THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 
The western form is as follows :— 
Nest and eggs similar to those of A. incerta. A pair taken at Lake Way, East Murchison, 
Western Australia, on the 21st of July, 1909, is of a fleshy-pink ground-colour, well 
spotted, chiefly at the larger end of each egg, with reddish-brown and dull purple. 
Ovals in shape ; surface of shell smooth, and slightly glossy. The clutch measures 
18-19 by 13 mm. 
Breeding-months. Generally July or August to January. 
Apparently Gould described this species from specimens collected by Gilbert, 
but his field-notes read : “I first observed tins fine species of Glyciphila in the 
great Murray scrub of South Australia, where I succeeded in killing several 
specimens of both sexes ; it is an inhabitant of the York and other inland 
districts of Western Australia, and it is also found in the interior of Victoria 
and New South Wales. In its disposition the present bird is remarkably 
shy, a trait common, it would seem, to all members of the genus. All those 
I observed were busily engaged in collecting their insect and saccharine food 
/ from the flowers of a species of dwarf Eucalyptus. Its note is rapidly 
f repeated, and much resembles the double call of the Pardalotus striatus, 
but is much louder and more distinct. The breeding season lasts from 
August to February.” 
Mr. Tom Carter has written me: “ In your ‘ Reference List,’ 1912, 
the range of this species is given as West Australia generally. It is found in 
the northern, mid-west, and inland districts, but not in the heavily timbered 
south-west. These buds were seen occasionally about Point Cloates, but 
they were very uncertain in their visits, and hi some years none were seen. 
They are exceedingly active in then’ movements, and I found them very shy 
and wary. There is a species of tall plant growing in that district after good 
rains, that has pendant blue flowers, and these birds are very partial to the 
honey contained hi the blossoms, and are continually uttering musical tinkling 
notes as they feed. In 1898 at Pohit Cloates these birds were particularly 
plentiful. A nest was found July 28, 1899, built in the top of a large bunch 
of spinifex and partly covered by a creephig plant. It contained two young 
birds. January 7, 1903. Some of these birds were shot at Kellerberin.” 
Mr. F. E. Howe has written me : “ This species we noticed during our 
trip to Carina hi September, 1908, and at Wattle Flat, a small plain on which 
grew turpentine and other growth ; we observed a few pairs. They were 
feeding and taking the honey from a small red and yellow flower not unlike a 
Fuchsia, and they evidently liked it so much that they allowed us to approach 
quite closely before flying and often returned to it while we stood near. The 
call-note is loud and harsh and can be heard for a full mile in the mallee. The 
flight is very quick and is slightly undulating.” 
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