THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 
novcehollandice) have been’ in this district all the winter. They frequent 
chiefly the Cape wattles and tree lucernes, both introduced plants, which 
flower profusely during the cold months, and furnish sustenance to the Mdi- 
phagidcB. I would recommend those who have fair-sized gardens to plant 
these trees round the fences, when they will be provided with entertainment 
by birds during the ‘ dead ’ season. The lively movements of the ‘ White- 
beards ’ as they dash from tree to tree, or hang back downwards under a spike 
of blossom while engaged in extracting nectar, and their sharp notes, sounding 
lik e ‘ Whiss ! whiss ! ’ are everyday sights and sounds here.” 
Chandler has recorded from the Kow' Plains, Victoria: “ The notes of 
the Mallee bird differ from those of the Meliornis aroimd Melbourne.” 
Mr. Tom Carter’s notes read: “ In your ‘ Reference List,’ 1912, the 
Long-biUed Honey-eater is given as ranging through West Austraha. Its 
chief habitat is the coastal scrubs of the south-west where they occur in great 
numbers, as about Albany and the Mai’garet River. The birds are also found 
about Broome Hill, but not commonly, except on isolated patches of rough 
scrubby land. With the exception of mystacalis {M. nigra dulciei) I think 
these birds are the most active and restless of any species of Honey-eater. 
They are also usually very wary, and although the scrub may be full of them, 
and their notes resound all round, they only afford a fleeting ghmpse unless 
a pair have a nest, when they exliibit great concern at close quarters, but are 
always moving about. I have often noticed when ‘ chu'ping ’ a bird up to me 
with my hps, some of this species \vill dash close up but instantly retreat on 
catching sight of the intruder, w'hereas most birds, when called up, usually 
remain a short time. About Broome Hill, the main breeding months are 
July, August, September. The nests are usually built in some faiily thick 
bush (those of a thick or pricldy nature being preferred) from three to six 
feet above the ground. The material is rather rougher than in other species, 
some small twigs, pieces of grass, bark or rushes. Two eggs are the usual 
clutch. July 15/06. Several nests with two eggs or small yomig. Aug. 9/10. 
Nest, two eggs in white gum suckers 5 feet off ground. July 23/11. Young 
in nest. Sept. 22/12. Nest, two fresh eggs.” 
Gould’s notes read : “ The M. longirostris, like the other species of the 
group, is very pugnacious, and when fighting utters a rapidly repeated chirrup, 
very much resembling that of the Em‘opean Sparrow. It is a very early 
breeder, commencing ui the first days of July and continuing as late as the 
last week in November.” 
From the Margaret River district. South-west Australia, Milhgan has 
recorded : “ Tliis is one of the most common birds on the south-west coast 
not only in the brook thickets but also in the stinkwoods, and m fact all along 
