60 BIRDS OF TASMANIA. 



*WHITB-BEAEDBD OE NEW HOLLAND HONEY-EATER 



{Meliornis novm-hollandim, Latham). 



Male. — May be briefly described as being black, white, and 

 yellow. Detailed description: — Crown of head and cheeks black, 

 with minute white feathers on the forehead round the base of the 

 upper mandible ; a superciliary stripe and a small patch on either 

 side of the lower mandible white; upper surface brownish -black, 

 svith a little white showing on upper back ; tail brownish-black , 

 tipped on inner webs with white, except the three centre feathers, 

 which are wholly black ; wings black, the outer edges of the quills 

 tinged with rich yellow; throat black, with fine white bristle-like 

 feathers in centre ; rest of under surface white, striped with black ; 

 irides white ; bill black ; legs and feet brown. Dimensions in mm. : 

 —Length, 176; bill, 19; wing, 78; tail, 80; tarsus, 23. 



Female. — Similar to male. 



Young. — " In an adolescent male and an adolescent female the 

 malar tufts of the adult were absent ; the small projecting white 

 feathers on each side of the base of the lower mandible of the 

 adult were also absent, but there were a few small buffy-white 

 feathers which extended from the base of the lower mandible to 

 the ears ; the hair-like feathers on the chin were darker in colour 

 than the corresponding feathers of the adult ; the heads were not 

 black but brownish-black, and the colours of the breast-feathers 

 were not markedly contrasted. The feathers of the mantle of the 

 adult are black, with white edges ; those feathers of the adolescent 

 birds were uniform dusky-brown ; the bills were brown, blended 

 with horn colour " (J. R. M'Glymont). 



Nest. — Cup-shaped; composed of bark, fine twigs, grass, and 

 wool; inside lining usually the flowers of the native " flax " or 

 fur and wool. Placed not far from the ground, in a thick bush. 



Eggs. — Clutch two to three usually, four rarely; oval and of 

 fine texture ; surface slightly glossy ; colour pinkish-bufi ; the 

 spots, which are principally reddish-chestnut,^ are concentrated 

 round the stouter end, giving that part a decidedly pinky tinge. 

 Dimensions in mm. of a clutch:— (1) 21 x 15, (2) 21 x 15.25; (3) 

 20.75 X 15. 



Breeding Season. — August to December. 



Geographical Distribution. — Tasmania and a number of islands 

 in Bass Strait; also New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, 

 and part of Queensland. 



Observations. — In many localities throughout Tasmania this 

 Honey-eater is decidedly plentiful. 



The Spinebill, the Crescent, and this species are frequently 

 found in close company. Banksia and Epacris country is mostly 

 favoured. Suburban gardens are often visited for what they 

 contain in the way of salvia, daphne, and abutilon bushes. Soft 

 fruits, such as grapes and ripe pears, are readily eaten if placed 

 within reach. Its movements on the ground remind one much of 



