The AUSTRALIAN DOLLAR BIRD (_Eurystomus Australis_, or _Pacificus_) is of
a deep brown on the head and neck, the rest of the mantle being sea-green;
the region of the cheek is black; the feathers on the throat a bright
green; the secondary quills, roots of the outer web of the primaries, and
the outer web of the roots of the tail-feathers, are bright blue; and
there is a blueish-white spot on the centre of the wing. The eye is dark
brown; the eyelids, beak, and legs are red. The length of this species is
ten inches; the wing measures six inches and three-quarters, and the tail
three inches and a half.
According to Gould, the Dollar Bird appears in New South Wales in the
spring, and again retires north as soon as the young are fully grown. On
dull days, or at early morning, and in the evening, it is to be seen most
actively employed in pursuit of the beetles and other insects on which it
subsists.
"When engaged in the capture of insects," says Gould, "it usually perches
upon the dead, upright branch of a tree growing beside and overhanging
water, where it sits very erect, staring all around until a passing
insect attracts its notice, when it suddenly darts off, secures its
victim, and returns to the same branch; at other times it may constantly
be seen on the wing, mostly in pairs, flying just above the tops of the
trees, diving and rising again with rapid turns in the most beautiful
manner. During flight, which, when performed at a considerable elevation,
is laboured and heavy, the white spot in the centre of each wing, then
widely expanded, shows very distinctly; and hence the name of Dollar Bird
bestowed on it by the colonists. It is very noisy, particularly in dull
weather, when it often emits its peculiar chattering note during flight.
The breeding season continues from September to December; the three or
four pearl-white eggs are deposited in a tree."