THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 
In 1890, when my only literature on Australian birds was Gould’s Handbook, 
I shot some of these birds, seeing that they differed from Ptilotis sonora, and 
sent a specimen to Mr. A. J. Campbell, who concluded it was only a variety 
of P. sonora (vide Nests and Eggs, page 403). In 1895 North described this 
bird as a new species. 
“ The birds are very active in their movements, constantly uttering 
their pleasant little notes, and were particularly numerous in the Yardie 
Creek, where are many clumps of small white gum saplings, and there is 
permanent water, the only other permanent pool on the peninsula being on 
the Exmouth Gulf side, about twenty-five miles to the North-east. May 9, 
1900. A nest containing two incubated eggs was found, five feet from ground, 
suspended in small twigs of a desert gum tree. Fledged young were shot at 
various dates, leading to the supposition that this species breeds any time 
after rains have fallen.” 
Captain S. A. White has -written me : “I met with tins bird in the type 
locality in 1913 within 100 miles of where the Horn Expedition found it, and 
then again I met with it in numbers in the far North-west (Musgrave and 
Everard Ranges) in 1914.” 
Their call, although very like other members of the genus, is still easily 
distinguished from them. They have a habit of darting about amongst the 
low trees and bushes uttering a scolding note, much after the maimer of M. 
sonora. 
Hall published Mr. J. P. Rogers’ notes from North-west Australia as 
follows: “ This is one of the most plentiful of Honey-eaters here. They 
are everywhere. A while ago (prior to 8/2/00) they were feeding upon the 
mistletoe blossoms, which grow plentifully in a small wattle, but they deserted 
as soon as the eucalypts came into bloom. On 24/7/00 three nests were 
found in wattle trees, close together, and all in similar positions—a slender 
horizontal fork. A clutch of two eggs I found on 4/6/00. On 29/11/991 saw 
a very large number of this species. A well was being cleaned, but only this 
bird seemed to drink. It was very tame. Wlfile standing quietly on the 
braceliead of the well one alighted upon my hat, and another upon one of 
my boots. Soon after tins I saw as many as fifteen upon the rim of the 
bucket, and several more hovering over their heads, impatiently waiting their 
opportunity. I longed for a camera and the knowledge to work it.” 
Whitlock then met with it on the Pilbarra Goldfield and wrote: “ I 
first encountered this species at Depot Greek, a locality about 65 miles from 
the coast. I shot a single example from amongst a number of Carter Honey- 
eaters in fairly thick scrub growing on the banks of the creek. It was not 
until I was within a few miles of Marble Bar that I obtained another. Later 
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