THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 
inches across by 3 to 4 inches in depth. Egg cavity, 4 to 5 inches across by U to 
nearly 2 inches deep. 
Breeding-monihs. October to end of January. 
This beautiful bird was first figured and described by Lewin, but it may be of 
interest to record that the British Museum (Natural History) have recently 
acquired, through my investigation, a large series of drawings formerly in 
the possession of Latham, among w’hich is a fine painting signed “ F. Davies 
Delin, 1805.” 
Gould’s notes read : “ This beautiful species, one of the finest birds of the 
Austrahan Fauna, is, I beheve, exclusively confined to the. eastern portion 
of the country ; it is occasionally seen in the neighbourhood of Sydney, which 
appears to be the extent of its range to the southward and westward. I met 
with it in the brushes at Maitland in company, and feeding on the same trees, 
with the Satin- and Cat-Birds and the Mimeta viridis; it is still more 
abundant on the Maiming, at Port Macquarrie, and at Moreton Bay; 
I sought for and made every inquiry respecting it at Illawarra, but did 
not meet with it, and was informed that it is never seen there, yet the 
district is precisely similar in character to those in which it is abundant, 
about two degrees, to the eastward; while encamped on Mosquito Island, 
near the mouth of the River Hunter, I shot several, and observed it to 
be numerous on the neighbouring islands, especially Baker’s Island, where 
there is a fine garden, and where it commits serious injury to the fruit 
crops. Although I have spoken of this bird as abundant in the various 
localities referred to, I must mention that at least fifty out of colour may 
be observed to one fuUy-plumaged male, which, w'hen adorned in its 
gorgeous livery of golden-yellow and deep velvety-black, exhibits an extreme 
shyness of disposition, as if conscious that its beauty, rendering it a 
conspicuous object, might lead to its destruction; it is usually therefore very 
quiet in its actions, and mostly resorts to the topmost branches of the trees; 
but when two gay-coloured males meet, conflicts frequently take place. To 
obtain specimens in their full dress, considerable caution is necessary; on the 
other hand, females and immature males are very tame, and, when feeding 
among the foliage, appear to be so intent upon their occupation as not to heed 
the approach of an intruder; and I have occasionally stood beneath a low 
tree, not more than fifteen feet high, with at least ten feeding voraciously 
above me.” 
Mr. Edw'in Ashby has written me : “ These birds were common in the 
Blackall Ranges wherever a scrub called inkweed was growing in any quantity. 
The birds were very fond of these berries (which have a most acid taste), the 
354 
