DISHWASHER FANTAIL. 
139 
like that caused by a razor-grinder when at work. 
I have frequently seen it alight on the ridge of my 
house and perform the same evolutions. I have 
often considered it, when I witnessed these man- 
ners, to he the Wagtail of the colony. The stumps 
of trees on which it alights are those which have 
been left standing where the ground has been 
cleared, the trees themselves having been cut down 
about a yard from the ground.” So far we have 
the testimony of an eye-witness, corroborating all 
those analogical inferences to be drawn from its ge- 
neral structure, illustrating its relation to other 
tribes. It is truly, as Mr. Caley observes, the re- 
presentation of the Motacilhu or Wagtails, not only 
in the colony, but in that natural circle into which 
it enters. 
The colouring is very simple, being unbroken 
by any spots or markings. The upper plumage, 
excepting the quills, which are brown, is of a uni- 
form glossy blue -black, darkest upon the head, 
where the feathers are somewhat scale-shaped ; this 
colour advances so far on the sides of the head as 
to include the lores, eyes, and ears ; the inner 
wing-covers are also black. The whole of the un- 
der plumage, from the chin to. the tail -covers, is 
white, in one specimen I possess, and tinged with 
buff on the breast of another; this difference is 
probably sexual. The bill and feet are black. 
Total length, inches; bill, gape, To > front, 
j 6 o ; wings, 3/u ; tail beyond, 1 T S 5 ; base, 4; tar- 
sus, i'(j- 
