88 LITTLER, Notes on Some Birds Peculiar to Tasmania. I ,„[''"'),', 



repeated. The favourite position when uttering this call note is 

 on the topmost twig of some sapling. 



Yellow Wattle-Bird (Acanthochcera inauris). — On the main- 

 land the place of this species is taken by the Red Wattle-Bird 

 (Acanthochtzra carunculata). Only certain favourable districts 

 are frequented by the Wattle-Bird — favourable both as regards 

 climate and food. Altogether the species is very irregularly 

 distributed through the island. The plumage is marked as follows : 

 —The crown of the head and the back of the neck are striped with 

 black and grey, each feather centred with black and fringed with 

 grey ; the back and shoulders are dusky brown ; the outer edges 

 of the primaries margined with grey ; the two centre tail feathers 

 dark grey ; the rest blackish-brown, and all broadly tipped with 

 white, giving the under side of the tail a graduated appearance ; 

 throat, breast and flanks buffy-grey, each feather being centred 

 with blackish-brown ; the centre of the abdomen is rich yellow ; 

 bill black ; feet light flesh colour ; bare skin round the ear and 

 upper extremity of the long, pendulous wattle, which hangs 

 from below the ear, white, gradually deepening into rich 

 orange at the extremity. The nest is flat and open, fairly 

 substantial pliable twigs, also grass stems, being the chief 

 items in its composition ; the inside lining as a rule consists 

 of wool. A low, thickly- wooded .tree is usually selected as a 

 resting place for the nest ; the choice generally falls on a 

 honeysuckle (banksia). A clutch consists of from two to three 

 eggs. In shape they are somewhat elongated. The texture 

 of the shell is fine and the surface lustrous ; the ground 

 colour a pale salmon-pink, sparingly marked with bold spots of 

 chestnut and dull purplish-grey. As is generally the case, the 

 markings are more pronounced about the apex. The dimensions 

 are i^ in. by about i in. The breeding months range from 

 August to December. 



The Yellow Wattle-Bird is among the most highly esteemed 

 of any of our game birds. Owing to the great slaughter that has 

 taken place during the past few years, and fearing that the species 

 was in danger of extermination, it was decided to afford it absolute 

 protection for two years. By the provisions of an Act dated 

 30th December, 1901, "for the further protection of the Wattle- 

 Bird," anyone taking or destroying their eggs or birds is liable 

 to a penalty not exceeding 20s. Previous to the passing of this 

 Act the shooting season extended from 24th May to 31st July, 

 both inclusive. During the seasons in which flowering eucalypts 

 are plentiful, the birds become very fat and weigh at least six- 

 ounces. During the winter its food consists of rich nectar from 

 eucalypt blossoms and honeysuckle cones. In summer, as the 

 honeysuckles alone are in flower, insects, especially beetles, are 

 added to its diet. In some districts the eucalypts blossom one 

 year and in other districts the next ; the consequence 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 



