TROPIDORHYNCHUS CORNICULATUS, Vie. and Horsf:
Friar Bird.

Merops corniculatus, Lath. Ind. Orn., vol. i. p. 276.

Corbi calao, Le Vaill. Ois. d’Am. et des Indes, tom. i. p. 69, pl. 24.

Knob-fronted Honey-eater, Lath. Gen. Hist., vol. iv. p. 161.

Knob-fronted Bee-eater, Ib. Gen. Syn. Supp., vol. ii. p. 151.—Shaw, Gen. Zool., vol. vil. p. 183.

Tropidorhynchus corniculatus, Vig. and Horsf. in Linn. Trans., vol. xv. p. 324.—Jard. and Selb. Ill. Orn., vol. i.
pl. 133.—Gould, Syn. Birds of Australia, Part I.

Merops monachus, Lath. Ind. Orn. Supp., p. xxxiv., young.

Cowled Bee-eater, Ib. Gen. Syn. Supp., vol. ii. p. 155.—Shaw, Gen. Zool., vol. Vill. p. 166, young.

Cowled Honey-eater, Lath. Gen. Hist., vol. iv. p. 162, young.

Knob-fronted Bee-eater, White’s Voy., pl. in p. 190, young.

Tropidorhynchus monachus, Vig. and Horsf. in Linn. Trans., vol. xv. p. 324, young.

Coldong, Aborigines of New South Wales.

Friar, Poor Soldier, §c., of the Colonists.

 

Trere are few birds more familiarly known in the colony of New South Wales than this remarkable species
of Honey-eater : it 1s generally dispersed over the face of the country, both in the thick brushes near the
coast and in 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 ; but as a lengthened residence in the country would be necessary to determine
this pomt, 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 sts loud and extraordinary 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,” etc. Its bare head and neck have also
suggested the names of “ Friar inde <a Vionlee ss Leather Head,” etc.

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.

Its food consists of the pollen of the Eucalypti, and insects, to which are added wild figs and berries.

It commences breeding in November, when it becomes animated and fierce, losing all fear of man, and
readily attacking hawks, crows, magpies (Gymnorhina) or other large birds that may venture within the
precincts of its nest, never desisting from the attack until they are driven to a considerable distance.
which is rather rudely constructed, and of a large size for a Honey-eater, is cup-shaped, and

The nest,
rk and wool, to which succeeds a layer of fine twigs

outwardly composed of the inner rind of the stringy ba
and fibrous roots, the whole being suspended to the horizontal branch of an apple-

without the least regard to secresy, frequently within a few feet of the ground.
g m the Apple-tree Flats near Aberdeen and Yarrundi, that they might
are generally three in number, of a pale salmon colour with

lined with grasses
(Angophora) or gum-tree
So numerous were they breedin
almost be termed gregarious. The eggs
minute spots of a darker tint, one inch and five lines lor

There is no observable difference in the plumage of the sexes, but the female is somewhat smaller in

ig by eleven lines broad.

size.
The adults have the bill and head dull ink-black ; all the upper surface, wings and tail greyish brown,

the feathers of the latter tipped with white ; chin and lanceolate feathers on the chest silvery white, with a

fne line of brown down the centre ; remainder
immediately after death to brown and sometimes to greyish hazel ;

The ae although having the same general colouring as the adult, have the head less denuded of
Peter and a mere rudiment of the knob on the bill; the feathers on the breast are also less lanceolate

are margined with yellow; eye dark brown, surrounded with

of the under surface brownish grey; eye red, fading

feet lead-colour.

in form, and those on the sides of the chest

short brown feathers lengthening into a tuft at the back of the head; feet much more blue than in

adults. |
The Plate represents an old bird and a young one of the first autumn, on the wild fig of the Upper

Hunter ; the birds and plant being of the natural size.

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