THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 
nest : outside — length 3 inches, breadth 21, depth 2 r V ; inside — length 2 r V, breadth 
If, depth lxo.” (Hill.) 
Eggs. Clutch, two. . . . ground-colour of a dull greenish-stone, marked with small round 
spots of reddish-brown, of different shades, and lilac, the latter appearing as if 
beneath the surface.” (White.) Dimensions 18 to 19 mm. by 15 - 16 . 
Breeding-season. January, February. (Hill.) August and September. (Campbell and 
Barnard.) 
M acgelliyr ay’ s notes read : “ The White-tailed Shrike Robin was observed 
first at Cape York. It is a denizen of the mangroves, and is locally known as 
the Mangrove Robin — an excellent and distinctive vernacular name for it. 
It may be seen in fair numbers by anyone who has the hardihood to search 
amongst the mangroves and the patience to watch and wait for it when its 
call is heard. This, a short, low whistle is frequently heard in the breeding- 
season, and if imitated, will bring the bird to you. The female does most of 
the nest building, the male usually feeding close by. The nests are placed 
in a dead or living fork of a mangrove at from 8 to 14 feet from the water, 
and are made to assimilate in colour and character of exterior to the limb they 
are on, so that they are very difficult to detect. When flushed from the nest 
the female drops low down, flies right away, and does not return for some 
considerable time. The eggs, two in number, vary considerably in coloration, 
the ground-colour in some being a light green, and in others a dark olive-green.” 
He later emphasised this, writing : “ We heard the White-tailed Shrike 
Robin calling from the mangroves at the mouth of the Claudie. It should be 
known as the ‘ Mangrove Robin,’ as it is the only Robin constantly found in 
the mangroves.” 
Messrs. Campbell and Barnard gave the following note from Rockingham 
Bay, the south-easternmost record to date: “ The White-tailed Robin frequents 
the mangroves. They are confiding little birds, but it is hard work observing 
them, as these places are badly infested with mosquitoes and sandflies ; besides, 
you have to wade knee-deep through mud. Several of their pretty nests, 
placed in a forked mangrove branch, were found. During the nesting-season 
their loud whistling call is frequently heard in the mangroves, and, upon 
imitating it, the birds will come close to you. A nest containing a pair of 
eggs was taken on the 27th August ; a second nest was found being built a few 
days later, and a third nest was observed on 6th September with a pair of 
young birds.” 
It is a pity that they did not describe these young birds, as such a 
description would have been very useful. 
Mr. J. P. Rogers wrote me from Derby : “ These are quiet birds, and I 
have always seen them in the mangroves, as they are mostly ground-feeders, 
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