WARTY-FACED HONEY-EATER.

THIS beautiful bird, termed the mock regent, bird by the colonists of New South Wales, is one of the most lively-coloured of the honey-eaters. Its plumage is rich yellow and deep black, most agreeably varied.

According to Mr. Gould, "it is a stationary species, and enjoys a range extending from South Australia to New South Wales." "Although it is very generally distributed, its presence appears to be dependent on the state of the blue gum tree, upon whose blossoms it mainly depends for subsistence; it is consequently only to be found in any particular locality during the season that those trees are in full bloom. It generally resorts to the loftiest and most fully-flowered tree, where it reigns supreme, buffetting and driving every other bird away from its immediate neighbourhood; it is, in fact, the most pugnacious bird I ever saw, evincing particular hostility to the smaller honey-eaters, and even to others of its own species that may venture to approach the trees upon which two or three have taken their station. I met with it in great abundance among the bushes of New South Wales, and also found it breeding in the low apple tree flats of the upper Hunter. I have occasionally seen flocks of from fifty to one hundred in number, passing from tree to tree, as if engaged in a partial migration from one part of the country to another, probably in search of a more abundant supply of food. Its note is a peculiar loud whistle, not entirely devoid of melody.

The nest, which is usually constructed on the over

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WARTY-FACED HONEY-EATER.

hanging branch of a blue gum tree, is round, cup-shaped, five inches in diameter, and composed of fine grasses, lined with a little wool and hair. The eggs are two in number, of a deep yellowish buff, marked all over with indistinct spots and irregular blotches of chesnut red and dull purplish grey, particularly at the larger end, where they frequently form a zone.

This bird is about the size of the common thrush.