PACHYCEPHALA SIMPLEX, Gould.
Plain-coloured Pachycephala.
Pachycephala simplex, Gould in Proc. of Zool. Soc., Part X. p. 135.
T h e Pachycephala simplex is a native of the north-western parts of Australia, but does not appear to be
very numerous in any locality yet explored ; Mr. Gilbert, who discovered it in the neighbourhood o f Port
Essington, states that it is of a very shy and retiring disposition, and that it is usually met with in pairs
hopping and creeping about among the underwood or very thickly-foliaged trees, but may be more
frequently seen in thickets situated in the midst o f swamps or among the mangroves. In its mode of
feeding and in many of its actions it greatly resembles the Flycatchers, but does not like them shake or
move the tail. Its voice, which is peculiarly soft and mournful, consists o f a single note four times repeated
with rather lengthened intervals ; this however appears to be its call-note only, for at other times it utters
a somewhat pleasing and lengthened song; “ but,” says Mr. Gilbert, “ I never heard it emit that sharp
terminating note, resembling the smack o f a whip, which concludes the song o f all the other species o f the
genus.”
The stomach is muscular, and the food consists of insects and seeds o f various kinds.
It appears to breed during the months of December, January and February, for the ovarium o f a female
killed on the third of the last-mentioned month contained eggs very fully developed, and from the bare
state of the breast appeared to have been already engaged in the task o f incubation.
All the upper surface brown; under surface brownish white, with a very faint stripe o f brown down
the centre of each feather; irides light brown; bill and feet black.
The Plate represents the two sexes o f the natural size.