April 27, 1882 | 
pears to be dependent upon the state of the Zucalyfiz, 
upon the blossoms of which it mainly depends for sub- 
sistence ; it is consequently only to be found in any parti- 
cular locality during the season that those trees are in blos- 
som. It generally resorts to the loftiest 
and most fully-flowered tree, where it 
frequently reigns supreme, buffeting and 
driving every other bird away from its 
immediate neighbourhood ; it is, in fact, 
most pugnacious, evincing particular hos- 
tility to the smaller Aelzphagide, and 
even to others of its own species that may 
venture to approach the trees upon which 
two or three have taken their stations. 
NATURE 
609 
is known, and which is singularly different from every 
other member of the Avatide,; so different, in fact, 
that although like Bonaparte, he has placed it next 
to Erismatura, he believes its alliance to that form is 
Mr. Gould further tells us that the nest 
of the honey-eater, which is usually con- 
structed on the overhanging branch of a 
Eucalyptus, is round, cup-shaped, about 
five inches in diameter, composed of fine 
grasses, and lined with a little wool and 
hair. The eggs are two in number, of a 
deep yellowish buff, marked all over with 
indistinct spots and irregular blotches of 
chestnut-red and dull purplish grey, par- 
ticularly at the larger end, where they fre- 
quently form a zone ; they are eleven lines 
long, by eight lines and a half broad. 
The stomachs of the specimens killed 
by Mr. Gould were entirely filled with 
honey; insects, however, he says, doubt- 
less form a considerable portion of their 
diet. 
The examples of the species now in 
the Zoological Society’s Gardens are four 
in number, and apparently form two pairs, 
but there is little or no external difference 
between the sexes. They are lodged in 
one of the large cages at the back of 
the ‘‘ Insect-house,’”’ and show every 
sign of good health. It is even hoped that 
they may nest and breed in captivity. 
19. The Lobed Musk-duck (izzura 
Jobata).—W ater-fowl have always formed 
a favourite portion of the Zoological So- 
ciety’s living collection, and a consider- 
able number of species of swans, ducks, 
and geese of various sorts have from time 
to time reproduced their kind in the ponds 
and inclosuresin the north garden. Many 
of these have been introduced by the 
Society for the first time into Europe, and , 
have thence found their way into the other 
Gardens on the continent. 
-Owing to the great success which has 
attended their efforts in these directions, 
the Society are always specially anxious to 
add new species to this branch of their 
living series, and it is with great satis- 
faction that every new addition to the 
already long list of ‘‘ acclimatisable ” 
Anatidee is announced in their journals. 
The species which is now portrayed (Fig. 
19) is certainly ‘one of the most remark- 
able that they. have yet procured, and 
although perhaps not likely to be “ac- 
climatised” at present, is well worth 
examination as being remarkable even 
amongst Australian animals, for several 
very abnormal features in its structure. 
Mr. Gould, to whose great works every 
writer upon the mammals and birds of Australia must 
not fail to turn for information, tells us that the Musk- 
duck belongs to a genus of which only a single species 
Fic. 19.—The Lobed Musk Duck. 
but a seeming one. ‘‘There is something about this 
extraordinary bird,” Mr. Gould continues, ‘* which re- 
minds one of the cormorants”; yet no ornithologist 
