August, 1938 
The Queensland Naturalist 
121 
southern States, but here, if the winter is mild, a few of 
them stay, and feed upon the Loranthus until the early 
spring when they will descend upon us in full force, 
and the air will be full of their brilliant high-pitched 
notes. Their arrival generally coincides with the bloom- 
ing of the Callistemons, and no more beautiful sight 
could be imagined than a flock of Blood Birds feeding 
among the scarlet blossoms of this plant. The declama- 
tory Brown Honeyeater is a wayward creature, who will 
be found wherever there is a feast of blossoms among 
which to disport himself, and there you will find him 
much in evidence. Likewise the Yellow Face or “ Chick 
Up,” as he is generally known because of his loud in- 
sistent note. He is a bird that is to be found generally 
in the winter months. Some years he is very numerous 
and usually stays until the spring, and then disappears. 
He is a very active and noisy bird, and inordinately 
fond of bathing. The Spinebill is another winter 
visitor. His short staccato trill is a feature of the colder 
months, and he generally leaves with the approach of 
warm weather. The Blue-faced Honeyeater seems to 
specialise in the flowering of the Moreton Bay Chestnut, 
because you are almost certain to find him on this tree 
and very seldom anywhere else, although he has a taste 
for cultivated fruits. He is not seen very often. 
Spring migrants include the four species of 
Cuckoos, or “Storm Birds ’ 7 as they are usually called 
irrespective of species, because they are accepted as 
reputable weather prophets by otherwise well-informed 
people. The Pallid prefers the open to wail his plaintive 
semi-tones. The Fantail, a very tame creature, prefers 
the forest. The Horsfield Bronze Cuckoo persecutes the 
smaller birds, and is a valuable destroyer of caterpillars; 
he is sometimes seen during the colder months. The 
Koel is that black-feathered scoundrel who, not content 
with persecuting his fellow creatures during the day- 
light hours, proceeds to make the night hideous with his 
“Coo-ee” or ^ Koel 7 7 or “Toowong , 77 or whichever way 
you like to interpret it. In this he is aided and abetted 
by the lady of his choice, who answers with her own 
particular note. 
No more interesting or delightful visitors to the 
reserve can be found than the migratory Flycatchers. 
Early in spring come the Rufous Fantail, Leaden, Black- 
faced and Spectacled Flycatchers. The Rufous Fantail 
flits cheerily along the shady creeks. The handsome 
Black-Face is to be heard with his loud whistle as he 
takes an occasional dive out into the open to snap up 
