SUN-BIRD. 
(Ginnyris frenata) may be noted almost everywhere. Its dainty pensile nest 
is quite a common object in outbuildings or verandahs, both in town and 
country, whilst many are found suspended over water in the swamps or 
snugly hidden away amongst the dense thickets of Lantana. When robbed 
of their eggs they sometimes lay again in the same nest. A friend of mine 
took four pairs of eggs from the same nest at intervals of exactly seven days. 
They laid a fifth pair, and reared their young, my friend considering that 
their pertinacity had been fairly tested and was worthy of reward. The 
nesting season extends from September to February, but odd pairs may be 
found breeding both before and after those dates. Two eggs form the usual 
complement, but on 26th December a nest was found which contained the 
usual number of three eggs.” 
In 1921 Cornwall again wrote: “ I am glad to be able to report that 
the pretty little Sun-Bird (Cyrtostomus frenatus) is again in our district. It 
was completely wiped out by the cyclone of 1918. There are very few here 
yet, but I was pleased to find a pair in my paddock a few weeks ago, and I 
am in hopes that they will breed up again.” 
Ramsay in 1875 wrote : “ I only met with this interesting species on 
one occasion near Cardwell; it is by no means common in that district.” 
Broadbent in 1888 stated : “ Common all the year, feeding on the flowers 
in the gardens near the beach, Cardwell.” 
Campbell and Barnard in 1917 •write from the same district: “ The 
gaily dressed (male, rich lemon-chrome under-parts and metallic navy-blue 
throat) Sun-Birds, of Humming-Bird appearance, are indeed tangible evidence 
of the tropics. They were noticed only in the coastal region, sipping nectar 
from various flowers. They were often observed about dwellings, fossicking 
the flowers of pa-paw, citrus, and other trees of gardens; and they love 
sometimes to build their nests in verandahs or near houses. One nest 
observed in the bush was prettily situated underneath a bunch of ferns, and 
suspended to a dead frond. When the little bird flits from flower to flower 
it utters a Tit-like ‘ Chip ’ or ‘ Chip, chip.’ The song is Malurus like, a pretty 
rattling warble.” 
Macgillivray wrote : “ Very plentiful at Cape York,” and later “ We 
first noted Sun-Birds at Cooktown wharf, Avhere one was collecting building 
material from amongst some bushes, and then at Lloyd’s Island, where we 
saw a female plucking capok from its pod for the same purpose. Later again, 
when going up or down the Claudie, their nests were often seen hanging from 
some shrub or bough overhanging the river. On our return journey, Mr. 
Olive of Cooktown, showed us where one of these birds was sitting in a nest 
attached to the string that pulled the shower in his bathroom. So that the 
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