598 MR. E. P. RAMSAY ON [Nov. 16, 
out their varied and pleasing song, which often lasted for ten or 
fifteen minutes without ceasmg. I have sinee heard their song 
under more comfortable circumstances ; and my brother and I at 
once recognized our old friends. 
The nest and eggs are similar but shghtly larger than those of 
M. lunulatus ; eggs two in number, pale salmon-pink with deep red- 
dish salmon dots on the larger end; the nest is cup-shaped, slung 
by the rim between twigs at the end of a leafy bough, and composed 
of fine grasses and strips of bark webbed together with spider’s nests. 
146. Dic#uM HIRUNDINACEUM. 
This species seems dispersed over the whole of Australia; never- 
theless it is a bird seldom met with in collections, which may be 
accounted for by its habit of resorting to the highest trees. I found 
that both in Queensland and New South Wales they freyuent the 
large clumps of mistletoe and Loranthus, of the fruit of which they 
seem to be particularly fond; at times they enter the gardens and 
feed on the fruits of the Cape-mulberry (Morus, sp.). An Ehretia 
hottentotica at Dobroyde, when its berries are ripe, is a favourite 
place of resort for this species. 
147. NECTARINIA AUSTRALIS. 
I only met with this interesting species on one occasion near 
Cardwell ; it is by no means common in that district. 
148. ZosTeROPS CHRULESCENS. 
The Queensland specimens of this species are frequently smaller 
than our New-South-Wales birds, and often of a brighter tint on 
the head and throat, the silver ring round the eye is comparatively 
larger and more conspicuous. 
149. Pri~oRHIS PARADISEA. 
The most northerly point that I met with this species was at Port 
Mackay on the Pioneer river; it was considered there a very rare 
bird. I have heard of its being occasionally met with in the ranges 
near Gympie. 
This bird is very similar to Climacteris in its actions. While 
encamped for some three or four months in the ranges of the 
North Richmond river, the great stronghold of this species, I had 
abundant opportunities of studying its habits, and was struck with 
the similarity of its actions to our Tree-creepers. The young males 
and females, seldom accompanied by more than one adult male in 
livery, are frequently met with together traversing the stems and 
thick branches of the trees, especialiy those showing signs or in a 
state of decay. 
The call-note of the adult male is a shrill scream, easily imitated 
sufficiently to attract its attention and cause it to remain until you 
approach. By this means I have frequently watched it closely as it 
hopped round the bole of some decayiug tree, or tore off the loose 
bark in search of insects. 
