15 
plants of that nature, although they are not adverse to 
cultivated plants like Hibiscus, and are often found in the 
Mangroves. It is generally taken for granted that many 
of them are what is termed “nomadic", and that they 
follow the blossoming of the native trees, moving from 
place to place in the process. On the other hand they 
may just follow the conventional pattern of birds that 
“flock", that is, they ate territorial during the breeding- 
season, and join flocks during the t est of the year. Not 
all iloneyeaters flock, and some are found associated 
with a particular habitat, and are probably resident 
species. 
Fifteen species have been identified in the Brisbane 
area, although the position of the Melithreptus Honey- 
eaters needs clarifying. The main point of identifica- 
tion, the extent of black on the cheeks and lower 
mandible is almost impossible to pick out in the field, 
but if the colour of the skin around the eye, red in the 
White-naped (Melithreptus ulboguluris ) , is any indica- 
tion, the Whiteth mated is the common species. A study 
of the two species in the field may also reveal a differ- 
ence of note. 
The most colourful species is probably the Scarlet 
Honeyeater (Myzomcla sanguinolenta ) , a reputed migrant. 
The migration is hard to prove in the Brisbane area as 
there are always a few of them to be found during the 
winter. The White-cheeked (Meliornis niger ) is also a 
strikingly coloured bird. It is rare in the city areas, 
being a coastal bird found in large numbers on the 
islands off the coast, generally associated with the Banksia. 
The Blue-faced ( Entomyzon cyanotis ) is also a handsome 
bird. It is an open forest species and not too common. 
The plainest coloured species, the Brown ( Gliciphila 
indistinct a) is the finest songster. It is also one of the 
most common, being found in open forest, mangroves 
and city and suburban areas. The Mangrove (Meliplxaga 
fasciogularis \ also has a musical note. It is found associated 
with the mangroves and seldom strays any great distance 
away. The Bell Miner ( Manorina melanophrys ) , though 
not a songster in the popular sense, is well known for its 
bell-like note. It may seem a strange record for the 
Brisbane area, but a colony of them was located some 
years ago in the Gold Creek area and they are probably 
still there. 
Generally the Honeveaters are inclined to shout 
rather than to indulge in an extended song. The Yellow- 
