TROPIDORHYNCHUS CORNICULATUS, Vig. and Horsf: 
Friar Bird. 
Merops corniculatus, Lath, Ind. Orn., vol, i, p. 276. 
Corbi calao, Le Vaill, Ois. d’Am. et des Indes, tom. 1. p. 69, pl. 24. 
Knob-fronted Honey-eater, Lath. Gen, Hist., vol iv. p. 161. 
Knob-fronted Bee-eater, Ub. Gen. Syn, Supp., vol. ii. p. 151—Shaw, Gen, Zool, vol, viii. p. 183. 
Tropidorhynchus cornioulatus, Vig. and Horsf. in Linn. Trans., vol. xv. p. 324.—Jard. and Selb, Tl. Orn., vol, tit 
pl. 133.—Gould, Syn. Birds of Australia, Part I. se es a a 
Merops monachus, Lath, Ind. Orn. Supp., p. xxxiy,, young, 
Cowled Bee-eater, lb, Gen. Syn. Supp., vol. tt. p. 155.—Shaw, Gen, Zool., vol. viii. p. 166, young. 
Cowled Honey-eater, Lath. Gen. Hist., vol. iv. p. 162, young. 
Knab-fronted Bee-eater, White's Voy., pl. in p. 190, young. 
Tropidarhynchus monachus, Vig, and Horsf. in Linn. Trans., vol. xv, p, 324, young. 
Coldong, Aborigines of New South Wales. , 
Friar, Poor Soldier, &e., of the Colonists, 
- 
‘wenn are few birds more familiarly known in the colony of New South Wales than this remarkable species 
of Honey-eater : it is ecnerally dispersed over the face of the country, both in the thick brushes near the 
coast and im the more open forests of the interior, I also observed it tolerably abundant on the banks of 
the Peel, but could not fail to observe that its numbers diminished as I descended the Namoi, on the lower 
parts of which river it is, I believe, rarely if ever seen, its place there being supplied by the yellow-throated 
species, Tropidorhynchus citreogularis. My own observations induce me to consider it as a summer visitant 
“only to New South Wales 5 but as a lengthened residence in the country would be necessary to determine 
this point, my limited stay may have led me into error. It has never yet been known to visit Van Diemen’s 
Land, neither have I traced it so far to the westward as South Australia. 
The Friar Bird, selecting the topmost dead branch of the most lofty trees whereon to perch and pour 
forth its garrulous and singular notes, attracts attention more by its loud an raordinary call than by its 
appearance, From the fancied resemblance of its notes to those words, it has obtained from the Colonists 
the various names of ‘ Poor Soldier,” ‘ Pimlico,” ‘ Four o'clock,” ete, Its bare head and neck have also 
suggested the names of “ Friar Bird,” “ Monk,” “ Leather Head,” ete. 
Its flight is undulating and powerful, and it may frequently be seen passing over the tops of the trees 
from one part of the forest to another. While among the branches it displays a more than ordinary number 
of singular positions 5 its curved and powerful claws enabling it to cling in every variety of attitude, 
frequently hanging by one foot with its head downwards, etc. If seized when only wounded, it inflicts with 
its sharp claws severe and deep wounds on the hands of its captor. 
[ts food consists of the pollen of the Hucalypt, and insects, to which are added wild figs and berries. 
in November, when it becomes animated and fierce, losing all fear of man, and 
a) or other large birds that may venture within the 
k until they are driven to a cousiderable distance. 
It commences breeding 
readily attacking hawks, crows, magpies (Gymnorhin 
precincts of its nest, never desisting from the attac 
The nest, which is rather rudely constructed, and of a large size for a Honey-eater, is cup-shaped, and 
outwardly composed of the inner rind of the stringy bark and wool, to which succeeds a layer of fine twig's 
lined with grasses and fibrous roots, the whole being suspended. to the horizontal branch of an apple- 
(dnzophora) or gum-tree without the least regard to secresy, frequently within a few feet of the ground. 
Apple-tree Flats near Aberdeen and Yarrundi, that they might 
So numerous were they breeding im the 
ally three in number, of a pale salmon colour with 
almost be termed gregarious. The eggs are gener 
five lines long by eleven lines broad. 
iinute spots of a darker tint, one inch and 
of the sexes, but the female is somewhat smaller in 
There is no observable difference in the plumage 
SIZe, , 
The adults have the bill and head dull ink-black ; all the upper 
the feathers of the latter tipped with white; chin and lanceolate feathers on the chest silvery white, with a 
fine line of brown down the centre; rema nder surface brownish grey; eye red, fading 
immediately after death to brown and sometime | 
olouring as the adult, have the head less denuded of 
The young, although having the sanie general ¢ 
nob on the bill; the feathers on the breast are also less lanceolate 
reined with yellow ; eye dark brown, surrounded with 
back of the head; feet much more blie than iv 
surface, wings and tail greyish brown, 
inder of the u 
s to greyish hazel ; feet lead-colour. 
feathers and a mere rudiment of the 
in form, and those ou the sides of the chest are ma 
enor brown feathers lengtheuing ito a tuft at the 
atlults. 
The Plate represents an old b 
Hunter; the birds and plant being of the 
ird and a young one of the first autumn, on the wild fi of the Upper 
natural size, 
+ 
