BIRDS OF TASMANIA. 67 



of a clutch: (1) 16.5 x 13, (2) 16 x 13, (3) 15.75 x 13, (4) 16 x 

 12.75, (5) 16 x 13. 



Breeding Season. August to December. 



Geographical Distribution. Tasmania and some of the larger 

 islands in Bass Strait; also New South Wales, Victoria, South 

 and Western Australia, and Queensland. 



Observations, Unlike any of the other Pardalotes, this species 

 mostly frequents heavily scrubbed country, and but seldom goes 

 into the tops of the gums in search of food. Its time is spent 

 either on the ground or among the thick undergrowth, where it 

 finds an abundance of insect food. In disposition it is shy, and 

 very quick to take flight ; its movements among the trees are quick 

 and eager. Like the Fire-tailed Finch (Zomeginthus belhts), the 

 Spotted Pardalote has almost disappeared from several districts 

 where it was at one time plentiful, owing to the great clearing 

 operations that have been going on during the past few years. 



*FOKTY- SPOTTED PAEDALOTE (DIAMOND-BIRD) 

 (Pardalotus quadragintus , Gould). 



Male. " Crown of the head and all of the upper surface bright 

 olive-green, each feather obscurely margined with brown ; wings 

 brownish-black, all the feathers except the first and second prima- 

 ries having a conspicuous spot of white near their extremities ; tail 

 blackish-grey, the extreme tips of the feathers being white; cheeks 

 and under tail coverts yellowish-olive; throat and under surface 

 greyish-white, passing into olive on the flanks ; bill blackish-brown ; 

 feet brown" (Gould). Dimensions in mm. : Length, 94; bill, 7; 

 wing, 56; tail, 32; tarsus, 17. 



Female. Similar to male. 



Nest. A hole in the side of a lofty eucalypt is the usual site 

 chosen for the nest, which is constructed of fine shredded bark and 

 grasses. ' .-' 



Eggs. Clutch four; somewhat roundish in shape; texture fine; 

 surface slightly glossy; colour pure white. Dimensions in mm. of 

 a clutch : (1) 16 x 12.5, (2) 15.5 x 12.5, (3) 16 x 13, (4) 15.75 x 13. 



Breeding Season. September to January. 



Geographical Distribution. Tasmania and King Island. 



Observations. The southern portion of the island is the strong- 

 hold of this little Pardalote. So far as I am aware, it has not yet 

 been seen in any of the northern districts. Like the Yellow-tipped 

 species it spends most of its time among the tops of lofty eucalypts, 

 where, on account of its coat assimilating in colour to that of its 

 surroundings, it is seldom seen unless specially searched for. Mr. 

 A. L. Butler writes me that in addition to Hobart he has seen the 

 Forty-spotted Pardalote on the East Coast above Swansea, and 

 further down the coast, and also at Port Esperance. I have found 

 it in a few localities on the North-East Coast. 



