NESTS AND EGGS OF HONEY-EATERS. 651 
ranges and back in one day—45 miles—for the precious set of 
eggs. Of course we also found other species of eggs—Thickhead’s, 
Fantail’s, Robin’s, &e. 
We started about 4 o’clock a.m., when a waning moon and the 
bright morning star gave the eastern sky an additional charm. 
When we got beyond Malvern (Gardiner in those days), we over- 
took a spring-cart drawn by a restive colt. In the vehicle there 
sat a boy crying bitterly. In answer to our questions he said his 
father had got drunk or was locked up, and begged us to take him 
(the boy) home to Oakleigh. Taking compassion upon the lad 
(which also would give us a lift on our way), we saw all safely to 
the house, and placed the position of affairs before his mother. 
But just imagine our intense surprise, when, instead of receiving 
her gratitude for our little trouble, she scattered us with a stick, 
informing us that in future we had better mind our business. 
What subsequently happened to the poor boy, and to the “old man” 
when he returned home, was not left for me to record. 
Gould states the Friar-bird commences breeding in November, 
when the birds become animated and fierce, readily attacking 
Hawks, Crows, and Magpies, or other larger birds that may venture 
within the precincts of the nest, never desisting from the attack 
until they are driven a considerable distance. So numerous did 
Gould find the Friar-bird breeding in the Apple-tree (Angophora) 
Flats, near Aberdeen and Yarrundi, on the Upper Hunter, New 
South Wales, that he remarks the birds might almost be termed 
gregarious. 
I take the following interesting notes relating to the Friar-bird 
from Mr. Hermann Lau’s MS. :—‘‘ Not gaudy in plumage, never- 
theless of great interest. With it everything is odd. The tongue, 
unique in itself, expresses laughable articulations. The naked 
cowl-like head looks ridiculous. Impudent and daring, it steals 
material for its nest whenever a chance offers. The wool-shed of 
a station is very handy, where it finds twine and wool. It was at 
Yandilla (Q.) where I found a nest wholly constructed of these 
two articles. At another place (Warroo) the greater part of a nest 
was, I believe, about } tb. of twine. This stuff the bird wound 
within and out and round the neighbouring branches, at the same 
time sewing it into a substantial grass nest padded with wool. 
Far from habitation, it takes for its nest the produce of land—dry 
grass—save now and then you will see a string or ribbon inter- 
woven and dangling down. The Leatherhead is a bold orchard 
robber, and, approaching the site of its nest, it darts down like a 
Magpie, inflicting harm with bill and claws, whenever opportunity 
offers. I once killed such an infuriated bird with a stick. Breeds 
twice in a season, laying 3-5 eggs. Partly migratory. All over 
the Darling Downs. Nests generally in October.” 
Breeding months, end of September to December. 
