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Mr. A. J. Campbell,



fairies, but I have lately learnt that they take very kindly to

captivity, and I feel assured that were any of the tribe

introduced (if they have not been already) into the British Isles,

they would be amongst the most charming and attractive of the

smaller birds of the world.


My friends, Dr. and Mrs. G. Horne, and their niece Miss

Bowie of this city, possess an aviary containing twelve species of

Honey-eaters, which I propose to enumerate, giving by the way

such field notes or bush reminiscences as I possess that may

possibly be of interest. Recently I visited the aviary (a well-

sheltered structure containing living shrubs, etc.). No sooner

had I entered than two or three active little White-naped or

Lunulated Honey-eaters (Melithrcphis lunulatus) attracted by

the flowering branclilet of iron-bark Eucalyptus which I held in

my hand, flew on to it, clinging in pretty poses while ravishing

each bloom for honey. They are fine little fellows, about five

inches in length, wearing a greenish-olive coat and white under¬

surface, head black, relieved with a white crescent-shaped

mark on the nape—hence the vernacular name—their dark

brown eyes are relieved by naked stripes of red over the

upper lids. They possess a plaintive half-whistling, half-sibilant

note—a familiar sound in heavy forest country. I recollect there

was something akin to an irruption of these birds in the vicinity

of Melbourne and suburbs about the season 1866, when I particu¬

larly remember the so-called Cape Wattles (a variety of Acacia )

being crowded with the birds feeding amongst the flowers.


But getting back to Dr. Horne’s aviary, and while still

admiring these “ honey-nourished ” (literal meaning of Melithrep-

tus) birds something tickled my beard which caused me to look

downward, and lo, a Spinebill (Acanthorhynchus tenuirostris) was

prospecting the flowers (also a Eucalypt ) that were in the

button-hole of my coat. How deftly the dear little creature

probed each disc with its long slender bill (about an inch in

length) while glancing at me with its beautiful ruby-red eyes !

Its plumage though not gay is rich, the head and upper surface

being dark, under surface chestnut, excepting the throat, cheeks,

and chest, white, the first with a patch of brown in the centre,

deepening into black on its lower edges. Total length about 5J



