M YIAGRA PLUMBEA, Vig. and Horsf.
Plumbeous Fly-catcher,

Myiégra plumbea, Vig. and Horsf. in Linn. Mian Pavol pend ecee anit

d’Orn., tom. i. p. 181.—Swains.
Class. of Birds, vol. ii, p- 260.

 

A suMMER visitant to New South Wales, where it takes up its abode on high trees bordering creeks and
low valleys, and captures its insect food under the shady branches, the Myidgra plumbea is mostly seen in
pairs, which are rather thinly dispersed over the districts forming its usual place of resort. A low whistling
note, frequently uttered by the males, is, in all probability, indicative of the season of love; but whether it is
also uttered at any other than the pairing and breeding time, I had no opportunities of observing. On
the approach of winter it retires northwards from New South Wales, and is not to be met with there until
the following August or September, the months in which spring commences in the opposite hemisphere.

It is a most active bird; in fact all its positions are characterized by great liveliness; for while in a state
of comparative repose, or when not actually in pursuit of insects, it displays a constant tremulous motion of
the tail, by which means its presence is often betrayed when it would otherwise remain unnoticed.

As is the case with all the other members of the genus, the sexes present considerable difference in their
plumage, the female having the throat of a bright rusty red, while the throat of the male is of a rich greenish

 

lead-colour, like the upper surface,—a style of colouring which has suggested the specific name of plumbea.
The young males during the first year so closely assimilate in plumage to the female, that by dissection alone
can they be distinguished with certainty.

New South Wales appears to be the great n ursery of this species, for I never met with it either in Van
Diemen’s Land or in any other of the Australian colonies ; where then does it go during the colder months
of the year? The woods bordering the north coast are inhabited by a nearly allied but distinct species ;
the AZ. plumbea would not therefore be likely to pass over this country, or to find therein a resting-place
among the individuals of another species. If however we consider the vast extent of Australia, and the
probability that its central parts may be far more fertile than is generally supposed, it is not unlikely that the
winter abode of this and numerous other birds will there be found, and that thereby the mysteriously sudden
appearance and departure of many species, which are so frequently taking place, ee cee accounted Fon

The nest is cup-shaped, rather deep, formed of moss and lichens and neatly lined with feathers, and is
generally placed on the horizontal branch of a tree. I did not succeed in procuring the eggs.

The male has the whole of the upper surface, wings, tail and breast lead-colour, glossed with green on
the head, neck and breast, and becoming gradually paler towards the extremity of the body and on the
Wings and tail ; primaries slaty black ; secondaries faintly margined with white ; mule stulace of the wing,
abdomen and under tail-coverts white ; bill leaden blue, except at the extreme tip, which is black; irides
and feet black. :

The female has the head and back lead-colour, without the greenish gloss ; wings and tail oes fringed
with bluish grey, particularly the secondaries ; throat and breast rich rusty red, gradually eee
white of the lower part of the abdomen and under tail-coverts ; upper mandible black ; under mandible pale
blue, except at the extremity, which is black.

The Plate represents the two sexes of the natural size.