SOME BIRDS OF THE HEATH AND UNDERGROWTH 173 
scrub-lands, and open forest country. In New South Wales it chiefly 
inhabits heath and adjoining scrub; it has a loud, clear call-note, and 
a double short note, resembling “Chop-chop". During the breeding- 
season it becomes very tame; there are many instances of the female 
alighting on the heads and clothes of observers, seeking hair and 
wool for nesting-material. Food: insects and nectar. 
nest. An open, cup-shaped structure, composed of thin strips of 
bark and grasses, well bound together with cobwebs; lined with fur, 
hair, or other warm materials. Usually it is placed in a low bush or 
small tree, at heights up to 10 feet from the ground. 
eggs. Two or three, pale flesh-coloured or white, sparsely spotted 
and blotched with pinkish-red and reddish-brown markings, becoming 
more numerous at the larger end. Breeding-season: July to December. 
18. Yellow-throated Honey-eater Meliphaga ftavicollis Vieillot 
flav'-i-coll'-is— L., /lavus , yellow; L., collum , neck. 
distribution. Tasmania and the islands of Bass Strait (King 
Island and Flinders Group). 
notes. Very similar in habits to the White-eared Honey-eater. Its 
song is a loud, often repeated, whistle-like call, usually uttered while the 
bird is perched on the topmost twig of a low tree. Food: chiefly insects, 
procured among the leaves and flowers or in the crevices of bark on 
tree-trunks; also nectar. 
nest. A deep, cup-shaped structure, composed of strips of bark and 
grasses; lined with hair, fur, or other soft materials. Usually placed in 
a small bush or thickly foliaged tree. 
eggs. Two or three, pale pinkish-white, thickly spotted or blotched, 
chiefly at the larger end, with reddish-brown and purplish-grey 
markings. Breeding-season: July to November, sometimes as late as 
January. 
19. Little Wattle-bird Anthochcera chrysoptera Latham 
An-tho-chccr'-a—G k, anthos , flower; Gk, chairein, to rejoice: chrys-op'- 
ter-a-G k, chrysos , golden; Gk, pteron , wing. 
distribution. Southern Queensland to Victoria, South and south¬ 
western Australia, Kangaroo Island, and Tasmania. 
notes. Also called Brush Wattle-bird, Mock Gill-bird, Mocker, and 
Cookay-cock. In pairs or small parties, frequenting chiefly heath-lands 
of the coastal districts. It is a very active and noisy bird, especially 
during the breeding-season, constantly uttering a variety of harsh call- 
notes, somewhat like “Get-up, Get-up, Wak, Wak, Keik Kewick, Keik 
Kewick”. Food: insects chiefly, and nectar. 
nest. A cup-shaped structure, composed of small twigs, loosely put 
together; neatly lined with soft grasses and very fine soft bark. Usually 
placed in a fork of a low tree or bush. 
eggs. One to three, pinkish-buff, spotted, chiefly at the larger end, 
with reddish-brown and purplish-grey markings. Breeding-season: 
August to December. 
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