THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 
it in view, but with the least movement of the observer it darts away into 
the depths of the undergrowth. It has a loud clear call, which can be heard 
a considerable distance away, but it also has another double short note some¬ 
what resembling ‘ chop-chop.’ Their nests are most difficult to find, usually 
placed in thick undergrowth, within a couple of feet of the ground. In some 
cases the sitting bird will slip away at the slightest sound of danger, while 
I have known others to remain upon the nest until I have almost put my hand 
upon them. Two eggs are usually the clutch, but they sometimes lay three, 
and they are frequently the host of the Pallid Cuckoo.” 
Mr. F. E. Howe has also written me from Victoria: “This pretty Honey- 
eater is evenly distributed throughout the district. In the autumn and 
winter it feeds largely on insects that abound in the saplings, and although 
I have often watched it closely could never see the food it takes. On the 
23rd August, 1908, we were much interested in watching a pair build their 
somewhat substantial nest. Both birds were very busy and made four visits 
(two each) in as many minutes, and it was noticed that as each bird arrived 
it was always careful to perch on a certain branch of a tea-tree before flying 
into the shrub that held the nest. This nest took a fortnight to build and 
incubation fifteen days. The young were hatched blind and featherless and 
at about sixteen days old they left the nest. When nesting, this bird is very 
timid and they have been known to leave the nests merely because they had 
been discovered, and build elsewhere. Twice we have noticed them desert 
the nest because the egg of Cuculus inornatus was placed in it, a trait of 
P. chrysotis, the latter once tearing the nest to pieces.” 
Dr. Cleland wrote me : “ Found at Kunayong, New South Wales. The 
note is deep toned and more prolonged than would be expected from the size 
of the bird.” 
!\lr. J. W. Mellor s notes read: “The White-eared Honey-eater is not 
so commonly known in South Australia as some of its allies, yet in certain 
localities it is fairly abundant, but by no means plentiful; its habits are 
somewhat retiring and it keeps to the bush and is therefore not seen to the 
same extent as some of the other species. I noted it in the mallee 
scrub country in the Cleve Ranges in Central Eyre Peninsula in June, 
1911, and during the same month also saw it at Arno Bay and other places. 
While visiting Kangaroo Island I have seen this bird in various places, notably 
at Cape Borda in the extreme western end and at Middle River on the centre 
of the north coast, and out from Hog Bay on the eastern end of the island. 
Its habits here correspond with those on the mainland, as the bird seems to 
keep to the scrub and thus secures plenty of food in the honey obtainable 
from the flowers of the mallee, which are blooming more or less all the year 
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