588 BIllDS OF AUSTRALIA. 



branches of the trees it is as active as most birds, prying and 

 searching with scrutinizing care into the leaves and flowers 

 for the insects, upon which it feeds. It is sometimes seen 

 singly or in pairs, while at others it is to be observed in great 

 numbers, on the same or neighbouring trees. It is of a 

 familiar disposition, and utters a pretty and very lively song. 



The breeding-season commences in September and con- 

 tinues to January. The nest is one of the neatest structures 

 possible ; it is of a round deep cup-shaped form, composed 

 of fine grasses, moss, and wool, and most carefully lined with 

 fibrous roots and grasses. The eggs are usually three in 

 number, of a beautiful uniform pale blue, eight and a half 

 lines long by six broad. 



The sexes present no difference of plumage. 



Crown of the head, wings, and tail olive ; back dark grey, 

 eyes surrounded by a zone of white feathers, bounded in 

 front and below with black ; throat, centre of the abdomen, 

 and under tail-coverts greyish white with a slight tinge of 

 olive ; flanks light chestnut brown ; upper mandible dark 

 brown, under mandible lighter; irides and feet greyish 

 brown. 



In some specimens the throat and sides of the head are 

 wax-yellow, and the flanks are only stained with chestnut 

 brown. 



Sp. 361. ZOSTEROPS GOULDI, Bonaparte. 



Green-backed Zosterops. 



Zosterops chloronotus, Gould in Proc. of Zool. Soc, part viii. p. 165. 



Guuldi, Bonap. Consp. Gen. Av., torn. i. p. 308, Zosterops, sp. 3. 



Jule-ive-de-lung, Aborigines of the lowland districts of Western Aus- 

 tralia. 

 Grape- and Fig-eater, Colonists of Swan River. 



Zosterops chloronotus, G-ould, Birds of Australia, foL, vol. iv. 

 pi. 82. 



The Zosterops (jouldi is an inhabitant of the western 



