--During
observations in Kenya in 1961, I reported (Monroe, Auk, 81:91-92, 1964) wing-flashing
in the turdine Erythropygla zambesiana; this behavior appeared in all respects identical
or closely similar to that of the Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos). I know of no other
report of mimid-type wing-flashing in a non-mimid.
While in Australia recently, I observed wing-flashing in the Black-and-white Fantail,
or "Willie Wagtail" (Rhipidura leucophrys), an Old World flycatcher (Muscicapinac of
the Muscicapidac). On 1 August 1972 in a park on the outskirts of Adelaide, South
Australia, I watched three individual fantails wing-flashing for about ten minutes. Titis
species feeds primarily on the ground, with foraging accompanied by the exaggerated
tail-wagging associated with the species. The wing-flashing in all cases noted (some 35
individual observations among the three birds) appeared identical to that of the Mocking-
bird. Upon alighting, the individual fantail would immediately execute the wing-flashing
behavior; in each instance it was accomplished with a single "hitch," a momentary pause
close to the body as the wings were extended. Following the pause, the wings were then
rapidly and fully extended in the usual slanting plane of about 45' to 60 ø with reference
to the horlzonta]. The entire pattern involved about one second and was accomplished with
the tail cocked about 30 ø to 45 ø to the horizontal; there was no noticeable lateral
movement of the tail during flashing, but the individual would often tail-wag vigorously
immediately following the flash. The behavior appeared entirely homologous to that of
the mimids as well as that I observed in the African Erythropygia. Although there is no
white in the wings of R. leucophrys, the inner webs of the prlmarics arc pale gray,
resulting in full sunlight in a noticeable flash as the wings arc extended.
On 13 August 1972 I noted another individual fantail wing-flashing in a park in
Brisbane, Queensland. This individual, also performing in open sunlight, flashed three
times in about one minute of observation, but in this instance no hitch or pause was noted;
in other respects, the procedure was closely similar to that of the birds in Adelaide.
During my three weeks in Australia spanning the period of the above observations, I
noted more than 250 individuals of this species. The wing-flashing behavior was not
otherwise observed, although I watched specifically for it. The behavior does, however,
appear to bc widespread among the passerinc groups of this complex (muscicapid-mimid),
geographically as well as taxonomically.--BUaT L. MONaOE, Ja., Department o/ Biology,
University o/Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky 40208, 30 October 1972.