THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 
which it obtains from under the dry hark and leaves on the branches of trees. 
It may sometimes be seen working its way along on the underneath side of 
a branch, back down, and pecking away the dry bark most vigorously in 
search of insects; but when the spring and summer return, and the eucalyptus 
trees begin to bloom, you will find it enjoying tire nectar from the blossoms 
once more. In spring the birds flock together in mobs in the honey trees, 
but during the summer they live in pairs. . . Colours are not distinguishable 
between the sexes, except that the male is a little brighter. But in flying the 
female always goes first, the male following her in all her movements, and 
when she settles on a branch he settles close up to her. . . As to the 
habits of this species, during most of the year the birds make a sharp, 
whistling noise, but in the nesting period the call is quite different, and 
anyone accustomed to the birds can tell at once by the call whether they 
have a nest or not. The birds, both male and female, after pairing, are most 
industrious, and in a few days start to build the nest, and within a week 
they will not only have built this, but will have stocked it with eggs. If 
robbed, they will make another nest, and the fresh eggs will be laid within a 
week if the old nest is torn about; and this they will do at least three times. 
The eggs with each fresh clutch become paler and with less numerous spots. 
The birds build in November, and the eggs laid are three in number. From 
the time they are laid till they are hatched is about sixteen days. The young 
birds of the first brood can be seen flying during Christmas week. In ordinary 
seasons there are at least three broods in a year. . . After the eggs are 
laid the female seldom leaves the nest, in windy weather never; if she did 
the eggs might be thrown out, as the nests are then nearly upside down. . . 
The male is most attentive to liis mate in bringing food, which, at the nesting 
season of the year, consists mostly of honey and manna. The young are 
also fed on the same food by both birds. The male, when his mate is sitting, 
is never more than a few minutes away from her, and by constantly watching 
him at this time the nest is easily found. In fine weather, when the female 
wants to leave the nest she gives a peculiar call, and the male at once takes 
her place.” 
There is little to record in connection with this species as regards its 
technical liistory. Lesson first named it as a new species, but was ignorant 
of the exact locality and gave New South Wales. Gould later named it from 
Tasmania and, when he recognised Lesson’s name, instead of using it, queried 
its applicability. Sixty years passed before North reinstated the undoubtedly 
correct name given by Lesson. 
I described the King Island form as a new species 
Mdithreptus alisteri. 
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