Chapter VI: Part 6

The Skunk also has this white patch on the hind quarters, but here a different explanation is required, for the Skunk does not trouble to run away when a possible enemy appears. The bright color is here regarded as an "advertizing color." The Skunk has other means of protection, and he is labelled dangerous or objectionable, just as our one poisonous Spider is plainly labelled dangerous by means of a red stripe. An inexperienced enemy may rush at the Skunk, but the means of protection enjoyed by it effectively protects it, and the enemy retires.

It is a rule recognized by collectors that conspicuous animals have generally some effective means of protection, and they are best left alone, or at least taken with caution. This is readily understood when it is considered that a young, inexperienced chicken will rush at a brightly-colored caterpillar. He then retires, endeavoring to get rid of the objectionable taste. For the future, he avoids brightly-colored animals. Thus the bright color is an obvious advantage to its possessor, as it saves a dangerous peck. It is also an advantage to its enemies, for it saves them an unpleasant experience. We are told the Parrot is the only bird with a sense of taste, but it seems that the chicken possesses one also.

Still another phase of color is shown by Diamond-Birds, where three species have a yellow spot, a red spot, or an orange spot respectively on the wing. It is also shown by the Red-breasted Robins. One has a white forehead, one a white cap, and the third a red cap. These colored patches are considered to be recognition marks, so that a bird can recognize its mate, or a bird of its own kind, readily and with certainty.

That rarely-seen, but beautiful, bird, the Mistletoe-Swallow, is fairly common. From several points of view, it is of great interest. Ranging from India, through Malaysia, to Australia, it did not reach Tasmania. Possibly Bass Strait was formed before this bird reached Southern Victoria. Interesting, also, is the fact that no mistletoe is found in Tasmania. This bird is closely associated with the mistletoe, for, wherever you find it, you find the mistletoe. It furnishes another example of those interesting partnerships between animals and plants. It is not related to Swallows, but while it sits on a bough, its external form somewhat resembles that of a Swallow. Its nest is one of the most beautiful of all nests--a finely-felted, domed structure, often suspended in a clump of mistletoe. This bird has a long-continued, pretty, animated song, which is seldom heard, for it is low, and, as the bird is high in the tree-tops, it might be inaudible; but the main reason is probably that our ears are not attuned to pick out these fine songs. It is said that Tyndall found the insects on the Alps almost deafening, while his companions heard nothing. So it is with the high-pitched call of a Bat. Have you heard one? Few have.

The Mistletoe-Swallow should be called the Australian Flower-Pecker, for it is our one representative of a large genus, best developed in the Indian Region.

Placed at present in Family 141 with the little Mistletoe-Bird are the Diamond-Birds of Australia, the plumage of our common kind of which is "so variegated and beautiful as to render description impossible."

The Diamond-Birds are restricted to Australia. Though they are found mainly in high tree-tops, whence they prettily and continuously call "wit-e-chu" and "wit-loo," some usually nest in a bank of earth. The bank of a dam, the side of a creek, and the earth suspended on the roots of a fallen tree are favorite places. Some people find the continuous, musical note annoying, and have named the Diamond-Bird the Headache-Bird. Others find it entertaining, and syllabize it as "Sweet Dick," or "Sleep, Baby."

Three of these birds are recognized by a small, bright spot on the side of the wing. In one this spot is said to be red, in another it is orange, and in the third yellow. However, Gould said the young of the Red-tipped had the orange tip, and later investigation seems to be supporting his view, for the Orange-tipped is possibly not a different species, but only a phase of the Red-tipped. One of our bird observers, Mr. F. Wilson, has lately recorded finding the nest of a pair of Pardalotes, of which one was red-tipped and the other orange-tipped. The Yellow-tipped is said to be the commonest bird in Tasmania. These birds are plentifully spotted, "spotted like the pard," hence the name Pardalote, Panther-Bird, or Diamond-Bird.

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[Page 153]

F. 135. PARIDAE (5), TITMICE, Tits, 206 sp.--5(5)A., 55(48)O.,
88(78)P., 32(32)E., 34(28)Nc., 8(5)Nl.

4 4

=327* Whiteface=, White-faced Titmouse (Squeaker),
_Aphelocephala (Xerophila) leucopsis_, S.Q., N.S.W., V., S.A.,
C.A., W.A. (interior).

Stat. small flocks, c. _plains_ 4

Upper olive-brown; forehead, face white; under pale-buff; tail
tipped white; f., sim. Small seeds. Sweet chirping notes.

F. 136. _Chamaeidae_, Wren-Tits, 3 sp. Nc. (W.U.S.). The only
family of birds restricted to the Nearctic Region.

F. 137. _Regulidae_, Gold-crested Wren, Fire-crested Wren,
Kinglet, 20 sp.--6(5)O., 9(7)P., 1(0)E., 4(2)Nc. 4(2)Nl.

F. 138. SITTIDAE (8), NUTHATCHES, 60 sp.--12(11)A., 21(18)O.,
18(16)P., 1(1)E., 10(7)Nc., 3(1)Nl.

8 10

=328* Orange-winged Nuthatch= (Tree-runner, Bark-pecker),
Woodpecker (e), _Neositta (Sittella) chrysoptera_, E.A., S.A.

Stat. r. _open forest_ 4.5

Head brown; upper gray streaked black; wing dark-brown with
rich rufous band; upper base tail white; tail black tipped
white; under gray; under base tail white barred brown;
bill sharp slightly upturned; f., head darker. Insects.
"Chip-chip."

=329 Black-capped Nuthatch= (Tree-runner, Bark-pecker),
Woodpecker (e), _N. pileata_, N.S.W., V., S.A., C.A., W.A.,
N.W.A.

Stat. r. _open timber_ 4.7

Grayish-brown; upper base tail white; cap black; quills
blackish-brown with rich rufous band; tail black tipped white;
forehead, stripe over eye, under white; thighs blackish-brown;
f., head, face, hind-neck black. Insects.

[Page 154]

[331] [332] [333] [334] [335]]

F. 139. CERTHIIDAE (8), CREEPERS, 39 sp.--10(10)A., 13(12)O.,
9(8)P., 1(1)E., 5(4)Nc., 3(2)Nl.

9 10

=330* Brown Tree-Creeper=, Woodpecker (e), _Climacteris
picumna_, E.A., S.A. =vt. Eur. Creeper.

Stat. c. _open timber_ 7.2

Crown blackish-brown; line over eye buff; throat buff with
few blackish spots; upper brown; wings banded buff; under
grayish-brown; flanks striped white; f., throat chestnut
spots. Insects. Sharp piercing cry. Creep _up_ a tree.

[Page 155]

=331* White-throated Tree-Creeper=, Woodpecker (e), _C.
scandens_, S.Q., N.S.W., V., S.A., T.

Stat. c. _forest_ 6.5

Crown sooty-black; back olive-brown; buff band on wing;
throat, centre-abdomen white; flanks brownish-black striped
white; f., orange spot below ear. Insects. Shrill piping cry.
Creeps _up_.

=332 Red-browed Tree-Creeper=, _C. erythrops_, S.Q., N.S.W.,
V., W.A.

Stat. v.r. _rough barked trees_ 6

Back brown; head blackish-brown; forehead marked dusky-gray;
rump, tail gray; buff band on wing; face, stripe above eye
rust-red; throat white; under grayish-brown striped white; f.,
face brighter; throat rust-red, striped white. Insects. Creeps
up.

=333 White-browed Tree-Creeper=, _C. superciliosa_, Q.,
N.S.W., V., S.A., C.A., W.A.

Stat. v.r. _timber_ 5.7

Upper brown; wings rich fawn band; broad white stripe over
eye; under grayish-brown; abdomen striped white; f., narrow
line rust-red above the white eyebrow; tail washed with gray.
Insects. Creeps up.

F. 140. ZOSTEROPIDAE (14), WHITE-EYES, Silver-eyes, 171
sp.--83(80)A., 38(34)O., 4(3)P., 50(50)E.

13 157

=334* White-eye= (Silver, Ring, Glass-), Blight-Bird
(Spectacled-), Grape-eater, Silve, Tauhou, _Zosterops
coerulescens_, E.A., S.A., T., N.Z., Chatham Is.

Stat. v.c. _open gardens_ 4.5

Crown, wings, tail olive; back dark-gray; white ring round
eye; throat, centre-abdomen, under base tail whitish; flanks
chestnut-brown; sometimes throat, side-head yellow; f., sim.
Insects, fruit. Pretty lively song.

=335 Gray White-eye=, _Z. bowiae_, V. (Marong). One specimen
only. Mathews now says it is 334.

Like 334, but gray instead of olive, abdomen darker.

[Page 158]

[330] [331] [334] [336] [336^A] [337] [340] [341]]

=328= Orange-winged Nuthatch
=330= Brown Tree-Creeper
=331= White-throated Tree-Creeper
=334= White-eye
=336= Flower-Pecker
=336A= Flower-Pecker (Female)
=337= Red-tipped Diamond-Bird
=340= Spotted Diamond-Bird
=341= Golden-rumped Diamond-Bird

[Page 160]

[345] [346] [347] [348] [349] [350] [351] [353]]

=342= White-naped Honey-eater
=345= Striped Honey-eater
=346= Sanguineous Honey-eater
=347= Black Honey-eater
=348= Spinebill
=351= Painted Honey-eater
=349= Tawny-crowned Honey-eater
=350= White-fronted Honey-eater
=353= Regent Honey-eater

[Page 162]

[356] [357] [358] [359] [362] [363] [364] [365]]

=355= Yellow-eared Honey-eater
=356= Singing Honey-eater
=357= Yellow-faced Honey-eater

=358= White-eared Honey-eater
=359= Yellow-tufted Honey-eater
=362= Yellow-plumed Honey-eater

=363= White-plumed Honey-eater
=364= Crescent Honey-eater
=365= White-bearded Honey-eater

[Page 164]

[366] [367] [368] [370] [372] [373] [374]]

=360= Helmeted Honey-eater
=366= White-cheeked Honey-eater
=367= Bell-Miner
=368= Noisy Miner
=370= Wattle-Bird
=372= Spiny-cheeked Honey-eater
=373= Blue-faced Honey-eater
=374= Friar-Bird

[Page 166]

[337] [338] [339] [340] [341]]

F. 141. DICAEIDAE (11), FLOWER-PECKERS, 113 sp.--57(57)A.,
56(56)O.

1 74

=336* Australian Flower-Pecker=, Mistletoe-Bird (-Swallow),
_Dicaeum hirundinaceum_, A.

Stat. c. _treetops_ 3.5

Black glossed steel-blue; throat, breast, under base tail
scarlet; abdomen white, black patch down centre; flanks
dusky; f.,* throat, centre-abdomen buff; under base tail pale
scarlet. Honey, pollen, fruits, insects. Pretty, feeble song.

[Page 167]

10 10

=337* Red-tipped Diamond-Bird= (Striated, -Pardalote),
Wittychu, Pickwick, Chuck-e-chuc, _Pardalotus ornatus_, S.Q.,
N.S.W., V., S.A., W.A.

Stat. c. _treetops_, _scrub_ 4.2

Crown, wings, tail black spotted, lined white; back gray; rump
brown; throat yellow; red spots side of wing, yellow stripe
from bill above eye joins white stripe to nape; centre-abdomen
white; flanks pale-brown, tinged yellow; f., sim. Insects.
"Wit-e-chu."

=338 Orange-tipped Diamond-Bird= (Ramsay, -Pardalote), _P.
assimilis_, E.A., C.A.

Stat. v.c. _treetops_, _timber_ 4.3

Like 337, but upper paler; orange spots on wing; as a rule
only one feather in the wing edged with white; Gould thought
it the young of 337; f., sim. Insects. "Wit-e-chu."

=339 Yellow-tipped Diamond-Bird=, Allied Pardalote, _P.
affinis_, E.A., S.A., T., Bass St. Is.

Stat. c. _timber_ 4.3

Like 337, 338, but yellow spot on side of wing; head black,
striped white; yellow stripe from bill joins white stripe
above eye; back grayish-brown; upper base tail olive-brown;
tail black, tip spotted white; throat yellow; centre abdomen
white; flanks buffy-brown; wings black, tipped white, a few
feathers lined white; f., sim. Insects. "Witloo." "Sleep,
Baby."

=340* Spotted Diamond-Bird= (Pardalote), Diamond Dyke
(Ground), Ground-Diamond, Diamond Sparrow (e), _P. punctatus_,
T., A. (exc. N.A., C.A.).

Stat. v.c. _timber_ 3.3

Head, wings, tail black, spotted white; white stripe above
eye; back grayish-brown, marked buff and black; upper base
tail crimson; throat, under base tail rich yellow; abdomen
fawn; f., duller; head yellow spots; throat whitish. Insects.
"Sleep, Baby," "Sweet Dick."

=341* Golden-rumped Diamond-Bird=, Yellow-rumped Pardalote,
_P. xanthopygius_, N.S.W., V., S.A., W.A. f., duller. Insects.

Stat. r. _timber_ 3.5

Like 340, but upper base tail golden-yellow; throat, under
base tail golden-yellow; rest under buffy-white.

[343] [344] [345] [346] [347]]

F. 142. NECTARINIIDAE (1), SUN-BIRDS, 234 sp.--36(33)A.,
77(74)O., 2(1)P., 123(122)E.

F. 143. _Promeropidae_, Promerops, 2 sp. E. (S. Afr.)

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Order XXI. (continued)

The most characteristic family of birds of the Australian region is the Honey-eaters. Flowering eucalypts and other myrtaceous plants, with their honey-bearing flowers and usually inedible fruits, are the characteristic Australian trees; so are these birds, depending so largely on the honey of these brilliant flowers and the insects which visit them, the characteristic Australian birds. The Honey-eaters form a very large family, and are found throughout the Australian region as far as New Zealand and away to the Sandwich Islands, which, zoologically, belong to Australia. Strange it is that only one species should have spread to the west across Wallace's line to the island of Bali. These birds are provided with a brush tongue, which is used in brushing up honey from the flowers. They have usually a long, slender, curved bill, suitable for exploring flowers. Their feet are well developed and strong, for they are used while hanging in all sorts of positions as the flowers are explored. No less than eighty-eight Honey-eaters are found in Australia, but they are often restricted to very limited areas, so that no district would contain many kinds of these birds. Many are well known, though not by the name Honey-eater. Who does not know the harsh note of the Wattle-Bird (Wattled Honey-eater)? Again, who does not often meet the Noisy Miner (Garrulous Honey-eater), a bird that makes such a fuss when a snake appears that he is sometimes called the Snake-Bird? Is there a city boy who does not know the Greenie (White-plumed Honey-eater)? Some of the Honey-eaters are amongst the most beautiful of birds.

The Regent (Warty-faced) Honey-eater is a glory, and is often figured in British books as one of the world's beautiful birds.

The Helmeted Honey-eater is very rare, and is probably confined to the deep forests of Gippsland. It is one of the most splendid of Honey-eaters.

That active city-dweller, the Greenie, is found in almost every large eucalypt that happens to be in flower. It is pugnacious. As it busily brushes honey from the flowers, or catches an insect on the wing, the white ear plume can be seen. Otherwise, it has not conspicuous colors. Its lively call of "chick-oo-wee" adds something to life for the busy city toiler.

Now come the Miners. The Noisy Miner is known to nearly everyone. It is a common visitor to school grounds at lunch time, and is a noisy bird that is little loved by sportsmen, for it persists in alarming all game within reach. A second Miner is famous as the Bell-Bird, better Bell-Miner. The tinkling notes, "like silver bells from a distant shrine," must be heard in a deep fern gully to be appreciated fully. The green birds are seldom seen. Kendall has immortalized this bird in his beautiful poem, "Bell-Birds."

The Wattle-Bird is known to all. It is a pugnacious bird, and has a rough, disagreeable note. It has a small wattle of naked red flesh hanging at the side of the neck, hence the name. The bold, pugnacious Brush Wattle-Bird is not so well known, though its notes are even more remarkable. Both birds to-day are common in the Melbourne Botanic Gardens on the flowering plants in the "Australian" section.

The Spiny-cheeked Honey-eater is said to be a rare bird, but there is probably not a park about Melbourne but has some of these at present, as well as all through the winter. It is somewhat similar in build and habits to the Wattle-Birds, but is an elegant and attractive bird, with many peculiar notes.

The Blue-eye (Blue-faced Honey-eater) is a conspicuous bird in country districts. He is noisy, and is handsomely attired. His nesting habits are peculiar, for he often builds in the deserted nest of a Babbler.

The remarkable Friar-Bird has a naked, dark-blue head, and is an "impudent and daring" bird, that does not hesitate to steal fruit. Its loud call has been variously interpreted as "Four o'clock," "Pimlico," or "Tobacco-box." This bird has a hump on its long curved bill. The Yellow-throated Friar-Bird, when young, has yellow on the end of the throat feathers, and has no hump on the bill. It is a summer visitor to Southern Australia.

The well-known Ground-Lark, or Australian Pipit, is the Australian representative of the cosmopolitan family (147) of Pipits. Even New Zealand has its representative of this family. The Wagtails of Britain and North America belong to this family, whereas the so-called Australian Wagtail is a flycatcher. Like the other members of its family, our Ground-Lark, or Pipit, sometimes sings beautifully as it soars.

The Skylark of Britain comes in the next family (the _Alaudidae_), which is almost cosmopolitan. This beautiful songster, singing at Heaven's gate, pours forth a flood of melody. The man who has these delightful songsters on open land near his home is indeed fortunate. Australia has its representative of this family--the Bush-Lark, a bird so remarkably like the Australian Pipit in external appearance that it is well-nigh impossible to distinguish them in the field. The Bush-Lark, however, is "shorter, plumper, and has a stouter bill." It further has a peculiar, greatly undulating flight. It mounts up, then sinks, then mounts, and so on alternately, "singing all the time very melodiously, but with a weaker strain than that favorite bird" (the British Skylark).

Four introduced Finches have succeeded in establishing themselves in Southern Australia. The Greenfinch is spreading, though slowly. A specimen was recently sent in from Horsham, in Western Victoria. The Goldfinch, "one of the prettiest birds in Britain," is spreading rapidly. It is often to be seen on thistles, for it destroys their seeds.

The Tree-Sparrow is rare as yet, but the House-Sparrow is already a serious pest, though probably he has not been valued highly enough as a weed destroyer. However, it was a pity early colonists did not take notice of Gould's protests and warnings, for possibly the greatest harm introduced birds do is the displacing of native birds.

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[Page 168]

F. 144. MELIPHAGIDAE (88), HONEY-EATERS, Honey-Suckers
(-Birds), 251 sp.--250(250)A., 1(1)O.

11 11

=342* White-naped Honey-eater= (Lunulated), Blackcap,
_Melithreptus atricapillus_, S.Q., N.S.W., V., S.A., Kent
Group.

Stat. v.c. _timber_ 5.5

Upper yellowish-olive; quills brown; head, hind-neck black;
narrow white band on nape; under white; naked patch about eye
orange-scarlet; f., sim.; young no black cap. Tame. Honey,
pollen, insects. Peevish, half-whistling note.

[Page 169]

=343 Black-chinned Honey-eater= (Black-throated), _M.
gularis_, E.A., S.A., W.A.

Stat. r. _timber_ 6.7

Upper olive-yellow; head, nape black; whitish band on nape
joins white band up to eye; sides of throat white, centre
blackish; chest grayish; sides creamy; centre-abdomen white;
naked skin about eye turquoise-blue; f., sim. Honey, insects,
seeds. Sweet song.

=344 Brown-headed Honey-eater= (Short-billed), _M.
brevirostris_, E.A., S.A., W.A.

Stat. r. _timber_ 5.7

Greenish-olive upper; quills brown; head, nape dark-brown;
whitish band on nape continued as brownish-white band on head;
under creamy; bare skin about eye greenish-blue in winter,
dull yellow (delicate flesh-tint) in summer; f., sim. Honey,
insects. Rough, rattle-like note.

1 1

=345* Striped Honey-eater= (Lanceolated), _Plectoramphus
lanceolatus_, E.A., S.A., W.A. (inland).

Stat. r. _timber_ 8.8

Upper grayish-brown, striped blackish-brown; wing-quills
brown, edged lighter; throat white; under, upper base tail
white; black marks side of neck, flanks. Honey, insects.
Cheerful, loud whistle, "Chirp, chirp, cherry, cherry."

6 52

=346* Sanguineous Honey-eater= (Blood), Humming-Bird (e),
Blood-Bird, _Myzomela sanguinolenta_, E.A. (coastal).

Nom. r. _thick bushes_, _heath_ 4.3

Head, neck, breast, back, upper base tail rich shining
scarlet; side-face, wings, tail black, wings lined lighter;
abdomen buff; f., light brown, lighter below. Pollen, honey,
insects. Beautiful song.

=347* Black Honey-eater=, _M. nigra_, A. exc. N. Ter.
(interior).

Mig. v.r. _plains_ 4.4

Black; side abdomen, under base tail white; f., brown; under
dull-white; breast marked dark-brown; under base tail white.
Insects. Plaintive song.

[Page 170]

[349] [350] [351] [352] [353]]

4 4

=348* Spinebill=, Spinebill Honey-eater, Humming-Bird (e),
Cobbler's Awl, _Acanthorhynchus tenuirostris_, E.A., S.A., T.,
Bass St. Is.

Stat. c. _Banksias_, _heath_ 6.5

Crown, line to crescent on side of chest, wings, tail black;
chest white, chestnut-brown patch on throat; back brown;
abdomen light chestnut-brown; outer tail tipped white; eye
scarlet; f., duller. Insects, honey. Monotonous strong call.

4 12

=349* Tawny-crowned Honey-eater= (Fulvous-fronted),
_Gliciphila melanops (fulvifrons)_, S.Q., N.S.W., V., S.A.,
W.A., T., Bass St. Is.

Stat. c. _sandy_, _heathy_ 7

Upper ashy-brown; crown tawny, blackish line from bill past
eye down side of breast; buff spot behind ear; throat, abdomen
white. Insects, honey. Plaintive notes.

=350* White-fronted Honey-eater=, _G. albifrons_, N.S.W., V.,
S.A., W.A., T. (inland).

Stat. c. _dry scrubs_ 5.7

Upper grayish-brown; crown, throat black; forehead, behind
ear white; abdomen white, streaked dark-brown. Insects, honey.
"Tink-tink."

1 1

=351* Painted Honey-eater=, _Entomophila picta_, N.S.W., V.,
S.A. (inland).

Stat. v.r. _plains_ 5.5

Upper black; band on wings, side tail yellow; tip tail white;
abdomen white, faintly streaked brown; f., smaller. Insects.

1 1

=352 Pied Honey-eater=, _Certhionyx variegatus_, N.S.W., V.,
S.A., C.A., W.A., N.W.A.

Stat. v.r. _dry scrubs_ 6.5

Black and white; head, throat, back, wings, tip-tail black;
rest white; f., light-brown upper; under whitish, throat
buffy, streaked dark-brown. Pollen, honey, berries.

1 1

=353* Regent Honey-eater= (Warty-faced), Turkey-Bird (Mock
Regent), Flying Coachman, _Meliphaga phrygia_. S.Q., N.S.W.,
V., S.A.

Nom. flocks r. _eucalypts_ 9.2

One of the most beautiful of birds; see colored plate;
richly contrasted black and yellow; warty patch about eye;
pugnacious; f., sim. Ringing "Clink-clank."

[Page 171]

[355] [356] [357] [358]]

27 53

=354 Fuscous Honey-eater=, _Ptilotis fusca_, S.Q., N.S.W., V.,
(exc. dry parts).

Stat. c. _open forest_ 6.2

Grayish-brown, quills dark-brown, edged yellow; a circle
blackish feathers round eye; pale yellow ear tufts; under
whitish, chest faintly streaked brownish; f., smaller.
Insects, honey.

=355* Yellow-eared Honey-eater= (Lewin), _P. chrysotis_, E.A.

Stat. c. _humid scrubs_ 9

Upper olive-green, under lighter; large bright yellow ear
tufts; gape straw-white; about eye blackish. Insects, honey.
Quavering whistling notes.

=356* Singing Honey-eater= (Large-striped), _P. sonora_, A.
exc. extreme N.

Stat. c. _forest_, _scrub_ 7.5

Upper brown; black stripe through eye to side of neck; faint
yellow band below black stripe; bright yellow ear patch,
behind this a small white patch; throat whitish; under gray,
faintly streaked blackish; f., sim. Insects, berries. Loud
calls.

=357* Yellow-faced Honey-eater= (Yellow-gaped), Chick-up,
Love-Bird (e), _P. chrysops_, E.A., S.A.

Stat. c. _scrub_ 6.8

Ashy-brown; two black lines along side of face, bright yellow
band between these to ear tufts; spot of white behind ear;
throat grayish-white; chest ashy-brown; f., sim. Insects,
honey. Strong musical call.

=358* White-eared Honey-eater=, _P. leucotis_, S.Q., N.S.W.,
V., S.A., W.A.

Stat. c. _scrub_, _timber_ 8

Fine, showy bird; upper, abdomen yellowish-olive; head
dark-gray; throat, chest black; ear patch pure white: f.,
smaller. Insects. Loud ringing note.

[Page 172]

[360] [361] [362] [363] [364]]

=359* Yellow-tufted Honey-eater= (Golden-tufted, Black-faced,
Spectacled), Yellow-Whiskers, _P. melanops (auricomis)_, S.Q.,
N.S.W., V.

Stat. c. _eucalypts_ 7.8

"One of the most beautiful of birds," crown olive-yellow;
throat, about ear bright yellow; black from bill, round
eye above ear; upper dark-brown; under yellow; f., smaller.
Insects, honey. Varied, high-pitched notes.

=360* Helmeted Honey-eater=, _P. cassidix_, V.

Stat. r. _forest_ 8.5

"This splendid" Honey-eater; greenish-black; head black;
crown, ears, under yellow; tail tipped white; about eye black;
f., smaller, paler. Insects.

=361 Wattled-cheeked Honey-eater=, _P. cratitia_, V., S.A.,
W.A.

Stat. r. _eucalypts_ 7

Crown gray; upper olive-green; tail, wings brown; about eye,
ear black; narrow yellow line below black; from bill to side
of neck naked lilac skin; under olive yellow; f., smaller.
Pollen, honey.

=362* Yellow-plumed Honey-eater= (Graceful), _P.
novae-hollandiae (ornata)_, N.S.W., V., S.A., W.A.

c. _scrub_ 6.5

"Elegant bird;" upper olive-brown; under grayish-white,
streaked brown; yellow ear-tuft; f., sim. Honey, insects. Loud
ringing note.

=363* White-plumed Honey-eater=, Greenie, Linnet (e),
Chickoowee; Ringeye (e), Ringneck (e), Australian Canary (e),
_P. penicillata_, E.A., S.A., W.A.

Stat. v.c. _gardens_ 6.7

Grayish-brown, tinged olive; under light yellowish-brown; long
white ear plumes, sometimes not seen until the head is moved;
f., smaller. Insects, pollen, honey. Loud ringing notes;
"Chick-oo-wee."

5 6

=364* Crescent Honey-eater= (Horseshoe, Tasmanian), Egypt,
_Meliornis pyrrhoptera (australasiana)_, N.S.W., V., S.A., T.

Stat. c. _forest_, _heath_ 6.2

[Page 173]

[366] [367] [368] [369]]

Upper dusky black; black bar each side of breast; under white;
flanks dusky; wings, tail marked golden-yellow; side-tail
spotted white; f., dusky-brown, faint yellow on wings and
tail. Loud varied calls, "Egypt."

=365* White-bearded Honey-eater= (New Holland), Yellow Wings,
_M. novae-hollandiae_, S.Q., N.S.W., V., SA., T.

Stat. v.c. _scrubby_, _Banksias_ 7.2

Blackish-brown, marked white; much yellow on wings; tail
black, margined yellow, tipped white; line side of nape,
cheeks, behind ear white; f., sim. Insects, honey.

=366* White-cheeked Honey-eater=, _M. nigra (sericea)_, S.Q.,
N.S.W., V., W.A.

Stat. r. _scrub_, _undergrowth_ 7

Like 365, but forehead white; large tuft of white plumes on
side of head; tail not tipped white; f., smaller. Insects,
honey. Clear double whistling note.

1 1

=367* Bell-Miner=, Bell-Bird, _Manorina melanophrys_, E.A. f.,
sim. Insects. Bell note, "Tink."

Stat. r. _dense gullies_ 7

Olive-green; bright yellow patch between eye and bill; small
red patch behind eye; forehead, about eye black.

4 4

=368* Noisy Miner=, Garrulous Honeyeater, Snake-Bird,
Cherry-eater, Soldier, Micky, Squeaker, _Myzantha garrula_,
E.A., S.A., T.

Stat. v.c. _open forest_ 10

Gray; marked whitish on hind-neck, marked dusky-gray chest;
crown, about eye, ear, chin black; wing tinged yellow; tail
tipped white; legs, bill, skin behind eye bright yellow; f.,
smaller. Insects, fruit, honey. Noisy.

=369 Yellow-throated Miner=, _M. flavigula_, E.A., S.A., C.A.
W.A. (inland).

Stat. r. _timber_ 10

Gray; hind-neck marked whitish, chest marked brown; rump, tip
tail white; naked space behind eye; forehead, throat, bill,
legs yellow; a little olive-yellow on wing, base-tail; f.,
smaller. Insects, honey.

[Page 174]

[371] [372] [373] [374] [375]]

2 2

=370* Wattle-Bird=, Red Wattle-Bird, Gill-Bird, Wattled
Honey-eater, Mutton-Bird (e), _Acanthcchaera carunculata_,
S.Q., N.S.W., V., S.A., W.A.

Stat. c. _timber_ 14.5

Brown streaked, lined white; red wattle 1/4in.; whitish below
eye, between shoulder and gill; wing quills and tail tipped
white; centre abdomen yellow; f., smaller. Insects, honey.
"Kwock, kwock;" "Up with the rag." Many curious guttural
notes.

[Page 175]

2 2

=371 Brush Wattle-Bird=, Mocking-Bird, Mocker, Cookaycock,
_Anellobia chrysoptera (mellivora)_, S.Q., N.S.W., V., S.A.,
T.

Stat. c. _timber_ 12

Brown, lined white; quills lined, tipped white; tail tipped
white; throat whitish; no wattle; f., smaller. Showy,
pugnacious, many curious notes.

1 1

=372* Spiny-cheeked Honey-eater=, _Acanthagenys rufigularis_,
A.

Nom. c. _timber_, _scrub_ 10

Upper dusky-brown; white spiny feathers, below eye to ear;
throat, chest rufous; abdomen whitish, streaked dusky-brown;
tail tipped white; f., sim. Insects, honey. Many peculiar loud
notes, a plaintive trill.

3 3

=373* Blue-faced Honey-eater=, Banana-Bird, Blue-eye,
_Entomyzon cyanotis_, E.A., S.A.

Stat. c. _timber_ 12

Attractive, beautiful; upper golden olive-green; head,
hind-neck black; throat dusky; line on hind-neck, side throat,
under white; about eye blue; f., sim. Insects, honey. Loud
monotonous call.

3 8

=374* Friar-Bird=, Monk, Leatherhead, Four-o'-clock, Pimlico,
Poor Soldier, _Tropidorhynchus corniculatus_, E.A., S.A.
Insects.

Nom. c. _open forest_, _orchard_ 13.2

Head naked, ink-black; knob on bill; brown; tail tipped white;
silver-white lanceolate feathers on throat; f., sim. Noisy,
"Tobacco-box," "four-o'-clock." Fruit.

2 12

=375* Yellow-throated Friar-Bird=, Little Leatherhead,
_Philemon citreigularis_, N. Ter., E.A., S.A., N.W.A.

Nom. r. _timber_ 10

Upper brown; under pale brown; throat yellow (young), white
(adult); the colored plate shows a young bird; the adult loses
yellow on throat, black on face, grayish marks on back, and
becomes "one of the plainest of birds"; f., similar to adult
male. Insects, berries, honey. "Five-o'-clock."

F. 145. _Mniotiltidae_, American Warblers, 231 sp.--2(0)P.,
80(12)Nc., 219(151)Nl.

F. 146. _Drepanididae_, Sandwich Island Honeyeaters, 40 sp. A.

[Page 176]

[376^A] [377] [377^A] [377^B] [377^C]]

F. 147. MOTACILLIDAE (2), Pipits, Wagtails, 107 sp.--11(6)A.,
32(6)O., 53(12)P., 49(32)E., 7(1)Nc.,

1 55

=376* Australian Pipit=, Ground-Lark, _Anthus australis_, A.,
T. =vt. Eur. Pipit.

Part-Mig. v.c. _grass_ 7

Upper dark-brown, feathers edged lighter; buff stripe above
eye; under white streaked dark-brown; most streaked on chest;
outer-tail white; f., sim. Insects, small seeds. Sometimes
soars singing melodiously.

F. 148. ALAUDIDAE (4), Larks, Skylark, Horned-Larks,
Shore-Larks, 224 sp.--6(6)A., 45(29)O., 69(48)P., 108(99)E.,
18(10)Nc., 11(4)Nl.

[Page 177]

1 12

=376^A Skylark=, _Alauda arvensis_, Eur., N. Afr., V.
(introduced).

Mig. c. _grass_ 7

Upper warm-brown mottled, streaked darker; stripe over eye
lighter; throat, chest brownish-buff, streaked brown; abdomen
yellowish-white; f., smaller. Insects, seeds. Sings soaring;
famous songster.

4 45

=377* Bush-Lark=, Horsfield Bush-Lark, Skylark (e), _Mirafra
horsfieldi_, E.A., W.A.

Stat. r. _grass_ 5.3

Like 376, but plumper, shorter; bill stouter, almost
finch-like; f., sim. Insects, small seeds. Sings melodiously
soaring, also on moonlight nights; "one of our most pleasing
songsters."

F. 149. _Catamblyrhynchidae_, 2 sp. Nl. (Peru).

F. 150. _Fringillidae_, Finches, Grosbeak, Bullfinch, Bunting,
Cardinal (Am.), Crossbill, Chaffinch, Linnet, Redpoll, Canary,
1087 sp.--129(83)O., 202(138)P., 107(96)E., 191(125)Nc.,
529(474)Nl.

1 10

=377^A Greenfinch=, Green Linnet, _Ligurinus chloris_,
Europe to Persia, V. (introduced).

Stat. c. _fields_, _gardens_ 6

Upper olive-green; golden-yellow eyestripe; tail yellow
base, black tip; wing dark-brown, lined bright yellow; under
greenish-yellow, darker on flanks; f., much duller. Seeds.
"One of the prettiest of British songsters."

1 11

=377B Goldfinch=, Thistle-Finch, _Carduelis
carduelis_, Europe, Canary Is. to Egypt, to Persia, Siberia,
V. (introduced).

Stat. v.c. _fields_ 5

Crown black; face, chin red; behind eye, throat, under, upper
base tail white; bright yellow on wings; f., sim. Thistle
seeds, insects. Loud, sweet song; "twit-it."

2 56

=377C Tree-Sparrow= (Mountain-), _Passer montanus_,
Eur., N. Asia, A. (introduced).

Stat. r. _trees_ 5.6

Like 377D, but head, nape chestnut; black ear patch
in centre of a large white patch; two white bars on side of
wing; shier; f., sim. Seeds, insects. Chirps.

[Page 178]

[378] [379] [380] [381] [382]]

=377D House-Sparrow=, _P. domesticus_, Eur., Siberia,
A. (introduced).

Stat. v.c. _houses_ 5

Crown, nape bluish-gray; behind eye, side neck broad chestnut
band; upper brown; one white bar on wing; cheeks, throat
black; under whitish; f., duller; darker below; no black
throat. Seeds, insects. Chirps.

F. 151. _Coerebidae_, Honey-Creepers, 93 sp.--1(0)Nc.,
93(92)Nl.

F. 152. _Procniatidae_, 1 sp. Nl.

F. 153. _Tanagridae_, Tanagers, 424 sp.--6(0)Nc., 424(418)Nl.

====

Order XXI. (continued)

Gould placed the Australian Finches in the same family as the Sparrow--the _Fringillidae_--which includes also the Linnet and the cage Canary. Most writers now put them in with the Weaver-Birds or Weaver Finches (family _Ploceidae_). Twenty-three Finches have been recorded from Australia. All have the well-known Finch bill, adapted for shelling seeds, and all are seed-eaters, though some occasionally take insects in addition.

The Spotted-sided Finch is true to name, as a glance at the illustration shows. The rare Fire-tail is beautifully and closely banded below, while the Chestnut-eared Finch is banded on the throat and chest. The Plum-headed Finch has a deep crimson forehead, and is banded below.

The Red-browed Finch is often called the "Firetail," for it has the red rump as well as the red brow and bill, but the under surface is not banded. These birds usually build a very large nest, which has been compared to a "stocking hung by the toe, while the eggs are laid in the heel, and entrance is gained through the leg."

The introduced Starling has firmly established itself, and is extending its range rapidly. Incredible numbers gather at lagoon-sides to roost in the reed-beds.

This bird is a favorite with farmers and graziers, but orchardists view its rapid increase with alarm. It is possible, as Mr. C. French, Government Entomologist, has pointed out, that the Starling will yet prove a more expensive pest than the Rabbit.

Starlings, at least, upset the balance of nature, for, by occupying all available nesting sites, early and late, they displace the native birds. Kingfishers, Parrots, and other birds that nest in hollows are thus being driven away from their old haunts.

The Australian Oriole is a member of the family of true Orioles. The Fig-Birds of Queensland towns are closely related. The members of this family are restricted to the Eastern Hemisphere. Our Oriole is an interesting migrant which visits even cities. Its beautiful hanging, cup-shaped nest woven amongst the twigs at the end of a leafy bough is a clever piece of work. Its note is melodious and varied. It often calls "o-ree-ee-o-ole." It is also fond of mimicking other birds.

The Baltimore Oriole, or Golden Robin, is properly not an Oriole, but comes in a related family--the _Icteridae_--which contains American birds somewhat similar to Orioles. The Australian bird, as shown by the colored illustration, has not the conspicuous golden and black plumage of the European bird.

The Spangled Drongo is the Australian representative of a family of birds spread from Africa, Madagascar, and India up to Japan, and through the islands to Australia. They are a characteristic feature of Indian ornithology, for they are found everywhere in that country. The one Australian bird is a migrant, and seldom reaches Southern Australia. Like other Drongos, it is a glossy black, has a long, forked tail, is a good mimic of other birds' calls, and is also a vicious fighter. It is exceedingly active, and has a disagreeably harsh, cackling, and creaking whistle. It will drive away even hawks and crows.

After the Shining Starlings of Queensland, come the marvellously-beautiful Birds of Paradise--"God's Birds."

These unique birds are found only in New Guinea, Papuan Islands, Molucca Islands, and the rich, tropical coast scrubs of Eastern Australia. One, the Riflebird, is found even down to North-Eastern New South Wales.

The Federal and State Governments are doing excellent work in protecting our beautiful birds, and are giving what seems to be a really efficient protection, so that some of our birds which possess the fatal gift of beauty in an extreme degree will probably survive for some time yet. Collectors as well as plume-hunters should be compelled to keep hands off our exquisite birds.

(continued below)

====

F. 154. PLOCEIDAE (23), WEAVER-FINCHES, 487 sp.--59(56)A.,
41(37)O., 1(0)P., 391(391)E.

[Page 179]

1 1

=378* Spotted-sided Finch=, Diamond-Sparrow (e), Java-Sparrow
(e), _Stagonopleura guttata_, S.Q., N.S.W., V., S.A.

Stat. c. _grass_ 4.6

"Showy, attractive;" crown gray; back, wings brown; rump,
bill, eye red; sides, chest-band, tail black; sides spotted
white; throat, centre abdomen white; f., sim. Grass-seeds.

2 2

=379* Firetailed Finch=, Firetail, _Zonaeginthus bellus_,
S.Q., N.S.W., V., S.A., T.

Stat. r. _grass_ 4.6

Upper olive-brown, finely-barred black; under gray,
finely-barred black; rump, bill scarlet; about eye black; f.,
sim. Seeds.

1 2

=380* Chestnut-eared Finch= (Zebra), _Taeniopygia castanotis_,
A. (interior).

Nom. small flocks, v.r. _plains_ 4.2

Upper brown; rump white; upper base tail black, with three
white spots; cheeks chestnut; throat, chest gray, barred
black; black band on chest; abdomen white; flanks chestnut,
spotted white; feet, bill orange; f., throat, chest gray,
fringed brown; abdomen yellowish-brown. Grass-seeds.

1 4

=381* Plum-headed Finch= (Diadem, Plain-colored), _Aidemosyne
modesta_, S.Q., N.S.W., V., S.A.

Stat. small flocks, r. _grass_ 4.6

Crown deep purple; bill, between eye and bill, spot on chin
black; upper brown; wings spotted white; side-tail tipped
white; under white barred brown; f., no black on chin. Seeds.

2 2

=382* Red-browed Finch= (Temporal), Redhead, Redbill (e),
Sydney Waxbill, _AEgintha temporalis_, E.A., S.A.

Stat. small flocks, r. _grass_ 4.5

Bill, patch over eye, rump crimson; crown gray; upper
olive-brown; under lighter; f., sim. Seeds.

F. 155. _Icteridae_, Bobolink, Cowbird, Blackbirds (Am.),
Oriole (Am.), Redwing (Am.), 185 sp.--35(15)Nc., 170(150) Nl.

F. 156. _Sturnidae_, Starlings, Grackles, 60 sp.--2(1)A.,
42(28)O., 29(14)P., 2(1)E.

[Page 181]

[376] [377] [378] [379] [380] [381] [382] [383]]

=375= Yellow-throated Friar-Bird
=376= Australian Pipit
=377= Bush-Lark
=378= Spotted-Sided Finch
=379= Firetailed Finch
=380= Chestnut-eared Finch
=381= Plum-headed Finch
=382= Red-browed Finch
=383= Olive-backed Oriole

[Page 183]

[385] [385^A] [386] [390] [391] [392] [394]]

=384= Spangled Drongo
=385= Satin Bower-Bird
=385^A= Satin Bower-Bird (Female)
=386= Spotted Bower-Bird
=390= Apostle-Bird
=391= White-winged Chough
=392= Pied Bell-Magpie
=394= Gray Bell-Magpie

[Page 186]

[382^B] [383] [384] [385] [385^A]]

1 23

=382^A Starling=, _Sturnus vulgaris_, Eur., N. Afr.,
Asia, A. (introduced).

Nom. v.c. _open_ 8.5

Glossy-black, with metallic reflections; upper feathers tipped
buff, under tipped white; light tips lost in summer; bill
lemon-yellow summer, blackish winter; f., sim. Insects,
caterpillars, fruit. Wheezing, whining notes. Mimic.

[Page 187a]

1 3

=382^B Common Myna= (Indian, Calcutta), _Acridotheres
tristis_, India, Afghanistan, V. (Introduced).

Stat. v.c. _houses_ 10

Head, neck black; upper brown; under rich vinous-brown;
tip-tail, large patch on wing white; about eye, bill, legs
yellow; f., sim. Insects, fruit. Many notes.

F. 157. EULABETIDAE (2), SHINING STARLINGS, 139 sp.--51(51)A.,
20(20)O., 1(1)P., 67(67)E.

F. 158. _Paramythidae_, 1 sp. A. (N.G.).

F. 159. _Buphagidae_, Oxpecker, Rhinoceros-Bird, 2 sp. E.

F. 160. ORIOLIDAE (4), ORIOLES, Fig-Birds, 70 sp.--27(27)A.,
29(26)O., 3(0)P., 15(14)E.

1 12

=383* Olive-backed Oriole=, Green Thrush (e), _Mimetes
sagittata (Oriolus viridis)_, E.A., N.W.A.

Stat. r. _open forest_ 11.5

Upper yellowish olive-green; wings, tail brown, tipped white;
under whitish, streaked black; bill flesh-red; eyes scarlet;
variable in color; f., sim. Insects, fruit. "Or-ree-ee-oale."
Mimic.

F. 161. DICRURIDAE (1), DRONGOS, 73 sp.--24(23)A., 39(38)O.,
11(11)E.

1 29

=384* Spangled Drongo=, Drongo-Shrike, King-Crow, _Dicruropsis
(Chibia, Dicrurus) bracteata_, N.G., N. Ter., E.A., N.W.A., T.
(acc.).

Nom. r. _timber_ 12.2

Black glossed, spotted green; spotted white under wing; f.,
sim. Insects. Noisy, harsh peculiar notes.

F. 162. PARADISEIDAE (4), BIRDS OF PARADISE, Rifle-Bird, 70
sp. A.

====

Order XXI. (continued)

Mr. A. J. North, C.M.B.O.U., the ornithologist of the Australian Museum, Sydney, and one of the greatest of living Australian ornithologists, has declared that "without exception, the bower-building birds of Australia are the most extraordinary and interesting group of birds found in the world."

These wonderful birds construct, apart from their nests, play-houses--structures that "are perfectly anomalous in the architecture of birds." Gould considered the accounts of the "extraordinary habits" of the Bower Birds "as some of the valuable and interesting portions" of his work. Though the bird was known before Gould's time, its "extraordinary habits had never been brought before the scientific world until I (Gould) had the gratification of publishing an account of them after my return from Australia."

This month I had the gratification of seeing the Satin Bower Birds playing about a perfect bower within one chain of a country school, and within one yard of a busy roadside. The birds have quite made friends with the school children. They have helped themselves to the blue flowers from the school garden, pieces of blue paper, and even a blue hair ribbon, besides blue parrot's feathers. These are used to decorate this very interesting playhouse.

Unfortunately, Satin Bower Birds are mainly fruit-eaters, and so will possibly do some damage, but they are amongst the wonders of the world, and it is hoped all will hesitate to shoot them, "for their highly-decorated halls of assembly must be regarded as the most wonderful instances of bird-architecture yet discovered." The male gets his beautiful blue-black coat after he is seven years old.

Many of the schools of South Gippsland can show Satin Bower-Birds regularly in attendance at lunch-time to gather the crusts. We have destroyed their native fruits, and should submit to some slight loss to enable young Australians to become familiar with the "most interesting group of birds" in the world.

(continued below)

====

[Page 187b]

F. 163. PTILONORHYNCHIDAE (11), BOWER-BIRDS, Regent-Bird, Cat
(Gardener) Bird, 37 sp. A.

1 1

=385* Satin Bower-Bird=, Satin Bird, _Ptilonorhynchus
violaceus_, E.A.

Stat. r. _coast-scrubs_, _mt.-gullies_ 12.5

Lustrous blue-black, with black centres to feathers; f.,*
upper grayish-green; quills dark-brown; tail golden-brown;
under yellow, washed bluish-green, marked blackish-brown;
young male up to 3 years sim. to f. Gets fully adult
blue-black after 7 years of age. Fruits, berries, insects.
Many notes, mimics.

[Page 188a]

[387] [388] [389] [390]]

5 6

=386* Spotted Bower-Bird=, Cabbage-Bird, _Chlamydera
maculata_, E.A, S.A. (inland).

Stat. v.r. _dry scrubs_ 12

Upper dark-brown spotted buff; rose-lilac opalescent plumes
on nape; tail tipped buff, white; abdomen pale creamy-buff,
flanks barred dusky brown; f., no rose-lilac plumes. Varied,
harsh, plaintive notes, mimics.

====

Order XXI. (continued)

The members of the Crow Family--the _Corvidae_--were considered the most highly-developed of birds--the most highly organized, so far as structure was concerned, and the most intelligent. However, Sharpe has erected the seven Australian Bell-Magpies (_Streperas_) into a family which, in his _Hand-List of Birds_ is placed at the top of the bird tree.

In the Crow Family many well-known birds are placed. The Jays, Magpie, Daws, Rooks, and Nutcrackers of Europe are not represented in Australia. The Crows and the Raven, however, are represented by closely-related birds.

It is important to tell the difference between the Australian Crow and the Australian Raven, for, we are told, the Crow is all that is good, while the Raven is the reverse.

The ornithologists say it is easy to tell the difference. Just examine the down, say, on the neck. It is white in the Crow, but dusky in the Raven. Unfortunately, the birds will not always wait to permit an examination of the down.

The eye is often mentioned, but hazel-eyed birds have become white-eyed. However, the Raven has lanceolate feathers on the neck, and a rougher, unmusical voice.

The Raven seems the more common bird, though most people will tell you there are no Ravens in their district.

The Apostle-Bird (Gray Jumper), and the White-winged Chough are two of Australia's "anomalous birds." Both go in flocks, so each has been called the "Twelve Apostles." However, the name has become attached to the Gray Jumper.

The White-winged Chough has no close relative in the world; possibly, the Chough that nests in the cliffs of Cornwall is nearest to it.

The Bell-Magpies (_Streperas_), perhaps better known as Black or Gray Magpies, are now receiving much notice, because of their position at the head of the bird-world. They are restricted to Australia, Tasmania, and Lord Howe Island. A good name is required for these birds, for, of course, they are not Magpies, though they have a white-tipped tail, and there is usually white in the wing, and about the base of the tail. They are fine, large birds, with a variety of notes.

(continued below)

====

[Page 188b]

F. 164. CORVIDAE (5), CROWS, Rook, Raven, Jackdaw, Magpie
(Br.), Jay, Nutcracker, Chough, 274 sp.--27(25)A., 73(58)O.,
69(53)P., 15(9)E., 43(35)Nc., 73(65)Nl.

3 63

=387 Hazel-eyed Crow=, _Corvus coronoides_, A.

Nom. c. _open_, _timber_ 20

Black glossed with purple; white down; hazel eyes; f.,
smaller. Insects, carrion, fruit, not lambs.

=388 Small-billed Crow=, _C. bennetti_, W.N.S.W., V., S.A.
Like 387, but smaller; bill small; eye white; f., sim.
Insects, carrion. "Car" repeated.

Stat. v.r. _plains_ 18.5

=389 Australian Raven=, Crow (e), _C. marianae (Corone
australis)_, A., T.

Nom. v.c. _plains_, _timber_ 20

Black glossed purple; throat feathers lanceolate, tinged
green; down dusky-gray; eyes white; f., smaller, lanceolate
feathers not so well developed. Locusts, caterpillars,
omnivorous, destructive. "Loud, deep Gwar-gwar, varied with
shrill, high-sounding Korr-Korr" (North).

1 1

=390* Apostle-Bird=, Gray Jumper, Twelve Apostles, _Struthidea
cinerea_, N. Ter., E.A., S.A. (inland).

Stat. small flocks, r. _open timber_ 13

Gray; wings brown; bill, legs black; eye white; f., sim. Mud
nest. Insects. Incessant chattering.

[Page 189]

[392] [393] [394] [395]]

1 1

=391* White-winged Chough=, Black Magpie (e), Jay (e),
Apostle-Bird (e), _Corcorax melanorhamphus_, E.A., S.A.

Stat. small flocks, c. _timber_ 16

Sooty black, white on wing only; eyes red; f., sim. Mud nest.
Insects, fruits, seeds. Low, mournful whistle.

F. 165. STREPERIDAE (7), BELL-MAGPIES, Streperas,
Crow-Shrikes, 7 sp. A.

7 7

=392* Pied Bell-Magpie= (Crow-Shrike), Currawong. Mutton-Bird
(e), _Strepera graculina_, E.A., Lord Howe Is.

Nom. r. _timber_ 18.5

Black; white patch on wing, upper base tail, under base tail,
tip tail; eye yellow; f., smaller. Berries, fruit, insects.

=393 Black-winged Bell-Magpie= (Crow-Shrike), _S.
melanoptera_, V., S.A., Kangaroo Is.

Stat. v.r. _scrub_ 19

Black, white tip tail, under base tail; f., smaller. Insects.

=394* Gray Bell-Magpie= (Crow-Shrike), Gray Magpie, Rain-Bird,
Squeaker, _S. versicolor (cuneicaudata)_, E.A.

Stat. v.c. _timber_, _orchard_ 19

Gray; white on wing, tip tail, under base tail; eye
orange; f., sim. Insects, fruit. Loud, ringing notes.
"It's-going-to-rain." "Two and two are four." Cree-e-ling,
cree-e-ling.

=395 Sooty Bell-Magpie= (Crow-Shrike), Black Magpie (e), _S.
fuliginosa_, E.A., S.A., T., Bass St. Is.

Stat. r. _timber_ 18

Sooty black; white in wing, tip tail; eye yellow; big bill
black; f., sim. Insects, fruit.

====

This concludes a necessarily brief outline of the classification of the Birds of Australia, and, incidentally, of the birds of the world, for, while the Emu is one of the most primitive of birds placed right at the foot, the Bell-Magpies (_Streperas_) are placed at the very summit of the avine tree.

Australians! Realize that you live in a land favored far beyond most as regards birds, and that you have a duty to perform in preserving as many as possible of these unique, interesting, and valuable forms for posterity. Teachers! Your influence is more potent than all the legislation. Bird lovers already freely acknowledge the fundamental change that has come over the schoolboy since the introduction of nature-study, and they look to you with confidence to extend greatly the good work of cultivating an interest and a pride in things Australian, for this interest will eradicate the once almost-universal, but now rapidly-disappearing, desire for slaughter of anything wearing a feather.

If women could be persuaded to come in line with the once destructive schoolboy in this respect, the bird lover and the well-wisher of his country would have further cause for gratification, and our beautiful birds a further enjoyment of a useful, indeed, often a necessary life, one necessary to the welfare of the agriculturist and the pastoralist, as well as of all dwellers in this fair, sunny land of ours.

Australians! Your wonderful Lyre-Birds, your marvellous Bower-Birds, your gorgeous Birds of Paradise, your Mound-Builders, your flute-noted Magpies, your charming Whistlers, your beautiful and intelligent Cockatoos, your glorious Parrots--the pets of the bird world--your Superb-Warblers, your varied, valuable, and attractive Honey-eaters, and your giant Laughing-Kingfisher are here for your enjoyment and appreciation. No other people has your privilege of knowing these birds in their native state. On the other hand, you enjoy most of the privileges of dwellers in other lands, in addition to your own, for "every widely-spread family of birds but two is found in Australia. The only notable absentees are Vultures and Woodpeckers." Be proud of your heritage, and pass it on uninjured. Though that, alas! is not possible, yet you may pass on at least the remnant that still survives the "blessings and advance of civilization."

NOTE.

Having obtained the approximate length of a bird, look for it on the following pages. Compare the bird before you with the half-tone and colored illustrations, and, if necessary, the written description:--

PAGES

3-5 inches, 14, 121, 123, 124, 131, 133, 142-145, 153, 155,
166, 167, 169, 179.

5-7 inches, 13, 15, 22, 23, 26, 27, 44, 49, 89, 110, 111,
120-125, 127, 129, 131, 142, 144-146, 151, 152, 155, 168-172,
177, 178.

7-9 inches, 13, 15, 17, 18, 27, 31, 42, 43, 45, 47-49, 89,
102-107, 109, 125, 129, 131, 145, 147, 150-152, 154, 169-173,
176, 177, 186.

9-11 inches, 17, 18, 24, 25, 31, 40, 43, 44, 49-51, 61, 102,
103, 107, 109, 127-129, 131-133, 145, 148, 149, 151, 170, 171,
173, 175, 187.

11-13 inches, 28-30, 34, 43, 46, 49, 80, 82, 83, 93, 101, 102,
105, 107, 109, 130, 149, 175, 187, 188.

13-15 inches, 17, 18, 23, 25, 28, 29, 35, 43, 45, 47, 80, 83,
85-88, 91, 92, 100, 101, 103, 107, 126, 127, 149, 174, 175,
188.

15-17 inches, 18, 23, 28, 29, 45-47, 64, 65, 67, 73, 82, 85,
87, 91, 93, 189.

17-20 inches, 16, 23, 25, 27, 28, 35, 40, 41, 43, 61, 63, 65,
67, 73, 82, 83, 91, 93, 104, 105, 149, 188, 189.

20-23 inches, 35, 41, 45, 51, 61, 63, 66, 67, 72, 73, 81, 91,
188.

23-25 inches, 13, 25, 41, 45, 60, 61, 65, 69, 81, 82, 84, 85,
90, 111.

25-30 inches, 25, 33, 41, 53, 60, 65, 67, 69, 89, 112.

30-35 inches, 29, 32, 33, 53, 60, 63, 69, 71, 81.

Over 35 inches, 12, 31, 32, 51, 52, 62, 68, 70, 71, 81, 112.

INDEX (Colored Plates).

Frontispiece.

=2= Mallee-Fowl
=3= Stubble Quail
=4= Brown Quail
=6= King Quail
=8= Painted Quail
=11= Plain Wanderer
=14= Diamond Dove
=16= Bronzewing Pigeon

Page 19

=21= Pectoral Rail
=22= Aust. Spotted Crake
=26= Black Moor-Hen
=27= Bald Coot
=30= Hoary-headed Grebe
=67= Crested Tern
=71= White-faced Ternlet
=72= Silver Gull
=73= Pacific Gull

Page 38

=81= Black-breasted Plover
=87= Black-fronted Dottrel
=102= Sharp-tailed Sandpiper
=106= Australian Snipe
=107= Australian Painted Snipe
=109= Southern Stone-Curlew
=119= White-fronted Heron
=123= Nankeen Night Heron
=125= Australian Bittern

Page 55

=128= Cape Barren Goose
=129= Maned Goose
=131= Plumed Whistling Duck
=133= Black Duck
=134= Australian Teal
=135= Gray Teal
=136= Australian Shoveller
=137= Pink-eared Duck
=139= White-eyed Duck

Page 57

=152= Allied Harrier
=155= Australian Goshawk
=157= Collared Sparrowhawk
=158= Wedge-tailed Eagle
=165= Black-shouldered Kite
=167= Black-cheeked Falcon
=170= Little Falcon
=172= Brown Hawk
=173= Nankeen Kestrel

Page 76

=184= Blue Mountain Lorikeet
=185= Musk Lorikeet
=191= Gang-gang Cockatoo
=193= Pink Cockatoo
=194= Rose-breasted Cockatoo
=196= Cockatoo-Parrot
=197= Superb Parrot
=198= Black-tailed Parrot
=199= King Parrot

Page 78

=200= Crimson Parrot
=202= Rosella
=203= Mallee Parrot
=204= Blue Bonnet
=205= Many-colored Parrot
=206= Red-backed Parrot
=209= Grass-Parrot
=213= Swift Parrot
=214= Warbling Grass-Parrot

Page 95

=219= Australian Roller
=220= Blue Kingfisher
=221= Laughing Kingfisher
=223= Sacred Kingfisher
=224= Aust. Bee-eater
=227= Spine-tailed Swift
=229= Pallid Cuckoo
=230= Fan-tailed Cuckoo
=235= Bronze Cuckoo

Page 97

=238= Welcome Swallow
=240= Tree Martin
=242= Brown Flycatcher
=244= Scarlet-breasted Robin
=244^A= Scarlet-breasted Robin (Female)
=245= Flame-breasted Robin
=245^A= Flame-breasted Robin (Female)
=248= Red Capped Robin
=248^A= Red Capped Robin (Female)

Page 116

=251= White-throated Flyeater
=254= White-shafted Fantail
=255= Rufous Fantail
=256= Black and White Fantail
=259= Restless Flycatcher
=262= Black-faced Cuckoo-Shrike
=265= White-shouldered Caterpillar-eater
=265^A= White-shouldered Caterpillar-eater (Female)
=266= Spotted Ground-Bird

Page 118

=272= Coachwhip Bird
=273= Gray-crowned Babbler
=276= White-browed Field-Wren
=278= Brown Song-Lark
=279= Rufous Song-Lark
=280= Mountain Thrush
=281= White-fronted Chat
=281^A= White-fronted Chat (F.)
=282= Crimson-breasted Chat

Page 135

=284= Aust. Reed-Warbler
=285= Golden-headed Fantail-Warbler
=286= Grass-Bird
=287= Speckled Warbler
=288= Little Tit-Warbler
=289= Brown Tit-Warbler
=291= Striated Tit-Warbler
=293= Yellow-tailed Tit-Warbler
=297= White-browed Scrub-Wren

Page 137

=300= Superb-Warbler
=300^A= Superb-Warbler (Female)
=302= White-winged Superb-Warbler
=304= Emu Wren
=306= Bristle-Bird
=311= White-browed Wood-Swallow
=312= Masked Wood-Swallow
=313= Wood-Swallow
=315= Gray Shrike-Thrush

Page 139

=319= Aust. Butcher-Bird
=320= Yellow-breasted Shrike-Tit
=321= Crested Bell-Bird
=322= Golden-breasted Whistler
=322^A= Golden-breasted Whistler (F.)
=323= Rufous-breasted Whistler
=323^A= Rufous-breasted Whistler (F.)
=326= Yellow-breasted Shrike-Robin
=327= Whiteface

Page 158

=328= Orange-winged Nuthatch
=330= Brown Tree-Creeper
=331= White-throated Tree-Creeper
=334= White-eye
=336= Australian Flower-Pecker
=336^A= Australian Flower-Pecker (Female)
=337= Red-tipped Diamond Bird
=340= Spotted Diamond Bird
=341= Golden-rumped Diamond Bird

Page 160

=342= White-naped Honey-eater
=345= Striped Honey-eater
=346= Sanguineous Honey-eater
=347= Black Honey-eater
=348= Spinebill
=349= Tawny-crowned Honey-eater
=350= White-fronted Honey-eater
=351= Painted Honey-eater
=353= Regent Honey-eater

Page 162

=355= Yellow-eared Honey-eater
=356= Singing Honey-eater
=357= Yellow-faced Honey-eater
=358= White-eared Honey-eater
=359= Yellow-tufted Honey-eater
=362= Yellow-plumed Honey-eater
=363= White-plumed Honey-eater
=364= Crescent Honey-eater
=365= White-bearded Honey-eater

Page 164

=360= Helmeted Honey-eater
=366= White-cheeked Honey-eater
=367= Bell-Miner
=368= Noisy Miner
=370= Wattle-Bird
=372= Spiny-cheeked Honey-eater
=373= Blue-faced Honey-eater
=374= Friar-Bird

Page 181

=375= Yellow-throated Friar-Bird
=376= Australian Pipit
=377= Bush-Lark
=378= Spotted-Sided Finch
=379= Firetailed Finch
=380= Chestnut-eared Finch
=381= Plum-headed Finch
=382= Red-browed Finch
=383= Olive-backed Oriole

Page 183

=384= Spangled Drongo
=385= Satin Bower-Bird
=385^A= Satin Bower-Bird (Female)
=386= Spotted Bower-Bird
=390= Apostle-Bird
=391= White-winged Chough
=392= Pied Bell-Magpie
=394= Gray Bell-Magpie

INDEX (General).

The Ordinary Figures (175) refer to tabular matter and the Italic Figures (_141_) refer to the lecture.

_Acanthagenys_, 175

_Acanthiza_, 142, _141_, _153_

_Acanthochaera_, 174

_Acanthorhynchus_, 170

_Accipiter_, 80

_Acridotheres_, 187

_Acrocephalus_, 142

_AEgialitis_, 44, 45

_AEgintha_, 179

_AEgotheles_, 104

_Aerocharidae_, 149

_AEstrelata_, 28, 29

_Aidemosyne_, 179

Alarm-Bird, 43

_Alauda_, 177

_Alaudidae_, 176, _177_

Albatross, 31, 32, 33, _33_, _34_

_Alcedinidae_, 105

_Alcidae_, 33

_Alcyone_, 105

_Ampelidae_, 147

_Amytornis_, 146

_Anas_, 65

_Anatidae_, 62

_Ancylochilus_, 49

_Anellobia_, 175

_Anhinga_, 70

_Anseranas_, 63

Anteater, Spiny, _11_

_Anthus_, 176

_Antigone_, 52

Ant-thrushes, 113

Antwrens, 113

_Aphelocephala_, 153

Apostle-Bird, 188, 130, 189, _147_, _186_

_Aprosmictus_, 93

_Apterygidae_, 13

_Apteryx_, 13, _13_

_Aramidae_, 52

_Ardeidae_, 60

_Ardetta_, 61

_Arenaria_, 42

_Artamidae_, 147

_Artamus_, 147

_Astur_, 73

Atlantic O., _26_, _33_

_Atrichornithidae_, 113, _119_

Audubon Society, _114_

Auk, 33

_Aves_, 12

Avocet, 45, _47_

_Aythya_, 67

Babbler, 130, _130_, _175_

Babbling-Thrush, 128

_Balaenicipitidae_, 60

Bald-Coot, 23

Bali, _91_, 168

Ballyhead, 133

Banana-Bird, 175

Barbet, 111, _91_

Barker, 130

Bark-pecker, 153

Barley-Bird, 142

_Barnardius_, 101

Barn Owl, 86, 87, _85_

Barwing, 67

Bass St., _154_, _165_

Bat, _11_, _166_

Beach-Bird, 42

Bee-eater, 106, 107, _106_

Bell-Bird, 151, _151_, _174_

Bell-Magpie, 189, _12_, _39_, _185_, _186_, _187_

Bell-Miner, 173, _174_

Bird Day, _74_, _119_, _141_

Birds of Paradise, 187, _12_, _180_, _190_

Birds of Prey, 72, _71_, _74_, _79_, _84_, _87_

Bittern, 61, _59_

_Biziura_, 67

Blackbird, 132, 179, _133_, _134_

Blackcap, 142, 168

Bleater, 50

Blight-Bird, 155, _156_

Blood-Bird, 169

Blood Tit (e), 142

Blue-Bird, 127, 132, _146_

Blue-Bonnet, 101, 144, _99_

Bluecap, 144

Blue-eye, 175, _176_

Blue-Head, 144

Blue Mountain, 88, _90_, _156_

Blue-Tit, 144

Bluewing, 66

Blue-Wren, 144

Boatswain-Bird, 41, 71

Bobolink, 179, _74_

Bob-White, 15

Boobook Owl, 85, _85_, _104_

Booby, 71, _70_

Boomer, 61

_Botaurus_, 61

Bower-Birds, 187, 188, _12_, _185_, _190_

Brain-fever Bird, 109, _110_

Bristle Bird, 145, _141_

Broadbill, 111

Broad-tails, _94_

Brolga, 52

Brownhead, 67

Brush-Turkey, 13, _15_

_Bubonidae_, 85

_Bucconidae_, 111

_Bucerotidae_, 106

Budgerigar, 103, _100_

Bulbul, 127, _91_

Bulla-Bulla, 101

Bull-Bird, 61

Bullfinch, 177

Bully, 28

Bunting, 177

Bunyip, _59_

_Buphagidae_, 187

_Burhinus_, 51

Bush-Lark, 177, _177_

Bushman's Clock, 105

Bush-Warbler, 124

Bustard, 51, _51_, _52_

Bustard Quail, 15, _17_, _21_

Butcher-Bird, 149, _150_

Button Quail, 15

Buzzard, 82, _79_

Cabbage-Bird, 188

_Cacatua_, 91

_Cacatuidae_, 89

Cackler, 130

_Cacomantis_, 109

_Calamanthus_, 131

Caley, _149_

Calico-Bird, 42

_Calidris_, 48

_Callocephalum_, 91

_Calopsittacus_, 93

_Calyptorhynchus_, 89

Campophaga, 127

_Campophagidae_, 126

Canary, 124, 133, 152, 172, 177, _134_, _179_

Cape Barren Is., _32_

Cape Petrel, 29

Cape Pigeon, 29

Capercailly, 13

Cape Sheep, 31

_Capitonidae_, 111

_Caprimulgidae_, 107

Cardinal, 177

_Carduelis_, 177

_Cariamidae_, 53

_Carinatae_, 13, _13_, _14_

_Carphibis_, 53

Carr Goose, 25

_Casarca_, 65

Cassowary, 13, _11_, _13_

_Casuariidae_, 13

_Catamblyrhynchidae_, 177

_Catarrhactes_, 25

Catbird, 130, 187, _131_

Caterpillar-eater, 126, 127, _39_, _127_, _128_

_Cathartidae_, 71

_Cerchneis_, 83

_Cereopsis_, 63

_Certhiidae_, 154

_Certhionyx_, 170

_Chaetura_, 107

Chaffinch, 177

_Chalcococcyx_, 110

_Chalcophaps_, 17

_Chamaeidae_, 153

Channel-bill, 111, _111_

_Charadriidae_, 42

_Charadrius_, 44

Chat, 133, _134_

Chatterer, 113, 130

_Chelidon_, 120

_Chenonetta_, 63

_Chenopsis_, 62

_Cheramoeca_, 121

Cherry-eater, 173

Cherry-Hawk, 127

_Chibia_, 187

Chickadee, _74_

Chicken-Hawk, 73

Chickoowee, 172

Chick-up, 171

Chiffchaff, 142

_Chionididae_, 42

_Chlamydera_, 188

Chough, 189, _147_, _186_

" (Br.), 188, _186_

_Chthonicola_, 142

Chuck-e-chuc, 167

_Ciconiidae_, 60

_Cinclidae_, 132

_Cincloramphus_, 131

_Cinclosoma_, 128

_Circus_, 72

_Cisticola_, 142, _134_

_Cladorhynchus_, 45

_Climacteris_, 154

Clipper, 133

Coachwhip-Bird, 129, 151, _130_

Cobbler, 45

Cobbler's Awl, 45, 170

_Coccyges_, 108

Cockatiel, 93

Cockatoo, 89, 91, _88_, _91_, _89_

Cockatoo-Parrot, 93, _94_

Cocktail, 144

Codlin-Moth-eater, 130

_Coerebidae_, 178

_Coliidae_, 108

_Colluricincla_, 149

Coloration--

Advertizing, _165_

Protective, _21_, _156_

Recognition, _165_

Warning, _156_

_Columbidae_, 17

_Colymbidae_, 25

Condor, 71

_Conophagidae_, 113

Cooers, _21_, _24_

Cookaycock, 175

Coot, 23, _22_

_Coraciidae_, 105

_Coracina_, 127

_Corcorax_, 189

Corella, 93

Cormorant, 68, _68_

Corn-Bird, 142

Corn-Crake, 18, 131, _22_

_Corone_, 188

_Corvidae_, 188, _185_

_Corvus_, 188

Cotingas, 113

_Cotingidae_, 113

_Coturnix_, 13