200 THE USEFUL BIRDS 



FRIAR-BIRD 



(Leatherhead, Four-o'clock), 



Philemon coriiiculatiis, Lath. 



Fi-le'-mon kov-nik-ii-ld tus. 

 Phileo, to love ; philemon, loving ; cornicvla, a little horn. 



Tropidorhynchus corniculatus, Gould, " Birds of Australia," foL, 

 vol. iv,, pi. 58. 



Geographical Distribution. — Areas 2, 3, 4, 6, 7. 



Key to the Species. — Base of culmen with large hump ; whole crown, 

 side of neck, and head all round bare ; feathers of fore-neck and 

 chest lanceolate in shape. 



This is the common Leatherhead. I have never seen the 

 Queensland and New South Wales species (P. citreogularis) 

 come as far south as the Murray River, but I have no doubt 

 it is numerous enough at times in the direction of Mildura 

 and Renmark. There are four species of Leatherheads on 

 our continent. 



Mr. Gould writes of this species : — *' The Friar-bird, select- 

 ing the topmost dead branch of the most lofty tree whereon 

 to perch and pour forth its garrulous and singular notes, 

 attracts attention more by its loud and extraordinary call 

 than by its appearance. From the fancied resemblance of its 

 notes to those words, it has obtained from the colonists the 

 various names of 'Poor Soldier,' ' Pimlico,' 'Four-o'clock,' 

 &c. Its bare head and neck have also suggested the names of 

 ' Friar-bird,' ' Monk,' ' Leatherhead,' &c. The flight is un- 

 dulating and powerful, and it may frequently be seen passing 

 over the tops of the trees from one part of the forest to 

 another. While among the branches it displays a more than 

 ordinary number of singular positions, its curved and powerful 

 claws enabUng it to cling in every variety of attitude, 

 frequently hanging by one foot with its head downwards, &c. 



