PLATE XI 
BIRDS OF THE OPEN FOREST 
(Some Migrants) 
1. Rufous Whistler Pachycephala rufwentris Latham—1A. Female 
Pach'-y-ceph-ala— Gk, pachys, thick; Gk, cephale, head: ru-fi-ven'-tris— 
L., rufus, red; L., venter, belly. 
distribution. Australia generally. 
notes. Also called Rufous-breasted Whistler, Rufous-breasted 
Thickhead, Ring Coachman, Thunder-bird, Echong, and Little 
Thrush. Usually in pairs, arriving in early September, departing 
during February or March. It procures most of its food among the 
branches of trees. It is one of the first birds to usher in the morn 
with its loud melodious call like “E-chong-E-chong", followed by a 
succession of loud rich notes, which are poured forth simultaneously 
with any loud and sudden noise, like the discharge of a gun or a peal 
of thunder. Food: chiefly insects; also native fruits and berries. 
nest. An open, cup-shaped structure, scantily composed of dried 
twigs and grasses; lined inside with finer grasses and rootlets. Usually 
built in an upright forked branch of any suitable tree. 
eggs. Two or three, dull olive to olive-brown, freckled, spotted, and 
blotched with shades of brown, often forming a zone at the larger end. 
Breeding-season: September to January. 
2. White-winged Triller Lalage tricolor Swainson—2A. Female 
Lal'-a-ge—Lalage, girl's name (classical): tri color— L., tricolor , three- 
coloured. 
distribution. Australia generally, and New Guinea; accidental 
to Tasmania. 
notes. Also called White-shouldered Caterpillar-eater and Peewee- 
lark. Usually in pairs, arriving in September, departing during Feb¬ 
ruary. It has a melodious song, the “Joey-joey” notes are uttered 
while flying from tree to tree. Some years it is very plentiful, generally 
coinciding with the years that cicadas are numerous. Food: insects 
and their larvae, chiefly procured among the leaves of trees. 
nest. A small, open, shallow structure, composed of very fine root¬ 
lets and dried grasses woven together with cobwebs; sometimes 
decorated on the outside with pieces of bark and spiders’ egg-bags. 
Usually placed in a horizontal fork of a tree; some are placed in 
upright forks, when, as a rule, they are larger (deeper). 
