WHITE — Southern BlacJc-chinned Honey Eater. 



number, almost round, and white in colour, becoming creamy 

 white as incubation proceeds. They are laid in September, 

 October, and November. Before the eggs arc hatched these 

 birds are very shy, quietly leaving the nest on the 

 approach of danger. When their young are hatched they be- 

 come fierce and plucky, attacking any intruder, whether it be 

 bird, beast, or man. 



When the young are taken from the nest they are easily 

 reared and tamed. A pair owned by Dr. Morgan for two 

 years were never seen to drink, although they liked to bathe 

 in the summer. When angry, or on defence against the cat, 

 they elevate the feathers on the scalp, like a crest, and open 

 the beak widely. This tame pair used to catch sparrows by 

 pretending to sleep near the watering place and pouncing on 

 their prey when they came to drink. 



They are totally protected under the Birds Protection Act 

 of 1900, as they kill large numbers of young snakes, cater 

 pillars, and grubs. The only harm they have ever been 

 known to do is taking young birds. 



Melithreptus gularis loftyi — Southern Black-chinned 

 Honey Eater. 



By S. A. White. 



This large melithreptus is a resident at the Reedbeds, where 

 it breeds. Although they as a rule only call in the nesting 

 season or about the time the early rains fall, still they are to 

 be met with silently hunting amongst the gum tops at almost 

 any time of the year. The call is a very loud one, and 

 very distinctive of the species. It is a very pleasing one to 

 me, because it is associated with my early childhood. When 

 quite a child I remember my father telling me "to listen to the 

 call of the melithreptus." The call is invariably made when 

 upon the wing. As a rule these birds fly high and become 

 very active, and calling loudly after rain. A small party 

 of five or six will congregate in the top of a high gum, then 

 fly high in the air, fluttering their wings and warbling 

 together. At times they are almost all touching one another, 

 some of tthem, presumably the males, calling loudly all the 

 time. The nest is very difficult to find. It is generally 



