» a 
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Cape York Peninsula. Fairly numerous in the tropical 
scrubs throughout the peninsula. <A few birds were noted 
on Banks (Moa) Island during 1919. Not noted on any of 
the other islands. 
Usually seen singly or in pairs, four or five birds have 
occasionally been seen in the same feeding tree. 
These birds are not at all shy; They appear to know that 
their brilliant plumage blends perfectly with the varied 
colors of the surrounding foliage; sthéycsitiquite. still 
(freeze) as one approaches, thus trusting to escape obs- 
ervation. I have repeatedly Piece. Bee to be in a 
certain tree and I have spent some considerable time in 
I moved; 
searching for it, but/have not scen it until it imwmtty 
in most instances the bird has been in full view against 
a background of foliage. 
They call frequently during the day:. The call is a loud 
medium Bee rapidly uttered, throaty, bubbling cooing 
with from 
note; Osballahbukeon, repeated several times, xixintexrvats 
two iy three seconds interval Poe each Pa: 
Sixs sR) é es Es 
iurationy 
RES XaW z 
They breed chiefly in the scrubs. I have only found one 
another 
newt in the forest country, and ome in the Mangroves, 
The nesting site is usually a bare fork near the end of 
a long, thin, horizontal limb. The parent bird sits very 
close and will often allow one to approach to within a 
couple of feet of the nest before flushing; if the nest 
contains a hard set &8é or @ Small young one, the parent 
. flutters anay. ue a tewig yard 
bird drops to the eros anitx iter sce : rere = 
and tumbles ab 
ami the x 
trteay 
goes towards it, eee Pe orrartend away again just 
Onelzeper -tdm@e the tactics until it has enticed 
out of reach, ynkiixitxviaaxentinetoxon: 
one well away from the nest; then it flys/away out xr 
Cae wo ight 
of sight 
