SOME BIRDS OF THE HEATH AND UNDERGROWTH 
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scrub-lands, and open forest country. In New South Wales it chiefly 
inhabits heath and adjoining scrub; it has a loud, clear call-note, and a 
double short note, resembling “Chop-chop.” During the breeding-season 
it becomes very tame; there are many instances of the female alighting 
on the heads and clothes of observers, seeking hair and wool for nesting- 
material. Food : insects and nectar. 
Nest. — An open, cup-shaped structure, composed of thin strips of 
bark and grasses, well bound together with cobwebs ; lined with fur, hair, 
or other warm materials. Usually it is placed in a low bush or small tree, 
at heights up to 10 feet from the ground. 
Eggs. — Two or three, pale flesh-coloured or white, sparsely spotted 
and blotched with pinkish-red and reddish-brown markings, becoming 
more numerous at the larger end. Breeding-season: July to December. 
18. Yellow-throated Honey-eater Meliphaga flavicollis Vieillot 
fldv -i-colV -is — L., flavus, yellow; L., collum, neck. 
Distribution. — Tasmania and the islands of Bass Strait (King Island 
and Flinders Group). 
Notes. — Very similar in habits to the White-eared Honey-eater. Its 
song is a loud, often repeated, whistle-like call, usually uttered while the 
bird is perched on the topmost twig of a low tree. Food: chiefly insects, 
procured among the leaves and flowers or in the crevices of bark on tree- 
trunks; also nectar. 
Nest. — A deep, cup-shaped structure, composed of strips of bark and 
grasses ; lined with hair, fur, or other soft materials. Usually placed in a 
small bush or thickly foliaged tree. 
Eggs . — Two or three, pale pinkish-white, thickly spotted or blotched, 
chiefly at the larger end, with reddish-brown and purplish-grey markings. 
Breeding-season: July to November, sometimes as late as January. 
19. Little Wattle-bird Anthochcera chrysoptera Latham 
An-tho-chcer-a — Gk, anthos, flower; Gk, chairein, to rejoice: chrys-op'- 
ter-a — Gk, chrysos, golden; Gk, pteron, wing. 
Distribution. — Southern Queensland to Victoria, South and south- 
western Australia, Kangaroo Island, and Tasmania. 
Notes. — Also called Brush Wattle-bird, Mock Gill-bird, Mocker, and 
Cookay-cock. In pairs or small parties, frequenting chiefly heath-lands 
of the coastal districts. It is a very active and noisy bird, especially during 
the breeding-season, constantly uttering a variety of harsh call-notes, 
somewhat like “Get-up, Get-up, Wak, Wak, Keik Kewick, Keik Kewick.” 
Food : insects chiefly, and nectar. 
Nest. — A cup-shaped structure, composed of small twigs, loosely put 
together; neatly lined with soft grasses and very fine soft bark. Usually 
placed in a fork of a low tree or bush. 
Eggs. — One to three, pinkish-buff, spotted, chiefly at the larger end, 
with reddish-brown and purplish-grey markings. Breeding-season : 
August to December. 
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