THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 
Australian birds ; for it is neither gaily coloured, nor is it characterised by 
any conspicuous markings ; these deficiencies, however, are, as is usually the 
case, amply compensated for by the little sombre tenant of the forest being 
endowed with a most cheerful and pleasing song, the notes of which are poured 
forth at the dawn of day from the topmost dead branch of a lofty gum-tree, an 
elevated position which appears to be frequently resorted to for the purpose 
of serenading its mate, its usual place of abode being much nearer the ground. 
It is mostly met with in pairs, and may be frequently seen perched on the 
low bushy twigs of a thistle-like plant, occasionally on the gates and palings and 
in the gardens of the settlers. It appeared to me that its actions resemble 
quite as much those of the Flycatchers as of the Robins, and at the same time 
are sufficiently distinct to justify the bird being made the type of a new genus ; 
I may particularly mention a singular lateral movement of the tail, which it 
is continually moving from side to side. Its food consists of insects, which it 
captures both among the foliage of the trees and on the wing, frequently flying 
forth in pursuit of passing flies, and returning again to the branch it had left.” 
Mr. Edwin Ashby has written : “I have found this Flycatcher common in 
all timber or scrub country I have visited in South Australia, Victoria, New 
South Wales, and southern Queensland, while on the goldfields of West Australia 
its place was taken by a distinct subspecies. Its lively notes are to be heard 
in the bush throughout the greater part of the year, but in springtime scores 
of them are calling continuously within sound of my house. On alighting 
the tail is wagged from side to side with a slight spreading of the tail-feathers, 
showing the white shafting which is almost hidden when the bird is at rest. 
It is remarkable how few of the nests are seen compared to the number of 
birds ; this is due to the fact that the birds in our district build the small nest 
in the fork of a tree well out of reach, and usually hardly any part of the nest 
is visible from the ground. When digging these birds show no fear of man, 
flying down almost under the spade to pick up cockchafer grubs as they are 
turned over.” 
Mr. Thos. P. Austin has sent me the following : “ This familiar, sociable 
little bird is plentifully dispersed throughout the district and is generally met 
with in pairs near the ground, but at times it is seen perched upon the topmost 
branch of a dead tree, from which it holds forth its little song, while another 
favourite perch is a telegraph wire. It is found in all sorts of country, from 
thick scrubs to open paddocks, where it flits about fences; others having a 
preference for living about orchards or anywhere near a dwelling. It is a 
permanent resident here (Cobbora, N.S.W.) and once a pair have taken up their 
abode in any certain locality, they remain there as long as their food supply 
holds out, and they will often breed about the same spot year after year. It 
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