74 
THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 
eastern Australia (from Cape York to Victoria); also found in New 
Guinea; accidental to Tasmania. 
notes. Usually in pairs, arriving in New South Wales in September, 
departing during March. Chiefly a coastal bird: very active, with a 
peculiar and distinctive trembling movement of the tail. Call-note, 
a harsh grating noise resembling that of certain species of frogs, hence 
the name “Frog-bird" used in some districts. Food: insects, chieliy flies, 
caught on the wing or among the leaves and branches of the tall trees. 
nest. A cup-shaped structure, composed of fine bark woven together 
with cobwebs; lined with fine rootlets, and decorated on the outside 
with pieces of bark and lichen. Usually built on top of a horizontal 
dead limb of a tree, and invariably protected from above by a live 
limb; generally ai a considerable height from the ground. 
eggs. Usually three, white or faint bluish-white, spotted round the 
centre or on the larger end with brown and lavender markings which 
often form a well-defined zone. Breeding-season: October to January. 
6. Satin Flycatcher Myiagra cyanoleuca Vieillot—6A. Female 
cy'-an-O’leiic'-a— Gk, cyanos, blue; Gk, lencos , white. 
distribution. Eastern Australia (from northern Queensland to 
Victoria) and Tasmania. 
notes. Also called Shining Flycatcher and Satin Sparrow. Arrives 
in south-eastern Australia during September and departs at enj of 
February. Usually in pairs, frequenting the tallest trees. Similar in 
habits to the Leaden Flycatcher, but has a clearer note. Food: 
insects, procured chiefly on the wing. 
nest. Cup-shaped, composed of strips of bark matted together with 
cobwebs, lined with rootlets and a little hair; externally covered with 
cobwebs and frequently a few pieces of lichen. Usually built on a 
horizontal dead limb, protected above by a live limb, at a considerable 
height from the ground. 
eggs. Two or three, dull white to faint bluish or greenish-white, 
spotted with brown and lavender markings, usually with a well-defined 
zone at the larger end. Breeding-season: November to January. 
7. Black-cared Cuckoo Owcnavis osculans Gould 
Owen-d'-vis—Owen, Richard Owen Mathews; L., avis , bird: os'-cu-lans — 
L., osculans , coming together. 
distribution. Australia generally, rare in coastal districts. 
notes. One of the rarest species of Cuckoos found in Australia. 
Usually met singly, very quiet in habits: it procures most of its food- 
insects—on or near the ground; flight similar to that of the Bronze 
Cuckoos; rarely calls; its note is long drawn out, gradually fading 
aw r ay. 
parasitic. Three authentic foster-parents known. It selects the 
nest of the Speckled Warbler chiefly. 
egg. Uniform dark chocolate in colour; very similar to that of 
the speckled Warbler. Breeding-season: September to January (New 
South Wales); March (central Australia). 
