'lo cassell's book of birds. 



All the Honey-eaters are of a lively and restless disposition •and exhibit the utmost activity both 

 when running upon the ground or climbing amongst the branches ; in the latter case, especially, their 

 movements are extremely agile. They are constantly to be seen hanging head downwards from the 

 twigs, whilst engaged in busily searching under the leaves for insects, and in extracting honey from the 

 flowers. Some species fly well, and disport themselves freely in the realms of air, whilst others 

 are incapable of continuing their undulatory flight for more than a short distance. The voice of all 

 is rich and varied, indeed, some members of the group may be regarded as really good singers. Few 

 species are social in their habits ; they keep together only in pairs, even when of necessity compelled 

 to take up their abode near each other. Towards man they sliow the utmost confidence, and come 

 freely down into streets and dwellings; indeed, they exhibit no timidity even towards the more 

 formidable of the feathered kind. Instances have been frequently recorded in which they have 

 boldly opposed Crows, Falcons, and other large birds. Their nests are variously constructed, and 

 the number of eggs is always small. 



The TRUE HONEY-EATERS {Myzomda) are small birds, with delicate, much curved beaks, 

 powerful feet, and moderate-sized wings and tail. The latter is either straight or slightly incised at 

 its extremity. The plumage is remarkable for its brilliancy. 



THE RED-HEADED HONEY-EATER. 



The Red-headed Honey-eater {Myzomela erythrocephald) is a beautiful species, bright scarlet 

 upon the head, throat, and rump; the tail and a band upon the breast are chocolate-brown; the 

 lower breast and belly are brownish yellow, the eye is reddish brown, the beak olive-brown, and the 

 foot olive-grey. The female is brown above, and light fawn-colour on the under side. The length 

 of this species is four inches and a half. The wing measures two inches and a quarter, and the tail 

 one inch and three-quarters. 



This magnificent little bird frequents the groves and groups of almond-trees that abound in the 

 northern parts of Australia, and enlivens its favourite haunts as much by the briskness and actrvity 

 of its movements as by the brightness of its plumage. Its voice is sharp and twittering. We are 

 entirely without particulars of the manner in which incubation is carried on. 



The TUFTED HONEY-EATERS {Ptilotis) are remarkable for the unusual development of the 

 feathers in the region of the ear. Their body is elongate, their wings short, and tail long. The 

 strong, slightly-curved beak is short, and the foot of moderate size. 



THE YELLOW-THROATED TUFTED HONEY-EATER. 



The Yellow-throated Tufted Honey-eater [Ptilotis flavigula) is yellowish green on the back, 

 wings, and tail. The dark grey under side glistens with a silver sheen ; the belly and sides are pale 

 olive, the top of the head dark grey, and the throat bright yellow. The feathers that compose the 

 ear-tufts are tipped with yellow, and the outer web of the quills is deep brown. The eye is brown, 

 the beak black, and the foot lead-grey; the gullet and tongue are of a brilliant orange-red. The 

 length of this bird is eight inches ; the wing measures four inches and a half, and the tail four inches 

 and a quarter. 



" This fine and conspicuous species," says Gould, " is abundant in all the ravines around Hobart 

 Town, and is very generally spread over the whole of Van Dieman's Land, to which island I believe 

 it to be exclusively confined. It is very animated and sprightly, extremely quick in its actions, 

 elegant in its form, and graceful in all its movements ; but as its colouring assimilates in a r.emarkable 



