^'°1'J"'] Batev, Bird-Life Sixty Years Ago. g 



Warty-faced Honey-eater {McUphajrix p/irvo;iii). — We were many 

 years on the area before this bird appeared. It yet comes occasionally in 

 small flocks. Have met it near Gisborne, at Newham on timbered slopes, 

 and beyond M'lvor. The metallic clinkiny notes of this bird fall pleasantly 

 on the ear. 



WHriK-NAr^F.D HONEY-EATKR {McIitJircptus Iiniiilatiis). -Formerly per- 

 manent on the block, now \ery rare. Two years ago a small party appeared 

 on the old location. Immature birds have a chestnut-coloured cap. 



Brown-hkadei) Honey-eater {Melithreptus hrvirosiris). — Was 

 apparently permanent, and used to nest with us. As a bird its plumage has 

 no beauty. 



White-bearded Honey-eater {^Mdionih iKn'tv-ltollandur). —This 

 handsome bird with black and white striped plumage, yellow on wings, 

 with beard-like feathers on throat, was always seen when honeysuckles were 

 in flower. 



HONEV-EATER {P/ilo/is aurhomis .?). — This bird was the rarest of Honey- 

 eaters, for I can only remember one visit of a very large flock during the 

 fifties. They had seemingly massed together for the purpose of taking a 

 long journey, which doubtless tired them out, seeing they were very tame, 

 and one was knocked over with a stick. They were in the thick sheoaks on 

 top of Redstone Hill. They made no stay. 



Whtte-peumed Honey-eater {Ptiloiis ^v/zV/ZAcAO.— Plentiful in 1850, 

 but now in diminished numbers, owing, no doubt, to destruction of timber 

 along the creek. A quarrelsome customer amongst other small birds, and 

 when one is creeping on Black Ducks it raises alarm cries, on which the 

 Ducks take wing. When flying it seems to sing the words " You very well." 



Fuscous Honey-eater {Ptilotis fiisca).~\x\ 1884 one was shot on Emu 

 Creek. Plumage plain. In Brodie's Forest there was a bird, not 

 numerous, whose call was " Arig-arig-a-taw-taw," a Honey-eater not unlike 

 the above. 



Singing Honey-eater {Ptilotis so/iora). — C^.\\s " Put, put,'' then gives 

 a " Chirr-r-r-r." We had been on the place some time before my father 

 noticed it as a great rarity in 1846. Thereafter it became common, but in 

 the end almost disappeared. At present on Jackson's Creek it is among 

 the rarest of birds. 'Phe last one observed was two years ago, in the old 

 fruit garden. 



Friar-Bird ( Pliilcvioii corniculatus). — On one or two occasions a single 

 bird appeared. They were numerous on the Plenty River, where, as a 

 very small lad, I mind them making a great noise after a Hawk. 



Red Wattle-Bird {Acanthochara carunculata). — Still in e\idcnce ; 

 appears in winter, sometimes in good numbers, and on occasions will yet 

 nest in the old locality. 



Brush Wattle-Bird [Acant/iochccra ;m^//nw(i).~An extremely rare 

 bird, and has not been met with for a great number of years. As boys our 

 name for it was " Charcoal Jack." 



N'oiSY Miner [Myzantlia garruht). — Not al)oul Redstone Hill i>r 

 Cilencoe till comparatively recent times, when it appeared rarely. Sonu- two 

 seasons back a few came, made a long stay, and possibly nested. 



Bell Miner {Manor/tina iiicla?iophrys). - Very common on Jackson's 

 Creek in 1846 ; gradually diminished, and the last half-dozen flew up stream 

 as if bent on a journey, about .March, 1854. From that date this bird has 

 never revisited the region. .Met with it on lower Campaspe in November, 

 1 86 1. Heard it on Hughes's Creek, at Avenel, in 1844. Mr. W. Weslgarlh 

 says it was on the Yarra at Richmond in 1840. I did not meet with it again 

 until in (iippsland recently. 



