64 
THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 
Notes. — Also known as the Grey-breasted Robin and Grey-breasted 
Shrike-robin. It is similar in habits to the Southern Yellow Robin. 
Nest, — Similar to that of the Southern Yellow Robin. 
Eggs. — Two or three, varying from dull apple-green to pale yellowish- 
green, spotted or blotched with shades of chestnut, red, or brown; some 
have a well-defined zone at the larger end. Breeding-season: August to 
October. 
7- Jacky Winter (Brown Flycatcher) Micrceca fascinans Latham 
Micr-cec' -a — Gk, micros , small ; oikos, house : fas'-ci-nans — L., fascinans, 
fascinating. 
Distribution. — Australia generally. 
Notes. — Also called Peter-Peter, Post-boy, Post-sitter, White-tail, 
Stump-bird, and Spinks. A general favourite, friendly and confiding; it 
frequents gardens, orchards, and parks. It has a sweet and melodious 
song, and in addition utters a call resembling “Pretty, pretty, pretty ; peter, 
peter, peter,” or “You did, you did, you did.” Ever on the move, with 
its tail swaying from side to side. Food : insects of various kinds, captured 
on the wing or on the ground. 
Nest. — A small, saucer-shaped structure about 2^ inches wide by i 
inch deep, composed of fine grass mixed with horse-hair, pieces of bark, 
and lichen. Generally built into the angle of a forked horizontal dead 
branch of a tree up to 70 feet from the ground, and fastened with cob- 
webs. 
Eggs. — Usually two, greenish-blue, spotted and blotched with pur- 
plish-brown and underlying markings of greyish-lilac; some have well- 
defined zones at the larger end. Breeding-season : August to December. 
8. Lemon-breasted Flycatcher Micrceca flavigaster Gould 
jlav-i-gas-ter — L., — flavus , yellow ; Gk, gaster, belly. 
Distribution. — Northern Territory and northern and north-eastern 
Queensland ; also occurs in New Guinea. 
Notes. — Similar in habits to the Jacky Winter, but soars in circles 
like a singing Skylark. 
Nest. — A very small, saucer-shaped structure about 1 % inches across 
by i inch deep, composed of fibrous bark and grass, bound together with 
cobwebs. Usually built into the fork of a dead horizontal limb. 
Egg. — Faint blue, finely dotted all over with pale purplish-red. Breed- 
ing-season: October to January. 
9. Brown-tailed Flycatcher Micrcea brunneicauda Campbell 
brun-ne-i-caiid'-a — L., brunneus, brown ; L., cauda , tail. 
Distribution. — North-western Australia and Northern Territory. 
Notes. — This species is uncommon; it frequents open forests and also 
mangroves, where it conceals itself in the thickest growths, living on 
insects, small crabs, and other forms of marine-life. The call-notes are 
loud and closely resemble those of the Yellow-faced Honey-eater. 
