SOME BIRDS OF THE MANGROVES 
59 
to water, where it is to be seen among the leaves, twigs, and blossoms 
searching for insects and honey; its call-note is sharp, shrill, and 
monotonous. 
nest. A dome-shaped structure with a hooded side entrance, com¬ 
posed of fine strips and pieces of paper bark, lightly bound with 
cobwebs and silk from cocoons; lined with pieces of soft paper bark, 
and suspended from a small twig of a bush, up to 8 feet from the 
eggs. Two or three, white, finely spotted and speckled with dark 
brown and almost black markings, chiefly at the larger end. Breeding- 
season: August to April. 
7. Rufous-banded Honey-eater Conopophila albogularis Gould 
Cd-no-poph'-il-a— Gk, conops, gnat; Gk, philos, fond of: al-bo-gu-lar'-is 
— L., albus , white; L., gularis, throated. 
distribution. Northern Territory and northern Queensland; 
also occurs in the Aru Islands. 
notes. Inhabits the mangroves and paper-bark tree swamps; it is 
an active bird, constantly flitting from branch to branch and taking 
irregular flights, during which it utters its pretty song. Food: chiefly 
insects. 
nest. A small, cup-shaped structure, composed of fine strips of bark 
matted together with spiders’ webs; lined with fine grass; suspended 
from the extremity of a thin projecting branch, usually overhanging 
water. 
eggs. Two or three, white, finely spotted and speckled nearly all 
over with bright chestnut-red markings, particularly at the larger end. 
Breeding-season: October to January. 
8. Varied Honey-eater Meliphaga versicolor Gould 
Mel-iph'-ag-a—G k, meli, honey; Gk, phagein , to eat: ver'-si-col-or—L., 
versicolor , different coloured. 
distribution. Northern Queensland, chiefly on the islands off the 
coast; also occurs in New Guinea. 
notes. Inhabits the mangroves; it is an extremely active bird and a 
splendid songster; flits among the leaves and blossoms, searching for 
insects and honey. 
nest. A small, cup-shaped structure, neatly composed of dried sea- 
grasses, weeds, and dead leaves; lined with fine rootlets. Frequently 
placed in the foliage of a mangrove tree. 
eggs. Two, pale pinkish-buff, possessing an indistinct cap of clouded 
and very minute spots of pale reddish-brown markings. Breeding- 
season: July to November. 
9. Mangrove Honey-eater Meliphaga fasciogularis Gould 
fas'-ci’O-gu-la-ris— L., fascia , band; L., gularis , throated. 
distribution. Northern and eastern Queensland, chiefly on the 
islands off the coast. 
