Rusty-side Warbler, Lath. Gen. Syn. Supp., vol. ii. p. 250.—Shaw Gen. Zool., vol. x. p. 659.—Lath. Gen. Hist., vol. vii. p. 140.
Certhia diluta, Shaw, Gen. Zool., vol. viii. p. 244.
Philedon cœruleus, Cuv.
Meliphaga cœrulea, Steph. Cont. of Shaw’s Gen. Zool., vol. xiv. p. 264.
Sylvia annulosa, var. Β, Swains. Zool. Ill. 1st Ser., pl. 16.
Zosterops dorsalis, Vig. and Horsf. in Linn. Trans., vol. xv. p. 235.
White-eye, Colonists of New South Wales.
This bird is stationary in all parts of Van Diemen’s Land, New South Wales and South Australia, and is more numerous than any other bird inhabiting those countries; where it is not only to be met with in the forests and thickets, but also in nearly every garden, by the proprietors of which it is regarded more as a pest than, as one would suppose, a welcome visitor; no one of the birds of the country effecting greater damage to the buds and fruits of every kind. It even builds its nest and rears its young in the shrubs and rose-trees bordering the walks. I observed several nests in such situations in the garden of the Government House at New Norfolk, Van Diemen’s Land. Among the trees of the forest the beautiful tea-tree (leptospermum ?) is the one to which at all times this species evinces a great partiality. Were it not for its destructive propensities, the Grey-backed Zosterops must from its familiar disposition and pretty lively song be a very general favourite.
Its flight is quick and darting, and when among the branches of the trees it is as active as most birds, prying and searching with the most scrutinizing care into the leaves and flowers for the insects, upon which it feeds. It is sometimes seen singly or in pairs, while at others it is to be observed in great numbers, on the same or neighbouring trees. The southern and eastern portions of Australia, and the islands adjacent, are its true habitat; and the two succeeding plates will show how beautifully it is represented by allied species in other parts of the country.
The breeding-season commences in September and continues to January. The nest is one of the neatest structures possible; it is of a round deep cup-shaped form, composed of fine grasses, moss and wool, and most carefully lined with fibrous roots and grasses. The eggs are usually three in number, of a beautiful uniform pale blue, eight and a half lines long by six lines broad.