G iaC IP SD IlA SUBEASCIATA. „ Samsqy.
GLYCIPHILA SUBFASCIATA, Ramsay.
Dusky Honey-eater.
Glyciphila subfasciata, Ramsay, P. Z. S. 1868, p. 386 ; 1875, p . 594.
I n the present work, which includes the most gorgeous o f all birds ( I mean the Birds of Paradise and their
allies), we shall also figure some very plain-coloured species; but it will in most cases be found that,
without brilliancy o f plumage to attract the eye, they yet possess some marked feature in their economy
which arouses our interest. The present species is a case in point; for it is perhaps the plainest of all
the Honey-eaters, many o f which are very beautiful birds ; but yet we find, from Mr. Ramsay’s observations,
that it stands unique among that large group for its mode o f nest-building. I shall, however, allow him
to tell the history o f the species in his own words, merely premising that the following notes comprise all
that has been as yet discovered about the species. Mr. Ramsay observes:—
“ This species, although possessing nothing in its sombre plumage to recommend it, is certainly very
interesting on account of its peculiarly shaped nest, being the only one o f the Australian Meliphagin® that
I have met with which constructs a dome-shaped nest. It is a neat structure, composed o f strips o f bark,
spiders’ webs, and grass, and lined with fine grasses &c. The opening at the side is rather large; but the
nest itself is rather deep, being about 4 inches long, and 2 i to 3 iuches wide. The eggs I did not obtain;
but one taken from the oviduct of a bird is 0*75 inch in length and 0*5 in breadth, pure white, with a few
dots o f black sprinkled over the larger end.
“ The nests were invariably placed among the drooping branches o f a species o f Acacia, always overhanging
some creek or running water. All the nests I found were so situated; and my young friend Master
I. Sheridan o f Cardwell, who has paid considerable attention to objects of natural history, assures me that
he has never found them otherwise; and the usual number o f eggs for a sitting are two, and frequently
without any black dots on the surface. Their note is a sharp, shrill, monotonous cry, oft repeated at
intervals; iris reddish brown.”
The following is the original description o f the speciesi extracted from Mr. Ramsay’s paper:—
Female.— Total length 4*8 inches; bill, from the angle o f the mouth 0*6, from forehead 0*5, width at
base 0*2, across nostrils 0*1; wing, from flexure, 2*5 ; tail 2 ; tarsi 0*65. The whole of the upper surface,
sides o f the head, and neck glossy brown, a short oblique stripe under the eye white, feathers on the crown
o f the head centred with dark brown. The whole o f the under surface and the extreme tips o f the ear-
coverts silvery white. The chest faintly barred with lines o f brown, which join the sides of the neck above
the shoulders; flanks and under coverts o f wings tinged with brown ; under surface of the wing dark brown,
the inner margins of the feathers whitish brown; bill and legs reddish horn-brown.”
The sexes differ considerably in size, while in colour there is no difference.
Besides having seen the type specimen in Mr. Ramsay’s collection, I have specimens of this bird in my
own cabinet, from which the figures in the accompanying Plate are drawn.