Gerygone simplex Cabanis, Jour. für Orn. (1872), 316; Sharpe,
Cat. Birds Brit. Mus. (1879), 4, 213; Hand-List (1901), 3, 226;
McGregor and Worcester, Hand-List (1906), 72.
Lubang (McGregor); Luzon (Jagor, Bourns & Worcester, McGregor);
Mindoro (McGregor); Verde (McGregor).
Adult (sexes alike).--Above, including sides of head and neck,
ashy gray, with a very slight olivaceous tinge on back; lores and
a line over eye whitish; under parts clear straw-yellow, deepest
on chin and throat; under tail-coverts white, washed with yellow;
thighs slightly ashy; wings and tail brown with light edges to the
feathers; wing-coverts and upper tail-coverts like the crown; each
of the rectrices except the middle pair with a white spot on inner
web near tip and a preceding dusky band; edge and lining of wing
pale yellow. Iris dark brown; bill black; legs dark plumbeous. A
male from Laguna de Bay measures: Length, 122; wing, 51; tail, 36;
culmen from base, 12.
Young.--Lubang Island, October 25, 1902. A young bird just able to
fly, resembles the adult and differs only in having the under parts
very much paler yellow.
This little flycatcher closely resembles the species of Zosterops in
habits, but it is less common in occurrence. At times small flocks
are found feeding in clumps of bamboo or in high mangrove thickets. It
has a pleasing note by means of which the members of a flock are kept
together. In its active movements from tree to tree it resembles the
titmice, but we have never found Gerygone in forest. The type of the
species was collected in Luzon by Jagor.
"The Philippine gerygone was common about bamboo clumps in the open
fields of Luzon. Five males from Luzon average as follows: Wing,
51; tail, 38; culmen, 12; tarsus, 14; middle toe with claw, 12. Five
females, wing, 52; tail, 37; culmen, 12; tarsus, 16; middle toe with
claw, 16. Iris, legs, feet, and nails black; bill black." (Bourns
and Worcester MS.)