42 THE WOMBAT. 



THE BIRDS OF THE GEELONG 

 DISTRICT. 



By C. F. Belcher, B.A. 



II. MUSCICAPID.E— THE FLYCATCHERS. 



Most familiar of the flycatchers, in the Geelong district as 

 elsewhere, is the Black and White Fantail (Sauloprocta 

 motacilloides). From the You Yangs to Spring Creek, from 

 Queenscliff to Winchelsea there is hardly a spot unsuitable 

 for the " Wagtail." And here it may be remarked that the 

 bird is not a true wagtail, but since the habits are closely 

 akin to those of the English Water-wagtail, it was perhaps 

 natural for the first colonists to call it such. One has only to 

 spend a day on the Lower Barwon to observe how the bird 

 loves the water. All along the river-bank down to the Lakes 

 the Black and White Flycatcher makes its home in the willows, 

 and stunted gums that overhang the stream. Even in the 

 bush its favourite haunt is near a pond or dam. It is not by 

 any means shy, and is partial to the neighbourhood of farms. 

 It has been called the " Shepherd's Companion," from its 

 fondness for running over the backs of the sheep in search of 

 insects ; though it might just as well have been called the 

 ox herd's companion, as it treats cattle in the same way. 

 In both cases the beasts are probably grateful. The birds 

 pair off at the beginning of September, and by the middle of 

 that month the nest is usually complete. It is a wonderfully 

 woven structure of fine shreds of bark and grass, bound round 

 with cobweb till the outside is smooth. The lining material 

 varies, but is generally horsehair and wool. The nest is 

 placed on a horizontal bough at a height of from five to 

 fifteen feet, and takes some finding, from its close similarity 

 to its surroundings. The eggs are three in number, some- 

 times four ; of a light cream ground colour, with a thick band 

 of brown and lilac spots round the middle. 



The White Shafted Fantail ( Rhipidura albiscapa) is the 

 most graceful of the family to which it belongs. Never at 

 rest for an instant, it flits with wings and tail extended from 

 twig to twig, indulging the while in a curious chirp, pitched 

 now high, now low, a very see-saw of song. This fantail is 

 common in all the wooded parts of our district, and is par- 

 ticularly plentiful in the Queenscliff Road bush. About Easter 

 time or a little earlier numbers of these birds come into the 

 town, and disport themselves in the gardens. They disappear 

 with the approach of winter, presumably back to the forests. 

 A start is made with nest building at the end of September. 



