9 4 
The Queensland Naturalist April, 1945 
population of a district. At times, one is tempted to 
regard the term “fixed,” as applied to avian species, with 
a certain amount of suspicion. 
The Rufous-breast is to be heard at his best in the 
Spring, although the writer is tempted to modify that 
statement considerably on recalling some patricularly 
brilliant example of late Autumn song, delivered on a 
bright sunny day in May. Weather conditions allowing, 
the developing song of the Rufous-breast can be heard 
throughout the Winter months, to reach its peak of per- 
fection in late August and September, and contrary to 
general opinion, continuing right through the nesting 
period. Late Summer and early Autumn sees a diminu- 
tion in song. The oppressive heat of the Queensland 
summer, the responsibility of young birds, or the approach 
of the moult may be responsible for this state of affairs. 
In Autumn, March, the resumption of song by the 
adults and the peculiar efforts of the young birds can be 
heard. Almost a to springtime fervour is 
observed among the Rufous Whistler population, and it is 
just a matter of opinion as to whether the autumnal song, 
at times, does not equal the best of the Rufous-breast's 
springtime efforts. Evidence of the Autumnal migration 
is seen at this period. 
Attempts at phonetic description of bird song are 
liable to raise violent controversies, so seldom do bird 
observers agree upon the exact phrasing of a bird’s vocal 
efforts; but until some alternative method is devised, 
phonetic description has to be used, not forgetting, of 
course, its obvious limitations. 
Observed at a few days old, the Rufous Whistler, a 
blind, helpless, dark-skinned, yellow-japed object, can 
muster a feeble twitter. Once on the wing, October or 
November, they utter a short low whistle. The young birds’ 
first attempts to master the characteristic note is very 
comical at times. The adults’ song also undergoes some 
modification in the late Summer, January and February, 
and some very creaky notes are heard from both adult and 
young. The Rufous Whistler’s most frequently uttered 
note is the simple phrase, “ee-yip” or “ee-yoo. ” This 
note can be heard at any time of the year, and the young 
birds’ attempt to master this note is responsible for some 
most peculiar noises. At times it seems as though he were 
trying to imitate his relation, the Golden-breast and even a 
note resembling the whistle of a Black-faced Flycatcher 
