BROWN FLYCATCHER. 
is rather inclined to be of a restless nature, seldom remaining in the same 
spot for any length of time, and it has a peculiar habit of swaying its tail from 
side to side, and when in flight the tail-feathers are spread out sufficiently to 
show the white tips very conspicuously. Its food appears to consist of a great 
variety of small insects, gathered both upon the ground and while in flight.’ 5 
Berney’s notes read : “ The Pale Flycatcher ( Microeca pallida ) is a con- 
stant resident with us in northern Queensland. I think, judging by the volume 
of song, that they commence pairing in July ; I found a nest with one youngster 
on 19th August, 1899, and another with two youngsters on 24th October the 
year previous. The feathers were just showing on the first lot ; the others 
were half fledged. They feed very late in the evening. I have noticed them 
when it was almost dark darting off some coign of vantage after insects on 
the wing. They are sweet singers, one of our best, and one of the earliest to be 
heard in the morning — it is hardly daylight when they start.” 
Mr. F. E. Howe has written me from Victoria : “At Parwan on the west 
of Melbourne and at Ringwood in the easterly direction and also in the Mallee 
Scrubs this is a very common bird. They much prefer the more open timber 
where they seem better able to get food. I have often marvelled at the distance 
they can detect a moth or other insect and the dexterity with which they 
secure it. One moment they are perched on a stump or fence or perhaps 
some dead limb and generally low down ; then they will make a fairly straight 
flight for perhaps thirty or forty yards and catching their prey fly to some dead 
twig and eat it. Here they will sit moving the tail from side to side until they 
again are off in pursuit of some unfortunate creature. It is a most useful 
bird to the orchardist, and at early morn and sunset they are particularly 
lively in this respect. The call-note is exactly reproduced by calling 4 Willie- 
willie-willie-willie 5 in a fairly high tone. Incubation takes about thirteen 
days.” 
Mr. Tom Carter notes : “ Occurs sparingly about Broome Hill and 
nowhere seems to be abundant, yet its unassuming plumage and quiet habits 
may cause it to be sometimes overlooked. Like many other species, a pair 
of birds may be found year after year at one place, as a certain stretch of 
fencing, an old stump, etc. While driving along highroads I have noticed 
that one or two of these birds are always seen at the same spot to a few yards. 
A specimen was shot at Kellerberin, January 7th, 1903. This species did not 
come under my notice north of that locality.” 
Mr. C. F. Belcher says : “ It is a non-migratory and very local species, 
requiring as special conditions a moderately thick growth of wattle, honey- 
suckle or ti-tree with open spaces and occasional large gum trees. That is to 
say, it is essentially a bird of the bush, not the dense wet forest of the Otways, 
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