l6o Mellor, The A.O.U. in Tasmania. [i/^Aprii 



sombre colouration and robust physique. The notes of these 

 birds are most varied, but of sweet and melodious tone. The 

 clear, ringing voice of the Tasmanian Shrike-Thrush {Colly rio- 

 cincla rectirostris), a fine member of this well-known family, was 

 heard calling to its mate, whose nest was in the recesses of the 

 forest. In an overhanging fern tree near one of the pretty forest 

 hut retreats, the nest of the Brown-rumped Tit {AcaJitJiiza 

 c/i?>w^;z^«j-/i-) was found, hidden beneath the long, drooping leaves, 

 close to the water, and in it the young of the Fan-tailed Cuckoo 

 {Cacouiantis jJabellifonnis), being fed and cared for by the 

 diminutive foster-parent, which showed much concern at the 

 close approach and keen interest of the naturalists. The Dusky 

 Fantail {Rhipidura diemencnsis) was observed among the thick 

 boughs, where gnats and other insects were on the wing in 

 profusion. Here that pretty little feathered friend of the garden 

 was most energetically at work, ever and anon darting with 

 jerky flight into the air, and returning to a twig to swallow the 

 minute tit-bit, which it never failed to capture in its flight. 

 Another useful little friend that was discerned high in the lofty 

 eucalypts was the Yellow-tipped Diamond-bird {Pardalotus 

 affinis), which is only found in Tasmania, and does good work 

 in searching out scale, blight, and injurious insects among the 

 leaves. Their familiar note of " Chucky-chuck " was continually 

 heard, although the birds were obscured from view through their 

 smallness of body and distance from the ground. A bird of 

 totally different habits, but as useful, was the Brown Scrub-Wren 

 {Sericornis Jinmilis). These were seen in pairs hopping on the 

 ground among the dense decaying vegetation that abounds at 

 the base of the thick scrub and forest trees, and harbours a 

 multitude of small insects upon which the birds feed. The rare 

 Tasmanian Scrub-Tit {Sericornis niagnd), which was found in 

 this locality upon the previous visit of the Union, some three 

 years ago, was diligently sought for, but it could not be seen. 

 Several species of Honey-eaters were observed : the Yellow- 

 throated {Ptilotis flavigtdaris), found all over Tasmania ; the 

 White-bearded {Meliornis novcs-hollmtdia), and the Crescent {M. 

 australasiami), both widely distributed species ; the Strong- 

 billed Honey-eater {Melithreptus validirostris) and the Black- 

 headed Honey-eater {M. DielanocepJialus) were also identified 

 high in the lofty trees among the fresh bursting blooms of the 

 eucalypts. Several Black Cockatoos {CalyptorhyncJius funereus) 

 of large size were seen on the topmost limbs of a lofty giant tree, 

 and their harsh cries, yellow ears, and banded tail feathers of the 

 same colour soon made their identification clear beyond a doubt, 

 while from another quarter a large Parrakeet darted from a 

 hollow tree, and proved to be the Yellow-bellied species {Platy- 

 cerais flaviventris), a species peculiar to the island. Another, 

 seen on one of the steep slopes on the opposite side of 



