280 THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 



dominance there has been considerable differentiation into sub- 

 species and varieties. The Australian forms naturally group 

 themselves about four types. 



A. The White-shafted Fantails. — Ashy-brown above; wings 



brown, the inner secondaries edged with white; most of the 

 tail feathers with conspicuous white shafts, the ends of the 

 feathers white; cheeks and throat white; lower throat 

 black; rest of under surface bufE. Total length 6 inches, 

 tail about 3.5 inch. 



The White-shafted Fantail, B. alhiscapa. — Australia except North and 

 West. 



The White-tailed Fantail, B. aXbicauda. — Of the Centre, has a greater 

 extension of the white of the tail, one or two of the outermost 

 feathers being pure white, and the others, except the two centrals, 

 white narrowly edged with brown. 



The Dusky Fantail, B. diemenensis, is the Tasmauian form. It is slightly 

 larger and more deeply coloured, the upper surface darker; the throat 

 collar deeper black; the tail blackish; and the entire under surface 

 richer orange fulvous. 



The Western Fantail, B. preissi, is the West Australian form. Lacks 

 the black throat collar, and has the white of the tail more extensive. 



The White-fronted Fantail, B. pliasiana. — Northern Australia. Breast 

 white; wings spotted. 



B. The Rufous Fantails. — About the size of the Dusky Fantail. 



Head earthy-brown; back and tail bright bay-red, the tail 

 tipped with white ; wings rufous ; cheeks and upper throat 

 white, lower part of throat black, forming a large patch; 

 fore-neck mottled with black and white ; centre of breast 

 and abdomen white. 



The Rufous Fantail, B. rufifrons, is the type. — Eastern Australia from 

 Victoria to Gape York, Southern New Guinea. B. intermedia. — North- 

 east Queensland, is less brightly coloured. - 



The Wood Fantail, B. dryas. — North Australia. Is rather smaller, has 

 more white in the tips of the tail feathers, and has the white breast 

 crossed by a distinct band of black. 



