BIRDS OF TASMANIA. 63 



texture ; surface glossy ; colour salmon-piuk, sometimes tinged with 

 buft', moderately spotted aud blotched with chestnut-brown and 

 purplish-grey. Dimensions in mm. of a clutch: — (1) 37 x 23, (2) 

 35 X 24, (3) 36 X 24. 



Breeding Season. — August to December. 



Geographical Distribution. — Tasmania and King Island. 



Observations. — On the mainland the place of this species, 

 whose correct vernacular designation is that of the Yellow Wattle- 

 Bird, is taken by the Red Wattle-Bird {A. caruncidata). Only 

 certain favourable districts are frequented by the Wattle-Bird — 

 favourable both as regards climate and food. Altogether tho 

 species is very irregularly distributed through the island. It is 

 among the most highly esteemed of our game birds. Owing to the 

 great slaughter that had taken place during former years, and 

 fearing that the species was hi danger of extinction, it was decided 

 in 1901 to afford the species two years' absolute protection. This 

 was enforced during 1902-3. 



During the seasons in w^hich flow'ering eucalypts are plentiful the 

 birds become very fat and weigh at least 6 ozs. During the winter 

 its food consists of the honey from eucalypt blossoms and honey- 

 suckle cones. In summer, as the honeysuckles alone are in flower, 

 insects, especially beetles, are added to its diet. In some districts 

 the eucalypts flower one year and in others the next; the conse- 

 quence is that the Wattle-Bird moves from one district to another 

 in search of food. I have known it to be very plentiful one season 

 and the next hardly a bird was to be seen or heard. In summer 

 it resorts to the mountain slopes, returning to the plains as winter 

 approaches. The harder the winter frosts, the more plentiful is 

 the bird expected to be. The thickly- wooded plains are warmer 

 than the mountain slopes. It soon becomes very wild after being 

 shot at, and is therefore difficult to approach, giving the alarm and 

 taking flight at the least sign of danger. I have heard of it when 

 feeding in honeysuckles {Banksia) allowing one to approach really 

 close, but have had no experience of this personally, for my deal- 

 ings with the species have always been among the topmost twigs 

 of lofty eucalypts. It moves in flocks, which vary greatly in 

 numerical strength. I do not know whether as a rule the Wattle- 

 Bird sleeps at its feeding ground, but at the first glimpse of day- 

 light it call be heard among the tree-tops. I have watched large 

 flocks leaving their feeding ground at dusk, and moving further 

 into the bush. The voice of this species is most remarkable, and 

 once heard is not easily forgotten or mistaken for that of any other 

 bird. The cry is loud and harsh, and is between a cough and a 

 scolding voice suffering from a cold in the throat. Its discordant 

 nature is most in evidence when two or more birds are quarrelling. 



