160 
THE WATTLED HONEY-EATER. 
lawn that are denominated “bands,” and which flutter beneath the chins of ecclesiastics in 
their official costume. The brown tint of the lower part of the back changes to steely-blue, 
and the tail is brown, “shot” with the same beautiful tint. The quill-feathers of the wings 
are brown, edged with bine, and the whole under surface is reddish-brown. 
In size the Poe Bird equals a large blackbird or a small pigeon, being about twelve inches 
in total length. The long generic title of Prosthemadera is formed from two Greek words— the 
former signifying an appendage, and the latter the neck— and is given to the bird in allusion 
to the white tufts of feathers which depend from the neck. 
The very quaint and rather grotesque Friar Bird, which we may notice, is an inhabitant 
of Australia, and is very common in the southern parts of that continent, although at present 
it has not been seen in Yan Diemen’s Land. 
By the colonists it is known by a variety of names, some relating to its aspect and others 
to its voice. Thus it is named the Friar Bird, because the bare, oddly-shaped head, with its 
projecting knob upon the forehead, is considered as resembling the bare, shaven poll of the 
ancient friar. Another analogous name is the Monk Bird. Another name is Leather-head, 
a title which refers to the dark leathery aspect of the whole head, which is as rigid in outline 
and as dark in color during life as after death. On account of its peculiar voice, it is also 
known by the names of “Pimlico, “Poor-soldier,” or ‘ £ Foitr-o’clock,” as its cry is said 
to resemble these words. The resemblance, however, cannot be very close, as neither of the 
words which it is supposed to utter could be mistaken for the other, so that the Friar Bird 
cannot be very remarkable for the distinctness of its articulation. By the natives it is called 
Coldong. 
The Friar Bird is possessed of unextinguishable loquacity, delighting to get upon the top- 
most branch of some lofty tree, and there chatter by the hour together at the top of its loud 
and peculiar voice, as if it were desirous of attracting attention to its powers of elocution. 
Among the branches it is extremely active, traversing them in all directions with great ease, 
and clinging to their rough bark by the grasp of its powerful toes and curved claws. So 
strong is the grip of the foot, that the bird may often be seen hanging from a branch sus- 
pended only by a single foot, while it is engaged in peering into the recesses of the bark, in 
search of the little insects that may be concealed under its rough surface. 
Like all the honey -birds, it is fond of feeding upon the nectar and pollen of flowers, gen- 
erally preferring those of the eucalyptus, or gum-tree, as it is popularly termed, and also 
delights in fishing out the little insects that are to be found in the depths of all honey-bearing 
flowers. It does not, however, disdain to feed upon the larger beetles and other insects that 
take up their residence under the flakes of bark, and is also known to eat various kinds of 
berries. 
Another common and rather striking example of the Honey-eaters is the Wattled 
Honey-eater, or Brush Wattle Bird, of Australia. 
This pretty bird is spread over the whole of Southern Australia, and is one of the best 
known of the birds belonging to that country. It may generally be found upon lofty trees, 
and, like others of the same group, especially haunts the eucalypti for the purpose of feeding 
upon the juices of the flowers. It always chooses the most recently opened blossoms, as they 
are not so likely to be rifled of their sweet stores as those which have been exposed to the 
attacks of the honey-eating insects and birds. The method of feeding is the same as that 
which is pursued by the other Honey-eaters, viz., by plunging the long bill and slender tongue 
into the very depths of the blossoms, and brushing out their contents. It also has a great 
affection for the flowers of the Banksia, and is sure to be found wherever these plants are in 
blossom, thereby doing good service to the intending purchaser of land ; for the Banksia 
always grows upon poor soil, so that, according to Mr. Gould, the harsh cry of the Wattle 
Bird is a trusty indication to the wary settler that the land on which it is heard is not worth 
purchasing. 
