WHITE-BREASTED HONEY-EATER. 
paper-bark swamps, i.e., swamps with many paper-barks growing on them. 
It was one of the commonest birds on the north side. Jan. 29th, 1912, Cooper’s 
Camp again. A few were seen near here on a running creek; this creek was 
dry when I was here before but heavy rains have fallen and the soakage keeps 
a fair stream flowing. This bird is a real water lover and I have never seen 
many except close to water.” 
Cornwall, writing about birds found breeding near Mackay, North 
Queensland, states : “Of a modest and retiring disposition is the White¬ 
breasted Honey-eater (Glycyphila fasciata ) and to find it at home one must 
again brave all the discomforts of swamp work. The nest is a pretty dome¬ 
shaped structure, made of the paper-like bark of the Melaleuca, and suspended 
over water at the extremity of the most slender twigs, where they are safe 
from snakes and other vermin. The square-tailed Cuckoo (Cacomantis 
variolosus) often chooses the nest of this bird in which to deposit its eggs, 
and it is particularly noticeable that when the Cuckoo’s egg is deposited the 
Honey-eater lays two eggs only, but when left to itself the clutch is three. 
They are very late breeders. We were through the swamp at frequent intervals 
after the early part of October, but it was not until the 26th of December 
that they were seen to be building. After that date they were plentiful enough 
in the localities which suited them, and we fomid fresh eggs up to the middle 
of February.” 
Ramsay wrote in 1875 : “ This species is plentifully distributed over the 
coast country from Port Denison to Cooktown. In habits and actions they 
resemble Ptilotis flava and others.” 
Broadbent in 1888—89 met with it, but Campbell and Barnard deny this, 
apparently without proof. 
Macgilhvray wrote: “ Met with only on the Gregory River, at the 
Brook Hotel, 20 miles from Burketown, where they were found feeding in 
the blossoming tea-tree. Not seen at Cape York. ... A few were found 
amongst the blossoming trees on the Archer River.” 
McLennan’s notes of his King River trip read: “ Pera Head, 4/7/15. 
A few noted amongst flowering paper-barks. Glyde River. A few noted 
about the ridges. Liverpool River, 21/9/15. Some seen amongst the paper- 
barks round billabongs. King River. Fairly numerous amongst flowering 
trees. Roper River, 27/2/16. Fairly numerous in paper-barks in swamps. 
Stomach, insects.” 
Hill, in connection with the birds of Kimberley, North-west Australia, 
wrote: “ Were noted in the Napier Broome Bay district only, where the 
first arrivals appeared on 1/12/09. By the 26th they were plentiful near all 
the creeks and springs, and on 1/1/10 nineteen nests were commenced along 
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