56 BIRDS OF TASMANIA. 



Observations. — In a number of districts this fine Honey-eater 

 is fairly plentiful. The denser portions of the scrub are almost 

 always resorted to, it being seldom that one sees this species 

 out in the open the same as almost any of the Honey-eaters. Its 

 manner of feeding during the autmun and winter m.onths reminds 

 one of a Tree-creeper. The agility with which it runs up and down 

 the perpendicular stems of the trees, poking its bill into the crevices 

 of the bark and detaching loose pieces, is wonderful. I have seen 

 them so plentiful in a belt of thick scrub that the noise of their 

 beaks and feet on the loose dry bark sounded like the pattering of 

 dogs on dry leaves. While feeding a somewhat sharp whistling 

 note is frequently uttered, in addition to which a fair amount of 

 quarrelling is continually going on. 



*BLACK-HBADBD HONEY-EATEE 

 {Melithreptus w-elanocephalus, Gould). 



MaZe.^Head black; upper surface greyish or brownish olive 

 tail blackish, outer fringes greyish ; wings slightly more brown than 

 the back; lower throat and chest almost pure white; breast and 

 abdomen greyish-white; sides of the body greyish; bill black; 

 legs and feet pale brown. Dimensions in mm.: — Length, 142; 

 bill, 12 ; wing, 76 ; tail, 61 ; tarsus, 19. 



Female. — Slightly duller in colouration, but otherwise similar. 



Young. — Head and upper surface brownish ; cheeks and throat 

 brownish-black; bill brownish. 



Nest. — Usually placed at the end of a slender horizontal branch 

 of a peppeiTaint, white gum, or sometimes stringy -bark ; a thick 

 clump of leaves is chosen, so that the nest is practically invisible 

 from the ground. It is cup-shaped and somewhat deep ; sometimes 

 it is placed high, at others low; the vicinity of a creek is nearly 

 always chosen. Wool is the chief constituent ; scraps of green 

 moss are woven into the outside to make it harmonize with its 

 surroundings. 



Eggs. — Clutch three, sometimes with the addition of one of the 

 Pallid Cuckoo ; roundish oval in shape ; texture fine ; surface 

 slightly glossy; colour pale fleshy-pink, only moderately spotted and 

 blotched with reddish-brown and purplish-brown ; most of the mark- 

 ings are about the apex. Dimensions in mm. of a clutch: — (1) 

 20.5 X 14.5, (2) 20 x 13, (3) 19 x 14. 



Breeding Season. — November to end of December. Frequently 

 three broods are reared. 



Geogra-phical Distribution. — Tasmania, King Island, and Fur- 

 neaux Group. 



Observations. — From my own experience and that of other 

 observers, this species does not appear to be as plentiful in the 

 northern portion of the island as in the southern. In its general 

 habits it strongly resembles the Strong-billed Honey-eater. 



