The Plate represents the two sexes of the natural size.
MYIAGRA NITIDA: Gould.
J. Gould and H. C. Richter del et lith. Hullmandel & Walton Imp.
MYIAGRA NITIDA, Gould.
Shining Flycatcher.
Todus Rubecula, Lath. Ind. Orn. Supp., p. xxii., female.
Red-breasted Tody, Lath. Gen. Syn. Supp., vol. ii. p. 147.—Shaw, Gen. Zool., vol. viii. p. 126.—Lath. Gen. Hist., vol. iv. p. 92, female.
Myiagra Rubeculoides, Vig. and Horsf. in Linn. Trans., vol. xv. p. 253, female.
—— nitida, Gould in Proc. of Zool. Soc., Part V. p. 142; and in Syn. Birds of Australia, Part IV, male.
Satin Sparrow, of the Colonists of Van Diemen’s Land.
The Myiagra nitida arrives in Van Diemen’s Land about the end of September, commences breeding soon after its arrival, rears a somewhat numerous progeny during the months of summer, and departs again in February. In performing these migrations it necessarily passes directly over the colonies of South Australia and New South Wales, yet it seldom occurs in collections from those countries, and I believe is only seen there during the passage. It is a most lively, showy and active bird, darting about from branch to branch and sallying forth in the air in pursuit of its insect prey with a most singular, quick, oscillating or trembling motion of the tail.