FIG BIRD. 
Our specimen was presented to the Society by Mr. Brown, who met with 
this species in Keppel Bay, August 11th and October 21st, 1802. It differs 
from M. Vieillot’s figure in having the back part of the neck cinereous instead 
of green, and the ends of the lateral feathers white. Our bird may probably 
be a male. If it should prove to be a distinct species, it may appropriately 
receive the specific name of Vieilloti after the founder of the genus.” 
Gould’s note reads : “I killed a fine specimen of this bird on Mosquito 
Island, at the mouth of the Fiver Hunter, in September 1839 ; it was perched 
on a dead branch which towered above the green foliage of one of the high trees 
of the forest, and my attention was drawn to it by its loud and singular note. 
This was the only example that came under my observation, but it is more 
plentiful in the neighbourhood of the Fiver Clarence, is abundant at Moreton 
Bay, and that it enjoys a wide range is proved by Mr. Bynoe having procured 
an adult male on the north coast. It appears to be peculiar to the brushes, 
and its food doubtless consists of the berries and fruits which abound in those 
districts. Nothing is known of its nidification. The sexes differ very widely 
from each other in colour.” 
E. M. Cornwall, giving notes on birds found breeding near Mackay, North 
Queensland, states : “ One of the most familiar birds about the town is the 
Fig Bird ( Sphecotheres maxillaris). Many pairs build their nests every season 
in the fine trees which adorn the streets of Mackay, and one may often see them 
sitting quietly on their eggs just a few feet above the traffic of the busiest part 
of the town. Two or three is the usual number of eggs to a clutch, but the 
unusual number of four eggs was noted by Mr. T. P. Austin, on 13th November, 
1907. This (1907-8) season has been a very favourable one, and during the 
latter part of December and the early part of January, Fig Birds were observed 
busily attending to matters pertaining to a second brood.” 
In spite of this account, long series of this species showing plumage changes 
are not available, and it is now doubtful whether the much debated Sphecotheres 
stalkeri Ingram, as noted hereafter, is anything more than a peculiar state of 
plumage of the northern form of this species. 
I admitted two forms in my 1913 “ List ” — a southern one from New South 
Wales and a northern one from South Queensland — and then later named the 
Cairns bird, and these may be retained, especially as the Townsville birds are 
still indeterminate as to the plumage changes. I find, however, that the most 
southern bird is much darker above and below especially on the abdomen, and 
we can use for it the name S. canicollis Swainson. 
The races will be : 
Sphecotheres vieilloti vieilloti Vigors and Horsfield. 
South Queensland. 
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