THE PRIAE-BIED. 
73 
sure indication to the colonist of barren ground ; the bird 
being attached to Proteaceous shrubs of the genus BanJcsia, 
which onlj^ grow in the most sterile and unprofitable soils. 
These Banhsias are in blossom during the greater part of the 
year^ and as each flower expands^ it is diligently examined 
by this honey-eater^ which pushes its long feathery tongue 
into every part of the flower, from which it procures honey, 
pollen, and insects. The note of the male is particularly harsh 
and disagreeable, and somewhat resembles Goo-gwar-ruck, 
the not very euphonious name by which the natives of New 
South Wales know the species. To this family belongs the 
singular bald-headed Friar- bird of New South "Wales [Tropi- 
dorliyncJiiis corniculatus, Plate VI. tig. 1), which selects the 
topmost dead branch of a lofty tree, and from its conspicuous 
site, attracts attention by its loud call, resembling various 
words by which it is familiarly known, such as Poor sol- 
dier,^^ ''Pimlico/' Pour o^ clock.'^ It has also, from its 
bare head and neck, received the names of Mouk,^^ Lea- 
therhead,^^ and ^^Priar-bird.""^ Its food consists of the pollen 
of gum-trees, insects, and also wild figs and berries. During 
the breeding season this species is particularly bold, and at- 
tacks hawks, crows, and other birds much larger than itself, 
when they venture near its nest, and it does not desist till it 
