THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. 127 



do not care for the mountains or their chilly atmosphere, an 

 objection likewise shown by perching birds in general. This bird 

 seems to bear the same disagreeable relation to the naturalist 

 abroad as the Vanellus mentioned by Mr. Darwin whilst 

 traversing La Plata country. Both follow you in the search, 

 acquaint the fauna of your presence, and have the very nasty 

 habit of talking loudly just when one would be glad to be quit of 

 them. 



Closely connected to this species is the Bell Bird, Manorhina 

 melanophrys, Lath. In 1895 an d 1896 a young friend at Bays- 

 water advised me of seeing the greenish-hued birds, and hearing 

 the single calls, which are like the notes of a cattle bell. The 

 young birds have the unruly tongue of the Garrulous, and gambol 

 amongst the foliage of the "gums" without any reserve. It 

 seemed to me during a late tour in the Grantville locality that the 

 adult birds owned the bell note, and were more reserved, keeping 

 to the scrub. Otherwise their ways are similar to the well-known 

 Garrulous. Beyond Bayswater to the south two or three little 

 flocks were seen. Laying season appears to be early and late, 

 and the nest is characteristic of the family. 



The Ptilotis fusca (Gould), Fuscous Honey-eater, bears a 

 likeness to the more ordinary white-plumed. While the post- 

 auricular feathers are yellow in P. fusca, they are pure white in 

 P. penicillaia, and this is a key for regular specimens. P. fusca 

 has a strong interest in nectar-laden, low-growing flowers. 



Melithreptus brevirostris, V. and H., the Short-billed Honey- 

 eater, is a particularly active bird amongst the stems and foliage 

 of our yellow box and other gums, where it gives voice to a series 

 of loud and frank notes. 



The Lunulated Honey-eater, Melithreptus lunulatus, (*) Shaw, 

 includes M. chloropsis of Gould (Brit. Mus. Cat., vol. ix.) If not 

 the most active of the family, there is little to choose from 

 between its speed in flight and the one greater. It is an acrobat, 

 and falls from one bough to another without any change of form 

 to do so ; and if, while in the pendent position, it be easier to 

 make a somersault in order to arrive safely a few inches below, 

 it does so, and proceeds to the business of providing provender 

 or engaging in battle without loss of time. The nests are neatly 

 made and cup formed. One I found to be almost completely 

 lined with a layer of sheep's wool, and ornamented exteriorly 

 by wool — borrowed, stolen, or rightfully taken from a house near 

 the tree in which the nest was carefully hidden upon the higher 

 twigs of the highest bough. A lofty position is not always chosen, 

 but you would not be successful if you formed a rule to look low. 

 Eucalypt trees seem to satisfy them, both as regards food and 

 position for nest. Fruit strongly tempts young and old alike, 

 both native and introduced kinds ; but it is a considerable time 



