THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 
markings of blackisli-brown on some of the feathers on the upper breast. The 
last trace of immaturity is exhibited in a few yellow feathers on the centre of the 
upper throat.” (North.) 
Eggs. Two to three eggs form the clutch. A clutch of two eggs taken at Freshwater, 
Manly, near Sydney, New South Wales, on the 29tli of September, 1901, is of a 
white ground-colour, spotted and finely speckled, chiefly at the larger end of each 
egg, with dull chestnut. Ovals in shape, surface of shell smooth and rather glossy. 
20-21 mm. by 15. 
The western form is as follows : a clutch of three eggs taken at Moora, Western 
Australia, on the 2nd of September, 1910, measure 19-21 mm. by 13-14. 
Nest. A deep cup-sliaped structure, composed of strips of bark, grass, etc., and well matted 
together with spider's’ cocoon bags and cobwebs. Lined with a vegetable substance 
resembling very soft silken wool. The dimensions over all are 4| to 5 inches by nearly 
3 inches deep, and inside 2 inches across by 1£ inches deep." It is generally well 
hidden in a low bush in open country covered with stunted growth, the nest some¬ 
times being within a few feet of the ground. 
Breeding-months. Usually July to Docember (to February). 
Vigobs and Horsfield, in their essay on the Australian Birds in the 
Collection of the Linnean Society, described a new species Meliphaga fuhnfrons, 
placing it in the same section as Certhia tenuirostris Latham, but remarking: 
“ One of the specimens of this species in the collection was brought by Mr. 
Brown from Port Jackson, where he met with it in August, 1803. The species 
comes very near the first sub-division of this genus (Certhia navcehollandice 
Latham), having a stronger bill and rather more elongated toes than the birds 
of the present section,” but gave no notes regarding habits at all. 
Consequently Gould’s notes appear to be the earliest and read: “ This 
species would appear to be distributed over the whole of the southern portion 
of the Australian continent, since it is to be found in New South Wales, South 
Australia, and at Swan River, where it is particularly abundant on the 
limestone lulls near the beach around Fremantle ; it is also an inhabitant of 
the northern parts of Tasmania and all the islands in Bass’s Straits. Its 
flight is very rapid, and it frequently mounts high in the air, and flies off to a 
distance with a horizontal and even motion. It is an exceedingly active bird 
among the branches, clinging about and around the flow r ers of the Eucalypti 
in search of food in every variety of position. The breeding-season lasts from 
August to February. The song is rather remarkable, commencing with a 
single note slowly drawn out, and followed by a quick repetition of a double 
note, repeated six or eight times in succession ; it is mostly uttered when 
the bird is perched on the topmost branch of a tree.” 
Mr. J. V\. Mellor’s notes read : “ These buds are widely distributed and 
associated with open heath country, which has somewhat of a dreary nature 
owing to the sameness of the aspect that meets the eye for scores of miles out 
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