ZOSTEROPS GOULD] (B P .j 



< / R EEN /»'. I ( 'K ED Z< >S TEROPS. 



rilHE Green-backed Zosterops is an inhabitani of the coast of Western Australia, where, although 

 *■ endowed with great beauty, it is looked upon with anything Imt favourable eyes by owners of 

 vineyards and orchards, on account of its fondness for fruit. It particularly affects grapes and figs, so 

 much so, that its local name is the "Grape and Fig-eater" As a proof, however, that it is not entirely 

 fructivbrous, Gilbert mentions th.it he has seen it "taking Hies while on the wing, after the manner of 

 the true I 1 1 watchers." 



Ii llies irregularly from tree to tree, never remaining for Ion*;' in the air. 



It utters a single plaintive note, repeated several times. 



The breeding season extends from August to November. The nest, which is about two inches 

 wide and one deep, is formed of various grasses, "hound together with the hairy tendrils of small plants 

 and wool, the inside being lined with very minute fibrous roots." The eggs, which are generally three, 

 but sometimes fmr in number, are greenish-blue, eight lines long by six lines broad. 



Lores, black ; crown of the head and all the upper surface, olive-green ; primaries and tail 

 feathers, brown, with a margin of olive-green; throat and under tail-coverts, light yellow : breast and 

 under surface, grey, tinged with brown on the abdomen and Hanks ; irides, wood-brown ; bill, brown, 

 lighter on the under mandible : legs and feet, dark-grew 



Total length, 4[ inches: bill, a i w inch: wing, 2| inches; tail, If inch; tarsi, | inch. 



Habitat: Western Australia. 



ZOSTE ROPS TEPH RO PL EUR US (Gould). 



GRE V - HUE. I S TED ZOSTEROPS. 



rplIK ( i rev -breasted Zosterops, an inhabitant of Lord Howe's Island, bears a great resemblance to the 

 J- better known Australian specimen. Zosterops Ccerulescens, differing from it only in its greater 

 size, in Inn ing a considerably stronger bill, and the Hanks not so highly coloured. In habits and general 

 economy the two birds are very much alike. 



This species was first discovered by Mr. Macgillivray and forwarded to England, together with 

 a specimen of Zosterops Streninis, which bird he was also the first to procure. 



Th" head and upper surface are bright olive-green, with a wash of grey across the shoulders; 

 wings and tail, slaty-brown, bordered with olive-green; throat, yellow; round the eyes a circle of white 

 feathers, below which is a mark of black : under surface, pale vinaceous-brovvn, becoming gradually paler 

 on the lower part of the abdomen, and passing into the pale yellow of the under tail-coverts. 



Total length. 4| inches: bill, | inch: wing. 2| inches; tail, 2^ inches; tarsi, f inch. 



Habitat: Lord Howe's Island. 



