C568 NESTS AND EGGS OF AUSTRALIAN BIRDS. 



far out as possible, then the I'opc was passed over another hrnnch 

 higher up and the other end made fast at the gi-ound. With a light 

 saw the branch was severed. I thought to retain my hold at the butt 

 end, but, alas, the bough proved too much for me, it tipped and swung 

 down, the little bird remaining fast to its nest, which was by this time 

 completely upside down. Wo could not vcntvuro too near for fear of 

 distiu'bing her, so I crept in vnider cover of the foliage and cut the 

 branch, again turning it upright, and in tliis way we took a full set of 

 three eggs and an egg of the Pallid Cuckoo. 



"Since discovering this little fact, I have taken many nests of the 

 Black-capped Honeyeater by felling the trees, but I must say not 

 always successfully. My experience has taught mo to choose a bois- 

 terous day ; even a good, steady breeze will suffice, for nature prompts 

 the sitting bird to cling more closely to her nest. Care should be taken 

 that the falling tree does not strike or foul another tree." 



A nest, with eggs, Idndly forwarded to mo for description, by 

 Mr. Brent, was taken in like manner, and when the poor bird was 

 rescued from the fallen foliage, she was covering her own eggs, beside 

 an additional burden — an egg of the Pallid Cuckoo. Date, November 

 21st, 189G. 



In the Appendix of the Catalogue of the Australian Museum it is 

 stated that Dr. Holden, of Circular Head, Tasmania, found several 

 nests of the Black-capped Honeyeater in December (1899). One in 

 particular commenced on the 7th of tliat month contained three 

 fresh eggs by the 25th. One nest had no wool, but was chiefly 

 composed of gi-een moss and spiders' web, with a Uning of flower-seeds. 



The male Black-capped Honeyeater, and doubtless many other kinds 

 of birds, sometimes food the female upon her nest, especially if the 

 weather be windy. 



Breeding months from October to December. 



305. — Melithreptus l.s;ttor, Gould. 

 GOLDEN-BACKED HONEYEATER. 



Figure. - Goiild-Sharpe : Birds of New Guinea, vol. iii., pi. 40. 



nengrnphicnl Bi/ttrihutinn . — North-west Australia, Northern Terri- 

 tory, Queensland (interior probablv"), and South Australia. 



Xest and Er/rjs. — See Appendix. 



Ohservntinnx. — As Gould states, although veiy closely allied to 

 M . (ju7aris, this species is altogether a much more finely-coloured bird. 

 In size it is slightly larger, and it is at once distinguished by its 

 white under surface, and the beautiful lemon-yellow on the back of 

 the neck, a-s well as by the hrighf-yellnw naked skin surrounding the 

 eye, which part is hhiis'h-green in M . r/n/oria. 



