Vo, 'm 4 IV '] CHISHOLM, Around Tumbarumba 
105 
Climacteris picumna. Brown Tree-creeper.—Unlike the last, this 
species is found in the more open, partially-cleared ring-barked 
timber. Not many seen. 
Dicseum hirundinaceum. Mistletoe-bird.—Not often seen, but evi¬ 
dently fairly numerous, judging by the amount of Mistletoe about, 
for it is mostly by its agency that the Mistletoe is spread. A 
very fine singer, and the notes are uttered loudly at times. The male 
is one of our most handsome small birds; the female being quite 
sombrely clad. 
Pardalotus ornatus. Red-tipped Pardalote (Diamond Bird).— 
Seen in flocks. There is a little confusion about the colour of 
the speculum on the wing. I hold the *opinion for what it is worth 
that there are only two distinct species—that with the crimson 
speculum, the bird under discussion, and that with the yellow specu¬ 
lum (P. striatus) . P. asshnilis I take to be either a variety, or 
more likely a hybrid, between the other two. One of my reasons for 
thinking this is the fact that I have seen one with the crimson 
speculum and one with the yellow speculum at the same nesting 
site in the hole of a tree trunk. ^ Moreover, the general form 
of the birds and their habits are identical, so that it is quite 
feasible that these two species do inter-breed. One has an anala- 
gous case in the Black-backed and White-backed Magpies, which 
are known to interbreed. These two birds, P. striatus and P. 
ornatus , I have known to breed only in holes or spouts of trees. 
Pardalotus punctatus. Spotted Pardalote (Diamond-bird).—This 
species seen in flocks with P. ornatus, and on the move in company 
with the flocks of Meliphagidae. I have always known this bird 
to hollow out tunnels in banks for nesting purposes. 
Zosterops lateralis. Grey-backed Silvereye.—A common bird, 
and seen here about blackberry scrub. An interesting bird from 
many points of view. A very useful species from the number and 
variety of small insects it consumes. A great enemy of orchard 
pests in the shape of many small moths, including the codlin moth 
in all its stages and aphides. It is a honey eater, living on native 
berries and fruit, and taking a toll of orchard soft fruit, which has 
injured its reputation. In spite of this, the balance is very much 
in its favour. It flocks during the winter months, when it feeds 
entirely on insects. It may often be seen in the company of many 
species of the smaller Meliphagidae (Honeyeaters). 
Melithreptus lunatus. White-naped Honey eater (Black Cap).— 
Found here at this time in large flocks with other honey-eating 
species; all on the move. 
Melithreptus brevirostris. Brown-headed Honeyeater (Cobbler).— 
This species also in flocks, and on the move. 
Acanthorhynchus tenuirostris. Spinebill.—Seen fairly often feed¬ 
ing on Mistletoe (Loranthus) , high up in the eucalypts. 
Meliphaga fusca. Fuscous Honeyeater.—A few of these were 
seen on the move with the other species. 
Meliphaga chrysops. Yellow-faced Honeyeater.—Large numbers 
of these seen in flocks. The last four mentioned species were all 
together, constituting quite a number of birds, and all moving 
in the same direction. 
Meliphaga leucotis. White-eared Honeyeater.—A stationary bird, 
and seen only once or twice singly or a pair together. About 
stunted scrub. 
Meliphaga melanops. Spectacled Honeyeater.—Several of these 
were seen feeding on the nectar of the flowers of Eucalyptus 
Stuartiana (The Apple Box), and amongst clumps of Mistletoe 
( Loranthus) flowers. 
*This view is held by the Checklist Committee.—Eds. 
