahellifera, the species that approaches most nearly to 

 R. alhiscapa. Should not this lead to a closer examination of the specific 

 differences which separate our pied Flycatcher from its Tasmanian congener. 

 Perhaps the form of nest which ornithologists give to R. alhiscapa may be 

 esceptional, as in the case of R. Jiabellifera. 



Oct. 23. • — ■ Found this afternoon a nest with only the foundation laid, 

 about an inch in diameter, which was being built by birds that had a brood of 

 three young ones to feed ; 25th — scattered, in the vicinity of the nest, short 

 lengths of different coloured wools, worsted, cotton wool, cow hair, white 

 horse-hair, etc. ; 26 th — saw some of the material supplied yesterday made use 

 of; 27th^ — nest completed, contained one egg, rim of the wall finished off" with 

 white horse-hair, pink wool, etc. ; 28th — hen on the nest, cock singing close 

 by ; the hen left the nest, when the cock immediately took her place whilst 

 she fed; 29th — three eggs. Nov. 14. — Four young hatched; 27th — young 

 left the nest. 



Jan. 7.- — -A union nest, in which were young birds in this instance ; the cock 

 was R. fidiginosa ; 1 0th — the young birds had left the nest and were flying 

 about the tree in which it had been built, with great vivacity ; they exactly 

 resembled the offspring of R. jlahellifera, but showed even a greater share of 

 activity ; it was the most vigorous brood of Flycatchers we had noticed during 

 the season. Was this superior display of energy owing to the cross between 

 the parent birds % Is the alliance between individuals of distinct species at all 

 common with any other genus of birds % We noticed that the cock bird 

 R. fidiginosa was as assiduous in his attentions to his young family as the hen, 

 notwithstanding the birds were of a different feather to himself 



