^">w"] Hill, Birds of A rami District. ig 



used for lining. The opening is always oval, varying in size from 2.15 

 X 1.40 in. to 2.65 X 1.87 in. Two or three eggs are laid, and, as in the 

 case of the Fuscous Honey-eater a marked difference in the size and 

 colouring of the sets is noticed. Two sets each containing two eggs 

 measured respectively : — (a) .84 x .6 in. and .84 x .6 in.; (b) .94 x .69 

 in. and .94 x .7 in. 



Fuscous Honey-eater (Ptilotis fusca). — This is one of the few 

 Honey-eaters which remain in the district throughout the year. The 

 nests are generally built of sheep's wool, grass, and spider webs, and 

 are not lined. Sometimes bark is used with other materials, but as a 

 rule sheep's wool forms the bulk ot the materials used. One nest was 

 found to be built almost entirely of bark and spider web and lined 

 with grass and sheep's wool. Considerable variation in size was noted 

 in these nests. Two built of similar materials measured respectively — 

 (a) Inside, 1.55 in. across x 1.15 in. deep; outside, 2.5 in. x 2.5 in.; 

 (6), inside, 1.7 in. x 1.75 in. ; outside, 2.75 in. x 3 in. Three eggs are 

 generally laid ; the sets vary considerably in size and colour (tliis was 

 noted particularly in 1906), .84 in x .6 in. and .72, in. x .55 in. being 

 the extremes of measurement, and from pale pink with dark red 

 markings to uniform terra cotta the variation in colour. 



Yellow-faced Honey-eater {Piilotis chrysops). — A common 

 species. 



White-plumed Honey-eater {Ptilotis penicxllatd). — As a rule this 

 bird is uncommon here, but in the year 1902 many of them visited the 

 district and nested freely. 



Crescent Honey-eater (Meliornis australasiana). — Another un- 

 common species, though they are numerous in the Grampian Mountains, 

 some 34 miles distant. 



White-bearded Honey-eater (Meliornis novcs-hollandics). — A 

 winter arrival, which commences nesting in the beginning of July. 



Noisy Miner (Manor hina garrula). — Plentiful in the low-lying 

 localities. 



Red Wattle-Bird {Acanthocho'ra carunculata). — The notes on the 

 following species apply also to this one. 



Brush Wattle-Bird {AcanthochcBra mellivora). — An early spring 

 arrival, which comes to the district from the south in flocks of twelve 

 to twenty birds. The nests are generally built in the thick second 

 growth gum scrub shortly after arrival here, and as soon as the nesting 

 is over they again collect into flocks and leave for the south. 



Spiny-cheeked Honey-eater {Acanthochcera rufigularis). — A spring 

 arrival, found almost invariably in the she-oaks (Casuarina) growing on 

 the bare hillsides. I have no notes of their nesting habits, but I believe 

 that they build in the.se trees. Like the White-bearded Honey-eater 

 and the Crimson Parrakeet (Plaiycerciis elegans) they are most destruc- 

 tive to the flowers of the native Correa speciosa, whether they be 

 growing in the flower garden or in the bush. 



Blue-faced Honey-eater {Entomyza cyanotis). — A rare bird here. 

 In 1896 a pair laid two clutches of eggs in old nest of Pomatorhinus 

 temporalis , but as a rule they do not appear until midsummer, when 

 the eucalypts are in blossom. 



