The DIAMOND BIRD (_Pardalotus punctatus_), as the best known species is
called, has received its name from the spots on its plumage. The crown
of the head, wings, and tail, are black, with a round white patch at the
tip of each feather; a white streak passes above the eyes, the cheeks
and sides of the neck are grey, the feathers on the back grey, shading
at their roots into brown, and edged with black at the extremities. The
uppermost tail-covers are cinnabar-red; the front of the throat, breast,
and lower tail-covers yellow; the belly and sides are yellowish red; the
eyes deep brown, the beak brownish black, and the feet brown. The female
resembles her mate, but is somewhat less brightly coloured. Both sexes
are three inches and a half long.
The Diamond Bird is found throughout the whole of Southern Australia,
from east to west, and is still numerously met with in Van Diemen's
Land. Trees and bushes are its favourite resorts, and in search of these
it ventures freely into the gardens of the settlers, where it speedily
attracts attention by the activity it displays in gleaning its insect
fare from the leaves and branches, and by the constant repetition of its
very pleasing piping note, composed of two syllables, which have been
freely translated by the German settlers into the words, "Wie tief, wie
tief." The most striking peculiarity, however, in this beautiful little
bird is the strange manner in which it builds, the nest being placed not
in hollow trees, but in holes excavated by the brooding pairs in the
ground, generally on the side of some steep declivity. These excavations
form galleries, or passages, usually from two to three feet long, and
at their mouth are just large enough to allow the bird to pass through,
whilst the lower end is made much wider, for the reception of the nest,
and so raised as to insure safety from the entrance of rain. The chamber
for the accommodation of the young is of a round shape, about three
inches in diameter, with an entrance hole in its side. This apartment is
most beautifully formed of scraps from the bark of the gum-trees, woven
together with a perfection of neatness that cannot fail to astonish all
who see it, if they consider that the labour of its construction is
carried on entirely in the dark; the Diamond Bird affording, in this
respect, a very striking contrast to such other members of the feathered
creation as build under similar circumstances, their nests being, almost
without exception, a mere heap of materials thrown loosely and carelessly
together, without the slightest attempt at shapeliness, or endeavour to
arrange the heterogeneous mass. Gould was fortunate enough to discover
a number of these nests, notwithstanding the care taken by the Diamond
Birds to excavate only in such localities as are completely overgrown
with plants or the roots of trees. The brood consists of four or five
round, smooth-shelled eggs, of a pale reddish white. The female lays
twice within the year.
[Illustration: THE DIAMOND BIRD (_Pardalotus punctatus_).]
* * * * *
The BALD-HEADED CROWS (_Gymnoderi_) constitute a family generally
regarded as nearly allied to the Manakins (_Pipræ_), although differing
considerably from the latter in the peculiarity of their habits and
the superiority of their size, which varies from that of a Crow to that
of a Thrush. The Gymnoderi are recognisable by their powerful body,
(in many respects resembling that of a Crow), short neck, moderately
long and pointed wings, in which the third quill exceeds the rest in
length, and short tail, composed of twelve feathers, and straight at its
extremity. The beak varies somewhat in different groups, but is usually
flatly compressed both towards the base and at the hooked tip, which is
furnished with a slight cavity, for the reception of the end of the lower
mandible. The gape extends very far back, nearly to beneath the eyes.
The feet, though short and strong, are only fitted for perching, and are
seldom employed as means of progression. The plumage is thick, compact,
and composed of large feathers, but differs so considerably in different
species as to render a general description impossible. In all the members
of this family the windpipe is very wide, and furnished on each side with
a delicate layer of muscular fibres.
[Illustration: THE CAPUCHIN BIRD, OR BALD FRUIT CROW (_Gymnocephalus
calvus_).]
The Bald-headed Crows inhabit the forests of South America, and subsist
entirely, or almost entirely, upon juicy fruit. In disposition they are
indolent, possessed of but little intelligence, and extremely shy. Some
few species are rarely heard to utter a note; but they are, for the most
part, remarkable for the loudness of their voice, by which their presence
is readily detected.