THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 
Eggs. A clutch of two eggs taken at Coen, Cape York Peninsula, North Queensland, 
on the 9th of December, 1921, is swollen oval in shape, and measure 14-16 mm. by 12. 
Breeding-months. October to January and on to May (June). 
Gould wrote: “ The present interesting bird was forwarded to me by 
Bynoe as having been shot by him on the north coast, but to my regret it was 
unaccompanied by any information ivhatever respecting its habits.” 
Ramsay a little later recorded from Rockingham Bay, North Queensland: 
“ One specimen only obtained, which I believe to be the young of this species; 
should it prove otherwise, it will be hereafter described,” and from reporting 
upon Boyer-Bower’s collection from Derby, North-west Australia, observed: 
“ This species is, during some seasons, plentiful in the neighbourhood of Cairns 
and Cardwell, where I found it breeding hi 1873-74. Specimens from Cape 
York and Derby do not differ from those found further south. The young 
differ materially in plumage from the adults.” 
Hall recorded Rogers’ notes from Derby, after detailing plumage changes 
from nestling to adult: “ There is here a eucalypt of low scrubby growth that 
is honeyladen in the six weeks of its flowering season. It is remarkable 
for the amount of sweets within the blooms. While this species of bird is 
feasting continuously among the higher branches, the aborigines below are as 
continuously sucking the flowers for the honey within. This bird sings well.” 
Hill wrote from Kimberley, North-west Australia: “ The first arrivals 
appeared at Napier Broome Bay on 26/12/09, when the first crop of Grevillea 
flowers opened, and their numbers increased largely during the next few weeks. 
As the flowers failed their numbers decreased, until none remained in the first 
week of February. However, they returned in the middle of March, when the 
second crop of flowers opened. The majority went away again as the food 
supply decreased, but a few pairs remained until the end of July, when my 
observations ceased. Two nests only were found, the first of which 
contained two fresh eggs (10/5/10) and the second two young (20/7/10). 
The early ax*rivals were accompanied by many birds of immature plumage, 
so that I presume the two nests foimd hi May and July were late broods. 
The food appeal’s to consist entirely of honey.” 
Macgillivray has written : “ First met with on the Leichhardt River, 
25 miles beyond Caloola Station, where a number were feeding on a patch of 
bloodwood. Stomach contents, honey, bisects, and portions of bloodwood 
flowers. They were also noted at Cape York, on the Jardine River, and near 
Paira. In the latter locality they were fee din g on the blossoms of the black 
tea-tree. Stomach contents, honey and portions of flowers. . . .” “ On the 
Archer River Mr. McLennan noted Banded Honey-eaters as numerous in the 
