362 NESTS AND EGGS OF AUSTRALIAN BIRDS. 



Observations. — Tliis western Me/ithreptus is closely allied to 

 M. luiiuUitus — some authorities say they are identical, but, as Gould 

 points out, it differs from the e;isteni bird in being larger and having 

 the naked space above the eye gieenish-white instead of scarlet. 



Duiiug my own explorations in western woods I expected to take 

 the eggs. However, I only saw the birds building a nest, which 

 I could not obtain. It was then the beginning of October. 



Breeding season possibly from xVugust to December. 



300. — Melithreptus lunulatus (sub-species) albigulaeis, 

 Gould. — (351) 



WHITE-THROATED HONEYEATER. 



Figure. — Gould : Birds of Australia, fol., vol. iv., pi. 74. 

 Refeiencc. — Cat. Birds Brit. Mus., vol. ix., p. 205. 



Previous Descriptions of Eggs.— GonXA: Birds of Australia (1S4S; ; also 

 Handbook, vol. 1.. p. 572 (1S65); Le Souef : Ibis, p- 45S (igoo). 



Gcoyraphica) Di.ifrifiu'iuii. — North-west Australia, Northern Teni- 

 tory and Queensland, also New Giunea. 



Nest. — Always suspended to a drooping branch, which swings about 

 with every gust of wind ; is fonned of dried, narrow strips of soft bark 

 of the melaleuca (Gilbert-Gould). 



Eggs. — Clutch, two usually ; light salmon-colour, blotched and 

 freckled with reddish-brown. Dimensions: 9 lines (75 inch) by 6 lines 

 (•5 inch)— (Gilbert-Gould). 



Ohserrafidiis. — The Wliite-throated Honeyeater is the northern 

 representative or sub-species of the Lunulated or Wliite-naped bird, 

 the varieties coalescing with each other in South Queensland. Gilbert 

 found the White-throated species abundant in the Port Dai-win district. 

 It is also common in the Gulf of Cai-pentaria country, where it may be 

 sometimes seen in company with its beautiful golden-backed cousin 

 (M. Jatior), feeding among the blossoms or stunted eucalypts. More 

 infonnation would be welcomed respecting its nidification.* 



• After closing my MSS. Mr, D. Le Souei thoughtfully sent me the following 

 note respecting some specimens just received : — 



" Melilhreftus albigularis — Mr. R. Hislop found a nest near Cooktown on the 

 23rd October, iSgg, in a MehiUuca at a height of about 15 feet from the gro',:nd. It 

 wassuspended near the end of a branch, and is a very pretty structure composed of 

 bark interwoven with small bundles of while silky spider's web and thin pieces of 

 paper like {.Melaleuca) bark, and is lined with the latter material. It is fastened to 

 the branchlets with chiefly spider's web, and measures in inches— external diameter 

 2^, internal, ij. ; external depth 2, internal li. 



" The two eggs vary in colour, one being lighter than the other The ground- 

 colour is reddish-pink in one, and pinkish-white in the other, with light reddish- 

 markings round the larger end, where they are confluent. Dimensions in inches : 

 (i) 73 X 54, (2) 7 X 53." 



