I 2 Campbell, Insectivorous Birds. \_^^^ "j^ly 



extensively on the nectar of gum flowers, and incidentally upon 

 the insects they find there also, they do excellent work in thinning 

 out the hordes of scale-insects, so common on the foliage and small 

 twigs, being attracted by the sweet manna or honeydew secretion 

 of the insect. 



Birds, in truth, are factors in keeping the earth habitable and 

 the soil productive enough for man and beast. To destroy them or 

 drive them away from cultivated fields because a toll is taken of 

 grain or fruit is a most short-sighted and self-destroying policy. Is 

 it not man's duty to use his powers to readjust matters and give 

 the birds again the important place on the land that their unique 

 function demands ? By an all-wise Creator birds have been fore- 

 ordained to assist human intelligence towards its own highest 

 ideals. Why spurn the gift ? 



• The protection of breeding grounds and the absolute protection 

 of the insectivorous birds themselves are not the only necessary 

 steps to a better condition. First of all, educate the people into 

 a knowledge of the true meaning of things, place a proper spirit of 

 reverence in the young, and all these matters then will take care 

 of themselves. 



To a very great extent introduced birds will play an important 

 part in checking insects. Many native birds of smaller size have 

 so long been driven away that it is almost an impossibility to 

 bring them back to the fields and meadows. Even such a strong 

 species as the Magpie has been decimated, and is not by any means 

 in effective numbers. 



Native trees, when left for shade or ornament near the city, soon 

 die. Some say the smoky or poisonous atmosphere is the cause, 

 but the real reason will be found more complex. Native birds 

 hke Tree-creepers, Sittellas, Cockatoos, and Parrakeets, with a 

 hundred and one other forest mates, have long since ceased to patrol 

 the trees and keep in check borers, scales, and many other timber- 

 destroying insects. It is little wonder, then, that the vegetation 

 succumbs to the repeated attacks of insects, which are soon in 

 numbers sufficient to sap its very life blood and leave the gaunt 

 frames, stripped of all beauty, a standing object-lesson of the 

 power of an unguarded evil. 



The Black-headed Honey-eater (Melithreptus 

 melanocephalus). 

 By a. E. Brent. 

 {Read before the Tasmanian Field Naturalists' Club.) 

 This species is one of the smallest of the Honey-eaters, and is un- 

 known on the Australian mainland, though very common inTasmania, 

 more especially in the mountain ranges of the south. It is partly 

 insectivorous, and in winter is to be seen feeding on small insects 

 (caterpillars, &c.), which it obtains from under the dry bark and 

 leaves on the branches of trees. It may sometimes be seen working 



