THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 
It has been puzzling to understand why such a common and familiar bird 
as this escaped the notice of the early settlers, and it is pleasing to recognise 
that the above Lathamian name applies to it. 
The full description reads : “ Length seven inches and a half ; head, 
neck, back, wings, and tail black ; a large patch of white on the lower coverts 
or secondary quills ; the under -parts of the body from the breast white ; over 
the eyes a long streak of white, like an eyebrow ; thighs black, dotted with 
white ; wings when closed reach half-way on the tail ; bill and legs black. 
Found at Port Jackson : described from a drawing made from a specimen 
brought from thence by Governor King ; in appearance it most resembles 
the Restless Thrush , No. 11 ; but in this last, the white trace over the eye, 
and white patch on the wing, are both wanting.” 
In the British Museum there exists a series of drawings about which details 
will be published later, which shows the drawing apparently referred to above, 
but the white patch on the wing is only indicated. It is easily recognisable, 
and immediately enabled the recognition of the above name. 
Consequently this name will displace the later tricolor of Vieillot and still 
later motacilloides Vigors and Horsfield, and also obviate any discussion of the 
merits of the former, as hereafter fully explained. 
Vigors and Horsfield simply state : “ This species was discovered by 
Mr. Brown at George River in September 1803,” without any mention of its 
habits. 
Gould added : “ With the exception of Tasmania, this bird has been 
found in every part of Southern Australia yet visited by Europeans. At the 
same time that it is one of the most widely diffused, it is also one of the most 
tame and familiar of the Australian birds, and consequently a great favourite ; 
it is constantly about the houses, gardens and stockyards of the settlers, often 
running along the backs and close to the noses of the cattle in order to secure 
the insects which are roused and attracted by the heat of their nostrils, 
along the roofs of the buildings, the tops of palings, gates, etc. ; constructing 
its pretty nest beneath the verandah, and even entering the rooms to capture 
its insect prey. It passes much of its time on the ground, over which it runs 
and darts with the utmost celerity, and when skirting the stream with tail 
erect and shaking from side to side, it presents an appearance very similar 
to that of the Pied Wagtails ; the movements of the tails of the two birds, 
however, are very different, that of the European being perpendicular, while 
that of the Australian is a kind of lateral swing. Its song, which consists of a 
few loud and shrill notes, is continually poured forth throughout the entire 
night, especially if it be moonlight. Its flight is at times gracefully undulating ; 
at others, it consists of a series of sudden zigzag starts, but is always of very 
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