Part 14

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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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.

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=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.

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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."

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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.

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=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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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=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.

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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.

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

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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