BY DR. E. P. RAMSAY, F.R.S.E. 1093 



45. Melithreptus albogularis, Gould. 



This is evidently the northern and western representative of 

 M. lunulatas, but is quite distinct from, and must not be confounded 

 with the next very distinct species, M. lostior (Gould). 



46. Melithreptus l^etior, Gould. 



Dr. Hans Gadow has confused this species with M. gularis, Gould., 

 from which it is very distinct, probably because he has had only a 

 single specimen to judge from. A large series now before me 

 plainly shows that the two species are quite distinct from one 

 another, their size and colouring being unvarying. I have received 

 it from the Norman River and other parts of the interior. 



47. Dictum hirundinaceum, Shaw. 



This species is universally dispersed over the whole of Australia ; 

 feeds on berries and fruits of various kinds, but seems to prefer 

 those of the Loranthus, of which we have in Australia so many 

 varieties if not species, and of a Viscum (V. aureum), which is 

 only found as a parasite on the Loranthus ; this plainly accounts 

 for the distribution of the Loranthus and Viscum all over the 

 districts frequented by the Dicceum, and in which it is locally 

 known as the Mistletoe Bird. The eggs are white, without spots or 

 markings of any kind, sometimes elongated ; an average specimen 

 measures 0'65 x 0*45 inch, an elongated one 07 x 0'47 inch. 



48. Climacteris melanura, Gould. 



Found all over the Gulf district, also at Port Essington, and 

 apparently distributed over the whole of the north-west coast. 

 Eggs similar to those of C. scandens, but slightly smaller. Mr. 

 James Ramsay, obtained specimens about 30 miles west of Cobar. 

 The female differs from the male in having the throat white, the 

 lower portion being tinged and margined with rufous. None of 

 our specimens show white markings on the flanks, as figured by 

 Mr. Gould. 



