on pugnacious Australian birds.



77



There were several quarrelsome and combative members

among the Honey-Eaters, notably the Gill Bird (Wattle Bird) and

the Tallarook or Brush Wattle Bird. The first was common among

the timber, a favourite sporting bird, easily recognised by the red

fleshy wattle at each side of the neck, somewhat resembling a pair

of ear-rings. It was particularly effective in defence with its sharp

claws, taking a tenacious and painful grip when handled. Sometimes

the Gillies assembled in thousands ; at other times the rough guttural

call of “ Got to walk ! " was only occasionally heard. The Tallarook

(Brush Wattle Bird), a showy but smaller denizen, with no wattles,

mingled an equally curious note with the medley of voices that

greeted us in the sunny morning. Though of a bold and fightable

disposition, it was less frequently seen than its relation, as it liked a

more sheltered habitat.


The Magpie, Spur-winged Plover and the Dollar Bird, while

showing a peaceable disposition during a good part of the year, were

remarkably aggressive in the breeding season. We received startling

reminders of this in the paddock, when the sudden loud snap of

Magg ie’s mandibles near our ears, or a vicious swoop of the Plover,

would apprise us that we were on forbidden ground. With the sharp

spur on either whig the Plover was capable of inflicting a severe

blow ; but it was generally the intruder’s hat that was assaulted.

Often, too, the old dog that accompanied us would beat a hurried

retreat from Maggie’s savage darts, his tail between his legs, and

an insulted look on his face. The Dollar Bird (Australian Holler)

furiously attacked anything that approached his home. He was one

of the show-birds of the big timber by the river side. Borne people

said his general appearance was green, some said it was blue, there

being several shades of blue and green in his elegant dress. The

inner half of his wing was light blue, the outer half dark blue, with

a conspicuous round, white patch (the dollar) in its centre; his head

and back were dark brown, throat dark blue, bill and feet red,

abdomen light green, tail dark blue, with a light bluish-greenish

band across the middle. He was a bold and active insect-eater,

whose pleasant loud call was often heard from the tree-tops not far

from the house. Sometimes he was alone, but mostly hunting with

his equally handsome mate.



