Part 13

Head, neck, chest black; hind-neck, centre-wing, rump, under white; tail black, side tipped white; f., sim. Insects, mice. One of the best of songsters, rich notes.

=319* Australian Butcher-Bird= (Shrike), Collared Crow-Shrike, Derwent (Tasmanian, Whistling) Jackass, Durbaner, _C. destructor_, E.A., S.A., W.A.

Stat. v.c. _timber_ 11.2

Head, neck black; back gray; side hind-neck, upper base tail, patch on wing white; under grayish-white; f., duller. Insects, mice, birds. Fine song (autumn); rich notes.

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3 3

=320* Yellow-breasted Shrike-Tit= (Yellow-bellied, Frontal, Crested), Falcon-Shrike, _Falcunculus frontatus_, E.A., S.A.

Stat. r. _timber_ 7.5

Upper green; crest, throat, line through eye black; patch above eye, patch below eye white; under bright-yellow; strong hooked bill; f., throat green. Insects. Musical notes.

1 1

=321* Crested Bell-Bird=, _Oreoica cristata_, A.

Stat. c. _timber_ 9

Upper brown; top of head black, side-head gray; white on face, throat; black from eye to black chest band; abdomen white tinged sandy-buff; f., duller. Caterpillars, insects. Bell notes, ventriloquist.

20 88

=322* Golden-breasted Whistler=, White-throated Thickhead, Thunder-Bird, Cutthroat, Coachwhip-Bird (e), _Pachycephala pectoralis (gutturalis_), E.A.

Stat. c. _timber_ 7

Throat white; black head, band on chest; outside black band, under golden-yellow; back olive green; f.,* brown; throat whitish faintly streaked dusky. Caterpillars, insects. Fine songster, many melodious calls; whip-like smack ends one of notes.

=323* Rufous-breasted Whistler= (Thickhead), Little Thrush, Ring Coachman, Coachwhip-Bird (e), _P. rufiventris_, E.A., S.A., C.A., W.A.

Stat. c. _timber_ 6.7

Upper gray; throat white; head blackish; black side of neck, band on chest; rest under light rufous-brown; f.,* upper brownish-gray; throat white streaked blackish-brown; rest under buff; breast, sides streaked blackish-brown. Insects, caterpillars, wild berries. Famous songster; whip-like smack at end of one of its calls.

=324 Red-throated Whistler=, Gilbert Thickhead, _P. gilberti_, N.S.W., V., S.A., W.A.

Stat. v.r. _timber_ 7.2

Dark-gray; black before eye; throat dull rust-red; under gray; f., no black on face; throat gray. Insects. Clear whistling note.

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=325 Olive Whistler=, Olivaceous Thickhead, _P. olivacea_, N.S.W., V., T., Bass St. Is.

Stat. r. _humid scrubs_ 8

Olive brown; head dark-gray; throat whitish marked brown; faint gray band across chest; under reddish-brown; f., no band on chest. Insects. "Liquid, whistling note."

6 8

=326* Yellow-breasted Shrike-Robin=, Yellow Robin (e), Wild Canary (e), _Eopsaltria australis_. N.S.W., V.

Stat. c. _timber_ 5.3

Dark-gray; upper base tail olive-yellow; throat grayish-white; under bright yellow. Tame, perches on side of sapling; f., sim. Insects. Piping note often repeated.

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Order XXI. (continued)

In Family 135--Titmice or Tits--Australia has but five representatives--the peculiar Wedgebill, "Kitty-lin-tof," and the four Australian "Whitefaces." The Whiteface is "lively, with sweet chirping notes." Its former scientific name (_Xerophila_) means "dry lover," for it is found mainly in the drier parts.

The European Tits belong to this family, so it is not desirable to use the name "Tit" for the Australian birds of the genus _Acanthiza_, for they belong to the Warbler family (_Sylviidae_), and not to the Tit family (_Paridae_).

The Nuthatches of the Old World and America are represented by closely-related birds, with somewhat similar habits, in Australia. These run spirally down a tree-trunk, searching every crack or piece of bark. Eight of these birds occur in Australia. Latham called them Nuthatches. It is now proposed to return to this name, as it is used for the British, Indian, and North American birds of this family (_Sittidae_).

The male Black-capped Nuthatch (Tree-runner) is true to name, but the female has the head and hind-neck black, instead of a black cap only. Nuthatches are not found in Tasmania. Possibly Bass Strait was formed before they reached Southern Victoria. Thus bird-study supports the geographer and ethnologist when they declare that Bass Strait is of comparatively remote formation. As the Tasmanian blacks were ignorant of boats, they evidently reached Tasmania before Bass Strait was formed. They are a more primitive type than the Australian blacks, who were improved by later influxes of more highly-developed Caucasians.

Many country dwellers will not admit that there is no Woodpecker in Australia, but it is a fact, nevertheless. Our so-called "Woodpecker" is the Tree-Creeper. It never chisels mortice-holes in a tree to get out a grub, as the true Woodpecker does. These birds occur all over the continent, and are often to be seen alighting on the side of a tree or fence post and then running up spirally to the top. They soon fly off to another tree, alighting lower than the place they started from. The bright-brown band on the wing is conspicuous as they fly. Their lively notes brighten a country drive.

The White-eye is one of a large genus, for no less than 157 species have been accepted by Dr. Sharpe. However, one of the rarest of these was a Victorian species. It was based on one specimen, a female, taken at Marong, near Bendigo. It was said to be slightly different from the common White-eye. Hence Dr. Horne, of Clifton Hill, one of our most enthusiastic bird-lovers, created a new species, and named it in honor of his niece, Miss Bowie, who is a favorite with all the birds in Dr. Horne's extensive aviaries. White-eyes are found from Africa and Madagascar to India and Japan, and from Australia out past New Zealand.

Our common White-eye is one of the interesting birds of the world at the present time, for it is showing that man is not the only animal with a colonizing instinct. It was unknown in New Zealand until, in 1856, it was first recorded. The Maoris, keen Nature-students, who have a name for every native animal and plant, called it the "Stranger." Its presence has been accounted for by some authorities as being due to the fierce winds that accompanied Black Thursday having blown it over from Australia. However, not satisfied with spreading throughout New Zealand until it is said to be the commonest bird there, it has spread out to Chatham Island, and a flock was reported recently a considerable distance from the coast, apparently looking for fresh fields, or rather islands, to colonize. It is a well-known city dweller. Though it destroys grapes and other soft fruits, it also so completely destroys aphides that it is appropriately called the Blight-Bird. Again, the balance is strongly in its favor, for it is probably but taking fair toll of that which will probably not have reached maturity but for its labors, and the laborer, even if a bird, is worthy of his hire.

A bird's color usually affords it protection from its natural enemies. These are mainly birds of prey flying overhead. Thus, speaking generally, protective coloration applies only to the upper surface, so that a white throat or under surface does not necessarily render a bird conspicuous to its natural enemies.

Again, a bird may be very conspicuous when seen away from its natural surroundings, but the concealment may be perfect under natural conditions. It has been already mentioned that the gorgeous Blue Mountain Lorikeet was very difficult to discern in its native sugar-gums. A tiger is said to be invisible at a distance of ten yards in a jungle; the black stripes being similar to the shadows of the bamboos, and the light bands to the sunlight between the vegetation.

The White-eye and Tree-Creepers just noticed may be considered protectively colored, for they are difficult to see in a tree. Still, the brown patch on the wing of the Tree-Creeper is conspicuous as it flies. Alfred Russel Wallace, the great evolutionist, supplied a good explanation, when he regarded bright wing bands, white rump, and white-tipped tail, as "warning colors." An enemy is, perchance, perceived by a bird. This individual flies away quietly; others see the bright wing patch disappear, and they seek shelter as quickly and quietly as possible. This is often a great advantage, for, in many cases, all reach safety, possibly, before the enemy has seen one of them. If the first bird had given an alarming call, it would have warned the enemy too.

It is noteworthy that these bright markings on the upper surface are, usually, not visible when the bird is at rest. The white wing patch folds in, the white rump is covered, while, in a white-tipped tail, it is usual for the two centre feathers to be plain throughout (see illustrations of species 313 and 329). The tail is folded, and the white tips are covered by the two non-white centre feathers. The introduced Indian Turtle-Dove, common about nearly every city in Australia, shows the spread-out, white-tipped tail splendidly when flying. The bird itself is barely visible if it settles in the shade or on the soil. The Indian Myna, a city bird, has both white wing-patch and white-tipped tail.

This explanation is also applied to other wild animals; thus many Deer have the white patch on the hind quarters. Other Deer, seeing this warning signal displayed in flight, immediately make for safety. Similarly, Wallace has explained the white tail of a Rabbit.

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.

(continued below)

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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]

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.

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=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.

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=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]

=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]

=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 166]

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.

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.