Order Passiformes, Family Zosterojjidae, Genus Zosterops. 63 



It is not a constant inhabitant of the dry northern country, 

 but is probably only an occasional visitor there. In the 

 southern country it moves about to some extent, following the 

 food supply. The Kangaroo Island bird does not differ in any 

 respect. 



Habits. — It spends most of its time in low trees and 

 bushy undergrowth, congregating into small flocks in the 

 autumn and winter, and separating into pairs for the breeding 

 season. It apparently appreciates civilization, being much 

 commoner in orchards and gardens than in unsettled country. 

 They are most fearless little birds; shooting, scarecrows, and 

 every other means the gardener can devise, do not frighten 

 them in the least. 



Food. — All soft fruits, especially figs, grapes, apricots, 

 and olives. The full extent of the damage done by these birds 

 is not so much the quantity eaten as the habit they have of 

 pecking small holes in the most forward portion of the ripen- 

 ing fruit. They are also very destructive amongst strawberry 

 and raspberry crops. Mistletoe berries and pepper tree berries 

 (Shinus molle) are also eaten. This accounts for seedlings of 

 the latter tree coming up in places frequented by this bird, 

 especially near water taps and other damp places where they 

 drink. Insects are captured on the wing, the bird returning 

 to its perch with the prize. In winter the principal food is 

 aphides, the blight of fruit trees and flowers: in this respect 

 they do much good. At this time they also work for insects 

 on the ground. 



Flight. — Quick and jerky. They do not fly more than a few 

 yards except when migrating, when they travel long distances 

 without settling. Some years ago they migrated to New Zea- 

 land and settled there. In that country they are thought much 

 of as insect destroyers. 



Song. — The White Eye has several distinctive notes. 

 When in search of food it utters a long-drawn plaintive call 

 of three notes. The same call is uttered in flight, but is then 

 shorter. The alarm call is a shrill short note, but is not loud. 

 The true, or love, song is a beautiful sustained trilling warble 

 with a considerable range of notes, but so low-pitched as to be 

 inaudible at a short distance. They usually sing while resting 

 in a thick bush in the heat of the day. It is quite pretty to 

 see a pair of White Eyes sitting side by side on a twig, the male 



