THE FKIAK BIRD. 



219 



THE very quaint, and rather grotesque bird which is represented in the accompanying 

 illustration is an inhabitant of Australia, and is very common in the southern parts of 

 that continent, although at present it has not been seen in Van Diemen's Land. 



By the colonists it is known by a variety of names, some relating to its aspect and 

 others to its voice. Thus, it is named the FRIAR BIRD because the bare, oddly shaped 

 head, with its projecting knob 

 upon the forehead, is considered 

 as resembling the bare shaven 

 poll of the ancient friar. Another 

 analogous name is the MONK BIRD. 

 Another name is LEATHER-HEAD, 

 a title which refers to the dark 

 leathery aspect of the whole head, 

 which is as rigid in oiitline and 

 as dark in colour during life as 

 after death. On account of its 

 peculiar voice, it is also known by 

 the names of " PIMLICO," " POOR- 

 SOLDIER," or " FOUR-O'CLOCK," as 

 its cry is said to resemble these 

 words. The resemblance, how- 

 ever, cannot be very close, as 

 neither of the words which it is 

 supposed to utter could be mis- 

 taken for the other, so that the 

 Friar Bird cannot be very re- 

 markable for the distinctness of 

 its articulation. By the natives 

 it is called Coldong. 



The Friar Bird is possessed 

 of unextinguishable loquacity, 

 delighting to get upon the top- 

 most branch of some lofty tree, 

 and there chatter by the hour 

 together at the top of its loud 

 and peculiar voice, as if it were 

 desirous of attracting attention to 

 its powers of elocution. Among 

 the branches it is extremely 

 active, traversing them in all 

 directions with great ease, and 

 clinging to their rough bark by 

 the grasp of its powerful toes and 

 curved claws. So strong is the 

 grip of the foot, that the bird 

 may often be seen hanging from 

 a branch suspended only by a 

 single foot, while it is engaged 



in peering into the recesses of the bark in search of the little insects that may be 

 concealed under its rough surface. 



Like all the honey-birds, it is fond of feeding upon the nectar and pollen of flowers, 

 generally preferring those of the eucalyptus, or gum-tree as it is popularly termed, and 

 also delights in fishing out the little insects that are to be found in the depths of all 

 honey-bearing flowers. It does not, however, disdain to feed upon the larger beetles and 

 other insects that take up their residence under the flakes of bark, and is also known to 

 eat various kinds of berries. 



FRIAR BIRD. Tropidarnynchns cormculatu*. 



