THE GAEEULOUS HONEY-EATEE. 215 



Another species belouging to the same genus, the Blue-faced Honey-eater [Ento- 

 myza cyanotis), is worthy of a passing notice. This bird, although so like the white- 

 pinioned Honey-eater as to be easily mistaken for it by a hasty observer, is readily to be 

 distinguished from that bird by its greater size and the absence of the white patches uj^on 

 the pinions. 



This species is a native of New South AVales, and is one of the most familiar birds of 

 that country, remaining in the same locality throughout the entire year, and caring not to 

 emigrate according to the change of season. It is usually found upon the eucalypti when 

 the flowers are in blossom, and feeds upon nectar and insects, after the fashion of all the 

 Honey-eaters. It has also been observed to employ its hard-tipped tongue in licking 

 something from the clefts in the bark, whence had issued some of the gummy secretion 

 from which the tree derives its familiar name of gum-tree. Whether it was eating the 

 gum itself, or whether it was merely engaged in capturing the little insect that had rashly 

 ventured upon the adhesive surface and become affixed thereto, is a question which is 

 no't satisfiictorily settled. The latter supposition, however, appears to be the correct one. 



Perhaps the bird may have resorted to the gum as a medicine, for I knew of a jackdaw 

 that often used to eat the gum that exuded from plum-trees, and always did so when it 

 was unwell. In connexion with this subject, it may as well be mentioned that a careful 

 observer would find himself repaid by watching the modes of cure employed by sick or 

 wounded creatures. We all know that the dog and cat resort to grass when they feel out 

 of health, and hares to a species of moss. I was also told, on the authority of the eye- 

 witness, that a goldfinch, which had been struck by a hawk and wounded, made its way 

 to a dry puff"-ball, tore it open with its beak, and dusted the wounded shoulder with the 

 spores, thereby stopping the effusion of blood. The spectator was greatly surprised ])y 

 this incident, and being induced to try the eff'ect of the same remedy upon a wounded 

 finger, found that the experiment was perfectly successful. 



It is a most vivacious and active bird, ever on the move, and running about the boughs 

 with the most surprising activity ; caring nothing for the attitude which it may assume, 

 and even hanging quietly by the grasp of a smgle claw while it employs itself in securing 

 its insect prey with its long tongue. It is mightily pugnacious in its disposition, quarrel- 

 ling incessantly even with its own species in default of better amusement, and waging 

 ceaseless combat with any other kind of bird that may choose to come to the same tree. 

 While employed in its search after food it frequently utters its cry, which is not very 

 pleasing to human ears, being loud and monotonous in its character. 



One of the most singular circumstances connected with this bird, is the manner in 

 which it makes its nest. 



There is a certain bird called the Pomatorhinus, not very unlike a rather dull-feathered 

 bee-eater, which builds a very large, dome-shaped nest, similar in shape and size to the 

 well-known edifice of our common magpie. The Blue-faced Honey-eater is in the habit 

 of taking possession of the deserted nests of the pomatarhiims, and of saving itself the 

 trouble of building by making a small depression in the domed roof of the deserted 

 domicile, and therein laying its eggs. It might be expected that the bird would prefer to 

 avail itself of the protection offered by the peculiar form of the usurped nest, and would 

 take possession of its interior. Such, however, is not the case ; and Mr. Gould states that 

 he has seen many of the females in the nest and always found that the eggs were placed 

 upon the roof. Whether the bird is forced to depend upon the pomatorhinus for a locality 

 wherein to build, or whether it is capable of constructing a nest on its own account, is 

 not at present satisfactorily ascertained. Mr. Gould thinks that the bird must be often 

 forced to build her own nest, althoiigh he never found any such edifice. 



The native term for this species is Batikin. 



Another of these birds, the Garrulous Honey-eater, so named on account of its 

 singularly talkative propensities, is a native of Van Diemen's Land and New South 

 Wales, in both of which localities it is very common. 



It enjoys, however, but a very limited range, being contained within certain boundaries 

 with such remarkable strictness, that in some cases it is found in great numbers on one 



