SOME BIRDS OF THE HEATH AND UNDERGROWTH 171 
winged Honey-eater. Usually in flocks, inhabiting chiefly heath-lands 
of the coastal districts; it also visits the open timbered country when 
the eucalypts are in bloom, and is common in gardens. Its call-note is 
sharp and shrill; when alarmed it utters harsh chattering notes. Food: 
insects, pollen, and nectar. 
nest. An open, cup-shaped structure, composed of strips of bark, 
grasses, and twigs; lined with soft plant down, usually the brown 
velvety down removed from the dead cones of banksias. Generally 
placed in a banksia or other thick bush. 
eggs. Two or three, pinkish-buff, becoming darker at the larger 
end, spotted with dark reddish-chestnut and a few scattered markings 
of slate-grey, chiefly about the larger end. Breeding-season: June to 
January (throughout the year if the weather is propitious). 
13. White-cheeked Honey-eater Meliornis niger Bechstein 
ni' ger— L., niger, black. 
distribution. Eastern Australia, from the Herberton Range 
(northern Queensland) to Victoria and South Australia to south¬ 
western Australia as far north as Perth. 
notes. Also called Moustached Honey-eater. Usually in flocks, 
inhabiting heath-lands and open timbered country. A very local 
species and rather wary, otherwise it is similar in habits to the White- 
bearded Honey-eater. Its loud call-note resembles the word “Egypt”. 
nest. A cup-shaped structure, composed chiefly of strips of bark 
and dried grasses; lined with soft plant down, often the brown velvety 
tufts removed from the cones of banksias. Usually placed in a banksia 
or some thick foliaged shrub, close to the ground. 
eggs. Usually two, pale buff, with a zone at the larger end, formed 
of reddish-brown and purplish-grey spots. Breeding-season: July to 
December. 
14. Crescent Honey-eater Phylidonyris pyrrhoptera Latham—14A. 
Female 
Phyl-i-don'-y-ris— Gk, philos, loving; Gk, hedone , pleasure: pyr-rhop '- 
ter-a— Gk, pyrrhos , fire-coloured; Gk, pteron, wing. 
distribution. South-eastern Queensland to Victoria and South 
Australia (St Vincent Gulf), Kangaroo Island, and Tasmania. 
notes. Also called Tasmanian Honey-eater, Horseshoe Honey-eater, 
Egypt Honey-eater, and Chick-chock. Usually in flocks, inhabiting 
heath and dwarf scrub-lands, preferably where these areas are inter¬ 
spersed with tall trees. In New South Wales it is common in the dwarf 
scrubs and gullies of the mountain ranges. One of its call-notes is a 
metallic “Egypt-Egypt”, with the accent on the last syllable. Food: 
insects, pollen, and nectar. 
nest. A deep, cup-shaped structure, composed of strips of bark and 
twigs; lined with grass and a little soft material. Usually placed in a 
thick scrub or similar situation close to the ground. 
