SOME BIRDS OF THE HEATH AND UNDERGROWTH 
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N otes. — Also called Jew-bird, New Holland Honey-eater, and Yellow- 
winged Honey-eater. Usually in flocks, inhabiting chiefly heath-lands of 
the coastal districts ; it also visits the open timbered country when the 
eucalypts are in bloom, and is common in gardens. Its call-note is sharp 
and shrill; when alarmed it utters harsh chattering notes. Food: insects, 
pollen, and nectar. 
Nest. — An open, cup-shaped structure, composed of strips of bark, 
grasses, and twigs ; lined with soft plant down, usually the brown velvety 
down removed from the dead cones of banksias. Generally placed in a 
banksia or other thick bush. 
Eggs. — Two or three, pinkish-buff, becoming darker at the larger 
end, spotted with dark reddish-chestnut and a few scattered markings of 
slate-grey, chiefly about the larger end. Breeding-season : June to January 
(throughout the year if the weather is propitious), 
13. White-cheeked Honey-eater Meliornis niger Bechstein 
ni-ger — L., niger , black. 
Distribution. — Eastern Australia, from the Herberton Range (north- 
ern Queensland) to Victoria and South Australia to south-western Aus- 
tralia as far north as Perth. 
Notes. — Also called Moustached Honey-eater. Usually in flocks, 
inhabiting heath-lands and open timbered country. A very local species 
and rather wary, otherwise it is similar in habits to the White-bearded 
Honey-eater. Its loud call-note resembles the word “Egypt.” 
Nest . — A cup-shaped structure, composed chiefly of strips of bark 
and dried grasses; lined with soft plant down, often the brown velvety 
tufts removed from the cones of banksias. Usually placed in a banksia 
or some thick foliaged shrub, close to the ground. 
Eggs. — Usually two, pale buff, with a zone at the larger end, formed 
of reddish-brown and purplish-grey spots. Breeding-season: July to 
December. 
14. Crescent Honey-eater Phylidonyris pyrrhoptera Latham — 14A. 
Female 
Phyl-i-don-y-ris — Gk, philos, loving; Gk, hedone, pleasure: pyr-rhop'-ter-a 
— Gk, pyrrhos, fire-coloured ; Gk, pteron, wing. 
Distribution . — South-eastern Queensland to Victoria and South Aus- 
tralia (St Vincent Gulf), Kangaroo Island, and Tasmania. 
Notes . — Also called Tasmanian Honey-eater, Horseshoe Honey-eater, 
Egypt Honey-eater, and Chick-chock. Usually in flocks, inhabiting heath 
and dwarf scrub-lands, preferably where these areas are interspersed with 
tall trees. In New South Wales it is common in the dwarf scrubs and 
gullies of the mountain ranges. One of its call-notes is a metallic “Egypt- 
Egypt,” with the accent on the last syllable. Food: insects, pollen, and 
nectar. 
Nest. — A deep, cup-shaped structure, composed of strips of bark and 
twigs; lined with grass and a little soft material. Usually placed in a 
thick scrub or similar situation close to the ground. 
