THE BIRDS OF THE COBBORA DISTRICT. 121 



Peiroeca goodenovii (Red-capped Robin).— Always to be found in great numbers in the drier tracts 

 of the district. Commencing in August, they breed here freely, rearing two broods in a season. The 

 clutch is just as often two as three ; I have never seen more than the latter number. They often 

 become the foster parents of the Narrow-billed Bronze Cuckoo. 



Petroeca tricolor (Hooded Robin). — Generally dispersed in pairs throughout the more open 

 Country ; mostly found near the ground perched on dead branches. I have never met with this 

 bird in the heavily timbered country. The female alone builds the nest, and takes upon herself 

 the whole task of incubation. They are very close sitters, often allowing an intruder to approach 

 within a few yards before leaving the nest. Breeding hire freely, usually placing their nests low 

 down. I have examined a great many ol them containing both eggs and young birds, but have never 

 seen more than two to a clutch. Eggs may be found during the months of September, October and 

 November. 



Hooded Robin {Petroeca bicolor) on nest in a White Box sapling. 



Smicrornis brevirostris (Short-billed Tree Tit). — Numerous in the country where the eucalyptus 

 saplings are growing ; seldom seen high up in large trees. They breed here freely, placing their nests 

 in the leaves of drooping willow-like branches of eucalyptus trees, generally near the ground, and 

 most of those 1 have found have been discovered by the sitting bird flushing as I rode past, They 

 usually lay three eggs. I have taken them at all times between August 25th and December 10th, 

 and although I have examined a great many of their nests I have never known a Cuckoo to place its 

 egg in any one of them. 



Gerygone albigularis (White-throated Fly-eater). — Some years during the spring and summer 

 months they are very common, while in other years not a bird is to be seen. Their notes and 

 habits are very similar to those of Pseudogerygone culicivora, and their nests can only be distinguished 

 by the colour, the present species using the inner reddish bark of the stringvbark trees for an outer 



