Pachycephala fusca, Vig. and Horsf. in Linn. Trans., vol. xv. p. 240.—Gould in Syn. Birds of Australia, Part III.
—— fuliginosa, Vig. and Horsf. in Linn. Trans., vol. xv. p. 241, female or young.
Pe-dil̈-me-dung, Aborigines of Western Australia.
Thunder Bird, Colonists of New South Wales.
It would seem that the whole extent of the southern coast of Australia is inhabited by the present species, for on comparing adult males from New South Wales, South Australia and Swan River, I find that they do not differ in any respect; the apical half of the tail is blackish brown in all, and the colouring of the under surface of the richest yellow. It is rather abundantly dispersed over the forests of Eucalypti and the belts of Acaciæ, among the flowering branches of which latter tribe of trees the male displays himself to the greatest advantage, and shows off his rich yellow breast as if desirous of outvieing the beautiful blossoms with which he is surrounded.
The stomach is very muscular, and its principal food consists of insects of various genera, which are sought for and captured both among the flowers and leaves as well as on the ground.
It is generally met with in pairs, but the males are more shy than the females. It flies in short and sudden starts, and seldom mounts far above the tops of the trees.
The voice of the male is a single note seven or eight times repeated, and terminating with a sharp higher note much resembling the smack of a whip; that of the female is very different, being a series of running half-notes, forming a rather plaintive tune.
Mr. Gilbert mentions that it is sparingly dispersed throughout the Swan River colony, but is more abundant in the best-watered districts, such as Perth and Fremantle.
I did not succeed in finding the nest of this species, but was informed that it breeds in September and October, and lays three or four eggs, ten and a half lines long by eight lines broad, with a ground-colour of brownish buff, sparingly streaked and spotted with reddish brown and bluish grey, the latter colour appearing as if beneath the surface of the shell.