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ZOSTEROPS DORSALI Ss, Vig. and Horsf:
Grey-backed Zosterops.

Certhia cerulescens, Lath. Ind. Orn. Supp., p. xxxviii.
TL? Heorotaive bleu, Vieill. Ois. dor., tom. ii. p. 121. pl. 83?
Bluish-breasted Creeper, Shaw, Gen. Zool., vol. viii. p. 244.
Cerulean Creeper, Lath. Gen. Syn. Supp., vol. ii. p. 188.
Cerulean Honey-eater, Lath. Gen. Hist., vol. iv. p- 204.
Sylvia lateralis, Lath. Ind. Orn. Supp., p. lv.
Rusty-side Warbler, Lath. Gen. Syn. Supp., vol. ii. p. 250.—Shaw Gen. Zool., vol. x. p. 659.—Lath. Gen. Hist.,
vol. vil. p. 140.
Certhia diluta, Shaw, Gen. Zool., vol. viii. p. 244.
Philedon coeruleus, Cuv.
Meliphaga cerulea, Steph. Cont. of Shaw’s Gen. Zool., vol. xiv. p. 264.
Sylvia annulosa, var. 8, Swains. Zool. Ill. Ist Ser., pl. 16.
Zosterops dorsalis, Vig. and Horsf. in Linn. Trans., vol. xv. p. 235.
White-eye, Colonists of New South Wales.

 

Tuus bird is stationary in all parts of Van Diemen’s Land, New South Wales and South Australia, and is
more numerous than any other bird inhabiting those countries; where it is not only to be met with in the
forests and thickets, but also in nearly every garden, by the proprietors of which it is regarded more as a pest
than, as one would suppose, a welcome visitor; no one of the birds of the country effecting greater damage
to the buds and fruits of every kind. It even builds its nest and rears its young in the shrubs and rose-trees
bordering the walks. I observed several nests in such situations in the garden of the Government House at
New Norfolk, Van Diemen’s Land. Among the trees of the forest the beautiful tea-tree (leptospermum ?) is
the one to which at all times this species evinces a great partiality. Were it not for its destructive propensities,
the Grey-backed Zosterops must from its familiar disposition and pretty lively song be a very general favourite.

Its flight is quick and darting, and when among the branches of the trees it is as active as most birds,
prying and searching with the most scrutinizing care into the leaves and flowers for the insects, upon which
it feeds. It is sometimes seen singly or in pairs, while at others it is to be observed in great numbers, on the
same or neighbouring trees. The southern and eastern portions of Australia, and the islands adjacent, are
its true habitat ; and the two succeeding plates will show how beautifully it is represented by allied species in
other parts of the country.

The breeding-season commences in September and continues to January. The nest is one of the neatest

structures possible ; it is of a round deep cup-shaped form, composed of fine grasses, moss and wool, and

most carefully lined with fibrous roots and grasses. The eggs are usually three in number, of a beautiful
uniform pale blue, eight and a half lines long by six lines broad.

The sexes present no difference of plumage.
‘¢ Collection of Australian Drawings,” formerly belonging to the late A. B. Lam-

On examining the
1 of Derby, who kindly forwarded them to me for the

bert, Esq., and now in the possession of the Ear
ork, I find that this species was long since described by Latham, under the names
> co.

however, does he mention the white ring around the eye,
he bird, the want of which would have precluded

purposes of the present w
above quoted; in neither of his descriptions,

which forms so conspicuous a feature in the appearance of t I}
the possibility of my believing them to be identical, had not the drawings named by Latham’s own hand

proved such to be the case: the species should therefore stand as Zosterops caerulescens, although Z. se
would certainly be more appropriate : unfortunately this ae did not a to my pu eae veo os
Plate had been named, and the requisite number of impressions struck off. Latham refers to the 83rc he : |
the “ Oiseaux Dorées,” as identical with his c@rulescens, but of this as I have indicated above I am doubtful. |
ail olive ; back dark grey, eyes surrounded by a zone of white feathers,
re of the abdomen, and under tail-coverts greyish white
n; upper mandible dark brown, under mandible

Crown of the head, wings and t
bounded in front and below with black; throat, cent
with a slight tinge of olive; flanks light chestnut brow

lighter; irides and feet greyish brown.

oat and sides of the head are wax-yellow, and the flanks are only stained with
Cc 2

In some specimens the thr
chestnut brown.
The Plate represents the male,

Diemen’s Land.

female and nest of the natural size, on a branch of the tea-tree of Van

 

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