PLATE IX IX IK I IX. 



GENUS RHIPI DURA (Vig. and Horsf.) 



MEMBERS of this genus are found in India and Australia, and in most of the islands between 

 these countries. 



RHIPIDURA ALBISCAPA (Gould). 



WHITE-SHAFTED FAN TAIL. 



THE present species inhabits Tasmania and the southern portion of Australia, including New South 

 Wales. There are slight differences noticeable in specimens from different places, but not sufficient 

 to justify their division into new species. 



It associates in small flocks of from two to six, and is found both in thick brushes and in 

 the more open Eucalyptus forests. 



It is remarkably tame in disposition, and often even enters houses in order to obtain small 

 flies or other insects. 



Whilst engaged in searching for food among the leaves of trees and bushes, it utters a feeble 

 twittering note. 



The breeding season lasts from October to the beginning of January, two and sometimes three 

 broods being reared. The nest is constructed of strips of bark, joined together with cobwebs, and 

 lined with the hairy fibre of fern trees. It is placed on a branch of a tree or in a low bush, never 

 being at a great distance from the ground. The colour of the eggs, which are two in number, is 

 white, with spots and blotches of olive-brown distributed over the surface. 



There is no difference in the outward appearance of the sexes. 



The crown of the head and ear-coverts are brown ; back, black ; wings, tail, and a band 

 across the chest, blackish-brown ; bases of primaries and secondaries, and tips of tail-feathers, white : 

 line over the eye, chin, and throat, white ; under surface, buff ; irides, bill, and feet, dark brown. 



Habitats : New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, Western Australia, and Tasmania. 



KHiriDURA RUFIFKONS (Vi . and Hors/.j 



RUFOUS-FRONTED F ANT AIL. 



N the thick brushes of New South Wales and Victoria, and also in some parts of South Australia, 

 the Rhipidura RufLj'vons is found in considerable abundance. 



