THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 
common everywhere, nesting sometimes on the dead trees in the clearings 
and sometimes in living scrub. The young, when they leave the nest, are 
streaky in appearance, and somewhat conspicuous objects when sitting on a 
dead twig waiting to be fed ; each feather of the head and back has a light- 
coloured stripe down the centre, and the light-coloured feathers of the under- 
surface are edged with brown. The old birds are very homely in appearance 
and in their ways, though at times they may become pugnacious. Their efforts 
at song are more indicative of their vivacity than their musical taste.” 
No subspecies of this island species were, of course, possible until the 
recognition of the above “ lesser island ” forms by Mellor and White suggested 
comparison. I thereupon considered them and agreeing with the above, 
named it as A. v. bassi , and at the same time named A. v. Icingi from 
King Island, as that form has a “ buff breast instead of a grey one.” I, 
therefore, recognise : 
Amaurodryas vittata vittata (Quoy & Gaimard). 
Tasmania. 
With this Petroica fusca Gould is synonymous. 
Amaurodryas vittata Icingi Mathews. 
King Island, Bass Straits. 
Amaurodryas vittata bassi Mathews. 
Cape Barren Island, Flinders Group, 
Bass Straits. 
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