There are few birds more familiarly known in the colony of New South Wales than this remarkable species of Honey-eater: it is generally dispersed over the face of the country, both in the thick brushes near the coast and in the more open forests of the interior. I also observed it tolerably abundant on the banks of the Peel, but could not fail to observe that its numbers diminished as I descended the Namoi, on the lower parts of which river it is, I believe, rarely if ever seen, its place there being supplied by the yellow-throated species, _Tropidorhynchus citreogularis_. My own observations induce me to consider it as a summer visitant only to New South Wales; but as a lengthened residence in the country would be necessary to determine this point, my limited stay may have led me into error. It has never yet been known to visit Van Diemen’s Land, neither have I traced it so far to the westward as South Australia. The Friar-Bird, selecting the topmost dead branch of the most lofty trees whereon to perch and pour forth its garrulous and singular notes, attracts attention more by its loud and extraordinary call than by its appearance. From the fancied resemblance of its notes to those words, it has obtained from the Colonists the various names of “Poor Soldier,” “Pimlico,” “Four o’clock,” etc. Its bare head and neck have also suggested the names of “Friar-Bird,” “Monk,” “Leather Head,” etc. Its flight is undulating and powerful, and it may frequently be seen passing over the tops of the trees from one part of the forest to another. While among the branches it displays a more than ordinary number of singular positions; its curved and powerful claws enabling it to cling in every variety of attitude, frequently hanging by one foot with its head downwards, etc. If seized when only wounded, it inflicts with its sharp claws severe and deep wounds on the hands of its captor. Its food consists of the pollen of the _Eucalypti_, and insects, to which are added wild figs and berries.