The TRUE BRUSH WATTLE BIRD (_Melichæra mellivora_) is deep brownish
grey on the back, each feather having a white stripe in the centre. The
feathers on the throat and breast are brown, tipped with white; the rest
of the under side appears lighter than the back, owing to the greater size
of the white shaft-stripe. The upper quills are chestnut-brown on the
inner web, and the rest brown tipped with white, as are the tail-feathers.
The eye is grey, the beak black, and the foot brown. This species is about
eleven inches long; the wing measures four inches and a quarter, and the
tail five inches and one-sixth.
These birds inhabit all such parts of Tasmania, New South Wales, and
South Australia as offer them the shelter of their favourite Banksias.
Everywhere they are numerous, and display the utmost confidence and
fearlessness towards man. In disposition they are lively, active, and
so pugnacious as to live in a state of constant warfare with all their
feathered companions. "The Brush Wattle Bird," says Gould, "is a bold and
spirited species, evincing a considerable degree of pugnacity, fearlessly
attacking and driving away all other birds from the part of the tree on
which it is feeding, and there are few of the Honey-eaters whose actions
are more sprightly and animated. During the months of spring the male
perches on some elevated branch, and screams forth its harsh and peculiar
notes, which have not unaptly been said to resemble a person in the act
of vomiting; whence the Australian name of 'Goo-gwar-ruck,' in which the
natives have endeavoured to imitate these very singular sounds. While
thus employed, it frequently jerks up its tail, throws up its head, and
distends its throat, as if great exertion were required to force out these
harsh and guttural sounds. The Banksias are in blossom during the greater
portion of the year, and the early flower, as it expands, is diligently
examined by the Wattle Bird, which inserts its long feathery tongue into
the interstices of every part, extracting the pollen and insects, in
searching for which it clings to and hangs about the blossoms in every
variety of position. The breeding season commences in September, and lasts
for three months. The very small nest is round in shape, open at the top,
and formed of delicate twigs and fibres. This pretty little structure is
usually placed in the fork of a branch, at the height of a few feet from
the ground. The two or three eggs are bright red, spotted slightly with
dark brown; these markings are most numerous at the broad end."