Part 66

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=321* Crested Bell-Bird=, Oreoica cristata, A.

Stat. c. timber 9

Upper brown; top of head black, side-head gray; white on face, throat; black from eye to black chest band; abdomen white tinged sandy-buff; f., duller. Caterpillars, insects. Bell notes, ventriloquist.

20 88

=322* Golden-breasted Whistler=, White-throated Thickhead, Thunder-Bird, Cutthroat, Coachwhip-Bird (e), Pachycephala pectoralis (gutturalis), E.A.

Stat. c. timber 7

Throat white; black head, band on chest; outside black band, under golden-yellow; back olive green; f.,* brown; throat whitish faintly streaked dusky. Caterpillars, insects. Fine songster, many melodious calls; whip-like smack ends one of notes.

=323* Rufous-breasted Whistler= (Thickhead), Little Thrush, Ring Coachman, Coachwhip-Bird (e), P. rufiventris, E.A., S.A., C.A., W.A.

Stat. c. timber 6.7

Upper gray; throat white; head blackish; black side of neck, band on chest; rest under light rufous-brown; f.,* upper brownish-gray; throat white streaked blackish-brown; rest under buff; breast, sides streaked blackish-brown. Insects, caterpillars, wild berries. Famous songster; whip-like smack at end of one of its calls.

=324 Red-throated Whistler=, Gilbert Thickhead, P. gilberti, N.S.W., V., S.A., W.A.

Stat. v.r. timber 7.2

Dark-gray; black before eye; throat dull rust-red; under gray; f., no black on face; throat gray. Insects. Clear whistling note.

=325 Olive Whistler=, Olivaceous Thickhead, P. olivacea, N.S.W., V., T., Bass St. Is.

Stat. r. humid scrubs 8

Olive brown; head dark-gray; throat whitish marked brown; faint gray band across chest; under reddish-brown; f., no band on chest. Insects. "Liquid, whistling note."

6 8

=326* Yellow-breasted Shrike-Robin=, Yellow Robin (e), Wild Canary (e), Eopsaltria australis. N.S.W., V.

Stat. c. timber 5.3

Dark-gray; upper base tail olive-yellow; throat grayish-white; under bright yellow. Tame, perches on side of sapling; f., sim. Insects. Piping note often repeated.

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Order XXI. (continued)

In Family 135--Titmice or Tits--Australia has but five representatives--the peculiar Wedgebill, "Kitty-lin-tof," and the four Australian "Whitefaces." The Whiteface is "lively, with sweet chirping notes." Its former scientific name (Xerophila) means "dry lover," for it is found mainly in the drier parts.

The European Tits belong to this family, so it is not desirable to use the name "Tit" for the Australian birds of the genus Acanthiza, for they belong to the Warbler family (Sylviidae), and not to the Tit family (Paridae).

The Nuthatches of the Old World and America are represented by closely-related birds, with somewhat similar habits, in Australia. These run spirally down a tree-trunk, searching every crack or piece of bark. Eight of these birds occur in Australia. Latham called them Nuthatches. It is now proposed to return to this name, as it is used for the British, Indian, and North American birds of this family (Sittidae).

The male Black-capped Nuthatch (Tree-runner) is true to name, but the female has the head and hind-neck black, instead of a black cap only. Nuthatches are not found in Tasmania. Possibly Bass Strait was formed before they reached Southern Victoria. Thus bird-study supports the geographer and ethnologist when they declare that Bass Strait is of comparatively remote formation. As the Tasmanian blacks were ignorant of boats, they evidently reached Tasmania before Bass Strait was formed. They are a more primitive type than the Australian blacks, who were improved by later influxes of more highly-developed Caucasians.

Many country dwellers will not admit that there is no Woodpecker in Australia, but it is a fact, nevertheless. Our so-called "Woodpecker" is the Tree-Creeper. It never chisels mortice-holes in a tree to get out a grub, as the true Woodpecker does. These birds occur all over the continent, and are often to be seen alighting on the side of a tree or fence post and then running up spirally to the top. They soon fly off to another tree, alighting lower than the place they started from. The bright-brown band on the wing is conspicuous as they fly. Their lively notes brighten a country drive.