82 
THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 
on the outside with small silken cocoons, and wool; lined with fine 
grasses and hair. Usually placed in a bush or tree at heights up to 
20 feet or more from the ground. 
eggs. Three or four, pale pinkish-white, profusely spotted with 
reddish-chestnut and purplish-grey markings, chiefly about the larger 
end. Breeding-season: July to December or January. 
6. Dusky Miner Myzaniha obscura Gould 
ob-scur'-a— L., obscurus, dusky. 
distribution. South-western Australia and the mallee country of 
South Australia and Victoria. 
notes. Usually in small parties, inhabiting open forest and mallee 
country. Similar in habits to the Noisy Miner. Food: chiefly insects; 
also native fruits and berries, procured both on the ground or in the 
vegetation. 
nest. A rather bulky, cup-shaped structure, composed of grass and 
dry twigs; lined with fine grasses, hair, and other soft materials. Usually 
placed in a bush or small tree, up to 20 feet from the ground. 
eggs. Three or four, rich salmon-buff, spotted with rich reddish- 
brown and pale purplish-brown markings, chiefly at the larger end. 
Breeding-season: July or August to February. 
7. Yellow-throated Miner Myzantha flavigula Gould 
fldv-ig'-u-la—L., flavus, yellow; L., g ula, throat. 
distribution. Interior of Australia, coastal in north-western Aus¬ 
tralia, and on Melville Island. 
notes. Usually in small parties, frequenting open forest and scrub¬ 
lands. Very similar in habits to the Noisy Miner. It is a very tame 
bird and a constant visitor to the gardens of inland homesteads. 
Food: insects, nectar, native fruits, and berries. 
nest. An open, cup-shaped structure, composed of dried grasses 
and twigs; lined with fine grasses, hair, and other soft materials. 
Usually placed in a bush or tree at heights varying from 6 to 20 
feet or more from the ground. 
eggs. Three or four, rich salmon-pink, spotted, chiefly about the 
larger end, with reddish-brown and purplish-grey. Breeding-season: 
July to November or December. 
8. White-gaped Honey-eater Stomiopera unicolor Gould 
Stom’i-op'-er-a-“e rror for Stomioptera"-Gk, stoma , mouth; stomion , 
little mouth; pera t derivation unknown: u'-m-co/-or-L., unicolor , of 
one colour. 
distribution. Tropical northern Australia, from Fitzroy River in 
the north-west to Leichhardt River in Queensland; also Melville Island. 
notes. Fairly common in the scrubs bordering rivers and creeks; it 
is very noisy, uttering a loud whistling call-note. Food: nectar, insects, 
native fruits, and berries. 
