YELLOW-TUFTED HONEY-EATER, 
very common bird. Thus Vigors and Horsfield have recorded that Mr. 
Caley first observed this species in some high trees in the neighbourhood 
of Paramatta; but he did not meet with it for many years afterwards. 
The birds, however, frequented the trees in the brush along the upper part 
of Duck River in great abundance, although it was at a late period of his 
residence in the colony that he met with them at that place. He imagines 
that their coming to Paramatta when he first saw them was accidental.” 
Gould wrote: “ The Yellow-tufted Honey-eater is abundant in New 
South Wales, inhabiting at one season or other every portion of the country; 
the brushes near the coast, the flowering trees of the plains, and those of the 
sides and crowns of the hills towards the interior being alike tenanted by 
it. It is an active, animated species, flitting with a darting flight from tree 
to tree, and threading the most thickly-leaved branches with a variety of 
sprightly actions.” 
One of E. P. Ramsay’s earliest contributions stated: “ Is perhaps one 
of the most beautiful birds of New South Wales ; nor are its eggs less beautiful 
than the bird itself. It evinces a preference for the more open underwood 
of young Eucalyptus and Wattle-trees (Acacia decurrens) which are plentiful 
near Dobroyde, Enfield, and Parramatta, rather than for the dense scrub¬ 
land near the coast. I have met with it as far as Manar, between Braidwood 
and Goulbum. Like most of its tribe it is very partial to fruit, and during 
the latter end of February, and throughout the month of March, the pear 
trees swarm with this and many other species. During the orange season 
also they visit us in great numbers, and many may be seen fighting over the 
half-decayed fruit with which the ground at that time is literally strewed. 
Remains with us throughout the whole year, and breeds earlier than the 
generality of Honey-eaters. Eggs have been taken early in June and as 
late as the end of October, during which month they sometimes have a 
third brood; but August and September appear to be their principal 
breeding months.” 
Mr. A. G. Campbell has written me : “ This species in Victoria is restricted 
solely to the gold-bearing Silurian ridges that occur throughout the central 
parts of the State from Stawell in the west to about Chiltern in the east. 
Many instances are known of plants being restricted to given areas, but with 
birds it is rare. This bird, however, is not found in the mountainous parts, 
but prefers the more open gold-bearing country.” 
Mr. L. G. Chandler wrote me : “ At the Yon Yangs on Aug. 31, 1908, 
I noticed seven or eight of these birds on the ground, pulling and dragging 
at an old nest of Acanthiza pusilla. Whether they were in search of insects 
or at play I could not determine, but believe they were at play. It is singular 
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