74 
THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 
Notes. — Usually in pairs, arriving in New South Wales in Septem- 
ber, departing during March. Chiefly a coastal bird; very active, with a 
peculiar and distinctive trembling movement of the tail. Call-note, a 
harsh grating noise resembling that of certain species of frogs, hence the 
name “Frog-bird” used in some districts. Food : insects, chiefly flies, 
caught on the wing or among the leaves and branches of the tall trees. 
Nest . — A cup-shaped structure, composed of fine bark woven to- 
gether with cobwebs; lined with fine rootlets, and decorated on the out- 
side with pieces of bark and lichen. Usually built on top of a horizontal 
dead limb of a tree, and invariably protected from above by a live limb; 
generally at a considerable height from the ground. 
Eggs . — Usually three, white or faint bluish-white, spotted round the 
centre or on the larger end with brown and lavender markings which often 
form a well-defined zone. Breeding-season : October to January, 
6. Satin Flycatcher Myiagra cyanoleuca Vieillot — 6A. Female 
cy'-an-o-leuc'-a — Gk, cyanos , blue; Gk, leucos, white. 
Distribution. — Eastern Australia (from northern Queensland to Vic- 
toria) and Tasmania. 
Notes . — Also called Shining Flycatcher and Satin Sparrow. Arrives 
in south-eastern Australia during September and departs at end of Febru- 
ary. Usually in pairs, frequenting the tallest trees. Similar in habits to 
the Leaden Flycatcher, but has a clearer note. Food: insects, procured 
chiefly on the wing. 
Nest. — Cup-shaped, composed of strips of bark matted together with 
cobwebs, lined with rootlets and a little hair; externally covered with cob- 
webs and frequently a few pieces of lichen. Usually built on a horizontal 
dead limb, protected above by a live limb, at a considerable height from the 
ground. 
Eggs. — Two or three, dull white to faint bluish or greenish-white, 
spotted with brown and lavender markings, usually with a well-defined 
zone at the larger end. Breeding-season: November to January. 
7. Black-eared Cuckoo Ozvenavis osculans Gould 
Owen-a-ms — Owen , Richard Owen Mathews ; L., avis , bird : os-cu-lans— 
L., osculans , coming together. 
Distribution. — Australia generally, rare in coastal districts. 
Motes. — One of the rarest species of Cuckoos found in Australia. 
Usually met singly, very quiet in habits; it procures most of it food- 
insects — on or near the ground; flight similar to that of the Bronze 
Cuckoos ; rarely calls ; its note is long drawn out, gradually fading away. 
Parasitic — three authentic foster-parents known. It selects the nest 
of the Speckled Warbler chiefly. 
Egg . — Uniform dark chocolate in colour; very similar to that of 
the Speckled Warbler. Breeding-season: September to January (New 
South Wales) ; March (central Australia). 
