Vol.^vi.j Berne Y, Birds of the Richmond District, N.Q. I5g 



Carter Honey-eater {Ptilotis leilavalensis). — A common Honey- 

 eater along the river banks, or at any waterhole surrounded by eucalypts or 

 tea-tree {Melaleuca). I have found their nests, containing two eggs, in 

 August and October. 



The following measurements were taken from two specimens procured 

 for identification : — 



The Australasian Ornithologists* Union in Tasmania. 



By J. W. Mellor, A.O.U., Adelaide. 



During the Sixth Congress of the Australasian Ornithologists' 

 Union, held in Tasmania in November and December, 1906, good 

 work was accomplished by the members in exploring that para- 

 dise of the naturalist, Mount Wellington, where, in its secluded 

 gullies and elevated spurs, amid dense vegetation, observations 

 were conducted for several days. The somewhat moist weather 

 retarded progress considerably, and made the ascents incon- 

 venient for the ladies of the party; but naturalists are not 

 to be disheartened. The Cascade Gully was the first place 

 visited, by permission of the manager of the brewing company. 

 A whole day was spent on their extensive and picturesque 

 property. The bright plumage of the Flame-breasted Robin 

 \Petr(£caphceniced) was conspicuous in the sylvan glades, where 

 the sun shone down through the high eucalypts, myrtles, and a 

 hundred and one varieties of forest trees and shrubs. A 

 peculiarity about these birds is that in Australia they all leave 

 the lowlands at the approach of spring, and repair to the elevated 

 regions and to Tasmania to breed. Another species of the 

 Robin family seen was the Pink-breasted {Petrccca rhodinogaster), 

 whose bright pink breast contrasted greatly with the sombre 

 black back and head. The Scarlet-breasted Robin {Petrcvca 

 leggii) was identified as the same species found breeding on the 

 mainland, but was not plentiful. The Dusky Robin {Petraca 

 vittata), a native of Tasmania, was noted to be fairly abundant 

 in places where the timber was large and scattered, and its 

 prettily formed nest was discovered in the crevice of a large, 

 charred tree, being the place usually selected. The beautiful 

 little Tasmanian Blue Wren {Malurns gouldi), with^ its sombre 

 female, was twittering among the sweetbriar and thick bracken. 

 The colouration was closely akin to that of the Blue Wren 

 of the mainland {Malurus cyaneus). Two Thickheads inhabit 

 the leafy bowers— the Grey-tailed {PachycepJiala glaucurd), 

 corresponding closely with the South Australian variety {P. 

 occidentalis) ; also the Olive Thickhead {P. olivacea), of more 



