PLATE XVI 
BIRDS OF THE BLOSSOMS AND OUTER FOLIAGE 
1. Yellow Weebill Smicrornis flavescens Gould 
Smi-crorn'-is— Gk, smicros (micros), small; Gk, ornis , bird: flav-es'-cens 
— L., flavescens , becoming yellow ( flavus , yellow). 
distribution. Central Australia, north-western Australia, North¬ 
ern Territory, and northern Queensland. 
notes. Also called Yellow-tinted Scrub-tit or Yellow-tinted Tree-tit. 
The smallest bird inhabiting Australia. Usually keeps to the outer 
foliage of saplings and taller trees; its call-note is loud in proportion 
to its size; it also has a pretty song. It is very active in quest of insects 
and their larvae, keeping up a constant twitter while searching the 
foliage. 
nest. A small, dome-shaped structure with a narrow entrance pro¬ 
tected by a hood, near the top, composed of partly green stems of her¬ 
baceous plants, intermingled with plant down; lined with plant down 
and a few feathers. Usually attached to thin leafy stems near the top 
of a tree. 
eggs. Two or three, creamy-buff, sparingly freckled with dull purplish- 
brown markings, with a faint zone of a violet shade on the larger 
end, or an indistinct zone of creamy-brown markings. Breeding-season: 
August to November or December, extending to April in the Gulf 
country. 
2. Brown Weebill Smicrornis brevirostris Gould 
brev-i-ros'-tris- L., brevis , short: L., rostrum , bill. 
distribution. Southern Queensland to Victoria and Western 
Australia. 
notes. Also called Scrub-tit, Short-billed Scrub-tit, and Short-billed 
Tree-tit. Usually in pairs or small parties, inhabiting the leafy branches 
of both tall and low trees; clings to the smallest twigs and leaves of the 
outermost branches, seeking insects and their larvae; has a low, simple 
song; the call-note, “Winnie-wieldt", is frequently uttered. 
nest. A small, rounded structure with a narrow spout-like entrance 
near the top, composed of fine grasses held together with spiders* 
cocoons and webs; lined with feathers and soft plant-stalks or down. 
Usually attached to thin leafy twigs near the top of a gum sapling. 
eggs. Two or three, creamy-buff to salmon-pink, with a zone of 
minute freckles of buffy-brown, purplish-brown, or slaty-brown at 
the larger end. Breeding-season: July to December or January. 
