158 



MKLIPHAOID^E. 



f |(^HE Spiny-cheeked Honey-eater is widely distributed over the Australian Continent. 

 J- Mr. C. W. DeVis, M.A., records it as far north as Kimberley, at the mouth of the 

 Norman River, Gulf of Carpentaria, Queensland, where Mr. K. Broadbent met with it in "small 

 gums on sand-ridges," in July, 1883. ■■ There are specimens in the Australian Museum collection 

 obtained by Mr. George Masters at Port Lincoln, South Australia, in September 1865, and at 

 Mongup, Salt River, Western Australia, in January, 1869. Mr. G. A. Keartland informs me 

 that he met with this species scattered over the greater portion of the route of the Horn 

 Expedition in Central Australia, and of the Calvert Exploring Expedition, from Mullawato near 

 Separation \Vell in Western Australia, in which States he frequently found it feeding on 

 the ground. It also occurs, he informs me, at times in the gardens and reserves of Melbourne 

 in Victoria, and as far north as Tennant's Creek in the Northern Territory of South Australia. 



In New South Wales, unlike Victoria and South Australia, the Spiny-cheeked Honey-eater 

 does not occur in the coastal districts, but it is very common in the western portions of the 

 State. There are numerous specimens in the Australian Museum collection, obtained by the 

 late Mr. K. H. Bennett in the Lachlan District, in August 1883, and by Messrs. E.J. Cairn and 

 R. Grant at Bourke, on the Darling River in 1888; I observed it at Coonamble. Specimens 

 in the flesh have also been received from New Angledool, and one from Armidale on the 25th 

 April, 1905, sent by Mr. G. P. Morse, who informs me that it was the only time he had seen it 

 in that district. 



Stomachs of these birds examined contained only the remains of insects. In addition also 

 to the nectar of flowers, the late Mr. K. H. Bennett writes of specimens Obtained by him in the 

 Lachlan District, in 1883: — "Acanthogenys ni^gulni'is is vsither a scarce bird on the plains, but 

 may occasionally be found in the pine-ridges and clumps of timber. Those I obtained were 

 feeding on the berries of a parasite growing on the branches of low drooping trees on the sand- 

 hills." 



While resident at Hamilton in the \Vestern District, \'ictoria. Dr. W. Macgillivray, kindly 

 sent me the following notes: — "Afaiithogeiivs nifigularis is a very useful insect destroyer, as I have 

 often found their gizzards crammed full of beetles and other insects. During the latter part of 

 the winter before last, several of these birds used to frequent an almond tree in my garden to 

 feast upon its nectar-laden flowers, a proceeding which seemed to be thoroughly enjoyed, as the 

 birds used at intervals during the meal, to throw back their heads and utter that delightful trilling 

 note of theirs. A curious habit which these birds have in common with the White-plumed 

 Honey-eater is that of soaring suddenly upwards from the top of some tree and at the same time 

 uttering a little song, which seems to be reserved for such flights only, and then descending. I 

 have not observed this habit in any other Honey-eaters." 



Dr. A. M. Morgan sends me the following note: — "During a trip made in company with 

 Dr. A. Chenery in August, 1900, from Port Augusta to Mount Gunson, South Australia, we 

 observed Acanthogcnys rufigiilaris \ery common in the scrubs. Three nests were found, one at 

 Mount Gunson on the 31st July, built in a myall about fifteen feet from the ground, and two at 

 Yultacowie Creek, on the nth August, one in a "Black Oak," about four feet from the ground 

 the other in a Pine about fifteen feet up. In each instance the nest contained two partially 

 incubated eggs." Writing again after their trip from Port Augusta to the Gawler Ranges in 

 August, igo2. Dr. A. M. Morgan remarks: — "Acanthogcnys nifigularis was the commonest Honey- 

 eater seen. It was present in all kinds of timbered country." Dr. ,'\. Chenery sent an adult 

 male on the 15th June, 1905, in the flesh, shot by him in the Flinders Range, twelve miles from 

 Port Augusta, and writes: — "Acanthogcnys rnfignlavis is common here. It may be seen in 

 myall flats and in gums along the creeks, and is very tame when in numbers together. The 



• Proc. Roy. Soc. Queensld , Vol. I, p. 156 (1SS4). 



