MELIORNIS. 



69 



/TraVMIS species originally described by Dr. George Shaw in his "General Zoology"" in 1812 

 I as the "Australasian Creeper," Certhia austvalasiana, is an inhabitant of the south-eastern 



portion of the continent, some of the larger islands of Bass Strait, and Tasmania. It is familiarly 

 known both in Australia and Tasmania as the " Horse-shoe Honey-eater," both sexes having a 

 crescentic marking on each side of the chest, these parts being black in the male and dull brown 

 tinged with olive m the female. 



Gould, who uses the vernacular name of Tasmanian Honey-eater for this species in his folio 

 edition of the " Birds of Australia," I remarks :—" This little Honey-eater is abundantly dispersed 

 over every part of Van Diemen's Land, to which country, in all probability, the species is 

 restricted, though there is another in South Australia and New South Wales so nearly resemblmg 

 it, as to render this supposition doubtful, and a farther acquaintance with the continental bird is 

 necessary to determine whether it is a mere variety or a distinct species. The chief difference 

 consists in its being smaller in size, and less brilliantly marked on the wing." Prior to 1865, 

 Gould apparently regarded the continental and Tasmanian birds as alike, for he makes no 

 further reference to it in his "Handbook to the Birds of Australia," ; but there gives Tasmania, 

 South Australia and New South Wales as the geographical distribution of this species. 



In South Gippsland, Victoria, this species was not uncommon in the swampy undergrowth 

 at the foot of the Strzelekci Ranges. In South Australia the late Mr. F. W. Andrews regarded 

 it as a rare bird, and stated its principal haunts were Mount Compass, and the deep rocky thickly 

 timbered gullies running into the neighbouring ranges. Mr. Edwin Ashby writes me.-.—'-'Mcltorms 

 aiistralasiana is comparatively rare near Adelaide, and is more often met with in the wildest parts 

 of the Mount Lofty Range." 



In New South Wales it is one of the commonest species in the dense undergrowth of the 

 valleys and the precipitous rocky gorges of the higher portions of the Blue Mountains. In the 

 vicinity of Katoomba, Leura, and Wentworth Falls, I have often watched these birds dart from 

 some bush on a rocky headland, launch out into the azure space uttering at the same time a 

 shrill note, and with a zig-zag flight disappear in the foliage far below. It is equally numerous 

 in the humid ranges of the Illawarra District. Near Sydney it is rarely met with. At 

 Willoughby and Roseville I have seen it on several occasions frequenting the same situations 

 as Meliomis scvicea, principally the undergrowth and low ferns on creek banks, sheltered above 

 with trees of a larger growth. Although very common during spring and summer on the Blue 

 Mountains I have noted it is just the reverse during winter. 



Dr. L. Holden writes me from Tasmania: — •' Lichmcya luistmhsiana haunts gardens in villages 

 and suburbs. A fuchsia bush has a great attraction for it. Four species of our Honey-eaters 

 may be often seen in gardens, but this one is by far the commonest. Its varied and vigorous 

 calls outside my bedroom window have advised me of the approach of spring for many a year. 

 No bird rises earlier or utters its note so soon. The loudness, stridency, and variety of the cries 

 of this very familar bird make the Horse-shoe Honey-eater the best known to Tasmanians of any 

 of its family. Of nests seen, one was in a most remote and desolate spot, another between a 

 garden and a street in a rather busy village. One in a tea-tree overhanging the shore of Bass 

 Strait was built of dry ribbon-like seaweed as a base, on which a cup of fine dry grass, without 

 other lining was constructed ; this had three fresh eggs on 3rd November. I saw a pair building 

 on the 6th September, and found newly hatched young on the 27th November. I have seen 

 the hen bird twisting off dry tendrils from a laburnum tree to build her nest in the adjoining 

 hedge, and flying from one tendril to the other till she found one dry and loose enough to be 

 pulled off. The cock bird did not carry materials, he kept at hand however, and drove away 



• Gen. Zool., Vol. VIII., p. 226 {1812). 

 t Gould. Bds. Austr, fol. ed, Vol. IV., pi. 27, 1S4S. 

 J Gould, Handbk Bds. Austr., Vol. I., p. 493 (1S65). 



