BRUSH WATTLE-BIRD. 
situations similar to those resorted to by its near ally; it is to be found in 
every part of the colony, but appears to be "more abundant in the 
neighboimhood of Swan River than elsewhere. In its habits it is very 
sohtary and shy, and is moreover very pugnacious, attacking every bird, 
both large and small, that approaches its domicile. Its flight is rapid and 
mieven, and its general note is a discordant caclding sound of the most 
disagreeable description.” 
Gould described tliis “ species ” from the collection of birds at Fort Pitt, 
Chatham, but in the Catalogue published at the same time this species is not 
mentioned. It may have been described after the Catalogue was in print. 
The type was apparently lost at the dispersal of the Museum. It will be noted 
above, however, that Gould mentioned as a distinguishing character of his 
species ‘‘ the greater length of the bill,” and wliile tliis is a very noticeable 
feature in specimens, especially old males, from the Perth district, it is only 
subspecific, as the south-west birds do not show it, though they agree more 
or less in the possession of the other features Gould noted. 
Milligan, as noted above, recognised the characteristic long bill when he 
had Perth specimens before liim, and commented upon the variability in the 
species without recognising that geographically more than one subspecies might 
exist m West Australia. 
Mi\ Tom Carter’s notes read: “ The Little Wattle-Bird is given in your 
1912 ‘ Reference List ’ as ranging through West Australia. It seems to be 
confined to the south-west corner, being especially common along the coastal 
districts. About Broome Hill they are not numerous, but some of them could 
almost always be seen in some tliick rough scrub and timber hi one of my 
paddocks. They feed largely on honey obtained from the blossoms of various 
khids of Banksia trees, wliich blossoms are known as ‘ Mungite ’ (an aboriginal 
name) in the south-west. The birds are garrulous and somewhat local in 
their habits, feeding in parties where food is abimdant. They seem to nest 
very hregularly, but from the end of Jidy to October are the chief nesting 
months. As a rule, one egg only is laid; I have no note of ever having found 
two in a nest. The nests are slightly made of small twigs, lined ivith a little 
soft bark or other fibre and ai‘e rather flat. They are usually built in dense , 
fohage of some description. In the neighbourhood of Albany there grows 
on the coastal sandhills dense thickets of a species of taU bush, thickly covered 
with fohage that at fii’st glance resembles that of Pine, but upon examination 
it is found to be very soft, phable and silky to the touch. These bushes have 
scailet flowers and are much frequented by Little Wattle-Birds, Long-biUed 
Honey-eaters, Spinebills and other species, as they afford splendid shelter and 
no doubt food as well.” 
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