Order PASSERIFORMES. 
No. 90. 
Family MUSCICAP1DJE. 
RHIPIDUKA FLABELLIFERA. 
(PHASIANA.) 
WHITE-FRONTED FANTAIL. 
(Plate G7.) 
Rhipidura phasiana De Vis, Proc. Eoy. Soc., Queensland, Vol. I., pt. m., p. 158, after Sept., 1884: 
Norman River, North-west Queensland; Le Souef, Emu, Vol. III., pt. i., p. 54, July 1st, 
1903 ; Mathews, Emu, Vol. X., pt. i., p. 1, pi. c, July 1st, 1910; Mathews, Birds Austr., 
Vol. IX., pt. i., p. 7, Feb. 13th, 1921. 
Distribution. The country along the Norman River, at the base of the Gulf of Carpentaria. 
Adult . General colour above, ashy-brown with an ochreous tinge ; the wing-coverts dusky-brown 
with large white spots at the ends ; primary-coverts dusky-brown fringed with white; 
quills dusky-brown, the innermost secondaries edged with white ; upper tail-coverts and 
central tail-feathers dull ashy-brown, with dusky cross-bars under certain lights ; remainder 
of tail-feathers dusky-hoin, with white shafts and a considerable amount of white towards 
the ends, which are also white, the outermost feathers being white for nearly the whole 
length with the base dark brown ; crown of the head somewiiat darker ashy than the back, 
with a slight evidence of a pale ochreous collar on the nape ; lores conspicuous, with a 
faintly indicated w hite eye-brow ; feathers below the eye and ear-coverts dusky ash-colour; 
cheeks and throat wiiite, followed by a shade of ashy-grey on the fore-neck; remainder of 
under-surface from the neck downwards pale isabelline-buff. Bill light bom, eyes hazel, 
feet and legs greyish-black. Total length 150 mm. : culmen 9, wing 70, tail 75, tarsus 16. 
Figured. Collected near the mouth of the Norman River, Gulf of Carpentaria, North 
Queensland, by Kendall Broadbent. 
The sexes are alike. 
Nest. Wine-glass shaped without the foot-piece. Composed of soft shreds of bark and lined with 
a few r vine tendrils, and well covered on the outside with cobwebs. Generally placed in a 
fork on a horizontal bough. Measurements inside, 1 finches by 1 inch deep; outside, If inches 
by If inches deep. 
Eggs. Clutch tw r o, very pale cream, with an irregular zone of brown markings round the larger 
end, but varying in different eggs as to its exact position, and in some cases being much 
more irregular and lighter in colour. 15-17 mm. by 12-13. 
Breeding-season. January. 
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